Arrival Mind

How can a book that seems so simple have so much to say about the future of humankind? Arrival Mind is a picture book for adults that is written much like a children's book. With one sentence on each page and full-color mixed-media illustrations, at first glance, one might think that this is simply a book written for children. But I assure you, Arrival Mind is so much more than what it seems.

Written as a warning, this book tells the story of a new being, or beings, that are set to inhabit the Earth. But instead of talking about aliens from another planet, these lives are created right here, on our very own planet. They are created to make the lives of humans better - to give us more leisure time, to cure diseases, to make the world a better place. But at what cost?

Arrival Mind is a reminder that although we are creating artificial intelligence (AI) in technology labs, we must remember that these AI beings are not human. They are not meant to replace humans. Author Louis B. Rosenberg states, "The fact is, we train AI systems to know humans, not to be human". The algorithms that are used to create the AI systems will automatically adjust and become so intelligent that humans may end up losing control. It's not as simple as just pulling the plug if the AI can outsmart us.

Arrival Mind is a book written for anyone who has ever touched a piece of technology. From smart TVs and smartphones to the little device that adds things to your shopping list, these are all things that have been integrated into our world that we have welcomed with open arms. What was life like without these items and what would happen if they were taken away one day? In fact, what would happen if these devices took over our lives because they could predict what we were going to do before we even did it? Our smart devices are recording everything we do, from the path we travel to and from work to what we are eating at the local sushi restaurant.

Arrival Mind raises awareness of the important facts about AI that we might not want to hear. We may not realize how dangerous AI is until it's too late. Insightful and alarming, I recommend Arrival Mind to everyone. It's a simple read yet the author indicates the seriousness of the matter in the notes after the story.


The Call Me Ishmael Phone Book: An Interactive Guide to Life-Changing Books

The Call Me Ishmael Phone Book is one of the most ingenious ideas for a book I've learned about this year. The concept is simple: anyone can call the number listed on the cover and multiple pages throughout the book. The "welcome" message will direct you to either leave a review of your favorite book or else listen to a review already left by an anonymous reader. To listen to a particular review, the caller will dial an extension for a specific book. The phone book is your resource to know the extension numbers as well as ideas for new books to read. Like a real phone book, there are ads spread throughout the pages for different novels. Bookstores found across the country are categorized by state in order to allow the reader to explore some new reading territory.

This is such a neat concept for a book and it should appeal to avid readers everywhere. I haven't stopped telling people in my house about it, and they genuinely seem interested! I noticed that for each category of book, there are only maybe six titles listed; I'm curious as to how they could keep it that short. Regardless, check out The Call Me Ishmael Phone Book for some interactive fun with books.


Harrow Lake

Daughter of a celebrity director, Lola Nox's life has been anything but typical. Whisked from movie set to movie set, Lola's life has been carefully carved out by her overbearing, controlling, movie director father. So, when Lola is sent to live in the town where her father filmed the famous horror movie, her life is turned upside down. A town is frozen in time, Harrow Lake is like living inside a movie set, but the town isn’t just obsessed with the movie; it's also frozen within its terrifying past. Haunted by the legend of Mr. Jitters, the town will do anything to keep his hunger at bay.

In the fragile world of Harrow Lake, Lola Nox must decipher the difference between urban legends, hidden secrets, and a town trapped within a movie set.  While this story is set up to have a thrilling undertone, the battle of a mind's delicate psyche takes the forefront, delivering a powerful blow about perceived realities, the effects of urban legends. Kat Ellis delivers the perfect atmospheric read, giving readers a town that should neighbor Sleepy Hollow. A psychological tale that will have your mind reeling with every twist and your lungs gasping for air.  As Mr. Jitters claws his way to the surface, readers will need to dig their own path to the truth.


Where Is Our Library?: A Story of Patience and Fortitude

Patience and Fortitude, the lions of the New York Public Library, are spending a usual night in the Children’s section of the library. But to their despair, all the books have disappeared. They travel to Times Square to try to find them, then to Central Park to talk to the wise man about where the books have gone. Finally, they meet Hans Christian Anderson, who gives them a list of other libraries around the city to check. They enjoy the trek, but still can’t find the books at their library. Will they be able to have the right perspective to find the books in time?

Text: I loved the rhythm and rhyme. Josh Funk is a master at doing this. He does both very well. The word choice is excellent, with just enough there to give us a good amount but not so much that the illustrator doesn’t have room to work. I loved the solution of the story.

Illustrations: The illustrator was very creative. I’m sure it was a challenge having the book set at night. He did a great job making it darker without losing the integrity of the illustrations. I love the perspective of them running around Central Park. I think the buildings of the other libraries in different parts of New York City were great.

Age Range: 5 to 8 years, because the text is a little longer.


Sometimes a Wall...

This is a very interesting book. It is hard to imagine what a book will be like when it is about a wall. This book is a great metaphor to show how our actions to others can make them feel. Our actions can either make others feel like we have built a wall to keep them away from us or we can use our actions to invite others over the wall to build a friendship. I like how the children eventually find kindness and are able to work together from building a wall between them to building and decorating a fun castle to play together in. Friendship is hard, and everyone needs to make an effort to choose kindness when playing with others. Kind words and actions can make all the difference in one's day. I like the colorful illustrations of the book as the kids in the book begin to color and decorate the wall and turn it into a friendly, inviting castle, where friends can have imaginary adventures together. The book is easy to read and spreads a great message to all readers that we should always choose kindness. Kindness is key to building friendships and forts.


The Paper Boat: A Refugee Story

In this wordless book, a girl is eating breakfast with ants, and she rescues one out of her soup. The girl and her family packs to leave as refugees. They split apart, and the girl goes with her mother to hide. While the girl eats a bun, her mom folds the buns wrapper into a boat so it can be a toy for the girl. They follow a trail of ants to their grandmother's boat. The ants find the dropped paper boat, and they sail on after the girl. Seagulls surround the ants and kill some. The ants start eating the boat, and thunder sets the boat on a wild ride. The ants are safe, and they see the girl at the table, a new table in a new apartment.

I like this story and how the ants find the boat. I don't usually like wordless books, but I really liked this book because it had ants and an interesting story. I think the girl and the ants are very brave. I also liked the drawings and how they look like they were made out of paper. I recommend this book to lonely refugees and ant lovers.


Farm Crimes: Cracking the Case of the Missing Egg

I saw the cover and I knew I would like this book. I thought the cover made the book look like it was going to be really entertaining. Some of the words are hard to pronounce and I didn’t know what they meant – I think this book would be good for someone who is learning to read but not quite ready for chapter books. My dad is a police officer so I thought it was very neat that this was a book about a detective doing work! Someone stole the hen’s egg and the detective came in to find out who stole the egg. The hen accused a lot of people because she was really worried about her egg. A really funny part was when the detective told the dog to go sniff around and then he sent the pig with him to make sure the dog didn’t fall asleep! I thought he wouldn’t solve the crime but then they realized it HATCHED!

I loved the colors of the pictures and the details of all of them I also loved that it was a comic book because it helps me read longer books when they are set up this way. It keeps my attention and keeps me moving through the book while keeping me interested.


I Do Not Like Stories

This is the story of a boy who doesn’t like stories, or at least that’s what he claims — over and over and over. Everything that happens to him reminds him of the kinds of stories he doesn’t like. He doesn’t like stories about waking up or any kind of transportation, be it planes or trains or buses or bikes. He doesn’t like stories about things that happen in school, or that he is given to eat, or even about going home. Nope. There are no kinds of stories he likes.

As we watch the boy go through his day complaining and complaining about every kind of story imaginable, we also watch his cat go through the day having adventures about the very things the boy complains are no good in a story. Everything is represented in simple illustrations in tones of gray with pops of yellow and red. This is a clever idea for a story, but it may well be too subtle for young readers to really get the point. It has some humor at the end, but by then most readers will have been put off by the negativity of the boy whining about not liking any stories.


The Chowderhead Crusades

The Chowderhead Crusades paints a grim picture of Earth in the not-too-distant future of 2054. When a hyper-efficient fuel is discovered on Mars, all humanity needs is a workforce to extract, refine, and transport it back to Earth. Enter teenage orphan Clayton Clayborn, one of the many wards of the state who toil away aboard enormous interplanetary freighters. The working conditions are poor, the living quarters are slightly less cramped than a coffin, and bland sludge is only thing on the cafeteria menu. Clayton’s one and only comfort at the end of each grueling day is access to a digital database of comic books, which he studies before passing out from exhaustion.

To understand why Clayton would study comic books rather than simply enjoy them, we must rewind to the year 2036. Right around the time Clayton was born, a bizarrely dressed space alien crashed the San Diego Comic-Con and declared to those in attendance that the human race is mostly garbage. Mostly. Our saving grace, it turns out, is our superhero comics, which exemplify greatness so well that it’s practically a crime more humans aren’t familiar with them. So the alien presented a challenge to the people of Earth: solve my series of comic-book-themed puzzles and I’ll give the winner access to a technology more advanced than anyone could possibly imagine. After laying out the terms, he waved goodbye and disappeared.

On the freighter where he serves, Clayton and a few other “Chowderheads” (a nickname derived from “soup-heads,” which is itself derived from “super-heads,” the original nickname for comics fans obsessed with the mysterious puzzle) stumble onto a breakthrough after years of stagnation. And after he and his friends blink away their confusion and realize what they’ve done, the book’s pace goes into a frenzy that doesn’t let up until the very end. Almost every stop the characters make is memorable and action-packed.

Right away, any reader familiar with Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One is bound to draw a few comparisons. After all, aside from swapping 1980s culture for comic book superheroes, the premise sounds almost identical. The book even uses the same naming convention for its main character. But don’t be deterred by these superficial similarities, as The Chowderhead Crusades blazes its own trail with panache and is sure to entertain both comic book enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

One of the most impressive features of the novel is how it avoids relying on pop culture references. That’s a difficult task in a story in which so many characters spend their free time studying famous superhero comics. These famous superheroes are never used as a crutch; they’re simply a means to an end in a twisty plot more concerned with human behavior, interstellar travel, and a series of fictional superheroes created specifically for this book.

It is a bit of a shame that the challenges themselves rely almost entirely on simple trivia tests (crossword puzzles, multiple choice questions, fill-in-the-blank lightning rounds), but the book moves at such a breakneck pace, juking this way and that, that it’s quite hard to notice. And while the big reveal near the end might strike some readers as trite, it’s effective and it hits hard. It’s fun, it’s action-packed, and it’s well written.

Whether you’re a diehard comic book fan or you’ve never touched a comic book in your life, The Chowderhead Crusades is most definitely worth your time.


Nine Lives

As I reached the last page of Nine Lives, I wondered how the book's title was meant to be interpreted. The common saying that cats have nine lives could certainly apply to author Siegfried Kra, a man who has escaped death more than a handful of times. But perhaps a more interesting interpretation of the title is the way Dr. Kra's life has changed so often, so completely, on his path from scrappy kid to accomplished doctor.

Dr. Siegfried Kra is unrecognizable from one chapter to the next, the differences in his life stages made even more stark by the achronological order in which he wrote this memoir. Readers will first meet Dr. Kra in his elegant referral office as he reminisces about the life he and his family had in Danzig, before the Nazis invaded. A moment later, Kra is a young greenhorn in New York, picking up whatever odd jobs he can to support his family. In a flash, Dr. Kra is treating tuberculosis patients in the Swiss Alps. Next thing you know he's a young teenager helping his mother prepare a hotel for Polish and German refugees from Danzig, and before you can say "cardiology," he's an elderly man fighting for his life in a hospital.

Kra is a natural storyteller and an obvious contender for most interesting man in the world. He effortlessly delivers his life story in a series of vignettes, some of which are many pages long while others are only a handful of words. It gives the book a wonderful train-of-thought vibe, as if Kra can’t make up his mind which part is his favorite. Each chapter is shared with such unabashed honestly and romantic nostalgia that I sometimes felt like the author was talking to me directly over coffee and cake.  These personal, intimate moments—some of which read almost like unintentional slips—were among the best parts of the book. I would have appreciated something to tie all these vignettes together at the end, something to bring it back around to the passing of Dr. Kra’s father. As it is, the book ends somewhat abruptly and feels more like a shuffled collection of essays than a memoir. Still, I greatly enjoyed my time with Dr. Siegfried Kra. Even during the darkest moments, the author’s rapier wit and good humor made every word captivating. Anyone who enjoys a good story will find something to love in Nine Lives.


Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

In this book, Rod Dreher posits that a rise in totalitarianism is coming to the United States. He states that the threat comes from progressives, the left, woke culture, and social justice warriors. He believes that true Christians (firmly in the political right) must organize now to resist and eventually defeat this dangerous foe.

The best part of this book is the interviews with survivors of Russian communism. The hardships and torture they went through are a painful reminder of the horrible things humans can do to one another when they disagree. Their stories are deeply moving, profound, and well-worth telling.

Another interesting warning concerns the nature of what social media is doing to society. Set in the context of other prophetic books such as Orwell's 1984 and the theories of Marx, it really paints a troubling picture of what social media is capable of and has already done to our culture.

Although the book describes itself as "a manual for Christian dissidents," there is a surprising lack of substance in the call to action. There are no clear action points to take away from the book, but it's definitely a thought-provoking read, regardless of which side you align with.


Logan Likes Mary Anne! (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphic Novel #8)

Ann M. Martin, Illustrated by Gale Galligan

Mary Anne has just started eighth grade with her friends, Claudia, Dawn, Stacey, Kristy, and Mallory. Mary Anne doesn’t know what to expect from the eighth grade, but when she meets Logan Bruno, she starts to fall in love with him, thinking he looks like Cam Geary, a celebrity from a sixteen magazine. Mary Anne and the Babysitters Club think he and Jessi Ramsey, Mallory’s new friend, might be interested in joining their club. To make sure Logan is good enough for babysitting, the BSC sends Mary Anne with him for a trial run. She and Logan do an amazing job, however, Mary Anne and Logan are getting to know each other, and maybe Logan might like Mary Anne too. Gale’s amazing art and brilliant colors make this story seem real. I get sucked in right away. It’s as good as the other books in the series. It’s worth the wait. I also really like the details in the art, like the shading and the wrinkles on the clothes and so on.


Entitled: How Male Privilege Hurts Women

Privilege based on ethnicity or gender, and its natural extension – entitlement – have been at the forefront of public discussion since Trump’s election four years ago.  While most of us recognize entitlement in its most pernicious forms, most of us haven’t clearly defined it, and hence fail to recognize its more subtle, and more common manifestations.

This book aims to classify and demonstrate the forms of male entitlement around us and cites references to support their existence. The first chapter starts with Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court proceedings and introduces the overall framework. The last (concluding) chapter is more meaningful in that it frames ideals of the type of society the author wishes for her new-born daughter. Each chapter deconstructs a specific facet of entitlement. The list includes consent, access to education, domestic labor, access to power, medical care, and others. Chapters start with a true and well-known encounter that serves as a reference for a deeper dive into that facet. As new aspects are discussed, examples are brought in to make that facet real, and understandable. The point that hits home is that these are not theoretical discussions – they have real-world implications. The narrative also reveals the large gulf between our egalitarian ideals and our lived reality.

This book is certainly an eye-opener. It will leave most readers with a sense of out-rage and may help some readers realize the (unconscious) ways they have been perpetrating entitlement (either as assailant or victim). While readers may not agree with every viewpoint, the book is worth reading for the dialogue it creates.


The Lawyer Says: Quotes, Quips, and Words of Wisdom

It is fun to have books of quotes around, and this book is a nice addition to that group of books. Lawyers are largely well-educated, thinking people who have a lot of opinions and are happy to share them. This little book is handy to carry in a purse or a briefcase or to keep on one’s desk to pick up and open to any page to find an interesting little nugget of wisdom or wise-cracking. Most of them have a political bent to them---after all, many politicians have a legal background---or are representative of the courtroom, but some simply refer to life in general or are good common sense. “Don’t write so that you can be understood, write so that you can’t be misunderstood” is some good advice from William Howard Taft. Another good example is “When I tell lawyer jokes to a mixed audience, the lawyers don’t think they’re funny and the non-lawyers don’t think they’re jokes” from John. G. Roberts, chief justice of the supreme court. The only thing missing is a good index by topic; that would be a welcome addition. This is a fun book.


The Flip Side: A Novel

Josh is twenty-eight and ready for the next step in life. When his proposal on the London Eye does not result in becoming engaged, he also loses his job and moves back home with his parents to regroup. Since his decision-making skills haven't gotten him anywhere in life, he decides to spend the next year flipping a coin to make all his choices. Surely, it can't go any worse than what he's done on his own.

The first chapter of this book is absolutely delightful. Vivid, witty, and funny, it set the bar high for the rest of the book. Unfortunately, those heights were never really seen again. While there are fun scenes and moments in the book, the overall narrative felt a little disjointed. Time passed abruptly and seemed more like popping in and out of scenes in Josh's life, rather than moving toward a specific climax and resolution.

 For being marketed as a rom-com written by a male, the love interest doesn't appear until nearly 60% through the book. This is more a tale of a bumbler who's doing a haphazard job of getting his life on track, with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Overall, the book didn't quite hit the mark, but it was a fairly amusing read anyway.


The Women of Chateau Lafayette

Through the French Revolution and two world wars, Château de Chavaniac has stood firm. Though it is the house of one of the most famous Frenchmen known to American history, the Marquis de Lafayette, during those three wars, it was protected not by men but by women.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette, a richly detailed and lovingly written novel, tells the story of three such women: Marthe Simone, a schoolteacher trying to survive the Nazi occupation; Beatrice Chanler, a New York socialite who travels abroad to help French soldiers and children during World War I; and Adrienne Lafayette, the marquise herself, facing danger at home even as her husband fights in America. All three women are powerful figures in their own way, with strength far beyond what any of the men expect of them. What blew me away was not their strength -- I’ve read more than enough novels and seen enough of the world to know how strong women are -- but how distinct they are. They aren’t just any three women; Stephanie Dray has breathed life into her protagonists, making them far more than just flat figures on flat pages. I loved sinking into this book, and anyone who enjoys historical fiction will as well.


And Now She's Gone: A Novel

And Now She's Gone is the story of a private investigator named Grayson Sykes who is on a case in which she is trying to find a woman named Isabel Lincoln, who has seemingly disappeared into thin air. As Gray digs deeper into the case, she finds her own past identity is catching up with her. In fact, only her best friend, Nick Rader, who owns the company she works for, knows Gray's true identity.

This book became juicier and juicier the more I read it. It seemed like Isabel had run away from her doctor boyfriend, Ian; however, as Gray did her detective work, she found that Isabel was no innocent angel herself. In fact, it became hard to tell who was telling the truth and who wasn't in this book. And Now She's Gone is a well-written suspense novel with some very tense moments that will make the reader hold their breath. It's a page-turner from start to finish, with a great cast of characters and an even better plot.


The Nightmare Thief

Maren’s family is in the business of dreams. They have several pre-made dreams ready to soothe one’s sleep and even some nightmares to frighten those who love a good thrill. They can even make dreams by request.  Maren hopes one of the great flying dreams will awaken her sister from a coma caused by a terrible car accident, even if it means Maren could lose her place in the family business for giving someone a dream or nightmare without consent. She is caught in the act by a dark, mysterious woman, Ms. Malo, who blackmails her into stealing the scariest nightmares in the shop.  When Maren refuses to cooperate anymore, things go from very bad to even worse, and those she loves most are in terrible danger.

Lesperance explores friendships and family ties in this sweet story in a world of magic and wonder. Even though the conclusion seems to come without fanfare or tension, the characters are easy to love and the world one in which many would love to visit. Readers who loved Astrid Law’s Savvy series or Shelby Bach’s The Ever Afters series will surely love Maren and her dreams to save the world.


Adverse Effects (The Memory Thieves series, Book 1) (Memory Thieves Series, 1)

Cristina Silva is a psychiatrist who specializes in helping amnesiac patients recover their memories. Her patients are achieving memory recovery at an incredible rate after she prescribes an experimental drug called Recognate, which is in early trials. Because of these results, Cristina decides to take the drug herself, as she lost her memory two years earlier in a car crash. One of her patients on this drug kills himself and another kills someone else before being killed by the police. A man contacts Cristina and tells her she isn’t whom she thinks she is and that the memories she does have are not her own. He tells her that the drug actually gives people new memories of someone else’s life. Cristina needs to figure out what’s going on before the Adverse Effects cause her to lose her mind and hurt someone or before those in control of the drug hurt her to keep their secret.

Although this is labeled a medical thriller, I would like to point out that there is a lot of espionage as well in case that helps you make your decision to pick it up or not. The premise is interesting and it is very action-packed. I’m not quite sure how it will be a series, as the author wrapped things up nicely at the end. However, I look forward to hearing more about Cristina and Wilson.


Anonymous: A Madison Kelly Mystery

Someone has left a threatening note nailed to the door of Madison Kelly, a San Diego private investigator, warning her to stop her investigation or “I will hunt you down and kill you.” Strange thing is, she’s not investigating anyone at the moment. The only clue is the true-crime podcast she’s been listening to and tweeting about. Two girls have gone missing after a night spent clubbing. If she is to find out who left the note in the first place, Madison will have to do exactly what the note tells her not to do: investigate. Madison is damned if she does and damned if she doesn’t.

Elizabeth Breck’s debut novel, Anonymous, is the first installment in a new mystery series. As a real-life licensed private investigator, Breck’s prose rings true of someone who has walked the same San Diego streets and taken similar steps to her main character when solving a mystery. The book features a strong mystery and plot, and it's something to add to your reading list if you are a fan of Sue Grafton's mysteries.


Everybody's Tree

Barbara Joosse, Illustrated by Renee Graef

Everybody’s Tree is the kind of book that you’re hoping will be amazing because it definitely has potential, especially if you like trees. Unfortunately, it is just not that interesting. Comparing it to a book like Apple Tree Christmas, which is really well done because you get to know and love the tree like the characters in the story before anything happens to it, Everybody’s Tree just doesn’t capture your heart or imagination. Before you have a chance to really care about the tree, you find out that it’s going away, and then the rest of the story is just about a big tree that’s, as the title implies, for everybody. It’s good as a library book, but not the kind of story you’d want to read over and over again. The pictures are nice, though.


His Dark Materials: Serpentine

Serpentine is a sequel to Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, featuring Lyra and her daemon, Pantalaimon (Pan for short).  In this book, Lyra is desperate to speak with the consul of witches.

During their previous adventures, it was necessary for Lyra and Pan to separate.  This may not seem like a big deal, but for most duos, a human separating from her daemon is all but impossible. They are practically the same being.  Neither one knew what was happening with the other during their time apart. It becomes an elephant in the room, and Lyra does not know how to talk about it with Pan, or even if she should.

When secrets threaten to divide them, who can Lyra turn to for advice? Will this gulf always be between Lyra and Pan? Or will they find their way back to each other and reclaim the special relationship that exists between all humans and their daemons?

This story was interesting to read, but difficult if you have not already read His Dark Materials. I loved reading about Lyra and Pan, and found myself cheering for their relationship to work out.


Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything: A Novel

Agatha Arch never thought her life was perfect, but she’s still taken completely by surprise when she discovers her husband screwing the neighborhood dog walker in their backyard shed. Now she’s suddenly separated and only a part-time mom, left far too much to her own devices. Unable to focus on writing a new book, Agatha instead gets herself a pair of spy pants and an array of potentially useful tools and decides to spy on her husband and his new girlfriend. And also on a suspicious (to Agatha) young woman begging in a busy intersection. While continuing to nettle the other moms in her local Facebook group, annoy her neighbors by refusing to clean up her now-broken-down shed, and confound her therapist with her many anxieties. But maybe along the way, Agatha will also find a way to start picking up the pieces and rebuilding her life.

This delightful novel by Kristin Bair stars a fun protagonist in an unbelievably believable situation. Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything is quirky and fun, and readers will see aspects of their own personalities reflected in the pages. Agatha is far from perfect, but she’s earnest and righteously angry and it’s impossible not to root for her as she sorts out the current mess of her life. Such a fun story!


Tales by Moons-light: Stories From Before the Great Melt

This is a collection of seven stories based on a world called Urth before the Great Melt, which was when the polar ice caps melted and flooded the entire planet, except for mountain tops and tall mesas.

The first story is about a witch who kidnaps children named Margie and Hal so they can work for her in her castle. Inside the castle lives a nerva (the word raven, scrambled), a bird-like animal, who asks riddles. If the children can answer three riddles correctly, then all captives at the castle would be freed. This story has a very unexpected ending, but I won’t ruin it for you!

In another story, a boy named Bai must save his village from the overpopulation of wocs and gips (cows and pigs) which reside in The Land for All.

These tales spin magic and science together.  It is the job of the reader to unscramble the clues! I enjoyed this book because it is easy to read, entertaining, and unique. I would recommend this book to other young readers who enjoy captivating tales that take you to another world!


On Deadly Tides: A Penny Brannigan Mystery

Penny's retreat in North Wales is going swimmingly, until she discovers a body on the shore anyway. She's well versed in solving mysteries and she knows murder when she sees it, so when the death is ruled an accident, she doesn't believe it for a second. She sets out on another mystery-solving expedition that coincides with a surprising romance blooming with a handsome photographer.

Penny has developed quite the knack for getting to the truth, so it should come as no surprise that even on her peaceful retreat, she stumbles upon another murder. She's driven by her instincts and her ambition with a strong determination to find answers. Her holiday is turned upside down, and the mix between murder and holiday in a wonderful location is achieved through the seamless writing Elizabeth J. Duncan uses to create a vivid mystery. The mystery itself is woven with suspense and intertwines with romance when Penny finds a connection with a handsome photographer who sweeps her off her feet. On Deadly Tides is charming, elegantly written, clever, and features the stunning backdrop of North Wales.


Natalie Portman's Fables

Natalie Portman, Illustrated by Janna Mattia

This was a great book! I loved the modern spin on these classic stories. My mom says this feels like a book she could keep for her grandkids and it will be nostalgic when she opens it up to read to them. I loved that there were three short stories in one book. The pictures are beautiful. They are so detailed. You can tell the illustrator is a true artist. I love that the story flows and rhymes. It also teaches really good life lessons! My favorite part of this book is that it sounds SO good when you read it out loud! My little sisters loved this book when I read it to them and my littlest sister keeps asking for it again and again! This would be the perfect gift for a new baby - something a mom or dad could read over and over to their baby as they grew up!


After All I've Done: A Novel

After All I've Done is the domestic suspense and thriller fan's dream book. Complete with a cast of possibly unreliable characters and missing pieces that must be fitted together, this book will keep readers guessing as they turn page after page.

Diana Sparrow can't remember what happened in the months leading up to her almost fatal car crash. Her cherry-red Camaro was totaled in the crash, and she is left with only hints of her memories and a recurring nightmare about burying something. A body perhaps? As Diana starts to piece together the clues, she figures out that her husband is cheating on her with her best friend, Val. Who can she trust and how could her best friend betray her like that? Diana knows she doesn't love her husband, Jonathan, anymore, but how did Val get mixed up in the situation?

This book gets better and better, like a bottle of fine wine. The ending is like an explosion of fireworks that left me with my jaw dropping. As the book is written from the alternating points of view of several characters, the reader is able to get a good look at the situation as a whole, but it's not until the very end that everything makes complete sense. After All I've Done is a "must read" book for lovers of mystery, thriller, and suspense.


Blockchain Chicken Farm and Other Stories of Tech in China's Countryside

The alluring title, Blockchain Chicken Farm, gives little hint of the extraordinary story of how industrialized agriculture has swept across rural China. Even with impressive attention to infrastructure and architecture, traditional images of villages are not destroyed, but they are assuredly redefined.

The term blockchain, fast gaining ground, describes the multiple databases feeding, into each other to supply unalterable permanent records of information and transactions.

Five billion chickens are consumed annually in China and the complexity of their farming-related in detail. The birds are delivered butchered and vacuum sealed, identified by their intact ankle bracelets that display a photograph, the weight, and the number of steps as identification to demonstrate authenticity and food.

Advances in pig farming are similarly impressive showing the change from earlier productivity. The option of raising numerous breeds has been reduced in a move towards conformity, where pigs are becoming designer animals. Fear of disease is one motivator, spread from snout to snout and transmitted even after death and through processed pork meat. Pork is the preferred meat and pigs receive exceptional treatment and care in the industry’s vast operation.

A third ‘story focuses on the extensive use of drones. Among several interviews the author conducts, one especially illuminating is with a young man whose rural education and community satisfaction with his community have prepared him for a responsible, and satisfying career.

Xiaowei Wang is a talented writer. The book is a joy to read, not only for her excellent account of industrial progress but also for describing the age-old custom of street food where people can still relax and enjoy each other’s company.


The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice

When the Margrave of Tavia commands The Puppetmaster and his daughter, Pirouette, to create one hundred wooden soldiers, they cannot refuse. If they do, the Puppetmaster will be imprisoned. Pirouette is worried because she began life as a puppet, so she knows better than anyone that these soldiers can be brought to life. But for what nefarious purpose?

When they fail to meet their deadline, the Puppetmaster is kidnapped. Pirouette is then tasked with creating an assassin. She is told that her father will be freed if she completes this task. Is there a way for Pirouette to do what she must, without sacrificing her father

I liked this book because it had an interesting and engaging storyline. The author does a wonderful job of creating relatable characters. It made me empathize with Pirouette’s situation and wonder what I would do in her set of circumstances. Will Pirouette be able to create an assassin that will clearly hurt someone else, just to save the person she loves most? This book is a must-read, and I recommend it to all older readers!


The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop: A Novel

I picked up this book without expecting much of it. The most I could think of would be that it would be a quick read and a diversion. What a surprise that I was thoroughly charmed by the stories, characters, and writing in this book. It was a happy homecoming to again visit Whistle Stop and learn that people are ultimately good and so end up in exactly the right places. Flagg is a gifted storyteller. She accomplishes a bit of prestidigitation in this book by shifting time, place, and characters without losing the narrative flow. The main character is a one-armed boy named Buddie, Jr. from Whistle Stop who is raised by the proprietors of the Whistle Stop Cafe. The cafe is known for its cook, Lizzie’s fried green tomatoes, and the generous spirit of the cafe’s owners. Bud grows to be a good family man and father, but as he ages, he longs to return to Whistle Stop and see it once again. It is a magical place where small-town people forge a family together. Particularly, at this time in our nation’s history, it is a good time for us to revisit Whistle Stop.


They're Gone: A Novel

Deb is shocked to find out that her husband has been shot and murdered. What she doesn't realize is that there is a lot more to the story and she is about to get trapped in the eye of the storm. Cessy is a bartender whose abusive husband has also just been killed. As she digs deeper, she finds out that her so-called unemployed husband was very much employed and by some very dangerous men. Two women who would most likely never have crossed paths find themselves working together to figure out who is behind the two murders.

They're Gone is a book that I could see being made into an action film. With a cast of shady, crooked characters and the innocent bystanders they prey on, the plot moves with urgency as the game of cat and mouse has been one-upped. Deb finds that she is able to be brave for her daughter Kim's sake, while Cessy finds out that her violent side could have positive results in times of urgency. This is a must-read book for fans of suspense and thriller books, and it will have you holding your breath waiting to find out what happens next.


Silent Bite: An Andy Carpenter Mystery (An Andy Carpenter Novel, 22)

No vacation could be complete without a frantic call from Andy's partner Willie who's in desperate need of his help. Now Andy is taking on a new case as a favor to Willie whose former cellmate Tony Birch has been arrested for a murder he claims he didn't commit. On the bright side, he can return to the Tara Foundation to help dogs in need although quality time with his own canine best friend is cut short. Without even time to unpack after his family's vacation, Andy has a full workload trying to prove Tony isn't a murderer and trying to determine who could pull off an elaborate frame job.

David Rosenfelt rings in the Christmas spirit with a Silent Bite which finds Andy ready to put family vacation behind him and get back to work. The latest case has Andy doing a favor for Willie who believes that his former cellmate is innocent of murder even when the evidence piles up and another body is found. The story follows the format of a legal mystery that revolves around Andy representing Tony in court. The mystery has an open appeal for anyone who enjoys any genre of mystery with Rosenfelt blending the suspense of a legal mystery with humor, heart, and the love of dogs. Rosenfelt weaves in the importance of rescuing dogs through the presence of the Tara Foundation which is at the heart of the series and of Andy. The latest case brings a new dog needing help which is Zoey whose the dog of Andy's client. Silent Bite is highly recommended and is proof that each new installment in the Andy Carpenter Mystery series is a winner.


Amazing Treasures: 100+ Objects and Places That Will Boggle Your Mind (Our Amazing World)

WOW! This book is FULL OF INFORMATION! I wish the text was written in a more fun font. It gets overwhelming to look at the pages with this much text. My favorite animals are artic animals so right away I was flipping through and looking for all those treasures and stories.

My grandpa and I like to trade fun facts. So we read this book together and I loved that some of the treasures in the book brought up stories he told me. We went to Mammoth Cave a few years ago - I can't believe it's in this book!

I think it's very interesting that there are so many treasures all over the world. I like that this book is filled with so many cool, short stories. I get to pick a vacation spot with my parents when I am older and I might use this to start the planning process. I think it would be neat to go on a treasure hunt. The map in the middle makes it really cool to think about this! I have some treasures of my own and I like that this book defines a treasure as anything that is important or valuable to someone.


Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light

Bear and Coco are best friends. When Coco learns the other animals don’t care for bear because of his enormity, she comforts him. She knows Bear’s kind and thoughtful and wants to help him change others’ perception of him. When life is filled with darkness, “share some kindness, bring some light” is what her grandmother says. So she and Bear decide to give gifts to those who fear Bear. Sadly, when they make their first delivery, they’re rudely turned away by Badger. Rabbit accuses Bear of trickery, and Hedgehog and Skunk are no more welcoming than the rest. On their way home, they save Baby Deer from a snow drift, returning him to his mother. This leads the others to see inside Bear’s heart and to realize he’s a brave and gentle creature.

This is a precious story about the power of friendship and kindness. It’s also about the value of compassion and reaching out to others in need. When Coco witnesses Bear’s sadness, she feels for him and does everything she can to alleviate his pain. When the two of them discover Baby Deer’s troubles, they provide him with aid and ensure he arrives home safely. Share Some Kindness, Bring Some Light illuminates the effect misconceptions have on others. Young children will benefit from witnessing this through the characters’ interactions, and they’ll celebrate with Bear when the others’ change their mind about him. Youngsters will delight in the colorful, detailed illustrations as well.


Invincible Ink

Invincible Ink, Poems by Don Gutteridge is a witty collection of work that will amuse and enflame every reader. Gutteridge writes with a whimsical style on a variety of topics from church and God to young love and the nonsensical happenings that accumulate throughout the day. He takes readers on a journey through his thoughts, encapsulating emotions and encounters in embroidered language long forgotten and overlooked. Readers will adore how he writes “… and though I have no heart/ for what Winter brings,/ I remain steadfast/ in my belief that Spring will glide/ into bloom on welcoming wings.” His words carry such meaning and elicit a memory with a movement or sign. Some pieces bring a beauty to the mundane, a whimsy to the simplistic. Other writings intend to capture an emotion and make the reader smile or ponder. Each piece speaks to a moment or person that is almost familiar, like a dream that slips just beyond our reach after we wake. Readers will find themselves imagining Mrs. Bradley on her front stoop marooned and wondering about the unfortunate end to Gutteridge’s poor dog Mooch. His poems are succinct and engross the reader in this other world. Seamlessly, the author pulls readers into his world of quirkiness and quaintness. There we explore an amusing and at times befuddling interpretation of daily interactions and encounters. An inspired world described by a thoughtful eye with imaginative language. There is a timeless quality to the work that makes it fitting across occasions. Gutteridge’s writing style allows readers to pick up reading at any point in the book. In this manner, the works operate independently and collectively, speaking to one another and yet standing all on their own. It is work readers will enjoy in an instance or throughout a quiet afternoon. Given the varying, and at times mature, topics Gutteridge explores, this work is ideal for an older audience capable of appreciating the nuances and implications of different situations. It is certainly a work to revisit over the years, as time and again it will thoughtfully capture the reader. At different times of our lives, it will reappear and enrapture us once more in its splendor and agreeable sense. The ease with which Gutteridge draws the reader into his words and world earns this work 5 stars and a steady position on a number of bookshelves. Invincible Ink, Poems by Don Gutteridge is an exceptional collection of work that will inspire and charm readers for years to come.


Who

When Goldie Hildebrant, Mr. Wolfe, and Norman, all individuals who have previously been imprisoned, are invited by a law firm to a free weekend getaway on a private island, they are reluctant to attend. The hostess, Ms. Rosebud, is eager for them to appear and promises that their past hardships and grievances will be addressed. In the end, they all decide to go. In fact, they quite like the idea of compensation and the hope of finding justice. But justice may prove elusive at this retreat.

Ms. Avery has created a fun and highly entertaining novel which brings together famous characters from fairy tales and classic novels. I loved how she incorporated all the classic scenes that readers have come to expect from authors like Agatha Christie. For instance, there is the invitation to a large house on a secluded island, the obligatory storm that knocks out communication and travel possibilities, a seance with an Ouija board, which results in a death, the poisoned drinks and, the gun that appears in one scene and quickly used in another.

What made this such an enjoyable parody of a murder mystery for me was not just the superb dialogue she created but the excellent mannerisms of each character. She has a terrific talent for creating characters by merging fictional characters that readers will recognize but making them thoroughly her own by giving them all some unique twists. As I was reading, I couldn't help but think what a fun play this would make if someone wanted to stage it. Perhaps this is because it all seemed so visual. On the one hand, it felt very familiar, except the author was able to keep the reader engaged by adding elements to characters and scenes that weren't quite expected.
I think my favorite moment was in Chapter One when Goldie was on the train. I kept getting images of Miss Marple in my mind due to her mannerisms and her tea drinking habits. But when she snatched the money off the emissary's table and walked out of the dining cart, I had to laugh out loud. I also loved the ending. It was spot on, even though it hadn't occurred to me even as I neared the end that it would be so.
In short, I found Who to be utterly enjoyable and highly original. This is a book I will remember for a while and one I might just have to read again. I'm sure mystery lovers will appreciate this author's style, wit, and humor. I know I would love to read more like this.


The Beginning & End of All Things: Stories of Man

Alex Ganon, Turi T. Armstrong, K.E. Barron, et al.

In Just Another Wild Thing, Wells is a soldier of advanced age, possibly no longer completely human, engaged in an endless war when his ship crashes on unknown terrain. The surviving crew is soon the target of a rampaging beast capable of tearing its prey in two. Eventually, Wells is the sole survivor. He encounters an android who provides shelter from the emerging threat of the beasts, yet he soon realizes nowhere is completely safe in his new environment. In The Park, a class trip is mesmerized by rare finds and exhibits that seem more fitting for a circus sideshow. Valhalla Interrupted relates the tribulations of Orm, a warrior of many millennia, attempting to train the next generation of warriors to defeat his enemies. However, he is chagrined to learn those cherry-picked for the battlefield might lack the true skills. The sacrifices made for love and the magnetic pull for revenge form at the heart of The Legend of Bucaris in which Jasa is a warrior tasked with the protection of the emperor. The destructive nature of greed and its ramifications run roughshod in The Devil on Your Shoulder.

Repudium relates the story of Jasmat, a spokesperson for teleportation technology. Her willingness to go out on a limb to save her job and the company she works for has unintended consequences. A man escaping a rampaging horde of cyborgs finds an ally along the way in Todd. Surrealism is the name of the game when tyrants and dictators vie against each other in Dictator Dome. Professor Daniel Vesta becomes the subject of arrest, interrogation, surveillance, and experimentation in From Light. The Zero summons terror when a search and rescue mission turns disastrous as a malevolent presence summarily hunts the rescue team. Adam rounds out the book with an existential dialogue between creator and son (Project).

Science fiction is a genre that proves adept at providing flights of fancy that still unsettle its audience. The possibilities written appear outlandish, yet a portion of the truth lies just under the surface. The Beginning and End of All Things provides eleven tales that mystify and entertain. Each story is a stand-alone work, some brief (The Park) some mini-epics (Repudium). The powerful factor of the unknown and the fear and wonder it provokes in us provide a common link in the stories. The stories within are an eclectic bunch provoking thought as well as providing chills and the occasional laugh. A fun and engaging read.


ShBeep the Unique Sheep

One morning, Poppy (aka Pop) is heading to the bus stop when she notices something peculiar: a sheep with a checkerboard on his lap. Not only does he not have checkers for his checkerboard, but he's also wearing a bandana and hat. Pop chats with him, saying it’s impossible to play checkers without actually having any. The sheep disagrees and affirms anything is possible if one imagines.

Pop believes the strange creature is a sheep, although he assures her that he’s a ShBeep, making it clear there is a difference. Pop is quite unusual herself. For Hat Day, she wears an oatmeal pot on her head. On Pajama Day, she dons a fancy ballgown with a Santa hat. The kids at school make fun of her. As she gets to know ShBeep, he becomes her very best friend. He appreciates her uniqueness, how she skips, hops, and zigzags everywhere, how she’s set apart from others. With him, she doesn’t feel judged. Together, they go on all sorts of adventures, some real and some imagined.

One day, Pop can’t find ShBeep anywhere. After he’s been missing for three days, she pleads for him to show himself if he’s hiding. ShBeep slowly comes out from behind a tree. His sadness is palpable. He describes the farmer shaving his wool and confiscating his bandana and hat, taking away the things that made him unique. Pop ensures he understands that none of those things really matter. What she likes best about him is how he makes her feel; that’s what matters in the end.

This is a precious story about friendship, acceptance, and originality. It’s also about the gift of imagining and the powerful impact it can have on the lives of those who dare to dream, transporting them to another dimension where they can escape the here and now. It expands children’s minds and opens up a world of possibilities in which resources no longer matter. All that does is the willingness to engage. ShBeep teaches Pop this, and it ends up being the glue that strengthens the bond of their friendship. Their journeys help Pop flee from the worries of her everyday life. They bring meaning and novelty, while for ShBeep, they break up the monotony. They are the spark that ignites and fuels both their lives. When youngsters read this heartwarming tale, they’ll be able to travel along with Pop and ShBeep, if only in their minds.

Author T. E. Antonino is masterful in his use of figurative language in this book. He laces the chapters with similes, metaphors, personification, alliteration, and even hyperbole. They’re noteworthy elements of the text, making it an ideal resource for teaching second and third graders these fundamental components of speech. Within the narrative, they enable young readers to envision the setting, characters, and more. An additional quality of the text children will enjoy is its hilarity. They will be equally touched by the sweetness within it as they will by the laughter it provokes.


The Gorge

Richard Carlyle, a seasoned professor of criminology, returns each spring to the territory he knows best - the tumultuous waters of the Hudson Gorge. Years ago, he worked in the rafting business for nearly a decade as a whitewater raft guide. Now, during the season, he helps groom those awaiting licensure. His first trip out this year with a young guide, Sanders, turns fatal when his raft unexpectedly slams into a rock, and Sanders is thrown into the frigid waters. His feet lodge under a boulder, and he slowly drowns. After another guide’s fate turns deadly, Carlyle is certain chance is not to blame; someone is meticulously setting traps meant to harm. However, he proposes, the perpetrator’s intended target is Ryan Marshall, the owner of the business.

The head of the DEC (the licensing authority) insists Carlyle supervise all future expeditions due to his expertise and status. As the season progresses onward, two serious injuries occur. Through observation and research, collaboration with authorities, and clinical knowledge, Carlyle uncovers the mystery behind the madness: The one whose guilty of the recent savagery is a former employee of Marshall’s whose grandfather was killed as a result of a land dispute with Marshall’s father. With the aid of local law officials, Carlyle tracks the killer down and attempts to negotiate with him, hoping to avoid a blood bath of unnecessary proportion. The cabin he’s sheltering in, ignites in flames, taking him with it, intended collateral that concludes a violent spree of vengeance.

Author Ronald M. Berger has some published works, but this is his first novel. It’s well written and is a relatively quick read. He enables readers to create vivid images of the landscape, the crime scenes, and the city in which it all takes place by his detailed descriptions, many of which include magnificent imagery. For example, in highlighting an entrance location to the woods, Berger writes: “The area had no trails, not even a decent footpath. It was too remote for the snowmobile guys, people who cruised half-sober all night in terrain that sane people would not approach. There were no houses, backwoods cabins, or ranger outposts where a man could hide or layover in case he got in trouble. Even hunters, afraid of getting lost in the dense woods south of the river, stayed clear of the region.” His delineations bring life and clarity to the story.

Suspense is woven throughout this murder mystery. There’s plenty of action to keep readers interested and turning the pages, and it’s challenging to determine who the perpetrator is. Not until close to the end, does it become evident.

The author’s depth of knowledge regarding specific types of crimes and those who engage in them is vast. The psychological profiling of the antagonist and the investigational aspects of the atrocities he commits are fascinating components of the story. Additionally, the author was a licensed whitewater raft guide on the Hudson River for five years, which adds depth and real-life experience to his work.

This is a solid fictional narrative that will appeal to a variety of audiences, young and old alike. Readers need not have a liking for or an interest in whitewater rafting to enjoy and relate to the story. The characters are well developed, and the plot is intriguing.


It’s Not You, It’s BFJ, one of the eleven humorous short stories in Gregg Greenberg’s collection, F*cking Argentina and 10 More Tales of Exasperation, has the protagonist breaking up with the love of his life because he can’t abide she’s a huge fan of Billy Joel. The author cleverly works seven of the artist’s hit song titles into the story for emphasis.

This is only one example of Greenberg’s whacky wit that will have you chuckling with relatable moments. “You may be right, (he) may be crazy”, but since “(I) Didn’t Start the Fire”, I’m using the occasional lyric or title from a Joel song where appropriate in this review.

“Honesty is something seldom heard”, but it rings true in Weinberger’s Back-to-School Night, a tortuous tale of a father attending back-to-school night for parents of children in kindergarten.

In F*cking Argentina, the South American country is anthropomorphically depicted as a deadbeat trying to hit up a wealthy acquaintance for a loan. Historically it appears that’s “Just the way (they) are."

Greenberg is “Only Human” and “allowed to make (his) share of mistakes” and he does. You have to be a Broadway buff to understand the significance of Officer Krupke Strikes Back and even then it’s not funny.

Likewise, it’s a double fault for A Journeyman Tennis Player’s Prayer. A very select audience may enjoy this but not being one of them I can’t attest to their sense of humor.

Malodor on the Number Five Express is also a bit off. The whiff of intolerance and elitism emanating from the protagonist isn’t appealing.

But Greenberg recovers with The Last Couples Dinner. It’s about the guy we all know, the “Big Shot”, who has to have “the last word, last night … know(s) what everything's about”.

A dutiful son accompanies his elderly mother to a stage performance only to discover upon leaving the theatre she’s forgotten her handbag. You may have “Seen the Lights Go Out On Broadway”, but it’s nothing compared to the pandemonium created by a lost purse, effectively conveyed in Panic in Shubert Alley. A Side of Exasperation on the NJ Turnpike could be described as a high-maintenance-family, fast food fiasco exacerbated by the “Pressure” of “you never-ever-ever stop the car when you are making great time”.

In Back Off Baxter! the author missed the opportunity to develop this frustration into a “Karen” pet confrontation. Instead, it’s the protagonist’s daughter who challenges the pet owner and “Tell(s) Her About It”.

Little Timmy’s Birthday Battle is presented as texts between parents, one at home and one in the car with his son trying to find the location of Timmy’s birthday party. Not being a rabid texter like the rest of the world, I had to go on online to look up the meaning of the text abbreviations and acronyms. Suffice to say, that kills the spontaneity of humor. BOMEI (But others might enjoy it).

The stories in F*cking Argentina are flawlessly written, well-structured, and a welcome respite. Something I haven’t seen “For the Longest Time”. The perfect anecdote if you’re taking yourself and your circumstances too seriously.


The Divine Feminine Tao Te Ching: A New Translation and Commentary

The translator’s work is to deliver context and convey meaning to the resulting medium, staying close to the intent of the creator, maintaining its integrity. In translating Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching – a collection of poems written in 3 BC – Dr. Rosemarie Anderson offers a contemporary feminist read of the Tao in the The Divine Feminine Tao Te Ching. Because previous translators of the esoteric text have all been men, Anderson notes that the patriarchal perspective missed the allusions to the “dark womb,” the mother and virgin, which all point to the role of the divine feminine as the creator. Anderson invites the reader to consider the lessons of humility and tenderness of the Tao, traits often ascribed to the feminine.

One might wonder about Anderson’s intention and place as a White American woman in translating the Tao. Questions about cultural appropriation and co-optation are valid. By Anderson’s own account, it’s clear that the translator did the requisite work of becoming fully immersed in Chinese culture, spending years abroad to understand its history in order to deeply embody the language. Her practice of contemplation was guided by the Tao’s essential lesson of “wei wu wei:” act without acting, know without knowing. By listening and feeling deeply, Anderson allowed the ancient text to reveal timeless lessons to unveil a feminist perspective for Western seekers of wisdom.


The Nation of Plants

In this remarkable representation of the plants’ eye view of the world during this current geological age, noted Italian plant neurobiologist Stafano Mancuso (University of Florence) takes on the voice of the botanical domain attempting to arouse man to the importance of photosynthesis for global life. Taking on the role as representative of a Nation of Plants, the author addresses the General Assembly of the United Nations citing the disappearing world resources, loss of plant life, effects of climate change, increasing emission of carbon dioxide, over-consumption related to overpopulation, desertification and other problems associated with human self-interest. The reader is constantly reminded that plants enable the energy sustaining life by harnessing the solar power through photosynthesis which provides survival food and respiratory oxygen. Through a series of short descriptive passages, the author contrasts the role of plants versus the human strategies in attempting to control nature. Introducing biologic control methods to eliminate introduced species of cacti only derailed the ecosystem, massacre of sparrows and rodents in China resulted in increased insect problems.  Plants migrate freely through the dispersal of seeds as climate changes, unfortunately, humans are not allowed this freedom as their arable land vanishes. Top-heavy civic bureaucracies appear to rise to a level of ineffectiveness prior to crashing, plants use other organizational techniques. Symbiosis and cooperation are the hallmarks for plant survival, the practice that helps the survival of this kingdom. These are just a few of the Anthropocene issues seen from the plants’ visual field, but these problems are poised in a novel and engrossing manner in this timely book.


Ink: A Novel

Patty is a tattoo artist. Mike is a bond enforcement agent. Diana reads tarot cards. Crow and Mike work on the police force. And Gayle is a school administrator. When their lives intersect in a vicious game of cat and mouse, their memories are compromised as well. There is someone, somehow, taking tattoos, and memories, from people. Patty knows him as Owen Something. Diana can’t remember the reading but sees his name in her appointment book. The theft is subtly violent in its unexpected assault, leaving each empty with loss and confusion. It will take all of them together to find the one responsible for their missing memories and indelible ink.

This contemporary horror preys on our most precious possessions, our memories, and reads like a Stephen King novel, building a story character by character until it explodes with evil. The contemplation of specific memory loss feeds a terror that is usually associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia. The climax introduces a fantastical element that may seem out of character for the story but, hey, if someone can steal tattoos with the associated memory, then surely other things of fantasy could happen too. That beautifully dark cover delivers spine-tingling, spooky fun.


Lazarus

Lazarus is the seventh book in the Joona Linna series and in it past behaviors and people are having an impact in the present. When some of the most despicable criminals are brutally murdered, the police are hesitant to investigate. However, soon a connection between the victims and Linna is discovered. It is up to Linna, with help from Saga Bauer, to catch the killer while at the same time minimizing the cost to themselves and others.

Lars Kepler has done it again. What a treat it would be to witness this husband and wife writing duo during their work sessions because they create some of the most interesting detectives, intriguing cases, and frightening fictional serial killers that you will find in the popular thriller genre. Although Lazarus can be read as a stand alone novel, the reader will be missing out on build up and character development that cannot be adequately summarized in this gritty, gripping, and shocking instalment.


Perestroika in Paris

If anyone had told me that I would be totally immersed and captivated by the story of a racehorse, dog, ducks, crow, and rats, I would not have believed it possible. However, this book by the prolific author, Jane Smiley is a great fairy tale for all ages. The quartet has their adventures in Paris, where they are taxed at fitting into the everyday life in the central city. They are fortunate to find supportive humans who overlook the fact that normal animals do not transact shopping errands. Luckily, they have the benefit of the racing prize purse that Perestroika had captured. Their adventure continues when they meet a lonely isolated boy and his aged grandmother in a walled and ancient manor house.

The only downside to this book is the cover art, which clearly features a male horse, not the filly, Perestroika. It also does not include the rats from the manor house. That is the only criticism I can make of this totally delightful and wonderfully escapist literature. Prepare to be enchanted.


The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World

In The Fabric of Civilization, Postrel traces the history of textile development back to its earliest roots. As readers will discover, fabric and cloth have not only changed the world but when they have been altered or improved, the world has also changed with them. Fabric touches our lives in so many ways. It might be via the garments we wear or the trade links and technological inventions they helped to develop. Even though we often take it for granted, there is no way to imagine our society without it.

In this fascinating, well-written, and researched work, Postrel examines how fibers were first used with the development of thread, and how that led to the development of different types of cloth and the dyes that make them attractive. She also traces the role of traders who opened up routes for the exchange and dissemination of ideas that resulted in new technologies worldwide. I found her section on current and future textile development especially interesting. With work going on to improve textiles and their performance, we will undoubtedly see more innovations in the future that could change how we use fabric. Anyone interested in the untold story of cloth will no doubt find this book both interesting and educational.


Counting Creatures

How many babies do different types of animals have? Find out in this gorgeous book that combines counting, interactive liftable flaps, and education about animals.

The text is minimal, which is perfect for a lift-the-flap book. The word usage is great. The illustrations are the star of this book, though. The detailed illustrations and liftable flaps match the environment of the animals, be it leaves, tree trunk, or the animal itself. The details are phenomenal, making this the most gorgeous counting book you will have in your collection.

Both my three-year-old and seven-year-old kids loved this book. They loved the art and the interactive nature of the book. They really loved finding the hidden spiders throughout the story. We read it and then went back through to count all the spider babies hidden on the pages.

This book is great on so many levels, I think it is a must to add to your home library. Not many books combine beauty, interaction, and educational value as well as this one does. This is an excellent book that I would recommend for children aged three to eight.


Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond, 2nd edition

Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond by National Geographic is all you ever wanted about space in one pretty awesome book. This book is full of fun facts, really cool large photos and illustrations, jokes, and information about all things space. My favorite part of the book were jokes and awesome pictures. It has a diagram of the lifecycle of the star, how black holes form, types of stars, and lots more. It also talks about every planet in detail and universe exploration. I definitely recommend this book. Ten-year-olds and up would enjoy this book and learn lots of interesting information about space. Even if you were never interested in space, this book can change that. All the pictures were so fascinating, I couldn’t put it down!


The Sisters, Volume 6: Hurricane Maureen

The clever, energetic, crazy, Maureen constantly annoys her calm, secretive, sister, Wendy. In Hurricane Maureen, you can watch the two squabbling sisters drive one another crazy. A new cause of trouble is Wendy’s tree. The elder sister always says, “Get away from my tree! Get away from my tree!” Similar to the first in the series, this graphic novel is mediocre. It is really funny but doesn't have much substance. It is mainly short stories, riddled with silly fights. I think it is badly written, even for a graphic novel. The book is good for all ages, especially siblings that fight. I think libraries could stock it as part of a series, but alone it is nothing special. It is not educational and is no good for early readers. People who like comical books might like it, but I would not recommend it. If you want a book in this genre, I think you would do better with Raina Telgemeier’s work.


Geronimo Stilton, Reporter: Paws Off, Cheddarface

My older brother really used to like Geronimo Stilton books, so I grew up with them. This graphic book from Papercutz is called Geronimo Stilton Reporter with a different format. The title is different and the pages are bigger with a comic book layout. The normal Geronimo Stilton books are way thicker than these. This Geronimo Stilton book is really cool, short, and quick to read. Some of the story is about the old books, with the same characters and of course jokes about cheese. The plot of this story is there is a Geronimo Stilton imposter who frames Geronimo for bad things. There’s something funny about the drawings because the Geronimo mask doesn’t have ears, but when the imposter (who is gray) puts it on, his whole head turns orange including his ears and you can’t see the string in the back. Then Geronimo has to solve the mystery of the imposter! Geronimo gets an idea from his cousin Trap pranking him with fake rubber cheese. He replaced the chef’s cheese with fake cheese. It’s a funny book and I want to read the first five books of Geronimo Stilton Reporter!


Weird World War III

Weird World War III is a series of stories about this future “World War Three”. In the first two chapters, we don’t know if they are apart of World War III but context clues allow us to infer that these characters are apart of the war in every chapter. These stories are also realistic even though these events take place in the future.

There are multiple stories contained in this book. Each story introduces the reader to different characters and stories. Due to this factor, it’s very hard to understand and learn about every character that appears in every story. Although some of the chapters were intriguing or interesting to read.

Most of the stories that were written were short. The reader won’t be able to understand the characters that were used but have to understand the plot instead. Although we won’t be able to understand the character well the plot or event in each story is very interesting. Since this takes place in the future and war is involved we get to see the many strategies used, new technology being used, competition between countries, NATO, and so on.

This book is very interesting but it may be confusing or the plot may be dull to many viewers of readers. Those who aren’t engaged in politics, a slice of life, or some action. This book may be a waste of time. I would normally recommend this book to those who are older and who are drawn to science fiction.

This was a great book, each story was interesting since each event may even happen in the future (if there was a war). I wasn’t able to understand the character that appeared well, which was a bummer. I was mostly interested in the events that lead to this war.


The Midnight Library: A Novel

The Midnight Library is quite possibly my favorite book of the year thus far. Beautifully written with life lessons to be learned throughout, Matt Haig does an exquisite job writing about Ms. Nora Seed. Nora is ready to take her own life. Her life isn't what she wants it to be and she finds herself depressed and ready to throw in the towel. During her attempted suicide, she finds herself in the Midnight Library. This library is different from any other library because each and every book contains a different version of Nora's life. It is there that she meets the one person whose shoulder she cried on when her father died, the only person in her life who gave her a kind of unconditional love, Mrs. Elm. She is guided by this version of Mrs. Elm to give different versions of her life a try. What would have happened if she had become an Olympic swimmer? Or an arctic explorer?

The Midnight Library is a creative wonder and will make anyone think, "What if I had made a different choice in life?" With brilliant characters who surround Nora and dramatically different backdrops, this book is a must-read novel if only for the fun and adventure.


Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House

Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House is the book by Rachel Maddow and Michael Yarvitz based on their popular recent podcast. I had not listened to the podcast and admit that I opened the book thinking that it was based on… some other White House occupant who shall not be named. What I found instead was the story of Spiro Agnew, who went from being a small-time elected official as county executive in Baltimore, to governor of Maryland, to being Richard Nixon’s vice president – all while accepting cash bribes in exchange for awarding local, state, and federal contracts.

This fascinating book details the case brought against Agnew by a stellar team of young prosecutors from the US Attorney’s office in Baltimore, as well as Agnew’s bitter fight against them that included trying to discredit the press and committing obstruction of justice. (Sound familiar?) What makes the story even more interesting is that the Agnew scandal was happening in the background just as Watergate was playing out for his boss. Ultimately, the lawsuits and decisions made in the case against Agnew have had bearing on other impeachment proceedings in more recent memory.

Bag Man: The Wild Crimes, Audacious Cover-up, and Spectacular Downfall of a Brazen Crook in the White House is a timely, well-written, riveting account of the scandal that brought down a vice president, but that was ultimately all but forgotten in the shadows of all that happened soon after.


Nerdlet: Animals

Nerdlet Animal by National Geographic Kids is a very fun book filled with interesting facts about all sorts of animals. From the tiniest water bear to a massive blue whale, this book has it all! Every page has color photographs of actual animals. This book also has a couple of fun tests. Have you ever hear of a hairy frog? Did you know that a short-horned lizard can squirt blood out of its eyes for up to six feet to scare off predators? Atolla jellyfish is normally glowing red but when it’s attacked by predators, it starts flashing blue to attract even bigger predators to take care of the smaller predator and gets away. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone eight years old and up who is interested in animals. And if you are not interested in animals, you just might be after reading this book! It is a great book because I like animals!


Infernal: The Chronicles of Stratus, Book One

Stratus awakes in a strange land unable to remember who – or what – he is. All he knows is that his name is Stratus and that he possesses great strength and the power of sorcery. As he travels through the war-torn lands of Krandin, Stratus stands out. He does not look or behave like the others, but his differences help guide him on a journey of self-discovery and vengeance. Along the way, Stratus makes a few friends and many enemies as he battles forces of dark magic and his inner demon.

Mark De Jager leads the reader through an action-packed saga full of twists and turns. De Jager’s Stratus is a dark and deeply disturbed protagonist. Infernal is full of action, drama, and dark humor. Stratus, as his name suggests, is a character of many layers. He is clever and witty as well as naïve about his new surroundings. He will do anything to help a friend and stop at nothing to take down his enemies – if only he can tell them apart. Every brush with danger reveals more of his past while also unveiling more of his powers.

Like many fantasy novels, De Jager takes his character on an action-packed odyssey featuring many battles and much bloodshed. If you are a fan of other troubled heroes such as Sandman Slim or Harry Dresden, then you will appreciate the way Stratus moves through the world relying on his fists and an occasional fire ball while barely able to contain the beast within.


Instant Karma

Prudence Daniels has her life planned out before her, from her summer to college she’s ready for anything. Except for Quint Erickson, her lazy, easy-going, lab partner who can't even bother to be on time. When a failed grade forces them to work together once more at an animal rescue center, Prudence finds that maybe she doesn’t know as much as she thought about Quint, and maybe he isn’t so bad after all.

After a minor accident, Prudence finds that she has the ability to cast instant Karma on the people around her, and all though this isn’t the main focus of the plot, the story wouldn't work without it. And Prudence is the perfect person to receive this gift. From the first page, I didn’t like Prudence, but as she grew and changed, I didn’t mind her so much. Instant Karma is a fast-paced, sweet, romance that's not too cheesy.


Spin a Scarf of Sunshine

Spin a Scarf of Sunshine is a book that our whole family absolutely loves. It is a new favorite for all ages, from my two-year-old brother to my nine-year-old sister, my parents, and me. In this book, you learn about how a girl named Nari cares for her baby sheep and spins its wool to make the yarn. And then she makes a scarf with it. Nari knits the scarf and enjoys wearing it and decides one day to let the scarf turn into compost. The book is nice and big and the pictures make you want to live in the country as that family does. It may also make you wish you had your own little lamb to snuggle.


Now That Night is Near

The pictures in //Now That Night Is Near// are really pretty. There is a very short story to go along with the pictures so it is a book that is good for bedtime. The pictures are all of a quiet farm and the animals that live there are all going to sleep. If you ever have trouble going to sleep then you can read this book and it might help you feel more relaxed, especially if you read the pages really slowly in a drowsy voice.


Evie and the Strawberry Surprise (Evie the Strawberry Fairy)

This is a really sweet and silly book about a little fairy named Evie and her adventure to discover something. She and her friends went adventuring and were surprised by what they found. The pictures are really silly and do a good job of explaining what is happening in the story. The story is a surprise and even though you might have an idea about the mystery it will be surprising to find out. Evie and the Strawberry Surprise is a series and this is the third book. If you have read the others you will like this one too, but even if you haven’t read them, this one still makes sense and you will want to read the others next. Everybody will probably like the book.


The Night Walk

Two young children awake to the familiar sound of their mother’s voice. She urges them to get up and get dressed quickly. Still half asleep, they and their parents creep out under the darkness of the midnight sky. The sweet sounds of nature welcome them as they make their way through the serene countryside and then through the whispering forest. They approach a clearing and are transfixed by the reflection of a full moon on the lake. They trek up a hilltop where they await the climactic moment of the sun peeking out over the horizon, signaling the beginning of a new day.

This is a uniquely illustrated and thoughtful book that youngsters will embrace with open arms. The dark shades of black and blue contrasted against the bright hues of yellow and white will intrigue little ones. They’ll wonder why no other colors appear. Older children will recognize the captivating value of their exclusion.

Imagery is artfully woven throughout this masterful text. A house with “one eye open” and a train that “sliced through the darkness” are but two examples of this. Rich literary elements such as these make The Night Walk a perfect pick for early elementary school classrooms.


Proustian Uncertainties: On Reading and Rereading In Search of Lost Time

The monumental saga In Search of Lost Time, by Marcel Proust, translated also as Remembrance of Things Past, is unequivocally a front-runner for the title of best French novel. Yet to add another question to the enigmatic seven volumes and more than 4,000 pages, why has Saul Friedlander, a celebrated historian of the Holocaust, become so captivated?

His essay, akin to an academic dissertation of manageable length, meets personal reasons dating back to World War 2, As a child born in Prague then displaced by the War, he was raised in hiding in France and feels himself to be French. Moreover, the novel awakens intensely sad memories of the last time he saw his parents before they were murdered in Auschwitz. Proustian Uncertainties cynically underscores the perplexity that prevails throughout: an autobiography that isn’t quite, a Narrator whose version is similar, but not precise, and Friedlander who isn’t exactly telling his own story. One after another, as Friedlander follows the interpretations of Proust’s biographers, nobody knows just what Proust was about or how he has kept his readers enthralled over several generations.

Is it a modern novel? The first volumes, launched in French from 1913, are often viewed as a bildungsroman, a coming-of-age novel, and although transplanted to a different setting, comparable with present-day behaviors.
In Search… has no definable plot; much of the action takes place in the surroundings of French high society dinner parties. Two themes do persist intermittently—the Jewishness, which is close to Friedlander’s keenest interests, and homosexuality, which is not. Psychological trappings are interwoven; Proust and the Narrator’s obsessive need for his mother’s goodnight kiss, his father’s conflicting personality traits, and a fascination for the host of friendships and romances made and broken.

Friedlander’s career has crossed Continents in an international ride between universities, think tanks, and authorship, He has read In Search… not once but repeatedly, so one is tempted to see as an enigma in itself. Readers who have enjoyed his charming memoirs will not be disappointed but may not be tempted to delve into Proust.


The Lost Village: A Novel

Alice has been obsessed with The Lost Village since she first heard her grandmother’s stories. In 1959, her grandmother’s family and the entire village simply disappeared, everyone except for a body left in the square and an abandoned newborn. Alice takes four friends with her to visit this village and make a documentary, hoping to discover the truth. The silence is unnerving but even worse is when they begin to realize they are not actually alone. Suspicious things begin to happen and they start to doubt each other, until it becomes clear that someone is hunting them. Alice will eventually discover the truth of what happened to her family, but at what cost?

The suspense in this book is off the charts. You begin to question your own sanity along with the characters. I thought the explanation of how the whole village disappeared was actually very plausible and fitting. Even though she has a small role in this story, Elsa was by far my favorite character. It’s not a supernatural story, but I enjoyed the elements of the supernatural subtly woven in. Overall, a very entertaining read if you enjoy light horror. Nothing too graphic or disturbing, with some mystery and drama mixed in. I wouldn’t read it right before visiting any abandoned villages, though.


Twisted: A Cookbook--Bold, Unserious, Delicious Food for Every Occasion

I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of Twisted: A Cookbook. With an eclectic approach to food, this book is the ultimate food-lover's dream. This hardcover book has bright, beautiful pictures of the recipes that are staged so the food actually looks like it has a personality. The backdrops are fun and creative, with everything from gameday to picnic to candlelight dinners. The recipes use ingredients that one might not think go together; however, the flavors magically come together. With bold, exciting flavors, the recipes in this book will wake up your taste buds!

The two recipes I made from the book were the Sriracha Devilled Egg BLT and the Grilled Loaded Potato Skins Salad. I chose these not only because they sounded delicious but because they were two of the shortest recipes in the book. Many of the recipes have very long ingredient lists, which may be intimidating to some, while others require making another recipe in the book to make that recipe. The BLT was phenomenal. The added touch of mint was just delightful. The salad was more like a spread of potato skins. They didn't have any off-the-wall ingredients in them but the mixture of ingredients are ones that are extremely savory, including bacon, chives, and double Gloucester cheese, which I did purchase at a local gourmet grocer.

The next recipe I'd like to try from the book is the milk buns, which are used in several of the recipes, including the Cheeseburger-Stuffed Dough Balls. This is a fun book for those who enjoy cooking and trying new things.


Radiant: The Dancer, the Scientist, and a Friendship Forged in Light

How wonderful that science populariser Liz Heinecke has commendably combined art with science in this engrossing story of two determined and indefatigable women who followed their passions, one in dance and the other in science. While the name of Marie Curie is carved in history, the story of the innovative dancer Loie Fuller has faded with time.  Both names are associated with luminescence, the first with radioactivity and radium and the latter with phosphorescent light displays in choreographic performances. This feature of radiant energy emanation ignited their friendship. The stories of these two remarkable, radiant women who endured the prevalent anti-feminine bias of their culture grips the reader as one learns how the dancer innovated stage lighting, manipulated projectors, and used her chemical salts to create mesmerizing magical theater images. While the narrative of Madame Curie remains familiar, it is vital to review the development of radium. Noted individuals such as Edison, Rodin, Einstein, Saint-Saens, Isadora Duncan, Becquerel, Eiffel, Queen of Romania and many others embellish this story. Based on historical facts, the author seams the data together to produce an inspiring story that revives the memory of how barriers can be broken by intrepid individuals, in this case, two very extraordinary women.


Game Changer

Hard hits are part of football, and football is part of Ash. His father was a great player in high school, and Ash hopes to surpass his dad and make him proud. During one aggressive play, Ash makes a particularly hard hit.  Later, while driving home, he almost causes an accident by running a blue stop sign. Surreptitiously asking about the color change leads him to wonder if maybe stop signs have always been blue. When another hard hit at football changes his mascot, he starts to worry, but this is just the beginning of the changes that happen as his universe shifts, each one more alarming than the last.

Shusterman took America’s favorite sport, football, and used it as a vehicle for examining racism, sexism, prejudices of all kinds, to cause discomfort not only to Ash but to readers as well. It is not subtle as Ash’s world changes to include segregation and blatant sexism with each concussive hit on the football field. While it may play into the theme of the white male hero, it may be the message that some still need to hear as Ash comes to terms with his own unintentional ignorance.


The Moth and the Mountain: A True Story of Love, War, and Everest

It's the 1930s, and World War I is happening in England. There is a family known as the Wilson's who have four boys; their third boy will grow up to make a name for himself. At the age of twenty, Maurice Wilson is a war hero with recognition to prove it. After various life circumstances afterward, his dream is to climb Mount Everest. Unfortunately, due to political reasons, he is denied - ha! says Wilson. The Moth and the Mountain is the story of Wilson's journey over several years as he proves that determination can get you far in life.

I never thought I would be as interested in Mount Everest as am I now after reading The Moth and the Mountain. Not counting Wilson's human faults, he is an encouragement to many to chase their dreams and think of every possible way around a pitfall to achieve success. Caesar wrote beautifully, he wove years and multitudes of facts together to make a story that is worthy of a heroic man and equally entertaining. Even if you assume you won't like it, check this book out anyways.


The Divines: A Novel

I certainly received my fill of snobby, boarding school girl drama in The Divines!. Now, don't get me wrong, this book was extremely engaging in a way that brings you back to high school. Josephine, or Joe, is a Divine. St. John the Divine is an elite English boarding school that breeds girls just like Joe. Girls who have their noses up in the air, flip their hair, and smoke like chimneys.

In The Divines, the chapters alternate between Josephine, now a married woman who is expecting a baby with her husband Jurgen, to memories of the days back when she was a Divine. Skipper had been her best friend whom she had slowly drifted apart from and Lauren was a townie that she met by circumstance and whose brother she had her first crush on. Then there was Gerry Lake, Joe's roommate, who starts off the whole story by being found on the ground next to her ice skates in a contorted fashion.

The Divines is an excellently written book that will suck you into its storyline. I loved each and every one of the characters and the author did an exemplary job of developing each one. A must-read for fans of the movies Heathers and Mean Girls.


The Push: A Novel

The Push tells us the story of a woman named Blythe. Born into a family in which the women all seem to be mentally unstable, as an adult Blythe finds herself married to Fox and giving birth to their daughter, Violet. The relationship between Blythe and Violet is volatile from the beginning, and Blythe feels there is something very wrong with her daughter from day one. As the family grows, baby Sam is born and Blythe feels a connection with her baby boy like no other. He is her pride and joy. But then something awful happens and Blythe just can't stop herself from going down the rabbit hole. There is something wrong with her daughter. She can feel it in her bones.

In this brilliant psychological thriller, readers find themselves trying to figure out if the main protagonist is reliable or if she's simply making things up. Blythe takes risks that perhaps only a desperate mother would take, but she is extremely likable as well. The way her husband treats her is absolutely atrocious and so I don't blame Blythe at all for the steps she takes to find out the truth in this book. A fantastic read for lovers of domestic suspense.


The Women's History of the Modern World: How Radicals, Rebels, and Everywomen Revolutionzed the Last 200 Years

Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale, and Marie Curie are lucky enough to be included in most history books — but oh my, you should read who has been left out.  Women have been rulers of dynasties and empires, soldiers, scientists, writers, artists, and pioneers. This is a wonderful book that is bound to raise every woman’s self-esteem. To see who came before us and were willing to sacrifice and struggle to forge heroic but unappreciated lives. For example, Olympe de Gouges turned out over sixty essays, novels, plays, and pamphlets — who knew?? Unfortunately, she was guillotined for turning away from the French revolution which she had helped found. Small payment, indeed! Quick, in 2300 BCE, who was the first poet? I can see an entire category of trivial pursuit in the woman genre. This is a must-read for anyone who would like to resurrect the names and fame of these great women. It was fun reading this well-written and informative book.


In Light of the Summit

"Turn of the century social conventions come in conflict with a determined young woman’s desire to climb Mt. Ranier in Washington State. Anna must make a choice, to be true to herself or “know one’s place” and conform to avoid conflict within her family and society at large. Author, Jamie McGillen, explores this and other social injustices historically imposed on women, many that still resonate a century and a half later – mountains yet to climb." -- San Francisco Book Review


Hidden: Animals in the Anthropocene

Photographs deliver a message louder than words can project. Seeing these images of animal suffering caused by human self-interest, greed, gluttony, and indifference, the viewer must ask why and how we have come to this degree of complacency regarding the barbaric animal cruelty practiced in our so-called modern world.

There are photos of animals crammed into feeding pens on family farms, within live transport, standing in slaughter yards, imprisoned within holding tanks, and restricted from natural light or land. The animals are being prepped to appear on the dining table. Check out the photos of horses and other beasts of burden in their miserable stations, or look at how primates, elephants, dolphins, and other creatures are primped and forcibly trained to elicit laughs from the viewer.

Scientific research requires uncountable numbers of rodents, rabbits, and primates. This age of human dominance also has cultural traditions that demand sacrifices of goats and snakes, whale hunts, and other rites. Animals are sentient creatures yet man has abused that quality of compassion and mercy when dealing with those critters that share the planet with us. Blood, gore, and misery flow from these images, which record the wretched relationship between man and non-human life. This shocking and illustrative display is the educational evidence necessary to prompt an impassive public to demand corrective actions.