The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, 318 pages

I originally read The Fault in Our Stars in 2012, shortly after it was published. I’ve read most of Green’s body of work, and I fall pretty solidly in the John-Green-Fan column. In fact, in my personal experience he seems to be read more frequently by adults than teens. (My experience is totally anecdotal and is based on observing who checked out John Green books while I worked at a circulation desk; I never kept an official teen vs. adult tally or any other scientific statistics). It seems undeniable that he’s one of those cross-over YA author who appeals strongly to adult readers as well as teens. Even the way The Fault in Our Stars’s book jacket is designed seems meant to appeal to adult readers as much (or more so) than teenagers. The cover doesn’t have any of the common YA cover tropes (e.g. big face, girl in a fancy dress, cropped out head, etc.) and the cover blurb is by Jodi Picoult, an adult author. It’s a book that an adult wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen carrying around (have you seen some of the YA covers out there? Cassandra Clare, I’m looking at you).

I wasn’t exactly looking forward to rereading The Fault in Our Stars because I remembered vividly how heart wrenching the story was. It is, after all, a Romeo and Juliette tale about teens who have cancer. I made it to just over page 100 before tearing up for the first time (Hazel waking up in the ICU did me in). By the end of the book I was, once again, an emotional wreck (even though I knew exactly what was coming). Overall, I’m happy with how well The Fault in Our Stars held up under a second reading, it still packs an emotional wallop.

I don’t know many people who are as well-spoken and articulate as the teens in John Green novels (I wish I were half as articulate as a John Green teen). Personally, I do tend to enjoy that snappy Gilmore Girls/Juno/Woody Allen style dialogue, but I do understand how it might not sit well with other readers. I did like Green’s presentation of the (markedly less-articulate) parents in the book. Unlike in many other YA novels, they weren’t absent, they weren’t stupid, they weren’t abusive or evil or cruel; they were fairly realistic suburban middle-class parents. (I don’t mean to imply that abusive, absent parents don’t exist, but sometimes I feel like they are the ONLY type of parents that exist in YA novels). Though the book is focused on Hazel and Gus, Green gives us enough of a glimpse into the parental characters to show that they DO have lives outside of their children, which as Hazel points out, is quite a difficult feat since taking care of a kid with cancer is a full time job. I don’t hesitate to recommend The Fault in Our Stars to adult and teen readers alike.

Killer Of Enemies

Killer Of Enemies by Joseph Bruchac, 361 pages

Lozen is the killer of enemies, but not necessarily her own enemies. She has been taken by the rulers of Haven, the Ones. They are what is left of the upper class, after the Silver Cloud destroyed civilization. Lozen stays because the Ones hold her family hostage. She goes on missions, risking her life to kill the genetically modified monsters that now exist and would prey upon the people of Haven if they could. Lozen plans for the day she can escape with her family, as soon as a chance arises. This YA book would be great for any teen that likes action adventure books. Although the main character is a girl, the story is compelling enough to interest boys as well.

The Midnight Dress

The Midnight Dress by Karen Foxlee, 277 pages

Rose and her father are drifters. In their newest stop, in a little beach town, Rose makes a friend, Pearl. Pearl is different from other friends she has had. Pearl is trying to find her father, who is Russian, even though she doesn’t have his full name. Pearl washes her hair in the rain and talks all the time, sharing information. Pearl is determined that Rose will be in the harvest festival parade and tells her to go to Edie Baker, who can make her a dress, since Rose can’t afford to buy one. Edie agrees but the one condition is that Rose has to help make the dress. Rumors circle about Edie; people say she is a witch and there does seem to be something magical about the dress that they are creating. But instead of magic, the night may end in tragedy. This book was well written but it was kind of unsettling. I didn’t like it as well as I would have hoped. Teen girls who like non-traditional mystery books and books about friendship may like it.

Spoils

Spoils by Tammar Stein, 261 pages

This was an amazing story that shows clearly how money does not fix all problems. Leni’s family won the lottery when she was eleven. Now, she is about to turn eighteen and the money is gone, except for a trust fund that her parents set up for her. Her parents expect Leni to give them the money when she can access it on her birthday, but Leni isn’t sure that’s the right thing to do. Her sister says the money is tainted and a bizarre visit from the archangel, Michael, seems to confirm it. Time is running out for Leni to figure out what to do. Any teen that likes mostly true life stories that explore relationships will love this book.

The Taming of the Tights

The Taming Of the Tights by Louise Rennison, 306 pages

The next installment in the life of Tallulah Casey, this book is filled with jokes and snogging and horses and knees and tights. Tallulah is happy to be back at Dother Hall with her Tree Sisters, starting a new term. However, Dr. Lightower still hates her, Cain is still obnoxious, Charlie still has his tiny girlfriend, and the owlets have been shoved out of the nest. Will Tallulah ever find love? Or the Golden Slippers of Applause? Any teen girl who is a fan of British humor and likes books about relationships will love this series, although they are better read in order.

Home From The Sea

Home From The Sea by Mercedes Lackey, 311 pages

Mari Prothero’s father has always been lucky when it comes to the sea. He can go out in the wildest storms, and come back, unharmed, with a boat full of fish. However, Mari is about to find out why they have been so lucky and isn’t very happy about it. Luckily, she has also found out that she is a Water Master and may be able to use that power to counteract some of her problems. With the help of Nan and Sarah (who readers of other books of the series will remember), Mari just might be able to bargain for her own happy ending. Fans of the Elemental Masters series, or of fantasy and retellings of fairy tales, will enjoy this book.

More Than Thiss

More Than This by Patrick Ness, 472 pages

Seth wakes up after drowning in a strange world. In fact, he wakes up outside of his old house in England, even though he has lived in America for the past several years. He doesn’t remember exactly what happened or everything about his life right away either and even though he recognizes his house, there is no one around and everything looks as though it has been deserted for years. He finally meets two other people, Regine and Tomasz. Maybe with their help, he can figure out what is going on, if they can avoid the Driver, a figure all in black, who may or may not be human, but seems bent on killing them. This was an excellent story and any teen who enjoys fantasy/science fiction would love it.

Conjured

Conjured by Sarah Beth Durst, 358 pages

Eve can’t remember who she is or anything about her former life. She remembers some short-term things but sometimes forgets things that have happened recently too. One thing she does know is that she can do magic and she is on a world with no magic so she must be from a different world. Every time she does magic, though, she has visions, blacks out, and often loses more memories. She is in a witness protection program and the people protecting her are desperate for her to remember, because someone is out there killing people who have magic and they believe she has memories that will help them catch the killer. They also think that she may be a target. This was a great YA fantasy/mystery that many fans of that genre would enjoy.

Amber Brown is on the Move

Amber Brown Is On The Move by Bruce Coville & Elizabeth Levy, 170 pages

In this latest installment to the Amber Brown series, Amber, her mom, and Max are getting ready to move to a new house. Amber isn’t crazy about this idea but it’s happening whether she wants it to or not. She is also worried about the big state test coming up and upset that she has to go to Saturday classes to get ready for it because she is having trouble with the practice tests. This means her time with her dad is cut short too. One thing that might be good is her class starting ballroom dancing. It might be fun, but the boys might spoil that too. This book could stand alone and is a great installment in the stories about Amber Brown. Any of her fans or kids who like realistic stories with some humor would love it. It is appropriate for about second to fourth grade.

Serafina's Promise

Serafina’s Promise by Ann E. Burg, 299 pages

This novel in verse follows the life of Serafina, a young girl in Haiti, who wants to go to school. Her family doesn’t have much money and her mother needs a lot of help because she is about to have a new baby. Serafina’s big ambition is to become a doctor and she is determined to convince her parents that she said be able to go to school. This book would be appropriate for most 4th to 6th grade readers. The story would probably appeal to children who like to read, but reluctant readers might be convinced to try it because of the amount of white space on the pages. It was an uplifting story, although a little sad at times.

The Caged Graves

The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni, 329 pages

Verity Boone is returning to her home in Catawissa, Pennsylvania after fifteen years living with her cousins in Massachusetts. She was sent away when her mother died but now she will be living again with her father, until her marriage to their neighbor, Nathaniel. However, Verity finds that Nate may not be exactly the boy she met through their written correspondence and that something odd is going around surrounding her mother’s death and burial. Also, there is some talk that her father and uncle uncovered a treasure that they’ve been hiding for several years. Any of these things could prove to be Verity’s undoing. This was an exciting, edge-of-your-seat read, good for teens who like mystery/suspense type novels, especially those with some romance and/or historical setting.

Innocence

Innocence by Dean Koontz, pages 338

Dean Koontz writes another unusual story, not quite horror, but certainly with an element of fear. Addison has been reviled since birth. His appearance inspires fear, horror and revulsion in others, to the point that most people he encounters try to kill him. After his mother kicks him out, when he is eight, he makes his way to a city, where he meets and lives with a man he calls “father”, who has the same affliction he does. Although life is not wonderful, Addison enjoys the status quo until the night he encounters a girl. He and she seem destined to meet and accomplish something big, but evil seems determined to thwart them. I was somewhat dissatisfied with this offering. The ending seemed somewhat unfinished and I’m not sure I liked the underlying premise of the book. However, the story was interesting and engaging and well-written, as Dean Koontz always is. His fans will probably like this story and it’s a decent introduction for new followers of the author.

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass

Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina, 260 pages

Piddy has always been good in school but now she has moved and is in a new school, where a girl has just told her that “Yaqui Delgado wants to kick your ass.” Piddy doesn’t know why; she doesn’t even know Yaqui, but it soon becomes clear that Yaqui is after her just the same. Piddy’s days become filled with trying to stay away from Yaqui to the point where she starts neglecting her school work, and because she doesn’t want to narc, she can’t explain why. This is an excellent, fast-paced read for any high school teens or older middle school students.

Roomies

Roomies by Sara Zarr & Tara Altebrando, 279 pages

EB and Lauren have been assigned each other as roommates at Berkley for the upcoming year. EB, flying across the country to San Francisco from New Jersey, immediately e-mails Lauren, already living in San Francisco, only an hour away from the college to make arrangements for things like microwaves and mini-fridges. Thus begins an e-mail exchange between the two that lasts all summer. With all of the drama and problems in each girl’s life, this exchange could lead to a great friendship. Or, it could be destroyed before it even really gets started. This was a fun book about relationships that would be good for any college bound teen girls.

Grand Strategy of Philip II

The Grand Strategy of Philip II by Geoffrey Parker, 446 pages

In 1556, at the age of 29, Philip II inherited much of the Habsburg patrimony possessed by his father, Emperor Charles V, including the Low Countries, Milan, Naples, Sicily, and Spain with its American possessions.  In 1581 he became King of Portugal as well, which also bought him control over extensive colonial holdings in Brazil, Africa, and India.  His was the first "empire on which the sun never sets".  His reign is often regarded as the golden age of Spanish power and prestige, but the decline had visibly begun well before his death in 1598.

Geoffrey Parker's book is not a biography, but rather a study of how decisions were made, and sometimes not made, in Philip's government.  Such a far-flung empire, even the European parts of which were neither geographically nor linguistically united, did not lend itself to a single "Grand Strategy"; therefore, of necessity, Philip's policies tended to be reactions to crises.  Still, all was pursued in the perceived interests of the whole, united in the person of the sovereign, none more so than the "Enterprise of England" which culminated in the sailing of the Armada.  It is the decision-making surrounding this event that is analyzed most thoroughly, for the excellent reason that it is so well documented on both sides.  Although Parker does not diminish Philip's failures - especially in the Netherlands and England - he also acknowledges his successes - especially in the Mediterranean, Italy, and France.  In his thorough, balanced presentation, Parker manages to simultaneously use modern experience to critique Philip's leadership and analyze Philip's experiences as a lesson for modern leaders, even as he illustrates how structural and personal factors combine to make history.

This is the Story of a Happy Marriage

This is the story of a happy marriage / Ann Patchett.  306 Pages
Ann Patchett is one of my favorite authors so I automatically buy her books when they come out.  You would think that I would then read them immediately, but no.  I'm usually trying to finish a book from the library that someone else is waiting for before I get to those books I purchase.  In this case I've been able to read the book bit by bit because it is a series of essays that Patchett had previously published in various magazines over the last 20-30 years.

Although the essays cover a variety of topics,  all reveal something about the author; how she writes, her background; her life.  It is something akin to finding and reading someone's diary.  What is more important, Patchett's talent as a writer shines through and will hopefully leave the reader wanting to go back and read her other books, both fiction and non-fiction.

The Spy Who Loved Me

The Spy Who Loved Me by Ian Fleming, 221 pages

I did not care much for this novel. It is written in the first person and through the eyes of a Canadian woman named Vivienne Michel or Viv. The first third of the novels tells of her growing up and forays into adulthood. From her first parties to her first crush and first heartbreak it tells it all in explicit detail. The story seems to hop from one love affair to another with not much of her life in between. Finally it finds her working at a small motel in the Adirondack Mountains.

In the second third she is being harassed and abused by some street toughs named Sluggsy and Horror. They claim to be sent by her boss but they mean her no good. Finally in the third part we get to see Bond show up and do what he does best. Despite the slow start the book manages to end with explosions and gun battles that really should be in every Bond novel.  The book ends with a moral that we are supposed to take away but it seems halfhearted at best.

Hopefully the next Fleming novel will return to the old style and give us the thrilling story that Bond is supposed to be.

The Last Olympian

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan, 381 pages

This is the fifth and final book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I must say Riordan did a wonderful job of ending the series. Not only did make it a thrilling ending we were all hoping for, but he gave it just enough of a twist that helps us accept it. The book is filled with battles and action and reads very fast. It still has some of the humor the series started with, the giant pink flying pig in this one is a good example, but has developed a more serious tone that is needed.

After reading it however I wonder if Riordan has something against St. Louis or the Arch. In the first book he blows a hole in the top of it and in this book a monster destroyed most of the city. Maybe we need to have him come and do a book signing or something so he will have some happy memories form here and be less likely to destroy us in the future.

Sadly this concludes the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series, but it is not the end for most of the main character. Riordan continues the same themes in his new series Heroes of Olympus. Of course I will be reading them, so come back and read reviews for them in the future.

Far Far Away

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal  371 pages

'What Follows is the strange and fateful tale of a boy, a girl, and a ghost." 

This is how the tale of Jeremy Johnson Johnson and the ghost of Jacob Grimm begins.  A National Book award finalist, this young adult novel is described as a contemporary fairy tale that readers of Neil Gaiman would like.  I found it to be an enjoyable read, especially for young adults.

Jeremy is able to hear the voice of Jacob Grimm, one of the Brothers Grimm who compiles the famous catalog of fairy tales.  Jacob mentors Jeremy and tries to protect him from an unknown evil.  When Jeremy starts to hang out with Ginger Boultinghouse, Jacob finds himself unable to protect Jeremy from the evil intentions of a shadowy figure known as the Finder of Occasions.  Jacob must face his past if he wishes to save Jeremy and Ginger.

Battle of the Labyrinth

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan, 361 pages 

This is the fourth book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Despite some setbacks Luke’s army is still trying to destroy Camp Half-Blood. While the magical barrier that surrounds the camp protects it from being invaded outright, there are still other ways to get in. One of those ways is through Daedalus’ Labyrinth. The Labyrinth is a dangerous place as it is designed to confuse and trap you. It is believed that only Daedalus or Ariandne’s string, which Daedalus has, can safely guide you through the maze of corridors. It then becomes a race against time to reach Daedalus before Luke.

There are numerous sub plots happening at the same time but all have spoilers so read the book if you want to know. Again we continue the theme of meeting more titans and more Olympians. There is also a ranch where we meet some of the creatures of mythology. Examples of those are Apollo’s red cows, flesh eating horses, and some giant scorpions featured earlier in the book. Again the heroes meet some of the same challenges that the heroes of old faced like mucking out the stables and wax wings.

I am really starting to enjoy the series and can’t stop reading them. I hope the final book will do the series justice and end in a satisfying manner.

The Titan's Curse

The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan, 312 pages

This is the third book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The titans of old are gaining more power and are starting to emerge into the world. Percy, Annabeth, and Thalia are continuing their fight against Luke and his army of monsters. We meet some more modernized gods like Apollo and his twin Artemis. We also meet Artemis’ group of immortals known as the Hunters. They are a group of maidens that have pledged themselves to Artemis and sworn off all male contact. They never age and can only be killed in combat, or if they break their vow.

It is interesting how much mythology the books almost make you learn or remember. Did I know previously that Apollo and Artemis are twins, vaguely? But will I remember it now, at least for a little while. The demigod heroes also meet some of the monsters from the story of Hercules. This is possible because monsters never truly die; they just vanish for a while. As the heroes struggle to remember how Hercules banished the monster, I also find myself trying to recall the stories.

This series is starting to get better as more mythological figures are added. Again I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

The Source of Magic

The Source of Magic by Piers Anthony, 326 pages

The Source of Magic continues the Xanth series. It also continues the weirdness that is the Land of Xanth. As anyone can probably guess by the title, this story focuses on Bink’s quest to find the source of all magic in Xanth. To do this he brings along some familiar faces from the first book like magician Humfrey, Chester the centaur, Crombie of the king’s guard and a new character named Grundy who is a golem.

Again the book is filled with puns and play on words. Examples would be butter flies actually produce butter, stag beetles have antlers, breadfruit trees produce bread, etc. There are also many strange creatures like mind controlling brain coral, vegetarian ogres and an ouroboros (mythological serpent that refuses to let go of its own tail). Perhaps the strangest is the demon known as X(A/N)^TH. I can’t say much about X(A/N)^TH without spoiling part of the story, but I will say he takes his games very seriously.

The novel is very fast paced with action happening in every chapter. So far the series has been worth reading and I have enjoyed the novels and characters.

Our Guys

Our Guys: The Glen Ridge Rape and the Secret Life of the Perfect Suburbs, Bernard Lefkowitz
516 pages


        This is a book that you would have to get from the stacks, and its just as well.  While I do enjoy reading True Crime, sometimes it is more disturbing than I would like.  What was most upsetting was that something like this even happened in the first place, let alone reading an account of the whole egregious event. I was outraged every time I picked up the book and read more.  This book is fairly old, and he crime happened five or six years before the book came out.  It was also a grueling read because it was simply way too long, and Lefkowitz rehashes a lot of points along the way.
         The main thing that kept me hanging on through this was the examination of the affluent suburb where the accused were born and raised, and of the attitudes of the people who lived there at the time. No one wanted to believe this could happen, but it was a place not unlike any other in the country.  The perpetrators of this crime were young men who were outwardly successful in sports, and in school, yet rarely had to suffer any real consequences for their actions.  Glad to be done with this one.

The Murder Room

The Murder Room, PD James, 415 pages

      I can't believe I have never read PD James before now. Perhaps I wasn't ready, but wow can she write a suspenseful mystery! In the last year or so, I have become enamored of British mysteries. This may have something to do with enjoying Masterpiece Mystery on PBS as well as other BBC mysteries that are floating around Netflix.  I just find the writing to be a little better, the narratives more twisted, and the characters more engaging.
       The Murder Room is number 12 in a series of novels centered around Adam Dalgleish; a poet, a detective, and a very private man.  James masterfully takes her time in setting up the crime, and it took at least a hundred pages before anything major happens. I was most surprised by her eloquent use of language; most of her characters are well spoken, and her description of their habits and of the landscape around them made the book worth reading regardless of the mystery. The story may not be as modern or gritty as people may be used to when reading mystery, and I don't feel that it takes anything away from it. Sometimes its refreshing to read a book where cursing, sex, and graphic violence aren't what keeps the reader turning pages.

Ivan Ramen : Love, Obsession, and Recipes from Tokyo's Most Unlikely Noodle Joint

Ivan Ramen : Love, Obsession, and Recipes from Tokyo's Most Unlikely Noodle Joint
by Ivan Orkin with Chris Ying. 211 pages

     I saw this on our scrolling new books list on our catalogue and thought it looked interesting, which it was. This was a very quick read, with a little over half of the book being a short autobiography of Ivan Orkin followed by a step by step recipe for Ramen from scratch.  I have to say I enjoyed the quick narrative quite a bit, as I have been working as a line cook most of my adult life (and still do) and although I have no desire to ever become a chef, I do enjoy reading about them.
      Ivan Orkin is from New York City and managed to pull off an amazing feat: He opened his own Ramen shop in Tokyo and was a huge success.  We are not talking about Top Ramen that you buy at Schnuck's for 39 cents a pack.  This is the real deal, gourmet style.  The recipe for his signature Ramen in the tail end of the book is so complex that I dare not even attempt it, although it has given me some great ideas for my future Japanese dishes- It isn't that his recipe is impossible, its just that you must be patient and set aside the appropriate amount of time to dedicate to the recipe. After reading this book, I am sorely in need of some Japanese noodles ASAP.

Atlas Shrugged

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, 1168 pages

Atlas Shrugged is probably the only novel I both hate and love at the same time. I love the philosophical debates that undermine religion, society, the government, and nearly any other system in existence. I love the way the novel challenges you to think though it takes a couple passes before you can realize what the novel wants you to think about. I hate the way every character goes into a rambling debate every time they speak. I hate that some of their speeches take forty pages to get through, and that they are never interrupted or questioned as they go. I love seeing people fighting against what has become a moocher society were everyone considers their need more important than ability. I hate to think that this could be a possible future for the country but as I read the novel I keep seeing signs that this future might be possible.

I find it really hard to talk about Atlas Shrugged in any way that makes sense and I don’t want to try and explain the plot. I just don’t have the ability to express how the book makes me feel. Something about it speaks to me deep inside but in a way I can’t express. While I know that some people will hate the book, I still think everyone should read it.

Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light

Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the "Saint of Calcutta" by Mother Teresa, edited and with commentary by Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC, 404 pages

"In my heart there is no faith...  no trust - there is so much pain..."

These words probably wouldn't raise many eyebrows, except when they are written by a world-famous nun, a beata of the Catholic Church, a woman regarded by many during her lifetime as a "living saint".  Nor were they written in her youth or in an isolated moment of crisis, rather, they were the result of a "dark night" that lasted decades, beginning shortly after the founding of the Missionaries of Charity.  When some of these writings became public, there were loud voices which proclaimed Bl Teresa of Calcutta a fraud who had proclaimed God to the world despite not believing in Him herself.

"Edited and with commentary" is a bit of an understatement, since Father Kolodiejchuk's contribution probably constitutes over half of the actual text, but this is no Pale Fire.  The commentary is absolutely necessary in order to link together an extremely heterogeneous collection of journal entries, letters, and retreat notes.  What emerges is a deeply compelling portrait of a soul seeking her Spouse on a cross and fully inhabiting His words, "I thirst."  In the popular imagination saints are often imagined as credulous persons who ask no questions.  This book reveals perhaps the most visible modern "saint" as a woman who daily lived in despair and yet, greater even than faith, kept her love.

"I no longer pray. - My soul is not one with You - and yet when alone in the streets - I talk to You for hours - of my longing for You. - How intimate are those words..."

Sea of Monsters

Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan, 279 pages 

Having recently seen this movie and read The Lightning Thief I continued my reading of the Percy Jackson series. The first thing I noticed was the movie did not follow the book. There were a lot of differences that changed the story in major ways. It might be cliché but the book was far better than the movie.

Camp Half-Blood is protected by a magical barrier generated from a tree. Someone has poisoned the tree allowing monsters to attack the camp. In a quest to save the tree Percy embarks on a quest to find the Golden Fleece as only it has the ability to save the tree and camp. Percy also has a new half-brother named Tyson. Tyson is a Cyclops.

What follows is a hilarious quest that involved undead confederate soldiers, an ironclad steamboat from the civil war, monsters of all shapes and sizes, interfering gods, a satyr in a dress, drunken centaurs, and some carnivorous sheep.

This book was well worth the read and better than The Lightning Thief.

A Spell for Chameleon

A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony, 344 pages

A Spell for Chameleon is the first novel in the Xanth series. The series was started back in 1977 and continues today with over 35 books.

I can remember reading this book over ten years ago because I saw my dad reading this series. I found the cover image with the manticore intriguing and read it. I only made it to the third or fourth book back then before I gave up on the series and had ignored it since. While I am not sure what made me go pick up the book again I’m glad I did.

Not only is the story interesting but there is enough humor and word play that makes it funny as well. The story follows a character named Bink as he tries to find out if he has any magical talent. A magical talent is needed to stay in Xanth, and Bink is down to his last year to discover his or face expulsion.

If you enjoy a good sci-fi novel you should check out this book and others by Anthony.

Courting Greta

Courting Greta by Ramsey Hootman  376 pages

This debut novel by Hootman is about two people who are misfits in their own way, finding love with each other unexpectedly.  Samuel Cooke is a computer programmer who quits his job to become a substitute teacher at the same school when Greta Cassamajor is the gym teacher.  While Sam is a small disabled man, Greta is the stereotypical brusque gym teacher that everyone fears to some extent.  Only by taking a chance, do the two begin an awkward courtship.

For a first novel, the reader will find some rough spots where the writing loses its thread but overall the novel is a charming, tender work you'll finish to find out if the two can find happiness.

Murder in E Minor

Murder in E minor by Robert Goldsborough  196 pages

Nero Wolfe and his sidekick Archie Goodwin were created by mystery writer Rex Stout, who wrote 47 titles in the series about this overweight, genius private investigator.  When Stout died in 1975, readers thought that might be the end of the series but author Robert Goldsborough came through with another 7 titles, this is the first of that series or number 48. 

After number 47, Nero Wolfe was seemingly in retirement, despite the protests of Archie.  But he is drawn into a new mystery when the niece of one of Wolfe's old acquaintances seeks help for her uncle who has been receiving threats to remove him from the position of director of the New York Symphony.   Shortly thereafter, the director is murdered and it is up to Archie and Wolfe to uncover the true culprit.

Goldsborough keeps in tradition with Stout's original creation and fans won't be disappointed.  When we spend so much time following the new books, sometimes it is fun to go back and read an older series.  It may be enough to make you read the first Nero Wolfe book!

Head Games

Head Games (Locke and Key Pt 2) by Joe Hill, 144 pages

If you read my earlier review of part one of the Locke and Key series I predicted that it could only get weirder from here. Boy was I right. Head Games introduces a new key. One that makes the top of your head disappears so it forms a basin. You are then able to look into, insert, and remove memories.

Of course Bode is the one who finds the key and shows it off to his brother and sister. They test everything they can think of. First they insert an entire cookbook into his head and he instantly knows all the recipes. Next they remove a memory only he has from the first book and he instantly forgets that ever happens. They put the memory back and take the key from him, saying they want to experiment with it more.

While experimenting his sister, Kinsey, removes herself doubt and her fear. Their brother, Tyler, uses the ability to “read” a couple books for school that he had been ignoring. Eventually the villain of the story gets a hold of the key and uses it to remove thoughts and memories. I know that is very vague, but I don’t want to ruin any of the story for you.

I must confess I would love to have that key. Imagine being able to instantly learn anything. Need to learn French? No problem, just insert the book into your head. Want to become an expert car mechanic? Insert book. Want to blog about 300 books a day? Just insert the books into your brain, though not sure that counts as reading it… As far as the book shows there is no downside or side effects so it would be the ultimate learning tool.

I am really starting to enjoy this series. They keys are an interesting way to allow anything to happen, but still retain some sort of plausibility. Will definitely keep reading!

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris, illustrations by Ian Falconer, 159 pages

David Sedaris is best known for his essay collections, and for the NPR-inclined, his segments on This American Life. This book marks his first foray into fiction writing, and filled with modern fables featuring the everyday lives of anthropomorphic animals. There's the story of the Ugly American warblers who fly south to Guatemala every winter, complaining to their friends how insulting it is that none of the Guatemalan birds can speak English. There's the misguided mouse who "rescues" a baby snake and keeps it as a "companion" ("pet" doesn't begin to describe the connection she feels to the snake). And don't forget about the two mother storks discussing the best way to respond to their chicks when they ask where babies come from. Yes, the stars of these stories are animals, but their personalities hit close to home. I'll bet that everyone can think of someone these creatures remind them of.

This is fun, funny, and quick. Additional props to Falconer's illustrations, which are perfect for Sedaris' dry and acerbic humor.

Hoodlum's Priest

Hoodlum's Priest by Elizabeth Mulligan, 169 pages

 The subject of this biography is Father Charles "Dismas" Clark, SJ, a Jesuit priest who spent much of his life working with those inside and recently released from prison.  His work led to the founding of Dismas House in St Louis in 1959, one of this country's first halfway houses.  Neither a romantic nor a cynic, Father Clark understood the evil of crime, but felt obliged to criticize a system he believed contributed to the hardening of criminals by denying them opportunities to change.  A tireless activist featured in many print, radio, and television reports on prison reform and recidivism, he achieved the height of his fame with the 1961 release of "Hoodlum Priest", a fictionalized movie account of his ministry, but a film which he personally loathed.

This is not a conventional, objective biography, but rather a memoir by a close friend, more a collection of anecdotes than a detailed record.  In many of the passages one can almost hear the voices of other friends of Father Clark sharing their own stories with the author.  Mulligan does not attempt to hide Clark's rough edges, whether relating his impatience with others less passionate about his cause, or the occasional rhetorical excess which sometimes alienated some of his own supporters.  By the end, the reader does not know all the details of Father Clark's remarkable life, but knows what it was like to know him.

Find Me

Find Me by Romily Bernard, 307 pages

Wick Tate is the daughter of a con artist. The police are searching for him and meanwhile, she and her sister are in a foster home. What the cops don’t know is that she is also a hacker and has started a business helping women investigate their cheating or battering spouses. Someone leaves Tessa Waye’s diary on her porch with a post-it that says “Find me”. Wick’s certain that Tessa didn’t leave it because her body has been found. The police believe she’s committed suicide and Wick finds out that Tessa was raped. Even worse, she thinks the rapist is coming after her little sister next.

Picture Me Gone

Picture Me Gone by Meg Rosoff, 239 pages

Mila is going to New York with her father over Easter break to visit her father’s friend, Matthew. However, right before they leave, they find out that Matthew has disappeared. Mila and her father go anyway, thinking that Matthew will probably turn up soon, or they can help find him. During their search for Matthew, they find more than they bargained for.

Welcome to Lovecraft

Welcome to Lovecraft (Locke and Key pt. 1) by Joe Hill, 185 pages

Joe Hill is a recently found author for me. Joe Hill specializes in horror fiction and is the son of Stephen King. He was suggested by fellow blogger wysterria, and the novel NOS4A2, pronounced nosferatu. I loved reading the book and quickly read everything else he had published, except the Locke and Key series. There was no personal reason for not reading Locke and Key, it was just the library didn’t own a copy. Much to my disappointment they finally bought only the first of six parts. Not wanting to read just one part I was forced to wait until now when the rest of the series has been bought and I can read it all.

The Locke and Key series revolves around a premise that certain keys, when used on the right keyholes can produce unusual results. Welcome to Lovecraft opens up with the very graphic killing of a couple people that results in the family moving to the town of Lovecraft. Bode the youngest in the family discovers a key that opens the ghost door. When you walk through the ghost door your spirit leaves your body and technically you die. But your spirit can return and revive you. From there the novel only gets weirder and creepy.

Bode is easily my favorite character as his yearn for knowledge and to try out keys brings excitement to the story. Hill’s style of writing shows through bringing you a sense of unease and foreboding as you can see what evil is in store for the characters. I look forward to continue reading the rest of this series though I know it is only going to get stranger from here.

The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, 377 pages

My desire to read this book came from two sources. The first was my brother had read this book series and had enjoyed it enough to actually acquire copies of the books. Since he reads a lot but does not tend to buy books I knew this series was something special. My second motivation comes from the fact that they are making this series into movies. So far they have only made the first two books, but as far as know they intend to continue.

The series is basically a half-blood, half god and half human, named Percy is trying to save the world from destruction. In this novel the source of that destruction is a coming war between Zeus and Poseidon, Percy’s father. Percy’s quest takes him through Camp Half-Blood, which is the training site for all half-blooded creatures and people, the Underworld and Mount Olympus.

Through all this we meet a couple different gods and it’s strange to see them presented in a modern setting. An example is Ares the god of war is presented as a beefy biker instead of his armored, sword wielding look of old. The differences in perspectives make the gods seem almost comical at times. Percy also has a sarcastic trend that brings humor to a semi-serious book.

While I found it to be nothing special in terms of writing, it was enjoyable to read. I will likely read the rest of the series if nothing else for Percy’s sarcasm and to see how the rest of the gods are modernized

All Our Yesterdays

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill 360 pages

The future is not good. Apparently the invention of time travel and meddling with the past has create a United States where individual liberties have been sacrificed for security.  Two prisoners can go back and change this, but only if they are willing to follow the final instruction, found in the cell. 

An interesting concept but a flawed presentation.  Jumping between characters is confusing and lack of character development causes the book to fail to engage the reader. 

Steelheart

Steelheart- Brandon Sanderson  386 pages

This book is an excellent example of why several young adult books make good reading for adults as well.  Although the protagonist is a young male, the storyline, ancillary characters and writing style create a book that keeps the reader engaged to the very end.

10 years ago people started showing extraordinary powers and were called Epics.  One such epic was Steelheart, a seemingly invulnerable despot, with the ability to turn any inorganic material to steel.  As the leader of what was once Chicago, Steelheart rules over the ordinary mortals with a heavy hand. 

One person has seen Steelheart bleed and vowed revenge upon him for the death of his father.  Only by joining a rebel group called the Reckoners will David have any chance of achieving this revenge.

Hell To Pay

Hell to Pay -  Simon R Green  264 pages

Simon Green has created a world called the Nightside, a city within a city, filled with all manner of creatures, gods and magic.  John Taylor is a private investigator whose special gift is the ability to find anything.  His case this time is to find the missing granddaughter of one of the richest and most powerful men in the Nightside.  Only this time something is blocking his talent and he only has 24 hours to find her.

If you are a fan of Jim Butcher's Dresden files, you'll probably enjoy Green's series.  The main character is a wise cracking, world weary guy who seems to be the last bastion of decency in a world gone to the dogs.  Green has created a world rich in detail, with memorable characters.  This is not a deep or thought provoking read, but like a potato chip, a satisfying junk food read to refresh your brain.

Something Real

Something Real by Heather Demetrios, 416 pages

An ex-TV star finds her attempts to regain her private life derailed by a new season of her family’s Reality TV show.

I think I liked this better than A.S. King's Reality Boy. This is the story of a girl regaining control of her life from a controlling mother and a runaway TV show that used her as the Drama Magnet. Her blossoming relationship with her boyfriend is super sweet, but her friendship and solidarity with her brother really made this story stand out.

Hull Zero Three

Hull Zero Three by Greg Baer,  307 pages

A small band of humans on a long journey wake up to find themselves light years from known space, on a ship that has gone mad. The ship is an unmanned terraformer, designed to bring life to dead planets, but not to transport the living. Now, five humans find themselves struggling to understand how they came to be here and just where it is they are going. They must find a way to survive in these cold, dark halls, hunted by monsters out to kill them.

This is the first book I’ve read by Baer, but I loved it. The action was fast-paced, and the hero is a gentle teacher, kind and curious. His guide through the cold bleak ship world is a young girl who turns out to be intricately connected to the mystery of the ship’s problem. She tells him to find His Book, and when he does, the book explains many mysteries but creates even more questions. There were some bleak horror moments that I had to skim past. The surprise creepy twist is wonderful, and the ending is surprisingly happy.

How Excellent Companies Avoid Dumb Things

How Excellent Companies Avoid Dumb Things: Breaking the 8 Hidden Barriers that Plague Even the Best Businesses by Neil Smith, 226 pages

In this business book, Smith describes several problems businesses face that block good ideas from being implemented, and offers ways to break through them. The barriers range from avoiding controversy, to poor management of time, to organizational silos, and a lot of them seem pretty obvious once Smith points them out. However, he does offer some great personal anecdotes to illustrate these issues and the potential solutions to them. Toward the end of the book, Smith also offers the principles he and his company (which is a consulting firm that helps companies institute change) abide by, and he details his 100-day process for creating the plans for these changes. Again, the principles are logical and seem like common sense once you read them, but Smith's description of his process is pretty boring.

Smith did a good job holding my attention through most of the book, but once he got to that process and started throwing in acronyms left and right, he lost me. Another problem I had with this book is that it's aimed almost solely at the CEOs and other higher-ups at large companies (and by large I mean 15,000+ employees). I chose this as a book for the Business Reads discussion group, and while some of the elements may be applicable to smaller businesses or non-management employees, a lot of it won't be.

One last quibble: I don't think this book is accurately named. Yes, the title makes you giggle a bit, but there's nothing about avoiding dumb things; it's all about creating opportunities or righting dumb processes that are already there.

The Wishing Thread

The Wishing Thread by Lisa Van Allen  385 pages

The Van Ripper family has been present in Tarrytown for centuries as keepers of the Stichery.  People's wishes can be granted with an appropriate sacrifice to help create magical scarves, mittens and hats.  But the 3 Van Ripper sisters aren't close anymore and with the Stichery threatened with destruction, it may take more than magic to save it, and the Van Ripper legacy.

This book didn't do much for me.  I knew going in it was chancy as I have zero interest in knitting but when the review compared it to works by Sarah Addison Allen it sounded interesting.  On the surface they are similar, magical happenings, estranged family members and an overwhelming obstacle.  It checked off all the requisites.  However Allen failed to engage me and have me give 2 hoots whether the Stichery was saved or not.

The Invention of Wings

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd  373 pages


If I tell you this is a Oprah 2.0 book club pick, you might immediately discount it.  However it doesn't have the usually amount of misery and hopelessness you find in an Oprah pick, and Kidd has proven herself to be an able writer so give it a chance.  Set in the early 19th century, the book is nominally about the lives of two true-life sisters Sarah and Angelina Grimke who were early abolitionists with southern plantation roots.  But the true story is between Sarah and the slave Hetty (Handful) who was gifted to Sarah on her 11th birthday.

The novel deals with the choices and limitations that were placed on women in that day and age and how each character deals with those limitations.  Handful sums it up best when she tells Sarah that Sarah's body is free but her mind is enslaved, while Hetty's body is enslaved but her mind is free.  The book is filled with instances where both characters are beaten down by the institution of slavery and the expectations of society towards females.

Besides the relationship between Hetty and Sarah, Kidd richly illustated the relationships between Sarah and her mother and Hetty and her mother.  The novel does get a little bogged down in the last 3rd as Sarah moves north and her interactions with Hetty grow fewer but comes back in the end. 

Watcher of the Dark

Watcher of the Dark by Joseph Nassise  301 pages

Every once in a while I try a new author, hoping to find a new series to read.  It is even better if there are some previous books, so if I like the title, I can go back and read the earlier works.  However, this book is not going to do it for me.

In this supernatural series Jeremiah Hunt has lost his normal sight in exchange for ghost sight.  He can see the supernatural world and all its attendant entities.  Now in Los Angeles, Hunt is blackmailed into helping local tough guy Carols Fuentes in a quest to gain power.  While the premise is interesting, Nassise’s world lack detail and the plot is superficial.  While not every book can create a world as detailed and rich as Rowling’s Harry Potter, in the vast supernatural genre, an author needs to come up with much more if he hopes to compete with myriad others.

Ghost Hawk

Ghost Hawk by Susan Cooper, read 275 out of 325 pages

At the end of a winter-long journey into manhood, Little Hawk returns to find his village decimated by a white man's plague and soon, despite a fresh start, Little Hawk dies violently but his spirit remains trapped, seeing how his world changes.

 I enjoyed the journey of Little Hawk, and, while sad when he dies 1/3 through, I also like the story of the English boy who witnessed his death. But when the story of that boy followed him into manhood and middle age, I lost interest. I love Susan Cooper, but this story needed better focus.

Firebrand

Firebrand by Antony John, 293 pages

In this exciting sequel to Elemental, Thom and his family and friends struggle to reach Sumter, another colony.  They manage to get there, but not without some casualties.  And their powers are much weaker, the farther they get from home.  The adults really have no power at all.  And when they finally do reach Sumter, instead of the haven they hope, it may more dangerous than the home they left behind.