Thursday, October 31, 2019

Full Disclosure


Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett, 290 pages
“Simone Garcia-Hampton is starting over at a new school, and this time things will be different. She's making real friends, making a name for herself as student director of Rent, and making a play for Miles, the guy who makes her melt every time he walks into a room. The last thing she wants is for word to get out that she's HIV-positive, because last time . . . well, last time things got ugly.  Keeping her viral load under control is easy, but keeping her diagnosis under wraps is not so simple. As Simone and Miles start going out for real--shy kisses escalating into much more--she feels an uneasiness that goes beyond butterflies. She knows she has to tell him that she's positive, especially if sex is a possibility, but she's terrified of how he'll react! And then she finds an anonymous note in her locker: ‘I know you have HIV. You have until Thanksgiving to stop hanging out with Miles. Or everyone else will know too.’  Simone's first instinct is to protect her secret at all costs, but as she gains a deeper understanding of the prejudice and fear in her community, she begins to wonder if the only way to rise above is to face the haters head-on. . . .” I really enjoyed this book.  It brought out a lot of issues that teens have to deal with and one that most teens probably don’t, but also an issue that isn’t discussed much.  This is an excellent read for teens who like realistic stories.

The Grace Year


The Grace Year by Kim Liggett, 408 pages
“Survive the year. No one speaks of the grace year. It's forbidden. In Garner County, girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, to drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a girl on the edge of womanhood. That's why they're banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive. Sixteen-year-old Tierney James dreams of a better life--a society that doesn't pit friend against friend or woman against woman, but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it's not just the brutal elements they must fear. It's not even the poachers in the woods, men who are waiting for a chance to grab one of the girls in order to make a fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may very well be each other.” This book was amazing.  It drew me in almost immediately and I loved it.  It was terrifying and tender, dreadful and hopeful.  The writing is beautiful and I would highly recommend it to teens who like dystopian and subtle horror stories.

Lost In Love


Lost In Love by Susane Colasanti, 340 pages
“Sadie was convinced that Austin was her soul mate, but after discovering his secret she wonders if she even knows him at all. Darcy was all about fun boy adventures with no strings attached . . . until her ex moves to New York City to win her back. Things are getting serious with Rosanna and her boyfriend, but will she be able to break free of her past and let him in? With no parents, no rules, and an entire city to explore, this is the summer that will change their lives forever. Told from alternating points of view, Lost in Love weaves a story of first love, first heartbreak, and everything in between.” This was a nice romance.  I would recommend this mostly to girls who like sweet stories with minor conflict.

Eyes Of The World


Eyes Of The World: Robert Capa, Gerda Taro, And The Invention Of Modern Photojournalism by Marc Arobson & Marina Budhos, 293 pages
“Robert Capa and Gerda Taro were young Jewish refugees, idealistic and in love. As photographers in the 1930s, they set off to capture their generation's most important struggle--the fight against fascism. Among the first to depict modern warfare, Capa, Taro, and their friend Chim took powerful photographs of the Spanish Civil War that went straight from the action to news magazines. They brought a human face to war with their iconic shots of a loving couple resting, a wary orphan, and, always, more and more refugees--people driven from their homes by bombs, guns, and planes. Today, our screens are flooded with images from around the world. But Capa and Taro were pioneers, bringing home the crises and dramas of their time--and helping give birth to the idea of bearing witness through technology. With a cast of characters ranging from Langston Hughes and George Orwell to Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway, and packed with dramatic photos, posters, and cinematic magazine layouts, here is Capa and Taro's riveting, tragic, and ultimately inspiring story.”

Saturdays At Sea


Saturdays At Sea by Jessica Day George, 262 pages

“After traveling to the seaside kingdom of Lilah's betrothed prince, Lulath, Celie and her companions are busy training griffins, enjoying wedding festivities, and finishing construction of a grand ship built from parts of the Castle. But on their maiden voyage, the Ship steers them far off course into uncharted waters.”  I love this addition to the series.  This is perfect for elementary kids who like fantasy.

School of The Dead


School of The Dead by Avi, 276 pages

Tony’s great uncle Charlie is a little odd, but when he comes to live with Tony’s family, Tony realizes he’s fun too. Uncle Charlie wants to communicate with the spirit world and Tony is willing to humor him.  When Uncle Charlie dies, Tony is devastated, but a little excited to move to San Francisco from Connecticut to go to Charlie’s old school, the Penda School.  Penda looks more like house since it was donated by Mrs. Penda years ago, after the death of her son, but why did Tony see faces in the windows on a Sunday?  Why is there a boy in his class that looks exactly like Mrs. Penda’s dead son?  And why does Tony keep seeing his Uncle Charlie everywhere?  A girl in Tony’s class, Jessica, thinks that he has been touched by death, and that he may be in danger.  She thinks they need to destroy the Penda Boy’s ghost, before something terrible happens.  This was a really good story for elementary students who like horror and ghost stories.  I would highly recommend it.

The Girl With The Broken Heart


The Girl With The Broken Heart by Lurlene McDaniel, 273 pages

“Kenzie Caine is enrolled at Vanderbilt University, with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. When she lands a summer job caring for and helping to rehabilitate abused horses at the Bellmeade Estate stables, she is over-the-moon happy. One place she does not want to be is at home with her parents. Since the tragic death of Kenzie's younger sister, her mother has unraveled and her father has lost Kenzie's trust. At the stables, Kenzie is in her element. But a serious heart condition limits her ability to complete the more physical aspects of the job, so her employers have tasked the charming Austin Boyd with helping her. But Austin has secrets. And as Kenzie and Austin become closer, those secrets threaten to harm their relationship, as well as reveal other startling truths.” I admit, I had guessed at some of the secrets early on in the story, but not all.  This was a good story for teens who like a good romance, mixed with a little action.

Isis Orb


Isis Orb by Piers Anthony, 289 pages

“In Xanth, everyone has a talent. But that doesn't mean everyone loves his talent, and no one understands that better than Hapless. Endowed with the ability to conjure any instrument he wants, Hapless could be an extraordinary musician if only he could play a tune that didn't fall ear-piercingly flat. His one desire is to find an instrument he can play--and maybe a girlfriend or three. But like music, women have never been his forte. When the Good Magician hears about Hapless's desperate desire, he sends the young man on a quest to find the elusive Isis Orb, a magical talisman that could fulfill his wish. But the mysterious Egyptian goddess for whom the orb is named guards the enchanted object and won't let anyone see it--let alone use it. Setting out to achieve the impossible, Hapless meets an eclectic mix of creatures that join him on his journey. Like the musically challenged Hapless, they all have wishes they hope the Isis Orb will grant. But the only way they can control the orb is to capture the five totems from the regions of Xanth: Fire, Earth, Air, Water, and the Void. Together, this motley crew will heroically fight dragons, a six-headed griffin, and even a beautiful, seductive water gorgon who tries to rain on Hapless's parade.” Xanth is still fun.  It’s very silly, but the stories are still good and don’t necessarily have to be read in any order.  I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy.

Monday’s Not Coming


Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson, 435 pages

Claudia’s best friend, Monday, doesn’t show up for the first day of school, or the second, or the whole first week.  When Claudia tries to find out where she is, it seems that no one knows or really cares.  She talks to her parents, teachers at school, and even goes by Monday’s house, although, because Monday lives in a bad neighborhood, her mother would kill her if she found out.  Teacher’s check and say Monday is being home schooled, but her family said that she was with her dad, or maybe her aunt.  Claudia doesn’t believe that Monday would just abandon her and she’s determined to get to the truth, no matter what.  This was an amazing, sad, beautiful book that everyone should read.  I didn’t expect it to end the way it did, but looking back, I’m not entirely surprised either.  This is a great book for teens who like realistic books.

Tempests And Slaughter


Tempests And Slaughter by Tamora Pierce, 464 pages

“Discover the origin story of one of the realm's most powerful mages in the first book in the Numair Chronicles.  Arram Draper is on the path to becoming one of the realm's most powerful mages. The youngest student in his class at the Imperial University of Carthak, he has a Gift with unlimited potential for greatness--and for attracting trouble. At his side are his two best friends: Varice, a clever girl with an often-overlooked talent, and Ozorne, the "leftover prince" with secret ambitions. Together, these three friends forge a bond that will one day shape kingdoms. And as Ozorne gets closer to the throne and Varice gets closer to Arram's heart, Arram realizes that one day --soon --he will have to decide where his loyalties truly lie.  In the Numair Chronicles, readers will be rewarded with the never-before-told story of how Numair Salmalín came to Tortall. Newcomers will discover an unforgettable fantasy adventure where a kingdom's future rests on the shoulders of a talented young man with a knack for making vicious enemies.”  I didn’t want to put this book down once I started reading it.  Pierce’s books just seem to get better and better.  I’m always excited when a new book comes out.  Teen fans of fantasy absolutely should read this and all of her books.

Look Alive Twenty-Five


Look Alive Twenty-Five by Janet Evanovich, 311 pages

“There's nothing like a good deli, and the Red River Deli in Trenton is one of the best. World-famous for its pastrami, cole slaw, and for its disappearing managers. Over the last month, three have vanished from the face of the earth, and the only clue in each case is one shoe that's been left behind. The police are baffled. Lula is convinced that it's a case of alien abduction. Whatever it is, they'd better figure out what's going on before they lose their new manager, Ms. Stephanie Plum.”  This book didn’t make me laugh out loud like some have, but it was still entertaining.  Fans of the series will want to read it, but its not the right book to start with in this series, and it’s definitely not the best on the series either.  I enjoyed it but I didn’t love it.

Fool’s Assassin


Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb, 667 pages

“FitzChivalry--royal bastard and former king's assassin--has left his life of intrigue behind. As far as the rest of the world knows, FitzChivalry Farseer is dead and buried. Masquerading as Tom Badgerlock, Fitz is now married to his childhood sweetheart, Molly, and leading the quiet life of a country squire.  Though Fitz is haunted by the disappearance of the Fool, who did so much to shape Fitz into the man he has become, such private hurts are put aside in the business of daily life, at least until the appearance of menacing, pale-skinned strangers casts a sinister shadow over Fitz's past . . . and his future.  Now, to protect his new life, the former assassin must once again take up his old one. . . .”  This is an amazing start to this series.  I love all of Hobb’s books and this is no exception.  I can’t wait to start on the next book, especially since this one ended on a cliffhanger.  Anyone who enjoys fantasy needs to read these books.

Tyler Johnson Was Here


Tyler Johnson Was Here by Jay Coles, 299 pages

“When Marvin Johnson's twin, Tyler, goes to a party, Marvin decides to tag along to keep an eye on his brother. But what starts as harmless fun turns into a shooting, followed by a police raid.
The next day, Tyler has gone missing, and it's up to Marvin to find him. But when Tyler is found dead, a video leaked online tells an even more chilling story: Tyler has been shot and killed by a police officer. Terrified as his mother unravels and mourning a brother who is now a hashtag, Marvin must learn what justice and freedom really mean. Tyler Johnson Was Here is a powerful and moving portrait of youth and family that speaks to the serious issues of today--from gun control to the Black Lives Matter movement.”  
This was an excellent story about the problems of race and police violence in the community.  I would highly recommend it for teens who like realistic fiction and books about current issues.

Ship Of Destiny


Ship Of Destiny by Robin Hobb, 581 pages

“Hobb brings the epic tale of the Liveship Traders--begun in Ship of Magic and Mad Ship--to its triumphant conclusion. It is a world in dire straits: Bingtown is in flames, victim of the growing war with Chalced. Althea and Brashen, aboard the Paragon, are finding their blinded Liveship increasingly unstable and unpredictable. And in the midst of the chaos arises a dragon powerful enough to forge the world as she sees fit, be it for destruction, or redemption.”  I liked this ending.  Everything came together, maybe a little too neatly, but that’s not uncommon in any stories, especially epic fantasy.  Overall it was very good, with a few surprises, which made it a good story.  Hobb is a great storyteller and I would recommend her books to anyone who likes fantasy.

The Red Fox Clan


The Red Fox Clan by John Flanagan, 346 pages

“Picking up where The Royal Ranger: A New Beginning left off, this next installment continues the story arc featuring young apprentice, Maddie, and the student-turned-master, Will Treaty. The time has come for the next generation to assume the mantle and become protectors of the kingdom of Araluen. After passing her third-year assessment as a ranger's apprentice, Maddie is called home to Castle Araluen. Forced to keep her ranger training a secret, Maddie feels trapped by the monotony of castle life and longs to find a way out. But there are whisperings of a new threat to the kingdom. The mysterious Red Fox Clan, a group of anarchists all donning fox masks, have threatened Castle Araluen and question Princess Cassandra and Madelyn's succession to the throne. Will they succeed in unseating Cassandra and Madelyn and take the throne for themselves?”  I love this author and this series is as great as everything else he has written.  Teens who like adventure and fantasy or just a really good story will love these books.

Merci Suarez Changes Gears


Merci Suarez Changes Gears by Meg Medina, 355 pages

“Thoughtful, strong-willed sixth-grader Merci Suarez navigates difficult changes with friends, family, and everyone in between.”  I loved Merci, the book and the character.  She is fantastic, very real and immensely likable.  This is a great read for kids who like realistic fiction.

Blended


Blended by Sharon Draper, 308 pages

“Piano-prodigy Isabella, eleven, whose black father and white mother struggle to share custody, never feels whole, especially as racial tensions affect her school, her parents both become engaged, and she and her stepbrother are stopped by police.” I wasn’t completely expecting how this story was going to go but I loved it.  I’m sure that plenty of kids can relate to Izzy’s story and even kids who haven’t had her experiences can sympathize with her troubles.  She’s an extremely likable and relatable character.  I would highly recommend this for older elementary kids.

The Astonishing Color Of After


The Astonishing Color Of After by Emily X. R. Pan, 472 pages
“Leigh Chen Sanders is absolutely certain about one thing: When her mother died by suicide, she turned into a bird.  Leigh, who is half Asian and half white, travels to Taiwan to meet her maternal grandparents for the first time. There, she is determined to find her mother, the bird. In her search, she winds up chasing after ghosts, uncovering family secrets, and forging a new relationship with her grandparents. And as she grieves, she must try to reconcile the fact that on the same day she kissed her best friend and longtime secret crush, Axel, her mother was taking her own life. Alternating between real and magic, past and present, friendship and romance, hope and despair, The Astonishing Color of After is a stunning and heartbreaking novel about finding oneself through family history, art, grief, and love.” This book was pretty amazing.  I would give it to any teens that enjoy a good story.

Pathfinders


Pathfinders: The Journeys of 16 Extraordinary Black Souls by Tonya Bolden, 124 pages
“Profiles sixteen high-achieving African Americans, including magician Richard Potter, concert singer Sissieretta Jones, and architect Paul R. Williams.” I had heard of many of these people but I was surprised at how many I had never heard of before.  There isn’t a lot of information about any one person, but there is an interesting overview of all of the people included, besides side notes about other people who were in the same field or are otherwise related, and notes about what else was happening in the time during which the person lived.  This was an interesting book and would appeal to kids who like biographies.

The Caldera


The Caldera by John Flanagan, 414 pages
“The Herons take to the high seas to fend off pirates and rescue the heir to an empire in the newest adventure from John Flanagan, author of the worldwide bestselling Ranger's Apprentice! Includes BONUS content--a brand-new Ranger's Apprentice short story featuring fan-favorites Will and Maddie! In Hallasholm, Stig is contesting the annual Maktig competition to decide Skandia's greatest warrior. But a late-night knock on the door brings someone Stig never expected to see again, along with a request the Herons are hard-pressed to refuse: a rescue mission of epic proportions. Across the ocean, the southern city-state of Byzantos is plagued by a crew of pirates who've kidnapped the son of Empress Justina. Slipping out of Hallasholm under the cover of darkness, the brotherband sets sail to recover the boy from his kidnappers, heading south to the island of Santorillos where a near-impenetrable fortress stands atop a cliff, surrounded by a lagoon--a caldera--formed by the crater of a volcano. In this explosive seventh book in the action-packed Brotherband Chronicles, the Herons battle pirates amid stormy seas as the fate of an empire rests on their shoulders.”  This story is fantastic, as usual.  Anyone who likes adventure stories needs to read these.  Really anyone, especially teens, should read these anyway.  Everything that Flanagan writes is amazing.

Chocolate Cream Pie Murder


Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke, 357 pages
“When The Cookie Jar becomes the setting of a star-studded TV special about movies filmed in Minnesota, Hannah hopes to shine the spotlight on her bakery-not the unsavory scandal swirling around her personal life. But that's practically impossible with a disturbing visit from the shifty character she once believed was her one and only love, a group of bodyguards following her every move, and a murder victim in her bedroom. Now, swapping the crime scene in her condo for her mother Delores's penthouse, Hannah and an old flame team up to solve a case that's messier than an upended chocolate cream pie. As suspects emerge and secrets hit close to home, Hannah must serve a hefty helping of justice to an unnamed killer prowling around Lake Eden . . . before someone takes a slice out of her!”  Murder mystery fans should definitely not start with this book in the series.  I recommend reading them in order, although it isn’t strictly necessary, as the author gives enough background to help readers understand what’s going on.  However, the series is more fun if you have the full story and this book, especially is easier to completely understand if you’ve read the previous books.  This installment is just as much fun as the previous books and I highly recommend the series to anyone who likes lighter, more humorous, murder mysteries.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz


The Tattooist of Auschwitz  by Heather Morris   288 pages

I have read many World War II-era novels, but never one set in a concentration camp with a love story at its center. And then to learn that author Morris spent years conducting interviews with the real-life Lale Sokolov added an extra layer of realism, yet the reality was overshadowed by the good side of human nature.

In April 1942, Lale Sokolov was rounded up and taken to a Auschwitz-Birkenau, a concentration camp deep inside Poland. Lale was willing to go in order to keep his family out of the Nazi-inflicted harm.

The details of Lale’s journey in a cattle car is horrendous. I can’t even imagine being crowded like that, with only the others around you holding you up.

Soon after his arrival, his captors learn that he can speak five languages, which can be helpful as more and more Jews are brought to this place. Lucky for him. He was made the camp’s tätowierer or the tattooist, the man who inked the number on the prisoners’ left arm. As the tattooist, Lale enjoyed privileges: better accomodations, better---and more---food, warmer clothing.

He soon learned that some of the other prisoners worked in a part of the camp that gathered the money and the gems they gathered from those killed in the crematormian. Lale used the money and gems to bribe guards and others so he could gathered crusts of bread to share among his fellow captives.

In July, Lale fell head over heels with Gita the moment he saw her and tattooed the number 34902. He knew that no matter what the cost, he would survive and marry this woman.

Author Morris takes readers on a journey that is both horrific and happy. I cheered when Lale was successful in helping his fellow inamtes. I cheered louder when Lale and Gita became a couple. I wept as Morris described how the Jews were forced to live, starving a but more day-by-day. Morris focused most of her energy on the love story without making the story seem like the nightmare that it was. That is why I give “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.



The Other Mrs. Miller

The Other Mrs. Miller by Allison Dickson   343 pages

Phoebe Miller wants to know why the hell the woman in the rusty car is sitting in her cul-de-sac, watching her. What's so interesting about Phoebe, who is unhappy and drowning her sorrows and anger in wine and ice cream, and who almost never leaves her house?  But the woman in the car knows something Phoebe doesn't.

When a new neighbor moves in, Phoebe isn't sure she likes the husband, but she finds the wife kind of fun . . . and their college-bound son is definitely eye-catching. When Phoebe starts a friendship with the wife, and an illicit relationship with the son, she feels like her life is finally going the way she wants. However, with her attention diverted, she's no longer noticing the woman in the rusty car . . .

I liked this cat-and-mouse story, even as I found the main character to be unlikeable. She makes bad choices, and she's unpleasant --- but I kept wondering what was going to happen. And then, when something big did happen, I wanted to know what would happen next. Definitely the quick and entertaining read that fit my mood when I was reading.

The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson













The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson     Audiobook: 11hrs,, 47 mins    Hardback Book:  400 pages

Excellent book!  I had to make myself put it down to go to sleep while listening.   The facts and historical documentation is so detailed and takes into account the actual events, the facts on the case, the suppositions of many of the town folk, relatives and friends, the gossip, the court transcripts - this is such a fascinating read.   Cara Robertson brings the story of Lizzie Borden and her family to life for the reader/listener in such a way as you are mesmerized by what took place.   So much more comes out here than any one following case will have learned before it is like she is using a laser to cut through to the meat of what transpired.   Every new detail gives more depth to the people and what transpired and how it ended up the way it did.   There is so much to the event than has come to light before.    I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the case, to all amateur sleuths who will be introduced to so many new facts and testimony, to those who love murder myteries, to those who love true crime stories and to anyone looking for a pageturner that is gripping.   Caution this story will hold your interest so deeply you won't want to stop till you get to the end and may have to force yourself to stop for rest and sustenance.   Excellent!   Bravo Cara Robertson.

The Testaments

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood   419 pages

Set fifteen years after the events in The Handmaid's Tale, this story brings together the voices of three women. The Republic of Gilead is still maintaining an iron grip on its people, although there are signs that Gilead is rotting from within. When the lives of these three radically women converge, the potential explosion could tear Gilead apart.

It's hard to write much about this summary without giving something away --- although I will mention that if you've ever been curious about Aunt Lydia, some of your questions may be answered here. It definitely helps if you have read The Handmaid's Tale. Without that, I don't think a reader would have much context for much of what is happening in the story, or any of the essential reference points. While this book has been a long time coming, I felt it was worth the wait --- this is a good story, and a reminder of why I enjoy many of Atwood's books.  While her characters can be ruthless, there is usually some mercy at work, and it's rare that there aren't several sharp observations on the human condition in the process of telling the story.

Evvie Drake Starts Over

Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes  293 pages

Recently widowed Evvie Drake doesn't leave her house in Maine too often. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks that it's grief keeping her locked inside . . . and Evvie doesn't correct them. Meanwhile, in New York City, Dean Tenney, a former Major League pitcher, is wrestling with "the yips," a condition where he can't throw a straight ball.  When a friend invites him to Maine to stay for a while, Dean moves into the apartment at the back of Evvie's house. Determined to keep out of each other's way, the two of them make a deal: Dean won't ask about Evvie's husband and Evvie won't ask Dean about his baseball career.  Soon, what started as an unexpected friendship turns into something more.   Yes, as you would probably guess.  Also, then there are stumbling blocks along the way.

I liked this book, especially because it was a nice break from the nonfiction and the psychological suspense I had been reading for a while. It's got some funny parts to it, and some genuinely realistic characters.  While the story is a bit predictable, there are a few bumps in the road for both Evvie and Dean.  But isn't that what makes for a good comeback story?

The Scent Keeper:A Novel by Erica Bauermeister



The Scent Keeper: A Novel by Erica Bauermeister        Audio Book: 9 hrs., 31 mins 
Hardback Book: 320 pages

Well written story of a girl who grew up on an island with her father who taught her to enhance her sensory skill of smell to perceive the world through its scents.    The girl, Emmaline grows up to be a diviner of aromas and mastered the skill so well she could tell anyone any scent she was exposed to and could explain any perfume of any kind from any source so well it was as if the scents were talking to her and letting her know its secrets.    Her father created scent papers that he kept in bottles that could be experienced to its utmost when released from its captivity.   There are mysteries as to why Emmaline and her father are on the island, and the mother she hadn't realized was missing plays in her dreams until one day, older and in a new place and time in her life the things she thought she knew are challenged.   A good book with a haunting quality and a magic to it that will speak to the reader and bring reflection on all the scents in our own lives that are attached to sensory memories like a bookmark for every thing in our lives    I would recommend this book to Middle Schoolers on up, a story with a dreamy quality wrapping itself like a memory around you.  Good book. 

The turn of the key

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware  336 pages

Rowan Caine is sure her new job is too good to be true. It has some challenges, but the live-in nanny position with a generous salary sounds like it could be her perfect job. So what if one of the children seems to be a little awful (or has, per her own mother, "an explosive personality:)?  So what if the parents have the house outfitted with a "smart" and completely creepy and annoying system? Rowan can tough it out.  Or can she?  When Rowan starts hearing odd noises, she doesn't believe it's ghosts. Or is it?  Told from Rowan's perspective while she is in prison awaiting trial for the murder of a child, this story winds its way through a psychologically unsettling situation combined with what may or may not be an unreliable narrator.

I like Ruth Ware's books. They're not always the most intensive of stories, but I always find them entertaining and a quick read. I like the suspenseful elements and how Ware will add in twists to the story that I didn't see coming.  The addition of the "Smart" controls to the house in this story add a nice, extra element to the creepy feel, as well.

Please See Us

Please See Us by Caitlin Mullen  352 pages

Atlantic City in the summer should mean loads of happy tourists on the boardwalks and in the casinos. However, Atlantic City isn't the place it once was and now holds some devastating secrets, including two bodies laid out in the marshland behind the Sunset Motel.

Clara, a young boardwalk psychic, is trying to make a living in spite of the disturbing visions that have started to plague her. When she meets Lily, a girl working at a casino spa and who is caught in her own personal tragedy, Clara thinks Lily can help her make sense of her visions. However, Lily is struggling with her own issues and it's not clear if together, Clara and Lily can not only piece together what Clara's visions are about, but also save another girl from joining the other victims in the marsh.

This is a brooding, eerie book where you have the pace of a psychological thriller combined with the odd paranormal element of Clara's visions. Is she really having visions or is she trying to scam Lily? Does Lily know more than she is letting on?  There is a nice added touch here in that you get perspectives from some of the women who have ended up as bodies in the marsh, and along with the sinister quality of Atlantic City as a setting, the story has an interesting sense to it.

Good for readers who like Chloe Benjamin and novels with a strong sense of unease running through the storyline.

Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line

Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara   250 pages

"Three children venture into the darkest corners of a sprawling Indian city to find their missing classmate, in a stunningly original debut novel—based on a true story."

Jai knows he is smarter than his friend Pari (even though she gets better grades) and considers himself to be a better boss than Faiz (even though Jai doesn't have a job). When a classmate goes missing, Jai is sure he can find him, relying on tricks he has learned on a TV show. Asking for help from Pari and Faiz, it seems like they'll find their classmate -- until things become scary and other children start to disappear from their neighborhood.

Okay - I didn't finish this one. The summary made it sound like an interesting book but I got halfway through and just couldn't go any further. I found I wasn't that invested in the characters of the children, and while the setting was very realistic, maybe that was the problem.  I guess I was expecting magical realism? But the real realism got me bogged down into some of the depressing details and I just couldn't make this book work.

Camgirl

Camgirl by Isa Mazzei   288 pages

At 23 years old, Isa Mazzei lacked any purpose or direction and was searching for an identity. But how to combine her compulsion for attention and seduction? She decided to embrace her salacious image and make some money off it, becoming a camgirl.

I read an e-galley of this book that is described as "a candid and hilarious memoir of sex work, shame, and self-discovery set in the colorful world of live-streaming camgirls."  I admit it: I was curious. It was definitely a memoir of self-discovery through stripping, playing games, and having sex on camera --- and I found it to be boring. I never warmed to the author and found this memoir to be narcissistic to the point of revulsion. I didn't see much self-growth, even as the author pushes herself to more extreme behavior. Instead, this book came off as the memoir of someone who can never get enough attention and when they feel attention on them is waning, resorts to more and more outrageous behavior. I found the way she behaved towards friends to be pretty deplorable most of the time. She treats strangers better, but only because she wants something from them.

I'm obviously not the person this book is written for (and I am not the enthusiastic reviewer from Booklist, either).  I read this book on vacation and kept reading partly out of curiosity to see if the author would experience any personal growth. Also, mainly because the hotel's wi-fi was weak, so to go back and download a fresh book was a lengthy process.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Unleash the Power of the Female Brain











Unleash the Power of the Female Brain: Supercharging Yours for Better Health, Energy, Mood, Focuas and Sex by Daniel G. Amen, M.D.     Audio Book: 12 hours, 13 minutes    Hardback Book:  416 pages

Having grown up in a home with a mother and five sisters,  Dr. Amen has observed many amazing differences in the way that women perceive the world both as it pertains to them and how they relate to the outside world.    In his clinical studies of the brain later in life he developed a program specifically for women that points out the stuff in life that is bad for our brains and makes us foggy minded, sluggish, prone to foul moods, etc. that will make women and men (if they are open minded enough to try his program),  healthier, more energetic, more engaged in their home, work and social lives, more involved romantically and sexually with their partners, help reduce weight and body mass, improve sleep and relaxation reduce stress and relieve anxiety.   Sign me up.   All that Dr. Amen relates is doable and easy to follow.   He inspires his readers/listeners to want to be take better care of their brains for longevity and it can be done in 3 simple steps.   Eat better and choose to avoid caffeinated drinks, Sleep more - no less than 7 hours per night and preferably 8-9 hours for maximum benefit and meditate daily and as often as you can to calm your senses and by being more rested you will be better able to cope with the multiple stresses that arise throughout any given 24 hour period.   He gives such great advice that I want to run out and buy every grocery item he recommends.   He also goes into the use of healthy supplements what they do, what they are and how best you can use them for maximum benefit.   This is a great book that is very user friendly.    He offers such terrific insight that I would recommend this book to middle-schoolers on up so kids can learn early how best to treat their brains throughout their lives to avoid Alzheimers, dementia, wrinkles and more that while associated by mainstream media with growing older they do not have to be a part of our lives if we follow his simple way to be good to our brains and therefore our bodies.   GREAT  BOOK.  Any one at any age can learn from this book and undo the damage we don't even realize we are doing to ourselves: 0 high cholesterol, Diabetes, veins that turn brittle and break or fill with plaque to the point of stroke and worse.   Wonderful tips on brain health.   I highly recommend this one.

Monday, October 28, 2019

Finding My Voice

Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward

Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward by Valerie Jarrett
PaperBack Book:  496 pages       

I enjoyed learning the background on Valerie Jarrett and her rise to the White House with the Obama Administration.   She was born in Iran - her father, a doctor at a time in America's past when it was hard for a black man to achieve the same status as a white man even in the medical field, accepted a position in Iran and enjoyed his status of  Dr. free from the then still segregated United States racial bias.   Ms. Jarrett shares her own personal story of growing up in first Iran then coming to America and after adjusting to the culture shock and the bullies beating her up for being different - looking too white, speaking the language with a posh English accent, etc., yet, encouraged by her parents to do her best and supported by her family who all wanted to see her achieve all of her dreams.    She was lucky enough to achieve everything she went for, wife, mother, lawyer, community activist, business leader, public servant and government leader.   She met Michelle Robinson first who later became Michelle Obama.   She met Barack through Michelle and they all 3 became fast friends to this date.  She eventually went to work for the Obama campaign playing a large and in charge role in getting Barack Obama elected twice.   They weathered the good and the bad during the two tours of duty as President and many historical events transpired during their working together (the capture of Osama Bin Ladin; Health Care for the Masses, Gay Marriage, etc.) all through which the friendship and the kudus for a job well-done as senior advisor to the president and assistant to the president for intergovernmental relations and public liaison.     She adds personal memories, conversations, good and bad to give the reader a glimpse at the insider's take on the very public and also the personal life of the Obamas as well as her own.   A good book, I would recommend it to all who love biographies, to history and political buffs, and to those who going through their own struggles in life learn from a black woman who came from her birth in Iran to becoming the best friend and advisor to the most important man in the U.S. and the world stage.    An inspiring and well told journey of one woman's struggles and rise to fame.   Well done, Valerie Jarrett.                                                                                                                                                                             

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Samurai

Image result for The Samurai A Novel Endō, ShūsakuThe Samurai by Shusaku Endo, translated by Van C Gessel, 272 pages

When a samurai is ordered by his lord to undertake a mission, he has no choice but to accept.  So although Hasekura would like nothing more than to remain with his family in their marshland home, he is compelled by his master to travel to the ends of the earth as an emissary to Spain and Rome.  His guide is Fr Velasco, a Franciscan friar determined to bring about the conversion of Japan, a desire equally the product of ambition and faith.  Hasekura will discover many odd new things in his travels, but he will find nothing as strange and repulsive as the wretched figure the foreigners worship.  Whatever the lords they choose to serve, the priest and the samurai must each, in the end, face a reckoning, though not necessarily those they expect.

Endo's novel is "based on a true story" in that he has taken actual historical events about which little certain is known and given them an imaginary context.  In the process, he crafts a compelling and remarkably subtle tale of faith and suffering, hope and power, salvation and sacrifice.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Sacred Duty: A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery




Sacred Duty: A Soldier's Tour at Arlington National Cemetery by Tom Cotton 
Audio Book:  8 hours, 30 mins.    Hardback Book:  320 pages 

Author, Senator Tom Cotton has done combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was a platoon leader with the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment or "Old Guard," as it is referred to.   The Old Guard is famous for its 24/7 patrolling of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and its watch over Arlington National Cemetery.    Not just a ceremonial nor fallen honors regiment, the Old Guard is an active military unit and has been called up to duty now and then in various skirmishes/wars over the years since it came into existence.    The Old Guard escorts the sitting President, they also march in funeral processions for various fallen Presidents and dignitaries .  They do the graveside folding of the flag and distributing it to mothers, widows, etc. as well as carrying caskets arriving back home from plane to plane and/or they carry remains directly to the waiting limousine.   Regardless of the weather the sentinels as they are called endure extreme heat and cold, they stand firm in torrential rains and endure the weight of the American flag even during wind storms.   They work 26 hour shifts at Arlington then on their off days they spend a lot of time repairing their uniforms.    It is a grueling task but all members take fierce pride in all their accomplishments to be strong and do their best to uphold the duty they are honored to serve.    This was a telling of how the regiment began, ceremonies since their beginning that they have attended, an introduction to some of the special events they participated in and some of the most serious events in our nation's history and what role the Old Guard played at every step along the way.  When I first started this audio book I wondered what would be told and I found it to a fascinating glimpse into history and some up close impressions of their side, their lives, who they and their families are and the sincerity they put into every aspect of their daily tasks.   A wonderful book.   I recommend this one to ages Middle School through the aged.  We can all learn from the fortitude of these dear soldiers.




Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Grow Wherever You Work













Grow Wherever You Work: Straight Talk to Help with Your Toughest Challenges by Joanna Barsh
Audio Book:  8 hrs., 47 mins.       Hardback Book:  272 pages       

A good manual that all workers would do well to read.   It doesn't deny that bad things will happen nor that colossal screw ups will suddenly disappear.  Instead, this book tells you the many mistakes well known entrepreneurs have made as well as middle managers and first liners and offers suggestions and lessons learned to help the worker come back from them.   The book discusses job pressure and how to de-stress instead of distressing.   How to use poor reviews to your advantage.  It tells you how to deal with all those Eddie Haskells on the job that shine brightly with doe eyes when the boss is around then treats their co-workers like crap when the boss isn't around.   It teaches you how to go for it and challenge yourself with a little motivational risk taking.  How to put the pieces back together when things get out of control and rein them back in.   And yes, how to know when it is time to move on.    Lots of ideas and solutions to nagging job issues from workers at all levels and from various different backgrounds and skill levels.   Helps workers to see the opportunities in what at first appears a gut-wrenching problem.  Defines challenges as career and esteem builders and how no matter who you are you can or where you work you can grow where you work by believing in yourself and setting your own path toward achieving your goals.   Excellent book.   I recommend this one to middle schoolers who need to know the realities they will face one day in the workplace all the way through those who are in their earning years and yes those in the retirement years so they can offer wisdom to their family members those workers coming behind them. 

Never Too Busy to Cure Clutter:













Never Too Busy to Cure Clutter:  Simplify Your Life One Minute at a Time by Erin Rooney Doland  Paperback Book:   288 pages   

A fun book on clearing your clutter whether you have a free minute, 5 minutes, 10 or 15 minutes you name it.    Honestly, with the busy lives we all lead who has time to take a whole day to work on house cleaning or decluttering a closet, a room, the whole house?    This book takes you step by step through every room in your home and offers breakdowns of what could be accomplished in a minute, or projects that could be done in 5 minutes and shows you how any available amount of time can lend itself to helping to achieve your goals of a clean, clutter-free home.   You really don't have to devote hours and hours to getting the job done when you can break them down into doable parts and motivate yourself  to work toward your goals 5 minutes a day as you get ready for work or on your way out/in the house.   Erin Rooney Doland is so inspiring.   Instead of tackling and trying to tame the tiger/mountain of work to be done in a room, chip away at it by doing little bits here and there until you have completed the tasks at hand and feel so good about yourself that you will want to do more and more.   Very helpful book.   I recommend it to all ages because you are never to young nor too old to clear your clutter.  Excellent book.

A Nearly Normal Family














A Nearly Normal Family by M.T. Edvardsson        PlayAway:  12 hrs., 30 mins. 
Paperback Book: 432 pages   

Who is guilty and who isn't?   A murder mystery with lots of twists and thrills.   How far would you go as a parent to save your child?     How deep are the bonds of friendship?    Mix a pastor, two criminal lawyers and two teenagers together and see what kind of stew you come up with.   This was a very good book, one of those that makes you smack yourself in the head and say, "No, they didn't!"  You will think you have it all figured out but every one has a motive and all appear guilty.   Remember, it is not over till its over.  (Big cheshire cat grin.)   Excellent book.   Well done.   You won't want to stop reading/listening until the end at which point you will say, "Whoa!"   Throughout you will catch yourself saying, "I didn't see that coming."   Really good who done it.   I highly recommend this one to all ages- it will give youngsters a little eye opener on being so trusting of other people and it will hit home with adults wondering just how far would you go for a loved one? 

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

This Chair Rocks


This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism by Ashton Applewhite     Audio Book:  8 hrs, 45 min
Paperback Book:  320 pages     

Great book.   It really is spot on with the disrespect and disdain older members of our Western Society are subjected to.    Marketing favors the young and kicks older people to the curb or tries to.    The elderly are marginalized and pushed out of the mainstream.   It is a very real form of bias and prejudice like hating on the overweight,  hating people because of the color of their skin or because they are homeless.   So many forms of hate these days and all due to one group feeling superior to another.   Not fair, Not right.  And yet, it continues.    Ashton Applewhite pretty much went along with all the prejudicial talk until she became a senior citizen.    Then she began to pick up on all of the cues from the people surrounding her, society wants the elderly to sit down and get out of their way-the world is evolving into sectors  - the young who see no reason to keep the elderly people viable - just stick them away somewhere, medicate them or euthanize them with the cost of their medical bills it is draining what social security might be left.    The other side, the more Eastern philosophy on aging parents, grandparents, etc. is far more content to keep multi-generations alive and well and all living in one home.   Elders are people with lots of wisdom and experience though some younger members of society feel by elders continuing to work they are taking jobs away from young people who need them.   However, with science improving medical care and procedures all the time, people are tending to live longer and in order to live well many older members of society need to work to sustain themselves as not everyone is able to save nor to invest for their futures.   With the advent of viagra, etc. older people are living happier sexual lives well into their 80s with potential for 90s which is the new 60 for many physically fit and sound minded folk.   Disrespecting the elders of society is a form of bullying and certainly a hate crime like any similar acts carried out on gay, ethnic, followers of all religions, etc.    Elders are not burdens to society but contributors to it.   Ashton Applewhite is an Age Activist and is diligently working to bring about awareness of the treatment of and working to break the stereotypes associated with the older people on this planet.    She wants the world to practice AGE PRIDE and asks the readers of this book to do their part to educate the masses on the value of older people and not to deny their right to live well alongside every age.   I highly recommend this book to young and old.   Young people will never look at the elderly the same way agai
n nor will elderly who read this see themselves as anything other than vibrant and phenomenal. 

True Crime Addict

True Crime AddictTrue Crime Addict: How I Lost Myself in the Mysterious Disappearance of Maura Murray by James Renner, 278 pages

On February 4th, 2004, Maura Murray left her dorm room in Amherst, Massachusetts for the last time.  She stopped at an ATM to empty out her bank account, then at a liquor store.  Four hours later, a passing motorist found her in her disabled vehicle on New Hampshire Route 112.  She declined his offer of help, claiming to have already called roadside assistance on her cell phone.  He called the police upon returning home, but when they arrived Murray was gone.  She has never been seen again, nor have her remains been located.

The Maura Murray disappearance is almost the ideal unsolved mystery, full of rabbit holes and enough fragmentary evidence to support endless speculation.  Even basic information like where Murray was going - she had searched for hotels in Vermont, but was headed in the wrong direction, her family had vacationed in Bartlett but Route 112 doesn't go there - and why - she had packed up her dorm room, as if she was planning on leaving permanently, but she brought several  textbooks with her, as if she was planning on spending some time on classwork - are unknown.  Meanwhile, complicating details and rumors have gradually trickled out - Murray had left West Point after being caught shoplifting and had subsequently been caught in Amherst using a stolen credit card number, Murray's boyfriend had cheated on her with a classmate and she had cheated on him with a track coach, she had totaled her father's car on her way home from a party a few weeks before her disappearance, a supervisor once found her nearly catatonic at work, a woman who saw Murray's car before police arrived reported that there was a man inside, on an anniversary of her disappearance a man calling himself "112dirtbag" released a YouTube video entitled "Happy Anniversary" which consisted of nothing but him laughing and winking - offering both tantalizing clues and maddening distractions to a remarkably large community of internet sleuths dedicated to finding the truth - or, at least, proving their pet theories.

James Renner's book is less about the unraveling of the mystery of Maura Murray than mapping the rabbit holes, and discovering that the underground realms they lead to can unexpectedly include your own unexpressed fears and pieces of your own buried past.  The title is "True Crime Addict" and not "Finding Maura Murray", the subtitle is not "The Truth Revealed" but "How I Lost Myself..."  This should serve as ample warning that Renner has chosen to write not about Maura Murray but rather himself looking for Maura Murray, indeed, himself as virtually the only person really interested in finding her.  Although this might have been interesting, his narcissism quickly becomes annoying, and his posturing exasperating by the time the book stumbles to its end.