Peachy Scream: A Georgia B&B Mystery

In true Shakespearean fashion, tragedy finds its way to Nina Fleet and her B&B. Nina's small town is putting on a Shakespeare festival, and the acting troupe has a two-week stay already booked with her. Normally this would be just what she needs for her B&B, though she hesitates to accept the booking when the leader of the troupe is exactly the person she doesn't want to see: Harry Westcott. They didn't get off on the right foot when he challenged her claim to her home, but after deciding to let them stay, she never could have predicted how horribly wrong it could go, or how deadly. After one of the troupe members is found dead, she teams up with Harry to dig into the pasts of the other members and catch a killer.

Anna Gerard delivers a delightful follow-up to Peach Clobbered, with Nina taking in her nemesis and his acting troupe for a Shakespeare festival. The back and forth between Nina and Harry is riddled with friction and bickering that stems from their first encounter, which had them immediately butting heads over her house. Despite the bickering, the relationship between them is humorous and adds to the light tone of the story. The mystery revolves around the troupe and has several funny moments involving Nina sneaking around on the sly to uncover the secrets the troupe has hidden. In a delightful twist of events, Nina is thrown together with Harry to solve the murder by sneaking around together and still finding the time to argue. The overall themes have a distinctly Shakespearean flavor, with a mystery that centers upon secrets, identity, poison, and family drama.

Peachy Scream is a delightful read that is perfect for lovers of Shakespeare. It delivers a lighthearted cozy read, a suspenseful murder mystery that keeps you guessing, and a bickering duo who will have you immediately charmed.


The Half Sister

One Sunday afternoon, Jess drops in on Kate and Lauren when they are having their usual lunch with their families and their mom. Jess claims she is The Half Sister that no one knew about. Lauren embraces her while Kate sets out to prove she’s lying and their mom is in complete denial, refusing to acknowledge her at all. As Kate investigates, she does discover that Jess isn’t being entirely truthful about who she is, but she discovers that the those closest to her aren’t either. There are quite a few secrets in this family and it looks like one person is going to expose them all.

I thought this book was a mystery, but it was more of a drama with a small amount of mystery thrown in. A murder is casually mentioned about halfway through and the perpetrator hinted at near the end. Most of the story was about the relationship between Lauren and Kate and how they each thought the other had a better life, only to realize it’s not as glamorous as it seemed. If you enjoy family dramas and watching sisters work out their problems to become closer than ever, you will enjoy this book. I don’t recommend it if you are looking for a mystery or a thriller. There were only about three pages in the whole thing that came close to meeting that definition. Overall, not bad but it certainly wasn’t hard to put it down.


One Last Lie

Mike Bowditch, an investigator for the Maine Warden Service, is on assignment in Florida when he receives a phone call from the wife of Charley Stevens, the man Mike considers as close to him as a father. Charley has gone off without a word to anyone. Mike returns to Maine to search for him. He finds a letter from Charley warning him not to look for him, but Mike perseveres. He learns that Charley, just before he disappeared, found an old warden’s badge at a flea market. He comes across a photograph of the man Charley killed in the line of duty, and he hears about the young undercover warden who blew his cover and paid the price. All of this convinces Mike that Charley is out to right a wrong from the past. Mike’s search takes him through the unincorporated townships, woodlands, and rivers of northern Maine, which are described in great detail, as he interacts with past and present wardens as well as poachers, all of whom seem to withhold as much as they reveal. The reader of One Last Lie will enjoy this well plotted and expertly written mystery and learn enough about the flora and fauna of Maine – muskelunges, boreal chikadees, puckerbrush – to last a lifetime.


Unicorns Are the Worst!

This is the funniest book I have ever read! Do you get tired of people talking about unicorns and how great they are all the time? Everyone thinks unicorns are so great, so pretty with their rainbow colors. I am so glad to see a book where someone else thinks unicorns are the worst! The grumpy little goblin points out that goblins have many magical powers but no one wants to decorate with goblins or throw goblin parties just because goblins are an ugly shade of green and not rainbow-colored. Goblin does not like his new Unicorn neighbors and thinks they are just the worst, but he soon finds out that there are neighbors worse than Unicorns if you can believe that. This story has a message that perhaps one should not judge others based on their physical appearance, because once you get to know them, they might be better than you imagined. Goblin realized that the unicorns were much better than he thought and he realized that he should be kinder. This book is filled with colorful illustrations that are absolutely hilarious. This may be the best and funniest book ever!


Purged Souls

LOCAL AUTHOR

Twenty years ago, a comet crashed on Earth, and with it brought a mysterious alien virus that wasn’t supposed to interfere with human DNA, but somehow it did, and it cost the lives of billions of people. For four long, agonizing years, the virus halved the world population every six months, and birth rates hit a new low. Now, two decades later, the virus is the only thing humanity doesn’t have to worry about.

People do what they know best in catastrophic events, and history repeats itself. In this case, people don’t unite, they are divided in their own self-made societies. Lori, a Special Forces Colonel, belongs to the Marin, a well-organized military society. Her job is to train new recruits and to make them the best possible soldiers in order to defend their society and protect them from the people that belong nowhere. They live in the streets, move a lot, and have nothing left to lose.

When a soldier is wounded during an exercise that turned out to be a death trap and she disappears from the hospital, along with her medical records, and it’s like she never existed, Lori is determined to find her and uncloak the mystery behind dozens of disappearances involving Marin soldiers the past few months. In her quest, Mika, her best and only friend, accompanies her. Their bond is a particularly strong one, and they will do everything to keep each other safe. What they discover will put them and the remaining humanity in grave danger.

Lori is a very complex and multidimensional character, and that’s exactly what makes her so unique, real, and appealing to the reader. She may look tough on the outside, but she hasn’t forgotten that once, a long time ago, she was a little, fragile girl who got a glimpse of what life with its blue sky, colorful nature, and adorable kittens used to be.

Purged Souls is set in a dystopian futuristic wasteland that used to be America. It’s well-written, action-packed, and full of twists. Conspiracies and lies can deceive, secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested, and self-doubt takes over. Purged Souls is a hauntingly atmospheric debut novel by Kagan Tumer about an apocalyptic world that makes you question humanity’s fate.


Can a grammar book enhance the human spirit or help promote greater mindfulness?

Grammar for a Full Life: How the Ways We Shape a Sentence Can Limit or Enlarge Us by Lawrence Weinstein is a collection of essays that explore the various elements of grammar and how language can adapt ways of thinking and being. Each of the seven sections in the book are filled with Weinstein’s personal anecdotes that give readers grammar mechanics with an existential lens: “Grammar to Take Life in Hand,” “Grammar for Creative Passivity,” “Grammar for Belonging,” “Grammar for Freedom,” “Grammar for Morale,” “Grammar for Mindfulness,” and “Grammar for the End.”

Weinstein starts with a sense of agency—the ability to make things happen—which is a good beginning for a book about writing. He compares a writer without agency to a driver who “sits frozen at his wheel for an eternity, crawling out into the intersection only after others have passed him on the left.” The energy of language is suffused with a strength or weakness, depending on how the writer wields it. But can grammar choices allow for greater control of one’s life?

With nods to Lynne Truss’ Eats, Shoots & Leaves and William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White’s The Elements of Style, Weinstein tackles the sophisticated punctuation and grammatical choices writers make and celebrates the culture of words and the voices of those behind them. He helps readers learn—or relearn—the writing tools of the trade through accessible concepts, but also argues in the essay “Doing What Works” that the rules must sometimes be ignored in favor of linguistic instinct. There is more to grammar than etiquette or what the computer’s grammar spell-check program highlights for correction.

Through his own flare and wit, Weinstein advocates for balance—in grammar as in life. Words have the ability to surprise readers and reflect humanity’s own dichotomies and contradictions. For example, he “resuscitates regard for the passive voice” without taking away from the active voice championed earlier. He puts forth a Cross-out Therapy, allowing writers to be wrong as many times as need in order for them to eventually be right. The word "they" can be adapted for a changing culture, and there are positive nuances in using the word "but." Grammar can even promote immortality: “Never place a period where God has put a comma.”

In Grammar for a Full Life, Lawrence Weinstein shares his own poignant and funny life lessons to help demonstrate a richer way of communicating, one that is intentional, flexible, and promotes well-being.


Somewhere in Persia

In Somewhere in Persia, Dward Lee Greenbird shares his late father’s story as well as his publications as a war correspondent in Iran during WWII. Sam Greenberg served in the United States Army with the Motor Transport Services, a division involved with logistics, and specifically, with sending lend-lease supplies to Russia on behalf of the United States in order for Russia to fortify itself against an anticipated German attack. Sam served as a clerk at Camp Amirabad and was responsible for documenting the time his unit spent in Iran. Arguably, this was his most critical and influential role. He was a morale builder who helped humanize the war and the experiences of the soldiers during a time of desolation in their lives. His fellow comrades looked forward to reading his publications; they were a form of valued entertainment to them. Sam incorporated some of their writings into his work which was cathartic and gratifying for them, knowing someone else out there somewhere in the world was viewing their perspectives. Included also in this memoir are short poems, photographs of celebrities like Myrna Loy and Rita Hayworth, and letters Sam wrote to his family. When he returned home from the war, he accepted a position as a writer for The Ledger-Enquirer in Columbus, Georgia. There he was able to continue his love of labor.

Somewhere in Persia offers readers a different kind of read - a collage of writings, photos, musings, and more. They’re pieced together to make a sacred whole. The author even includes images of inventions his father had intended to turn into the National Inventor’s Council in Washington D.C. after checking with the U.S. Patent Office. Though he never did this, his ingenuity is intriguing, and his creative mind is unveiled.

The photographs of various regions of the Middle East that are featured throughout are fascinating. One entitled “Rebuilt Palace of Queen Ester - 25 miles south of Andimeshk” is amazing as is the history behind it. Another remarkable one is of the Falak-ol-Aflak Castle in Iran. It’s simple, serene beauty is striking. Several detailed photos of The Old City of Jerusalem are exhibited and described as well.

Older generations may be especially fond of this book. They will be able to relate to some of the vernacular used and smile as they read it, remembering the way things used to be, like when people referred to servicemen as “Joes” and used terms like “pesky, “geezer,” and “hoodwinked.” They may recall, too, when prices were incredibly low like beer for “six cents a can at the PX station.”

Somewhere in Persia is a meaningful read and a thoughtful tribute to a father deeply loved by his son. The author sadly reveals that his father suffered from bipolar disorder and committed suicide when Dward was still a young boy. The role he played during the twelve years they had together on earth was one of great magnitude, and through his son’s words and the collections of his father’s work captured in this memoir, his story can live on throughout history.


The Living Dead

The end of the world has been speculated about for centuries. The form of our demise remains open for debate. In The Living Dead, re-animated bodies begin to wreak unspeakable havoc upon our world. The hellish landscape is seen from various perspectives, from a government agency in Washington monitoring vital statistics to a trailer park in Missouri to a Medical Examiner’s office in San Diego where a John Doe begins to stir during the postmortem. The circumstances facing each character differs, yet the horrid sight of the recently deceased arising and attacking them and their fellow citizens alarms them to their very core. Luis and Charlie seek refuge from the brethren of John Doe in Luis’ house. Greer must fight tooth and nail to survive in her corpse-strewn trailer park. Etta Hoffman, an asocial office drone logs the growing death count while resigning herself to the confines of the government building. The unraveling of the situation is relayed by vapid news anchor Chuck Corso in Atlanta, whose time to shine has begun.

The Living Dead is the swan song of legendary filmmaker George Romero. His final work developed and finished by Daniel Kraus is a shocking yet brilliant horror masterpiece. The reader may know what they’re getting, but each chapter illustrates the exact opposite. The action never slows, the emotions run from terror to dark humor to sadness, yet there is beauty throughout.


Patchwork: Conversation Between Generations is an exquisite collection of real-life stories about a group of black women who meet together for support, love, and help. They would sew together quilts, and that quilt would go to the one woman whom they were all praying for that month. The quilt not only symbolizes a physical piece, but also an emotional one in which their lives were patched together by one another. The group spans over a forty-year period and is led by the author's two grandmothers, Anna and Carrie. The group is started when one of the ladies, Mary, is at odds with the fact that the love of her life, Prince, is nowhere to be found. He was unofficially discharged from the Army and, upon coming home to visit, did not make it to see his own family. This storyline is threaded throughout the book as the members of the group pray for Mary and her niece, Trudy, whom she is raising. Each chapter is dedicated to the story of one of the ladies in the group. And each story is so unique and thought-provoking. The way black women and men were treated back during the times of slavery is appalling. The women were raped by white men even though they were married to their own spouses. And one of the women conceived a child, which made life hard for the whole family since the daughter was clearly different from the rest of the children in the family. Another woman came from a family in which murder was the main theme. Her older sister is a monster of a bully and everyone is scared of her. Like the other women in the group, this one asks the group to pray for her family and their safety.

I really loved how the book was organized and included several pictures of the women. It was easy to keep track of each member of the group and what was going on. The only thing I think this book needs would be a good copy editor. There were several paragraphs where the grammar was incorrect, making it difficult to read. I had to read these paragraphs a few times to understand who was speaking. For example, there were missing quotation marks so some of the sentences just ran on.

Overall, Patchwork is a beautiful memoir that should be shared around the world as the stories each have something we can learn from.


For forty years, multiple generations of black women come to Ma Anna’s house, getting together to make quilts to help keep their families warm in the winter. As they sew, they discuss life’s most difficult topics from concern about a granddaughter to loss to the horrors of what white men had forced them to do.

Ma Ann reminds the women that God has a plan for them all. They will make it through all with his help.  Through this time of sewing together, there is healing and hope from the many hurts that life and cruel people bring on them. These women became patched together as much as the quilts they were working on.

I enjoyed the honesty of the women’s stories. Sometimes the story was hopeful and sometimes horrifying. I could truly see these women come to life on the page. Each one having different characteristics and concerns. The introduction items were a little bit long, but otherwise a well-paced story.

I had a problem with the editing. Punctuation was missed in many places making a beautiful story exceedingly difficult to read. Quotation marks and commas were the most missed items. This made me sad because I think a book like this is needed in the discussions of today. I feel like if this is not corrected many will give up reading the story, which I feel needs to be told.

I am inspired by these women. Despite some terrible circumstances, most of them carried on with their lives and worked through it. For some, healing from grief came much later and I am glad to see it portrayed so truthfully. I loved the pictures of the women at the beginning of each of the chapters, showing us these real, strong, and beautiful women.

I loved the Biblical aspect of the story. I appreciated all the great advice Ma Anna gave through the scriptures to encourage the women. I loved seeing them talk, pray, and discuss the Bible together.

As a white woman, this story was really eye-opening to what the black community is trying to convey to those who have not lived through this. Their ancestors being treated unfairly and brutally. I am heartbreaking for the horrors that people do to each other, but I am also glad for the understanding of what these black women have been through. I hope this generation can do better at treating each other well and equally.


Patchwork: Conversations Between Generations is a sentimental story featuring a group of African-American women from 1939 through 1959 who meet periodically to patch quilts and, more importantly, to "patch" their lives back together. Ma Anna is the main character and founder of the Patchwork quilting group. Anna was a devout, God-fearing woman who believed that everything happens for a reason, and equally, that there was a scripture verse and prayer to go along with any situation. And situations there were. Take into account that the six founders are all African-American women who lived in South Carolina with slavery abolished but racism and its privileged beliefs still running rampant among the Whites.

In 1939, what started as a group of women seeking to help make quilts for a needy woman before winter turned into a life-changing experience for them all. The quilts included not only love but sorrow turned to joy through the prayers laid on each unique quilt. The situations brought to light include topics that are still problematic in today's culture: murder, racism, physical and sexual abuse, and education. What needs remembering is that these women and their stories are all real. With the book read from that perspective, their situations are sad and unfair. What also needs remembering is that bad wasn't the only emotion mentioned in the story, as love, relief, and comfort from knowing that their burdens won't be so heavy on their hearts kept them coming back.

Agreeing with Ma Anna's religious beliefs and loving her overall pleasant personality, I enjoyed reading of the kindness shown by her and, of course, the emphasis on God, which was welcome and needed then and now. Being less than one hundred pages, Patchwork is on the shorter side for books, although the reader will discover that nothing is missing from its enjoyable story. However, some of the text was hard to read, with missing quotation marks, commas missing or in the wrong places, and a few other grammatical errors. While this made the reading go somewhat slower in parts, the overall story was not lost and was still understood.

I think Patchwork is a smart idea for a book. The topics mentioned show how change is hard to find throughout history with regard to the treatment of people of any color, race, etc. Working in the mental health field, I love the idea of sharing your inner-most burdens with friends and the fact that God is so well-received among this group of women, as it should be for the entire public. Readers who enjoy learning about the past, racism, friendship, and genuine care for each other will love this book.


LOCAL AUTHOR

Patchwork was an organization founded by the author's grandmother Anna around 1939. Ma Anna, as she was known, had a big heart and wanted to help her neighbors. For this reason, she decided to create a group that focused on making quilts. By inviting local women to her group, she aimed to provide not only material comfort from quilts but also a place for women to meet, talk, and find spiritual guidance. Ma Anna had a firm belief that God would lead the way and provide insight on how they should conduct themselves and lead their lives.

The story focuses on a group of women within the patchwork group who connect by sharing their problems in an attempt to find peace and support. They all had unique, moving, and memorable stories to tell. These stories unfold throughout the chapters until we discover just how devastating and trying some of their lives had been. Aunt Mary's story was a particularly sad one. She disappeared without a trace from the group for many years. The group was aware that her friend Prince had disappeared after visiting her. When his body was later found, Mary didn't seem to connect anymore. I was moved to tears by the time I got to the end of the book when Mary returned to reveal what happened years earlier.
I found Eleanor's story also rather sad. I can't imagine how one would feel if family members moved away without ever trying to make contact. I was glad to find out she ended up with a loving family of her own.

I loved the fact that the author included photos of the women. And the picture of Prince was especially appreciated. It made me feel like I had a special connection to all of them. But as much as I liked the overall story and what the author wanted to convey, I think it would have benefited from some editing. Sentences were sometimes long and wordy. Quotation marks were often missing or not used when necessary. And I was bothered by changes in tenses within paragraphs and sometimes within a sentence. I felt that this affected the flow for me. I also think it needed a little more development to make the meeting more vivid to the reader. Probably using the "show don't tell" method would allow for this.

I do think that one cannot help but be moved by the circumstances these women faced. And Ma Anna must have been an amazing woman with a lot of faith in God. She always seemed to focus on the positive, even during trying times.


The Sandman

Fans of bestselling author Neil Gaiman may not know that the series that gave him his start and launched him to fame was in fact a graphic novel series known as The Sandman. The series has been optioned numerous times for the big screen, but never actually made it to production and release. But now fans are in for a treat with this wonderful audiobook adaptation released exclusively through Audible, which collects the first three volumes of the series in a ten-hour audio production.

It is the story of the Endless: Dream, Death, Destiny, Despair, and Delirium, but most importantly of Dream and his world of dreams. The story begins with Dream being captured by a nefarious spell that leaves him trapped for over 70 years, the havoc that is wrought in the world of dreams as well as in reality, and how upon escaping Dream must put things right once again.

The series is adapted by Dirk Maggs, and features the talents of James McAvoy as Dream, Kat Dennings as Death, and Michael Sheen as Lucifer, as well as many more stars. It is narrated by the one and only Neil Gaiman. Fans will delight in this great adaptation.


Girls Garage: How to Use Any Tool, Tackle Any Project, and Build the World You Want to See (Teenage Trailblazers, STEM Building Projects for Girls)

If you identify as a girl, and you love to build things, then Girls Garage is a must-read! Can you relate to having a love of creating objects with your own hands, but when there are boys around, you get pushed aside or not taken seriously? Emily Pilloton, the founder of Girls Garage located in California, has created this book to allow girls everywhere to have no excuse when it comes to "intimidating" tools or building terms around men. She has divided the book into sections about safety, tools, essential skills, and building projects to tackle on your own. In the section on tools, there are pictures available with arrows and labels, and then added fun facts about specific tools. There is a plethora of information included that will help you in many areas of your life!
Not having much experience in building things, but loving the idea of it, I feel more informed about the construction world now. I appreciated the pictures to give me a better idea of the tools that my husband uses. I am excited to show off my new knowledge to the world!


Over and Under the Rainforest

A child and her companion, Tito, go on a hike in the rainforest where they discover the hundreds of animals that make it their home. They first hear a symphony of sounds up in the trees and find another world of animals and insects. They spot toucans and oropendolas, who make their nests up in the trees. There are bats asleep during the day, and poison dart frogs and capuchin monkeys. On the forest ground, they watch agoutis search for food, and ants get eaten up by an anteater. Tito leads the child across a bridge, where crocodiles swim in the river below and a funny basilisk races over the water. There is so much to see in the rainforest, but the pair stop to snack and rest. It is nearly dark and the night creatures will come out soon. Tito and the child must get home in time for supper.

Over and Under the Rainforest by the award-winning duo of Kate Messner and illustrator Christopher Silas Neal, is part of the acclaimed Over and Under series. This educational and beautifully illustrated story brings the diversity of the rainforest to young readers. An Author’s Note and endnotes with more information about the animals are included in the back.


The Times Machine! Learn Multiplication and Division...like, Yesterday!

The Times Machine! is a very good book. It is well written and there are good comic book style pictures with funny characters. It would be good for kids who are learning multiplication and division. In the book, the characters Mr. Mouse, Ms. Squirrel, and Danica teach and learn different math tricks. Like for multiplying 12s they teach that it is the same thing as 10xX+2xX.

The Times Machine! is good when used at home or at school. In each chapter, there are five or six activities. Most of the activities are math problems using what you've just learned. It is a book that is good for reading by yourself. You don’t need a teacher to help you.

The Times Machine! is a book that is best read for fun learning. It teaches the multiplication tables, the distributive and associative properties, multiple digit multiplication, and long division. Kids in second through fifth grade should read this book.


Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation

The story of how evangelicals, especially white southern evangelicals, became involved in politics and have since been a force, whether if the reader thinks for good or ill, has been retold countless times over the past several years and gets aa new retelling by professor Kristin Kobes Du Mez. Du Mez starts roughly eighty years ago when evangelicals were more concerned with saving souls than being involved in politics. But as Americans began to move away from organized religion, the evangelicals were at first not quite united but over time started throwing their weight behind Republican candidates, no matter how much corruption and bad the candidates were. Over time, according to Du Mez, the Evangelicals basically sold their soul to a party that does not care about them, as the Republican party knows the Evangelicals will vote for them no matter who the person is. What is more unique is that Du Mez moves beyond President Reagan, and the idea of rugged masculinity and individuality, no matter how much it might contradict sayings from the Bible. She goes up through the election of the current president.


The Long Tail of Trauma: A Memoir

Elizabeth Wilcox has a lot she doesn’t understand. Why does her mother buy Ferragamo shoes after she goes bankrupt? Why won’t her grandmother ever discuss the past? Why does Elizabeth feel so disconnected from her own children? Wilcox’s memoir, The Long Tail of Trauma, uses her family’s unique history to explore the inter-generational effects of childhood trauma. Her grandmother, Violet, was displaced during World War I at age six, while her mother, Barbara, was separated from her parents during World War II at age three. Unfortunately, Wilcox has trouble depicting Violet’s and Barbara’s stories and integrating them with her own.

Wilcox relates her own dysfunctional relationship with Barbara in the first person – no doubt why the book is classified as “memoir” – but narrates Barbara’s and Violet’s stories in the third person. She admits she’s fictionalized parts of Violet’s childhood, and we suspect some of Barbara’s might also be imaginary, given what Wilcox reveals about her mother’s tendency to exaggerate and conceal. While all these threads could be intriguing if developed separately, they’re jarring when combined in a single book and labeled “nonfiction.” The Long Tail of Trauma may interest some readers patient enough to untangle its winding narratives, but most would be better served looking for purely psychological or historical memoirs.


A Royal Affair

The Right Sort Marriage Bureau, owned and operated by Iris Sparks and Gwendolyn Bainbridge, two ladies in their late twenties, is a daring venture in post-World War II London. Their latest client, Lady Matheson, works in ‘some capacity’ for the Queen of England. She wants the agency to look into the background of a suitor to a young lady, not an unusual assignment, except that the suitor happens to be a Greek prince and the young lady is Princess Elizabeth, heir to the throne.

Her request has been prompted by the arrival at the palace of an anonymous note demanding payment for letters missing ever since a member of British Intelligence helped spirit the Greek royal family away from a villa in Corfu shortly after World War I. It soon becomes apparent that the assignment is entangled with efforts to restore the former King of Greece, and the deeper that Iris and Gwendolyn dig, the more they realize no one is to be trusted.

The ensuing investigation provides ample intrigue and adventure, although what really carries the reader along is the irreverent banter between Iris, Cambridge graduate and wartime spy, and Gwendolyn, society lady and war widow. Drawing on their respective sets of contacts – London gangsters for Iris, minor royalty for Gwendolyn – the pair make A Royal Affair a most entertaining mystery.


Charmian Kittredge London: Trailblazer, Author, Adventurer

An Interesting Woman I’ve Never Heard Of...

I thoroughly enjoyed Iris Jamahl Dunkle’s biography of Charmian Kittredge London.  The book bills Mrs. London as a trailblazer, author, and adventurer…really though only trailblazer and adventurer deserve much credit in this work.

The book spends plenty of time discussing the writing of Mrs. London however it is noted that her work is often lengthy and sometimes difficult to read and that she really benefited from having her husband Jack edit her work. After his death, she had a much harder time publishing her work and receiving the same time of praise her early work received.

The most interesting parts of the book were the descriptions of her life. I was fascinated and completely pulled in when the author would describe Charmain’s early life or trips that the London’s took and I found that I couldn’t put the book down and just had to know “what happened next.”

You don’t have to know anything about Jack or Charmain London to read this book as the author gives you a complete and well-researched history. I would recommend this to my friends and family as it was a very enjoyable biography.


You'll Find Me

A book about remembering, whether a treasured parent or other loved one, a dear friend, or a precious pet, You’ll Find Me assures readers there are many ways to hold others in their hearts forever. A little girl’s mother tells her that in her absence she will be able to find her in the sweet sounds of a familiar song or the delicious taste of a warm drink. She will be there, too, in the sudden burst of energy her daughter has when she sprints across the finish line as well as in the twinkle of the candlelight at dinner time and the gentle laughter that surrounds her. If only she will look with more than her eyes alone can see, her mom’s loving presence will never cease to be there.

This is a thoughtful tale that reminds young children that even when others they deeply endear are physically away, their presence still exists in the simple, everyday occurrences that parallel those they once performed together. If they remain in memory, then they will be etched in their hearts for eternity.

The illustrations that stretch across the pages of this heartwarming picture book add a special tenderness. The soft pastel hues intermingled with shades of deeper color are alluring, and the realistic images of children not appearing as sad and alone but engaged and content set an ideal tone for this compelling read. Children will enjoy the mysterious aura cast by the author leaving much left unsaid. The location and exact identity of the one offering her reassurance throughout the book is never really identified.


Let's Never Talk About This Again: A Memoir

At first, when starting this book, I thought the story more appropriate for the tween set and their compulsion to unfold the mystery of sex; but reading further into this family memoir emotionally tied me to the content. It is a beautiful story, filled with poignancy, compassion, frustration, and humor crisply describing parental and filial love flooding across and drowning discomforting questions or embarrassing activities. The reader can identify with all the uncomfortable memories of a parent’s behavior, in this case, it’s the secret pornographic publications of the author’s strait-laced father, a fact carefully hidden from the children. Only as the beloved father succumbs to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease does this salacious characteristic again emerge. Describing her own maturation over the years, the author fondly and with biting humor chronicles the exasperating, yet loving relationship between her father and herself. Yet the thought of the crafty sex manuals authored by her dad secretly during her childhood and now reopened by the dementia is a riddle that plagues her memories. This is a compellingly relatable memoir that rouses memories of absurdities within our own families and life problems that can only be managed with a strong potion of love tempered with humor.


The Bookweaver's Daughter

The Bookweaver’s Daughter is about a girl named Reya who lives in a world where magic and mages are banished but her father is the Bookweaver, the only mage that can make his words come true. Reya tries to protect and take care of her father as best she can but one day when she is out with her friend she feels that her father is endangered. She goes to help him but when she gets home, her father's house is already burnt with her father in it. The only things Reya has left are her father's book, her new powers, and her best friend Nina. She is forced to run. Can Reya survive the battle between the king’s army and the rebels? Buy a copy of the book to find out what happens to Reya in this action-packed book.

The Bookweaver’s Daughter  is a great read for all ages from pre-teens to adults. The people that I recommend this book to the most are fantasy or action lovers and dreamers: those people who have a way with words but are often too afraid to say them out loud. This book is one of the best books I have ever read! It is a definite must-read and a great addition to my library!


The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne

The year is 1703 and The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne are all anyone in London is talking about. Collectors from all over are asking to tour it or trying to obtain pieces from it. Cecily comes to the Mayne house to pursue her passion for plants. What starts out as a nice, peaceful tour ends with the murder of Sir Barnaby. Even though his curator confessed, Cecily is convinced he didn’t do it. It will take all her powers of observation and her keen intellect to discover the true murderer before he decides to end her too.

I don’t know how else to describe this than as atmospheric. You are completely immersed in the time period as well as the world of collectors. The research the author must have put into this book is obvious from the beginning. She takes great care to preserve the names of plants and artifacts, as well as the behavior and dress of the characters in 1703 London. It was a bit of a slow build as you work your way towards the actual solving of the murder. The summation was satisfactory, though. If you enjoy time-period dramas as well as strong female leads, you will enjoy this journey into the past. There is nothing overtly thrilling about it, but it still a fascinating look into the lives of collectors and what they will do to complete their collections.


The Darkest Evening

DCI Vera Stanhope is on her way home in a terrible blizzard. She sees a car on the edge of the road with the door open and a baby inside, the driver gone. Vera takes the baby and goes to a big house nearby, a country manse owned by an estranged cousin where a party is going on. Later in the evening, a tenant farmer coming to pick up his daughters finds the battered body of the missing driver, a young woman, mother of the child. Vera gets her crew of inspectors with DS Joe Ashworth and DC Holly Jackman leading the way on the case in this country village with families intertwined. While the case is ongoing, a close friend of the deceased disappears. This really ramps up the case, and it isn’t long before another body is found.

Fans of Vera, either from prior books or the popular TV show, will be well satisfied with this rich, complex mystery containing red herrings galore. Author Ann Cleeves is a clever writer who really knows how to set scenes, build characters, and create a lot of tension in her very smart mysteries. This is a terrific story.


The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life

"Can near-death ordeals be the catalyst for transforming your life for the better? In //The Secrets of Living a Fantastic Life//, the authors share age-old truths and wisdom they discovered in their personal healing journeys.  “What does not kill me makes me stronger,” and in this life-affirming book, happier and more fulfilled." — Rod Raglin, San Francisco Book Review


Neither Officers Nor Gentlemen

"//Neither Officers Nor Gentlemen// is a detail-rich novel filled with touches suited for a modern audience. Immersive and imaginative, Lanum takes the readers across the seas from Spanish-settled Panama to Elizabethan England. This is easily the best sea-faring adventure I've read all year!" — Jo Niederhoff, Seattle Book Review


Missing Middle Housing: Thinking Big and Building Small to Respond to Today's Housing Crisis

Shifting demographics and lack of affordable housing are only two of the reasons that communities must implement housing choices that fit the needs of householders while integrating these residences within the neighborhood with its amenities. This is the message that architect Daniel Parolek delivers as he expounds about middle housing types and the construction of duplexes, multiplexes, mansion apartments, bungalow courts, and a variety of other multi-habitable dwellings in a walkable urban living environment. Through a generous series of photographic views of housing types, explanatory drawings, evidential data, case studies, legal policy issues, and other aspects; the problem of offsetting deficient and insufficient housing through non-single-family housing is thoughtfully examined here. This message is published by Island Press, a publisher committed to environmental protection and dealing with crucial issues and seeking solutions. This is a book that should be read by residents, builders, architects, policymakers, zoning supervisors, and everyone who is interested in creating communities for an increasing population that is environmentally fitting, financially affordable, and which foster communal neighborliness with a congenial ambiance.


Stranger in the Lake

Charlotte has lived in this town all her life and knows everybody, and everybody knows her. She’s moved up from living in a trailer park taking care of her baby brother to now being married to rich widower Paul. His wife died four years earlier in the lake they live on. She’s ignored the rumors surrounding his first wife’s death because she loves Paul, but she starts to question everything when another woman ends up dead in the same spot and she saw her husband talking to her the day before. He lies about ever knowing the stranger in the lake. Even in a small town where everyone knows everyone, there are some who still have their secrets and will do anything to protect them.

I have read a couple of other of Belle’s books, and I would say this one is on par with her previous novels. There’s nothing absolutely astounding to her writing: the mystery is fairly easy to decipher with uncomplicated characters. However, there is still something fun about reading a domestic suspense novel over the summer. So, I would still recommend it as a fun summer read to add to your list or as something to check out during quarantine. My one question is, how come it never works out perfectly to marry a rich widower? They always have dark secrets and mysteries surrounding them. If only real life was this dramatic, well, hopefully with less murder. Dive into this enjoyable departure from real life.


Day Hiking North Cascades: 2nd edition

The North Cascades is a huge area covering about one quarter of the state of Washington. This nifty little (5 X 7.4 inches) guide is packed with terrific information that will take hikers of all levels to the perfect day hikes for them. The table of contents is followed by a general map of the area covered with each hike marked and a handy table that includes the distance (round trip in miles), degree of difficulty, expected crowds, whether the trail is open all year, whether the trail is kid-friendly and dog-friendly, if camping is nearby, and more for all one hundred and thirty-six hikes. The introduction tells what permits are required and what regulations are in place, weather, road and trail conditions, wilderness and trail ethics, and other concerns. A short section explains how to use the book. Each of the one hundred thirty-six trails has its own section, two to four pages in length, with the difficulty rating, length, elevation gain, season, a good map of the trail, directions how to reach the trailhead, what one will see along the way, and some beautiful photos of the views. The writing is lively and the information is succinct and useful.


Day Hiking Mount Hood: A Year-Round Guide

Anyone looking for a good hiking guide for the Mount Hood area need look no further. This handy little (five by seven inch) guide is chock full of all the information one might need to choose just the right trail to take.

The book opens with a good overall map and a list of all 85 hikes covered in it. The list includes the distance, rating, elevation gain, difficulty, whether or not there are views and waterfalls, and more. An extensive introduction follows, with information about permits and fees, the weather, trail etiquette, wildlife, foraging for food, the apparel and gear needed, trail safety tips, and more.

Each of the 85 trails has its own section of a few pages in length that includes good, clear directions to the trailhead, the rating and length of the trail, the elevation gain, photographs of the views, an excellent map with plenty of detail, the best season to access the trail, and more.

The writing is lively and interesting to read. Highlighted sections for some of the trails provide interesting history about the names of features, changes in the trails, things that happened at the sites, and other facts. It really is a perfect hiking companion.


Underground: Subway Systems Around the World

Underground is a charming, fact-packed, seek-n-find book. It has fact pages about ten major subway or train systems. Each system has a fact page with five to ten illustrated facts. The fact page shows the outside of the train. Flip a partial page to see the inside of the train and a seek and find. This book is suitable for two through six-year-olds. The words are very readable and making this a good book for train-obsessed kindergartners and first graders. The illustrations are bold and colorful with an Asian feel. The facts include things such as “two hundred and fifty miles – length of the network (London),” and “one point six six two billion passengers per year (Mexico City).” The pages are designed to be easy to explore and can be read individually. The seek and find feature is well designed so that younger kids can be easily entertained for a few minutes. Toddlers and preschoolers are well suited to seek and find pages. The items that are to be found are special to the city. For example, the page on Sydney, Australia makes you find a Koala, Boomerang, Surfboard, and more! This book is good for young train lovers among us.


Scruff

No one wanted the dog from the shelter because he was scruffy. A guy with a scruffy beard took him home and named him Scruff. Then he figured out his dog didn’t run and play like the others. The dog jumps in the bathtub and the owner figures out he just wanted to be pampered. After a haircut Scruff decided that he wanted to enter a dog show.  With some extra sprucing they enter the dog show. Did they do enough to win. The text is minimal which works well. I think it also fits for a book for a young child. This is a good depiction of a scruffy dog. The style is more simplistic with lots of wide lines. From a parent's perspective though, I’m not sure if the plot quite works. It seems to be a little disjointed somehow and has me asking what the point of the story is. This seems like a nice quick story for a smaller child.
Age Range: Three to six years


My Words

Did you know that there was a time when you didn’t know any words at all? When you were a baby you began by babbling, then putting sounds together, then saying a full word, then more words until you were saying all sorts of things. Then after you learned to talk you learned how to write words and then learned to put those words together to make a book. As you grow you learn lots of ways to communicate with others.

The text is simplistic, but it really fits well with the mood of the book. It talks about a child learning to communicate so it’s expected to see lots of simple words.

The illustrations are simplistic as well, but it fits right along with the text. Together they blend to make a fantastic story. My favorite panel is the girl reading her book she created to her stuffed animals.

My three-year-old loved this book. She thought the little girl was cute and loved having someone look like her. My six-year-old was amused by the process of learning to communicate. He enjoyed the baby talk at the beginning of the book and reading a few of the words himself.
I recommend this book for babies to six-year-olds.


If You Come to Earth

How would you introduce the Earth to a visitor from space? It's a big question to ask a small child, but young Quinn has ready answers. He starts with our place in the universe and then drops the focus to the different kinds of homes found in deserts, within cities, on water, in trees, and in all other sites found in our world. He stresses the diversity of our populations, different appearances with body types ranging from tall to short, rotund to thin, tall to short, and our varying skin colors.

Marvelous soft-colored illustrations portray the characters, regional foods, the creatures found in the bodies of water, and animals found on land and seen in the air. Wonderful, tactile representations of common objects that have size differences fill colorful pages and invite the young reader to identify these articles as they try to pick them off the pages. Beautifully illustrated, the pastel-toned drawings pull the reader into the story, while the engaging text displays the richness of our world, emphasizing its diversity.

This is a book that embraces an international audience with the message that the reader and everyone else is represented in our world and we all need to look after one another and our fascinating planet.


Little Creeping Things

Cassidy has been trying to forget her past since she was seven years old.  She was in a fire that killed her friend, though she cannot remember the specifics. However, some of the girls in town, the bullies, won’t let her forget, especially Melody, who has a deeply personal reason to hold a grudge and make sure Cassidy never forgets. Cass is in the woods when she hears Melody talking to someone. Melody turns up missing the next day. The worst part is that it seems that Melody’s disappearance follows a plan Cass had written in her little notebook, which is now so inconveniently missing. Scared that she’ll be blamed or that no one will believe her, Cass decides she’ll do her own snooping, but it may cost her her best friend or even her life.

This twisted debut has the edge-of-the-seat terror that is the hallmark of great horror, including a character who can’t always see that the best way to help is to run away from trouble.  Cass’s inability to pin down the killer brings her reliability into question until the surprise conclusion. Readers who enjoy April Henry and Megan Miranda should add this to their TBR pile.


Rebel Spy

Diving deep to find hidden treasure for Sewel, her abusive stepfather, Francisca uses her time below the ocean’s surface to dream. Her mother suddenly dies, and Sewel makes her an offer she can’t accept: become his new wife. When a shipwreck washes the body of a young girl onto the beach, Francisca sees it as her opportunity to hide as Emmeline Coates. She confides in Asa Lane, a young man on board the ship, and he helps her become a lady in both dress and manner. Several years later, she realizes she wants to do more with her posh life, while also growing sympathetic to the Americans’ cause against the British. Realizing she can hide as a fragile and forgotten woman, she begins ferreting out secrets for the rebels, but how long will she be able to hide her past?

Rebel Spy is a speculative novel based on the few stories concerning 355, a lady spy during the American Revolution. Using what little is known about the character from primary sources and other reference materials, Rossi has spun a compelling tale about the spy’s contribution to the British defeat. Weaving in adventure, intrigue, and romance, this historical novel really has it all.


Little Green Donkey

The Little Donkey loves to eat grass. He thinks grass is tangy, sweet, and so, so juicy. Try as she might, Little Donkey’s mother cannot get him to try other foods. Grass is all he’ll eat. When he goes to the pond to get a drink of water, he sees his reflection and has quite a shock. His ears are green. His legs and arms are green. His tummy is green. Even his tail is green. He tries to hide his greenness, but he can’t. His mother insists he try some new foods. He tries oranges — no. He tries watermelon — no. Broccoli, apples, grapes — no, no, no. But carrots? They taste good! Sweet, juicy, carrots are all he wants. But what a surprise he has when he goes to take a drink and sees his reflection.

Author and illustrator Anuska Allepuz takes on the problem of being a picky eater. This is a cute way to combat that problem with kids by using the old adage that we are what we eat as a fun platform. The cute cartoony illustrations have lots of fun details to keep little eyes on the page and the text is imbued with humor.


Pearl Goes to Preschool

Pearl’s mother runs a dancing school, and Pearl is the youngest of her dancers. Even though she is so little, she can keep up with the other dancers and count her positions. Pearl loves to dance and loves her school. One day her mother tells her it’s time for Pearl to go to preschool, but Pearl says she already goes to school and doesn’t see any reason to change that. Her mother tells her all the things she can learn at preschool and all the different things she can do there. Finally, Pearl decides to give it a try. There are lots of other children at the preschool; along with them, Pearl paints, builds, plays music, dresses up, and more. But is it enough to make Pearl want to stay?

Julie Fortenberry has written a perfectly charming story that little ones will be engaged by. Her illustrations are absolutely enchanting, completing this sweet story in the best possible way with soft colors and lovely details that will keep youngsters' eyes on the pages while listening. This book is the perfect read-aloud to comfort the smallest ones who might worry about the new experience of going to preschool.


Skunk and Badger

Badger thinks his life is perfect. He lives in a big house loaned to him by his aunt. He has a room to sleep in, a kitchen to keep his cold cereal and milk in (that is all he eats), a room to keep his boxes in, and a room to do him very important rock work in. But he’s surprised when Skunk shows up and says that Aunt Lula said he could also stay in the house.

Badger is not happy, and he gets more unhappy as Skunk cooks delicious but messy food, takes over the box room, invites 100 chickens in for story hour, and then does what skunks do. It’s all too much. Badger throws Skunk out. But soon Badger realizes that he misses Skunk and the chickens and the mess. Is it too late to make things right?

Amy Timberlake has written a laugh-out-loud funny book for younger middle graders that puts a fresh spin on the old trope of learning the importance of friendship. The writing is terrific and so funny. The delightful illustrations by Jon Klassen are a nice addition to the story. Kids will love this one, as will anyone who gets hold of it.


You're the Only One I've Told: The Stories Behind Abortion

Abortion is an incredibly divisive issue in the United States, but for the people that undergo the procedure, it’s far from black and white. There are many reasons why someone might choose to terminate a pregnancy, from medical complications issues of body dysmorphia to a pregnancy happening at the wrong time or with the wrong person. The stories in You’re the Only One I’ve Told encompass these reasons and more, giving readers a nuanced view into an extremely complex topic that politicians often showcase in terms of simple morality. Readers will get a sense of how abortion laws impact average people, of the complicated emotions that surround the procedure, and of how life-changing it can be for someone to have the simple ability to decide what’s right for their own body and their own life. The stories have been compiled and edited by Meera Shah, a doctor who specializes in sexual and reproductive health, which includes providing abortions. Told with insight and compassion, and a firm grasp of respect, readers will walk away from this thoughtful book with a better understanding of exactly why abortion access is so crucial to so many people.


Big Girl, Small Town

Majella O’Neill loves Dallas reruns, fish and chips, and her oversized burgundy duvet. She hates cracked nail polish, chatty customers (she works in the town diner), almost everything about her mother, and….Well, the list of things Majella hates is so long it has subdivisions. Big Girl, Small Town is unique mostly because Majella is not. Author Michelle Gallen’s twenty-seven-year-old heroine bumbles through life in her claustrophobic town to a beat that feels surprisingly familiar, even if the novel’s set in Northern Ireland.

Big Girl’s appeal lies in its universality, especially when so many twenty-somethings find themselves (like Majella) sleeping in their aging high school bedrooms. Even if her Irish slang challenges us Americans (Big Girl was originally published in the UK), we can still identify with Majella’s failure-to-launch angst. The same is true with her earthy physique. She may be obese by Hollywood standards, but she glories in her fish and chips and weekend pints. Still, why should we read almost three hundred pages about daily life in Ireland when the plot seems so, well, daily?  Isn’t fiction supposed to be remarkable in some way? I found myself asking the same question. On the final page, we discover Big Girl Small Town is a coming-of-age story. Until then, Majella’s meandering foibles keep us interested in tinier twists and turns.


Girlhood: Teens Around the World in Their Own Voices

Girlhood tells the stories of kids around the world in a fun and easy fashion. From nomads that hunt with the help of an eagle, to children in urban centers this book gives you a taste of the lives of girls around the world. This book includes questions answered by these girls and their replies as well as information about them and their family and a couple – usually two to six, diary entries. It is exceedingly well written and gives you a real taste of everyday life in different places around the world. I would defiantly recommend it to libraries and schools because it is really good to use with research. However, it is not a very good book to own, because it is not very exciting and slightly dry. I would only read it once. This makes it valuable to libraries because people don’t keep the book forever. This is good to use with researching for essays about places, as it is a good source about daily life. This is a great source for girls and teens around the world.


Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy

Bodies. Everyone is different and unique. We’re stuck with them. Whether we like it or not. Body Talk explores what it really means to have a body and what society does to shape them.

In this multi-narrative chapter book, thirty-seven voices share their stories and experiences. Each chapter is from a different perspective making this book suitable for all readers no matter their body time, gender identity, or who/how they chose to love.

All ages need to be informed about their bodies, but this book focuses on mainly teenage to young adult perspectives. Parents could pick out key information to share with younger children, but this book was probably directed at teenagers.

Although each body and everyone’s experience with one is different, readers will most likely relate to at least a few viewpoints from the book. I can see this book in teenage and up reading lists and maybe even used in science or health classes.


Impersonation

Professional ghostwriter Allie Lang has a big problem: her new project, which had promised financial stability for at least the short term, has fallen apart thanks to sexual assault allegations against its celebrity subject. Easing the sting, however, is an exciting new collaboration with Lana Breban, a feminist icon Allie admires. Allie’s task is to help Lana convey warmth and softness in a book about parenting. When Lana refuses to offer the kind of personal anecdotes readers will want, it’s up to Allie to fill in the blanks with stories from her own life as a single mother. Allie’s stories strike a nerve--and Allie finds herself in the uneasy position of giving away her own life, for questionable return. Meanwhile, Allie’s deadbeat boyfriend sets off on a road trip, and Allie’s mother grows increasingly frantic about learning who exactly Allie’s new book subject is. The choices Allie makes about her work will impact her life in ways she could never imagine.

Impersonation is a witty and unnerving glimpse behind the pretty pages of celebrity autobiographies, and it’s entertaining to see Allie tailor her voice and perspective to mirror her subjects. But her ability to lose herself is ultimately harmful, and Allie must learn to give voice to her own needs. Only by defining and harnessing her own ambition will Allie become the person and mother she wants to be.


With or Without You

Stella and Simon are at a crossroads in their relationship. Stella wants stability and a child; Simon wants another chance at fame with his band. Years ago, Stella relished the touring and excitement, but now, on the cusp of a lucky break for Simon’s band, she finds that she doesn’t want to join him in L.A. for a career-changing concert. They argue; they drink; they get high. And when Stella has a bad reaction to the drugs, she goes into a coma. Forced into the role of caretaker, Simon must shift his priorities, and over the many weeks that follow, he grows close to Stella’s doctor friend, Libby. When Stella emerges from her coma, absolutely nothing is the same as it was before. Stella, Simon, and Libby must all reconsider who they are, what they want, and what’s worth fighting for.

Leavitt deftly portrays Stella’s mindset both before and during her coma, and the dreamy netherworld in which Stella finds herself eventually gives way to an almost miraculous opening up of talent and possibility. The changing points of view give each character a chance to wrestle with questions of identity, loyalty, regret, and hope. Although no character is blameless in the sharply shifting tale of love and affection, Leavitt shows that sometimes it’s enough to simply do the best you can and take responsibility for the consequences, whatever they may be.


Down Along with that Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy

Debates about the significance and symbolism of monuments to the Confederacy evoke wildly divergent points of view about Southern history and legacy, often underscoring deep gulfs between the experiences and realities of Black and white Southerners. Philadelphia native Connor Towne O’Neill traveled to Alabama and Tennessee to document the duality of present-day challenges to persistent efforts to commemorate the legacy of Confederate Army General Nathan Bedford Forrest: slave owner, slave trader, and first Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan.

The author merges narratives from the past to the present, reflecting upon the intents and impacts of revisionist Civil War history. O’Neill talked to activists on both sides of the divide and puzzled over the meaning of Forrest’s legacy to Southern whites who put up their own money and resources to enshrine the memory of a man who killed fellow Americans to assert his right to keep slaves and supported white violence against Blacks during Reconstruction. He learned that whites who support Forrest view his rags-to-riches mythology as part of white Southern white history. Meanwhile, Black residents in Selma, Murfreesboro, and Nashville, share the torment of generational pain while living in the constant shadow of white intimidation and terror.

Whose history matters? The most poignant parts of the book showcase the author’s personal musings about his social location and complicity in an oppressive system, perfected in a country that prospered from imposing racial hierarchies. O’Neill, who traces his ancestry to Europeans who descended upon Plymouth Rock, contemplates how his identity and heritage as a white Northern man upholds the ideology of white supremacy. Amid the renewed sense of urgency toward a racial reckoning, O’Neill models how one might consider unintended abetment and reproduction of destructive racial ideologies.


We Saw Scenery: The Early Diaries of Merrill Markoe

Noted comedy writer Merrill Markoe makes her debut as a skilled cartoonist in this graphic portrayal illustrating her evolution from childhood through adolescence as recollected from writings in her early diaries.  These drawings accompanied with gruff  explanatory reminiscences, which handily,  have  been stored in her hippocampus, relate the story of an awkward petulant preteen who clashes with parents, squabbles with an annoying brother, is a nuisance in school,  suffers the indignities of coded behavior with the girl scouts, and sorely demands the security and social acceptance of teen-age groupies.  As age progresses, a boyfriend becomes an essential appendage for social recognition.  But with stubborn grit and self- belief, this constantly questioning rebellious teenager finally falls in love with the radio and TV media.  Like all of us, she describes the highs and lows of growing up, the pain of trying to be yourself and still be part of the crowd, rebelling against accepted conformity, and taking on the defensive skills of salving humor or wry irony when confronted with irritating  social challenges.  The angst endured while metamorphosing from a toddler to an adult is duly captured in these animated caricatures which so readily display the raw emotions of the participant and her associates.  All readers will be able to relate to the trials and tribulations of this awkward adolescent, so vividly portrayed here, because we have all endured or witnessed its various aspects and recognize the changing moods in the eye-absorbing scenic drawings..


Under Your Skin

In Under Your Skin, Kyle’s wife, Hannah, goes missing. He calls the police and begins organizing search parties, which is where he meets Julia. While the search continues and the police are following leads, Julia and Kyle are getting closer. Julia can’t help but wonder why this man, whose wife has been missing for only two days, is spending so much time with her. Someone knows where Hannah is and Julia is starting to see a side of Kyle that makes her question how much he really knows. It begs the question; how well do we ever really know a person? And what do we do when we find out the worst?

I wouldn’t say this book was terrible, but it wasn’t super great either. It was obvious where Hannah was by chapter five and that’s not saying much since each chapter is two pages long. The book is so short with so many characters that it keeps switching back and forth between that you can’t really get to know any of them super well. The plot is also very similar to at least five other books that I’ve read. The most similar being Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris which I would highly recommend. Overall, if you are running out of books to read as summer ends, then by all means check this one out. Otherwise, I would recommend the same plot, but with some better storytelling.


Radical Intuition: A Revolutionary Guide to Using Your Inner Power

Chestney's Radical Intuition is a light to help plumb the depths of your own soul and reawaken (or strengthen) a gift that is your own birthright. We are all born with it. Call it your sixth sense. Or better, call it your master sense, for it can speak to you through any of your other senses. Chestney identifies four different paths intuition can follow. Through the exercises in this book, you will learn the primary way your own intuition naturally speaks to you, and how to begin using the other pathways as well. I had no idea that intuition could be thought of in this way. Each section following the introduction has its own “workshop” for some of the skills associated with intuition. I enjoyed going through the book, and found many new tools and tricks for working with my own intuition. Packed with tips, tricks, exercises and more, this book is a must-have for anyone seeking to strengthen their relationship with their own intuition! Highly recommended.


Replicon, Run

"//Replicon, Run// reminds me of sci-fi from decades past but with plenty of modern twists. Full of rich details and riveting characters, this book will keep you hooked from page one!" — Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review


I'm Afraid Your Teddy is in the Principal's Office

Jancee Dunn, with illustrations by Scott Nash

Your teddy is in trouble. He’s made quite the mess, from making a meatloaf masterpiece, to body painting, to setting traps and tying up the P.E. teacher. What is the principal going to do with him?

My kids, three and six, thought this book was hilarious. They loved the stuffed animals writing their names with condiments to the sticky glue trap for the art teacher. It was definitely one they wanted to read over and over again.

The writing was excellent. I could really play up the principal’s voice in the book. It was just perfection. The combination of that and the humor was so great.

The illustrations really captured the details of the gigantic mess the stuffed animals made. My favorite panel is when the stuffed animals were squirting condiments to sign their names.

My only issue with this book was the ending. I agree that we should be loving with kids or stuffed animals when they misbehave, but the principal allowed them to leave with a hug and a warning. I would have liked to see the stuffed animals apologize or clean up their mess. In life you won’t just get away with something like this, even if it’s fantasied. My thoughts: funny, but needs a little tweak to the ending to be relevant.

Age recommendation: Three and up


The Starkeeper

LOCAL AUTHOR

A young girl lives in a lonely, dreary place. She would really like to have a different life, one with light and warmth. One day, as she is feeding the fish at the fountain, she makes a wish that the dark and loneliness would be gone. A star appears. It is warm and beautiful, and she wants to keep it, but it doesn't want to be hidden.

The girl decides to take it to a place high up in the town. She asks several people for help, but no one will help her. The star becomes gloomy and starts to shrink. But when the little girl finds someone who needs her help, she breaks off a piece of star and shares it. The star gets bigger and brighter each time she shares it with someone in need. Soon, things in the gloomy town begin to change.

Faith Pray has written a sweet allegory that will show little ones the importance of sharing without being didactic about it. The illustrations are soft and absolutely enchanting, with lovely details that will keep children engaged. They are the perfect accompaniment to the story. This book is a real winner.


Recognizing Adult ADHD: What Donald Trump Can Teach Us About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Recognizing Adult ADHD aims to bring awareness to issues surrounding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder by focusing on the causes of the illness and suggesting coping strategies. The author uses Donald Trump as an example of someone who presents many of the symptoms of this disease. He explains his reason for this diagnosis in Chapter Four, where he further reveals the characteristics involved in determining whether a patient meets the required criteria of ADHD.

This work helped me understand that ADHD results from a biological brain condition, but it is incredibly complex and complicated, likely appearing in childhood. Before reading this, I had assumed patients suffered from being unable to concentrate. I did not realize that they suffered what the authors terms executive dysfunction. As he explains, they are unable to plan effectively and focus on things of importance. Instead, they concentrate on what is of immediate interest. I was also surprised that, because they are often risk-takers, these patients have a higher risk of injury or death. Dr. Kruse does a good job explaining how the patient's condition affects those around them.

Using Donald Trump as a case study, he is able to point out behavior patterns and explain why they might have occurred. As someone who often finds Trump's behavior baffling, I found the focus on him very interesting and useful. He covers instances and issues where Trump seems to lack interest in planning and executing policies. I have also wondered why Trump uses the same simple words repeatedly, and this book went some way in explaining that to me. As Dr. Kruse points out, the behavior patterns of this person affect the nation as a whole. Therefore, understanding this disease is more critical today than ever.

I also found Chapter Seventeen especially interesting. As our brains evolve and make new connections, it is essential to see that we may all be affected by the changes in our environments and should, therefore, mind how we take in information from social media, the press, or television. It certainly made me think I should slow down and be more mindful in the future.

In short, I learned a great deal from this informative study. I felt more sympathetic to those who have ADHD after having read about the condition as a whole and how it affects almost every area of their lives. This easy-to-read, thoroughly researched book is, no doubt a must for those who have ADHD, know someone who suffers from it, or for those who want to know more about this complex disease.


Starving Men

It’s unusual for me, as I read quite a bit, to be surprised by a book. I typically see the formula, the plot is obvious, or the current trends in writing are super evident in most of the books that I read. Starving Men surprised me. It’s an interesting read and a fun one.

Siobhan Finkielman’s novel is about an Irish psychiatrist who seeks revenge. The cover mentions “800 years of revenge,” so I’m not giving anything away by saying that he seeks revenge for some of history’s darker sins. The sections of the book that are told from the point of view of the psychiatrist are told in the first person, while the other sections, focusing on the police officer’s account, are told in the third person.

I didn’t know very much about Irish history before reading Starving Men. Of course, I’d heard of the Troubles and remembered news stories about the IRA. I’ve recently watched some British historical dramas and learned about the wars and tensions between the Danes, Scots, Irish, Saxons, and British. Upon starting the book, I was concerned that it would have too much detail about the historical background. I’ve read too many books with a lengthy chapter of history that deviates from the plot. Instead, Finkielman adds just the right amount of background. History lessons and Irish/British politics are sprinkled throughout the book, but in an enjoyable and informative way. The novel made me want to learn more about Irish history.

There are a lot of characters in Starving Men, but it is well focused on the protagonist, Michael. He’s got depth to him. The reader watches him struggle emotionally and psychologically, and he feels very real. There are some great action scenes involving him, too. Maggie is a police officer, and while she didn’t come alive for me in the same way Michael did, she is a good character to root for. She stands in opposition to Michael’s goals. There are several other IRA-associated characters and law enforcement characters. I did find myself needing to go back and forth and make some notes to remember who was who. The only thing that I really struggled with was some of the dialogue, when it was assumed that the reader knew who was talking.

I can see a future movie of Starving Men, and it would be a great one. Finkielman has done a wonderful job with this ode to Ireland.


Fresh Water for Flowers

A chance meeting with a man visiting a cemetery in France leads to the remembrance of one fateful night and a lifetime of regret. In Fresh Water for Flowers, her debut novel, which really goes to show how debuts can be great works, Valerie Perrin plumbs the depths of motherhood, life on the streets, and regret when telling her story.

Violette Toussaint is a cemetery keeper in France. Her husband left her one day and never came back, while her only child died in a tragic accident, involving a shocking twist that I will not give away here. All this comes crashing back when a mysterious stranger shows up one day with a strange request: to place the ashes of his mother on the grave of a complete stranger. Will Violette be able to live once more or will she continue to hide herself among the sorrows?

Even though it is thoroughly French, and it often mentions locations and life in France, it is an extremely well-written book that was frankly difficult to put down. Moving back and forth through time, location, and character, we get to see a troubled first marriage that should not have happened, and finally, the chance of redemption.


Parakeet: A novel

With wedding plans in place and the big day just a week away, a hesitant bride encounters a parakeet in her hotel room. It isn’t just a wayward bird, however: the bride is certain it is her grandmother, who instructs her to call off the wedding and find her brother. Estranged for years, the bride searches for her brother, and their reunion is different from the bride’s expectations in every possible way. As the wedding gets closer, the bride finds herself spiraling through past and present, revisiting traumas from her past that are as immediate and searing as the day they happened. The line between reality and dream blurs, and the bride loses track of who she is and isn’t--and questions whether a full understanding of identity is really necessary at all.

Parakeet is a novel as hard to pin down as the wandering imagination of the protagonist, and, like the bride herself, it takes readers to glorious places of possibility and potential. If the past is never really past, then what is the present? Time is slippery; intentions, desires, and expectations twine together in uncomfortable ways. The novel’s portrayal of the wrenching challenge of true intimacy, along with incandescent prose, make Parakeet unforgettable.


True L1F3 (Book 3 in the Lifel1K3 Series)

A nuclear explosion is headed to New Bethlehem. At the last moment deviates Grimm and Diesel swoop in to save the day along with Abraham. A city wants to wipe them out. Ezekiel shows up along with Faith. The squad is together again, for a moment.

Lemon Fresh becomes a captive of BioMass, and Eve is captive of Daedauls Technologies. Both companies are trying to beat the other to becoming the corporation controlling it all. The squad of lifelikes and Deviates separate to try to rescue Eve and Lemon. Will they be able to stop the war and end the corporations for good?

Jay Kristoff does it again with his amazing storytelling and description skills. I am amazed by the talent Mr. Kristoff has in weaving together characters and plot. I was impressed with the detail of each character. It’s very difficult to make everyone have their own voice especially with a cast of twenty-plus characters. I really love Lemon Fresh’s personality and how she uses the pains of her past to still strive for the future. Cricket was another favorite as he always tries to do what is right the best he can.

Age Recommendation: Sixteen and up.


Disability Visibility: First-person Stories from the Twenty-First Century

One of the many hard lessons people learned during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis is how much we could be doing for disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent individuals, but we just don't. Companies that claimed for decades that workarounds and working-from-home were simply not viable options suddenly figured them out pretty damn quick when lockdowns demanded that people isolate.

And it's frustrating. It shouldn't take knowing someone with a disability to make you care about the health, wellbeing, and day-to-day struggles of the disabled. But if you don't know someone (or even if you know many), you should still read Disability Visibility. This collection of blog posts, personal essays, and other writings brings people’s experiences home in truly stark fashion. "Lost Cause" by Reyma McCoy McDeid, in particular, was brilliant and heartbreaking in equal measures.

Don't get me wrong. This isn't just a book of misery porn, or complaints, or testimonials collected to shame people into action. It is a book rich in determination, in triumph, in hope. These essays show the community being built by disability activists, and they make you want to do more to help. It makes these authors part of your family, your circle of friends. It's a hard read at points, but an incredibly worthwhile one.


Falastin: A Cookbook

The Middle East has been at the crossroads of civilization since the age of empires. It is hence no wonder that its cuisines have been influenced from several parts of the world and its dishes are layered with rich flavors. This book features Palestinian recipes which range in origin from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River and from Egypt to Lebanon – reflecting cuisines from the diverse lands and peoples that came in contact with the Palestinians.

The book is divided into nine chapters that cover breakfast, main dishes (three chapters focusing on veggies, fish, and meat), soups, snacks, veggie sides & salads, breads, and sweets (desserts).  Most recipes have an intro that provides some cultural insight into the dish.  In addition, some recipes have either “playing around” (alternatives to the recipe), or “getting ahead” (pre-prep to save time during prep) added to their introductions. Most recipes can be prepared by home cooks (although some may be more challenging). All the recipes are delicious. Best of all, the stories of the people featured in the book—these narratives really give a sense of being there.  The pictures (of the places and finished recipes) are stunning and enhance the narrative for a more immersive experience.  Highly recommended for those who love Middle Eastern food.


Bonnie

Thanks to footage of the real Bonnie Parker and her associate-in-crime, Clyde Barrow, and Warren Beatty’s film masterpiece, this reader thought she knew everything of interest about the two. Also, generally, I eschew historical fiction, but somehow this book landed on my desk. I remain grateful that it did. Christina Schwarz’s Bonnie is an original, beautifully imagined creature at once down to earth and totally out of it.

The author brings her Bonnie to life. Rather than a glamorous image, the author details the life of criminals on the run from the law; going without food, sleeping outside, wearing the same old clothes and making quick escapes leaving all their possessions behind. In this novel, we meet Bonnie as a young girl who loses her father and lives in abject poverty in a grey industrial town. Yet she has an adventurous spirit and a longing for refinement. She channels that yearning into her poetry. With a romantic nature, she quickly found romance. She married disastrously and was soon on her own with just her good looks to recommend her. The Clyde Barrow in this book is much different from the well-known film version. Ultimately, this is a love story between the two murderous criminals.


The Lost and Found Bookshop

Natalie Harper has a dream job working for a Sonoma County wine company—great money, travel, all the good wine she can drink—but it may not be her dream job. Susan Wiggs’ latest novel The Lost and Found Bookshop unveils Natalie’s search for new happiness in an old place.

Growing up, Natalie worked with her mother in the family bookshop. Their days were filled with quirky customers and financial worries and always, always the perfect book for the occasion. When tragedy strikes, Natalie leaves her job at Pinnacle Fine Wines to run the store and care for her ailing Grandpa Andrew. It is in this familiar place on Perdita Street that Natali begins to rediscover who she is and what she really wants.

The shop is in need of repairs, and help arrives in the form of Peach Gallagher, an ex-marine who intrigues Natalie far more than he should. When handsome, wildly successful children’s author Trevor Dashwood enters the picture, Natalie has more to worry about than just how to save the store.

The Lost and Found Bookshop is filled with the kind of surprises you stumble across in your favorite bookstore; it is fun, sweet, a little bit sad, but always worth returning to.


Beneficence

In the late 1940s, the Senter family enjoys an idyllic, if isolated, life in rural Maine. Parents Tup and Doris love each other and dote on their three children, all of them laboring together to keep their farm running, the family fed, and to still have time for occasional respite. As Tup says, “The farm is a bulwark…This world, and then the world outside. We are safe on this land, in this home.”

The novel is crafted in three parts: Before, During, and After, and the story is told alternately by three members of the family over nearly twenty years time. Before: Life on a working farm is hard: the work is unending, physical, demanding. In a time before television, the family entertains itself in quiet ways: reading aloud in the evenings, telling stories, playing the piano. Death is often nearby: “There are rhythms here and we are part of them. You never take a life needlessly. But if a deer is eating my apples and trampling my hay, I have a natural right to protect what’s mine.”

During is when tragedy strikes and the family shatters, splinters, spirals into individual eddies of grief and guilt. “To everything now, there is the before and the after. The before feels like a dream, the now and the tomorrow demanding something we don’t yet possess.” It seems impossible for the Senters to overcome this burden but author Meredith Hall carefully leads them—and us—to a new future in which forgiveness is possible, and grace is still available. As Dodie, the daughter, says, “While I stood at the kitchen sink looking out on our land, I felt for the first time in a very long time the simple and perfect beauty of our lands, its beneficence, and I said yes…”

Beneficence is one of the best novels I’ve read all year, the perfect antidote to troubled times, beautifully composed and lyrically told. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.


You Exist Too Much: A Novel

The unnamed young woman who narrates You Exist Too Much craves love and attention, bouncing from one intense relationship to another while simultaneously welcoming other lovers and infatuations. She accepts her bisexuality but meets with rage and disapproval when she attempts to come out to her mother, an angry, mercurial Palestinian whom the narrator both pushes away and yearns for. The narrator’s life is lived in both the United States and the Middle East, and the cultural and geographical dislocation she often feels plays out in the landscape of her romantic relationships. Intent on controlling what she can, she battles an eating disorder and mental illness, and she ultimately finds hope in an unlikely place: a treatment center called The Ledge. As a patient, the narrator wrestles with her diagnosis of “love addiction” and tries to define the undefinable: what she wants, who she is, and who she desires to be.

You Exist Too Much is a raw and unsettling exploration of a young girl’s shifting foundations. Arafat’s sure hand draws readers across time periods and places, weaving the narrator’s past formative experiences with her present-day choices and questions. The narrator is heartbreaking in her precarious teetering between extreme self-awareness and naivete, but Arafat steers clear of easy answers and pat solutions. The narrator may know best: life is messy, love is messier, and finding one’s place in the world may just be an impossible dream.


Once You Go This Far: A Mystery

Once You Go This Far is the first book I've read by Kristen Lepionka, although it is the fourth book in the PI Roxane Weary series. Roxane is getting ready to go for a hike when she meets a woman named Rebecca and her dog for a quick second in the parking lot. They exchange pleasantries and then Rebecca and her dog go on their way. Several minutes later, the woman's dog is found, as is the woman's body. Roxane is soon on the case, as she is hired by the woman's daughter to find out what happened. She does not think it was an accident.

I really enjoyed this book. The plot was engaging and I couldn't wait to find out who was behind Rebecca's murder. Roxane was also a tough chick, which I really liked. I did feel that there were a few too many characters in the book, which made things confusing at times. If these characters were necessary to the plot it would be one thing, but many of them only showed up once or twice and I couldn't remember who they were sometimes. Overall, this book is great for fans of good thrillers and suspense novels without too much blood, gore, or sex.


The Writer's Library: The Authors You Love on the Books that Changed Their Lives

Seeking the ingredients that make a successful writer, librarian Nancy Pearl and playwright Jeff Schwager scripted interview questions for about twenty prize-winning novelists. Familiar names such as Amor Towles, Michael Chabon, Viet Thanh Nguyen, and many more speak about the influences that have directed them in their chosen field. Several recount parents who read to them as children, others found deliverance in their local libraries, while some had both inspiring and encouraging teachers.

These successful writers come from diverse backgrounds; Asian and African immigrants, indigenous Americans, from the affluent to the impoverished. All of them had a love of words, a hunger for literature, and subsequently, found stories they wanted to tell. From being youngsters teething on the Nancy Drew series, science fiction, and fantasy to feed their imagination, all had a love of reading that emerged and matured at various ages and in different stages.

The writers share the motives and objectives for their novels, and they very generously reveal the readings that have sustained and enriched them over the years. Their lists and comments about influential books that have impacted their thoughts will likely elicit reflective and provocative comments from readers. If you love books, then this is an appealing confection that you’ll devour with relish.


A Girl Like You

There is a special place in the world for every girl, and each child’s uniqueness is what makes her valuable. Bravery and boldness can lead to new discoveries and the ability to protect oneself from ridicule and harm. When disagreements occur, these attributes can allow young girls to learn from others as well as stand their own ground. The authors assure readers that mistakes and failures are also part of success and aid in building character. Thoughtfulness and empathy, they write, are critical to lasting friendships, and nurturing of the heart and body are essential for resilience. Each young girl, they conclude, is needed in this universe, and her own, individual actions and words can show others the beauty that lies within her.

A Girl Like You is a noteworthy picture book that sends a powerful message to young girls around the globe: Each and every one of them holds significance and splendor. No matter what their physical appearance, ethnicity, or talent, they matter, and their capabilities are unlimited. With dedication, courage, determination, and strong friendships they can be propelled to make great achievements. At a time when gender is often at the forefront of discussions, this book encourages young generations to realize their own potentials. It’s ideal for children ages five to ten and will be an asset to elementary school teachers who address gender and equality in the classroom.


Truth & Honor: The President Ford Story

President Ford was America’s thirty-eighth president. He is most known for taking over after President Nixon was impeached from office, but that is just a tiny part of his story. He had a great childhood following three rules: “tell the truth, work hard and be on time for dinner.” Gerald worked hard in high school and went on to college playing football at the University of Michigan. Gerald decided instead of playing professional ball he wanted to make a difference as a lawyer and eventually run for congress. America entered WWII and Gerald’s plans were put on hold so he could serve his country in the Navy. Gerald ran and won becoming a member of the house of representatives and stayed in Congress for twenty-five years. The President and vice president were accused of breaking the law and the vice president stepped down. President Nixon asked Gerald if he would step in as Vice President. Gerald said yes. Later, President Nixon was forced to leave office and President Gerald R. Ford took his place.

The writing was well done. I thought the text was just long enough to give a child good information without making it go on forever. The illustrations were well done. I liked the style and the colors used throughout. My six-year-old thought it was interesting that President Ford almost fell off the ship during WWII. My three-year-old liked he had his dog in the Oval Office.

I thought this book was interesting and am glad to know more about President Ford. I appreciated the authors doing research by talking to President Ford’s children about what he was like. Age Recommendation: Six and up


The First to Lie

For those who do not know, author Hank Phillippi Ryan has won many awards for both her novels and her investigative reporting (37 Emmys!) in Boston. All these skills are on display in The First to Lie as the characters investigate and attempt to uncover the truth about a pharmaceutical company touting a drug that can allegedly help women with fertility issues. They discover that not only has the drug not been approved for this purpose, but the company is also employing underhand and deceptive tactics as they push the drug onto women desperate to have a child.

While The First to Lie is a multilayered mystery full of twists and turns, readers may find that it starts off a bit slow, but as the story continues, readers will be drawn in. The First to Lie has elements of betrayal, smart women with an agenda, and an interesting plot that touches on ethics and morality. Best to go into this one blind because there are some entertaining surprises in store for the reader. Pick this book up if you’re looking for an intelligent and tightly written story.


Promised Land: How the Rise of the Middle Class Transformed America, 1929-1968

I am not entirely sure what his audience is or what kind of point he was trying to prove, but this book is full of anachronisms, something that a professional historian should know to avoid. Plus, he often failed to address the nebulous, and often race-based, idea of the middle class in general. Professor David Stebenne looks at how the middle class, whatever that means since he spends no time defining it, helped to transform, his word, America between 1929-1968; though there is really no explanation of why those two dates. He mainly focuses on the efforts made by the Federal government to provide relief to those less fortunate, whether it was through Social Security, job programs, or the expansion of the bureaucracy.

I am not sure if Professor Stebenne really had a point other than to score points with the radical left. As he often mentions that many of these programs did little to support women or minorities, and acts like it is a surprise; when someone with a history degree already knows that to be the truth and not really shocked. In the end, this was a confusing wayside that was unnecessary in the larger literature.