Finally Thirteen and Almost Fourteen

This book hit me a little harder than the others. As a student who had just gone through her first year in middle school, I found myself relating to many parts of the books: the excitement that these students felt, the anxiety, and many other things. This book was a great follow up to the others. It gives the readers a sense of what happened after the exciting events in the previous books. It shows the readers how life has progressed a year later after capturing the monkey. A special way of writing that Mr. Read gives, I find myself enjoying it because he shows the views of many people. As Calista and Skyler go into junior high, they find themselves surrounded by many more people more than just themselves. Some were in the previous books, some not. He shows the views of these new characters and really introduces the reader to them without formally doing so. With all the concerns that middle school brings to students, there is also a lot of concern among the parents. To show this concern, he not only shows the thoughts of the kids, but also shows the thoughts of the parents. This gives you a great perspective about how parents think through this change and also brings a lot of irony into the book. The story focuses on a group of teenagers struggling and trying to survive junior high. The story involves two previous characters and some new ones. The book shows the struggles of getting schoolwork done. It also shows the struggles of these middle schoolers going through relationships, one of these being Cali and Sky. These two best friends found that their feelings for each other went a little deeper than just friends. In the story, you get to follow their adventures as a new couple and what dangers they might go through. This book incorporates the adventures from the previous story and mixes it with some romance. The balance between the two is perfect. Not only do you get to follow Cali and Sky's relationship, you get to follow their friend group's potential relationships and struggles. It really gives the book dimension. Overall, the book is like a reality TV show on paper. You get to follow a group of new middle schoolers and what their life goes through. Mr. Read made sure that no page was boring or without action. This book ties together young romance and action perfectly. Every tiny aspect that Mr. Read added made the book have so much character and dimension.


Valiance

Being born deaf and with a rare congenital anomaly that makes him unable to produce sounds with his vocal cords, Diego Herrera would be by most estimations considered handicapped, disabled, or a person with special needs. As the child of undocumented Mexican immigrants who are constantly at risk of being deported, he also faces prejudice and discrimination.

From the time he is four years old growing up in Sacramento, California, Diego has been passionate about soccer, practicing with cans and bottles until his family can afford to buy him a soccer ball. His dream is to be a professional soccer player, but as he gets older, despite being as good or better than his peers, he is turned down by many teams.

But as well as having an indomitable spirit of his own, Diego also has the fierce support of his mother. Together they are a formidable team; him excelling on the field and in the classroom and her facing down the ingrained and systemic prejudices that often limit the advancement of people with disabilities.

The Herreras never play the pity card. His mother insists her son grow up like any other boy, no special needs class for Diego. And as for Diego, he takes the taunts and insults in stride, never letting the insensitivity or blatant bigotry get the better of him.

In Valiance, author Vanessa Caraveo hits all the high points in a young man’s life including a best friend, first date, first heartbreak, and first love, and though she portrays it from the perspective of a deaf person, it feels authentic. What’s missing and would enhance the story are exciting details about the protagonist actually playing soccer. Considering the sport is the sole motivation for Diego, the few game scenes are without detail. During the first game of the 2018 CONCACAF tournament, Diego says he “fumbled a lot,” and that he “was only glad and relieved my few minutes of mistakes didn’t cost us much.” How did he fumble (a term not usually associated with soccer) and what mistakes did he make? In the final against Mexico, his team “emerged victors for the second time running.” The author doesn’t even tell the reader the score or what feats on the field won Diego the coveted Golden Ball for best player in the tournament.

Valiance is not a fairytale, it’s a real-life depiction of the lives of undocumented immigrants and their children, and not all of the Herrera family succeed. It could have been a novel about despair, anger, and injustice, and indeed, the story does have these moments. But instead, Caraveo wrote a story about hope, dreams, and courage that is uplifting and inspiring.


Sacred Cow: The Case for (Better) Meat

Meat consumption has been demonized.

From beef to seafood, eggs to chicken, (all of which the authors say should be called meat or simply animal protein) the claim here is that we are not eating enough of it.

Humans will continue eating until they achieve satiation. Satiated, they will stop eating. Hence the weight losses associated with the famous Atkins and Paleo diets? Animal protein is not only very satiating but the most nutrient-dense macronutrient.

Rodgers and Wolf make the cogent point that so-called studies of the deleterious effects of meat are all too often either ignoring associative factors (humorously, hot dog eating associated with big buns, chips, beer, or big sodas). Or they are simply attempting to validate current popular biases!

Both authors have nutrition clients in their practices. They concur on the idea that dietary solutions should be tailored to the individual. And they offer sober consideration of historically prejudicial trends, quasi-scientific and political. Sadly, funding for research has frequently been directed by food industry lobbyists.

Happily noticeable in this thorough treatment is its objectivity. Where no evidence manifests for something the writers personally advocate, they say so.

Every parent, dietician, and metabolically challenged person should own and read this book!!


A Thousand No's

DJ Corchin, illustrated by Dan Dougherty

This book may leave you pondering how a thousand "no's" can equal one "yes!" This book shows how the main character has a brilliant idea, but yet she is faced with many no's. As she works on her idea and perseveres past all the no's, her idea grows and changes. Sometimes, our ideas grow so big we need help, and so did hers. She asked for help from friends, and when working together and persevering through all the obstacles and challenges they change their idea from one big dull no...into a beautiful, colorful idea. This delightful book has a wonderful message for all readers: no matter the obstacles in the way of your idea, if you work hard, and continue to overcome obstacles in your way, you can be successful. Sometimes, to be successful, you can't do it all alone, and sometimes mistakes have to be made in order to succeed. This book has the most interesting and peculiar illustrations, which include well-detailed black-and-white drawings with hidden details, but what is most peculiar is the characters in the book do not have noses. This book is definitely one-of-a-kind with a great message to keep following your dreams and ideas.


How Do You Make a Baby?

The question most parents dread the most from their child is likely the baby question: Where do babies come from? While more and more modern parents acknowledge the importance of answering this question factually, many struggle with how to do so. What words and language are appropriate? How much information is enough, without being too much?

This book by Anna Fiske is an excellent teaching tool and conversation starter for this tricky topic. How Do You Make a Baby? starts off with love, just like babies do. Fiske explains that there are many types of love: platonic love between friends and for pets, romantic love between two adults. From there, Fiske delves into the basics of sexual intercourse, which leads to how babies are actually made, pregnancy, and birth.

This book is fantastically inclusive: relationships between both opposite-sex and same-sex couples are included; the pictures depict a wide range of body types, shapes, and colors; IVF and assisted reproductive technology are touched on; and while it sticks to the standard line of all births occurring in hospitals (the inclusion of birth centers and home birth would’ve been great!), it helps to normalize surgical/cesarean birth as well.


The Inkberg Enigma

This comic book is about a boy and a girl who find a sea monster and a book written in magical ink. Miro loves books. One day, when his dad goes to work, Miro sells an old-fashioned scuba diving helmet and uses the money to buy books. On his way home, two bullies start bullying him. A girl takes a picture of them, but since the bullies don’t want their parents to see what they did, they run off. Then the boy and the girl, Zia, became friends.

That day on the wharf, they see a fisherman carried off his boat with a tentacle wrapped around his leg. Zia takes a picture, but the mayor chases them away. Later, the mayor comes over to Miro’s house to threaten him and Zia not to say anything about what they saw. Miro lies and tells him he doesn’t know Zia or where she lives. Zia comes to Miro’s house to show him the photo she took of the fisherman. The next day they show the photo to a marine researcher, who tells them that the waters around Aurora are unique. And that’s just the beginning of the mystery!

Kids of any age can read and enjoy this book. The art is good and the story is exciting. Miro and Zia make an incredible team!


The Hidden Hours

To escape the mysterious traumas of her past, Eleanor leaves her home in Australia to take a temp job in London. The transition proves more difficult than expected, but Eleanor pushes herself to get out and decides to attend her office holiday party. But the next morning, Eleanor realizes she has no memory of most of the night. All she can remember is interacting with one of the company’s marketing executives, Arabella Lane -- who was just found dead in the Thames. As Eleanor struggles to recall what happened that night, more of her past traumas start to resurface, unraveling everything she thought she knew about herself.

Sara Foster treats the classic unreliable narrator trope with originality, painting Eleanor as enigmatic yet intriguing. The flashbacks between Eleanor’s past and present are never discombobulating and instead are weaved perfectly to create layers of storyline that all add up to one suspenseful yet satisfying ending. Adding to these swirling tensions is the stark contrast between the two settings of the rural Australian outback and bustling London, both described so eloquently that readers can vividly imagine being in each place. The Hidden Hours is evasive yet approachable, making it the perfect thriller to breeze through and then ponder about long after putting it down.


Queen FAQ: All That's Left to Know About Britain's Most Eccentric Band

Queen is an iconic rock band that is well-known around the world. Some people may only know them for their hit songs. In Queen: All That's Left to Know About Britain's Most Eccentric Band readers get an in-depth look into the group's members' lives and interests. For die-hard fans of the group, they might know quite a bit already, but Daniel Ross has compiled information he has gathered from his research, as well as the work already done by other fans into a complete book. Ross dives into many aspects of the group- topics such as their music videos, their lives before joining the group, and the artists who influenced Queen. The reader will end the book with useful knowledge for their pleasure or a successful trivia night.

For readers who are familiar with the band, the information may or may not be new, however, for readers (like me) who only knew their music and learned a little from watching Bohemian Rapsody, the information included will be useful and welcome. Probably only fans of Queen will enjoy this book to its full potential, but any reader will gain knowledge of the band full-circle.


The Reader's Room

Violaine LePage is the editor and manager of the readers' room for a French publishing house. She has decided to publish a book entitled Sugar Flowers, but no one seems to know who the author is. Violaine gets some messages that suggest the author is aware of her past. If that isn't bad enough, events in the book, particularly several murders, begin to look like real murders. The police now want to know who wrote the book, and if he or she is a serial killer. But is Violaine really in the dark? Does she know who the author is? And how much does the author know about Violiane's past?

I love Antoine Laurain's work, and The Readers' Room is no exception. It is beautifully written and cleverly told. The story has a little bit of everything including a love story, a mystery, and enough about the literary world to entertain the most discerning reader. His characters are always so much fun, and the way he draws on the world of books in this one is marvelous. He never fails to add a touch of magic to his work. After this riveting story, I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.


The Unadoptables

Five babies are abandoned at Little Tulip Orphanage within months of each other, and they are left in the care of a cruel matron named Elinora Gassbeek. Lotta, who has an extra finger on each hand, was the first to arrive. The second baby was Egbert, or Egg, wrapped in a once-colorful but now coal-blackened shawl. Fenna was the third baby, named after the fennel seeds found in her hair. Sem was the fourth, found in a wheat sack with the words "Semolina Flour" printed on it. Finally, there was the baby who arrived in a coffin-basket, clutching a cat puppet. She already had a name: Milou. After enduring twelve years of Gassbeek’s abuses, the matron eventually declares Lotta, Egg, Fenna, Sem, and Milou “unadoptable.” But Milou is determined to find her birth parents, and she has many theories about why they abandoned her. She leads the other four on a daring escape, but they are in danger of being adopted by a sinister man named Rotman.

Hana Tooke’s The Unadoptables is an adventurous romp through the frozen canals of 1880’s Amsterdam, complete with spooky and mustache-twirling characters. The children are in danger at every turn, but their loyalty to one another and brave spirit helps them discover their real family.


Last Call on Decatur Street

Growing up poor in New Orleans with an alcoholic mother could grind any kid down, but luckily for Rosemary, she had Gaby. The two girls supported each other and grew up together sharing everything, though Rosemary’s white skin and Gaby’s black skin caused rifts along the way. When Iris Martin Cohen’s novel Last Call on Decatur Street opens, those rifts have opened so deeply that Rosemary fears there may be no coming back.

After a failed attempt at college Rosemary has returned to New Orleans to work as a burlesque dancer in the French Quarter. She feels empowered on stage and strong in the sisterhood she shares with her fellow dancers, but the lifestyle of drinking too much and staying up too late has taken its toll of late. On this particular night, she’s also grieving the loss of her chihuahua Ida, the one constant kindness that has kept her centered over the last few years. As she roams the city in pursuit of Jonah, an on again off again fling she wonders if could be more, the novel flashes back to moments with Gaby that led her here. The most memorable, the night the two girls tried to set their high school principal’s lawn on fire, becomes a central moment in her life she hasn’t fully unpacked yet.

Last Call on Decatur Street has a few too many hip references to be called an effortless book. Rosemary’s story is familiar—a girl with promise falling apart after a loss—but there is more to it that makes the book worth reading, especially in the heartbreaking way Rosemary wants to save someone else even as she struggles to save herself.


Big Summer

This may have hit my top spot in favorite books of 2020. Jennifer Weiner does it again in Big Summer as she tells the story of Instagram influencer Daphne Berg. Daphne has always been the big girl since she was little. One day, she gets a call from an old friend, Drue Cavanaugh, whom she had a falling out with several years back. Drue is and always has been the popular rich girl. She uses people and throws them away like yesterday's garbage. Drue is calling Daphne because she is getting married and would love for Daphne to be in the wedding because she doesn't have any friends. Daphne reluctantly agrees but makes sure to keep her guard up because you never know what Drue is up to. Plus, it will be great for Daphne to be at the wedding of the year to show off her new digs on her Instagram account.

What happens during the course of the story is both unexpected and heartfelt at the same time. Without giving it away, it does seem that Weiner has crossed over a bit into the realm of mystery, which I absolutely loved. This book is a must-read for fans of popular fiction, chick lit, and mystery and suspense. Excellent characters, amazing plot, and the best ending imaginable.


1957: The Year That Launched the American Future

The year 1957 brought about change in the United States as innovation bred limitless possibilities. The launch of the Sputnik satellite sparked fears of Soviet domination of space, which spurred the US into action. The Cold War burned with apocalyptic fever in literature and movies. The brazen criminal machinations of Organized Crime and their tentacle like grip on industry was exposed by the McClellan Committee. Dogged investigators interrogated labor barons with tenacity. Turmoil in the underworld, highlighted by the shooting of Frank Costello and the daring assassination of Albert Anastasia, led to the disastrous Apalachin meeting raided by New York State troopers.

The desire to connect the country smoothly spurred the construction of the Interstate Highway System. The population made a cross-country trip, perhaps in the popular Chevy Bel-Air while listening to the transcendent sound of rock & roll, maybe Elvis, possibly Little Richard. This became a year of promise despite upheaval.

1957 offers a candid view of an eventful year in a decade of ups and downs. From mad bombers to mad hatters, the book maintains a consistency of captivating chapters. The chapters relating to organized crime suffer from a few minor inaccuracies, but overall it's thrilling to read. The past is reanimated with a passionate fervor for the masses to enjoy.


The Port of Missing Men: Billy Gohl, Labor, and Brutal Times in the Pacific Northwest

The early 20th century was one of battles between labor and capital, which were often brutal and demeaning as workers fought for rights and unions fought for power. This book tells the story of one of those union leaders at a port city in Washington, Billy Gohl, and his life and times in Aberdeen. This book is more than just a straight biography, as details about most of Gohl’s life are lost to time. Instead, it interweaves Gohl’s life, including his arrest and trial for murder, among class, caste, and conflict. It Explores how the role of class and race played in the rise and demise of the unions, and how owners of ships and mills used race and class to fight against those looking for rights. Overall, it is a fairly interesting work looking at early 20th century Pacific Northwest history, especially the role of the sailing, shipping, and logging. and how they built large communities and then, when no longer viable, they left. Author Aaron Goings does a good job interweaving all the different groups men like Gohl would have been a part of, and how those groups had an impact on daily lives.


The Hardhat Riot: Nixon, New York City, and the Dawn of the White Working-Class Revolution

The shock and horror generated by the shootings at Kent State was still fresh. Student activism had reached a fever pitch, Universities were besieged by sit-ins or being shut down. The militant Weather Underground had firebombed ROTC buildings among other buildings. The Vietnam War was still ongoing, the tide turning since the Tet offensive in 1968. President Richard Nixon had promised to end the war, but his bombing of Cambodia had infuriated a portion of rebellious youth. As college kids took the streets in masses to protest, they hadn’t expected to awaken the Silent Majority.

The college kids and the movements that spurred them on were looked on with disdain by the blue collar world. The blue collar workers, such as the construction workers in New York City, toiled long hours at back breaking labor. Many of them had fought for their country in World War II, Korea, or even Vietnam. The doves infuriated the hardhats with their rebellion. Mayor Lindsay’s sympathy with the protesters further stoked the fires of discontent. The stage was set for a pitched battle.

The Hardhat Riot is an engrossing work of history. David Paul Kuhn captures the moment with his vivid detail and description of a dark day in New York and U.S. history. The different perspectives, including the workers, the Lindsay administration, and the Nixon administration, add more color to a fantastic read.


Happy, Healthy Minds: A Children's Guide to Emotional Wellbeing

Everyone struggles with their mental health sometimes, including (and perhaps especially) kids. But sadly, many kids don’t really have the tools or even the language needed to understand why they struggle with these things. Children may not be able to fully articulate what anxiety is, or why their changing body makes them uncomfortable, or how anger makes them feel and why it’s such a struggle to control it.

Happy, Healthy Minds is an excellent book for kids, starting at perhaps age eight or nine, which delves into a wide range of important topics and breaks them down for easier comprehension. Kids will get a better understanding of why their minds work the way they do; why school can feel so challenging, even beyond math or reading; why they love screens but their parents do not; why it can feel so difficult to make and maintain friendships; why bullies might act the way they do; and numerous other ideas.

These are all subjects that kids might not feel comfortable discussing with an adult, and all things that are important to understand in order to build a strong, healthy mind. This fantastic book belongs on every child’s bookshelf.


Dozens of Doughnuts

Dozens of Doughnuts is the story of a bear named LuAnn, her love for doughnuts, and friendship. LuAnn is getting ready to hibernate for the winter, but before she does, she bakes herself a dozen yummy doughnuts. These doughnuts are all different colors and flavors, but all are the same size. She pulls out the doughnuts and gets excited to eat them so she can sleep well with a full tummy, but then she hears her doorbell. It's a friend who asks if LuAnn can share some of her doughnuts. LuAnn is a good and thoughtful friend, so of course she does. More and more friends keep showing up at her house when they smell the doughnuts from outside. Now LuAnn has a problem. Will she keep sharing or get fed up?

This book is a new favorite for me. I love all of the doughnuts shown at the beginning of the book; they are colorful and look so good to eat. The rest of the pictures in the book are also bright, and the story is easy to follow and understand. I like the end of the story when LuAnn's friends realize they weren't the nicest to LuAnn, but they do something about it to make it better for them and her.


The Lost Fairy Tales (Pages and Co. #2)

Tilly and Oskar are book wanderers, a special group of people who can travel into stories. Tilly lives with her mom and grandparents in the family’s bookstore, called Pages and Co. Their lives are peaceful until something startling happens. The Head Librarian of the British Underlibrary is being replaced! The new Head Librarian, Melville Underwood, is fishy, especially the fact that he seemed to appear out of nowhere. Even more shocking, Melville wants to bind books so that no one can book wander in them!  Tilly and Oskar decide they must stop this wicked deed, but as usual, Tilly’s grandparents want her to leave things to the adults. Tilly could help if anyone would let her.

Tilly and Oskar are sent to Paris for Christmas where they learn surprising secrets. After a stunning betrayal leaves them in deeper trouble than they bargained for, Tilly and Oskar must find a way to stop Melville and his sinister allies, because the future of book wandering depends on it.

I liked this book because it was an unpredictable read with plenty of fun! There were a lot of twists and turns, with a sweet, imaginative story. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves fairy tales.


You Matter

This book is about no matter what size you are, you matter. Every problem that you're in, everybody matters. I agree that everyone matters. From the ants to the young and the old. The story is sort of repetitive though. I like the book because it's true that everybody matters. I like the drawings because there are different looking kids playing together. I also like his drawings because they are very colorful and some of the drawings look tropical. I also like how the little fishes look in one of the drawings. They look different, but all the fishes are very cute! In one of the drawings, the kid is sad when he has to say good-bye. I feel the same way just like the kid in the book. The author also wrote another book with a cute little girl with the baubles on her hair. She is also in this book! I recommend this book to anyone who feels they don't matter.


How to Save a Life

How to Save a Life is a cross between the movies Groundhog Day and Final Destination. Dom Suarez is reunited with his ex-fiancee Mia ten years after he broke off their engagement. A successful news reporter who lives with his best friend, Lance, Dom has never been able to find anyone quite as special as Mia. Although her wildly outgoing personality had him on edge at times due to his rather introverted nature, he knows that he will never find love with someone like Mia again.

The date is Thursday, June 11th. Dom is excited to meet up with Mia and agrees to go to the fair with her, even though he hates the fair and its crazy rides. As fate would have it, Mia meets an early and violent death while at the fair with Dom. The next day, Dom wakes up and it's as if he is reliving the same day.

The premise behind the story is not a new one; however, Fenton and Steinke do a great job of making each Thursday more and more progressive as time goes on. Dom gets smarter and tries to figure out how to save Mia's life by taking her on different dates that he feels are "safe."

I really enjoyed reading this book and was very much anticipating an amazing ending. I felt the ending was a little disappointing after going through all the days with Dom. To be honest, it was a bit exhausting. Overall, this is a great read but don't expect anything fancy at the end.


The White Coat Diaries

Norah Kapadia’s first day of medical residency isn’t all starlight and songbird-filled euphoria; in fact, it’s the exact opposite. All of her studies and social isolation and sleepless nights have led her to what she thought was the job of her dreams, but this one may be more like a nightmare.

Madi Sinha’s book White Coat Diaries is a funny, smart, and personal look at the life of one woman trying to make her mark in an industry dominated by men while trying to live up to the legacy of her late father. Add the first blushes of intimacy and dating to the mix and a mother whose health issues are only slightly less concerning than her laser focus on Norah getting married and you have a novel that is both familiar and sad and joyful. Like many twenty-somethings, Norah is determined to make her life useful, but along the way she learns that there are lines in the professional world she is expected to cross, lines that make her uncomfortable, and there are people who expect her to bend to their will.

Norah’s growth into her own person, her discovery of what she truly wants and what most matters to her, and her involvement in a mistake that costs someone’s life all converge in the highly readable White Coat Diaries.


Luli & the Northern Lights

"Join a boy named Luli as he sets out to find the parents he’s never met. Luli & the Northern Lights gives us the magical journey of a boy with strong will and perseverance. The beautiful scenery and talking animals set the scene for a story full of excitement and adventure. From sea witches and shamans to talking seals and lemmings, Luli & the Northern Lights will captivate audiences of all ages." — Kristi Elizabeth, Seattle Book Review


My Country 'Tis of Thee: Reporting, Sallies, and Other Confessions

During the Vietnam War, a Student Deferment (2S) from the Selective Service draft was the gold standard in terms of escaping from conscription into the army. Imagine then, if you will, someone who voluntarily, because of his conscience, gave up his deferment to protest against the war. He gave up a lot since he was Stanford Student Body President. At Stanford, he was overcome by fraternity members who shaved his head in bullying opposition to his policies.

David Harris, the author of this book of essays, not only gave up his deferment, he enlisted other young men to give up theirs, encouraged defiance of the draft, and so was singled out to pay a penalty. The government could not possibly charge the numerous protesters, so they made an example of key figures who opposed the draft. Harris was among the most high profile, having married singer Joan Baez. He was sentenced to two years in a Texas jail away from his wife and infant son.

Harris has had a long career as an author of both articles and books. This book is a collection of notable essays that serve as a history of the movements and episodes from the author’s long life. The reading is emotionally difficult, since it ranges from the treatment of farm workers, the elimination of family farms, the death of a small child, Mexican justice horrors, to the reticence of an honorable man to put himself forward in the race for the presidency. The author is idealistic in that he believes that the more Americans know about themselves, the better we would be as a people. This idealism is tonic to the common ignorance in American life today.

This book would be good reading for those seeking the hard life of an activist and involved citizen. Harris is a fine writer.


Nomad

Ivy has been banished from her home in the Delve. She has found her mother and brought her sister above ground, but now must find a place to stay. A first, she decides to travel with Martin to learn about the world, to find income and a way of survival. Meanwhile, Ivy finds out some of her own weakness, fears, and dreams that are maybe about the past Martin can’t remember.

After deciding to help Molly and her family by renting Molly’s house, Ivy makes a plan to get the people to leave the Delve, which is increasingly becoming more poisoned. Martin decides to leave Ivy to enjoy life with her family. Her mother and Cicely enjoy a good life living in the rented house. Ivy works with Matt and Jenny to get the plan rolling on telling others of the danger to the piskey’s health. Ivy learns from Nettle what The Joan’s plan is to help the Delve. Tensions rise as Ivy tries to help her family by selling the treasure she and Martin found. She’s about to get the money for rent when finds her mother to be severely injured. Ivy will stop at nothing to make things right, even if it means selling the hoard of treasure, traveling all the way to London, and having an awkward encounter with Martin to save her mum.

Plot: The set up seemed a little slow at first.  When I looked back, I could see all the seeds the author was planting to make it an epic story. I loved seeing Ivy grow and learn that she had to think of others before herself, even when choosing that is difficult. I liked the slow-burn romance and Ivy having to sort through her feelings. I loved the incorporation of the dreams Ivy has. It makes Martin’s backstory so cool. I loved that Molly was still a part of this story. I was intrigued by who Ivy fell in love with and I’m still thinking about how I feel about it.

Text: The writing was beautiful and descriptive. I felt genuinely like I was in a magical world in the real world. I wish I could go look in nature and see these gorgeous creatures.

Characters: Ivy is a great. I love how she is learning about herself and her power over others.

Martin is a fun character because even the reader isn’t sure what to think about him at times. However, I think the point is he has a good heart despite what he’s done.

Mattock is one of those characters that would be the best and sweetest friend.

Jenny is such a good and brave friend. I love all the ways she gets out of her comfort zone and helps Ivy.

Nettle is such a great character and special to Ivy too. I loved her input to help Ivy’s cause.

Molly is a beautiful human that does great things to help out her magical friends even after how things turned out in book 1.

The Joan is an excellent antagonist, because she’s like the people who enjoy power and don’t want to rock the boat so they do what has always been done, even if it’s not good for the people.

Age Recommendation: Thirteen and Up


Safe: A novel

A chilling, suspenseful story about a missing child’s return home after being kidnapped and held for twelve years. After finally escaping the grasp of her kidnappers, Jenny Kristal returned home. However, after a few days, the safe feeling of home was quickly evaporating.

This novel was and is a great read, and I highly recommend it to anyone. Especially those who enjoy genres similar to a murder mystery. It is full of unexpected twists and turns that leave the reader in a bamboozled state. The way that the author is able to lead and mislead the reader, and take the reader on a winding path blinded with no sense of where the story is going to go is unmatched. This novel has everything you could possibly want from a thriller, the emotional storytelling coupled with perfect pacing that all help with the twisting journey of the story.


Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life

Christie Tate is stuck. She’s first in her class in law school and on track for a promising legal career, but her love life is unfulfilling. Though she frequently attends twelve-step meetings to help her with her eating disorder recovery and has tried a handful of therapists, Tate feels hopeless. When her friend suggests group therapy with a psychologist named Dr. Rosen, Tate’s life slowly transforms. In Group, Tate recounts this transformation, reflecting on her personal journey in Rosen’s therapy groups over the years.

Group is incredibly readable—there’s something both touching and addictive about getting to sit in on group meetings and witness the superficial details and the deeper, more painful vulnerabilities of Tate and her group members. With candor and humor, Tate lifts back the curtain on the complexities of personal growth. At times, though, the book is missing a deeper examination of Dr. Rosen’s unconventional group therapy format—the groups are not confidential, and Dr. Rosen attends his patients’ weddings and invites them over for dinner. While Tate sometimes acknowledges this unconventionality—and acquaintances’ taken-aback responses to it—she doesn’t dig deeper into its ethical implications. One can’t help but wish that more reflection on the therapy format made its way into the book.


Luster: A Novel

Edie is very young, creatively blocked, and about to lose her job and her apartment, but her connection to the much older Eric is a beacon of hope. However, his interest is muted; he’s married and cautious, and when he exhibits occasional fervor, he does so by punching Edie in the face. Searching for a foothold in her life, Edie shows up at Eric’s house in suburban New Jersey, where she meets his wife, Rebecca. Reserved and watchful, Rebecca invites Edie to move in temporarily, hoping she’ll be a good influence on Rebecca’s unhappy adopted daughter, Akila. Edie pushes aside the inherent strangeness of their living arrangement, happy enough for some stability--and inspired, for the first time in a long time, to paint again. The images she calls forth hint at past traumas, though Edie accepts her troubled past with a kind of radical clarity, her eyes trained on the future. Always precarious, her membership in Eric’s open marriage inevitably falls apart, and Edie must figure out what’s waiting for her on the other side of this inscrutable episode in her life.

Told with dark humor, Luster offers a stark and moving view of what it’s like to be young and black and female, and Leilani’s prose is electric with wit, cultural critique, and social observation. Edie’s relentless eye for hypocrisy and absurdity make her good company, and readers will be sad to part ways when this raw, powerful novel comes to a close.


Cool for America: Stories

This is a collection of stories about characters who are, in fact, too cool for school. They are an highly educated sort, seeking new experiences, having decided opinions, no real affiliations and no anchors. Will the love and caring between a brother and sister as they endure the Christmas holiday slide them into deeper drug addiction or can they rescue each other? Does the spontaneous trip that a bored beautiful girl takes with a stranger end up in adventure, love or no connections at all? And what is up with the strange veterinarian whose reputation in town cannot even compete with the weirdness of his real character?

The author has written a first novel humorously called Early Work, which is predated by many of these stories previously published in literary magazines. This book is a brilliant collection and finely crafted by this gifted storyteller.

Cool for America has a cast of characters who could comfortably fit into the beat generation. One gets the sense that they may drink beer, but would not watch television. They are cool, detached and adrift. The reader knows these people who have lost their sense of place geographically and emotionally.


Valiance

Valiance, by Vanessa Caraveo, is a book about a deaf/mute boy who loves and becomes successful at soccer. The reader watches him grow from the ages of about four to eighteen. This novel has an easy writing style, just a handful of characters, and is simple to follow. It is a quick, straightforward read. The protagonist, Diego, is from a Mexican American family and resides in Sacramento. He was born deaf and doesn’t speak. He is bullied in school and is a gifted athlete. The reader roots for him as he grows up attends high school, develops relationships, and has family tragedies to deal with. Later in the story, the reader watches his soccer career begin and how he handles newly acquired fame and attention, while never turning away from his family and friends. Diego is a likable, honest character, as are several of the other characters in the book.

The book’s strengths are its attention to disabilities, its likable protagonist, the caring immigrant family, and the inspirational message. There are weaknesses. The book doesn’t read true to life in several ways. Diego’s mutism isn’t explained, and his ability to use ASL so efficiently, without formal education in ASL, is glossed over. There is a lack of realism about a deaf child understanding the complex language that the mother uses, in scenes when Diego is very young. There are issues with how he would be understood without speech therapy to help him mouth words, or without his family formally learning ASL. Some of the legalities and lifelike actions of teachers, coaches, and a principal are problematic. The negativity towards “special needs” schools could read as offensive when the book tries to be “woke” regarding disability issues. Lastly, the book doesn’t read true to life regarding soccer. Ms. Caraveo uses terminology that a sportsperson or soccer person wouldn’t use, and while a boy in a soccer uniform is on the cover of the book, there is little about the sport itself or the complexities of becoming good at it. For example, in high school sports, there would be the talk of division championships, not cups. The word fumble is used, which doesn’t belong in soccer, and there are numerous other examples.

Valiance could be strengthened. I would encourage Ms. Caraveo to workshop the book with various audiences. She could get feedback from the deaf/ASL community regarding some of the subtleties and details of that community, as well as feedback from the soccer community.
//


Wolf Time: A Novel

In 2018, wildlife biologist Sage McAllister opens the door to her small log cabin and finds two wild wolves, an uncommon sight in the Yosemite National Park region, where gray wolves were eradicated in 1924. Sage is frightened at first, but she has spent her whole life talking to animals and nature. The wolves, Issa and Tish, begin speaking to her telepathically. They are siblings and the only ones left of their pack. They have come to ask Sage to help them tell their story. They relay their memories to Sage through Wolf Time, a dreamlike state where Sage is able to move back in time and relive memories as if they were her own. Sage experiences their life as rollicking and playful puppies, their losses as their large family is reduced in numbers due to hunters, and their long journey to escape certain death by traps, snares, or the hunter’s gun.

The chapters about Sage, Issa, and Tish alternate with a story set in 2010 about siblings Blue and Sunny who adopt an abandoned wolf pup. In their region, wolves are hunted by Wildlife Services and ranchers, including their Uncle Marshal. Blue and Sunny name the pup Tierra and convince their uncle to allow them to keep her. The children successfully nurse Tierra back to health, but they soon learn that they are moving to Wyoming and cannot bring Tierra with them. They eventually come together with Sage in a surprising connection and an exciting adventure to save the wolves.

Wolf Time by Barbara J. Moritsch weaves fact and fantasy to tell a story about the plight of wolves in the United States. Readers experience the wolves’ tragic losses and learn about the unfair propaganda put out by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services in order to lift the federal endangered species act protections and remove wolves from the endangered species list. But Moritsch gives readers hope with this tale about nature’s strength and resilience as well as the beauty of human kindness.


The Seduction

This book might win for the biggest waste of my time this year. The Seduction is about a woman named Beth who is unstable and unlikeable from the get-go. Her extremely nice husband, Sol, gets her to go see a therapist who can help her with her anxiety. Beth's mother, Lizzie, left her when she was a little girl. The story often goes from present to past in flashbacks that Beth remembers. Beth goes to see Dr. Tamara Bywater at Sol's suggestion and ends up becoming very obsessed with the therapist. Dr. Bywater tries to keep things professional, but towards the end of her sessions with Beth, she allows a sexy picture of herself on her computer to be seen by Beth "accidentally." This is when the scandalous relationship between patient and doctor begins. It seems that while Beth was obsessing over Tamara, Tamara was also obsessing and flirting with Beth to lure her in. During the therapy sessions, Tamara seems like a normal, helpful therapist, but little do we know that she is even more of a freak than Beth is.

This book was disappointing due to its lack of interesting characters and boring go-nowhere plot.


My Hero Academia: Smash!!, Vol. 5

With quirky side effects, alternate dimension, and unconventional training, My Hero Academia, Smash! is full of short stories and adventures from class 1A, the League of Villain’s and others. The stories are goofy, fun, and light-hearted. The art style is detailed; each character is drawn differently, so it’s easy to tell them apart, and each panel adds a lot to what’s going on. There are references to the previous Smash books, but they don’t all need to be read to understand what’s going on. If you’re a fan of My Hero Academia this parody series is a must read.


Princesses Versus Dinosaurs

This is a Princess book. No, a Dinosaur book. No, a dragon and T-rex book. No, a ducky book. Wait who’s book is this? In Princess vs Dinosaurs, it is a competition to see whose book this really is. That is until the characters decide to build a wall and make it about neither. After looking over the wall and seeing they like what the other group is doing, they decide to join forces and make it a book to include everyone. The text was fun and lively. I appreciated the silliness and bickering back and forth. There were a couple of phrases that did not seem age-appropriate for a picture book. This book felt it was aimed at six to eight-year-olds.

The illustrations were well done. I appreciated the two vastly different styles for the princesses and the dinosaurs. The illustrations were showed lots of great diversity.

My kids, three and six, both loved this book. They thought it was hilarious and fun and wanted to read it over and over again. A note to parents: You might want to read through this one before you read it to your young children.


The Mulberry Leaf Whispers

The Mulberry Leaf Whispers takes the reader on two intersecting storylines; one is the perspective of a Japanese soldier in WWII and the other is of sixteenth-century feudal royalty. Both of these perspectives are not often explored in American Literature and I commend the author for bringing them to life in such detail.

Akira and Lady Sono, are both members of the house of Matsura, although they are separated by about four hundred years. Each of them makes courageous decisions despite difficult circumstances and are guided by their Christian faith.

I found Lady’s Sono’s story to be more engaging, the author wove in beautiful descriptions of nature along with biblical allegories. However, Akira’s story brought in how the Japanese were treated during and after WWII, which is not widely talked about. I appreciate this new look at history, however, I found this novel focused more on the Christian faith than it was about Japanese culture and history. I would have appreciated a historical note about the role of Christianity during the time periods of the novel.


Charity Cases

In the late 1800s, it was far from easy to be a woman. They were often at the mercy of their fathers and husbands, and while some were good men, many were cruel. That was the case with Louisa Heyer, a wealthy woman whose husband has committed her to an insane asylum under suspicious circumstances. It falls to Tom Kassel, a private detective, and a pair of female doctors to set her free and uncover the truth behind her husband’s motives.||Historical thrillers are possibly one of my favorite subgenres, and I found the plot of Charity Cases to be well-knitted together, with not a loose end in sight. Jane Shoup does an excellent job at crafting a narrative, and I was swept along for a thrilling, fast-paced ride. The only reason I can’t rate this higher is that I found the characterization lacking. So much of the book was plot and dialogue that I found myself some chapters in and realizing I couldn’t quite tell one character from another. On the whole, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it, but with the caveat that it is only good, not great.


Your Personal Journey with Food, A Guide for the Confused and Frustrated Dieter

Written by two highly qualified women, Your Personal Journey with Food is made available to save lives worldwide. Speaking from personal experience and drawing on information from the book, food has so much power over our lives. The authors state that food is more than something that tastes good; it is nourishment for our bodies and is something with which we form an emotional connection. Too many of us don't know the correct way to live with food, so we overindulge either purposefully or accidentally. Food controls the physical and emotional aspects of our lives, such as our weight and emotions. Authors Lauw and Schroeder-Cromwell have had personal experience with both these aspects and have lived through them to tell us that there is hope for us still.

I love how this isn't just another diet book and how they are open about every aspect of dieting, including the literal definition of the word. These ladies have nipped the issue in the bud by explaining the biological, mental, and physical dangers associated with the wrong kinds of food. Their writing is understandable and makes for a quick but necessary read. I also love the cover; it's colorful and direct to the point.


Timeline Science and Technology: A Visual History of Our World

Plop the reader down on the floor to turn the pages of this oversized book recording the evolution of science and technology over time. Brilliantly portrayed in striking colors and spaced out in a graphic fashion that forces the eye to roam over the page and target in on specific figures and facts that pique the imagination. Where does language start, and how did the wheel change transportation. Continue on and discover the scientists and inventors of the different ages, find where Hippocrates fit in or what Madame Curie is noted for. Trace the gap between the taming of fire to the development of robots and the internet. Belgian illustrator, Peter Goes, has produced an amazing pictorial assemblage of historical happenings from civilization's beginning up to the present time. The viewer glances at the march of science and technology spanning the eras from the stone age, through the first civilizations including the Greeks and Romans, along with the Islamic caliphates, European development, up through the twentieth century and into the emerging 21st century.  The stunning colorful format with the intriguing figures illustrating illuminating events in the history of our world is a book that will capture the interest of young readers and enrapture mature viewers as they reminisce through these historical images.


No Reading Allowed: The WORST Read-Aloud Book Ever

Raj Haldar and Chris Carpenter, Illustrated by Bryce Gladfelter

What happens when you say things that sound the same but are spelled differently? You get the same sentence with a totally different meaning thanks to homonyms. But the book lives up to its name because it is weird to read the same sounding sentence twice.

What a clever idea to use homonyms in this way. If you get the meaning this book is hilarious. If you do not you will soon. I think this is an awesome, funny teaching tool for children learning about homonyms.

The pictures are laugh out loud hilarious. Example: The hero had supervision. A panel of a superhero with supervision. The hero had supervision. A panel of a boy overlooking a giant hero sub sandwich. Sir Francis Bacon. A picture of Sir Francis Bacon the man. Sir, France is bakin’! A picture of a hot day in southern France at the beach.

I think kids will be into this because of the funny nature of the illustrations. The age range for this book is six to eight years old and maybe older if using this as a teaching tool.


The Kiosk

Kiosk is a book about a woman who is stuck living in her kiosk and dreams of living on the beach and when her kiosk is swept away by a river she ends up making her dream a reality. I think the plot was very original and entertaining. I’ve never heard of a story like this and I was always wondering what would happen next.  I think the characters are each unique in their own way but also very relatable. I especially got to know Olga, the main character.  She had an interesting life story and I could empathize with her because she wanted to get out and see the world. I think the moral of the story is that everyone can pursue their dreams no matter the situation. There were many pictures in this book and I think they were very beautiful. They looked as if they were painted right onto the book.

There were many colorful details and that’s one of the reasons why I recommend this book to younger kids. There wasn’t any figurative language but some good adjectives. Most sentences were brief but still flowed together into a well-written page. I recommend this book for kids ages five to ten years old. I don’t think that this book would make a great series because it would be too repetitive, and the story ended on a good note. This book is very unique and I’ve never heard or seen anything like it. I would definitely recommend this book for your kids because the characters were funny and relatable, and it’s a unique book.  Overall, I think this book was original and had a beautiful ending.  “She dreams of distant seas and splendid sunsets."


Migrants

A group of animals dressed in human clothing begin a trek through the dark forest, walking upright and carrying bundles of their belongings. The forest is dying and they must leave. Following behind them and urging them on is a skeleton-like creature—Death—dressed in a colorful flowered robe. He rides a blue ibis with an orange bill. The animal migrants travel toward the sea, stopping to eat and rest, and then continuing on until they reach a boat. They climb aboard, but the rough sea destroys the boat. Not all of them make it ashore. The migrants mourn their losses and continue on, courageous and determined, until they reach their new home.

Peruvian artist Issa Watanabe’s new book, Migrants, is a wordless picture book that conveys the struggle and emotional hardships of migration. Watanabe’s richly colored drawings are touched with shadows and set against a black backdrop. The images are somber and expressive; the refugees are grief-stricken and dignified in their struggle. The artist has delivered her message. There is the harsh reality, but there is also hope. Words are not needed.


Devastation Class

In the far future earth takes the leap to space, but finds more than they bargained for. JD Marshall and Viv Nixon have been best friends since ever. Together they trained to be the best of the elite cadets chosen to serve on a mission of science and exploration aboard the spaceship California. It’s supposed to be an easy mission, hardly more than a training exercise. An attack from an old enemy changes that. JD and Viv have no choice but to take control and try to keep the crew alive. A simple plan for an impossible task.

The plot is enjoyable, even though it wasn’t the story I expected from the dust jacket. The characters don’t have distinct voices. The flaws they have seem more of an afterthought and aren’t shown very well. Half the time characters are called by their first name the other half they're called by their last making it confusing at times. Some of the characters are only there to die and I didn’t care enough about them when they did. I’m not sure why others are even there, they never do anything. The romantic subplot is annoying; it doesn’t affect the story and isn’t told well.


Paper Bullets: Two Artists Who Risked Their Lives to Defy the Nazis

The opening segment of Paper Bullets is exciting. The two protagonists, Claude and Marcel, get on a bus in Nazi-held Jersey but are then forced off to show their papers. The reader knows they could be arrested if the soldiers look hard.  It’s a gripping way to begin the novel.

Paper Bullets is about Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore, who were figures in the art and resistance movements in the 1940s. I’m avoiding calling them both women because it seems that Claude would probably identify as non-binary if the term had existed at the time. I’ll refer to them as the artists and I’ll use their adopted names. They were stepsisters but more importantly, lovers and soulmates.

This is a very moving story. I became quite attached to both of the artists and ended up spending time, after reading Paper Bullets, looking for even more about their lives, work, and deaths. I think that anyone with an interest in art, resistance to Nazism or fascism, and LGBT history would really enjoy reading about these figures’ lives.

Paper Bullets is a beautifully written book by Jeffrey H Jackson, professor of history at Rhodes College. He clearly researched thoroughly and empathizes with the artists. The book is an ode to them, without being overly fawning. It is full of photographs, which I loved. My only criticism is that the novel style gives way to more dry explanations at times, instead of sticking more of a novel format. It is a hybrid history book/novel, which has both its strengths and drawbacks. I highly recommend Paper Bullets and hope it is used in history curricula.


The Endangereds

The Endangereds is about a group of endangered animals that were taken by humans from their natural habitats and put in a facility where some of the animals go hyper and become as smart and as able as humans. The animals that go hyper form a group called "the Endangereds" and they help other endangered animals around the globe. Nukilik, a polar bear, was taken away from her mother when they were separated and brought to the facility where she becomes hyper, but she doesn't want to join the Endangereds. She just wants to get back home.  Arief, an orangutan, who is head of the Endangered society wants Nukilik to join the group but she refuses. Wangari, a pangolin, really wants Nukilik to go but she doesn't know where Nukilik is from. Murdock, a narwhal, wants to be friends with everyone but is pretty annoying. When Hobbs and Jill, the black-footed ferrets in the Endangereds society, get taken away from the facility the other Endangereds plan a rescue. Will they be able to work together to get Hobbs and Jill back? Read the story yourself to find out what happens in this adventurous tale.

I would recommend The Endangereds to animal lovers and anyone who likes adventure and a little bit of mystery. This book is amazing! I love it because the Endangereds have to hide that they are hyper from the humans. They have to make sure that nobody notices they are gone when they go on secret missions. I wonder if animals can really do this in real life and we just don't know because they have outsmarted us. I really liked this book and plan to read it again.


Tales from the Ant World

In this charming collection of ant stories, the reader is fortunate to learn both about ants and also about their naturalist observer, famed myrmecologist E.O. Wilson.  Not only does one learn about the diverse routines of these social insects, but also about the character of the scientist and the nature of science itself.  In twenty-six engrossing and colorfully compact chapters, different species of ants, located in different parts of the world are described.  Fascinating line drawing sillustrating  the different caste members  of their entomological population such as the workers, the queen, the winged males, and  the soldiers of different species display the elegant specializations designed for specific life styles.  Glance at fire ants, leafcutters, warrior ants, trap jaw ants and so many others.  The studied behavior of ants evokes wonder at how these creatures are programmed, they elicit and respond to pheromones that activate taste and smell reactions, in contrast to larger animals that rely on sight and sound for survival. Looking into the ant world	 and their specialized routines is like wandering into another fantasy world, one that belongs in science fiction.	Outside of the challenging Latinized genus species names which are difficult to pronounce, this introduction to part of the fauna of more than 15,000 species more ancient than us, will give the reader an appreciation for both the complexity of ants and the attentiveness of their investigators.


Tree: A Gentle Story of Love and Loss (Lessons of a LAC)

Loppy, one of the LACs (Little Anxious Creatures) who lives in the tiny village on the mountaintop is studying for an exam. His anxiety soars, so he decides to console in his dear friend, Tree. As Loppy confides in Tree, a strong wind sweeps through the area, scattering a plethora of his leaves. Though it’s not the time of year for Tree to shed his foliage, Loppy doesn’t realize this until his pal Curly says, “I’m afraid our precious friend is starting to leave us, Loppy.” Together they mourn the inevitable and reminisce about the special times they’ve spent with Tree. The other villagers come to pay tribute, and upon his passing, they memorialize him in the park.

This is a gentle, thoughtful story about love and loss, grief and healing. The unique characters and adorable, touching illustrations provide a bridge of connection to which young children can relate. Loppy’s deep endearment for Tree as well as the terrible sadness he feels when he learns Tree’s life is fading are palpable. His sheer determination to never forget his loyal friend is just as powerful, too.

This heartwarming tale is an ideal choice for youth who may soon lose someone they love as well as for those who have already faced significant losses. It’s also a worthy read for those who enjoy tender-hearted stories of all types. The target age range for Tree: A Gentle Story of Love and Loss is children ages five to nine.


Invisible Girl: A Novel

Cate Fours has forgiven her husband Roan, and herself, for the troubles in their marriage and is trying to put the pieces back together as Valentine’s Day approaches. She and Roan and their children, Georgia and Josh, are living in a rental flat in Hampstead while their house in Kilburn is rebuilt after subsidence damaged it. The temporary space has brought them into closer quarters with one another, their neighbors, and the invisible girl whose life will touch them all.

Lisa Jewell is known for her intricate and timely thrillers; her latest is no exception. As a string of sexual assaults plagues the neighborhood, the Fours family is in the thick of the crimes. A former patient of Roan’s, Saffyre, goes missing and the search for her leads to a Hampstead neighbor, Owen Pick. Cate Fours watches and wonders through the entire investigation if her family is perhaps more involved than she thought. And Owen, a lonely virgin at 33, becomes the focus of a scandal rooted in incel culture.

With an eye for contemporary detail and a clear understanding of the sexual politics that can lead to violence, Jewell presents a taut and thought-provoking cautionary tale in Invisible Girl that will entertain as much as it haunts the reader.


Confessions on the 7:45: A Novel

If every thriller I picked up for the rest of my life was as eye-popping and indulgent as this one, I would be one happy camper. Lisa Unger does it again in Confessions on the 7:45.

Married to husband Graham and with two little boys, Oliver and Stephen, Selena thinks her life is going pretty well. Of course, she is the (temporary) main breadwinner right now as Graham is between jobs. But she is just happy enough. Until, that is, she starts suspecting Graham of cheating on her with the nanny. Selena meets a stranger named Martha on the train one day, and in a few short minutes, the ladies have traded secrets. What Selena doesn't know, though, is who Martha really is.

Confessions on the 7:45 has characters that are so smart, so imperfect, yet so delicious to spy upon that you too will feel like a voyeur feeding into this story about manipulation, fraud, extortion, and blackmail. Exciting, fast-paced, and toe-curling, this book will have you reading it into the wee hours of the night.


The Echo Wife

The Echo Wife teaches that sometimes, in order for you to really know yourself, there has to be another one of you. The plot, though not the most realistic, was enough to hold my attention. This is a well-written story, with a unique style of writing which was quite intriguing. More interestingly, it explores the depths of human character. It provides its own perspective on the topics of cowardice and courage, correctness and incorrectness, victory and defeat.

Evelyn Caldwell is a brilliant scientist who holds much respect for her work with clones. Evelyn’s life away from her lab, however, is much less rosy. She is recently divorced from a cheating husband, but her husband wasn’t keeping just anyone as a mistress. He was cheating with Evelyn’s clone which he developed with her own research. His work comes back to bite him though when he is murdered. This, however, means Evelyn and her clone, Martine, must figure out a way to cover up his death and clean the mess he’s made.

All in all, this is a good book, although it does include some controversial topics such as abortion and cloning. People who have strong views on these subjects should be warned before picking up this book. I believe this book is best for adults who are interested in the topic of cloning-or any aspect of science-and enjoy thrillers.


In Case You Missed It: A Novel

Ros has returned to London after a three-year stint as a literary podcast producer in the United States. She’s happy to get back to her family and friends and to pick up right where they left off. The only problem is that everyone has grown and things have changed over the three years she has been away. However, when a mistaken group text prompts a reply from the one who got away, Ros decides that she’ll get things back to the way they were, but better.

This book is a pleasant romantic comedy. The characters are likable enough. Ros’s new job was a little less than exciting to read about. (She gets a new job as a podcast producer for a fourteen-year-old gamer who only goes by the name ‘Snazzlechuff.’) The real treat in this story is the rekindled romance between Ros’s parents now that both their children are grown and gone. Overall, this is a light, enjoyable read.


Don't Move

Megan’s family died in a freak accident and nine months later, she is still grieving and struggling to move on. She joins a church group going on a camping trip in the West Virginian national forest. The trip starts off with some hiccups, as some of those on the bus are at each other’s throats and the guide doesn’t actually seem to know where he’s going. They end up in an untouched part of the forest and once their group starts disappearing one by one, it becomes clear why. There is a prehistoric arachnid alive and well in this part of the forest and it is hungry. It can track their vibrations, making it difficult to escape. Those who are left have to work together and their only choice is Don’t Move.

I’ve read other books by these authors and I’ve always enjoyed them; this one was no exception. The accident at the beginning was the scariest part because it seemed more probably than a prehistoric arachnid, but the scene in the lair and the hospital were pretty terrifying as well. There is nothing too deep going on here, just a fun, thrilling horror-filled ride. Sometimes that is exactly what you are looking for. As if I didn’t hate spiders enough. I highly recommend it if you enjoy creature horror stories. You might think twice about camping in an unknown region.


Kits, Cubs, and Calves: An Arctic Summer

Suzie Napayok-Short, Illustrated by Tamara Campeau

Kits, Cubs, and Calves talks about what Arctic summers can be like and what you can do during that time. You can see different animals and enjoy boat rides. This book is really good for children aged six and older, but all ages can read it and older kids might be able to understand it a little better. The story is very detailed and really paints a picture of life in the Arctic. You definitely get more depth and information than you get from a typical picture book.

I like the illustrations because they’re quite detailed and you really get a sense of what’s happening as you flip through the pages. The illustrations are not very similar to those in most books I’ve read before, which makes them more interesting, although they definitely feel like many of the other books by the same publisher, so it’s a good addition.


The Killings at Kingfisher Hill: The New Hercule Poirot Mystery (Hercule Poirot Mysteries)

World-famous detective Hercule Poirot has been called to investigate The Killings at Kingfisher Hall. He’s been summoned by the son of the wealthy Devonport family to find out who really killed his brother. His brother’s fiancée has been convicted of the crime and is about to be hanged for it. She confesses readily to the crime, but there are those who doubt what she says. Poirot must discover why she would confess if it were not true, and it seems that everyone has a motive or is at least lying about something. Another woman ends up murdered, adding more questions to an already baffling case. Good thing Poirot is famous for his little gray cells and his determination to solve every puzzle.

I could just be incredibly biased, but these extra Poirot novels don’t have the same feel as the original Agatha Christie stories. He seems different and a little bit off. The crime and its resolution I also found to be a bit unsatisfying and I have never had that with an Agatha Christie original. Poirot is by far my favorite of her characters, and I just don’t feel like this author does him justice. I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who will love these additional stories, but my recommendation is maybe don’t read the originals first and perhaps you will enjoy the new stories more.


All the Devils Are Here: A Novel (Chief Inspector Gamache Novel (16))

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, of the Surete du Quebec, and his family are in Paris. His daughter Anne is awaiting her second child. Unfortunately, Armand's godfather, billionaire Stephen Horowitz, is hit by a van while crossing the road on the way to dinner. The Gamache family is sure it was no accident and, Armand is determined to find out what's behind the incident. He just doesn't know he's stepping into something much bigger than even he could have imagined. Can Armand trust his old friend Claude Dussault, the Prefect of Police in Paris, to help find answers, or will his friend betray his trust? Luckily, he has his son-in-law, Jean-Guy, who was recently his second in command at the Surete in Montreal on his side.

Fans of Penny will not want to miss this one. The setting has moved from Three Pines deep in the Quebec forest to the City of Lights. Her eye for detail and atmosphere means this one leaves the reader feeling that Paris is at their fingertips. Frankly, to my mind, this author gets better with every book she writes. If you are like me, you will be glued to every page. I can't wait to see what she does next.


Don't Look for Me: A Novel

One night, Molly Clarke disappears. It looks like she walked away from her life, the note at a hotel saying Don’t Look for Me seemed to close the case. Her family life was not going well, not since the death of her youngest daughter five years before. Her husband didn’t seem to love her anymore and her other two children despised her, especially her oldest, Nicole. But as broken as their family is, Nicole knows her mother would never just leave them. She heads to the town where Molly disappeared from and begins to look for clues herself. Nicole said terrible things to her mother before she disappeared and she will do whatever it takes to find her and repair their broken relationship. However, there are people at work behind the scenes actively trying to keep her from finding the truth or to make her disappear as well.

This is my second Wendy Walker book and I have to say I liked it a lot more than the first. It was easy to relate to both Molly and Nicole and the strained relationship that mothers and daughters can have. They were probably the only two characters to have much depth, but it was enough. The plot was interesting and telling the same story in the same timeline from both of their perspectives added extra layers of suspense. If you enjoy mysteries and especially those with strong female leads, then you should check this book out.


The Silver Arrow

Kate lives a boring life with her annoying little brother Tom and their parents, who mostly just work and stare at their phones all day. But then on her eleventh birthday, her uncle Herbert, whom she had never even met, sends her a giant black steam engine named The Silver Arrow. Despite her uncle Herbert’s warning, off they go on a crazy adventure through forests, under water, and even on the clouds, delivering a ton of talking animals at their stops. They also make friends with a mamba, a heron, a fishing cat, a porcupine, and an adorable baby pangolin.

I loved this book! It is totally amazing, plus it’s one of my new favorite books! I recommend it to older kids and younger kids alike. But I think it would be even more amazing as a read-aloud. Kate, the heroine of the story, does say some things to her parents and Tom that are not very nice, but other than that, the story is amazing. The art and the descriptions are something that every book needs, and this book covers that check box perfectly. But even if it didn’t have that quality, it would still be perfectly inspiring.


A Field Guide to a Happy Life: 53 Brief Lessons for Living

It turns out that a happy life is won through the ancient teachings of Epictetus. It also turns out that Pigliucci can ably write about Epictetus’ teachings of stoicism in a most readable and entertaining way. Whilst any teaching of philosophy can be difficult to understand, most of the book is accessible and straight forward. The emphasis to a happy life, it turns out, is to rely on oneself for comfort and also the source of harm. Looking to externals for happiness and fulfillment are ultimate sources of pain and anxiety. This is the heart of the stoic philosophy: to learn what is proper to desire and what to avoid. It is a lesson quite relevant to the materialism which pervades the dominant culture. To quote the author: Whenever externals are more important to you than your own integrity, then be prepared to serve them for the remainder of your life.

To add to his field guide, the author has crafted a chart of his new ideas which augment the basic philosophy of stoicism. This is a wonderful writer and a great book.


Artistic License to Kill: A Fine Art Mystery

Artistic License to Kill is a mystery novel starring the suspect Amanda Trent. After she was divorced by her husband. Amanda Trent, an artist, wants to enroll in the Roadrunner Gallery in Lonesome Valley. After the day she is accepted into Roadrunner Gallery she is given a mentor named Susan. They head into the gallery to learn that Janic Warren, the gallery director, was killed. Both Amanda and her mentor Susan are accused. Even worse, the detective is more focused on arresting someone than resolving the crime.

I really love a good mystery novel. This book was very interesting and enjoyable to read. There were many plot twists and red herring throughout the reading.

The author introduced us to new characters very well throughout the book. I don't think this story should have a series. I’m not saying this book was really bad, it’s just that somehow making the main character, Amanda Trent, end up in every mystery sounds weird. If she was a detective that changes everything but her role is just a suspect.

I would definitely recommend this to readers who enjoy mystery novels. This book could be readable to all ages (depends on their reading skills). Although the cover of this book is very misleading. On the cover, we see two animals and a bunch of painting behind these animals. The cover has no meaning and it’s all about the book itself.


Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips for Writers: The Ultimate Frugal Reference Guide for Avoiding Word Trippers and Crafting Gatekeeper-Perfect Copy, 2nd Edition

Writers face a lot of challenges in their chosen profession, not the least of which happens when it is time to begin revising the manuscript. It is always nice at that stage of the game to have a little help from a good editor. Having this little (only forty-two pages) book on one’s shelf can be like having a good editor handy to help with one of the big problems for writers — word choice. Author Carolyn Howard-Johnson has a long list of words and phrases many people confuse when writing. This isn’t just a list of homophones, but it includes words that have a similar sound or words that have similar uses, but really act differently in writing. For instance, podium and lectern. They are really two very different things, but people often confuse them and use them incorrectly, or lose and loose — in the top-ten one-word edits she has made in her editing career. The writing has a breezy, conversational quality to it and includes a lot of humor. Howard-Johnson includes some resources in the back of the book with some great blog addresses. This is a terrific book every serious writer will want.


Presidents Play!

Jonathan Pliska, Illustrated by John Hutton

What does the President do when he is not working? Play of course. The presidents like to do many sports from swimming to golf to basketball to making up their own game. There were some unique sports like fishing and horseshoes. Some do activities to stay in shape while others like to attend sporting events.

The text was fun and very kid-friendly. It gave the right amount of information without being too much. I loved that this book really humanized the presidents for kids.

The illustrations were so much fun. They kind of reminded me of caricatures, but more refined. It made it a real treat for my kids to look at. I loved the drawing of all the presidents on the endpapers. What a great learning tool to help kids memorize the presidents.

My three-year-old and six-year-old liked learning about what the Presidents like to do for fun. It made the Presidents seem real instead of some high-ranking government official that make laws. It gave Presidents a fun side for kids.


A White House Alphabet

Arioth Harrison Smirne and Rocco Smirne, Illustrated by John Hutton

Have you ever wondered what is in the White House? This book shows you all the awesome things in the home of the President of the United States. It covers everything from the Green Room to the West Wing. It also tells about some unique things that adults might not even know about some of the rooms, gardens, and valuables on the property.

This is a great informational book about the White House. I think everyone from adults to kids could learn from it. The length is perfect for preschool to second-grade age. I loved that the information was short, sweet, and to the point. The words chosen for the book are active and fun. I also loved the illustrations. They really match the feel of a book about our government that is aimed at kids. I also felt it was respectful and lively all at the same time. The cover is particularly fun, with the different presidents holding the letters that had their name on them. The Truman Balcony was a personal favorite of mine.

I would recommend this book for children aged three to seven.


Iron Empires: Robber Barons, Railroads, and the Making of Modern America

A burgeoning country seeking unity as it expands finds a way to connect disparate lands. The railroads were just the next step in the evolution of travel, finding a way to get people and cargo from one point to another. The idea was just the beginning, implementation would be the rub. The steamboat was the most recent innovation, yet the clogging of the waterways by large boats caused problems. The funding of rails that connected the departure and arrival points would need to be extensive. Business titans like Cornelius Vanderbilt saw the potential for the new innovation and would engage in a war for supremacy over the iron rails. Vanderbilt, Morgan, Gould, Fisk, and Harriman emerged as household names, while fortunes were made and squandered in attempting to bring together the people of the young United States.

Iron Empires fascinates from start to finish in regaling the reader with the behind the scenes machinations of the modern railroad. The complex personalities who could make or break a rail project are profiled with the aplomb of an investigative journalist. Author Michael Hiltzik revives past history in a forthright manner, making for a stellar read. Iron Empires is a History book to be treasured for 2020 and beyond.


The Language of Ghosts

The Language of Ghosts is a middle-grade fantasy novel about three orphaned siblings, Noa, Julian, and Mite, who try and take back the throne from King Xaiver, who killed their parents and also stole Julian's throne and the kingdom...

Noa has always been the logical one of the siblings, but Julian is the true heir to the throne since he is the oldest. Mite, their little sister, is the innocent one. All three children seem to have special talents and Julian's use of nine magical languages seems to be especially important. When they find out that Xaiver, their mean uncle, has discovered two new magical languages, the race to save the kingdom begins. The children have to learn to fight against all kinds of evils and to overcome sadness, but in the end, they create a truly magical sibling bond.

This book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I could not put it down! I caught myself rooting and cheering for the characters from start to finish. I give this book five stars and I recommend it to ages nine and up!


Brain Fables

There are few things more controversial in the world of science than overturning a long-accepted hypothesis. And yet, oftentimes, this is the only way for that particular field to move forward. It takes brave souls to step up and challenge the narrative, hoping to blaze a new, more successful path ahead.

Brain Fables is about two such individuals who endeavor to upend the accepted thinking behind Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases, facing down the status quo in the hopes of making genuine progress battling these poorly understood and debilitating conditions.

But this book is more than just a captivating explanation of the contradictions that prevent the study of Parkinson's from progressing. Along the way, you'll learn the difference between diseases, conditions, and syndromes, and marvel at the complexity of the brain and the unbelievably hard work it takes for us to puzzle out even the smallest portion of its wondrous functionality.

 Whether Espay and Stecher are effective in changing how scientists approach neurodegenerative conditions, I cannot say. But they represent the best of modern science: a willingness to question what we know, the bravery to return to the drawing board, and the dedication to keep pushing forward for the benefit of everyone.


Women in the Kitchen: Twelve Essential Cookbook Writers Who Defined the Way We Eat, from 1661 to Today

Women in the Kitchen highlights women throughout time who have contributed to the success of cooking and making a positive name for women. Anne Willan, an award-winning author and founder of La Varenne Cooking School, and a collector of vintage cookbooks, writes of twelve women who helped create the vast success of the cooking industry. From Hannah Woolley's success in England in 1661 to Alice Water's success in America around the 1970s, each of the twelve women brought something new and innovative to the table. After each woman's life is detailed, a select number of her recipes are included at the end of the chapter to showcase their skills as well as the evolution of cooking.
Reading about these women is fascinating, especially the women who lived so long ago and had to fight harder than we do now to make their name in society next to men. I admire each of them, as well as Willan for writing a book that is so easy to follow and grabs your attention so quickly. It is amazing to think about the changes that cooking has made over the years, but Women in the Kitchen show that it is all for the better.


Being Lolita: A Memoir

It’s all about language. It’s all about story. It’s all about telling your own story and not becoming trapped in the one someone else is telling. These are the themes in Alisson Wood’s deeply personal memoir, Being Lolita.

Victim or whore? Seducer or seduced? In this fantastic book, Wood explores this dichotomy as she shows all her vulnerabilities as a seventeen-year-old high school student, when she became involved with her English teacher. Throughout the book, her story and Lolita’s are entwined, but this is his version of the story. It’s important, we realize, who is telling the story. Wood’s story spans the years her relationship lasted, and she explores the strange and dark places life can go when a person becomes part of another person’s story. Deeply rich in language and perspective, Being Lolita is a haunting page-turner that puts readers on the edge of their seats, much like the original Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. Wood is a talented writer and engaging narrator, bravely sharing her story in the most eloquent of ways.  You will never read Lolita the same again.


In a Midnight Wood: A Jane Lawless Mystery (Jane Lawless Mysteries (27))

Jane Lawless, a crime podcaster and private detective, and her best friend, Cordelia, are visiting an old friend, Emma, in Castle Lake for the annual art festival. It is happening the same weekend as Emma’s class reunion, and the day Jane and Cordelia arrive, bones are found in the churchyard. It is one of Emma’s classmates, her old boyfriend, who disappeared during high school. The town police, to Jane’s thinking, seem pretty incompetent, so she starts her own investigation and hopes to use her work on her podcast. She begins to uncover some terrible secrets involving several of Emma’s classmates and even the man in a troubled liaison with Emma in the present. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Jane Lawless mystery without a little romance, a whole lot of great meals, and Cordelia being outrageous.

Author Ellen Hart has a wonderful franchise with the cozy mysteries of Jane Lawless. This book will not disappoint her faithful readers, nor will it disappoint any new to her writing. There are red herrings aplenty to keep readers guessing. Everything is woven together into a tight piece with well-developed characters, snappy dialogue, and excellent writing. This is a perfect autumn read.


Stockboy Nation

Stockboy Nation is the present-day story of a forty-year-old man named Phillip Doherty. Phillip is a bit of a lost soul who is trying so desperately to find himself. Phillip and his girlfriend Melissa decide to move from New York City to San Diego to explore new avenues. Melissa has always supported Phillip’s desires to be a writer and a teacher and finds herself disappointed when Phillip gives up and goes to apply to become a stock boy at a store called Milton's World of Fun that sells books, candy, keychains, and other novelty items. He had worked at Milton's World of Fun in New York and had written an autobiographical account of his experiences there which was very successful. Phillip's second project was a work of fiction, a fantasy novel, that did not have the same success as his first book. Throughout the book, we follow Phillip as he finds himself in one dilemma after another because he is extremely indecisive and the decisions he does make are not well thought out.

Overall, the story started out promising, with Melissa being Phillip's biggest support system and Phillip really trying hard to figure out what it is that he wants for himself and his future. As the story moves forward, Phillip seems to become more and more of a loser, and this is also proven in the writing when the author seems to dictate Phillip's juvenile way of thinking. I felt bad for Phillip, but he was such an oddball misfit that it was hard to empathize with him because at times he would just say the most awkward and stupid things. When he goes on job interviews I could almost imagine the interviewer rolling her eyes at him because his answers are so overthought and obvious that it made him seem like an imbecile.
Stockboy Nation would have been a lot better if the writing was a little more mature. It could have used some description of the two contrasting cities, New York and San Diego, as well as not stating so much of the obvious and instead painting a picture for the reader of what is going on inside the heads of the characters. The dialogue between characters seemed to repeat itself over and over which became boring. I think the author has a good baseline for a story, but the descriptions and true feelings of the characters really need to be dealt with better. A good story that needs to be rewritten to be great.


When Life Was Like a Cucumber

When Life was like a Cucumber is a work of historical fiction by Greg Wyss. Jeff, the protagonist, is a young man who is trying to find himself. The book is told in the first person and has a style like an autobiography. In the opening scene, 1972, at the age of twenty-four, he’s living in upstate New York. He goes on an acid trip and, essentially, meets God. It’s a cool beginning. Over the course of the next two years, he has many adventures. Some of these are sexual adventures, some life-threatening, some travel-oriented, and some simply mischievous. He does a lot of drugs, starts and loses many jobs, and has a few important romantic relationships with women and friendships with men.

The years of the early ’70s are a good backdrop. Jeff hitchhikes, talks politics, and is free to travel and live in ways that are long gone. Over the course of the 600+ page novel, he travels to Boston, the Bay Area, Florida, Amsterdam, Switzerland, Greece, Austria, and more. The section that focuses on his European travels has some interesting travel writing details. The reader does get a sense of what it would be like to travel in these countries in the 1970s. There are some good passages about the Vietnam War and authentic-sounding sections about doing drugs. The sexual scenes are written in detail, but a bit unrealistic from a woman’s point of view.

When Life was like a Cucumber could be revised and edited so that it works better as a novel. The prose tells readers on the occasion that something big is about to happen with phrases like “I would regret this” or “this would change my life,” but nothing really happens in the plot to substantiate it. There are no real turning points or a denouement. It reads like a diary, instead of like a well-developed story. Jeff doesn’t grow spiritually, morally, or otherwise and, unfortunately, he’s not very likable. There are lost opportunities to create more than a one-dimensional character. For example, the mentions of religious experiences don’t develop into anything, and Jeff’s sudden land ownership could have been a great plot device, but it goes nowhere. For another example, when Jeff has to return briefly to his parents in Florida towards the end of the book, it would be an opportunity to show the reader some depth about Jeff or to answer the question of why he is how he is. But, that opportunity is lost, as well. Towards the end of the novel, Jeff realizes that he is a “bum.” It would be helpful for the reader to have understood the entertainment or value in reading about his bum for six hundred pages.


bLU Talks Presents: Business Life and The Universe

"Poirier has assembled an exceptional array of authors who bring a wealth of knowledge from each of their fields and personal experiences to share concise, thoughtful perceptions that expand the reader’s understanding and challenge traditional theories in bLU Talks Presents: Business, Life and The Universe. — Jessica Tingling, Manhattan Book Review


The Pillars of Success

Jack Canfield, Nick Nanton, Dr Allen Lycka, Harriet Tinka, et al

"Packed full of positivity, this collection of stories and essays urges you to dream big, set goals, find mentors, be grateful, and, most importantly, take action. Included are practical, emotional, spiritual, and fact-based success formulas, all presented to help you become a “positive thought warrior.” — Rod Raglin, Manhattan Book Review


When Life Was Like a Cucumber

When Life Was Like a Cucumber is the fictional story of Jeffrey Hesse and his journey of highs and lows in the 1970s New York. Hesse lives a questionable lifestyle: the success of each day is dependent on getting high and/or laid. Drugs and sex are major activities in the story like it was for certain people back in the '70s. Despite this, Hesse's life experiences are enjoyable to read about; Greg Wyss is a talented author. Each chapter is another experience in Hesse's life; there are a hundred and forty-seven chapters, so lots of life experiences. Hesse is a hippy with hippy friends who enjoy the simple life with minimal money, possibly no job, but all the time in the world to get high on drugs during the day to solve their life problems. At night it isn't uncommon for them to get drunk or laid, not only for the fun of it but also to have a place to sleep for the night.

When Life Was Like a Cucumber chronicles Hesse's life starting from age twenty-four in New York. Major life events take place throughout the book: a house fire, marriage separation, dodging the draft, meeting many beautiful women, and the three times that Hesse sees God throughout the story while on intense highs. Hesse's experiences are very personal; only a specific demographic of people can fully relate to his sexual and drug experiences, but any person can enjoy the stories. Disclaimer: there is plenty of nudity mentioned and strong sexual language spoken throughout the story. This reviewer would liken many of the sexual encounters to soft porn played in your mind. Reading about Hesse's experience with drugs and women sounds all good and exciting when it's on paper but could potentially be a problem if younger readers read only the positive affects of their lifestyle.

When Hesse ventures around the world, he comes across the phrase that works as the title of his story. The phrase "life is like a cucumber" is an appropriate analogy for the story, for as the saying goes, "one minute it's in your hand, and the next it's up your..." I felt that Wyss's writing flows and is easy to read; you'll speed past each chapter. To me, each chapter seemed about the same as the one before and after it; the characters are found getting high or laid in very graphic detail. The story is composed of many ideas and experiences in a single person's life; if you can relate or enjoy reading about these topics then you'll enjoy this book.


Goodnight Beautiful: A Novel

As an avid reader of mystery and suspense, this psychological thriller by Aimee Molloy takes the cake. Goodnight Beautiful had me in a headlock from the start. The chapters alternate between two different characters' points of view.

Dr. Sam Statler is a psychologist who is newly married to Annie Potter. After a whirlwind romance in New York, the two decide to get married and move to the small town where Sam grew up to be closer to his mother who lives in a nursing home. Sam tends to his patients, but someone else in the house is listening. The book has a creepy vibe to it as we realize the voyeur has secrets too.

Each and every character in this book is fantastically sculpted by the writer. The plot is fast-paced the whole way through with a completely satisfying ending. I recommend this book to fans of books such as Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.


Christmas Cupcake Murder (A Hannah Swensen Mystery)

It's Christmas time in Lake Eden, Minnesota and Hannah Swensen is busy trying to bake enough cupcakes and cookies to keep the town happy. But, when an injured homeless man is found in a vacant shop that Hannah's mother wants to rent, Hannah wants to help find out what happened to him. Surely he has a home somewhere. It won't be easy to discover his past since he's lost his memory and the local doctor thinks he's been hit on the head. Was he the victim of a crime? Hannah isn't sure. But, she may find some clues as he begins to help out around the bakery and in her mother's antique store.

If Christmas Cupcake Murder doesn't put you in the mood to bake and eat cupcakes all day, I don't know what will. Personally, I found this one to be more centered on Hannah's cooking than on solving a mystery. But I liked that it brought all her friends and family together in a good cause just in time for the holiday season. Fans of this series will be happy to know that recipes have been included.


How I Built This: The Unexpected Paths to Success from the World’s Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs

If you have ever wondered about starting a business or are an entrepreneur yourself, this is the book for you. In How I Built This Guy Raz, creator of the podcast with the same name, explains the woe versus the extreme excitement that may be felt when a business either fails miserably or wildly succeeds. There are subjects in this book that most people don't ever think about, things such as venture capitalist money, working with a business partner, how to finance your business, how to create buzz, and how to create a culture. Some businesses are so good at creating a culture that the consumer doesn't even realize they are a part of it.

The best part of this book is that Guy tells the stories behind many of the successful companies we know of today. Companies that started from dining-room tables or while working a full-time job. Companies like Netflix, Dippin' Dots, and Airbnb were all just a thought bubble at one point. This book is the perfect book if you are looking for the inside scoop, tips, and tricks about starting a business of your own.