Sit, Stay, Heal

Amazing Ladies Roundup

These memoirs, written straight from the heart, are brilliant, candid, and wonderful. With a dazzling cast of female authors, these books will have readers laughing, crying, rejoicing, and understanding the true meaning of love.

I'll Try Anything Once
Prue Leith
Mobius
9781529426083

Dame Prue Leith, judge of the hit show Great British Bake Off, tells her story in this incredible memoir. From her childhood in South Africa to coming to London and owning her own restaurant to becoming published and ultimately getting her position as a judge on Great British Bake Off, Prue's story will inspire readers from cover to cover.

Enough: A Memoir of Mistakes, Mania, and Motherhood
Amelia Zachry
She Writes Press
9781647422912

Enough is one woman’s story about abuse, trauma, mental illness, and healing. Amelia Zachry chronicles her journey in this memoir as a young woman who lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who moved to Kentucky. After a traumatic experience, she spirals into a black hole of darkness and after being diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar II disorder, she tells her readers how her experiences shaped her adult life. This bravely written memoir will evoke strong emotions in readers everywhere.

Find a Place for Me
Deirdre Fagan
Regal House Publishing
9781646032839

A beautifully written memoir about Deidre Fagan’s last days with her husband Bob, Find a Place for Me tells the story of a happy marriage in which both partners must learn to say goodbye. Fagan paints a portrait of what it feels like to lose your best friend in life. Honest, intimate, and heartbreaking, this is a memoir that will stay with its readers.

Sit, Stay, Heal
Renee Alsarraf
HarperCollins
9780063215221

A heartwarming book about how our furry four-legged friends are so much more than just pets. Dr. Renee Alsarraf is a veterinary oncologist who tells stories about some of the wonderful dogs she treats. Then, one day, Renee herself gets a cancer diagnosis. A book that dog lovers everywhere will love that shows the wonderful impact of experiencing the unique relationship between canines and humans.

Woodrow on the Bench
Jenna Blum
HarperCollins
9780063113190

Jenna Blum pays tribute to her black lab, Woodrow, in this beautiful memoir about the time Jenna spends with him in his last six months. An inseparable bond from the beginning, the two learn so much from one another and both experience what it really means to love. With stories that will make readers laugh and cry, Woodrow on the Bench is a wonderful gift to dog lovers everywhere.


Supermouse and the Volcano of Doom

Supermouse has become a well-known superhero in the town of Mouseopolis. However, there is certainly a lot of crime to fight for just one little mouse, and Supermouse is super tired of fighting villains. It seems that Supermouse can't keep up with the dastardly criminals and needs to call in some extra help to deal with the cheesy volcano. Supermouse decides to hold auditions for his next partners in crime. Will he find help from super sidekicks in time to save the city?

I really like this series. The book is super fun to read with the interactive cut-outs and flaps. The illustrations are fun, bright, and colorful. The story is very fun and leaves you guessing for more to open the flaps. I think this is a fun series and I hope to see more!


Building a Family of Faith: Simple and Fun Devotions to Draw You Close to Each Other and Nearer to God

We live in strange times; today's culture believes everyone has their own "truths" and beliefs about everything. When it comes to being blessed with a family, be prepared for people left and right to be "offering" their opinions or knowledge about the best way to raise the kiddos. Andy Dooley, leader, pastor, and fitness professional, is a family man who understands how trying to live a Christian life can be much more challenging than going with the grain of secular beliefs and lifestyles.

In Building a Family of Faith, Dooley mentions fifty-two topics and shares the Christian view of them with a Bible passage, diving slightly deeper into the passage's meaning while relating it to real-life examples, what we can learn from it, a question or two to think about, a short prayer, and several activities or extra things to try with the family to reinforce the topic.

Dooley discusses worldly issues, such as practicing patience, self-control, losing pride, appreciating your family, and mental health, to name just a few. Each issue is explained from a life scenario of the author but ultimately ties back to how to “draw you close to each other and nearer to God.”


Not Exactly What I Had in Mind: A Novel

This entertaining and readable book reminds us that families come in all shapes and sizes; even friendship groups can have the staying power and bonds of familial relationships. The beginning of the story starts with three roommates. While one remains practically invisible in the story, the other two fall into bed with each other and cannot seem to sort out the depth of their feelings for each other.

Most of the book has them dancing around circumstances and off-shoot relationships while hiding their feelings for each other. They both play it safe, which proves the most dangerous thing that they can do. Other family members and friends are pivotal to the story.

Luckily, the author of this debut novel does not sum it all up tidily for us but allows the reader the respect to sort it all out for themselves. Kate Brook, the author, has academic credentials that are stellar and this first book is a good show of her skill in weaving characters and stories into a very readable book.


Dinos Don't Give Up!

Dinah the diplodocus is loved and adored by all of the other dinosaurs. Everything that Dinah does comes easily to her—she is naturally artistic, musically inclined, the best at baking, and a genius in school. She is also a very kind friend and offers her genuine support to others when they are in need. When a big surf competition comes to town, Dinah is eager to add another skill to her ever-growing list of talents. To her surprise, Dinah wipes out on her surfboard as she watches the other dinosaurs surfing with ease.

This story will teach children ages three to seven to persevere in challenging times. Instead of giving up, Dinah bravely gets back on her board and tries again. Her friends all rush to offer her encouraging words and a warm hug to help her feel better. Dinah feels comforted by her friends, but insists that she keep trying until she finds the fun in this new challenge.

The striking images provided by Richard Merritt capture the bittersweet beauty found in failing. Author Smriti Prasadam-Halls offers inspiration for young readers who may be dealing with feelings of insecurity or fear of trying something new and not succeeding.


Tinysaurs Trick or Treat

Tinysaurs Trick-or-Treat is the second book with the Tinysaurs, and instead of sending Valentine's Day cards, they are getting ready and excited for Halloween and trick-or-treaters! The three dinosaurs are getting their house ready for trick-or-treaters to come over, but when they do, they realize they don't have any candy! The Tinysaurs must think of another way of getting the candy on such short notice, and what better and easier way than to go trick-or-treating themselves?! Can the Tinysaurs get costumes and gather enough candy on such short notice?!

Tinysaurs Trick-or-Treat will get you ready for Halloween if you read it beforehand and will help you remember your fun while trick-or-treating if you read it afterward. I am a fan of the costumes the dinosaurs chose and think that they could have just gone as themselves, which would have been a good and scary costume also! I like how in this book and The Tinysaurs Send Love, they think of other people, and while having a fun time themselves, they let others join and have a good time too.


I Love My Body Because

Shelly Anand, Nomi Ellenson, Erika Rodriguez Medina

I Love My Body Because will teach children to appreciate every aspect of themselves. This story shows the amazing things that bodies are capable of: imagining new worlds, thinking of endless possibilities, playing with friends, giving hugs, helping others, and much more. Many different body types are displayed throughout the pages and celebrated for their unique beauty.

Clever language such as “lightning bolts” and “tiger stripes” are used as positive ways to describe stretch marks, encouraging children to embrace their body for its natural state. Individuals of varying physical abilities, cultural backgrounds, sizes, and skin tones (including those with skin conditions) are represented in this inclusive story.

In a society that uplifts the idea of a “perfect” body, this book is a breath of fresh air. Authors Shelly Anand and Nomi Ellenson have created an impactful body-positive story for all children ages two to eight. It will show young readers the beauty in differences and inspire them to appreciate these unique aspects in themselves and others. When a child who has diabetes, paralysis, vitiligo, or anything that makes them feel inferior to others reads this book, they will begin to love their body for everything it is, not what it could be.

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers


Bear Has a Belly (Big, Little Concepts, 5)

This adorable book is perfect for young readers who are learning their body parts. Bear Has a Belly has pictures of a variety of animals' body parts, with coordinating pictures of children pointing to their body part as well. Each animal is adorable, and who doesn't like cuddly animals?

The real-life pictures of animals are sure to keep readers engaged in this book. The real-life pictures of children in this book help readers to make connections with finding their own eyes, ears, or other body parts.

The pages are very thick and super durable, making this a perfect book for young readers who are still learning to turn paper pages without ripping them, like my sister. This book is sure to be a favorite with young readers.


Dungeons & Dragons: Mindbreaker

Adventurers are back in Baldur's Gate. They must face demons, devils, and the undead. Can these small-town heroes work together to survive and complete their mission?

This book was really good. I especially love the graphic novel style and the illustrations were absolutely incredible. The art in this book is my favorite part. The art really brings the story to life. This book was most fun to read as I have played a campaign that took place in Baldur's Gate, so I felt like I was easily able to imagine the scenes in the book, especially with the incredible illustrations.

I see there are more books in the series and I can't wait to check them out. I highly recommend these action-packed books for adventurers.


The Big Lie: Election Chaos, Political Opportunism, and the State of American Politics After 2020

This book is actually only for people who have not kept up with current events, but probably those of us who are current will read this book in an attempt to understand how citizens can be lied to so blatantly. This book is a well-written and logical following of the lies, compromises, and cowardice of Republicans. There are exceptions, but only a few.

The Big Lie begins with the statement by the Republican candidate in the 2016 election that there would be voting fraud. He did not expect to win and was prepared, even then, to throw a monkey wrench into traditional proceedings.

Journalist LeMire is the host of Way Too Early on MSNBC and a contributor to that network. He is a White House correspondent and so is well versed in the workings therein. Given that the events are factual and well written, how many of us want to rehash the painful four years that continues to splinter this nation? I, for one, have chosen to stay informed.


Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow

Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow is a wonderful children's book illustrating the adventures of a grey and white bunny named Zozo and her human family. This book is just one in the Travels with Zozo... series by A.J. Atlas and illustrated by Anne Zimanski.

The first thing that caught my attention when I picked up the book was the wonderful cover illustration. The cover shows Zozo and many of the friends she meets in the book, along with a beautiful background showing a waterfall and moonbow. The well-detailed illustrations carry on throughout the book, and I could see how the pretty colors and whimsical expressions of the animals would really attract young children.

Atlas does a wonderful job with a letter to the readers that gives some insight into specific details in the book that might not be known otherwise. For example, in this book, the waterfall Zozo travels to is at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The name of the waterfall is Mosi-oa-Tunya, and it has been translated into English as The Smoke that Thunders. I really enjoyed all of the facts that Atlas includes in the letter as it is a way for parents who are reading the book to children to include some educational facts about geography and animals. I had never heard of a moonbow before reading this book!

The simple story of the book will be engaging for children ages three to six, however, older children would also enjoy this book and perhaps be able to read and/or describe it to a younger child. Even as an adult, I went back and read the book a few times over because the illustrations were just so fantastic. In the full spread picture that depicts Zozo's plane flying and the huge waterfall in the background, I noticed the illustrator included the flags of Zambia and Zimbabwe. This picture was a lot like a Where's Waldo picture to me, although a lot cuter, and as I looked carefully, I could see a den of lions, some floating hippos, little animals crossing the road with a crossing guard, and so much more!

I would recommend Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow to children of all ages. Zozo and her friends are fun, adorable, and will help to teach children along the way. This is a collection that is sure to become a favorite on any bookshelf.


Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow

Zozo is on another adventure with her family to see the Mosi-oa-Tunya waterfall on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa! But as they explore the beautiful falls, troublesome baboons take Mom's camara and all the wonderful pictures she took are lost. Or are they? Zozo makes friends with two young elephants with the names Bonkers and Boomy and they know where the baboons will take their stolen treasures. When her family leaves her alone to rest that night, she sneaks out and together they make their way to a hidden grove, where not only does Zozo find the lost items, she finds a hidden magic from the waterfall, a moonbow!

With adorable, bright, and cheerful illustrations, the story comes to life to bring readers to Mosi-oa-Tunya. The pictures not only show the story with the writing, but tell it as well. When the elephants play their joy is clearly shown, and when the camera is stolen, the dismay from the family is easy to see. Not only do the illustrations help, but the descriptions of places and actions also bring the story to life.

Zozo is an adorable little rabbit who loves her family and is willing to go on all sorts of adventures. All the other animals that appear show their own characteristics as well, including playful elephants and mischievous baboons. The writing flows well. I had no problem following the story and a younger kid won’t have much trouble understanding it, either. It’s not a long book and I would have liked to have a bit more to read, but the shortness doesn’t make it rushed, nor did it feel like there were key details missing. Everything was explained well and in ways kids can understand.

In the front of the book is a wonderful little author's note that not only gives some background for where Zozo would be going, but also fun facts about the animals and places. There was a lot of care taken in presenting a fictional story with facts and accurate illustrations about Mosi-oa-Tunya. All these elements added together make a fun story that kids will love while still learning about the world. At the end of the story, I found myself wishing I could visit the waterfall myself.

Travels with Zozo… under the Moonbow is a great way to teach kids about places they may otherwise never hear about, and it opens the door for parents to learn alongside them.


Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow

Travels with Zozo...under the Moonbow is the story of a little bunny named Zozo who went on vacation with her family. The family took a plane and saw a big waterfall called "The Smoke that Thunders!" The waterfall was massive and very loud and located in Zambia. When the family got off the plane and was walking, some baboons took some of the stuff that they were holding! The family was sad because they had taken some cool pictures by the waterfall earlier in the day and they thought they were gone forever with the camera.

Zozo wondered if they would ever get their stuff back when she heard someone say they would help her. At first, she didn't know who was talking, but then she figured out that it was elephants. They told her to meet them outside at a certain time and they would take her where their stuff was. When the family left the hotel to replace their old stuff, Zozo met the elephants, who took her to the place where their stuff was. When she got there, she saw so much stuff from other people, but she was able to find the camera with the pictures! While there, the elephants and the animals showed her the other reason they brought her there: a secret of the waterfall that not everyone gets to see.

I liked reading Travels with Zozo because the story was exciting when the family went to a new place and saw a cool thing like the waterfall. It was also exciting when the baboons showed up and took their stuff because that isn't how all baboons act. One thing I might have liked to see differently in the story would be the ending—I would like to have seen Zozo giving the camera back to the family and have seen their reaction and then they go home instead of it ending just after getting the camera back.

I think the story overall was a good length, but if the ending had an extra page or two then that would have been fine, too. The story was easy for me to understand; there were no confusing parts or words, and I could read it on my own. This story is the fifth book in the adventures of Zozo but it was my first adventure with her. I would enjoy reading the other books and any future ones in the series because it kept my attention and had a fun story with Zozo and her animal friends.


The Excursion

One of the most intense psychological thrillers of the year, The Excursion, will have its readers on the edge of their seats. The story is told in the first person from the points of view of the main character Charly from both past and present perspectives and that of Zaroff Enterprises excursion leader Randall Thorne.

Charly has struggled through life. Her family consists of her mother, an alcoholic and drug addict, her brother Jacob who is autistic, and her father, Johnathan, who left the family when Charly was a little girl. After living on the street, enduring abusive relationships, and finally reconnecting with her brother, Charly's life is starting to get better. Her mother, now in hospice, has called Charly to come over for a visit. While at the assisted living center, Charly's mother tells her that her father is dead and has left her money and the old cabin they used to vacation at. This means that in a few years when Charly can claim the money, she and Jacob will be set. Of course, Charly is overjoyed at the surreal situation.

The reader is then introduced to Randall, a man who is bad news no matter how you look at it. He is selling the opportunity of a lifetime, an exclusive excursion to the right person. A hunting excursion. The difference? Unbeknownst to the hunter, the prey is not in the form of wild animals. Barry Rockwell, an attendee at one of Randall's hard-sell presentations, is the perfect fit for the excursion--an avid, experienced hunter who has money to burn. Randall immediately latches onto him and bullies Randall into accepting the opportunity.

Author T.O. Paine does an amazing job of placing the reader in both Charly and Randall's shoes. In the chapters narrated by Randall, he truly embraces the misogynistic ways of the character, especially when he repeats how stupid of a woman Kennedy is.

Charly invites her cousins Amanda and Cam to the cabin for the holidays. They both accept. Somehow, she also convinces Jacob that it will be fun, although he remembers that Cam is not a nice person. On the way to the cabin, Jacob panics, and Charly crashes their car into a snowbank. They are picked up by none other than Barry and his girlfriend, Kennedy. From here on out, the situation plays out like a cross between the movies A Cabin in the Woods and No Exit with a little bit of The Hunger Games thrown in. My eyes were glued to the book the whole time I was reading it, ready for what would happen next. There are quite a few violent parts in the book, however, these are very well-written and crucial to the plot of the story. I do have to say, Jacob's unpredictable behavior was unnerving at times, and this really made everything more difficult for Charly. The climax of the book builds until it seems like there is nowhere else to turn. Paine throws a perfect curveball at the end to shock his readers. Riveting from cover to cover, The Excursion is the perfect book for fans of thriller and action in the wilderness novels.


Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

Ruthye wants revenge against the man who killed her father in cold blood and she'll get it no matter whom she has to hire to help her. Kara is lost and just trying to get away for a few days, she wasn't counting on her dog getting poisoned by the man a farm girl was begging her to help track down. To save him, Kara journeys across the galaxy with Rythye, but no matter how hard she tries to keep the girl safe and from seeing the horrors the universe has to offer, there is destruction everywhere and only so much Supergirl can do to help.

This collection of comics is told through the eyes of Ruthye and is as much her story as it is Supergirl's. I love the way Ruthye sees through Supergirl and into who she really is: Kara a girl with a good heart who has seen all the horrors the universe has to offer yet keeps going. I found her inspiring and someone that I can look to for hope. The end was a little confusing, I had to read it several times and go back to the beginning to figure it out. I more or less figured it out, but feel it could have been clearer.


Old Friends

Marjorie really misses her Granny. She and Granny had a lot in common. They both loved gardening, knitting, and making delicious baked goods. She has lots of friends in the neighborhood her own age, but they aren’t interested in those things. When Marjorie passes the  Community Center, she sees they have a Senior Citizen Friends Group. She is sure she can find people there who share her interests, but when she tries to go in, the receptionist chases her away and says she has to go to the kids group. But Marjorie knows what she wants, and she isn’t going to give up easily. Granny had never given up easily, and Marjorie had learned that lesson from her. But how can she get past that pesky receptionist?

Margaret Aitkin has written a sweet story that very deftly handles some tough topics. The death of a grandparent can be devastating, but kids need to know that life goes on, and they will get through it. Illustrator Lenny Wen has filled the pages with enchanting characters and details that will delight young readers and keep them engaged. This book is a real winner. Don’t miss it.


The Last to Vanish: Novel

Small towns hide big secrets. Journalist Landon West came to Cutter’s Pass to discover those secrets since it was the last place six different people were seen before they disappeared over a twenty-five-year period. The Last to Vanish was Landon himself, four months ago from the local inn. Abby is the manager there, and when Landon’s brother, Trey, comes to try to solve the puzzle, she is drawn into a mystery she has deeper connections to than most people know. Abby will find out firsthand how people in small towns stick together and that asking too many questions might just cause you to disappear.

This was an expertly told story. Many authors who write first-person narratives have a hard time making them flow smoothly. Not the case for Megan Miranda. There were clues that were subtly woven in, making you second guess everyone, just like someone who has lived in a small town but wasn’t a lifer would. After reading so many mysteries, it feels like it’s hard to be surprised anymore, but not even I could see those twists coming. In my opinion, this is by far her best work, and I highly recommend it.


A Brown Girl's Epiphany

You Can Do It!

It’s near impossible to make it through life without a little help and guidance along the way, although it can be tricky to determine who and what can help in particular situations. Fortunately, the five inspirational works included in this roundup all focus on assisting readers with developing the mindsets and practical skills necessary to tackle pretty much anything that life might throw at them.

A Brown Girl's Epiphany by Aurelia Dávila Pratt

With A Brown Girl’s Epiphany, Aurelia Dávila Pratt aims to equip readers with all the tools, techniques, and moral support they require to harness their self-belief, resilience, and determination in order to live a more healthy, prosperous, and fulfilling life. Everyone needs inspiration and a helping hand along the way, and Pratt provides copious amounts of guidance and motivation through her friendly, engaging, and insightful reflections and recommendations. She explains the methods and reasoning whereby BIPOC girls can overcome discrimination, prejudice, and scarcity on their journey toward success, achievement, and fulfilment. It’s a brave approach to creating a better world.

Becoming a Changemaker by Alex Budak

Alex Budak has written Becoming a Changemaker to serve as a manifesto for positive change in the lives of all readers. Starting from the perspective that people of every race, gender, age, class, and pretty much every other demographic characteristic going can act as changemakers, thereby working collaboratively and creatively to solve social problems and so heal the world, Budak provides research-based guidance on how to develop the mindset, skills, and motivation necessary to drive change in all spheres of life. Although particularly geared toward Millennials and members of Generation Z who have newly joined the workforce, Budak’s tips and techniques have applicability for anyone seeking to make a positive difference.

I Miss You: Exercises for Yearning Hearts by Gioia Guerzoni

Gioia Guerzoni seeks to alleviate the burden and heal the broken hearts of all those who are troubled by longing for lost people, places, and things through the wisdom she imparts in I Miss You: Exercises for Yearning Hearts. Covering a wide range of scenarios in which people might be left feeling bereft and alone, and providing a series of practical and believable activities that can be tackled by pretty much anyone, Guerzoni aims to help readers recognize and address the myriad feelings they are likely to experience in the aftermath of a loss, whatever it might entail. By their very nature poignant and emotive, the included activities serve to carefully guide troubled souls through the process of acceptance and recovery.

Thinking 101 by Woo-kyoung Ahn

As a specialist in the thought process—that is, the whys and wherefores that inform people’s decisions to do or not do things—Woo-kyoung Ahn is almost uniquely placed to help readers recognize and overcome the many biases that influence, both positively and negatively, the way they live their life. Thinking 101 distills the key insights that she has learned in this regard over the decades she has spent teaching and writing about thought and thinking. While it is widely acknowledged that people can be their own worst enemy, tripping themselves up and holding themselves back through faulty and inaccurate thought processes, such knowledge is not sufficient to prevent people from making related mistakes. Fortunately, this book sets out clear and practical steps that people can take to actually change the way they think.

You're Gonna Make It: Unlocking Resilience When Life Is a Mess by Daniel Fusco

During times of stress, anxiety, and trauma, it can prove difficult enough to make sensible decisions in the here and now, let along to plan ahead for a happy, healthy, and successful future life. In recognition of this, Daniel Fusco has written You're Gonna Make It: Unlocking Resilience When Life Is a Mess as a guidebook to finding a positive path through all of life’s troubles that is informed by the teachings of Jesus. Having worked through numerous struggles of his own while being inspired and buoyed by his faith, Fusco is well placed to explain how a belief in Jesus can help to foster resilience and perseverance at the same time as enhancing understanding and acceptance. Those looking to draw on their Christian faith in practical ways will particularly benefit from Fusco’s experiences.


All About Plants! (Ada Twist, Scientist)

Andrea Beaty,Theanne Griffith,David Roberts

Against a colorful notebook background with figures of gleeful inquiring animated puppets examining plants, the authors list and explain the basic parts of plants and their functions. Geared toward the young reader, the fundamental parts and functions of plants are explained and some scientific terms such as chlorophyll, photosynthesis, and stoma are simply described and serve to introduce more complex ideas to these beginners.

The roles of seeds and flowers are colorfully shown. This is a page-turner for the young reader. In addition, several historical botanical non-traditional scientists are mentioned, though their significance may not impress this audience. Several simple hands-on activities designed to display the processes of germination and water conduction through celery stems will engage the budding scientist.

This is a nice introduction to plants and their parts, the only quibble is that many of these illustrated flowers and fruits are not identified in the colorful illustrations. Too many city children cannot recognize or name the common flowers, fruits, cones, and pollinators shown on these pages, such as the succulent pomegranate, or the dramatic magnolia, or even the iridescent hummingbird and more.


Avatar, The Last Airbender: The Dawn of Yangchen (Chronicles of the Avatar Book 3) (Volume 3) (Chronicles of the Avatar, 3)

If you have watched Avatar, The Last Airbender, then you know who Yangchen is. Yangchen is an avatar: the only person in the world who can master all four elements. Yangchen has big shoes to fill; the last avatar, Avatar Szeto, was really well-known for all of the good things he did in his lifetime. When Yangchen goes To Bin Er (an Earth Kingdom) on political business, she meets an informant named Kavick who tells her how the city is mostly run by corrupt Shang merchants who have grown jealous of the Earth King and his whims. With Yangcheng’s new unlikely friendship with Kavick, they try to stop the inevitable coup that the merchants are planning based on a single powerful weapon. Can Yangchen really save the whole Earth kingdom? Can she actually trust Kavik or should she rely on those who came before her?

Avatar, The Last Airbender: the Dawn of Yangchen started out a little slow but it got better as I kept reading and the story further developed. I like how, in the beginning, it showed the air nomads’ lifestyle. I think that was pretty cool.  Fans of Avatar, the Last  Airbender will love this book. I am glad I read it.


Teaching Mindfulness: A Guidebook for Teachers, Parents, Counselors, and Caregivers

For adults, remembering what it was like as a kid can be difficult, especially depending on how many years ago that was. Many things have changed, including what was or wasn't accepted, compared to today's standards in society. Mindfulness and many mental health-related concepts weren't known or spoken of as much as they are currently. In Teaching Mindfulness, professionals (teachers, counselors, and this includes parents/caregivers) are provided with resources and activities at their disposal to maintain a more calm and productive audience of children. The framework for the book revolves around the vowels of the alphabet - the letters needed to compose a legitimate word; each vowel represents a word attributed to a mindfulness attribute, followed by various activities to reinforce how to master each skill.

Teaching Mindfulness is enjoyable and understandable! Explanations and references are included, as well as additional signage to use around your area to further reinforce and remind your audience of what to be mindful of, with the help of bright colors and visually-stimulating pictures. Mindfulness isn't something secluded to children, but the more kids who learn these skills will become future adults who will be a step ahead of others, which will benefit not only themselves but society as a whole as well.


A Taste of Honey: Kamala Outsmarts the Seven Thieves; A Circle Round Book

A Taste of Honey is a story that is excellent. It’s about a young lady who is very clever and outsmarts thieves. I love it when she says “oh you’ll get your gold all right” and then she teaches them a lesson. The story is really good and written in a very interesting way.

The only thing that you might not love about the book is the pictures. They’re kind of cartoonish and they would have been much better in like a watercolor or something more timeless than the computer-looking kind of pictures.

By the time you finish the words, you’re ready to turn the page and not really stare at them. There is a nice amount of detail though, and you kind of feel like you’re in India where the story takes place. In the back there’s extra ideas if you want to learn more.


A Library

This is a beautiful book for lovers of libraries and those who have not yet fallen in love with one. It is beautifully illustrated on both the blurb and the actual vibrant cover by Erin K. Robinson.

This children’s book depicts a young girl, clearly autobiographically the author, in a typical day of her life. She completes her chores with her grandmother. Then, she has books to return to the local library. At the library, the young girl basks in the freedoms and imaginary sensations that books bring to her. The library is a place where she is challenged to be her wonderful self. She returns home to more evening chores, but afterwards she is free to sit and read.

There is a lovely afterward by the author recalling her own trips to the segregated library of her childhood, where the librarian made special trips to the white-only library to bring back coveted volumes that were not available at her local library. It is a wonderful homage to her childhood librarian and to all the librarians who make special efforts to bring the world of literature to children.


Zatanna

Unlike her famous parents, Zatanna hates being on stage performing illusions and magic tricks. With summer only just starting, Zatanna has plenty of time to spend with friends and her boyfriend and find ways to get out of watching her parents' show. That is until a troupe passes through with strange magic called mirror script written all over the walls. Zatanna shouldn't have real magic, yet she does, but the truth may be impossible to find with secrets hidden around every corner.

Teenage drama is hard enough, so let's just throw in some magic. The art is beautiful and simple but elegant and helps bring the story to life. I had a hard time telling the characters apart and remembering who's who. They all have the same voice, and several look a little too much alike. The story itself was good, a little predictable, but good nonetheless, and I look forward to the next installment.


In Defense of the Grim Reaper

The Grim Reaper gets a bad rap. From his uniform to the task he must perform, the black-clad usher to the beyond might be the most fascinating creature you never want to meet. There are plenty of books that use the Grim Reaper as a character. The Reaper in these stories is usually doing the job of a Reaper. Not many books talk about who the Grim Reaper is in his own words. If you have ever wanted to know how he really feels and thinks, then In Defense of the Grim Reaper should be your next read.

Humorist and philosophical writer Riya Aarini presents a fun little kitschy novel. In her latest book, she attempts to clarify any misconceptions about Death himself. With In Defense of the Grim Reaper, Aarini covers all aspects of this eternal guide’s existence. It is a witty little book ideal for fans of the Grim Reaper or as a gag gift, for example, the Reaper resents being lumped in with taxes. After all, you’ll only meet the Grim Reaper once.


Mighty Reader and the Reading Riddle

Mighty Reader and the Reading Riddle reminded me of a show on PBS, Super Why, because in both the book and the show the characters deal with reading and having to solve a mystery or problem that usually goes along with a story in a book.

In Mighty Reader, a boy (a dog) is looking for a fun book to read when Mighty Reader hears him and suggests a good one that takes him into an imaginary world where he needs to save Merlin the wizard from a three-headed dragon who has taken all of Merlin's books away. There is a sword in a bone that the boy must figure out how to pull out to beat the dragon and save Merlin!

I enjoyed Mighty Reader overall, but there were parts of it that confused me and I had to ask for someone to explain, part at the beginning of the book, the middle, and the end. The ending is good because there's a twist that you won't see coming. I think that if there were some different words put in the story to replace others then it might make more sense overall and be understandable for all ages.


The Ultimate Flower Gardener’s Guide: How to Combine Shape, Color, and Texture to Create the Garden of Your Dreams

The Ultimate Flower Gardener's Guide helps work both sides of our minds - the right (creative) and the left (logical and planning) when it comes to one of the earth's life-giving sources - flowers. In this guide, the author provides visual and intellectual stimulation through text and high-def pictures of flowers blooming through the span of every season. This guide is a beneficial source to turn to when beginning a flower garden or even changing your existing one. The information provided is informative if reading it word by word, but skimming through the pages will also introduce you to the names of various flowers and direct you where to learn more about them.

 I picked up this book out of interest in updating my existing landscape but was unaware of where the changes should begin. I feel more confident I'm in the right direction with this guide and am impatient now for spring to come back to find many of the flowers showcased in the book. The multitude of colors on each page is visually pleasing and results in a calming sensation while relaxing.


Choosing Life: One man’s journey through alcoholism and depression to wellness and self-discovery

Choosing Life by Blue Andrews is a memoir that describes in detail the struggles Blue has gone through in his life. In his preface, he clearly states that he wrote the book for himself to help in his recovery and growth, and he published the book for someone who is like him or someone who cares about someone like him. Blue wrote his book as a method of therapy but realized that it could also help others to realize that they are not alone. The emotional struggles that Blue endured are real and, for many, would be life-ending. For Blue, however, getting a second chance at life was in the cards.

I really liked how the book was organized into two parts: Part I-Down and Part II-Up. Within these parts, Part I addresses everything that took Blue downhill, from the passing of his good friends and mother to drinking to learning that he was very depressed. Part II tells the reader the different steps Blue was able to take in order to make the decision to choose life.

Reading this book, it's easy to understand how Blue ended up being depressed. His parents were only eighteen and nineteen when they became pregnant with Blue, and his father was abusive. It was so painful to see Blue's mother go through cancer treatments while trying to raise Blue and his brother. At a certain point, Blue was raising his teenage self. His competitive spirit did not help because he wanted to be good at something and realized early on that he was good at drinking. Grades dropped, and Blue stopped playing sports. It was only downhill from there. I often felt so sad for Blue while reading this book.

Blue ends up meeting his amazing wife Sandy in Egypt, and they end up having two children (and then twins later on). One would think that Blue was on the up and up. However, feeling like a failure pulls Blue back into a depressive state, and he ends up hitting rock bottom. From there, Blue's story really picks up. The support that he gets from his wife and close friends and family is immense and truly integral to his healing and recovery. Dealing with grief is a big step. I kept thinking to myself how much of a saint his wife must be. What an amazing woman to stick by Blue's side through all of it.

This book is beautifully written, and I know that it will help others who are struggling with their inner demons. I recommend it to adults of all ages who are either experiencing hardship or know someone who is. Inspiring, honest, and uplifting, Choosing Life is a wonderful book.


Choosing Life

“Honest and poignant, Choosing Life is a beautifully written memoir about alcoholism, depression, and the recovery and grieving processes the author has experienced. Blue Andrews holds nothing back as he shares his story, hoping to help and inspire others to not give up on living. Written from the heart, this book is for anyone who is struggling or has struggled with addiction and/or depression as well as the loved ones who have been there for them every step of the way.” —Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review


In Choosing Life, Blue Andrews narrates his arduous journey to self-knowledge and wellness, after almost losing his life to depression and alcoholism. Blue is seen as an energetic and charming individual with a relentless drive to be excellent in school, at work, and even while having fun with friends. As a family man with a successful career in sales, he lived the American Dream and appeared to have it all. However, certain unhealed scars from the past and some unhealthy habits would eventually catch up with him and bring him to a most troubling development that would take years to undo.

Speaking as someone who lived with a family member who suffered with addiction and depression, I appreciated reading Blue's vivid, illuminating book. He was indeed the life of the party; clearly, he did not set out to be depressed but wanted to live to the fullest. Readers get to see not only the important details of the author's activities and achievements but also the mindset and ideas behind them.

Choosing Life presents relatable content to readers who experience depression or alcoholism, and at the same time, it serves as a sort of model for individuals who wish to truly know themselves and recognize the accumulated issues that contribute to their shortcomings. Get ready for a compelling, memorable read, as the book offers a flawless combination of various themes and moods—such as partying, loss, career success, family, a suicide attempt, therapy, and friendship. However, some aspects of the story might be triggering to some, especially the details of the author's suicide attempt. Unapologetically human and uninhibited, Blue educates readers on the concepts he learned while searching for a way to wellness and the roles they played in his recovery process, including naturopathy and microgrieving.

The book is strongly recommended to readers who have first-hand experience of addiction and/or depression and others who have close relations or friends who do. Also, if you have a hard time comprehending why people feel depressed or suicidal, the book will help you understand that no matter how bad an individual's situation is, they are products of society and not deserving of insensitive judgment.

Unfortunately, the pressure to acquire material possessions and gain prestigious titles and recognition is propagated excessively by society. Thankfully, books like this reveal that focusing on one's mental health and self-knowledge can help undo the harmful effects of materialism, peer pressure, unhealthy competition, and people pleasing.


Wind of Change

"Wind of Change relates Maher’s remarkable two-year odyssey across a country in the throes of immense change, a journey that saw him attempt to forge ties between Russian and American businesses during a time when both sides were still deeply suspicious of each other. Maher offers a uniquely American perspective concerning the situation on the ground and so elucidates experiences of the upheaval in Russian life, rarely to be found in mainstream accounts of the early years following the collapse of communism. An enlightening addition to the literature on post-Soviet life and the rapidly changing nature of US-Russia relations, Wind of Change details Maher’s fascination with the Russian people and culture, and in doing so, ignites the interest of readers in learning more about all things Russian." --Erin Britton, Manhattan Book Review


Legends & Lattes

If you’ve been on the fantasy side of BookTok at all this year, then you’ve definitely seen Legends and Lattes being touted as one of the best cozy fantasies of the year. There are usually a few questions that come up for potential readers though, and I’m here to answer them!

First of all, you don’t have to play Dungeons and Dragons or know anything about the game and general rules of the universe to enjoy this book, and even if you like traditional fantasies with epic storylines and maps… lots of maps… you’ll still be able to enjoy this adorable and exciting slice of life novel.

The story revolves around an orc barbarian named Viv who lays down her sword (or rather, hangs it on the wall) in order to open a coffee shop and start a new life away from the hardships and bloodshed of adventuring. When old “friends” threaten her chance at a fresh start, Viv has to rely on her new community, new friends (and maybe a new love interest), and a new definition of a warrior’s resolve to keep her dream afloat.


A Christmas Deliverance: A Novel

Dr. Crowe and his apprentice, Scuff, run a free clinic to service London’s poor population. Worried about a former patient, Ellie, Dr. Crowe starts investigating a connection between Ellie’s wealthy father and an unscrupulous businessman. Time is of the essence, as Crowe suspects Ellie is about to be forced into a marriage against her will. Crowe must find the evidence he needs to solve this mystery and save the woman he loves, but will he find what he needs in time?

Although part of the Monk series, this story primarily focuses on Dr. Crow, and Monk is only a side character. This was a good stand-alone novella. I thought that there was a bit too much of the main character wondering about the investigation; it did become a little redundant. I feel that there were missed opportunities for conversations that could have included that info instead. There wasn’t anything really Christmasy about this story, either. What really saved this for me was the characters. They were endearing and authentic. The ending was satisfying, and overall I enjoyed it. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to review this novella.


Arch-Conspirator

In the far future, much of the world is uninhabitable due to high radiation levels. The entire population lives safely behind the walls of the city. Kreon, the High Commander, has taken in Tig and her sibling after their parent’s death. Tig did not take well to her uncle’s tyrannical rule. After he died in an uprising, Tig went against her uncle’s wishes to perform the last rites on her brother. Irate, Kreon sentences Tig to death. Kreon’s wife and son try to change his mind and spare Tig’s life. Unmoved by their pleas and warnings, Kreon loses everything when he puts his rule and pride above family.

Arch-Conspirator is the latest novel by the bestselling author Veronica Roth. This is a fantastic and thought-provoking adaptation of Sophocles’ play Antigone. While still using the characters’ names, Roth’s story takes place in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The lessons of hubris, the importance of family, and spiritual beliefs remain prominent at civilization’s end. This is a fantastic read for fans who enjoy modern interpretations of classic literature. Arch-Conspirator is a Greek tragedy reimagined by a master of dystopian storytelling.


Escape into Meaning

Reading Escape into Meaning isn't meant for those who have made skimming a habit; Puschak writes his thoughts and experiences in depth from a vulnerable spot that he is willing to share with others; therefore, the reader must be prepared to give up part of themselves to fully grasp what Puschak is offering. He begins his saga with his exposure to the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, an influential jack of all trades when it comes to pen and paper, as well as skilled with public speaking, and how forty minutes of reading his work brought about an awakening in Puschak that caused him to reexamine values and what he had been taught was correct. Puschak writes about obsessions that surround us that consume us, such as the internet and social media, movies, popularity, and government and environmental issues in a concise and researched manner; he speaks on a variety of topics and brings everything to the same spot, so the reader will have their options of what specifically or generally they may choose to focus on.


Pride and Protest

Although the classic Pride and Prejudice has had many remakes throughout the last century, this novel is truly refreshing. This modern re-telling is clever, fun, and one of the best reads of the year. Liza Bennett, self-expressed as the “only DJ who gives a jam,” is fiercely loyal to her city and the people who live there. When the newly appointed CEO Dorsey Fitzgerald steps onto the scene to create housing developments, Liza sees the gentrification writing on the wall. She’s determined to keep her city for the people, and Dorsey is determined to not let the beautiful Liza disrupt plans for his company.

Payne’s cast of characters are wonderful takes on classic characters, breathing new life into this classic story of misunderstandings and love. While the story itself has been redone maybe to exhaustion, Payne’s take on it is new, honest, and relatable. Jane Austen herself would approve of the wit and character that Nikki Payne expresses in this novel. As a lover of the original and many of the retellings, Pride and Protest is the best story to come out in a long time. If you’re a fan of modern takes on classics, treat yourself to one of the best books in the genre.


Gilded Mountain: A Novel

Manning has made a book as sharp-edged and vital as the Colorado mountains it’s set in. Sylvie Pelletier came to Colorado from Vermont with her family after her father took a mining job. Mining, however, is deadly work, and the town itself is not much safer. Miners and their families struggle to scrape by while Duke Padgett looks down from his metaphorical mountaintop, built from the wealth other men have blasted out of the mountains for him.

It’s very clear on which side of the worker-employer debate this book falls, though I suspect even those who would prefer a softer stance might enjoy Gilded Mountain as well. For one thing, Sylvie Pelletier is a delightful protagonist, mixing the best parts of youthful blindness and determined forces of nature into one. For another, it’s easier to accept as villains people who are long gone. Readers who want only a historical thrill will certainly find that here.

Those who are willing to see more, however, will find a book that speaks to struggles that have always been part of America. Most importantly, it speaks to a struggle not only between worker and employer but a more universal one: whether to speak or whether to be silent.


The Scarlet Circus

Despite the name, no circus appears in this book. Instead, myth, magic, and romance all come together in this collection of short fantasy stories all by the same author, several of which are published here for the first time. Each story is different, with different plots and different characters. Some were more enjoyable than others, but there was only one I didn't like, mostly because it was very confusing to me.

Some of them are based on well known stories, such as The Legend of King Arthur and Alice in Wonderland, and some are based on real people and events in a fun fantasy way and, of course, with a romantic twist. But some weren't traditional romance; instead, they touched on family love, traditions, and duty. So, maybe advertising The Scarlet Circus as a romantic fantasy isn't quite right.

There were a variety of characters, boys and girls, strong heroines and common girls. I loved the fact that many of the girls aren't heroines of any sort; rather, they looked at the situation and said, “I can do something about that.”


Narwhal: The Arctic Unicorn

As “ice crystals dance in the cold air, shimmering over a frozen sea,” mysterious Arctic creatures make their way to the water’s surface, using their tusks to break the barrier that lies between them and the air they breathe. Soon, the end of the long winter draws near, and the narwhals prepare for the treacherous journey north. They mass and let the oldest and most traveled lead the way. They venture through a labyrinth of narrow pathways, spanning miles. After months of navigation, at last, they reach their resting place. It’s teeming with life; the suns shines down on them and their newborn calves, welcoming them with its vibrant rays.

Young animal lovers will be drawn to this outstanding picture book. It’s laced with information about narwhals and their intrinsic migratory behaviors. Children will discover a plethora of facts about these amazing animals: from the length of their horns to the size of their pods. They’ll learn how these resourceful mammals use echolocation to explore the dark waters they encounter as well as how they protect themselves from fierce predators.

The illustrations in Narwhal: The Arctic Unicorn look remarkably real. They’re brushed with beautiful, dark hues and gorgeous sunset shades. They’re a perfect complement to the text.


BRYANT & MAY: PECULAR LONDON

Globetrotting Mysteries for Armchair Sleuths

For those with a passion for travel and a taste for thrilling whodunits, there's no better way to explore the world than through the pages of a captivating crime novel. In this roundup, we take you on a literary journey to five distinct foreign locales, each brought to life by the talented pens of crime fiction authors. From the bustling streets of London and Copenhagen to the troubles of Afghanistan and the serenity of Botswanna via a perilous voyage at sea, these recently released crime novels promise to transport readers to far-flung destinations, immersing them in captivating mysteries that unfold against richly drawn backdrops. Whether you're a dedicated armchair sleuth or simply seeking a thrilling escape, these globetrotting mysteries are sure to satisfy your wanderlust and keep you on the edge of your seat.

A Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas

A Tempest at Sea by Sherry Thomas is a gripping addition to the Charlotte Holmes series, plunging readers into a heart-pounding maritime adventure. Charlotte Holmes, who was forced to fake her death to escape Moriarty's clutches, is lured back into the world of deduction with an enticing offer from the crown. As she embarks on a perilous mission aboard the RMS Provence, a murder mystery unfolds on the stormy sea, forcing Charlotte to keep her true identity as Sherlock Holmes hidden. Thomas's masterful storytelling provides a suspenseful narrative filled with secrets and danger, making this historical mystery a compelling and unputdownable read that showcases Charlotte's wit and resilience in the face of treacherous waters. It’s a must-read for fans of the series, those looking for a fresh perspective on Sherlock Holmes, and lovers of intricate historical mysteries.

Bryant & May’s Peculiar London by Christopher Fowler

Christopher Fowler’s Bryant & May’s Peculiar London offers an entertaining and unconventional journey through the hidden and enigmatic facets of the British capital. Narrated by the nation's oldest serving detectives, the book offers a unique perspective on London's overlooked history and mysteries. From odd buildings and obscure characters to forgotten disasters and hidden pubs, readers are in for a delightful exploration of the city's quirkiest aspects. Bryant and May, with the assistance of various disreputable friends and experts in their own eccentric fields, weave together a tapestry of tales that blur the line between fact and fiction in terms of London's rich and storied past. With a touch of wit, a dash of bamboozlement, and a generous serving of historical anecdotes, Fowler’s book provides an engaging and offbeat tour of a city where the past and present intertwine in captivating ways, making it a must-read for those with a penchant for London's unique charm and secrets.

The Devil’s Ransom by Brad Taylor

The Devil's Ransom by Brad Taylor is a heart-pounding thriller that catapults readers into the high-stakes world of espionage, cyber warfare, and international intrigue. Taskforce operative Pike Logan takes center stage as he races against time to thwart a nefarious plot orchestrated by an enemy with access to America's most closely guarded secrets. When Afghanistan falls and a ransomware attack cripples the Taskforce, Pike's mission becomes twofold: extract a vital individual from Afghanistan and hunt down those responsible for the cyberattack, which is discovered to have sinister connections to the Taliban. Little does Pike know that this is merely a prelude to a much larger and more dangerous scheme masterminded by a former NSA specialist. The novel skillfully blends elements of modern cyber threats with Cold War-era tensions, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Pike faces off against a cunning adversary. Taylor's narrative prowess shines through, rendering The Devil's Ransom a gripping thriller that explores the ever-evolving landscape of international espionage and the relentless pursuit of those who threaten global stability.

A Death in Denmark by Amulya Malladi

Amulya Malladi’s A Death in Denmark is a sophisticated and enthralling Nordic murder mystery that combines the contemporary allure of Copenhagen with the haunting echoes of Denmark's Nazi-collaborator past. Featuring Gabriel Præst, a charismatic ex-cop turned private detective, the novel masterfully navigates a web of political intrigue, anti-Muslim sentiments, and Russian gangsters. As Gabriel pursues the investigation, the story delves deep into the nation's history, including World War II and its dark secrets, raising thought-provoking questions about nationalism and identity. With a compelling narrative, well-drawn characters, and a cosmopolitan vibe, Malladi's novel delivers a thrilling and intellectually stimulating reading experience that explores Denmark's past and present with panache.

A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith

A Song of Comfortable Chairs by Alexander McCall Smith is another delightful installment in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. This time, the story revolves around Grace Makutsi's husband, Phuti, who faces stiff competition in the office furniture market from an international firm that tries to undercut his prices and drive him out of business via a glossy marketing campaign. With the assistance of Mma Ramotswe, Phuti embarks on a creative campaign to counter the competition. Simultaneously, Mma Makutsi and Phuti find themselves involved in a difficult case concerning an old friend's troubled son, a situation that requires not only their patience and dedication but also the collective wisdom of Mma Ramotswe and the indomitable Mma Potokwani. McCall Smith once again weaves a heartwarming narrative, filled with humor, empathy, and the charm of Botswana, as his beloved characters tackle both professional and personal challenges, making A Song of Comfortable Chairs a comforting and engaging read for fans of the series.


The Fifth Daugher of Thorn Ranch

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily. The story follows a recent college graduate named Emma Rosales. Emma happens to be an heiress to a million-acre ranch, which is referred to as “The Thorn.” She also happens to be the only child of her parents, Josie and John, following the Rosales family tradition of producing one female heir. Coming from a line of strong-willed, decisive women, Emma is headstrong, opinionated, and definitely not afraid to get her hands dirty. Like her mother, her grandmother, and her great grandmother, Emma will manage all the responsibilities of this massive property as she has been trained for her entire life.

Emma loves her life on the ranch. A trained vet, she adores taking care of the horses, looking after the animals, and going on long adventures out on her property. Josie and John encourage Emma to explore as her heart desires; aware of their daughter’s tendency to run off, they taught Emma how to camp, start a fire, take care of her horse, and fend for herself at a young age. With her parents off on a trip to Europe, Emma decides she will explore the property for a few days, informing Flora, the family cook, of her plans. With fresh baked cookies in hand, Emma takes off on Honey-Boy, her horse, to explore the beautiful Texan land around her.

On this little adventure, Emma finds herself in quite the dilemma. Although I will not go further in order to avoid the risk of spoiling the plot, Emma manages to find herself in a situation she never dreamed of and at a loss if she will make it out alive.

I found Emma’s story to be quite an exciting read. When I put this book down, I found myself picking it up again within just a few hours; I was dying to know what happened to Emma and where the plot moved next. I also loved the setting of this story; a Texan ranch may not seem like the place where much adventure occurs, but boy was I in for a surprise! The author did a fantastic job with this plot, creating the perfect balance of romance, adventure, sorrow, and excitement.

Overall, I found The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch a delight to read. I highly recommend this book to all female readers who like general fiction, adventure novels, and stories about strong women.


Runaway Humanity

Rarely a day goes by these days that there’s not some disheartening story in the paper, or on the news, or in the trending section of Twitter, about climate change and the tragic effect it is having on the planet, whether it be a small localized area, or an ecosystem, or a species, or worldwide ramifications that are just going to get worse as time passes and we continue to do too little. Runaway Humanity takes you to the not too distant future where things have gone terribly wrong on Earth, and what part of humanity has managed to survive on Mars is wondering if there’s anything left of the blue planet worth saving.

In the opening pages of Runaway Humanity by Joshua Valentine, it has been thirty years since the hundred million or so remaining humans abandoned Earth and fled to Mars, where life goes on in a sense although it’s a very harsh one on the red planet, with cases of cancer staying high. Moving and living below ground has helped that a little, but this is still very different to the comfortable ways things used to be back on the third planet from the sun. And then the Mars Administration of Space and Extraterrestrial Research (MASER) makes an astonishing discovery: some form of life is detected on the supposedly extinct planet and it’s not some extreme form of microorganism existing in severe conditions. So what is it then?

Dr. Shelby and Dr. Drake Hilton are tasked with solving this mystery. They must make a daring mission to Earth, leaving their son and the certain world they know for one of risk and the unknown. Also, things aren’t totally copacetic at MASER, so the husband and wife team aren’t sure if this is all being done for the right reasons. And when they do finally arrive in what was once the Sierra Nevada of California, they are met with a form of humanoid they cannot begin to understand.

Valentine has written a compelling science fiction novel that is driven by a strong plot, but it also has complex and interesting characters and plenty of conflict to keep the reader hooked to every page. The key to Runaway Humanity is that you never know what’s going to happen next, and that’s what truly drives the story. And Valentine, a drag queen, has also injected his physical self into the novel with photos in the opening pages leading up to the start of the book with some content warnings, setting an intriguing tone for the story the reader is about to consume.


Visions of Johanna

Well-written with deeply complex characters and many different beautiful settings, Peter Sarno's Visions of Johanna is worth reading more than once. Written very much like a memoir, Sarno introduces his reader to Matthew Domenico, a music critic and aspiring writer of many things. One day, while covering the Bob Dylan concert in Hartford, Matt sees a small woman carrying a rather large painting. After helping her with it, they start a conversation, and he learns that her name is Johanna Beaumont, and she is an artist. Throughout this book, well-known artists, musicians, and art pieces are brought up along with historical sites. Music from Kate Bush to Debbie Harry to Debbie Gibson is referenced in the book. And all of these subjects become topics of philosophical conversation between characters. This back-and-forth banter really brought the book and the characters to life. One could imagine chiming right in with one's opinion. Matt and Johanna strike up a friendship and eventually end up in a romantic relationship. The intimacy between the two is more than just physical. However, both characters are so unsure about their futures, both individually and as a couple. Matt is in Boston and Johanna, New York. And although they spend most weekends together, clearly there is something missing. This book really helps the reader get into Matt's head. Several of the chapters take the reader back in time when Matt was a child growing up into a teen, and then later into adulthood. His family, which included his mother, father, brother Orlando, and sister Francesca, had complicated family dynamics just like any other family. The author learns that Matt's upbringing was not the easiest, which is why he may have some commitment and trust issues in relationships. The book spans several years and takes the reader through the many different emotions and experiences Matt has and goes through: love, heartbreak, mental illness of a loved one, abuse of a friend, and tragedy.

I really enjoyed the discussion questions at the end of the book and feel this would be a perfect book club book. With questions that address the concepts of faith and hope to the efforts put towards the women's movement, there is a lot that can be talked about in this book. Detailed, wonderfully written, and thought-provoking, Visions of Johanna will have readers thinking long after they put the book down.


Building Solid: A Life in Stories

Rome was not built in a day, and neither is a life. Both are built piece by piece, each piece seemingly unconnected, until over a long period of time, the life emerges, as from a fog, into a whole being. Joan Rudd, in Building Solid: A Life in Stories, presents a stunningly beautiful autobiography that evokes myriad emotional states in the reader, ranging from joy to sadness.

Rudd is a sculptor who lives in the Pacific Northwest. She was born and raised in the New York City of the 1950s and moved to Portland, Oregon, to pursue her education, ultimately earning a BFA. While in the Northwest, she married and joined the back to the country movement of the 1960s, purchasing land in rural Washington and living a communal farm life. Her Jewish background influences much of her outlook on life.

Rudd’s knowledge of the physical processes of sculpting informs her approach to writing. She brilliantly constructs a written “negative” image of a sculpture. Imagine a block that is carefully chipped away until the sculpture is a completed and finished likeness. The chips, transformed into written form as stories, are gathered up to form the negative image. They are intrinsic to the sculpture because, without their existence, the sculpture would remain a block. Rudd uses these “chips” to present her life in ten categories: Childhood, Physical Strength, Autonomy, Connectedness, Resilience , Resistance, Serendipity, Perspective, Wholeness, and Unity  which constitute the raw material of her collective whole.

Rudd delivers short sketches of her experiences, which form the totality of each chapter. For example, her childhood growing up as the child and grandchild of Holocaust refugees living in NYC, her early fight with cancer that makes her an above-the-knee amputee, and having Central Park as a playground, are all pieces of the Childhood whole. Throughout the book, Rudd speaks in the tone of a strong and powerful woman who has experienced both trauma and triumph. A powerful soul inhabits Rudd’s corporeal form and shines through in her stories. Nuggets of wisdom are spread throughout the book, such as “One has to learn how to be safe around sharp edges and crooked people.”

This is a wonderful book. The vignettes deliver stories of family life, the joys and fears of parenthood, the losses and triumphs of personal achievement, and the sorrow of losing connections to loved ones. Each chapter connects to the larger whole of the book, to the whole of Rudd herself.  Readers will experience many emotions as they connect Rudd’s story to their own lives and experiences. If you read one book this year, make it this one. A true masterpiece.


The Heart of Summer

Hanna Casey is the librarian on the West Irish Peninsula, known as Finfarra. She's recently moved in with Brian. But it's taken her time to trust a man again after the disastrous marriage to ex-husband Malcolm. And when Brian's son Mike comes for an extended stay, Hanna decides it might be a good time to take a trip to London to see some old friends. London is a much-needed break, and Hanna might also have a new job offer, but will she be tempted to stay? Or will she return to the life that she's built in Finfarra?

The Heart of Summer is a wonderful family, commitment, and community story. It's full of a cast of characters trying to create new directions in their lives and find a sense of place to call their own. My favorite character by far was Fury, who had a great gift of wisdom and could provide advice to anyone he met. This one will likely hit the spot if you are looking for a warmhearted and entertaining read.


The Widowmaker

Clive Reynolds disappeared twenty years ago; his body was never found. Recently, his car, nicknamed the Widowmaker, was found in the lake while police were searching for the gun that killed a police officer during a robbery at a gas station. Photographer Morgan Mori is wrapped up in both cases as she took photos at a Reynolds’ Christmas party and on her way home stopped to get gas and witnessed the shooting. As she unravels the clues alongside the police officer’s partner, Ryan Hudson, she’ll discover she’s in even deeper than she ever imagined. Secrets don’t stay buried forever in Black Harbor.

Apparently, this story takes place in the same town as the author’s first novel and features some of the same characters. Other than a few passing references, it seems like you can read each as a standalone, but you might enjoy it more if you’ve read both. This story is really dark and there should be some trigger warnings at the beginning. If you are a fan of Gillian Flynn, then I think you’ll be adequately prepared for the darkness. This story is full of broken people, like many of Flynn’s books. Go in with open eyes.


The Abyss

The world was on the brink of nuclear war, the stakes were higher than they’d ever been, and a few wise Americans saved the day. This is an American tale that is familiar to most of us, but The Abyss: Nuclear Crisis Cuba 1962 is enlightening, expertly written, and easy to read. The book covers topics such as the exoticism of Cuba in the 1950s, Castro, and the full story of Yuri Gagarin. It delves into the complexities of Khrushchev and his focus on military might.

Author Max Hastings discusses that Khrushchev privately acknowledged that war with the West would mean destruction of the USSR yet enjoyed the fear that such a war invoked in the West. These are subtle points that Hastings makes clearly and beautifully. Hastings then offers an in-depth explanation of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Some interesting photographs in two different sections add to the explanations. This is an engrossing read. I had never read any of Hastings’ other books before and now I see why he is a treasured researcher and writer.


Now and Then

Now and Then  by Salah el Moncef was an absolutely beautiful collection. The first tale, "Benghazi," was by far my favorite. Told from the perspective of Mariam, a young Libyan girl, the reader is taken to the spring of 1942. Mariam’s hometown, Benghazi, is under dictator Benito Mussolini’s Fascist regime. Burglaries, kidnappings, and murder are becoming a norm in her beloved home. This is a confusing time for Mariam; not fully comprehensive of what exactly is happening, Mariam does not understand her father’s qualms about her, and her sister’s Italian schooling.

Shortly within this essay, Mariam and her sister are selected from their school to greet Mussolini in person. Mariam is told she must hand Mussolini a gift, something she is excited about but also fearful about. What will her father and mother say? Both deeply and adamantly opposed to the fascism in their city, Mariam knows this will not go over well; needless to say, she is right. Her father meets his children with depression, falling deeper into himself and cutting off Mariam and her sister from their weekly visits to his study.

The end of this essay is both evoking and contemplative. A grown woman now, Mariam recalls this time of her life with grief but also with closure. Having felt, in a way, responsible for her father’s demise, the reader watches Mariam close a chapter of her life that she deserves peace from.

The reason I enjoyed "Benghazi" the most from this collection was partially due to its fantastic imagery and creativeness. The author spares no small detail in describing Benghazi’s local towns, shops, and citizens. The richness in cultural diversity jumps off of the pages in this story, allowing the reader to see more into the daily life in Benghazi.

I also really enjoyed "The Night Visitor." Told from the perspective of Nausicaa, a teacher in Paris, the reader gets to dive into another character struggling with reminiscing on her past. The story begins with Nausicaa venting to her friend Pauline about a man she met years prior. This man, Mandi, had irked Nausicaa in every way. Only after Pauline called her out on her judgments was Nausicaa able to realize that maybe her resentments towards Mandi were misplaced resentment and anger towards her own fear of commitment.

Similar to "Benghazi," "The Night Visitor," focuses on a character trying to come to terms with their past. I think both stories are an excellent reminder that we can examine our own pasts; what experiences in our childhood have shaped us? Who has made us who we are?

Overall, I really enjoyed this collection; I would recommend this book to all readers, especially those who enjoy thought-provoking reads.


Now and Then

The introduction to this book is everything I can’t stand about literature. The book itself is everything I love about it.

I’ll start with the good parts of this book because there are so many to talk about. What sticks with me most after finishing Now and Then is that Salah el Moncef has a gift for crafting. I don’t just mean the craft of writing, though he excels at that as well. What I mean is that he is able to craft each story into a masterpiece just as much as a metalworker might craft a delicate-seeming statue out of steel.

The first story in the collection, “Benghazi,” largely takes place during the arrival of Mussolini in the title city. Though that is the obvious reading of the story, its core is about the protagonist as a young woman and the world around her. In this, el Moncef crafts a moment out of the past in a world slipping into fascism. It is a world tinged with the readers’ knowledge of what is to come, but with a bit of innocence, nevertheless. Mariam is young, and she sees the world through young eyes, coloring the narrative as much as the readers’ knowledge does.

The other fictional work in the book, “The Night Visitor,” crafts instead an unsettling air. Set in modern-day Brittany, it tells the story of a young woman whose life is disrupted by a guest at a gathering she has been invited to. It has a radically different atmosphere. Rather than the specificity of 1930s Benghazi, which is brought to life for all the readers’ senses, “The Night Visitor” is vague in the way the modern world can so often be. The descriptions are vivid, but they don’t always mean anything, which makes the sensory descriptions stand out all the more vividly.

The book finishes with two essays, both of which I had some trouble grasping. One referred to a book of el Moncef’s, which I had not read; the other was a deeply philosophical piece on the meaning of Le Pont des Arts. Both, like the introduction, will appeal to a very specific reader: one who is well-versed not only in Salah el Moncef’s works but also in high literature and philosophy in general. I fall into neither of those categories, so I often found myself lost amid the references and what felt like self-congratulatory intellectualism.

I gave this book five stars based on the parts I was able to grasp. I assume that, for those with the right background, the rating will extend to the parts that were beyond me.


Now and Then

"A riveting collection rich in culture, diversity, history, and incredible imagery. Moncef effortlessly transports his readers around the globe, following tales of grief, love, closure, and acceptance. Now and Then is a beautiful reminder of how the past shapes us, which we can use to transform the present." --Theresa Kadair, Portland Book Review


Now and Then

Now and Then by Salah el Moncef comprises two short stories and two essays. In the first, "Benghazi", we meet the Khaldoon family. Sisters Miriam and Zaynab are students at a local Italian school preparing for a visit from Mussolini. Both have been selected to represent the school, something their father finds abhorrent due to his lifelong loyalty to his Sufi beliefs. The events of the day and the complex family relations have affected Miriam's life, and she is now struggling to overcome and move forward.

In the second story, "The Night Visitor", we meet Pauline and Nausicaa, two friends invited to a weekend gathering in Brittany. They are introduced to Madani, a Berber calligrapher, who Nausciaa finds both repulsive and alluring. His presence is confusing and disturbing, but she has to admit he cooks delicious couscous. Then in the night, something happens that leaves Nausicaa even more discombobulated than before. And how does she deal with it? She rehashes the story to Pauline until Pauline finally suggests Nausicaa visit an Astrologist to gain some insight into the situation. But will that help her see that the problem may be more internal than external?

In the first essay, "A Bridge Too Near", the author noticed a sign on the Pont des Arts, where lovers used to hang padlocks as a sign of their eternal love. The sign reads, "No human is an alien on earth," leaving Moncef to mull over ideas of borderless nations and the ramifications of disconnectedness among people. And in "The Voice of Exile", the author looks at a review of his previous work, The Offering, which introduced Tarqik, an exiled Tunisian poet in France. He is isolated from his guest country and its culture, but he also feels the same towards his compatriots and his own culture, forcing him to define his own sense of belonging while feeling adrift in the world.

I  must confess that I would have preferred another short story instead of the essays. To me, the stories were what made this book unique. The author had such a mesmerizing writing style it felt as if he'd just pulled the curtains back to give me a peek into another world. Both stories left me wanting more. They were complex but told with a sense of vagueness, leaving me inhabiting their worlds long after I'd finished reading. That age-old saying, the eyes are the window to the soul, came to mind more than once as Moncef was able to bring his characters to life by looking deep within them. For example, the wife of the Tuareg nomad, who has only a brief encounter with Miriam in the first story, manages to live on in my mind even now. He is able to paint a beautiful picture with a few words, one which encompasses the past with tendrils that reach into each character's
 present.


The Beijing Blunder

The Beijing Blunder opens in late 1988 as the so-called “Decade of Greed” is drawing to a close. Of course, as readers familiar with previous books in Jay Perin’s One Hundred Years of War series will expect, greed itself is far from absent from the story. In fact, much to former President Temple’s chagrin, greed remains the one thing that will make “men admit to crimes they didn’t have the brains to commit.” And there are certainly a lot of crimes to admit to in this series.

For his part, having dedicated all his time and effort during the first three books in the series to moving other characters around the world like pieces on a chessboard while standing as the notional “good guy” in contrast to the duplicitous and merciless Jared Sanders, Temple begins The Beijing Blunder by being forced to admit that he was blindsided by the actions of stepbrother Godwin Kingsley, a former supreme court justice, toward the end of The Cuban Gambit.

Temple had thought that he and Godwin were working together to secure the formation of a network of oil companies that would enjoy a benevolent global monopoly under the leadership of Lilah Kingsley, only to be double-crossed by Godwin and his heirs at the last minute. While Temple thinks he has found a way to wrest back power, he is actually facing more danger than ever before, and his fate will have consequences that ripple around the world.

Part of Temple’s plan involves securing pardons and repatriation for Lilah and the Kingsley brothers, including her husband Brad, after they were framed for treason and forced to flee abroad. Yet, while Lilah is keen to return, her motivation is to destroy the network, not to regain control of it. The nefarious Steven Kingsley, who is enjoying his usurped power over the network, knows this all too well and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Temple and Lilah out of the way.

Meanwhile, Harry Sheppard is doing what he can to assist Temple in helping Lilah and the Kingsley brothers, despite both his own misgivings and the opposition of his family. In an effort to assist old friends, he will have to learn to trust new allies found in the most unlikely of places.

The Beijing Blunder is another globe-trotting installment in the action- and intrigue-packed One Hundred Years of War series. In fact, the book is so densely filled with characters, conspiracies, and controversies that it’s definitely a good idea to read the series in order rather than jumping straight into this fourth installment. From Lilah’s life on the run to Harry’s attempts to navigate the corridors of power and Steven’s desperate efforts cling onto wealth and influence, Perin has woven numerous strands of political intrigue into a coherent storyline that also moves the series as a whole forward.

As the various characters constantly waver in terms of who they can trust and how far they’re willing to go, the world around them moves up and down with the stock market and there’s no telling who is going to come out on top. One thing’s for certain though, as the Cold War draws to an end and the information age begins, there’s bound to be plenty more danger and suspense in store for them all in The Indian Defense.


Families are impacted in various ways and to varying degrees by disasters such as suicide, death, disease, addiction, and other tragedies. What if these things were the product of evil spirits and schemes? The fictitious story Soul Wars: An Adventure into the Supernatural narrates the conflicts between good and evil forces that go on behind the scenes and the effects they have on certain characters and historical trends. Chris Kline's book delves into the actions of the Antichrist and demonic powers, as well as the threats they bring to the expansion of Christianity. Meanwhile, the angels are hard at work delivering good deeds to the faithful characters, and the Christian characters themselves make an effort to pray and fend against evil. Learn what transpires when good and evil forces clash in Chris Klines' character-rich and highly unpredictable story.

I liked how the book was full of well-chosen biblical quotes and important teachings that are artfully woven into the storyline. For example, in a scenario involving a miraculous cure following a serious health scare, a significant character hears a message that we must trust God and let God be God in both happy and bad times. In addition, the book features various intricate mini-plots and backstories that reflect real-life circumstances, such as having an abusive relationship, adolescent characters dealing with social pressure at school, a boy's attempt to drug a girl he is trying to win over, and more. These various stories demonstrate the author's creativity and are likely to present the reader with comparable experiences.

I found it disconcerting that the individuals' points of view were not maintained, and the plot seemed to shift between different views at random. There is also no clear central direction. Apart from the battle between good and evil forces, I didn't find any specific concrete goal that the story focuses on, which resulted in my attention being drawn to too many disparate things in an uncomfortable manner for the majority of the story, such as Debbie's battle with addiction, Rose's greed, and Sam's racial problem.

Christian readers will be reminded of the importance of prayer and being close to God as they read the book, and non-Christians will grasp what it takes to be a Christian. It dives into a variety of topics, such as necromancy, fortune telling, family, racism, heart attacks, talking with the dead, rock and roll culture, drug abuse, body shaming, and more. The book's strong tone, however, may be objectionable to non-Christians and some Christians in specific denominations who disagree with its statements. Despite its drawbacks, the book's significant lessons may increase your relationship with God.


On one side of the cosmos, looking down from the Celestial City, stands the Army of the Lord God in Heaven, a host of angels who serve as guards, “patiently waiting for their cues to go and minster to those who will inherit salvation.” On the other side lurks an assembly of demons, evil creatures that “are bent on the destruction of any human they can influence with their poisonous ideas.” Both sides keep a close watch on the Earth and are quick to take action when they spot an invitation to do so. Chris Kline’s Soul Wars offers a snapshot of the never-ending battle between these two factions, a battle that will decide the very fate of humanity.

In 1958, in the town of Cambridge, Iowa, four regular families—the Olsons, the Silverstones, the Smiths, and the Evanses—are innocently going about their daily lives, little knowing that they are soon to take center stage in a battle of good versus evil that has been being waged for millennia. In the case of the Evans family, mother Esther and her two young sons have to contend with father Sam being a drunken bully who would much rather spend time with his mistress than with his family. While Esther and the boys pray for help from God, Sam is followed around by an unseen demon that intends to destroy him and his family.

The members of the other three families face similar issues and dilemmas—day-to-day problems that could be broken down into testing manifestations of the Ten Commandments—that they need to address and overcome while being unconsciously influenced by the forces of good and evil. In describing the choices they all face making, Kline makes it clear how easily dark forces can worm their way inside people’s heads and how difficult it can be to hear the guidance offered by representatives of the light. The story as a whole represents an interesting approach to promoting the influence of religion, although the focus on so many similar ordinary people does render it a little repetitious.

Soul Wars is quite clearly a novel with a Christian message and so will immediately appeal to some readers more than others. In fact, Christian readers who are seeking a reflection of their beliefs and concrete examples of the notions of good versus evil as found in the Bible will likely get a lot from the book, whereas readers who are looking for an exciting and coherent story of paranormal forces at work on the Earth will probably find it much less appealing. Simply put, Kline has chosen to focus on delivering a message rather than on presenting an engaging story, which is not necessarily a bad thing, although it will prove polarizing.


In the middle of the twentieth century, four families are caught in a monumental struggle between good and evil. Not only their lives but also their immortal souls are in question as angels and demons alike battle for influence over their actions, and for the chance to spread to others. Will the godly be able to save the people of their small Midwestern town? Or will the forces of darkness prevail?

Religious books tend to be very hit or miss for me. While I find them intriguing and sometimes moving, often they come across as didactic, things that will only appeal to those who already subscribe to the author’s beliefs. Especially for books that tout the importance of evangelism, preaching to the choir seems like it will do little good.

Kline, however, manages to avoid the worst of this by making the characters distinct without having them be wholly one-dimensional. Especially in the younger characters, you can really see the struggle between good and evil, and how it plays out in even the most mundane choices. (Though there is plenty of drama to be found within the book, keeping it exciting enough that I couldn’t put it down.) I felt for each and every teen caught up in a battle beyond their comprehension, pulled at by forces too powerful for them to truly understand.

What kept me from rating this book higher was that at times it was all presented very simplistically. Kline would sometimes hit her points too hard, as though readers themselves could not be trusted to tell for themselves what was good and what was bad. That only reminded me that I was reading a book directed at a very narrow worldview. That narrowness will help it reach some particular readers, but it will turn off several others, perhaps well before they reach the meat of the story.

In addition, I felt the book could have stood a round of editing. There were missing quotation marks and enough grammatical and spelling errors that I was sometimes distracted from the story itself.

Soul Wars is an interesting story that could, at its best, speak to people wrestling with their faith or offer an interesting discussion on free will. (The demons, for instance, seem to be the most able to choose what they are going to do. I wondered sometimes whether the flatness of the human characters was meant to speak to how easily people can be influenced by forces beyond their control.) In the end, however, I was only slightly impressed. Soul Wars will probably mainly appeal to those who already believe God takes an active interest in their affairs.


Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles and Lots and Lots of Noodles

Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles, and Lots and Lots of Noodles is the story of a car called a Snoodle, the people who love it, and even those who don’t. A Snoodle is a car that runs on noodles. You put noodles in the Snoodle with a sauce of your choice. You drive around all day and when you get home you have a nice plate of noodles from your Snoodle. Genius, right? The inventor of the Snoodle, Mr. Snoodleman, opened the Snoodle Kidoodle Noodle Art Museum in honor of the Snoodle after his invention took off. A famous artist named Noodle McDoodle creates the Kidoodle Lisa to go on display in the art museum. People line up for hours just to see the Kidoodle Lisa.

Mr. Croodleman, inventor of the Kraut mobile, does not like the Snoodle or its creator, Mr. Snoodleman. The Kraut mobile runs on sauerkraut and is efficient but very stinky. Nobody really likes the Kraut mobile, except Mr. Croodleman. One day, Mr. Croodleman decides to sabotage the Kidoodle Lisa. He sneaks past the guards into the museum and pours sauerkraut all over the beloved piece of art. Little does he realize the trouble his actions would cause.

When Mr. Snoodleman arrives the next day and sees the masterpiece destroyed, he is forced to close the Snoodle Kidoodle Noodle Art Museum as he looks for a way to have the Kidoodle Lisa restored. Mr. Snoodleman takes the Kidoodle Lisa to a well-known art restorer, Pierre Le Toodle. Le Toodle works on trying to restore the Kidoodle Lisa tirelessly. Many people try to discourage him, but he continues to try until one day, he gives up. Once he goes to sleep, his poodle licks all of the sauerkraut off the Lisa Kidoodle until the masterpiece is back to its original condition! Who knew it could be so simple? Pierre le Toodle and his poodle became famous. The Snoodle Kidoodle Noodle Art Museum is able to reopen and everyone is happy… even Mr. Croodleman!

Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles, and Lots and Lots of Noodles is a whimsical, cute book with lots of funny words and an engaging story. This book is perfect for young children ages three to six. It has funny rhyming words that make it great to read aloud and a comical storyline that kept me wanting to keep reading. For kids who are still learning to read, the book has very subtle but easy to learn vocabulary associations that can help small children better learn how to read. The funny words and rhyming patterns can help with developing vocabulary.

I can see my four-year-old cousin getting such a kick out of reading Snoodles, Kidoodles, Poodles, and Lots and Lots of Noodles. I definitely recommend this book as an addition to your young reader’s library… this is a story that little kids will love and their parents and grandparents will love reading with them!


River of Ashes

"Chilling and suspenseful, River of Ashes is a story that mimics real-life abuse and violence in today's youth. What seems like innocent high school shenanigans quickly turns evil in the path of a predator and sociopath. Albeit fiction, this book describes what happens to many women who have remained silent and embarrassed and whose lives have changed because of the unfair stigma that goes along with rape and assault. allegations." --Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review


Deborah's Gift

It’s clear from the start of
Deborah’s Gift that this is a novel about an artist. I don’t mean just that it’s outright stated in the prologue; the first chapter, about Deborah’s childhood, is a feast for all the senses. Even before she is able to truly express it, she has a way of viewing things that will serve her well as a painter. Abraham doesn’t just give us a wealth of visual description, though the book has that in spades. (Best of all: it works!) She feeds every sense the reader has, immersing them in Deborah’s world.

And what a world it is! Deborah is a young woman caught in the trials of the late nineteenth century when everyone expects her to be some softer version of herself. If she will not bend, she will be beaten down. At times it seems impossible that she will be able to have the life she dreams of.

I fell head over heels with this book from the start, and at no point did it let me down. It’s rich and vivid, an excellent addition to the wealth of historical fiction being written today.


Shoot the Horses First

I was already familiar with Leah Angstman’s work from her first novel Out Front the Following Sea. I was curious about what she would do with a shorter form of work and was not at all surprised to find that these pieces were just as beautifully written as her novel. Angstman has a knack for bringing beauty even to moments of the past that are horrific, and humanity to characters who were part of horrific events. This is as true in her stories as it is in her novels.

My favorite piece was the longest, "Casting Grand Titans” because its themes of independence and sexism in the sciences are deeply interesting to me. Even the shortest pieces still managed to draw me in. Some left me wondering at the mysteries lurking just beyond the page; others left me breathless with the power of their prose.

The only thing I might want to change would be how similar the tone can be from story to story. Often the beauty of the writing blends with melancholy, and while Angstman writes this very well, it can cause some of the tales to blur.