On a snowy December night in London, Laurie James looks out the window of her bus and sees him-- the man she's convinced, in that split second, is the one. Their eyes meet, he makes a move in her direction... and then the bus drives away. Laurie becomes obsessed, spending months scanning every face at every bus stop and every cafe in the hopes that it's him. But it never is.
That is, until her best friend and roommate, Sarah, introduces him to Laurie at a Christmas party a year later as Jack, the man of Sarah's dreams.
One Day in December is a tense but moving romance spanning almost a decade as Laurie and Jack try to navigate life with each other... but not with each other. Theirs is not the only love story, though. The relationship between Laurie and Sarah is just as, if not more, important than whatever Laurie and Jack may or may not have. It's why Laurie keeps Jack's identity as "bus boy" a secret, so as not to break Sarah's heart. And it's why the ultimate climax of the book takes on an even deeper meaning-- Laurie and Sarah's relationship has to be solid before any relationship between Laurie and Jack can begin.
For almost seventeen years, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart brilliantly redefined the borders between television comedy, political satire, and opinionated news coverage. It launched the careers of some of today's most significant comedians, highlighted the hypocrisies of the powerful, and along the way managed to earn 23 Emmys. Now you can see behind the scenes on one of the most influential television shows of the modern era. Correspondents, guests, and staff all tell the story of The Daily Show from its humble beginnings, through incisive election coverage, Jon Stewart's emotional monologue in the wake of 9/11, his infamous confrontation on Crossfire, passionate debates with President Obama, feuds with Bill O'Reilly, Indecisions and more. Highly recommended for fans of the show.
The Ruins follows a group of young, carefree students vacationing on the beaches of Mexico. On a lark, they embark on an day’s adventure into the jungle to find a friend’s brother and see some ancient ruins. However, the journey is much longer than expected, their supplies are inadequate, the villagers are not friendly, and the abandoned ruins harbor a danger they never could have imagined. Far too late, they realize their folly. A mysterious enemy inhabiting the ruins taunts them, pitting them against each other and making them question their sanity, before its ultimate attempt to consume them.
This novel is fast-paced and gripping. While reading it, I was eager to continue for just a few more pages, hoping to discover a bit more about the enigmatic threat and watch aghast at what befalls the group as they struggle to escape the ruins. If you don’t mind some grisly details, are entertained by unexpected “monsters” and relish escalating tension in your horror, then The Ruins is worth checking out.
A movie adaptation of The Ruins was made in 2008.
Colquitt and Walter Kennedy are horrified when construction starts on the wooded vacant lot next door to their suburban Atlanta home. They worry that their routine of dinner parties and drinks on the patio will be disturbed, and that the ultra-modern home going up will ruin the character of their sleepy, traditional Southern neighborhood. However, when they meet the charming young couple who are moving in and their charismatic architect, they warm to the idea and even the new house.
Then a series of disturbing tragedies begin to visit the couple in the house next door until they move away, their relationship broken. The house goes up for sale, and troubled Anita and her husband move in. Anita begins to report bizarre incidents when she is home alone, but surely they are merely the product of her fragile emotional state? Colquitt and Walter watch again as their neighbor’s lives are ruined, and it begins to seem to them that something in the house is changing its inhabitants, bringing out the worst in them. Then a third couple moves in and terrible things happen to them, too. Rational Colquitt struggles to explain what is happening next door as madness and murder plague her once-peaceful neighborhood. What lengths will she and Walter go to to protect themselves and their home? Is there even a way to stop what’s happening?
This is the perfect haunted house story, and nothing like anything else you’ll read this Halloween.
I Am Legend is the story of Robert Neville, a man living among the vampires that took over the world. In this apocalyptic classic, Neville is the only man to endure the virus that has transformed everyone, including his own family, into night-dwelling, blood-sucking vampires. He has foraged for and stockpiled food and other necessities for survival, has rigged his home to withstand the army of vampires trying to get in after him, and has even had to burn his wife and daughter after they succumbed to the virus. When he sees human-looking Ruth, he forces her to come home with him, mostly out of loneliness, but also out of fear. Is she one of them, a vampire mutated to withstand the sunlight and water? Or is she someone that Neville can befriend?
This was a wonderful character-driven story that was creepy and enthralling. I hated to put the book down, but loved to pick it back up. It is a quick read that is sure to put you in the mood for Fall and Halloween! Highly recommended for the season.
In 1932, when Her Royal Spyness begins, Lady Georgiana is living in Scotland. Thirty-fourth in line to the throne, she is the younger half-sister of the current duke of Rannoch. Unfortunately, title and wealth do not go hand in hand. In fact, she and her immediate family are quite poor, due largely to their late father’s debts and the great crash of '29. However, she decides to head to London and start fresh, but finding work is nearly impossible. Many people are struggling during this time, and being a member of the royal family comes with its own challenges, especially when looking for a job. She is fortunate that her family has a home in London where she can stay. One day, a Frenchman comes to her door stating that Lady Georgiana’s late father lost her family’s estate in a card game to him. Her brother comes down to London, and while the two see their solicitors, the only news they get is bad. Later, Georgiana comes home and finds the Frenchman dead. Suspicion immediately falls on her and her brother. Georgiana must investigate and discover the real killer before she or her brother are accused of his murder.
Her Royal Spyness is an enjoyable series launch with wonderful characters and appearances by real historical figures, like Queen Mary. Great for fans of historical fiction and cozy mysteries.
“Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without even noticing it, live your way into the answer.”
Rainer Maria Rilke, a German poet now revered for his beautiful and moving works, was relatively unknown in his own time. Despite that, a young military cadet and budding poet named Kappus stumbled upon one of his books and was so taken with it that he sent Rilke a fan letter praising him and asking for advice. Happily, Rilke wrote back, kicking off years of correspondence on a huge breadth of topics, from the futility of literary criticism to the nature of solitude. They include passionate calls to write, somber ruminations on depression, and comforting advice about love and marriage. After Rilke's death, Kappus published a collection of his letters under the title Letters to a Young Poet.
I'm not often a fan of old classics or poetry, but this was an absolutely breathtaking work. It is endlessly quotable, and some of Rilke's observations are truly heart-rending. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Dan Stevens, and was unable to multitask while listening, because I kept pausing to contemplate Rilke's words. It's a very short work, but definitely worth reading if you have any interest in poetry, philosophy, writing, or Rilke.
Aspiring filmmaker Twinkle Mehra has stories she wants to tell and universes she wants to explore, if only the world would listen. When fellow film geek Sahil Roy approaches her to direct a movie for the upcoming Summer Festival, it's a dream come true for Twinkle. Then a mysterious "N" starts to email her, and Twinkle is sure it's her longtime crush, Neil Roy (a.k.a. Sahil's twin brother). The only problem is, that in the course of movie making, she's falling for Sahil.
Told through the letters Twinkle writes to her favorite female filmmakers, From Twinkle, With Love navigates big truths about friendship, family, and the unexpected places love can find you. A must-read for fans of When Dimple Met Rishi.
Written in 1979 by Octavia Butler, winner of multiple Hugo awards, Kindred tells the story of Dana, a young black woman living in 1976 California. One day she is inexplicably transported back in time to antebellum Maryland, where she saves a young white boy named Rufus from drowning before being whisked back to her own living room, still dripping wet. She makes this journey to the past several times over the course of the summer, each time seemingly to rescue Rufus at various points throughout his life. The duration of her visits to the past is unpredictable, ranging from minutes to months and while she is there, she is forced to live as a slave. As she unravels her connection to Rufus and his family, she also experiences the consequences, both mental and physical, of slavery.
Readers who usually avoid science fiction should not be put off by this book. Time travel is simply used as a device to view slavery from a 20th century perspective and this novel will appeal to anyone interested in historical fiction, especially relating to race.
Kindred is also available as a graphic novel adaptation.
The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy is on the surface a story about the abduction of an infant. However, in depth, it is the story of motherhood, its burdens and its rewards.
A thriller with multiple storylines and twists, The Perfect Mother focuses on a “Mommy Group” called the May Mothers. When one of the mothers’ children is taken, the secrets and insecurities of all of the group members are slowly revealed. Told from multiple perspectives, the book switches narrators each chapter, which some people might find initially confusing, but this reader found to allow a more in-depth storytelling. The characters are diverse and unique but brought together through the shared experience of new motherhood, each struggling with and processing events in very different but very realistic ways. This is not a formulaic thriller, where the reader can guess the outcome of the story. This is a unique story with an I-did-not-see-that-coming conclusion that should be read!
Sophie thinks James is innocent. Kate will do everything she can to prove that he is guilty. All of them hold secrets, and all have told lies, but the truth must be in there somewhere. But is the truth an actual, concrete thing, or is it what the rich and powerful say is most convenient for them? James, Sophie, and Kate have plenty of dark secrets that have long been buried, and now that they are threatening to come to light, they might just bring down the carefully constructed house of cards.
Full of empowering female characters and timely resonance with the #MeToo movement, Anatomy of a Scandal will keep you turning the pages until the very end.
Marin has lost a lot in her life. She lost her dad before she was even born. She lost her mom when she was only a toddler. She lost her best friend (and sort-of-girlfriend) Mabel when she left for college a few months ago. And only days after that, she lost her grandpa, who spent her entire life raising her. That last blow (losing the last of her family) and the revelations that followed (her grandfather’s darkest secrets coming to light) nearly destroyed her. She fled across the country to her new college and stopped returning her friends’ calls and texts. She hid in self-imposed isolation, haunted by her own grief and loneliness, until just now. Now, it’s Christmas break, and Mabel, her best friend and first love, is coming for a visit. It will be the first time they’ve seen each other since before her grandpa’s death. Neither of them knows where they stand or what’s to come, but it will definitely be a weekend that changes everything.
Although marketed as an LGBT book, it’s much more a book about grief and isolation and loneliness and coping (or failing to cope). If you’ve ever experienced an existential shock in your life, you may recognize a lot from Marin’s journey. It’s a very emotionally evocative book, and you really want Marin to be okay by the end of it. I would compare it to If I Stay, as a book with a relatively simple plot over a short period of time, but full of flashbacks and emotional depth and a strong sense of the characters involved.
Blueprints revolves around a family-owned business called “Gut It” (another HGTV show about renovating houses). Jamie's father wants to make her the new fresh face of “Gut It”, which means moving her mom, Caroline, off the front lines. Things are derailed when Jamie's father and his current wife are killed in a car accident, leaving Jamie as the only logical solution to raise their son. So now the family has to grapple with issues of age disparity and family legacy. When exactly are we too old to step aside and allow someone younger to replace us? Who will take over the family throne?
Other issues brought out, especially those involving relationships, make the reader ask challenging questions: How much time should I devote to finding Mr. Right? Can this be love already? When is it too soon to get married? Do adult children still need their parents? Do parents still want to be needed by their adult children? What’s off-limits in parent/child talks? These are just a few of the thought provoking questions spinning through this novel.
The audiobook reader had to switch between several different personalities throughout the book. Readers who prefer audiobooks should feel free to listen and judge for themselves, but I thought the child voices sounded whiny, and the male voices were not as masculine as I would have liked. Still, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to others.
When Poornima first meets Savitha, she feels something she thought she lost for good when her mother died: hope. Suddenly their Indian village doesn't feel quite so claustrophobic, as the two form a once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But when a devastating act of cruelty drives Savitha away, Poornima leaves behind everything she has ever known to find her friend again. Her journey takes her into the darkest corners of India's underworld, on a harrowing cross continental journey, and eventually to an apartment complex in Seattle. Alternating between the girls' perspectives as they face relentless obstacles, Girls Burn Brighter introduces two heroines who never lose the hope that burns within them. A page turner and a heart wrenching mediation on friendship, Rao's debut novel tackles the most urgent issues facing women today: domestic abuse, human trafficking, immigration, and feminism. Highly recommended.
Creel's family, tired of being poor, decides that the best solution is to get her kidnapped by a dragon so that a rich prince can rescue and marry her. This seems like an empty threat, since no one alive has ever seen a dragon, so when they leave her outside a cave, Creel isn't worried... until a dragon actually does come out and kidnap her, albeit reluctantly.
When Creel talks her way out of captivity, the dragon lets her take a gift from his hoard, and she chooses a pair of blue slippers. She travels around the kingdom, meets other dragons, and eventually settles in the capital city, where she works in a dress shop and becomes known for her exquisite embroidery. Even the crown prince takes an interest. But other dragons are stirring, too, and someone is threatening war, and there seems to be some kind of fuss about her shoes...
Dragon Slippers is a very cute book with a very cool take on dragon lore-- with dragons hoarding everything from shoes to stained glass windows to actual live dogs. Creel is a wonderful main character, and her adventures with dragons and dresses are fun and engaging. This would be a great choice for fans of Dealing with Dragons or other middle-grade fantasy.
Savannah Reid, a San Carmelita police officer, has been assigned a new case. The husband of a local politician has been murdered. The investigation, not surprisingly, leads to the wife as the main suspect. However, she has some strong connections within the police force, which not only bring Savannah’s case to a screeching halt but also lead to her being kicked off the force. In spite of this, Savannah continues to pursue leads in the case with the support of some new friends along the way, in order to discover who the real killer is.
Just Desserts is an enjoyable and quick novel, which kicks off the Savannah Reid mystery series. Although a murder mystery can be a dark subject matter, the author incorporates lighter moments in the story, particularly between Savannah and her former partner on the force Dirk. Like most series, starting at the beginning provides a great introduction to the characters as their story arcs change up character dynamics in later installments.
In 1969, the four Gold siblings boldly knock on the door of a fortune teller who claims to be able to tell anyone the day they will die. Despite all efforts to dismiss the predictions, Varya, Daniel, Klara, and Simon are all deeply affected by it, and it deeply affects the rest of their lives. Told from each of the four sibling's perspectives, The Immortalists takes us through decades of hardship and love.
This is a novel crafted around a question we all ask ourselves more often than we'd care to admit: Is it more important to truly live or to survive? To dare to dream at our grandest or to play it safe? And, if you knew the exact day on which you would die, would you live your life differently than you would without that knowledge?
Charley Davidson (yes, like the motorcycle) is part-time private investigator, part-time police consultant, and full-time Grim Reaper. When spirits don't immediately pass on to the other side, they find their way to her. Whether she likes it or not, she has to help them work through whatever is holding them here and help them cross over. Usually, this is fine, but lately, there's been something else bothering her. Every night, she's been having wildly erotic, incredibly vivid dreams, and every day, she's been seeing mysterious dark blurs just in the fringes of her vision, like something is stalking her. She thinks the two must be connected, and might also be connected to the most terrifying night of her life-- the night she met the inhumanly strong, inhumanly agile, inhumanly gorgeous boy called Reyes. But apparently the whole world thinks it's "Kill Charley Davidson Week," so first she'll have to survive long enough to find her answers.
If you're looking for a new mystery series to start, especially if you're a fan of Stephanie Plum, Mercy Thompson, or Sookie Stackhouse, this would be a good one to pick up. The writing is snarky and energetic, and while the first book is maybe trying a little too hard to keep a constant stream of jokes flowing, it's still a very funny, very engaging book that is easy to read in a few short sittings.
Bestselling author Roxane Gay has written with intimacy and sensitivity about food and bodies, using her own emotional and psychological struggles as a means of exploring our shared anxieties over pleasure, consumption, appearance, and health. As a woman who describes her own body as “wildly undisciplined,” Roxane understands the tension between desire and denial, between self-comfort and self-care. In Hunger, she casts an insightful and critical eye on her childhood, teens, and twenties—including the devastating act of violence that acted as a turning point in her young life—and brings readers into the present and the realities, pains, and joys of her daily life.
With the bracing candor, vulnerability, and authority that have made her one of the most admired voices of her generation, Roxane explores what it means to be overweight in a time when the bigger you are, the less you are seen. Hunger is a deeply personal memoir from one of our finest writers, and tells a story that hasn’t yet been told but needs to be.
This delightful read surrounds several Charleston women "of a certain age" who are the closest of friends: Bernice, the long-time housekeeper; Toots, (a.k.a. Theresa), who becomes Bernice's caregiver and has married and buried several husbands; Mavis, a former English teacher who suffered from OCD and with the help of her friends lost 100 pounds and regained her confidence; Sophia, a devout Catholic and self-proclaimed psychic who chose not to leave her abusive husband and was instrumental in finding her friend's kidnapped daughter; and Ida, who launches a cosmetics line and allows her friends to try her products and model results. They have an undeniable bond that allows them to be true to who they are. The author’s descriptions allow you to envision the setting and clearly picture the characters, and Michaels delivers a humorous read even during the tensest part of the story, when a kidnapping occurs. And for at least one of the characters, romance is also on the horizon.
This is the fifth book in the Godmothers series. I felt it could stand alone on its own, since enough background information was given along the way to keep me up to date. I would like to go back and read the first four to actually get a better feeling of the characters and their history. It's a light, humorous read that is sometimes compared to shows like Golden Girls. The narrator, Natalie Ross, gave an excellent delivery of the book, so pick up the audiobook if you can.
Binti is the first of the isolated Himba people ever to be accepted into Oomza University, the finest institution of higher learning in the galaxy. But to accept the offer will mean giving up her place in her family to travel between the stars among strangers who do not share her ways or respect her customs.
The world she seeks to enter has been at war with the Meduse, an alien race that has become the stuff of nightmares, and Binti's stellar travel will being her within their deadly reach.
If Binti hopes to survive, she will need both the gifts of her people and the wisdom enshrined within the University itself, but first she has to make it there alive.
Winner of the Hugo and Nebula awards, Binti is full of imagination and fantastic worldbuilding that leaves you wanting more. Luckily it is the first in a trilogy that was completed this year.
Sirantha Jax is part of a vanishingly small subset of people-- those who are genetically able to navigate "grimspace," the interdimensional subspace where ships can jump between distant parts of the galaxy. Unfortunately, the last ship she piloted was in a horrific, fatal crash. Many important people died, including her boyfriend/co-pilot, and she was ruled responsible. After months spent languishing, guilt-ridden in a cell, she is rescued by a tall, handsome stranger who wants her to navigate his ship and its motley crew on their secretive, rebellious mission. Jax decides that things can hardly get any worse, so off they go. They adventure across various planets, interact with alien races, get brainwashed, end a blood feud, accidentally adopt a baby frog-creature, uncover a government conspiracy, and generally have a wild ride across the galaxy.
While fans of old-school sci-fi (Asimov, Heinlein) may roll their eyes at this one, Grimspace is a funny, action-packed romp that would have a lot of appeal to fans of the Wayfarers series, shows like Firefly or Torchwood, or even the urban fantasy genre. Jax is snarky and hilarious, and the crew makes for a great ensemble cast. It's weird and unpredictable in all the best ways, and is well worth the read if you like your sci-fi a little wild.
In this (twenty-fourth, obviously) installment of the Stephanie Plum series, Stephanie, a bounty hunter, is at it again, with her friend Lula tagging along for the ride. Together, they make quite a humorous pair as they attempt to capture runaway bail-skippers. This time, they stumble upon a few zombies along the way. Well, there aren’t any real zombies, right? In fact, the “zombie” sightings are part of an ongoing police investigation led by Morelli, a detective and Stephanie’s love interest. During the course of events, Stephanie's fugitive hunt crosses paths with Morelli's zombie investigation. With a little help from a few friends and family, including the always delightful Grandma Mazur, the story progresses at a brisk pace, and the laugh out loud moments make Hardcore Twenty-Four an enjoyable and easy read.
For the uninitiated, starting with the first book in the series, One for the Money, may be a better introduction to Stephanie’s life, but it's not a requirement to appreciate this story.
Tree-ear, an orphan, is fascinated by the potters in his village. One day, he is watching the potter Min working at his craft. After Min walks away from his work, Tree-ear goes and picks up a box that Min made. Min's return startles Tree-ear, causing him to drop the box. In order to pay for the damage, Tree-ear agrees to work off the debt. Initially, he agreed to work nine days, but he continues to work for Min for months, without pay, in order to learn how to be a potter.
One day, Min and Tree-ear learn that a royal emissary is coming to the village to commission work. This is a much sought-after
opportunity. On the day of the emissary’s visit, the best potters set up stalls showcasing their work. Min, a man very meticulous about his product, has the fewest items to show the emissary, but Min’s work, along with a few other potters, intrigues the visitor enough to warrant a second review on his return visit in the coming weeks.
Who will get the royal commission? What will become of Tree-ear after his work with Min is done? Winner of the Newbery Medal, this is a wonderful historical fiction story that takes place in medieval Korea, offering a fascinating peek into another culture.
Imagine a world where Lincoln was assassinated too early, and a frantic Congress signed a grand compromise to end the Civil War: slavery could never be constitutionally outlawed, but individual states could outlaw it, and an emancipated state could never revert back to a slave state. Then fast forward to the modern day. Only four slave states remain: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and the united Carolina. The rest of the country frowns on the so-called "Hard Four," but not enough to actually break the status quo.
Victor was once a slave, before he fled north. But he was caught. Rather than being returned to the farm that haunts his nightmares, he was blackmailed into working for the government, tracking and capturing other runaway slaves so that they could be punished or returned. But his latest case isn't like the others. Things just don't add up. And on top of it all, he keeps getting sidetracked by unexpected personal matters. Will Victor catch the mysterious runaway Jackdaw? Or will this be the case that finally breaks him?
This is equal parts a twisty thriller and a startling alternate history. Victor is a flawed but believable protagonist, and his offhand references to familiar-yet-different historical events will keep you reading even through the harrowing moments in his narrative. This is a must-read for fans of alternate histories or realistic sci-fi, like 11/22/63 or Station Eleven.
For the past ten months, Dr. Anna Fox has been trapped inside her New York City home, completely isolated from the outside world. Her crippling agoraphobia leaves her unable to even step out onto her front stoop without fear and anxiety overwhelming her mind. So she spends her days drinking, watching old movies, and spying on her neighbors.
Then the Russells move in. From Anna's view across the street, they seem like a perfect family. Until Anna, gazing out her window one night, sees something she shouldn't have.
Woman in the Window is a twisty page-turner that leaves you constantly guessing about what's real. With frequent golden-age Hollywood references, this is a perfect book for fans of classic films like Rear Window and Gaslight.
Monkeewrench, led by the abrasive and paranoid Grace McBride, is a software company operated by an eclectic group of best friends with a suspiciously secretive past. Their newest program is a still-in-development training program for detectives and forensic specialists. It shows you a fictional crime scene, and you click around to investigate it. It's that simple... Until someone starts committing actual crimes based on their fake crime scenes. The game hasn't been released yet, so the police are looking at Monkeewrench as the only suspects. To clear their names, they'll have to work with the detectives to catch this criminal, before it's too late. Even if it means revealing the dark secrets of their past.
This is a fantastic mystery/thriller. The plot is good, but its writing style is what really shines. The descriptions are vivid, the dialogue is hilarious, and its tense moments are legitimately thrilling. Every character is put together with great care and personality, and their friendships are heartwarming. Because of this, it holds up well to re-reading, even if you know the ending. It takes place in Minnesota, which is a nice change of pace if you're tired of stories set in New York and California. The authors are a mother-daughter writing duo, and the Monkeewrench series currently has eight books in it.
Robert Langdon, a renowned professor of symbology, has been flown into Spain to witness what is being described as a "world-changing presentation." The presenter and host, Edmond Kirsch, is a billionaire futurist, who promises his audience that what they are about to see will forever change the way that we understand human existence. Unfortunately, as the presentation gets underway, an unexpected event happens, throwing the room into chaos. Suddenly, the presentation and the revelations held within it are at risk of being lost. Robert Langdon finds himself thrust into the position of fighting against those who wish to stop Edmond’s presentation from happening, and they will do whatever it takes to stop him.
Dan Brown is rightfully famous for his thrilling stories, and this is no exception. Each chapter is a cliffhanger begging the reader to keep on going until all is revealed. While Origin is the fifth book in the blockbusting Robert Langdon series, it’s not necessary to have read the previous ones to enjoy this story. If you want to read the series in order, the books are: Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, The Lost Symbol, Inferno, and Origin. They have also been turned into a series of movies starring Tom Hanks.
Eleanor Oliphant is fine. At least, she knows that's what she's supposed to say if anyone asks. Socially acceptable behavior doesn't come naturally to her. She's been alone for almost as long as she can remember, but it's fine. People are all mean, irrational dullards who mock her behind her back anyway, so she doesn't need them. She works all day in accounts receivable, and then she goes home and chugs vodka until the voices in her head quiet down enough for her to pass out. That's been her life for years. And, if anyone asks, she's fine.
Then, one day, her life changes. She watches a musician perform at a work event, and it's love at first sight. She just has to make herself into wifely material first, and surely the second he meets her, he'll propose. Meanwhile, her office has a new IT guy, Raymond, and he's one of the least pleasant men Eleanor has ever met. He's overweight, with sloppy clothes and eating habits, and he walks weirdly. But for some reason he keeps talking to her. And for some reason... that's completely fine.
Will Eleanor marry the musician? Will she let Raymond be her friend? Will she finally let herself remember the horrors of her past? Find out in this veritable roller coaster of emotions. It's a surprisingly dark, sometimes funny, completely heartwarming read. I highly recommend the audiobook, because the reader is absolutely fantastic.
Kaz Brekker is a dangerous man. He's called “Dirtyhands” because no crime is too vicious or immoral for him, for the right price. One day he is approached with an offer he can’t refuse: gather an elite group of thieves and con artists, travel to the faraway Ice Court, and free one prisoner. It sounds straightforward enough, but no one has ever infiltrated the Ice Court, an impenetrable frozen fortress, and escaped with their lives. The prisoner they must free is the inventor of a substance that turns the Grisha-- people naturally capable of small, simple magics-- into crazed, all-powerful gods of destruction. If they succeed, they will be rich beyond their wildest fantasies. If they fail, they will die. But criminals like Kaz just love to gamble…
Six of Crows is a young adult fantasy heist book with a sizable cast of extremely fun characters, all with elaborate backstories and motivations. There’s Inej, the girl who can move like a shadow, and Matthias, a former Ice Court soldier who longs to return to his old life, as well as Nina, the Grisha who fought, fell in love with, and betrayed Matthias years ago. Their complex interactions make the book very engaging, and the plot really rolls along once it gets going. If a fantasy heist book sounds appealing to you, and you don’t mind keeping track of six characters at a time, it’s a great adventure. If you enjoy it, make sure to get the sequel, Crooked Kingdom. You might also want to check out Bardugo's Grisha trilogy, which takes place in the same world. If you're looking for a more adult fantasy heist book, try the Gentleman Bastard series as well.
In Beartown, hockey is life. All hopes, dreams, and aspirations for the little town's revival lie in the upcoming semi-final match, which will hopefully lead to a final match and, ultimately, a win. In just a few more games, Beartown could be transformed. No longer would it be a declining, secluded, forgettable place. Instead, it would be reborn as a major hockey destination. Perhaps there would be a new ice arena, or new sponsors would swarm the city. As a reader, you root for the young men, seventeen year old boys, who could make this happen. They are so close to victory. Then, one day, something happens. An incident occurs. And this incident, even though it happens outside the hockey arena, turns out to be the real game changer.
While Beartown is a book about hockey, the reader does not need to be a hockey fan to appreciate the story. The first chapter piques curiosity right away. The characters are excellently fleshed out, and the story is very timely, especially with current events regarding harassment, rape, and the
treatment of women. If A Man Called Ove made you into a Backman fan, then this is one you won't want to miss.
Abby has belonged to the Church of Apocalyptic Faith for so long she can barely remember her life before, except for living in a car with her mom and going hungry. However, her small community of faith is not as idyllic as it appears. Abby wants out, but leaving the Church isn't easy. If caught fleeing, she could be killed... or worse.
Luc, the grape grower next door, just wants to be left alone with his vines. He keeps to himself and in return has no problems with his strange neighbors. But when Abby lands on his doorstep, something in her eyes won't let him turn her away. And just like that, he's in the middle of a war with the Church during the worst snowstorm he's ever seen, all while falling for a woman he's just met.
This is the third book in the Blank Canvas series. Each story is a standalone, but there are some spoilers if you read them out of order. Adriana Anders's books are all in paperback only, but she isn't your average mass-market paperback writer. While her novels are definitely romances, they also touch on very deep, serious subject matters. In His Hands takes you inside an apocalyptic cult, bringing light to all its blessings and evils. Anders's writing style is engrossing, but it does use a vast vocabulary-- I had to look up a few words in the dictionary! I highly recommend this entire series, and I can't wait to read her other works!
Known for her web series, Ask a Mortician, Caitlin Doughty is a proponent of making funerals more natural and meaningful than the current impersonal, profit-driven model. In this, her second book, she explores funeral customs and death rituals of other cultures: visiting cemeteries, witnessing funerals, and attending celebrations of the dead the world over. She describes old-fashioned funeral pyres, cremation ceremonies involving chopsticks, and the reverent tending of mummified relatives. Many of these seemingly exotic rituals include close personal interactions with the deceased’s earthly remains; a stark contrast to the rather antiseptic practices promoted by the American funeral industry. Doughty laments that we have so distanced ourselves from death, that it is only viewed with fear and disgust, whereas other cultures continue to foster relationships with their loved ones, remembering them, honoring them, and including them in family life even after they have passed on.
If you like the readable nonfiction style of Mary Roach or have ever wondered why a burial can’t be a simpler, less expensive affair, this book will interest you. You may also wish to read Doughty’s first book, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, a memoir of her time working in a crematory.
Rachel is on a date— one of her first since her divorce and her foray into online dating— when her date asks her daughter’s name. When he learns it’s Aviva, he can’t help but bring up disgraced congressional intern Aviva Grossman, who had an affair with the handsome, beloved, and very married Florida Congressman Aaron Levin. That Aviva is, of course, Rachel’s daughter, and so ends the date.
Rachel has barely heard from her daughter since the end of the affair, when Aviva fled South Florida to get away from the scandal and attempt to get on with her life. Now, even though it has been more than a decade, Aviva is still reviled while the congressman is still in office. Aviva has had to reinvent herself as Jane, a small-town wedding planner. When she decides to rekindle her love of politics by running for mayor, she risks the collision of her carefully planned new life and her notorious past.
Zevin tells the story of the Avivagate scandal and its aftermath through the eyes of the women it has affected the most, including the congressman’s wife and Aviva herself. The story is in turns hilariously funny, tender, and moving. Zevin’s flawed but likable characters and her skill at weaving humor into a thought-provoking story make it a must-read.
Every child dreams of going off to Fairyland to have magical adventures, but Gert is one of the lucky ones who was actually able to go. She wouldn't call it a dream, though-- more like a nightmare. She's been trapped in Fairyland (and her six year old body) for nearly thirty years trying to find the magical key that will let her leave. Along the way she's made more enemies than friends, and the people of Fairyland are willing to go to extreme lengths to get rid of Gert, one way or the other.
Funny and gory aren't often found together in the same story, but Skottie Young easily pulled it off with I Hate Fairyland. Full of over-the-top violence, chaos, bright colors, and energetic character design, I Hate Fairyland is delightfully quirky and entertaining. Definitely not for the kids though!
On the Dalai Lama's eightieth birthday, he was able to spend one week with one of his closest friends, Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. Author Douglas Carlton Abrams tagged along to interview both men and record their interactions. This book is the product of that week together.
Both of these men, great moral and religious leaders, grew up in vastly different cultures, but both share a worldview, what the Archbishop calls "Ubuntu," that everyone in the world is connected and interdependent on one another, and that the more we are divided, the less joyful we will be. Although they have lived through horrible times and seen unspeakable things happen to their people, both men are loving and playful, not cynical or angry. They make jokes at each others' expense and have long discussions about life and morality and how to be joyful and grateful and generous even when there is so much suffering.
If you are looking for something heartwarming and spirit-lifting, The Book of Joy lives up to its name and then some. In a world that can seem angry and chaotic and divided, this book offers to renew your hopes. It's a great way to start a new year.
