A Duchess a Day: A Novel (Awakened by a Kiss Book 1)

Declan Shaw, who is known as “The Huntsman,” has had enough of wealthy women after his last job, which involved escorting a noblewoman to France. His next job, however, has him managing Helena Lark, a willful earl’s daughter, before her marriage to the Duke of Lusk. Helena, for her part, wants nothing to do with the duke and would rather live in her orchard in peace. Naturally, the tension between the two of them will come to a head. Just as naturally, that tension will blossom into romance.

What I loved most about this romance, more even than the sizzling tension, was the fact that it isn’t just Declan who changes over the course of the novel. Very often it’s the man who grows to meet the woman, but in A Duchess a Day, Helena has a marked revelation about her actions partway through the book. I loved seeing a heroine whose flaw isn’t just something that makes her unmarriageable for her time but is an actual character flaw that doesn’t ruin her for the reader but colors her. I fell head over heels for Declan and Helena, and I expect to do the same for the rest of the couples in this series.


Chestnut (American Dog)

Meg has always wanted a dog. When she finds a stray dog that she names Chestnut caught on the fence of her family’s property, Meg knows this dog is the one for her. Meg’s family owns a Christmas tree farm that is already tight on money, so she knows her parents will never let her keep Chestnut. With the help of her friend Colton, she manages to smuggle Chestnut into an abandoned shed on the farm. Meg knows she’ll have to keep Chestnut a secret until she can come up with a genius plan to save the farm and convince her parents to let her keep Chestnut. Should be easy, right?

Meg’s life is turned upside down when most of the trees are stolen and it looks like Chestnut’s owner might be found. Meg knows that together, she and her dog can save the farm. Do they have what it takes to save the farm? Or will the farm close, and Meg will lose her life’s work and Chestnut along with it?

I liked this book because it was a sweet story featuring relatable characters and an awesome dog! I hope more books in this series come out soon!


The Princess Diaries

The Princess Diaries is a fun book for younger teens about an ordinary girl, Mia, who turns discovers she is royal. When Mia, your average, unpopular teenager, finds out she is a princess, she is NOT delighted. Mia is cause-devoted and normal; being a princess causes turmoil in the every-day life of a teen, even if the cutest boys like you more. A great novel for young teens or preteens this funny novel goes over important things for middle-high school children. Some of these things include the fact that the cutest boys are not the best boys, friends may fight, but you can still make up, and that friends with different ideas still can be friends. Written like a diary, The Princess Diaries is very informal complete with homework notes and Mia’s algebra notes. It is not good to read aloud, but I think it belongs in a school library. It makes sense for libraries and families to purchase it. I think most middle school and younger high school children would enjoy it. I think that if you like stories about teens such as the Goddess Girls or Dragonsong you might like it. I hope that you like this book, it is a fun read.


One Time

Gina Filomena has quite an imagination and a great sense of style, but some kids make fun of her. New neighbors move in next door and they have a boy, Antonio, who is Gina’s age. They will be in the same class. Their new teacher, Miss Lighthouse, is very creative and fun. She doesn’t have a lot of rules, and she gives the class interesting writing assignments that won’t be graded. It’s a very different classroom, and soon all the students seem to be having a better time than they have ever had in school before. Antonio is a favorite in the class, but one day he doesn’t show up. Because Gina is his neighbor, everyone expects her to know what happened, but she doesn’t know anything. Another day, Miss Lighthouse is gone and a sub comes in. That is when the children really learn to appreciate what a wonderful teacher they have.

Author Sharon Creech has written a sweet, highly imaginative book that will delight young readers. Her writing is gorgeous, the characters are well-developed and engaging, and the story is unique and compelling. This book deserves to be read well beyond the designated middle-grade audience.


The Magic Fish

In Trung Le Nguyen's debut graphic novel, we meet Tien, a poor Vietnamese boy, struggling with coming out to his mother. Tien reads fairy tales to his mother to help her learn English. Since Tien and his mother understand two different languages, they struggle with opening up to one another. With the power of storytelling through fairy tales and family stories, they try to express their feelings to one another. I love how Nguyen weaves various Vietnamese fairy tales and Tien's family history into Tien's story. The artwork is absolutely stunning and breathtaking! I love the illustrations, especially the artwork of the fairytales and all the beautiful gowns and dresses. The gowns all look so luscious and gorgeous as they flow. I'm usually not a fan of stereotypical long princess hair, but I have to admit that I love the uber-long medusa-like hair. I especially love how Nguyen is able to depict the long flowy gowns and hair to show movement because it's especially difficult to do in a book. I highly recommend this book because it is such a beautiful immigrant and LGTB+ story about family and love and acceptance.


Love & Olives

Teenager Liv Varanakis hasn't seen her Atalatis hunter father since she was eight years old. Then one day out of the blue she gets a postcard from her father inviting her to Santorini, Greece to help out with his documentary on his theories of Atlantis. When she arrives she is awed by what Santorini has to offer, but she can't shake her mixed feelings about her father. On top of that, she has to deal with her father's charming protege, Theo. This is a perfect book for someone who loves adventure, romance, and drama. This makes the book very compelling to read. The main character Liv is a relatable character because it also talks about her struggles being an up-and-coming adult. The author did a really good job of describing Santorini and everything Liv was seeing. It felt like you were right there next to her. The author also did very well in describing the characters, making this book even more intriguing. The story was never boring or slow making it very hard to put down. This book is five hundred words so it does take time to read. All in all, I do recommend reading this book.


Woody Guthrie: An Intimate Life

Since the story of Woody Guthrie’s life, travels and books are not well known, this is a very timely book which has been well received. Those who have not read Guthrie’s House of Earth, posthumously published in 2017, may be shocked and surprised by the gusto with which Guthrie embraced life and loving. The author of this book seems genuinely shocked at the earthiness of Guthrie’s sexual appetite.

Many of us only know that Guthrie inspired and was worshipped by Bob Dylan, that he was the father of Arlo, that he wrote folk songs such as This Land is Your Land and that he was a victim of Huntington’s disease. The truth is that Guthrie was a genius, an original and true believer in the promise of a better democracy.

Like Guthrie’s freight hopping and travel bug, this is not a chronological biography but rather a musing upon the vagaries of Guthrie’s life and loves. For this read, it seemed somewhat disconnected and hard to follow, but the author’s credentials as a music scholar are impeccable.


Edie's Little White Lie: A Horace & Nim Story

When Edie Duck discovers her best friend, Kay, is in tears, she wonders why. Polecat Mac has just unleashed cruel words of degradation. He’s told Kay the truth about her singing, that it’s terrible. Edie comforts her and unwittingly gives her the confidence to enroll in the talent show. Edie fears she’ll be the brunt of public ridicule and reaches out to others for help. Horace pleads with the judges to exclude Kay from the event, but they agree to go to no such effort. When the day of the show arrives, the outcome is as expected, but Kay’s response is not. She’s enlightened by the wisdom that trying something adventurous in life takes courage.

Edie’s Little White Lie: A Horace & Nim Story is about friendship, loyalty, half-truths, and risk-taking. Nearly all children and adults have told a “white lie” at some point in their lives, and the outcome is often inconsequential. In this timeless fable, when a slight mistruth is told, a chain of events is triggered, resulting in misperception and hurt. Edie’s words have unintended consequences. However, the animals’ unbreakable bond of companionship enables them to propel through unfortunate circumstances and grow stronger in the end - a valuable lesson for youth. Those between the ages of four and seven will especially enjoy this meaningful text.


The Animal Squad and the Mystical Topax Amulet

"A frog, a rhino, and a fox set out on a funny, thrilling adventure to stop a rogue agent from stealing an amulet and becoming invincible. Unexpected plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat. You'll not want to miss this one! With lots of action, this exciting story will keep you reading!" — Zayne - Age 12, Kids' BookBuzz


Finding George Washington: A Time Travel Tale

The cover is what caught my eye first with Bill Zarchy’s Finding George Washington: you’ve got our founding father front and center, with crossed baseball bats and baseball, a baseball field in the background with the crowd, and an Amtrak train in the top right corner. Yes, it’s a little simple and “Photoshoppy,” but it also immediately grabs your attention. You want to find out what’s going on here and how all these things are linked. Plus there’s the subtitle, “A Time Travel Tale,” that really seals the deal for me.

The book begins on a cold night in 1778, when General George Washington observes the aurora borealis and then disappears from his reality, only to find himself traveling on a train car across the country. He ends up, after being offered some food by some fellow “train travelers,” on the other side of the country in a dog park in Oakland. He’s wearing his uniform and his sword and looks very out of place in 2014. Tim, who’s walking his dog, Nevada, takes pity on the general and gives him the benefit of the doubt, bringing him to his home in Berkeley. As time passes, and more details and facts are confirmed, it appears that the stranger is, in fact, George Washington, who has somehow been ripped from his own time and brought to 2014. Meanwhile, Washington is learning a lot about this twenty-first century America, with its diversity, new technology... and the wonderful American pastime, baseball, especially since we’re in the Bay Area, and the San Francisco Giants make into the postseason with a wild card win and get to the World Series. And if you’re already a baseball fan, then you know how that story ends.

But things are also starting to change. Little details at first: a store or restaurant changing names, looking different; things are appearing more Spanish and colonial, a clear indication that something is not right in the world, and that Washington not being back in his time and doing what he needs to do is having an effect on reality and time. Then some people show up looking for Washington: they know who he is and they intend to cause him harm. So now, it’s up to Washington, Tim, and his friend Matt to get the general back to Valley Forge on the other side of the country, and somehow get him back to his time, before the country is changed forever and is no longer the United States of America.

The book is well written, with a compelling plot. As a Bay Area resident, I loved all the local details. And as the characters follow along with the Giants winning games, I was right there with them, remembering that special season. The book doesn’t fall into the almost cliche plot lines of time travel stories, but plays with changes in the past affecting the future in new and interesting ways. The characters are interesting, and the story never gets predictable, so I was kept hooked to the end, wondering how things were going to get resolved.


In 1778, by Valley Forge, George Washington looks up to see a very misplaced aurora borealis. The earth shakes beneath him. Then, before he can understand what is happening, he is two hundred thirty-six years in the future, on a train racing west.

The train will take him to California, where he will run into Tim Morrison, a modern day San Francisco resident who at first doesn’t believe he’s meeting the George Washington. Even after he accepts who he’s found, the situation doesn’t seem entirely real to him until he realizes that, without George Washington to lead the Continental army, the American Revolution won’t happen as Tim remembers, and may not succeed at all. He and his friend Matt must somehow bring the general back to Valley Forge before the America they know completely falls apart around them.

The book has an intriguing premise, and the story itself is exciting. Unfortunately, it fell short more often than it impressed. A lot of the exposition felt as though it had been pulled right out of a history book when it came to George Washington or the sports column when it came to the baseball. (Baseball, specifically the Giants, plays a large part in this book. How enjoyable that part is will depend on individual readers. I personally enjoyed it, when it didn’t remind me of sitting in a sports bar with a man who felt the need to narrate everything.) The humor made me smile, but I never found myself laughing out loud. The slow descent of America from a great country into a collection of various colonies was interesting, but I found the explanation behind it flimsy. In short, the book had all the parts I wanted it to have, but they weren’t put together as smoothly as I had hoped.

And, for just a moment, let’s talk about what America might have been without Washington. I’m not a trained enough historian to do in-depth speculation, but it smacks a little too heavily of American exceptionalism to say that it took one man to spark the global struggle against colonialism.

Finding George Washington is, despite its flaws, a fun book. With baseball, time travel, and George Washington discovering the twenty-first century, how could it not be? It fell flat for me, but those looking for a breezy read reminiscent of a reverse Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure will surely find it enjoyable.


Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations centers around a group of people working at the 58th Street Branch Library in Manhattan. The main character, Robin Walker, is a college student and works at the library as a clerk. He was abandoned by his mother and raised by his grandfather, Jon David Walker, a military Veteran. The story begins with Robin finding his grandfather on the floor, not breathing. He knows his grandfather, his one support system and the person who has raised him his whole life, does not have long to live. Robin starts to lose direction after his grandfather passes shortly after. His job at the library is full of drama. There are secrets between co-workers, an ongoing power struggle between two of his supervisors, a much-too-young girl who has a crush on him, and very catty young girls who don't like Robin. Robin goes back and forth in a mental struggle with himself. Is he the good guy who saves a naive girl from being raped? Or the bad guy without boundaries who will fight anyone in his path? It is during this struggle that he meets a beautiful, strong, amazing Japanese woman by the name of Shinju. Robin feels that his life is finally headed somewhere positive and is no longer lonely when he is with Shinju. But are things really this easy and does Robin get his happily ever after?

I found Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations to have an amazing, colorful cast of characters. Although there were a lot of them in the book, the author was kind enough to create a character index at the beginning of the book for the reader. It came in very handy as new characters were introduced. I also really enjoyed the different storylines in the book, however, I felt that the book could have been separated into smaller stories. As I was reading Book Endings - A Call Numbers novel: Loss, Pain, and Revelations I could visualize it being made into a television program with the different episodes one after another. As I was reading, there was so much information that I felt I could have been missing some important details along the way. Another fantastic part of the book was the references to the different places in New York as well as pop culture including music and video games. Overall, this book was a welcome flashback to 1994. I recommend this book to fans of real-life drama books.


The Printer and The Strumpet

Leeds Merriweather is a newsman to his core. His goal is to bring newsworthy items to the people of the colonies, primarily those in the Boston area. He feels hugely fortunate to have had a chance to purchase his previous employer’s press from the employer’s son, Jacob Addison, to be repaid over several years. Even with the discontent broiling among the colonists and soldiers, he still hopes to bring an objective view of the actions of both sides of the conflict to readers. When Jacob drunkenly gambles away the printing office in a game of cards, Leeds’s hopes seem dashed as he is forced to use the paper to present a one-sided view from the governor’s desk and assist in discovering who is undermining the Crown in the anonymous publication, the Watertown Times Forger, or WTF for short.  Meeting Sally Hughes through this exchange might have been enough, except that Leeds knew that the possibility of retribution may mean the loss of his printing press and office, maybe even his life, so he confronts the governor and his representatives about the dangers of continuing with such inflammatory news. His predictions prove too true, and his life and business are irrevocably altered. However, the possibility of war is still seething under a thin veneer of British and American patience. Furthermore, this is not the time to fall in love, especially because Sally has secrets of her own.

This droll tale set in the beginning of the American Revolution is delightful fun. Witty dialogue, unexpected reactions, and close calls line the story from beginning to end. The interjection of modern slang, contemporary ideas, and innovative products surprise and entertain as these references are as unexpected during this time in history as they are fitting in each given situation. There are so many clever moments, weaving the life of today with that of the past. This second installment in The Misadventures of Leeds Merriweather does not require the reading of the first book for full enjoyment but may provide a strong background for Leeds. This story really could have been two books, as there are the dual issues regarding the governor’s use of Leeds’s printing press, which is cleverly concluded, followed by the later explosive events that led to the Revolution; it seems readers get two stories for the price of one!  A fun, historical read with a thoroughly likable main character.


The Printer and The Strumpet

Boston,1773. Leeds Merriweather is a printer trying to do the impossible: tread a narrow line of rationality between the Patriots and the Tories. His push for rationality isn’t easy, and it’s made all the harder by the fact that, due to a game of cards gone horribly wrong, Governor Thomas Hutchinson winds up owning two-thirds of his newspaper. As if all that weren’t bad enough, a radical-minded young woman keeps waltzing into his shop, inflaming him with her opinions and her bright laugh.

If you pick up The Printer and the Strumpet looking for a serious take on the American Revolution, you will probably be disappointed. Luckily, from the very first page, Brill tells us exactly what the tone of this book will be. It’s a wonderful cross between irreverent and tongue-in-cheek, tossing in modern references with a devil-may-care attitude that is wonderfully refreshing. Even in 2020, I burst out giggling at the phrases “fake news” and “alternative facts.” I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s escapist, but if it does provide an escape, it’s from the seriousness so many of us have felt (and felt forced into). I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so much over a historical book, much less one about a topic usually treated with such reverence.

The book isn’t all humor all the time, though. Trying to be a centrist in such a divided era is rife with danger, and Merriweather faces peril from both sides of the aisle. The Sons of Liberty are angry that he’s working with Hutchinson, even under duress, while Hutchinson and his cronies aren’t too thrilled about the radical opinions that somehow keep finding their way into his paper. When the anonymous Watertown Times Forger appears on the scene, it only adds more powder to the keg.

It’s hard to find lots of impressive words to describe The Printer and the Strumpet because the word that works best is also one of the simplest I could use: it’s fun. It’s also fast-paced, clever, and just a little wicked, but most importantly, it’s a lot of fun to read. I read the whole thing over the course of a morning, and I have little doubt I’ll be back again. I recommend this most for people stuck in lockdown with too much time on their hands, or for stressed essential workers who can only get through a few short chapters at a time. This winter, we’ll all need a good laugh.


A Story of Karma

The couple has trekked to some of the highest, most notorious peaks in the world. Mountain climbing has, in many ways, become their therapy. For Michael (Mike), it’s thrilling and poses incredible challenges to overcome; it energizes his soul. For Chantal, it’s an escape from the busyness and chaos of everyday life, a welcome getaway.

One day, the two of them meet a man who becomes a friend, and though they don’t realize it at the time, Mick ultimately changes the trajectory of their lives. He shares his knowledge of a place located in one of the most remote, inaccessible regions of the world. It’s within the vast confines of the Himalayan mountains and is known as the Lost Valley. After months of planning, Mike and Chantal, and more than a dozen team members, embark on a journey to this captivating domain. They navigate through the Lost Valley and immerse themselves in the Nepali culture. Their diverse and amazing adventures are documented—their visit to one of the most sacred Hindu temples, dinners, and dialogue with the natives, and a trip to a Nepali school in which they become mesmerized with a seven-year-old child responsible for teaching class that day. They see her again later that evening and eventually have the privilege to meet her family. This young girl becomes a central part of their lives. With the aid of Mike and Chantal, she and her sister, Pumba, are able to complete a year of education in America while graciously being taken and accepted as their own. Though the girls return to Nepal, the couple continues to visit them, and the impact each of them has on one another’s lives and the way they see the world becomes irreversible.

A Story of Karma - Finding Love and Truth in the Lost Valley of the Himalaya is an inspiring story about life, love, compassion, and determination. It’s also about sacrifice and humility. While Mike and Chantal’s mountain climbing escapades are paramount to their story, they serve as catalysts to the life-altering relationships they develop with people from a region and a culture so unlike their own. The simple, unvarnished, family-centered way of life they witness in Nepal, along with the poverty, lack of medical care, and gender discrimination they see, will likely affect their world view forever. They continue to be active in helping those who reside in Karma’s village. They also moved away from the bustling city life to which they’d become accustomed and relocated to a quieter, more serene locale.

A Story of Karma depicts beautiful imagery that pulls the reader in, making the scenes come alive. “How very different it was for me —a living being as fluid as a mountain stream, and as ghostly as the summit we sought to climb” is just one example in which Mike writes about the visible prints of a snow leopard amidst blizzard conditions. His work is also ripe with raw emotion and insight. Soon after arriving in Nepal, Mike delineates Chantal’s reaction to the sharp contrasts she observes in Kathmandu. “Chantal broke down, tears streaming from behind her sunglasses. Kathmandu’s contradictions were too much for her. And it was true that one couldn’t help but be horrified by the city’s contrasts, its magnificent temples and begging sadhus, the beautiful silk saris and gold jewelry on many of the women, and the rags on the street beggars, the filth in its rivers and the green of its verdant forests.” Her feelings are more than surface deep; they radiate through the pages.


The Hype Machine: How Social Media Disrupts Our Elections, Our Economy, and Our Health--and How We Must Adapt

Leading up to and following the 2020 presidential election, it seems blatantly obvious the influence that social media and "news sources" have on the public's opinions on matters. It has seemed that "news sources" have always been under attack for being too liberal, conservative, or just down-right incorrect in their messages. Studies performed throughout the years show how quickly "fake news" can spread and its supposed believability to the audience—the way information, true or false, reaches the most amount of people is social media, aka "The Hype Machine."

Author Sinan Aral, the director of the MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy and head of the MIT's Social Analytics Lab, has put together a thorough book about the Hype Machine and how it has infiltrated itself into our lives. One could say, given the amount of influence that social media has on our everyday decisions, that it is not far-fetched to believe that it can disrupt our elections, our economy, and our health.

Along with text consisting of research, some graphs and figures prove the validity of the proposed claims. Events, such as the current Corona Virus pandemic and both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, are included. The Hype Machine's contribution is discussed in detail, including how the spread of "fake news" contributed to their outcome. Everything related to "the Hype Machine" is discussed and analyzed with no stone left unturned.

There is so much information presented in this book; it's crazy how detailed and precise everything is. Facebook is the platform discussed most, with its many algorithms and stance on current and past events, but other social media platforms are not left out. Algorithms, loops, triangles, and visual cortexes are all at the core of Facebook, but what is most scary (or astonishing, depending on how you view it) is Facebook's eventual release of mind-controlled software; you will learn about this and much more. Aral presents the information in a manner that is consistently between a general-knowledge audience and an intelligent one. Aral did an excellent job explaining all of the concepts applied to the presented studies in partial layman's terms, but it makes sense that he can't keep the "sciency" tone out of his writing. The text is lengthy, but it covers a variety of information.

Given the topic of his book, the audience could likely be not just "smart" people but also those who like to be informed about the inner-workings of public platforms of which they may or may not participate. I would recommend it to anyone even with an inkling of interest in this subject.


The Printer and The Strumpet

This historical fiction novel with political themes focuses on the events leading up to the Revolutionary War, and specifically the effect the press has on public opinion. It is written from the point of view of our main character, Leeds Merriweather, editor of the New England News Journal. Semi-conservative, he has a great passion for the printed word and for reporting the facts. Unfortunately poor decisions made by his business partner and best friend have put him in a precarious position: print the facts and lose his business; print the alternate facts and lose his dignity. Meanwhile, an underground news publication called the Watertown Times Forger has created quite a stir by exposing the truth about the political corruption surrounding the governors office. The information in the publication was provided by a madam, Sally Hughes, with whom Merriweather is quite smitten. The brothel served as a well of information for the Watertown Times Forger, and the identity of the Forger seems to be the worst kept secret in town. Tensions mount as loyalists and rebels retaliate against whomever they feel is too loyal to the other side. After several unfair incidents, his loyalty leans toward the Americans with whom he has built friendships and, in the words of Merriweather, “the whispers of rebellions seemed more reasonable everyday.” Throughout the building conflicts, Merriweather remains determined to print the facts while being at the frontline to witness it all.

A thoroughly enjoyable read. A clever comical narration full of pop culture references, as well as references to Dickens and Shakespeare, while also poking fun at the current political climate. Danger, adventure, secrets, and romance: what else could you want in a novel? Even though this is the second book in a series, it is a good stand-alone novel, and I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by having not read the first one. I love the historical prose; it set the tone for the story, and the insults were quite amusing. Flog the frog is one that I definitely think should be used more in real life. It would be helpful to brush up on your history, specifically regarding the Whigs and the Tories, prior to reading this novel. Since I grew up in Massachusetts, I’m particularly fond of all the local references in this book, especially that of Robert Treat Paine, as I grew up near the Paine estate. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction.


It Will Be OK: A story of empathy, kindness, and friendship

Lisa Katzenberger, Illustrated by Jaclyn Sinquett

Giraffe and Zebra always go to the watering hole together, but today Giraffe can’t go. Zebra looks everywhere for him and finally finds him up in a tree. Giraffe is scared of a spider. Zebra tries to convince him that he’s bigger and stronger than the spider, but Giraffe is still scared. So Zebra waits and waits by the tree until Giraffe is ready to come down. Giraffe thanks Zebra for waiting for him. Then the spider comes down from the tree. Will Giraffe be able to face his fear or will he end up in the tree again?

The text of this book is sparce but immensely powerful. I love Zebra’s encouraging words to Giraffe. I appreciate the fact that both animals are male because it is something that is lacking in children’s literature. In terms of the illustrations, Zebra and Giraffe are both adorable. I love how they are depicted in a bright but soothing way. The spider is cute, too.

Anyone who has ever been worried, fearful, or anxious will enjoy this book. I think teaching empathy is especially important for our kids. I love this book. I will recommend it to others. I think this book could speak to adults just as much as to kids.


Freiheit!: The White Rose Graphic Novel

FREIHEIT is a book about a group of people working on sending a specific document to people and trying to stop the Nazis. The main idea of the story is about how a group of people is trying to go and stop the Nazis from punishing innocent Jews.

This book makes me feel like it’s a mission to destroy the Nazis and save the Jews population from getting killed by the Nazis. I think this book is good for kids that like historical books and is interested to learn about Jews and the Nazis which is pretty interesting.

I would rate this book three stars because I had some difficulties in understanding the story.


The Mystery of Mrs. Christie

A good mystery author writes mysteries. A great mystery author creates them. While this may not always be true, it definitely is in the case of Agatha Christie. For several days in December 1926, Christie disappeared from her home, leaving behind her husband and young daughter. When she was found, she had no memory of the days she was gone. What happened during those days has been explored in various media, from other books to Doctor Who. It’s possible we may never know what really occurred.

That doesn’t mean people will stop speculating. The Mystery of Mrs. Christie looks at the matter from two angles: Agatha’s point of view during the years of her unhappy marriage, and her husband’s in the days after her disappearance. It doesn’t solve the mystery so much as illustrate it. In some chapters, the novel feels slow, but at its best it is poignant and quietly aching. When a woman vanishes into the life that early twentieth century England expects for her, as a wife and mother and nothing else, is it really any surprise when she vanishes completely?

Marie Benedict’s novel is beautiful and sympathetic, a far less traditional look at mysteries and a fresh look at one of the most famous writers in the world.


A Girl Like You

One of the most endearing books I have read to date, A Girl Like You follows single mom Jess Gabriel into the world of online dating and gives the reader much more than he or she bargains for. Jess is newly single and has just divorced her second husband Bryan. Even though she still loves him, she knows she has to move on. She has two amazing adult children, Madison and Ian, and the perfect companion in her little dog Penny.

What I really loved about this book is the way Jess interacts with her children. They are both really supportive and are also attempting to date online like Jess to find "The One." She is so close to both of them and they all check in on one another. Almost all the men Jess goes on dates with are weird. Frighteningly weird. The story is very entertaining and funny at times, while it is sad at other times. Jess's adventures in dating made this book hard to put down. It's a fun read for anyone who may be single and venturing in the dating pool or for fans of humorous chick lit.


The Seagull

Anton Chekhov, Translated by Anton Korenev

Every actor and actress should have a copy of this classic play in their library. The six main characters in the play have been portrayed by virtually every famous thespian. The play itself is known for its realism, which was unusual in 1896 when it debuted. It was not initially a great success, which is anticipated by Chekhov within the play itself as two main characters are struggling writers.

The play is an adaptation of Hamlet. It is Oedipal in tone. Arkadina is a famous actress who is universally worshipped. Her narcissism and demands for love and attention alienate her from her gifted son, whose maturity belies Arkadina’s youthful demeanor. As the play opens, her son has written a futuristic surrealistic play, which is interrupted by Arkadina’s demands for attention. There are also many demands for love within the play as the three couples spurn or yearn for their beloved. It is a play in four acts. It is the second play written by Chekhov, one of the world’s greatest writers, and it is a joy to read his words and stories.


Little Dancer Aged Fourteen: The True Story Behind Degas's Masterpiece

Camille Laurens, Translated by Willard Wood

In 1881, when Edgar Degas presented his masterpiece at the Salon des Independants in Paris, the response was astonishing. He may not have expected plaudits, but surely the mocking and the abusive reviews were unforeseen.  The ‘unfiltered reality' of the sculpture ‘provoked disquieting sensations.’ The Little Dancer Aged 14 drew all manner of  criticism, but since then the tables have turned. At first displayed in wax and protected in a glass cage, it has since been cast more durably in bronze and graces over a hundred museums and galleries across the world.

Marie van Goethem, the young model, was one among many underfed and underpaid ‘Rats’ who danced at the Paris Opera. She spent hours each day at rehearsals, and after that she posed for Degas, standing immobile to supplement her slim wages. She left no suggestion that she saw herself as artistically important. What were her thoughts? Or was she too exhausted to think? Did she recognize Degas’ fame? Could she have imagined how many would see an ugly creature with simian features?

French author Camille Laurens describes Marie’s life in a seamy, unglamorous neighborhood of late nineteenth century Paris. She confesses her own entanglement as she explored archives and wide-ranging records to supplement the known fragments of the poised young teenager. Almost obsessively, she learned all she could of the little dancer’s physical and social surroundings. Together, the two segments blend into a memorable and, above all, delightful book.


Cozy

Cozy is the story of a musk ox who lives in Alaska. Cozy the musk ox was walking with his family in their herd when he got lost. Now Cozy is sad and doesn't know what to do. It isn't long before some animals come and try to get warm or safe in his long, thick fur. Cozy doesn't mind until lots of different kinds of animals start using him as their home. Cozy makes up "house rules" so that none of them are mean to each other. The animals include a lemming family, rabbit, owl, wolf, and more. Later, Cozy starts losing fur; what does this mean for Cozy and the animals?

I really like looking at the pictures in this book; they are colorful and very pretty. I like how the pictures on each side of the page show what will be happening next in the story. I learned about musk oxen from Cozy, as I didn't know much about them before I read it. I like that the book has a happy ending for all the animals. I think that anyone would like to read Cozy at any time of the year.


Pity the Reader: On Writing with Style

This book is ostensibly a “how-to” book about how to write with style from the master of stylish writing, Kurt Vonnegut. It is, however, a compilation of thoughts, ideas, and excerpts from the writing and instructions of Vonnegut by one of his students, the author. This reader felt that nothing new was advanced about the art of writing or about Vonnegut’s approach to that subject. The reader will be well served by going to the source and reading any of Vonnegut’s masterful fourteen novels or other writings. Vonnegut’s sharp humorous books were shaped by unique experiences.  As a soldier in World War II, he was captured and put to work in Dresden after the calamitous firebombing. After the war, his knowledge of bureaucracy and technocracy was deepened at General Electric. This experience provided fodder for his unique take on the world as it increasingly became a world of corporate power. Ultimately, I would think that Vonnegut’s take on writing would be to see the world in your own unique way.


Malcolm and Me: A Novel

Taking place in 1973, Malcolm and Me is a novel about Roberta Forest, a black eighth-grader who’s wise beyond her years. Roberta is top of her class at her catholic school, a rebel, and a poet. At school, her rebellious, social activist side is not always appreciated and one day she gets into a fight with one of her teachers, Sister Elizabeth, over the hypocrisy of Thomas Jefferson having owned slaves. Things only go downhill from there. Her birthday is ruined by her parents getting the call from the school, her parents fight, and school only gets worse. Roberta starts to notice racist things about her religion and teachers and takes a stand. This book is a fantastic glimpse into Philadelphia in the early ’70s, the topic of the book is heavy but Roberta is a very strong and persevering character. There are lots of references to pop culture back then, music, dance, and television. One of my favorite parts was when Roberta’s mom says “I’d like to think future presidents will fall in love with the truth instead of power and corruption.”. Another one of my favorite things is all of Roberta’s poetry throughout the book, it really brought the book to life. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in social justice, the 70s, or rebellious characters who are thirteen and up.


Royal Rescues #3: The Snowy Reindeer

Paula Harrison, Illustrated by Olivia Chin Mueller

I loved this book. I like that they acted like I do – I love playing in the snow! This seems like something that could happen to me. The kids found a cat but then they realized the cat found a reindeer! (I would love to do that in real life!) I love that the reindeer got to go inside the house and his name is Marshmallow (that’s my favorite food!) I was so sad when Marshmallow was lost. I think it was really nice of Great Aunt to be ok with a reindeer in her house in a cozy bed. Then when they released Marshmallow I was sad again but I know wild animals belong with their own kind. I loved that this was a chapter book but it had some pictures that made it super fun and easier for me to read because I sometimes get distracted. I love adventure books and picturing myself in them! This was a great story and I highly recommend it!


Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex

This is my favorite book! I love that it is unicorns and dinosaurs! The colors make me want to keep turning the page. I like that the words are in regular text and in fun big text. By making words like that, it helps me know when I should be talking in my normal voice and when I can talk in a big loud voice! I like that there aren't a lot of words on each page and  I can really enjoy the pictures. I thought it was funny that her mom was the dinosaur ad the sparkle came from her DAD! I was sad when she couldn't find a friend, everyone should have a friend. Then she met the Brontocorn! That made me SO happy and they look like they are having so much fun together!!


This Is All Your Fault

Eli could see the signs pointing to the slow spiraling death of Wild Nights Bookstore and Emporium. When he finds proof, he decides to use the store’s petty cash, without permission, to purchase some Air
Jordans to turn a quick profit. When he finds out they are fakes, he realizes that his mistake, on top of his priors, could lead to worse consequences than just unemployment. Enter his co-workers: Rinn, the happy and carefree one; Daniella, the closet poet; and Imogen, the depressed one.  No one would say they are friends, exactly. However, saving the bookstore, with the help of their manager, Jo, pulls the unlikely group together in surprising ways to find a solution that will beat the owner at his own game.

For those who love bookstores and the peace and freedom found within their walls, this diverse cast, the sarcastic dialogue, the building relationships - all are fantastically written. Moments of happiness and moments of tears bring together unlikely characters who find their differences lead them to a shared purpose. Heartfelt and touching, this summer story touches on love of all kinds and how the only way to win is to embrace the differences (strengths) in us all.


My Weirder-est School #6: Mrs. Bacon Is Fakin'! (My Weird School Special)

This is a good book. I enjoyed the storyline (and the jokes at the asterisks). The book was funny and I laughed a lot. I think this book is as good as all of the other books in this series. Maybe even better! I like that the story is told from a kid's point of view. It makes the story seem more childish than most books told by teenagers or adults. The illustrations in this book are remarkable and creative. It gives a new understanding of what is happening in the book. I was entertained reading this book. I laughed a lot and I overall enjoyed it. It is good light reading material that kids who are into shorter chapter books would like. I like the chapter titles and how the author made them seem from a child’s point of view. I learned some new facts about the band too! Like the ‘spit valve!’ and hot cross buns. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good laugh.


A Cat Story

The heroes of A Cat Story, Cilla and Betto, are on a quest to find paradise. Cilla, the leader, hears a story about a “quiet garden,” causing the two best friends to search for it. Cilla is sure it is real. They realize two important truths upon finding the garden. The first truth, brought to them by a wise cat, is that “there is a measure of truth in all good stories.” This gives reason to myths and legends. The second relies on the first, and it is that not all of these truths are good. The final, implied moral is that the adventure matters more than the result.

The writer of this story is a master at feline expression and realistic feel. She modifies and copies real paintings to show the telling of a story, and the book really hammers home the morals. It is a little slow to start, but it has beautiful artwork inspired by a real place. I think most middle-school children would enjoy Ursula Murray Husted’s work. I think public and middle-school libraries should stock a copy. It is more of a one-time read than a buy-and-read-a-couple-dozen-times book. I recommend that those who wish to try it get it from the library. Animal lovers, enjoy!


Great Adaptations: Star-Nosed Moles, Electric Eels, and Other Tales of Evolution’s Mysteries Solved

Immensely curious as a child, fascinated by wildlife, and studying animals while employed in a zoo, MacArthur Fellow and Biology professor at Vanderbilt University Kenneth Catania congenially tours the reader through several aspects of his fifty years of research in animal behavior.  With a delightful storytelling talent, the reader is introduced to the little known star-nosed moles who possess amazing sensory structures hidden within these strange protuberances. Follow the tentacled snake capturing its prey or check out a boxing match between a jeweled wasp and a cockroach, beware of the charge from an electric eel which can detect every movement made by its prey. Learn about worm grunters who quiver and shiver worms out from the ground. These are delightful tales of how simple curiosity led to scientific research into discovering and interpreting how animals' features adapt and hone their predatory powers in this race to survive. Historic names such as Darwin, Humboldt, Faraday, and others tie into several beginnings of these studies. With dry humor and infectious enthusiasm for these awesome creatures, this author skillfully transmits the wonder and excitement that is found in unlocking some of the scientific secrets within these remarkable creatures.


Jabari Tries

Jabari Tries is a book is about STEM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Jabari is a boy that wants to build a flying machine. He likes to think about himself being an engineer like other African-American scientists.

Jabari wanted to build a flying machine. He kept trying but it would not work and he did not want any help. His sister, Nika, kept saying "Me," wanting to help. But he did not want her to. His dad told him to have his sister help. But it still did not work. His dad told him to take a deep breath and try again.

So Jabari and his sister tried again and it worked!!!

Jabari Tries teaches a great lesson on accepting help, even if you don't want to. It's good to try fixing a problem with help. At first, he didn't want help, but then he needed it because when he tried, he didn't get it right. But, that is okay! Because mistakes happen. It also teaches a lesson on taking breaks and trying again.

I liked the graphics. They have lots of details. They showed exactly what was happening in the story.

I really like this book. After reading it, I wanted to make an airplane myself! I would recommend this book to young kids three through seven years old. It is a fun book to read during storytime!


In Pretty Tricky: The Sneaky Ways Plants Survive, award-winning author Etta Kaner introduces readers to plants’ amazing adaptation capabilities. They use camouflage and imitation and even fake their own deaths as means of surviving in the wild. As the boquila vine coils around its host, its leaves mimic those of its host in color and texture, allowing it to blend in perfectly with its surroundings. Longwing butterflies favor passion-flower vines for egg laying. To deter them, this crafty plant species grows its own pretend eggs that appear as tiny yellow spots on its leaves. As readers journey through this text, they will uncover an array of fascinating facts such as these.

This non-fiction book is ideal for general science and biology classrooms everywhere, and it is perfect for designing student projects and in-class discussions about wildlife adaptations. It’s full of interesting content as well as gorgeous and intriguing illustrations, and it features child-friendly text bubbles, a bold font, and bright color blocks. An index and a glossary are included at the end, and although the target audience is children aged six to ten, younger ones may find it a treasure trove of wonder.


The Grinny Granny Donkey

I love this book series! I love reading this book to my little sister. My great aunt has false teeth and loved to show them to us (out of her mouth) this book reminded me of her! I love the colors in the drawings in the book and that the font is a boring one but a fun one! I also love the play on all the words - its fun to read it fast! I love that the book repeats the words from the page before - it helps me read the words better and better each time. I think this would be a great book for an early reader like me! But you better buy the whole series because its THAT good!


How to Remember Everything: Tips & Tricks to Become a Memory Master!

Jacob Sager Weinstein, Illustrated by Barbara Malley

I have been telling my mom lately that I have trouble remembering things. My mom said that she isn't sure if it's because I'm actually having trouble or just not trying. Then she showed me How to Remember Everything.

The book has a colorful cover and isn't too long, so I'm okay reading it. We don't read it straight through because it's not a story. We read it a chapter at a time, learning new ways of remembering things more easily. The author says to do some things that seem a little hard for me, but my mom says they'll work for her. My favorite is imagining crazy pictures so that you can remember two or more words together.

I like looking through the book because the pictures are bright and colorful, especially with each chapter page full of pictures. I can understand most of what the author is saying to do. I like that he talks about him and his family a little bit. I think that kids a little older than me would learn more, but I still enjoyed learning from the book.


7 Good Reasons Not to Grow Up

Graphic novels have become quite popular with the middle-grade set. Let’s face it, they are more like long comic books, in many cases, than anything else. The artwork in this one is bright and very busy, often not laid out in typical panels, but in a wide variety of shapes, some overlaying other spaces, giving the idea of urgency. Some of the type is extremely small or in light colors on dark backgrounds, making parts very hard to read. The story is not unusual for young people’s books — the kids must resist the evil adults and make things right in this topsy-turvy world of middle school (although a lot of this seems more appropriate for high schoolers than middle schoolers). The kids in the story are clever and smart, able to fool and trick the teachers and administrators, the evil and mean-spirited adults who seem to have no job other than to make the kids' lives a long, terrible misery. Some young readers will enjoy this kind of story and most will certainly like the fun artwork, so this may be just the ticket for reluctant readers.


Inside Story: A novel

I have three arguments with this book. Firstly, its length; it is a tome. The second and the third are perhaps broader arguments against a type of literature that has recently emerged. The new books are what seem to be journal entries that have not been shaped into a significant memoir, novel, or history. In this book, we learn a great deal about the main character’s sexuality and his famous friends. It purports to be a novel, but if it is a novel, it also has the author’s name as the main character and his friends. The third argument is a portrayal of women who are nothing more than sexual props for the male characters. As Martin unchivalrously recounts his sexual exploits to Christopher Hitchens, this reader cringes with embarrassment for the women so involved. And, Hitchens, as a friend and character doesn’t say much. The lack of chivalry goes even further in the case of Hitchens as the author depicts him in his failing last days. Martin Amis has written fifteen other novels and is the son of the writer, Kingsley Amis. With such a pedigree, this reader hoped for something that held together a bit more.


Cobble Hill: A Novel

Cecily von Ziegesar is back! And this time instead of lavishing us with the Upper East Side’s elite, she takes us to the affluent Brooklyn neighborhood of Cobble Hill. Less glamorous than the crew in Gossip Girl, the novel takes us through the more realistic, but still exhilarating, dramas of four intertwining families.

Mandy is bored with her life and can’t seem to get out of bed; her husband, a retired famous musician, thinks she is suffering from an illness and is also distracted by their son’s school nurse.

Peaches gave up her dreams of being a famous musician to be a mom and school nurse. She can barely control herself when she finds out Stuart Little of the Blind Mice is a parent at her school.

Roy Clarke and his family recently moved to the neighborhood from London. He is a famous novelist who hasn’t written a book in six years and his wife hopes the move will inspire him.

Tupper is a shy inventor who sometimes lives with his avant-garde artist wife, Elizabeth. She frequently comes and goes from their home, leaving art displays to announce her arrivals and departures and leaving Tupper in a near-constant state of anxiety.

New York City may be a metropolis but Cobble Hill is just like any small town with quirky neighbors, karaoke nights, and the occasional disaster.

This book is a quick, fun read. It is full of the drama and sophistication that you expect from NYC with a side of Brooklyn quirkiness. Cobble Hill is perfect for those who love the Gossip Girl series but are looking for something a little more grown-up.


Why Didn't We Riot?: A Black Man in Trumpland

Author Issac Bailey has been in the trenches of the struggle against White supremacy throughout his decades-long career in journalism. As a black man who has persevered to assert the truth and uphold integrity in his work, Bailey offers an unflinching perspective about the ongoing dialogue about racism and racial justice in America.

Bailey critiques his peers in the media for the corrosive effects of centering and prioritizing the comfort of white, working-class people in discourses about race relations and the impacts of racism on the everyday lives of black and brown people. Bailey directly challenges the role of white Evangelical Christianity – and the media’s complicity – in propagating racist and bigoted beliefs.

Throughout the book, Bailey shares many examples of how black folks become unnecessarily ensnared in the justice system, where they are unfairly treated, and suffer a higher likelihood of state-sanctioned violence and death. The author notes episodes throughout history that upheld the racial status quo, to the detriment of the black community.

While Trump is now out of office, this book is as relevant as ever. While the Trump era exposed the persistent undercurrent of racism embedded in institutions and systems, the author notes that race in America continues to be an “emotional, complex” topic.


Wool

In a world where the outside is deadly and the air can kill, where birth is determined by a lottery and stairs run the length of the world, the choices people make are everything. This is the story of Jules and her search for justice and answers in a world that seeks to keep those very things buried. Inside the Silo, the choices of a few can cost everything.

No less amazing than it was upon its release, the e-book to rule them all, Wool by Hugh Howey remains amazing and absorbing. Jules is a relatable, intelligent heroine who is caught in a web of circumstances beyond her control, making the best of a system stacked against her. Featuring a claustrophobic atmosphere and political machinations that are truly diabolical, Wool stands strong as a new classic. The story draws readers in and keeps them hooked.

Wool is a truly epic book that remains relevant today, reaching far beyond its original cult following to become a cornerstone of the genre and as much of a household name as Ender’s Game and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.


Odd Gods: The Oddlympics

The Odd Gods and the Oddlympics is a good book. It is part of a very good series. Odd gods are fiction. The Oddlympics is good to read for fun; though, it can be read at any time. Easy to read, Odd Gods and the Oddlympics is good for five-year-old people and up. It is about people based on the Greek gods and there is a whole other group called the odd gods. The main character is named Oddonis. His best friend is named Gaseous. His brother Adonis, the god, thinks because he is a god that he is superior to Oddonis. His dad Zeus is provoked into betting their home. Jupiter the Roman great god and Zeus chose for the Greeks and Romans to play against each other in athletic events. But the kids do not want to play. Instead, they and the adults chose to play with each other. I like how the author makes the book feel so real. I also love the characters because they are interesting. I really like the pictures. I like them because they are so detailed. I think libraries and families should buy this book.


Class Act

His whole life, eighth grader Drew Ellis has heard his grandmother saying, “You have to work twice as hard to be just as good.” Drew goes to Riverdale Academy, a privileged school, but isn’t privileged. So he’s been thinking: if he works even harder than expected, will he even have the same opportunities as some of his privileged classmates? After he and his friend Jordan find out that their friend Liam is rich, Drew starts to wonder if Liam might be one of those privileged kids at school. This causes the friends to slightly drift apart, and even Jordan can’t pull the group back together.

I love this book. It’s as good as the first one. I like how the chapters are based on graphic novel titles instead of books for adults like in the first book. I also think that the author has a very cool and realistic drawing style. My favorite character is Jordan because he’s the most like me. Highly recommended to all different people. I can't wait for another book in the series.


How to Hold Animals

How to Hold Animals is full of photographs of interesting animals. Some are cute pets. Others are dangerous, and should only be handled by people who are experts. This book comes from Japan. It’s interesting, because some pets that are common in Japan are unusual here in the United States, like chipmunks or prairie dogs. The author encourages children and their parents to learn about animals - even wild animals -  and how to hold them safely. Holding an animal can be dangerous for the animal, but sometimes it is dangerous for the person trying to hold the animal, too! Animals can be hurt if you drop them or squeeze them too hard. On the other hand, some animals can bite or scratch! Some have venom, like monitor lizards or scorpions’ stings. Sometimes I disagree with the author’s advice, like when he suggests holding butterflies or dragonflies with their wings held flat between your second and third fingers. I have to admit that I haven’t tried to hold butterflies that way! Every page has suggestions for holding an animal, and every page has photographs showing how people can hold that animal. The author is a photographer who specializes in animals, but he also gets a veterinarian and a reptile dealer to show their methods of handling animals.


El Deafo: The Superpowered Edition

Newberry Honor Book author Cece Bell has a new superpowered edition of her 2014 graphic novel memoir El Deafo, in which she has added forty additional pages of childhood photographs, early sketches, and more. At age four, Cece suddenly comes down with meningitis and is rushed to the hospital. She and her parents soon learn that Cece can’t hear, she’s deaf. She is given a Phonic Ear, a hearing aid that is a little box with cords that attaches to her ears. Cece tries to hide the hearing aid under her overalls and worries that kids at her new school will treat her differently when they see it. Cece struggles to fit in and navigate new friendships in a hearing world. Bell’s illustrations, bright colors, and rabbit characters are funny and whimsical, and the story of her childhood is dramatic and inspirational. El Deafo not only teaches young readers about a facet of deaf culture but also teaches them that one’s difference is their superpower. The superpowered extras include early sketches and outlines of El Deafo, along with photos of Cece’s childhood friends, including the real-life inspiration for her crush Mike.


Battle Ground (Dresden Files)

It's the end of the world and now Chicago needs wizard Harry Dresden more than it ever has before. Harry's no stranger to facing off against enemies that seek to destroy everything good in his life and he's no stranger to nearly dying in the process. The Last Titan has marked Chicago for her destruction and has brought an army to do it. To go up against a being this powerful will require every ally Harry has as Chicago transforms into a battleground. This ultimate battle will change everything Harry knows.

The story opens directly into the chaos as the city becomes a battleground, putting Harry and his friends dead in the center. The fight against the Titan pushes them to make sacrifices that can't be undone and will change everything. The style of the story detours from previous novels which exchanged a crime procedural and supernatural thriller for a bloody war over the fate of mankind. The humor that is well-known in Butcher's style is still present among the chaos with Harry never losing his trademark wit and sarcasm. Butcher succeeds in making Battle Ground action-packed, heartbreaking, thrilling, explosive, and funny story that is hard to put down.


The Dirty South: A Thriller (18) (Charlie Parker)

Charlie Parker can’t escape the shadows of his dark past. His Wife and Daughter were brutally murdered, his survivor’s guilt gripping him tighter than a vise. In 1997, Parker was on a mission, find the man who took everything from him, and destroy him. Parker has been receiving tips concerning murders with a possible connection to his suspect. He travels down to Arkansas and begins asking questions, and by doing so runs afoul of local law enforcement. The deaths, one of which was declared an accident, are inconvenient to a town with aspirations as a local contractor seeks to build there. However, not everyone with a badge discounts the deaths and asks Parker for help. Cargill, Arkansas is a town with a sordid past hoping to blot out their sins with wealth, some truths are best kept buried. But they never counted on someone like Parker.

The Dirty South is the latest in a long line of absorbing books by John Connolly. The journey of Charlie Parker has been long and winding, interspersed with terror, humor, and heart, but this newest addition serves as a perfect prequel to the Parker narrative. The characters are many but prove interesting in their own way, the story moves gracefully and builds with intensity until the powerful climax. Connolly provides an exclamation point to this year in Fiction.


Winter, White and Wicked

Sylvi lives on the Island of Layce, which is cursed by an eternal winter by the magical spirit of Winter. Winter is her only true friend that has stayed by her side. Sylvi’s grown up adopted by not one, but two different families. Now she has found her niche by running loads in her rig, the Dragon. Her goal in life is to keep her head down and make some coin without much trouble from the Majority.

However, when her adopted sister Lenore disappears, going off to join the Rebels, Sylvi must take a chance to take a load that could cost her and her employer their lives. In exchange, she will learn the location of the rebel camp.

Now she's joined up with the notorious smuggler Mars Dresden and his entourage; a giant warrior named Hyla; and Kyn, a boy with skin like stone. Sylvi must keep her wits about her as she goes through dangerous roads and a tight cab of untrustworthy companions. But the weather and company will not be the worst of what she meets on the road of danger, mystery, and magic. Will Sylvi be able to put her first impressions aside and learn to trust her company in times of crisis?

Text: This book is expertly written. The descriptions are gorgeous. You feel every bump, crash, and fight. The worldbuilding is phenomenal. I totally was transported into the world of Layce, and the history was amazingly done. I also love the use of magic in the book; it was woven into the world beautifully. The different peoples and cultures are interesting and unique. I mean, people with made of rock and people with elements in their eyes is so creative. There are beautiful lessons of finding who you are and how to handle some things that happen that you can’t control.

Plot: This book has it all. It hits all the right notes for things progressively getting worse for the characters throughout the story. It has elemental, emotional, and magical challenges. I love the depth put into Sylvi and the other characters. The author gave you the information you were wondering about at just the right moment. I feel like it ends just at the right place, and makes me ready for a second book in this world (Which I am very hopeful will happen.)

Characters:

Sylvi: She is rough and tough. She’s learned to rely on herself and no one else. When she gets to ride with the trio of trouble, she will learn that sometimes you have to rely on others, even when it is not your preference.

Mars Dresen: The perfect smuggler. He has magic. He has the wit. He’s never failed.

Kyn: Mars’ best friend, lookout, and second driver. He’s of the Kerce ethnicity, which means he’s made of the elements.

Hyla: She’s a warrior of Paradyian decent. She’s got at debt to pay to Mars and is willing to pay it with her life, if necessary.

Winter: the spirit of the Island has free reign over it, causing not only an eternal winter, which causes ice and snow, but also dangerous monsters such as giant wolves and wicked scary monsters like Abaki.

Age Recommendation: 16 and up, or a teen that can handle some mature content.


Willa the Wisp (The Fabled Stables Book #1)

Jonathan Auxier, Illustrated by Olga Demidova

I think this book was okay. It didn’t keep my interest. The plot was sort of unfocused, and I had trouble keeping up with the amount of information the book was giving me. I felt kind of overwhelmed reading this. On the bright side, the illustrations were wonderful, and I felt like they added a depth to the story that we wouldn’t really have just reading the story. The characters were likable and not too overpowering. The idea of a bunch of mythical animals living in a stable is good, but I feel like the author could have added a few more things to make the story make sense. The idea for this book, that the wisps could only live for a day was great, but kind of sad.

In conclusion, there are some things that the author could fix, this is an ok book, but not my first choice off the shelf. If this is a series, I don't think I would read the next book or beyond.


The Wizards of Once: Never and Forever (The Wizards of Once, 4)

Xar and Wish escaped from the Kingwitch and both their parents carrying the ingredients for the spell to expel the witches forever. The only thing they still need is the Cup of Second Chances, which was given to Xar’s brother, Looter, by their father, before they can give the potion to the Kingwitch at the Lake of the Lost. Unfortunately, Looter was captured and taken to the Mine of Happiness, a place where children are put to work in a dark, damp, depressing place. However, the map leads them astray and they are lost, deep within the mine, far from anyone else, and within the territory of the evil Tatzelwurm, which loves the sweet taste of fear. And they are all afraid…

The only disappointing thing about this series by the author of the How to Train Your Dragon series is that there are only four books as compared to the twelve-plus with Hiccup. The things that her readers love - the daring escapes, the witty characters, the silly antics, and, of course, the illustrations - are all found in this fourth book. The message of hope and love hidden behind this final adventure is not to be missed.


A New History of the Future in 100 Objects: A Fiction

I'm a sucker for fiction that can tell a story (or several stories) in a non-traditional way. Whether it's the weird horror inventiveness of the Thackery T. Lambshead collections or Sylvain Neuvel's Themis Fil books, where everything is told through transcripts, reports, and other non-narrative methods, it takes a unique level of attention to detail and a heap of creativity to build a world without the usual tricks.

Adrian Hon hasn’t just built a world. Hon has built an entirely plausible century of history out of brief snippets disguised as a compendium of influential objects. Putting a fictional spin on one of the latest literary history fads is an ingenious idea, and Hon executes it brilliantly. Providing commentary on social media, artificial intelligence, space exploration, interpersonal communication, and more, Hon discusses how inventions and innovations change us as much as they change the world.

Moreover, Hon trusts the reader to assemble this curious jigsaw of the world to come, building on context clues and references to future events, constructing a straightforward timeline with numerous little bits of backstory to fill in some of the other entries. It's an absolute blast to read, appealing to both the sci-fi fan and the history lover in the reader. What a treat.


My Very First Cookbook: Joyful Recipes to Make Together! (Little Chef)

My Very First Cookbook is a very good book. It has many recipes for breakfasts, lunches, snacks, beverages, dinners, sides and desserts. I tried overnight oats, sheet pan fajitas, cheesy Mexican rice, tomato soup, sizzling beef and broccoli, veggie fried rice and double chocolate brownies. Most of them were delicious - except for the fried rice. The best of the lot was the brownies - though all of them were good. This delightful recipe book is good for ten and up alone or five and up with help. The recipes I tried were easy for children except for using a stove and oven. And the instructions were very clear. But they still did have problems; most of the recipes had too much sugar or onion and one was hard to eat.


Influence

If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of your favorite TikToker or YouTuber’s life, Influence is the thriller for you. The novel follows the lives of different teen influencers in LA as they navigate blackmail, jealousy, and scathing social crowds. The girls are each at different stages in their influencer careers, but they share one thing in common: they have secrets that would destroy their perfect reputations forever. And their secrets are so deadly that someone might just end up murdered. Co-written by the author of Pretty Little Liars and an actual social media influencer, Influence is a fun and topical mystery full of drama, murder, and glam. It’s a quick read that will suck you into the mystery, only to leave you hanging at the end of each chapter. Each character is complex, interesting, and far more than meets the eye from their various social media channels. It will definitely make you wonder what the lives of your favorite influencers are really like, and what secrets they may have lurking.


The Diplomat's Wife: A Novel

Bestselling author, Pam Jenoff, author of //The Lost Girls of Paris// and //The Ambassador’s Daughter//, again delivers with her novel //The Diplomat’s Wife//. The story of Marta Nederman began in //The Kommandant’s Girl// and concludes here with astounding consequences.
Marta has barely escaped the Nazi prison camps when she meets Paul, an American solider who has been part of the liberation of prisoners. They fall rashly and madly in love, but when Paul is shot down, Marta, alone and pregnant, is forced to make some tough decisions, including marrying a British diplomat. When the British government seeks her help in routing out a Communist spy, Marta becomes involved with far more than she bargained for.
This book is fast-paced from beginning to end, but also takes special care to invest the reader in the characters. Fast-paced where it matters, and takes its time where it needs to. Marta is a wonderful heroine, both strong and easy to identify with. Paul is the American solider we all want to have fallen in love with. And the intrigue never stops, making this an all-consuming, stay-up-well-past-your-bedtime read.


Tales from the Hinterland (The Hazel Wood)

A story that reads like lost pages from Grimm’s Fairy Tales, Tales From the Hinterland mixes dark fairy tales with fantasy, death, and mystique. Each tale is intricately illustrated with a cover illustration and border art that looks like it was drawn with a quill dipped in ink and blood, making them feel like they were ripped from an old leather-bound book.

 Dark and haunting, Tales From the Hinterland gets under your skin in a good way, winding its tales like ice in your veins and pouring from the pages like blood from a pricked finger. Melissa Albert captivates her reading audience with stories of death, marriage, greed, enchanters, fools, and tempting fate. Where girls believe if they sacrifice a drop of blood to the Wicked Wife, they will dream of their husbands, and a woman who sheds her skin warning readers of death’s many games.  Creepy and delightfully, disturbing tales this collection of stories is everything fans of The Hazel Wood have been asking for. However, do not be fooled by the light and cheerful fairytales we know today; these resemble the dark stories that were once used to warn children of the dangers that lurk in the shadows, warning girls to be careful of whom they trust their bodies to.


Into the Heartless Wood

At the edge of the woods stands a cottage where an astronomer and his children live. Owen has charted the stars with his father for years, sending the findings to the king each month. One day, his little sister is drawn into the woods, where a witch and her siren daughters are luring men and women to their deaths. While searching for her, Owen meets the youngest of the tree sirens, a monster. Or is she? With war on the horizon and a past that could be their undoing, they must choose: family or who they're meant to be?

The witch is more than she seems, the king is not who he says, and caught up in their war are two people on opposite sides. The main characters are unique, but most of the rest of the cast are a bit flat. Into the Heartless Wood is more than just a story about a boy falling in love with a monster, it’s about family and the fact that sometimes, what we think is true is not what is actually true. The writing style is like a fairy tale most of the time and sometimes, especially with one character's point of view, it is almost like poetry.


Deep into the Dark: A Mystery

I have been a fan of PJ Tracy for quite a while. Getting my hands on Deep in the Dark proved to be as exciting and heart-pumping as I had imagined! The characters have depth, the story comes to life, and it is certainly dark at times.

Sam is a war hero who served two tours in Afghanistan but came back a different person. Melody has her own baggage and likes to keep to herself. The couple knows each other from work, but their familiarity will reach a new level in a matter of days. There is a serial killer on the loose in LA, the media have named him "the Monster." Throughout a couple of days, Sam will face internal and external battles with his PTSD, Melody must work through her past, and an LA homicide detective will figure out her life personally and professionally.

Tracy's writing flows so smoothly that even though the story is over three hundred pages, you will notice yourself flipping page after page. I appreciate the focus that is put on mental illness, especially since this is a taboo topic for many people. I recommend this book to any mystery lover.


Fractals: On the Edge of Chaos (Wooden Books)

Fractals are an incredibly beautiful way to visualize the complexity that can occur with relatively simple inputs. This book takes you on a lovely little journey deep into the world of fractals, explaining what they are and how they can be created, as well as the beauty that lies behind them. Fractals are a visual representation of mathematics, and this book does not shy away from mathematical explanations although the explanations are very clear and worthy of a reader's attention; putting in the work to understand what is going on yields great dividends in appreciation. The author is a consummate expert as well as a great fan and guides you along with fractal developments, from relatively simple to increasingly complicated ones, all illustrated by gorgeous wood-cut illustrations that are magnificent works of art on their own whether you understand the mathematics or not. The text of the book is a great explanation and (tiny) introduction to fractals and chaos theory; the illustrations make this book one you want on display. Although it is so small, every time you dip into it you will find more to discover, leading to deeper levels of understanding and appreciation --just like fractals themselves.


It Only Happens in the Movies

If Audrey has to watch one more romance with her mom, she will scream. She doesn't know how her mom does it - she’s been divorced for a while and her ex just asked to sell the house so he can pay for his new family! Audrey’s own boyfriend dumped her just a week after a botched moment of intimacy, forcing her to forsake drama club so she could completely avoid him. When her media teacher asks students to complete a research project, she knows that she will attack the absurd notions in romance movies. Working at the movie theater might help avoid her mom and do research if she can guard her heart against Harry, who needs her acting expertise in his zombie movie. However, avoiding heartache may be more difficult than killing zombies.

While Audrey may be young to be so cynical, her life’s experiences lead to great insight about the movie trope, opening many paragraphs with her insight, sometimes hilarious, sometimes depressing. The progression of her self-confidence and her love life builds to a strong conclusion, ironically following a movie plot but with a pleasant surprise ending. It’s realistic, honest, and sincere, and the girl power is subtle but brilliant.


Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 (The Best American Series ®)

The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2020 is edited by Diana Gabaldon (she wrote the Outlander series) and John Joseph Adams. The stories come from a variety of publications, Lightspeed, New Suns, Amazing Stories, and The New Yorker among them. As with any “best of”, a reader will enjoy some more than others. But, in total, I thought these were excellent picks.

My favorite selection is by Elizabeth Bear, entitled Bullet Point. In this story, Bear’s protagonist is the last person on earth, or so she believes and is in Las Vegas. She thinks in bullet points of all the things on earth that she no longer worries about after all the people have disappeared. Bear manages to have quite a bit of depth in this story, as the female protagonist has a history of domestic abuse. The ending of the story is terrific.

A second selection that I really enjoyed is the first one in the book, Life Sentence, by Matthew Baker. It reminds me quite a bit of Kurt Vonnegut’s Harrison Bergeron, which I am fascinated by and have read many times. In this story, Wash, the main character, has had his memory wiped as a punishment, instead of the old-fashioned notion of a prison. It has a dreamlike, surreal yet horrifyingly plausible tone.

I will continue to enjoy these stories and will re-read many of them. It’s a fun collection for science fiction and fantasy fans.


Light for the World to See: A Thousand Words on Race and Hope

This is a small but mighty book. It is a very powerful litany against the toll of white supremacy, everything from taking a knee to taking a bullet. It is a miracle that the poet in just one thousand words can be so incredibly moving. The graphics are beautiful and add impact to the words. The book was designed by Sindiso Nyoni who underlines the power of the words without distraction. These poems are, by design, a meditation into the dynamics of race. They literally take my breath away in their forcefulness. He says the names of the murdered young people. His words are like a church refrain or a hymn crying out for justice.

This is the first time I have read this poet and I look forward to learning more about his work and his publishing unit, Versify, which attempts to change the world, one word at a time. This is well worth adding to one’s library and reading it through many, many times.


The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars

The Boy, the Wolf, and the Stars by Shivaun Plozza is a magical story about a boy and his pet fox, who go on a quest to find the stars that the wolf ate. The moon ran away in fear because the wolf ate the stars. The Shadow Creatures came out to attack people in the utmost darkness. The boy’s dead guardian told him to go find the stars to defeat the evil.

The plot is great and it made sense. Any part with magic held my interest. I got to know the characters very well and liked them. They did seem real and were pretty lively. The language of the book flowed well and the dialogue was natural. I enjoyed reading it. There are no illustrations in the book, but I wish there were. I think kids aged ten and older who love adventure would really enjoy this book. It would possibly make a good series. I totally recommend this book because I loved it! It is a great book, although at the end the story got sad and then happy again.


Strata: William Smith’s Geological Maps

From the first heart transplant to the federal courts of New York City, these four reads take an in-depth look at the death of Bruce Tucker, the transition of America into a one-click society, the groundbreaking work of William Smith, and the callousness of a billion-dollar industry.

The Districts: Stories of American Justice from the Federal Courts – Johnny Dwyer

Delve into this comprehensive look into the court system within Manhattan and Brooklyn. The two federal courts of Southern District Court and Eastern District Court keep order in New York City. Johnny Dwyer provides multiple stories as examples that range from a Mafioso in Queens helping depose of a body to a college student caught at the JFK airport with cocaine to a Manhattan hedge fund manager that lies to investors. Dwyer takes an in-depth exploration of the courtrooms through the lives of the judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and defendants. The crimes mentioned in the book include drug trafficking, terrorism, organized crime, and white-collar crime. /The Districts/ takes a hard and honest look at intent, deception, justice, and reasonable doubt.

The Organ Thieves: The Shocking Story of the First Heart Transplant in the Segregated South – Chip Jones

Chip Jones recounts the horrific events surrounding the first heart transplant which occurred in 1968 when Bruce Tucker, a black man, went to the top hospital in Virginia after a head injury only to have his heart removed and placed inside a white businessman. This book from Pulitzer Price-nominee journalist delves into Tucker's death and how he became a human guinea pig without his family knowing. These events reflect a long history of the mistreatment African Americans have endeared which began over a century ago with horrific actions including cadaver harvesting. The 1960s saw a race for the first successful heart transplants in a book that balances medical history, legal drama, and the issues of life and death told through the lens of racial injustice that has been around for centuries. Also included is a forward from Ben Jealous who is a social justice activist.

Strata: William Smith's Geological Maps – Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Full-color geological map illustrations, geological cross-sections, strata tables, fossil illustrations, and photographs are included within /Strata: William Smith's Geological Maps/. Also included in /Strata/ is Smith's 1799 geological map of Bath, detailed stratigraphical country maps, and the groundbreaking map of strata. The information is thanks to a variety of sources such as the London Natural History Museum, the Geological Society, and the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. This includes the first complete presentation of the revolutionary work of William Smith, a geologist, from the nineteenth century. He's considered the father of English geology. This book illustrates the career of William Smith as he went from an apprentice to a surveyor and collector of fossils and even his imprisonment over debt problems. An introduction from Douglas Palmer describes Smith's work as it relates to structure specifically towards geographical mapping and theories of biostratigraphical. The book is divided into four parts and contains sheets from Smith's 1815 hand-colored map, cross-sections, and fossil illustrations. Between each section are essays commenting on Smith's work in areas of hydrology, mining, cartography, and agriculture. This testament to Smith's career includes a forward from Robert Macfarlane and an awe-inspiring collection.

Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click America – Alec MacGillis

Upton Sinclair published a novel with the subtitle /A Story of Ford-America/ which called out a billion-dollar company for how it underpaid employees and had dangerous working conditions. Going forward eighty-three years, Amazon.com has well over a trillion dollars while Ford Motor Company is worth around thirty billion dollars. One-click America has intensified under the pandemic of the Coronavirus due to the increase in online shopping. As Amazon grows through deliveries, corporate campuses, and data centers, a separation between winner and loser cities begins to grow. The book focuses on the fabric of society unraveling which is told through stories about those that have succeeded and those that haven't. These examples include high-paid Seattle workers in offices where a black neighborhood once was, Virginia homeowners that work against a data center that could damage their local environment, and an El Paso office supply firm that works against Amazon's governmental procurement. MacGillis also includes in /Fulfillment/ how Amazon become a Washington D.C. force, the growing inequality between the poor and rich, and how every click online is remaking America.


The Singularity Transfer

The powers of the human mind are vast, their potential still being explored. Scientists seek to unlock humanity’s mysteries often by looking at the human mind. In the case of the Phoenix Consortium, their intent is strictly nefarious. They are hellbent on retrieving neural technology and will stoop to blackmail and murder to achieve their goals. Dr. Thomas Parker is a marked man, his past creeping up on him. Assassins are ransacking his home, looking for him and his new technology. Parker’s paramour, FBI Special Agent Kate Morgan, is called to investigate a charred body at Parker’s house. She is overcome with worry about Thomas’ fate. Meanwhile, Dr. Rikona Tanaka faces a life & death dilemma as she is ordered to perform a modern resurrection on another Doctor. Her own life along with her daughter hangs in the balance, as she must be successful in her endeavor. A process of cell replacement in the brain, rejuvenating dead cells holds the key to her work.

Kate receives a phone call from a mysterious figure. This figure is a cold-blooded assassin whom Kate would rather put a bullet in than engage in conversation. However, the assassin dangles Parker’s life as bait for Kate’s cooperation. Parker is a wanted man, both by the Criminal Justice System and the Federal Government. If Kate can convince Parker to continue his work, then Parker will receive a quid pro quo from the government. Parker is reluctant, being wracked with guilt over previous events involving similar experiments, betrayal, and death. He is also loath to trust Kate, their relationship having ended abruptly.

The unknown factor is that there is an ongoing war between opposite factions. Both sides want to use singularity for their own purposes, controlling the mind leads to easier manipulation of the populace. Parker wants no part in science being weaponized, but the consequences for resisting are severe, yet the price for success may just be along parallel lines. Parker is on a deadline to complete his project, as a dual one is being undertaken by the recently revived doctor. Trust is at a premium as the war edges closer and closer to home.

The Singularity Transfer hits a bullseye with its opening salvo, the action consistent throughout the book. The characters are profuse, but each offers intrigue beneath their surface. Parker and Morgan provide complexities in their roles, neither being perfect, yet they stand for the good in humanity. The antagonists, whether amoral female assassins, scheming politicians, or mad scientists, provide dark humor mixed with cringeworthy horror. Author Dan Grant has carved a niche for himself with his latest mystery, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.


The Singularity Transfer

After the events of The Singularity Witness saw Professor Thomas Parker, an expert on artificial intelligence and brain mapping, tricked into helping the diabolical Phoenix Consortium with research into mind control and then co-opted into helping the FBI track down a missing senator, it seemed unlikely that he’d be able to return to a quiet life teaching at Princeton. However, despite all the nefarious activities he ended up mixed up in, Parker was still unprepared for what he would have to face in The Singularity Transfer.

Dan Grant opens the second book in his Singularity Series with a bang, several bangs in fact. First, there is Dr. Rikona Tanaka, a veteran of the Advanced Neurological and Cybernetic Research Institute, who is being forced to reanimate/resurrect the villainous Stewart Richards, the principal antagonist from Thomas Parker’s first outing. Then there’s Parker himself, who is rudely awakened by a group of well-armed home invaders searching for his cutting-edge research: a neurological interface with the human mind. Parker initially manages to evade his attackers, but he’s left for dead when they set fire to his home. Finally, one of the investigators assigned to look into the fire is FBI Special Agent Kate Morgan, Parker’s more-off-than-on-at-the-moment girlfriend, who quickly realizes that there’s another conspiracy afoot.

There’s so much going on in the first twenty-five or so pages of The Singularity Transfer that the reader is immediately gripped by the story and interest is maintained for the remainder of the book. Grant has cracked the art of thriller writing: punchy sentences, snappy dialogue, short chapters, and plenty of cliffhangers. The book races by as the characters lurch from one explosive situation to the next. It is a medical/techno-thriller, so there’s a fair bit of realistic techie talk mixed in with the dialogue and general exposition, but only rarely does it detract from the pace of the plot. Grant has clearly put a lot of thought into his world-building and the ideas behind the singularity concept, despite being firmly within the realm of science fiction at the moment, certainly ring true. Saying that, maybe it won’t be too long before everyone is plugged into a “common collective”…

Thomas Parker is a solid, stoic hero. He’s both a man of action and a mega brain, and he doesn’t really get fazed by anything that befalls him. In fact, he’s a bit MacGyver-ish in terms of his skillset. Kate Morgan is an equally capable hero who doesn’t let international assassins, corrupt politicians, or any other flavor of villain distract her from her investigation. She’s a tenacious sleuth who will do everything it takes to get to the truth. The dynamic between the two of them works well, meaning that their relationship (or lack thereof) seems plausible throughout the book, even when it’s adversarial.

The Singularity Transfer is an exciting book that motors along at breakneck speed. It’s a cracking read for fans of Dan Brown, Steve Berry, and other writers of conspiracy theory/cutting-edge-technology-laced thrillers. While it’s not necessary to have read The Singularity Witness in order to understand and enjoy The Singularity Transfer, doing so would provide valuable background detail and help to flesh out the various characters’ motivations.


In Search of The Color Purple: The Story of an American Masterpiece (Books About Books)

In Search of the Color Purple is Salamishah Tillet’s elegy of appreciation of Alice Walker’s genius through the Pulitzer prize-winning novel The Color Purple, which tells stories of redemption and triumph over gendered and racist violence. Exploring the long and complex arc of the Black literary legacy that came alive in Walker’s prose, Tillett notes influences from the Black oral tradition to the writings of Zora Neale Thurston.

Tillet highlights her renewal as a writer and researcher, enveloped in the process of uncovering the roots of Walker’s masterpiece. It was enlightening to learn of Tillet’s journey toward her own racial and feminist identity. Tillet brings to light the controversies surfaced by the book’s critical reception. She writes about how accusations against Walker divided the Black community, particularly regarding the book’s depiction of violence perpetrated by Black men. Walker’s brand of feminism – which prominently featured the author’s friendship with Gloria Steinem – was also seen as a threat to Black solidarity.

The book highlights interviews with movement leaders and celebrity icons who were awakened and inspired by the power of Walker’s prose, from Oprah Winfrey to Quincy Jones, from Scott Sanders to Steven Spielberg. The Color Purple inspired legendary collaborations to elevate the stories from the page, to film and the stage. This is a joyous read for anyone who has been touched and transformed by the experience of knowing Celie, Shug, Sofia, and other undefeated Black women in Walker’s American classic.


Nophek Gloss (The Graven Book 1)

Sometimes a debut author's work is a shining beacon of a new literary voice, other times it is a work that is overly ambitious and lacking focus, though there can be seen a gloss of ability. This work falls more into the second category, as the story structure needed more work, along with plotting and other things to make it not only clearer but also for the reader to care about the hero. At some point in the future young Caiden, who questions everything like every teenager ever, is questioning his father about when the cattle the planet he lives on raises will return and what life is like away from home when it is violently attacked and only Caiden is left standing after beings from another world destroy it. Caiden joins a misfit crew to survive, roam the galaxy and get revenge on the people that not only enslaved him but also killed them all as well. This book needed probably another review, it is hard to follow at times, and hard to really get into as it moves a bit slowly. The quick chapters try to give it that extra movement, but the constant change of scenery makes it hard to follow at times.


Eyes That Kiss in the Corners

Some of the other little girls’ eyes are sapphire, and their lashes are long and frilly like lace, but hers “kiss in the corners and glow like warm tea.” They’re like Mama’s who blesses her with love and acceptance, confidence and self-assurance. Mama is her world. Amah’s eyes don’t have the acuity they once did, but they see into her heart and connect with her thoughts. In them, are stories that carry her away to far-off lands. Mei-Mei has eyes like hers, too, that disappear when her smile threatens to engulf them. They envision things real and imaginary, and they are unique and beautiful, just like hers.

This story has delightfully rich illustrations and gorgeous language woven together by similes, imagery, and prose. It’s about the beauty of diversity as well as family and the positivity parents and grandparents can cast on their children’s lives and the way they see themselves in the world at large. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners is a contribution to literature in its celebration of identity and culture. It’ll appeal most to children ages six to nine, but may also be a valued gift for youth ages four to five. Teachers of early elementary education will find it a treasurable addition and a wonderful resource for their classrooms.