This Is Why We Lie

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.


Jukebox

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’s father. But when the jukebox is powered on, the girls start traveling through all sorts of history of music. How can they find Shaheen’s 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’s as good as Chanani’s 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’s equality. I also thought it was funny one of Shaheen and Tannaz’s 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.


Please Explain Alzheimer's Disease to Me: A Children's Story and Parent Handbook About Dementia

Please Explain Alzheimer’s Disease to Me: A Children’s 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’s silly when their grandmother leaves her phone in an unusual place, but then it grows more serious. Next, there’s a section with information on Alzheimer’s and dementia that explains what’s 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’t work right anymore. I like to understand things, and this helped.

This book isn’t just helpful for kids, it’s also helpful for caretakers and parents, who might be dealing with this disease for the first time.

The author’s dad is 103!


Sisters of the Snake

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.


Trashlands

Coral’s 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’t. Her power and the ways she vies to keep it are the heart of Alison Stine’s 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—nuts, insects, weeds—and 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’s son who was abducted to work in the plastic factory.

The pace and detail of Stine’s 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’t. It is a must-read.


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.


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’ 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’s 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––a 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––Madagascar. 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’s experiences. They’ll witness the excitement on the girls’ faces when the lemurs sit comfortably on their shoulders and lick honey from Sara’s cheek. They’ll view clips of locals braiding Sara’s 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––all trademarks of this African island.


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’s 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 “information dump” 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’s 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.


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’s 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, “we had to drive past many older French-styled homes, and women doing laundry community style. All shared in the washing and the rinsing.” Her simple, concise statements capture the country’s 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’s 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’s 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’s 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’s work on this project. Nicki Geigert’s Family Trip to Magical Madagascar and Beyond is a breathtaking survey that readers will thoroughly enjoy.


Cenotaphs

Ben Sanna, seventy-five and sporting a grey ponytail, is having lunch with a friend in a café in a small town in Vermont when “a special automobile…German, sporty,” parks across the street. Exiting the car is a tall, slender woman “dressed elegantly in a black.” She comes into the café, and though there are lots of empty booths, approaches the two old men and asks, “You guys want some company?”

After a cheeseburger and a bit of small talk, Sam, short for Samantha, shows interest in Ben’s “penchant for helping people.” “You were a therapist?” she asks. “No,” Ben says, “I just listen pretty well and try to give them sound advice.” Sam’s intrigued and decides to go with Ben to his cabin in the woods. She’s not worried because she has a black belt in Krav Maga, the world's most dangerous and deadliest martial art.

Back at Ben’s cabin, Sam dances solo “…free, wild, and in the moment,” then has a seizure, recovers, and together they watch several episodes of a home improvement show. “I had a good time,” Sam says as she is about to leave then starts hitting Ben’s chest. “I have a black belt... could kill you.” Sam stops the beating and decides to leave, but seconds later she changes her mind and asks, “Would it be okay if I stayed the night?” After spending the night in separate beds, they have breakfast, go for a walk, and Sam tells Ben, “I think I love you.”

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 “…made sport of barging in on men in restaurants. That way I never had to eat alone.” 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’s cabin with him?

Of course, there’s Ben’s 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’s not a counselor, therapist, or spiritual savant, hasn’t published any philosophical works, and doesn’t have any notoriety whatsoever. In fact, he’s divorced, estranged from his children, and prone to alcoholism and drug-taking. What’s 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.


Cenotaphs

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’s 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 “clients”, 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’s 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, “My greatest learning is this – love people exactly as they are, flaws and all, for as long as they grace your life. We don’t get do-overs, do we?”. 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’s 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.


HomoAmerican - The Secret Society

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 …I 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—which 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—no matter their differences as, deep down, we all have similar feelings, dreams, and a desire to be happy.


HomoAmerican - The Secret Society

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’s place in the world in relation to and independent of the many assumptions and impositions dictated by our world, societies, and governments. Dane’s 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’s self. He explores not only the main character’s 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, “People 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.” His prose is raw and mesmerizing, his honesty endearing and captivating. Dane’s 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.


The Picky Eater's Recovery Book: Overcoming Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

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!


Beaver and Otter Get Along...Sort of: A Story of Grit and Patience Between Neighbors

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…Otter! 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’s 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’t usually hurt beavers, they can be a nuisance. Sodano’s 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.


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.

Desperate: An Epic Battle for Clean Water and Justice in Appalachia by Kris Maher

Set 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’s 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’s effective reporting evokes strong feeling in the reader, providing a reason to believe that justice does still prevail, even against the odds.

Earth Detox: How and Why we Must Clean Up Our Planet by Julian Cribb

Earth 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.

Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis by Erica Cirino

Erica Cirino’s 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’s 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.

Fauci: Expect the Unexpected: Ten Lessons on Truth, Service, and the Way Forward by National Geographic

Infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci, the White House’s 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.

Patient Zero: A Curious History of the World's Worst Diseases by Lydia Kang and Nate Pedersen

From 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.


Makan: Recipes from the Heart of Singapore

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 “Nonyas” – the mothers, grandmas, and aunties who passed down their cooking through generations. Learning “nonyas' secrets” 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!


Tunnel 29: The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall

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.


The Personal Librarian

Belle da Costa Greene’s 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 “historical” often overshadowing the “novel,” to the point of overloading the book with a fair amount of unnecessary factual events simply because they could. I did enjoy “meeting” 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.


True Raiders: The Untold Story of the 1909 Expedition to Find the Legendary Ark of the Covenant

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.


Long Distance

Vega and her family are relocating from Portland to Seattle due to her father’s new job. Vega isn’t looking forward to moving to Seattle and leaving her best friend, Halley. Vega’s 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’s 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’m 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.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers


Egg Marks the Spot (Skunk and Badger 2)

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’s a good one!


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.


History/Bio Roundup

When Lord Byron coined the phrase “truth is stranger than fiction,” 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.

The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive by Lucy Adlington

In a truly remarkable story of grit and survival against the odds, Lucy Adlington’s 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 Höss, the wife of camp commandant Rudolf Höss, 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 Höss’ 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.

The Kitchen Whisperers: Cooking with the Wisdom of Our Friends by Dorothy Kalins

The 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’ 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’ 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’ interesting stories and recollections are recipes ranging from her mother’s meatloaf to David Tanis’ Swiss chard gratin, which are sure to inspire readers to attempt to cultivate some culinary experience of their own.

Irma’s Passport: One Woman, Two World Wars, and a Legacy of Courage by Catherine Ehrlich

Catherine Ehrlich relates the tale of Irma’s 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’s 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’s path in life changed somewhat when she married Jakob Ehrlich, an advocate for Vienna’s 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’s extraordinary story in her own words, and she also muses on the impact that her grandparents’ experiences have had on her own life.

Sleeper Agent: The Atomic Spy in America Who Got Away by Ann Hagedorn

A 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’s 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’s 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’ 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.

Four Funerals, No Marriage: A Memoir by Mike Keren

Mike Keren’s 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’t 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’s partner’s 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––a system he had previously abandoned after deciding to quit his career as a clinical psychologist––Keren 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.


Controlling Women: What We Must Do Now to Save Reproductive Freedom

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’s equality, and you fear the recent push to roll back abortion rights legislation, then Kathryn Kolbert and Julie F. Kay’s book Controlling Women may be the hope you’ve been looking for.

Kolbert and Kay’s 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 “Gender, Sex, Race, and Power” 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.


Monsieur Proust's Library: Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Birth of Marcel Proust

Anka Muhlstein reveals a poignant story in her biography of Marcel Proust, acclaimed as one of France’s most celebrated novelists. Proust’s 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’s Library will seduce readers already familiar with Proust’s 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’s 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’s reputation is so lastingly appealing.


The Vanished Days (The Scottish series)

I have been waiting for what seems like forever for Susanna Kearsley’s 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’s 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’s investigator, Sergeant Adam Williamson. During the investigation, Williamson must hear Lily’s tragic life story, the testimony of her late husband’s 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!


Stranger Things: Rebel Robin

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.


Opposites Abstract

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 “yes,” 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.


Guess What!? (An Unlimited Squirrels Book) (Unlimited Squirrels, 4)

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!


How to Train Your Dad

Carl is thirteen, and he is pretty tired of the way his dad does things. And he doesn’t have a mom to help him. She died when he was young, and his dad won’t talk about their life before. Now his dad doesn’t 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’t think it will catch the eye of “the girl,” Peggy, and that’s 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 “lookatable” 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.


My Contrary Mary (The Lady Janies)

This is the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, but like it’s 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’s 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’s something about Mary.


Kaddish: Before the Holocaust and After

Prolific writer Jane Yolen’s latest book is a departure from the children’s 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’s section that keeps it from feeling fully cohesive. Perhaps this is intentional; the three sections are Before (Woman’s Midrashim), The Shoah’s Many Voices, and Mitzvah’s 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, “The Trochenbrod Miracle”, 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—unsurprisingly—deeply sad in many places, so readers who aren’t ready for the emotional toll of the text should steer clear.


The Loud House #13: Lucy Rolls the Dice

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’s 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.


Family Reunion

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.


Cheat Day: A Novel

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.


Get Messy Art: The No-Rules, No-Judgment, and No-Pressure Approach to Making Art - Create with Watercolor, Acrylic, Markers, Inks, and More

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.


Silence in the Library: A Lily Adler Mystery (LILY ADLER MYSTERY, A Book 2)

Lily Adler has done it again. She’s 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’s 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’ 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’ 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’t 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’s always wonderful to see a woman using her wits instead of always following society’s 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.


This Poison Heart

Briseis has a secret, one that has scared friends away and, if she’s 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.


We Were Never Here: A Novel

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’s relationships. Emily is beginning to realize her relationship with Kristen might not be healthy, and soon she’ll discover how unhealthy it really is. How far will Emily go to protect herself and those she loves, even when it’s someone she loves that’s doing the damage?

If you’ve ever felt bad that you don’t have a best friend, read this book and you’ll be glad you keep people at arm’s 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.


Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat)

Jet the Cat (Is Not a Cat) is a really silly book, but it’s serious too. It’s 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’s really unusual for a cat, it makes the other cats think she’s not a cat.

That really doesn’t 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’s a frog. Then the frogs tell her she’s 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’ll have to read it to find out. Even though the other animals tell her that she’s something else, Jet knows what she is all along. And that is the most important lesson of all.


Come With Me

One morning, reporter Allison Decker dies tragically in a mall shooting. The last words she said to her husband, Aaron, that morning were “come with me.” As Aaron is going through her belongings, he finds a receipt for a motel room in a different state. After confirming she wasn’t 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’s going to follow the trail all the way, even if he doesn’t 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’t 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.


Sounds Like Love

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.

Also available in Hardcover and e-book formats.


Awakening Your Soul's Truth: A Powerful Guide for Transformation, Healing, and Consciousness Growth Author Name(s): *

"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


The Religious Transaction

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.


Michael F. Cole’s 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 “Zodiac”. 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, “We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge”. 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’s 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’s nature. This woman’s 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’s 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’s 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.

Also available in e-book format.


Space Story

I would be lying if I didn’t 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’m 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’t 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’t appear to be any people. Instead, there is all manner of strange machinery that he has to figure out. Fortunately it doesn’t 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’s 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’s 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’s 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.


The Summer Seekers: A Novel

Eighty-year-old Kathleen is feeling her age more than ever, but she isn’t 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’s fiction tropes, but it still provides a fun and fast-paced read with plenty of nuanced moments.


A Glimmer of a Clue (A Fairy Garden Mystery)

Courtney Kelly has it made––she has a booming business, her family, and even her fairy friend Fiona. It isn’t 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’s 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’s innocent, but how can she prove it? And if it wasn’t 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’s death? Or could it have been the very person Courtney’s 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!


The Perfect Family

Viv and Thomas Adler have it all. A beautifully renovated home, two perfect children, and successful careers. Who wouldn’t want to be them? Clearly somebody, as they become victims of increasingly aggravated attacks on their home. First, it’s 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’s 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’t 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.


As the Wicked Watch: The First Jordan Manning Novel (Jordan Manning series, 1)

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’s 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’t wait for the next one in the series.


At Summer's End

Alberta “Bertie” 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’t even seen him in that time. She manages to break through his defenses and At Summer’s 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.


The All-Night Sun: A Novel

Lauren Cress’s 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—what 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’s friendship is complex and dynamic, as are Lauren’s relationships with Siri’s brother and sister and with Siri’s friends. Zinna renders these relationships with profound emotional clarity and sensitivity to weave a compelling story about friendship, art, and loss.


I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year

Despite there being yet another picture of the forty-fifth president on the cover of this book––or perhaps because of it––I 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’s 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––and perhaps had a more severe than necessary impact because of––his presidency. Trump’s total focus on staying in power at whatever cost while blithely ignoring the transmission and fatal nature of the disease was truly heartless.


The Final Girl Support Group

The Final Girl Support Group centers on a woman named Lynnette Tarkington who is part of a group of women known as “final girls.” 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’t 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.


Swan Song: A Novel

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’s 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 naïve 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.


Any Way the Wind Blows (Simon Snow Trilogy, 3)

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’re reeling in the aftermath of their trip’s 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’s going on with the emerging hunt for the next “Chosen One,” and Agatha is working at her father’s 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.