Monday, December 25, 2017

Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand

Winter Street book cover (a bright red door with a wreath, with falling snow)Kelley Quinn, father of four and owner of Nantucket's Winter Street Inn, expected this Christmas season to be perfectly merry and bright... right up until he walks in on his second wife Mitzi literally kissing Santa Claus. And just like that, his holiday went from holly jolly to bah humbug. With his three eldest children each reeling in their own dramas, and the youngest unreachable in Afghanistan, it might be up to Kelley's ex-wife to save Christmas at the Winter Street Inn.

The Quinn family is delightfully dysfunctional in this first book of the Winter series. Each book takes place during the few days before Christmas, and ends on Christmas Day, so don't be surprised by the abrupt endings. All the story lines are picked up again next year in the next book.There are currently four books about the Quinns and their inn: Winter Street, Winter Stroll, Winter Storms, and Winter Solstice, with a new one published around Fall each year.

A heartwarming read for the holiday season.

Monday, December 18, 2017

The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore

The Stupidest Angel book cover On the week before Christmas, in the sleepy little tourist town of Pine Cove, Santa is murdered. At least that’s what seven-year-old Josh sees happen. In reality, a guy in a Santa suit was having it out with his ex-wife and he fell onto a shovel and died. Not knowing that, Josh makes a desperate Christmas wish, for Santa to be alive again. And then a Christmas miracle happens. At least, that was the plan. Except that heaven's stupidest angel decides to grant his wish by raising Santa and everyone else buried in town from the grave... as brain-hungry zombies. Merry Christmas, Pine Cove! 

The premise of this book alone is fun enough to make it a worthwhile read. It’s Christopher Moore all the way through, by which I mean that it’s absolutely outrageous. From a schizophrenic broadsword-wielding babe to a pot-smoking ex-hippie sheriff to a helicopter pilot with a pet giant fruit bat, this book has a wild cast of characters and an irreverent sense of humor that may be a bit raunchy and over-the-top for some, but will leave others rolling on the floor. If you like your humor a little on the crass side, this is a Christmas classic that’s worth the read. For audiobook fans: This narrator does a terrific job with voices, and it’s a quick listen, perfect for a long holiday car ride to visit family.

Monday, December 11, 2017

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters

The Little Stranger book coverThe Little Stranger opens just after World War II, when only three members of the Ayers family—mother, son, and daughter—remain at Hundreds Hall, the family estate in England’s West Midlands. It was once a grand and stately manor, but it has fallen into disrepair as its inhabitants have suffered personal tragedy and financial ruin. The family calls in Doctor Faraday when one of their two remaining servants falls ill. Faraday, the son of a former Hundreds Hall nurserymaid, has fond memories of the estate from his boyhood and is shocked to see it in its present state. He finds the servant perfectly healthy but terrified of a “bad thing” in the house. Faraday, ever the rationalist, diagnoses her with a case of homesickness. However, he finds himself drawn in by the Ayers family, particularly the gruff-but-charming daughter, Caroline. As he spends more time with Caroline, he learns of strange, unsettling events that seem to be plaguing the inhabitants of Hundreds Hall. Can they be explained rationally, or is there something more sinister afoot?

Waters delivers an atmospheric, spine-tingling read that will hook you from the very first page. An absolute must-read for fans of Daphne du Maurier, Henry James, Agatha Christie or Charles Dickens. Read it before the movie comes out in 2018!

Monday, December 4, 2017

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel

Sleeping Giants book coverAs a young girl, Rose Franklin stumbled upon the remnants of a gigantic metal hand. It was the first of many scattered pieces of a colossal robot, all thousands of years old, to be discovered across the globe. Seventeen years later, the mystery remains unsolved, yet Rose, now a highly trained physicist, is leading the top secret team to find the missing pieces and crack the code. The story unfolds as she and her colleagues are interviewed by a nameless interrogator, who is just as mysterious as the robot.

Told in a series of interviews, journal entries, and reports, Sleeping Giants is impossible to put down once you begin. Luckily, there's a sequel, Waking Gods, out now, and a third book is expected to come out in the spring. Fans of realistic near-future sci-fi like The Martian or World War Z will love this. Highly recommended on audio, which is a full-cast production.

Monday, November 27, 2017

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Cinder book cover (a woman's foot, overlayed with gears and machinery, wearing a bright red high heeled shoe) Imagine Cinderella as a cyborg spaceship mechanic. Imagine Little Red Riding Hood’s wolf being a genetically engineered super soldier. Imagine Rapunzel stranded alone on an orbiting satellite instead of a tower. Now imagine all of them, plus some tag-alongs, going on a four-book mission to save Earth from a deadly plague, stop the moon’s army from invading earth, reunite lost loves, and set the rightful queen on the Lunar throne. This series is the concept of fun distilled down into words and pages. Each character has a unique motivation-- from Scarlet, the tough-as-nails French farmgirl who just wants to go home, to Iko, the effervescent robot who dreams of being human. The plot is full of adventure and friendship and spaceships and romance and fairy tale cameos and derring-do.

As a cyberpunk fairy tale reimagining, it’s unusual, but excellent. It borrows from the source material without overusing it or getting bogged down by it. There are very silly moments and very tense moments, with lots of heart in between. And if you like audiobooks, the narrator for this series will absolutely knock your socks (or your cyborg foot) off.

The books in order are Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter. If you finish the series and want more, Meyer also wrote a short story collection called Stars Above, a novella called Fairest, and a graphic novel follow-up called Wires and Nerve, all set in the same universe.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon book cover
Minli and her family live in a poor village. The burden of being without weighs heavily on them, especially on Minli's mother. From time to time, she laments at their poor circumstances. One day, inspired by her father’s stories, Minli decides to journey to Never Ending Mountain to see the Old Man of the Moon to ask him how she and her family can change their fortunes. Without telling her parents, Minli sets out on her journey. Along the way, she meets a dragon, seeks guidance from a king with the help of a boy and his buffalo, comes face to face with a poisonous Green Tiger, and much more.

Filled with interesting twists and turns, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is an enjoyable juvenile fantasy story. While there is an overriding storyline of Minli’s journey, the novel often pauses to tell other tales to explain various characters and events. However, rather than distract from the main story, these tangential stories add depth and understanding to Minli’s journey and the world she lives in. Highly recommended.

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Security by Gina Wohlsdorf

Security
Manderley Resort is like nothing else. Rising from the California coast like a giant’s tooth, it is destined to be an opulent getaway for the super-rich. It is beautiful almost to a fault (who ever heard of white carpet in a hotel?), right down to the last rose in the hedge maze. It also takes security to new heights, with owner and developer Charles Destin, Jr. calling it “the most secure hotel ever built.” With the grand opening gala just weeks away, security is the last thing on type-A manager Tessa’s mind. Her to-do list is a mile long, her boss is a perfectionist, and she is much more concerned with things like getting the phones working, having the maid get that little blood spot out of the carpet, and finding time to deal with the mysterious man from her past who has just shown up out of the blue. What Tessa doesn’t realize is that her staff is being slaughtered one by one by a pair of masked killers. But why are they targeting the hotel staff? What do they want? Can Tessa make it out alive?

The reader gets a security camera view of the action because after all, at Manderley, someone is always watching. This inventive, darkly funny novel has plenty of self-aware nods to the slasher movie genre throughout and is sure to delight movie buffs and horror readers alike.   

Thursday, October 19, 2017

What If? by Randall Munroe

What If? book cover (a tied-up T-rex suspended over a Sarlac pit)Randall Munroe is the author and artist behind the wildly popular physics-themed stick-figure webcomic xkcd. Because of the scientific tilt of his comics, he fields a lot of questions from fans, especially questions that start with "What if--?" This book answers some of the funniest, weirdest, and most popular questions he's gotten over the years.

If you've ever wondered how fast you could hit a speed bump and survive, or what would happen if you switched off the sun, or if you could dissipate a hurricane using nuclear weapons, or even how many giraffes high a person could throw a baseball, then this book will answer all your questions and more. Munroe is beyond hilarious, and his little illustrations (and rejected questions) make the whole book that much more entertaining. The explanations are all scientifically accurate, but more importantly, they're laugh-out-loud funny. For the true nerds out there, or any lovers of humor and science, this is a book to check out ASAP.

Friday, October 13, 2017

Hush by Jeph Loeb

Batman: Hush book cover It’s just another night for Batman, leaping across Gotham rooftops, rescuing a hostage from Killer Croc, when someone intercepts the ransom money and cuts the line to his grappling hook, leaving him for dead in Crime Alley. In trying to uncover the culprit, he finds himself tangled in a web with all his greatest enemies: Poison Ivy, Clayface, Joker, Riddler, Scarecrow, Ra’s al Ghul, and others. They all talk as though it’s a game, but innocent lives are on the line, including some of Bruce Wayne's oldest friends. Working closely (very closely, hint hint) with Catwoman, the Dark Knight fights to uncover who is at the root of this tangle of crimes, mind control, disguise, and deception.

This is a great Batman comic for new readers and old fans alike. It has cameos from almost every Batman enemy and ally you could think of, along with plenty of little explanations of the continuity (Like what happened to the original Robin, or why Barbara Gordon is Oracle). There’s action on nearly every page, and you get to see Batman in his detective mode as well as his “punching Joker in the face” mode. If you like the Batman shows and movies, especially the darker, grittier Batman, Hush is a great introduction to his comic book incarnation. If you like your Batman even darker, try The Killing Joke as well. For a lighter read, try Batman Adventures.

Monday, October 9, 2017

Lock In by John Scalzi

Lock In book cover (a crowd of white people-shaped figurines, with a few red robot figurines)
It’s been 25 years since the world was rocked by the “Haden’s Syndrome” pandemic. About 1% of those infected became permanently “locked in,” completely paralyzed but fully aware. This new "Haden" demographic spurred a technological boom, and many now walk around with their consciousness embedded in robotic “threeps” (think C-3PO). Chris Shane, the only child of a famous and obscenely wealthy family, grew up as a poster child for Hadens. Now an adult, unwilling to sit back and leech off the family fortune, Chris joins the FBI and is partnered with the secretive and acerbic Van. Chris's very first week on the job involves investigating a string of murders, corporate espionage, body hijacking, Haden civil rights riots, and a scheme that could change the lives of all Hadens forever.

This is a delightful mix of sci-fi and mystery, as Chris navigates a world where people can disguise themselves in robotic bodies or those of human “integrators.” It’s a fun story with great worldbuilding, enjoyable characters, and plenty of action, but it also has a special, subtle gimmick: Chris’s gender is never stated or even implied. You can read the whole book without actually noticing, but it definitely adds a unique layer to the story. To facilitate the illusion, two different audiobooks were recorded, one with a male narrator (Wil Wheaton), and one female (Amber Benson). This is a definite must-read for fans of Ready Player One and other near-future sci-fi.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

The Ruin of a Rake by Cat Sebastian

The Ruin of a Rake Lord Courtenay never expected to move back to England, but he made the sacrifice to be close to his nephew, Simon. Now Simon’s father refuses to allow him to see his uncle, owing to Courtenay’s reputation as a dissipated rake. Courtenay is desperate to change his image, even if it means spending time with Julian Medlock, a bland, uptight man but one who commands high society’s respect. Julian is resentful of his infatuation with Courtenay and assumes Courtenay deserves his bad name for scandalous behavior. Nevertheless, as a favor to his sister, Julian agrees to try to reverse Courtenay’s legendary infamy. Slowly, Julian discerns Courtenay is not the reprobate he imagines, while Courtenay discovers Julian’s dull façade hides a clever and passionate man. The charm, vulnerabilities, and hidden depths of Courtenay and Julian are infectious, and the chemistry between the two is both tender and steamy hot.

Sebastian (The Lawrence Browne Affair) might use the well-worn opposites-attract trope to get her lovers together, but her mastery of conflict, tension, and timing along with flawless characterization and sexual attraction turn The Ruin of a Rake into a unique and entrancing romance that touches the heart deeper than most.

This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, July 7, 2017.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval
Scarlett Dragna has never left the island where she lives with her beloved sister, Tella, and their spiteful father. Her father has arranged a marriage for her to a man she’s never met but who will benefit her father politically, yet this forced marriage is her only hope of escaping the island with her sister to safety away from their abusive father. 

One week before her wedding day the invitation she’d been waiting for her whole life arrives, an invitation to attend Caraval for Scarlett, Tella, and one guest. But going would mean missing her wedding, the one certain way Scarlett knows she can rescue her sister from their father. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella kidnaps Scarlett. Only when they arrive at Caraval,Tella is abducted by Legend, the mastermind behind the show. Whoever finds Tella first will win this year’s Caraval. While Scarlett has been told everything in Caraval is a performance, she falls into a game of intrigue, love, and magic. Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of Caraval are over or her sister will disappear forever!

This story takes you through a fantastic magical world, where you never know what is real, magic, or performance. But the heart of the story is love, Scarlett’s love of her sister and Scarlett falling in love. By the end of the story you believe you have finally unraveled the game to realize you had no idea.

Caraval is the first installment of the "Caraval" series; the second installment is slated to be out in 2018.

Friday, September 22, 2017

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda
Matilda is a story about a very smart young girl. Sadly, Matilda’s parents are quite negligent of her, seeing Matilda as a burden. As a result, Matilda finds unique ways to punish them for their treatment, whether it is with a bit of superglue on her father’s hat or hair dye in his hair tonic. Fortunately, they do at least enroll her in school, and Matilda has a wonderful teacher, Miss Honey, who sees the intelligence in her young pupil. In fact, Miss Honey tries to get Matilda advanced to a higher grade level, but the headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, does not allow it. As a matter of fact, Miss Trunchbull despises all children. She bullies them and hands out the most severe punishments. What can a young girl do with a brute like Miss Trunchbull?
 
Listening to the audio version, read by Kate Winslet, really brought the story to life. Each character was given a unique voice, making it very easy to follow the story. While a little over the top with some of Miss Trunchbull’s actions, children will enjoy the justice one young girl is able to bring about on unsuspecting adults. 

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The Glass Castle
Father and charming handyman extraordinaire, Rex Walls is also an argumentative alcoholic who can't keep a job. Mother and artist, Rose Mary Walls puts herself and her art first, especially before the welfare of the family. From Jeannette's toddler years and on, her family moves around a lot, often doing the "skedaddle" in the middle of the night. Frequently going without food, supervision, and any sort of bathroom facilities, Jeannette and her siblings are left to fend for themselves, shunned and labeled "dirty urchins" by townspeople and classmates alike. But Jeannette's story takes a positive turn once she leaves her depressing home for New York City.

The Glass Castle is a page-turner, with the reader wondering how things will turn out for Jeannette and all her siblings after perpetual family dysfunction. The tone throughout the book clearly shows how much Jeannette loves her family, but that love is not enough to save everyone close to her. Despite the frequent downward spiral of Jeannette's parents, this memoir is ultimately uplifting, showing how resourcefulness, a determined attitude, and hard work can result in positive changes in one's own life.

Now a major motion picture. Check out the movie version from the library later this year.

Monday, September 11, 2017

The Dry by Jane Harper

The Dry
Federal Agent Aaron Falk has not been back to his remote Australian hometown since he and his father were run off twenty years ago. Aaron thought he would never go back until his childhood best friend, Luke, murders his own family and kills himself. Aaron receives a note from Luke’s father that reads simply: “You lied. Luke lied. Be at the funeral.” Reluctantly, he attends the funerals in the claustrophobic, drought-stricken farming town of Kiewarra. The locals, already on edge and starting to turn on each other in the relentless heat, are determined to hound Aaron out of town for a second time. He is more than happy to go until Luke’s father asks him to look into the murder-suicide that his son has been blamed for, and Aaron starts to suspect that Luke was framed. Along the way, Aaron must also confront the secrets buried in his and Luke’s past, where another murder lurks.

The Dry is a gripping, atmospheric page-turner. Secrets are revealed piece by piece with perfect timing that will leave you unable to put the book down. Harper’s characters and setting are so well-drawn that you will be able to feel the heat and you’ll be looking over your shoulder for suspicious locals. A summer must-read for mystery fans.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

The Lies of Locke Lamora book cover Locke Lamora is a criminal-- a liar, a thief, a crook. As a kid, he was kicked out of a criminal organization for being too good at stealing. As an adult, he runs his own gang of thieves, called the Gentlemen Bastards. They pretend to be minor pickpockets, but in reality, they’re the world’s first con artists, tricking rich families out of their wealth and counting on their marks’ embarrassment to keep themselves secret. Things go swimmingly until someone begins framing Locke for the murders of a powerful crime lord’s family, and he has to pull off the con of his life to save himself and his friends.

This is a fantastic heist book that takes place in a low fantasy world of crystal spires and annual shark fights. There’s innovative cursing and hilarious dialogue, especially from the charming and quick-witted Locke himself. Imagine Ocean’s Eleven crossed with Discworld and Game of Thrones and you’ll have some idea if you’ll like it or not. If you’re burned out on grimdark fantasy, this will make you smile. It’s a large book, but amazingly fast-paced, and it’s the first in the Gentleman Bastard series, so if you like it, there are currently two sequels. For audiobook readers, the narrator is excellent, and it makes for a great listen.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Mystic by Jason Denzel

Mystic
Pomella AnDone is a commoner in a world where nobility have all of the power and answer only to the Mystics. The Mystics have the ability to sense and manipulate the Myst, the energy that lives at the heart of the universe. The odds of ever rising from your station are zilch to none, as tradition and honor are the most important things of her world.

But Pomella has always been viewed as an odd one in her village, as she’s always seen silver animals in the forest that no one else can see and has an obsession with the Myst. Therefore, when the Green Man appeared to offer Pomella an invitation to compete to be the new High Mystic’s apprentice, she has no choice but to go, despite the fact that the local Baron’s daughter has threatened if she leaves the Baron’s land she’ll become Unnamed. As an Unnamed, she would be viewed as a worthless criminal not welcomed anywhere, even with her family. If she were to stay, she would live a meaningless life tending to her garden, wishing for what this precise opportunity offered, while verifying to her village that they cannot move up in station.

With her little knowledge of the Myst, how is she to compete against nobility that has been training for this opportunity their whole lives? Does she even stand a chance?

Denzel's magical world of the Myst is quite like most bildungsroman magical stories, but in a refreshing way. He makes you want to read about the character's experiences and follow their story. Though this story is classified as adult fiction, it reads more as a young adult novel. Mystic is the first book of Pomella's journey through the Myst; the second installment of the "Mystic" series is slated to be out in 2018.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell

Assassination Vacation book cover If you’re like most people, you can’t say much about Presidents McKinley and Garfield except that they were two of the four presidents, along with Lincoln and Kennedy, who were assassinated while in office. This book can fix that. It’s the story of writer and NPR contributor Sarah Vowell visiting all the sites related to our four assassinated presidents and their untimely deaths in her “assassination vacation.” Mixing dark humor with honest feeling, she visits graves, death sites, presidential libraries, homes, theaters, and more, in hopes of better understanding these four fallen leaders. In the process, she pulls not only from primary and contemporaneous sources, but also from modern ones. She quotes historic letters and newspaper articles alongside conversations with tour guides and impersonators she meets along the way. It makes for an eclectic but absorbing read, jumping from a harrowing first-person account of McKinley’s shooting to the nondescript plaque that marks the spot today.

Vowell’s witty writing style will appeal to fans of David Sedaris, and her storytelling makes the experience feel very personal. If the idea of a morbidly funny road trip through our nation’s history sounds like fun to you, you’ll want to pick this one up. Audiobook Lovers: The author narrates this book, giving an impeccable reading of her own lines with a dry, deadpan delivery that complements the writing perfectly. However, her high, lispy voice may turn off some listeners.

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Watch Me Disappear by Janelle Brown

Watch Me Disappear
Jonathan and Billie are the perfect couple. They met on public transit, fell in love at first sight, and got married on a beach two weeks later. Nearly two decades later, they have a house in Berkeley, an environmentally-conscious teen daughter, and a seemingly perfect life. Billie is a stay-at-home mom who loves yoga and hiking, and Jonathan has worked his way up the ladder at a tech magazine. But their perfect life comes at a price. Jonathan is a workaholic, and Billie, a wild child in her youth, begins to grow bored and disillusioned with their life together. So, Billie decides to take a page from Cheryl Strayed's playbook and hike out her problems solo on the Pacific Crest Trail. Instead, she vanishes on her hike, leaving behind only a lone boot.

A year later, with Billie close to being declared legally dead, their daughter Olive begins to have hallucinations (or are they visions?) of her mother, very much alive. As Jonathan and Olive begin searching for answers, they find a tangle of secrets in Billie's past that makes them question everything about the woman they loved and thought they knew.

Janelle Brown weaves a compelling, twisty tale that will keep readers turning the page and guessing right up until the last sentence. A great summer read, perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl.

Friday, August 11, 2017

The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage by Sydney Padua

The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage book cover This is the (mostly) true story of the world's first computer. British inventor Charles Babbage designed the "Difference Engine," the earliest predecessor to modern computers. In turn, his friend and confidant, Ada Lovelace, illegitimate daughter of Lord Byron, wrote the world's first computer program for it. In reality, sadly, the Difference Engine was never built. The design and the programming were technically correct, but theoretical. But who cares about reality? It's far more fun to imagine that they did build it, and then used it to further their rollicking steampunk adventures!

This graphic novel, with its charming black-and-white art, imagines what kinds of adventures they might have gone on, which is delightful on its own, but the truly amazing part is that the whole book is littered with footnotes and full-page spreads about the real Lovelace and Babbage. The author did a huge amount of original research about the oft-overlooked pair, and the way she swirls fact with fiction is masterful. If you're a fan of biography and/or steampunk, you'll want to give this a look.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Uprooted Agnieszka’s village lies at the edge of The Wood, a dark and sinister forest full of monsters and magic. They survive only by the mercy of The Dragon, a great and powerful wizard, but his mercy has a price. Every ten years, he descends on the village and chooses a girl to become his servant. The girls are never the same when they are released. Everyone has always known who will be chosen this year, Kasia, the good and brave and beautiful. So when the day comes and the Dragon chooses her unremarkable friend Agnieszka instead, everyone is stunned, especially Kasia and Agnieszka. So Agnieszka goes to his tower, and finds that nothing is as she expected. The Wood is advancing, huge and ominous, and if they aren’t able to stop it, it will devour her village and everything and everyone in it. And the Dragon isn’t what she expected either...

This is a tale deeply rooted in Russian folklore and fairy tales, but it subverts a lot of the tropes you usually see in the fairy tale genre. Not every author can build an atmosphere like this, both tense and whimsical. The descriptions of the forest are legitimately frightening, and the style of magic they use is really something different. Agnieszka isn’t your average fairy tale heroine, and the Dragon isn’t your average hero (or villain, or romantic lead, for that matter). If you’re a fan of dark fairy tales, give this a chance. It’s one of the best.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Get Well Soon by Jennifer Wright

Get Well Soon book cover This is a book about plagues. More surprisingly, it’s a humorous book about plagues. Jennifer Wright, author of It Ended Badly: Thirteen of the Worst Breakups in History, manages to balance being informative about a very depressing topic while maintaining a witty, upbeat writing style. The book progresses chronologically from ancient and medieval plagues into the modern day, with each chapter covering one plague (such as the dancing plague, leprosy, the Black Death, polio, etc.).

Interestingly, Wright not only covers the effects of each plague, but also critiques how it was handled at the time. In each case, brave people work hard to combat the terrifying diseases. Sometimes, these heroes are doctors and scientists researching and tracking the disease. Other times, they are individuals and communities rallying around the afflicted.


It’s a bittersweet book. Some chapters are hopeful and inspiring, while others serve as chilling examples of how mishandling a situation can turn it into a catastrophe. The book does a surprisingly good job of keeping up its cheery tone, while still showing sympathy and regret for those affected by the plagues. It’s informative and highly readable without being dense, and the author has some insights for modern audiences to heed.

Thursday, July 20, 2017

The Chocolate Cat Caper by JoAnna Carl

Crime de Cocoa
Lee McKinney is starting a new chapter in her life. She has moved in with her Aunt Nettie and has started helping with the bookkeeping for her Aunt’s business, TenHuis Chocolade, a popular chocolate shop in Warner Pier, MI. The high profile defense lawyer, Clementine Ripley, particularly loves the shop’s Amaretto truffles. In fact, she ordered those and a number of other chocolates from TenHuis for a party. While Clementine favors the shop’s chocolates, its owner, Aunt Nettie, doesn’t care for Clementine one bit. She is not the only one in town who has a poor opinion of the defense lawyer. Unfortunately, it was an Amaretto truffle spiked with cyanide that Clementine was eating when she dropped dead. All signs point to Aunt Nettie and Lee as those responsible for Clementine’s death. Can Lee find the real killer and clear herself and her aunt of a potential murder charge?

The Chocolate Cat Caper is a mystery that will leave you guessing who the murderer is until the end. This is the first in the "Chocoholic Mystery" series, and while the murder case is nicely concluded, there are opportunities left open for future developments for Lee and her aunt. The first three "Chocoholic Mystery" stories, including The Chocolate Cat Caper, are compiled in Crime de Cocoa.

Monday, July 10, 2017

Coming Clean by Kimberly Rae Miller

Coming Clean
Have you ever left the kitchen sink dishes for another day? Do you have an extra room at home or a basement that's storage for stuff you rarely use but don't have the heart to discard? And do you feel guilty about it? That's nothing compared to Coming Clean.

Kim Miller is your average girl growing up in what appears to be an average family to Kim's friends and teachers, but her parents are hoarders, whose tendencies to keep every little thing escalates as Kim grows older. The Millers' hoarding gets so bad, they won't allow cleaners, repairmen, or anyone into their home. The bathroom is filled with junk and becomes nonfunctional, forcing Kim to shower away from home. The furnace breaks but isn't fixed, making for some chilly winters. Meanwhile, rats scurry through discarded belongings and a derelict kitchen, and the floor slowly disintegrates. As an adult, Kim becomes a neat-freak, obsessed with her clean and tidy apartment. Yet her parents' troubles plague Kim, as she takes on forced purges of their home and the insurmountable task of cleaning and packing required for each move her parents make.

While recounting her traumatizing childhood, readers may recoil at the horrors Kim's parents unwittingly bestowed, but Kim manages to balance her disturbing tale with compassionate pictures of her parents' kindness and the history that led to their hoarding tendencies.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

The Lawrence Browne Affair by Cat Sebastian

The Lawrence Browne Affair
Afraid he will succumb to his family’s history of insanity, Lawrence Browne, the Earl of Radnor, lives like a hermit at his crumbling family estate Penkellis. Concerned for Lawrence’s well-being, the local vicar recruits a secretary to manage the earl’s affairs. Georgie Turner has spent his life swindling people out of their money, but guilt causes him to abandon his latest con. Georgie’s partners are bent on revenge, so he escapes to Penkellis, reinventing himself as a respectable secretary. Initially annoyed by the intrusion, Lawrence grudgingly comes to depend on Georgie, who readily adapts to the eccentric scientist and his odd habits. Their professional camaraderie gives way to an intense love affair, but both men believe they are unworthy of such a gift. Both are also deeply flawed as a result of their respective childhoods, but their willingness to accommodate each other’s deficits and accept one another unconditionally is what will have readers falling in love with them. 

Verdict Sebastian has crafted an epic romance in which Lawrence and Georgie share incredible chemistry. Although the book is not listed as part of a series, Georgie is the brother to Jack Turner, the rogue in Sebastian’s debut novel, The Soldier’s Scoundrel. Profoundly romantic and highly recommended. 

This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, January 19, 2017.

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Princeless Vol 1: Save Yourself by Jeremy Whitley

Princeless: Save Yourself
Adrienne Ashe never wanted to be a princess. Fancy dinners and lavish dresses were bad enough, but on the night of her 16th birthday her parents lock her away in a tower guarded by a dragon to await the rescue of some handsome prince. But Adrienne decides to take matters into her own hands!

Funny and full of action, and adventure, Princeless is perfect for readers of all ages who are tired of waiting to be rescued and ready to save themselves! Want to read more? Save Yourself is the first in the "Princeless" series.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Shop Till You Drop by Elaine Viets

Shop Till You Drop
Helen works at Juliana’s in South Florida. It’s a job with absolutely no prospects, but it’s the type of job that Helen wants and needs. She had to quickly leave her old life behind in St. Louis, and now she is stuck taking sub-par jobs to avoid her past catching up with her. In spite of terrible customers, a boss with questionable morals, and poor pay, Helen makes it work until the day a dead body is found in a barrel in Biscayne Bay. When the police start to investigate, the clues lead to Juliana’s and its staff. Helen is suspected of murder. In order to clear her name, she starts her own investigation.

With a quirky cast of characters, Shop Till You Drop draws the reader in. There are enough suspects to keep you guessing until the closing chapters of the book, and the novel concludes nicely with an epilogue that explains what happens to all the players involved. This is the first book in the "Dead-End Job Mystery" series, so there are plenty more dead-end jobs for Helen if you are interested in reading more.

Monday, June 19, 2017

The Undateable by Sarah Title

The Undateable
Melissa "Bernie" Bernard can't help but feel that love has passed her by, and she'll happily complain about it to any who will listen. Though she enjoys her work as a college librarian in San Francisco, deep down she wonders if there could be more. So when a video of a marriage proposal at the library catches Bernie rolling her eyes, Bernie is shocked to find that she's become a viral sensation. Just as she's ready to go into hiding and permanently bury her nose in a book, a handsome reporter appears with a proposal of his own - he will find dates for the undateable. Bernie must go on 30 different dates in 30 days. With one disastrous date after another, she's ready to give up, until the reporter proves he'll do anything to find her the perfect match, even if it means putting himself up for the role.

Funny, and adorable, The Undateable is perfect for readers who like their romance light and fluffy. The characters have a nice chemistry, especially if you enjoy clever banter, and the friends-to-lovers trope. This is the first in the "Librarians in Love" series, and is even written by an actual librarian.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

Between Shades of Gray
Lina is just like any other 15 year old Lithuanian girl in 1941, until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home and tear her family apart. Lina, her mother, and her young brother are taken north, across the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Under Stalin's orders, they must dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions. Hoping she can send a message to her father, Lina uses her art as a way to let him know they are still alive.

Between Shades of Gray is a difficult read due to the subject matter, but ultimately it is necessary. Though it is technically a book for young adults, it is easily a cross over book for adults interested in a different World War II story.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Buttons and Bones by Monica Ferris

Buttons and Bones
Betsy is headed to the country with her friends, the Larsons, to visit their newly purchased cabin located on one of the many lakes in Minnesota. While new to the Larsons, the cabin dates back to well before World War II. Over the course of several weekends, the Larsons had been working hard to get their cabin back into shape. In fact, the weekend Betsy comes to visit, they all work together to pull up the old carpet and linoleum. All are surprised to see a trapdoor hidden underneath. They open the door to investigate and discover a body. More accurately, they find a skeleton of someone who had been long dead. Over the course of the story, Betsy works with her friend Jill to try and discover who the bones belong to, how they ended up in the Larson’s cabin, and who the killer is.

While this is the 14th book in Monica Ferris’s Needlecraft Mystery Series, the book can stand on its own, without need for knowledge of the previous titles. Recommended for those who like their mysteries without gore and violence.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

Menagerie
Delilah Marlowe is living an ordinary, if boring, life. Then, for her birthday her boyfriend buys tickets to the most spectacular menagerie traveling show. This menagerie is comprised not of ordinary animals, but human shifters, nymphs and other fae folk, and even a minotaur. Seeing the poor treatment of one teenage wolf shifter, Delilah morphs into an unknown, terrifying creature. Stripped of her human rights, Delilah is sold to the menagerie and has to adapt to living caged and putting up with abuse from the humans who run the show. But not all the crew members are as they seem, and one might just give Delilah the chance she needs to break free.

Fantasy readers will rejoice in the wide variety of fantastic folk not seen in other urban fantasy series. Violent treatment toward Delilah and her fellow captives will have readers rallying behind her efforts to get free. The suspense builds quickly and doesn't let up for the entire read, even the ending will have readers wanting to move on immediately to the next in the "Menagerie" series, Spectacle, out now. Perfect for fans of darker urban fantasy stories.

Spectacle by Rachel Vincent

Spectacle
Delilah Marlow and the rest of the renegade cast and crew of Metzger's Menagerie don't have long to enjoy their hard-earned freedom from captivity. Quickly into the second of the "Menagerie" series, Delilah and many others are found to be impersonating humans and are quickly captured and bought by The Savage Spectacle. Once again imprisoned, Delilah and other non-humans are forced to serve the rich patrons who visit The Savage Spectacle. Now, instead of being held captive in a cage, non-humans are surgically implanted with tracking devices that electrocute the wearer if s/he misbehaves or tries to escape, and this time, Delilah's protector, Gallagher, is also caged.

Vincent crafts an even more brutal edition in the "Menagerie" series, where some non-humans have to battle against others gladiator style to the death as entertainment for the rich. The sense of injustice as well as suspense is just as high in this installment as in the first book, Menagerie, although a too-convenient twist and ending may stretch credulity a little too far for some readers.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Dark Season by Joanna Lowell

Dark Season
Ella Arlington flees her home when her cousin inherits and plans to commit her to an asylum because she has epilepsy. Now destitute and on the run in London, Ella attends a séance hoping to speak with her beloved father but instead has a seizure. Confusing Ella’s episode with possession by her dead daughter, Phillipa, the wealthy Mrs. Trombly takes Ella into her home to act as her private medium. During a visit to Mrs. Trombly, her daughter’s former fiancé, Viscount Isidore Blackwood, meets Ella and is furious that she has duped Phillipa’s grieving mother into hiring her services, vowing to reveal Ella as a fraud. However, Isidore’s friends are hiding terrible truths, and he will need Ella’s help to uncover what really happened the night Phillipa died. The mystery surrounding Phillipa’s death may be too predictable for some, but readers will still be enthralled, wondering if Ella’s epilepsy will be discovered and what her fate holds.

Verdict Debut author Lowell has crafted a lavish Victorian gothic romance with a rare disabled female protagonist who refuses to be a tragic victim of her time. Highly recommended for the frank portrayal of living with the stigma of a neurological disorder without sacrificing romantic tension.

This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, June 10, 2016.

Monday, April 24, 2017

The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker

The Animators
Mel Vaught and Sharon Kisses met in an art class in college. Mel is the self-assured wild child willing to stand up to their bullying professor. Unsure of her talent, Sharon is happy to hang out with Mel, when the two discover their mutual love of animation. Ten years later, the two hit the big time with the success of their first full-length animated film recalling Mel's disturbing childhood. Then tragedy strikes, Sharon suffers a debilitating aneurysm and must struggle to slowly recover. Always doubting her own talent, Sharon loses even more confidence in her work, and tensions arise between the two after they win an award that allows them to create a second film. This time the film will focus on Sharon's childhood and the criminal who lurked next door.

Whitaker doesn't shy away from uncomfortable, brutal truths, capturing the shortcomings of both Sharon and Mel, highlighting their multitude of problems. Despite this, Whitaker makes the strong bond of friendship between Mel and Sharon shine throughout, and their dedication to each other and their art is clear. The complexity of relationships can be bittersweet, and The Animators displays this tendency to the fullest. An excellent debut and highly recommended.

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

Under Her Skin by Adriana Anders

Under Her Skin
Uma is on the run and desperate for a job, which is why she’s standing at the doorstep of a woman whose ad is asking for a live-in care giver willing to put up with mistreatment. She literally has nothing but the clothes on her back, a few dollars, and her car which is close to empty. Beneath her clothing is a terrible secret, the permanent signs of her abuse.

She’s caught between her past and a very uncertain future, with no one to trust, not even her own mother. When Ivan, her new neighbor shows interest in her she’s reluctant to bare herself to anyone, let alone an ex con. But underneath his rough, handsome exterior is a compassionate guy who rescues stray, lost animals. 

Uma’s story unfolds slowly, as she begins to let Ivan into her life. Bits and pieces of her abuse slowly come together showing what a strong woman she is for managing to escape and trying to heal herself. If you’re looking for a romance with a man who understands that a woman’s scars are a beautiful part of her history and with a woman who learns to fight her own battles, this is the perfect fitUnder Her Skin is the first title in the "Blank Canvas" series.  

Monday, March 20, 2017

Dead Seekers by Barb and J.C. Hendee

The Dead Seekers
Mari has been on the hunt for the man who killed her entire family for years to get her vengeance, and finally received a solid lead to the “Dead’s Man.” But when she finally encounters him, he is not what she was expecting of the cold blooded murder. Rather, it is Mari herself who keeps saving his life while he helps save others at expense to his own well-being.

The idea of this story is fresh and original bringing a new spin on some of the popular fantasy aspects fantasy lovers are always on the lookout for: magic, shape-shifters, and ghosts. The story line is also quite interesting. The characters take most of the book to develop, so they are not why readers will want to continue reading but rather the new fantasy aspects to see how it will play out. Hopefully, the next book in the series will delve more in depth with the characters now that they’re built up.  

Sunday, March 5, 2017

You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott

You Will Know Me
Devon Knox was born to do gymnastics—literally. In the womb, she kicked her mother, Katie, hard enough to break a rib. As a toddler, she possessed a quiet focus and a physical ability beyond her years. When teenage Devon’s gymnastics coach asks her parents how far they will go to nurture her potential—her Olympic potential—they are willing to do anything. The Knox family devotes themselves wholeheartedly to Devon’s career, spending long hours at the gym, traveling relentlessly to meets, and spending money they don’t have on coaching and equipment. When the boyfriend of one of Devon’s coaches is killed in a hit-and-run and the coach begins making bizarre threats against Devon, Katie starts looking into the young man’s death herself. With each step closer to the truth, Katie becomes less and less certain about the one thing she thought she knew best—her family.

Megan Abbott is particularly gifted at crafting characters, making even the most minor character in You Will Know Me come to life. Her writing is taut and suspenseful, and will keep readers guessing right up to the last page. Abbott also does a masterful job of bringing the claustrophobic world of competitive gymnastics to readers who don’t know a vault from a salto.

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Girl in Disguise by Greer Macallister

Girl in Disguise
Girl in Disguise is a fictional tale based on the real life historical figure, Kate Warne, who was the first female Pinkerton detective. Desperate for a way to support herself, Kate answers a classified job ad she knows was meant for a man, but she convinces Allan Pinkerton to hire her, as women can go where men cannot. Naturally, some of the male operatives in the Pinkerton Agency rail against working beside a female, but eventually, most of the men come to view Kate with respect, even if they still think she's having an affair with the boss. 

Most of the book recounts various cases Kate works. Two notable cases involve Abraham Lincoln; one was while he was an attorney in Springfield and then later on his trip to Washington D.C. for his inauguration. Little hints of Kate's traumatic past are sprinkled throughout until the latter quarter of the book, where Kate's history comes back to haunt her.

In reality, very little is known about Kate Warne's life, but Macallister does a fantastic job of putting the reader in the historical locales where this book takes place and tying in factual historical events to Kate's cases. Macallister also excels at imagining the small details in Kate's day to day life and the difficulties she encounters being the first female private detective. Recommended for lovers of historical fiction and/or pioneering women, as well as anyone who appreciates an author who clearly does her research. Also noteworthy is Macallister's debut novel, The Magician's Lie.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Dark Night: a True Batman Story by Paul Dini

Dark Night: a True Batman Story
An exceptionally well-written memoir about a brutal beating, Dark Night recounts the traumatic recovery the author survived to overcome fear, pain, and rage. Eduardo Risso's illustrations in watercolors are phenomenal and add a complementary beauty to a truly horrific survivor's tale. Dini is unflinching in his portrayal of himself and others; he is frequently a rather unlikable person yet remains completely empathetic by baring his humanity, flaws and all. The DC comics characters and other cartoon characters periodically inserted as part of Dini's imagination and thought process might jar some readers but will feel right at home and even necessary to comic and graphic novel lovers.

Friday, January 13, 2017

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Crazy Rich Asians
When Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend Nick, she imagines this will just be a fun summer and a great chance to meet his family and see Singapore before returning to the simple life they live in New York. But Rachel has no idea that Nick is Nicholas Young (of the Youngs, one of Singapore's most established and wealthiest families). Rachel is thrown into a storm of gossip, money, interfering relatives, family secrets, and some seriously mean girls. The bonds of love are tested, and Rachel must decide whether she can handle being with Nick and therefore being tangled up in his family.

This book is so, so much fun. Kwan's writing style is snappy and electric, fizzing across the page and leading you ever further into this vivid world of designer clothes, exquisite architecture, amazing houses, and old family drama. The characters in this book are definitely the kind that you love to hate.

There is a sequel out (China Rich Girlfriend), and a third book (Rich People Problems) is expected to come out May 2017.

Saturday, January 7, 2017

The Soldier's Scoundrel by Cat Sebastian

The Soldier's Scoundrel
Former thief Jack Turner makes a living as a private investigator working for women and the poor. Oliver Rivington, a straight-laced retired army captain and the younger son of an earl, barges into Jack’s office, demanding the return of £200 spent by his sister for Jack’s dubious services. To prove his business is legitimate, Jack invites Oliver to observe his next appointment, a wealthy lady blackmailed by a former lover. Bored with no other occupation, Oliver inserts himself into Jack’s investigation, believing Jack will resort to illegal methods to resolve the case. Alternatively, Jack is deeply distrustful of the aristocracy and wants nothing to do with law-abiding Oliver. Initially drawn to each other for physical comfort, their attraction blooms into something more, but can love breach the distance between classes?

Verdict Debut author Sebastian solidly portrays the prejudice of class differences and the injustice of a flawed legal system skewed in favor of rich men. Sweetly prim Oliver and the roguish Jack will quickly win the hearts of readers, while the mysterious blackmail investigation keeps them invested to the end. An excellent choice not just for M/M romance fans but also for Regency fans with a penchant for vigilante justice.

This review was originally published in Library Journal Xpress Reviews: E-Originals, September 29, 2016.