The Singing Bones

The Singing Bones by Shaun Tan, 185 pages

This is a compilation of sculptures, done by Tan, to illustrate several of Grimm's fairy tales.  Each tale just uses an excerpt of the story paired with a photo of the sculpture.  The sculptures are sometimes strange but always seemed fitting.  Overall, I thought it was well done.  This is also in adult non-fiction but could have some teen appeal since some of Tan's work has been for teens.  Adults who like fairy tales will like this book as will fans of tan's other books.

Leviathan

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld, 440 pages

"In an alternate 1914 Europe, fifteen-year-old Austrian Prince Alek, on the run from the Clanker Powers who are attempting to take over the globe using mechanical machinery, forms an uneasy alliance with Deryn who, disguised as a boy to join the British Air Service, is learning to fly genetically-engineered beasts."  I'm a relative newcomer to Westerfeld's books but I really liked the first book in this series.  I'm sorry it took me so long to get to it.  I liked this a lot better than the Pretties series, which was good but not great.  This was much better and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

And One Last Thing

AndOne Last Thing by Molly Harper, 310 pages

"Lacey Terwilliger's shock and humiliation over her husband's philandering prompt her to add some bonus material to Mike's company newsletter: stunning Technicolor descriptions of the special brand of "administrative support" his receptionist gives him. The detailed mass e-mail to Mike's family, friends, and clients blows up in her face, and before one can say "instant urban legend," Lacey has become the pariah of her small Kentucky town, a media punch line, and the defendant in Mike's defamation lawsuit.  Her seemingly perfect life up in flames, Lacey retreats to her family's lakeside cabin, only to encounter an aggravating neighbor named Monroe. A hunky crime novelist with a low tolerance for drama, Monroe is not thrilled about a newly divorced woman moving in next door. But with time, beer, and a screen door to the nose, a cautious friendship develops into something infinitely more satisfying.  Lacey has to make a decision about her long-term living arrangements, though. Should she take a job writing caustic divorce newsletters for paying clients, or move on with her own life, pursuing more literary aspirations? Can she find happiness with a man who tells her what he thinks and not what she wants to hear? And will she ever be able to resist saying one . . . last . . . thing?"  I've really enjoyed all of Harper's supernatural romances.  They're all funny and this book is too.  Anyone who's liked her other books will probably like this also despite its lack of supernatural characters.  Fans of the romantic comedy will also like this book.

The Boys Who Challenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen And The Churchill Club

The Boys WhoChallenged Hitler: Knud Pedersen And The Churchill Club by Phillip Hoose, 198 pages

"At the outset of World War II, Denmark did not resist German occupation. Deeply ashamed of his nation's leaders, fifteen-year-old Knud Pedersen resolved with his brother and a handful of schoolmates to take action against the Nazis if the adults would not. Naming their secret club after the fiery British leader, the young patriots in the Churchill Club committed countless acts of sabotage, infuriating the Germans, who eventually had the boys tracked down and arrested. But their efforts were not in vain: the boys' exploits and eventual imprisonment helped spark a full-blown Danish resistance. Interweaving his own narrative with the recollections of Knud himself, here is Phillip Hoose's inspiring story of these young war heroes."  This was a well written and well researched book.  I like books about WWII and this was no exception.  I think it would be a great book for teens and adults looking for more information on this topic.

Malcolm Under The Stars

MalcolmUnder The Stars by W.H. Beck, 257 pages

This is the sequel to Malcolm at Midnight, which I liked a lot.  In this adventure, Malcolm, the rat in Mr. Binney's fifth grade classroom, discovers more problems at his beloved McKenna School.  This time the problem facing the Midnight Academy, the group of classroom animals from the school whose mission it is to protect the teachers and students, is larger than any they have ever seen before.  The school has significant problems that will cost a lot of money to fix and the board is discussing the possibility of closing the school.  This is devastating to the animals and to several of the kids and teachers as well.  There is one hope for the Midnight Academy; the promise of a legendary treasury hidden by Ernie Bowman, a former employee of the school.  If the Academy can find it, it may be enough money to save the school.  I really enjoyed this, maybe even more than the first book.  I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes animals, especially with a fantastical bent.  This is probably best for fourth through sixth grade.

My Seneca Village

My Seneca Village by Marilyn Nelson, 87 pages

This is a collection of poems, telling the story of a free Black settlement in the early to mid 1800's.  While it's well done, I didn't like it.  This type of poetry reinforces to me why I'm not usually a fan of poetry.  This just isn't for me.  People who like poetry will probably like it better than I did.  As it is, unless a kid tells me that they want historical poetry, I will probably never recommend this book to anyone.

Talking Leaves

Talking Leaves by Joseph Bruchac, 235 pages

Everyone thinks that Uwohali's father is crazy.  Even Uwohali is afraid that it is true.  His father has been gone for many years and since he has returned Uwohali has been afraid to go see him in case that everyone in the village is right.  When Uwohali finally gathers the courage to see his father he finds that his father is not crazy but is trying to create a system of writing for their own language.  The biggest problem is that many people think that he may be involved in witchcraft, which is punishable by death in their village.  Since Uwohali is talking to his father, some people believe that he may also be involved in witchcraft.  If he and his father aren't careful, they could both be hurt or killed.  This was a good book based on a the real life Sequoyah, who did create a writing system for the Cherokee people.  I have already recommended this book to a group of third through sixth graders.

Duty or Desire

Duty or Desire by Patrick Jones & Marshunna Clark, 106 pages

This is another of the Unbarred series, good for reluctant readers.  Alejandro is just out of jail for resisting arrest when two officers attacked and beat him for basically no reason.  He has found out that the two officers are still doing this.  their most recent victim is a young African American teen, Chrissie.  Chrissie doesn't want to do anything about her attack although her family is pressuring her to press charges or bring a lawsuit.  When she meets Alejandro, she is relieved that he understands her situation but he also agrees that the officers should be stopped.  This is definitely a good choice for reluctant readers and has a kind of surprise ending in my opinion but I doubt I will read anymore from this series.  Jones is a good writer but there isn't as much depth to these stories as I would like.

Friend or Foe

Friend or Foe by Patrick Jones, 112 pages

This is definitely a teen book for reluctant readers.  This book has a lot of action packed into a short book and tends to keep the vocabulary fairly simple.  Ian is bitter that his best friend, Orlando, seems to prefer a new friend, Chase, to him.  When the group ends up in a scuffle that ends with the police being called, Orlando is held longer than anyone because he is African American.  Ian sees his chance to get even with Orlando and Chase. He sets up situations to make several people believe that Chase is making bad decisions and to make Orlando think that Chase is spending time with Orlando's girlfriend, Destiny.  I was surprised that everything ended the way that it did.  I'm not sure I would want to read many more books from the Unbarred series, but I will definitely remember them for reluctant readers.

Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans

Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans by Don Brown, 96 pages

This is a graphic novel depicting the events of Hurricane Katrina, from a couple of days before when the storm was first detected to the awful aftermath and rescue efforts after the storm.  The illustrations and story are pretty stark, which seems fitting for the subject matter.  I thought it worked well as a graphic novel, since the illustrations help make everything more real.  I can't say that I like graphic novels much better after I read this than before but it wasn't bad.  I think that this could have some teen appeal although we have it in adult because it is non-fiction.  People who like historical books and also like graphic novels will definitely want to give this a look.

Born Confused

Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier, 413 pages

This is a coming-of-age type of story about an Indian girl named Dimple. Dimple was born in the United States but her parents were not.  She feels caught between two worlds, not Indian enough for her relatives who still live in India and not American enough for her friends there.  When her parents want to introduce her to a nice Indian boy, Dimple is determined not to like him because it isn't how things are done in America but she finds that she actually likes him.  Unfortunately, she comes to that realization after she has told her best friend, Gwyn, that the meeting was a disaster and now Gwyn is interested in him.  Dimple is trying to be true to herself, be a good friend, and still maybe get the boy in the end.  This wasn't one of my favorite books.  Some of the editing style made it awkward for me to read.  I liked the story and writing all right though.  Teens, especially girls, who like Sarah Dessen's books might like this story.

Until I Find Julian

Until I Find Julian by Patricia Reilly Giff, 151 pages

Mateo's brother, Julian, is in the United States illegally working.  When his friend, Tomas, comes back alone, Mateo and his family are worried.  Mateo decides to find Julian.  He manages to get near the border and finds help in a girl who calls herself Angel.  Angel helps him get across the border and teaches him a little bit of English.  They are able to find the place where Julian used to live but he isn't there and Mateo isn't sure how to find him.  He is determined not to give up and wonders why Angel is still around helping him.  He is grateful for her help and company but seems to have a secret that she refuses to share.  This is a sweet story for slightly younger chapter book readers.  While it is fairly simplistic, it works for younger readers and I liked it pretty well.

The Bazaar Of Bad Dreams

TheBazaar Of Bad Dreams by Stephen King, 495 pages

"In this new collection [King] assembles, for the first time, recent stories that have never been published in a book. He introduces each with a passage about its origins or his motivations for writing it. There are thrilling connections between stories; themes of morality, the afterlife, guilt, what we would do differently if we could see into the future or correct the mistakes of the past. Several stories feature characters at the end of life, revisiting their crimes and misdemeanors. Other stories address what happens when someone discovers that he has supernatural powers--the columnist who kills people by writing their obituaries in "Obits;" the old judge in "The Dune" who, as a boy, canoed to a deserted island and saw names written in the sand, the names of people who then died in freak accidents. Magnificent, eerie, utterly compelling, these stories comprise one of King's finest gifts to his constant reader--'I made them especially for you,' says King. 'Feel free to examine them, but please be careful. The best of them have teeth.'"  I really enjoyed this collection of stories.  Most of them were as scary as anything I've read by King.  My favorite stories were “Mile 81”, “Herman Wouk Is Still Alive”, “Obits”, and “Drunken Fireworks”. The last one was more funny than scary but still a really good story and somehow still felt like King despite the lack of horror.  All in all, I thought this was a really good book and fans of King and horror will want to read it.

The Poet's Dog

The Poet's Dog by Patricia MacLachlan, 88 pages

This is a short, sweet story about a dog, Teddy, who was rescued by a poet, Sylvan.  Sylvan tells Teddy that only poets and children can understand dogs, which turns out to be true, at least once Teddy begins to understand human words.  Teddy, in turn, rescues two human children, Nickel and Flora, from a bad storm.  He leads them back to Sylvan's cabin so they will be warm and safe but Sylvan is not there.  Through the book, the story of Sylvan and Teddy is revealed.  This story is definitely predictable, especially for adults, but even children will be able to guess what happened to Sylvan and few will be surprised by the bittersweet ending of the book.  This is a good early chapter book for beginning readers, especially kids who like animal stories.

Garvey's Choice

Garvey's Choice by Nikki Grimes, 108 pages

This is a story for middle to older elementary, told in short poems about a boy named Garvey.  Garvey likes to read and play chess.  He's smart and a science fiction geek.  Unfortunately, his dad wants him to be an athlete.  His father's disapproval leads Garvey into eating even more, causing him to gain weight which results in teasing at school.  Garvey hopes that he can find a way to be himself and still win his father's approval.  This is told in a Japanese poetry style called tanka.  The story is compelling and this would probably be a good choice for reluctant readers because of the length.

Skeleton Man

Skeleton Man by Joseph Bruchac, 114 pages

Molly’s parents have always told her stories from their heritage.  One of Molly’s favorites is the story of Lazy Uncle, who, after burning his finger, decides it tastes so good he cooks and eats his entire body and then all of his relatives, one by one.  His young niece finally saves the day.  Now, Molly’s parents have gone missing and Molly’s uncle, who she’s never met, has come to take care of her.  Molly is scared of him.  He looks just like she imagines the Skeleton Man from the story to look, he never lets her see his face, and locks her in her room at night.  Molly needs to figure out how to get away and hopefully find her parents.  This is typical of Bruchac’s scary stories.  I really liked it and would recommend it for elementary age kids.

Backwards

Backwards by Todd Mitchell, 277 pages

As Dan commits suicide, the Rider watches and as Dan dies, the Rider finds himself pulled into Dan's body.  For the next several days, the Rider finds himself living Dan's life, but in reverse.  Every day Dan wakes up, it is the previous day.  The longer the Rider stays with him the more convinced he becomes that he is meant to change something but he isn't sure what or if the things he tries will help or hurt, especially since it requires a lot of effort to even get Dan to do what he wants.  he rider starts to become aware that they are headed toward a critical moment that could mean salvation or destruction, depending on what he chooses, and he comes closer to the knowledge of who and what he actually is.  This is a pretty amazing book.  I would give it to a wide variety of teens.

Class Election

ClassElection by Neil Swaab, 232 pages

This is the sequel to The Secrets To Ruling School Without Even Trying.  Max Corrigan is back, as incorrigible as ever, and this time he’s encouraging the new kid to run for class president.  He’s got a foolproof way to get the new kid elected and, as in the first book, it relies on enlisting several people’s help along the way.  Some of Max’s ideas are a little less than ethical, but the new kid seems to recognize this and is willing to take the risks.  This book definitely had a surprise twist near the end.  I liked this book even better than the first and would recommend the series to fans of the Wimpy Kid series.  They are great for middle to later elementary school age kids.

Edison's Alley

Edison's Alley by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman, 250 pages

This is the second book in the Accelerati trilogy, the sequel to Tesla's Attic.  Nick has been trying to track down the objects he sold from his attic in a garage sale in the previous book.  He has realized that all of the items belonged to Nicola Tesla and have very unique qualities.  When brought together, the objects will form a machine but Nick doesn't know what the machine will do.  he is only sure that it's vitally important and that time is of the essence.  With the help of his friends, he has found many of the objects but there are still several left to find.  Between trying to find the objects and keep the Accelerati from getting them first, Nick has been pretty busy.  Unfortunately, life is about get even crazier and unless Nick can stop it, the world might come to an end.  I definitely liked the first book and I thought this book was pretty good too.  Kids who like science fiction and fantasy will probably like the trilogy but it might also work for kids who like adventure and realistic stories, if they don't mind a little bit of non-realism.

Shadowshaper

Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose' Older, 297 pages

Sierra is an artist.  She's been working on a mural at the request of some of her grandfather's friends.  Although she's just started it, they've been nearly begging her to finish quickly.  One night, at a party, a dead body shows up and attacks her.  Sierra knows that her artwork has something to do with it, but all of the people that seem to know something refuse to explain.  Bit by bit, Sierra begins to puzzle out the strange situation she's found herself in, what the shadowshapers are and how they are involved, and what her own role is.  Along the way, she finds some help and starts to get some answers from friends and family members but the situation grows more dangerous with people dying and more dead bodies appearing.  If Sierra can't figure everything out soon, her whole world may come crumbling down.  This book started out a little too slow for me and some of the dialect used in the dialogue made some of the stuff harder to understand for me.  I liked it better by the time I finished the book but this hasn't been one of my favorites.  I really wanted to like it because it's normally the type of book I do like and I've really liked almost all of the books chosen for Read It Forward, but I'm going to have a harder time selling this one personally.  That being said, I think it has teen appeal and the story isn't bad, just not as much emotion or action in it as I would have wanted.

Diary of a Waitress: The Not-So-Glamorous Life of a Harvey Girl

Diary of a Waitress: The Not-So-Glamorous Life of a Harvey Girl by Carolyn Meyer, 348 pages

Kitty Evans is devastated when her father tells her that he can't afford to send her to college in the fall as she planned.  Kitty's plan is to be a journalist.  Her father has arranged a job for her at a local shoe store.  Kitty decides to apply for a job as a Harvey Girl, one of the elite waitresses in the chain of Harvey restaurants.  To her surprise, she is accepted and hired.  Over her parents' objections, Kitty sets out to train for her job.  She heads west, making new friends and recording everything in her diary.  She even gets some encouragement in her journalistic dreams.  Of course, the work is hard and Kitty has to deal with cranky customers, rigid rules, and her own imperfections, but as time goes by, Kitty finds that she likes her job and her new life.  I really liked this book about a little known period of history.  Although the story was entirely fictional, some of the characters were real people and the historical time period is historically accurate.  This is a really good story, well written, and teen fans of historical fiction will probably like this book a lot.

Some Girls Are

SomeGirls Are by Courtney Summers, 246 pages

"Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome , an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.  Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.  Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion."  I liked this book.  It isn't the type of story I normally read but I thought it was a pretty realistic portrayal of a fairly common high school scenario.  I think this would be a popular book for teens, especially girls.

The Bands of Mourning

TheBands of Mourning by Brandon Sanderson, 447 pages

"The Bands of Mourning are the mythical metalminds owned by the Lord Ruler, said to grant anyone who wears them the powers that the Lord Ruler had at his command. Hardly anyone thinks they really exist. A kandra researcher has returned to Elendel with images that seem to depict the Bands, as well as writings in a language that no one can read. Waxillium Ladrian is recruited to travel south to the city of New Seran to investigate. Along the way he discovers hints that point to the true goals of his uncle Edwarn and the shadowy organization known as The Set."  I really enjoy most of Sanderson's books and this one was really good.  The Mistborn books are a must-read for people who like epic fantasy.

Vessel

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst, 424 pages

Liyana is prepared to die.  her body will become a vessel f to house her goddess, Bayla, while her spirit moves on into the Dreaming.  Bayla will be able to do magic that will allow her clan to survive the drought.  Without the use of Liyana's body, her goddess will not be able to affect the earth and would not be able to help the clan.  On the day of the ceremony, everything goes exactly as planned, except that the goddess doesn't come.  Liyana's clan is left bereft, unsure what to do and end up abandoning Liyana to what is surely death in the desert, until a boy shows up out of nowhere.  The boy, Korbyn, may have the answers to what happened to Bayla and how to fix the void she left.  This book is one of the best books I've ever read, definitely my favorite by this author.  Teens who like fantasy will probably love it.

The Game Of Lives

The Game OfLives by James Dashner, 337 pages

“Michael used to live to game, but the games he was playing have become all too real. Only weeks ago, sinking into the Sleep was fun. The VirtNet combined the most cutting-edge technology and the most sophisticated gaming for a full mind-body experience. And it was Michael's passion. But now every time Michael sinks, he risks his life.  The games are over. The VirtNet has become a world of deadly consequences, and Kaine grows stronger by the day. The Mortality Doctrine--Kaine's master plan--has nearly been realized, and little by little the line separating the virtual from the real is blurring. If Kaine succeeds, it will mean worldwide cyber domination. And it looks like Michael and his friends are the only ones who can put the monster back in the box-- if Michael can figure out who his friends really are.”  This is the third and final book in the trilogy.  I liked the series pretty well, better than the Maze Runner series.  Fans of science fiction and dystopian fiction will probably want to read this.

The Secrets To Ruling School Without Even Trying

The SecretsTo Ruling School Without Even Trying by Neil Schwab, 226 pages

“It's the first week of middle school, i.e., the Worst Place in the Entire World. How do you survive in a place where there are tough kids twice your size, sadistic teachers, and restrictions that make jail look like a five-star resort? Easy: with the help of Max Corrigan, middle school "expert" and life coach. Let Max teach you how to win over not just one, but all of the groups in school, from the Preps to the Band Geeks. Along the way, Max offers surefire advice and revealing tips on how to get through universal middle school experiences like gym class, detention, faking sick, dealing with jocks and bullies, and acing exams (without getting caught cheating).”  This is a fun book for kids.  This is the Reading Pays book this fall and I’m pretty sure it will be an easy sell to kids if they like humor in their stories at all.

Jack: the True Story of Jack & the Beanstalk

Jack:the True Story of Jack & the Beanstalk by Liesl Shurtliff, 296 pages

"All his life, Jack has longed for an adventure, so when giants turn up in the neighbor's cabbage patch, he is thrilled! Soon Jack is chasing them to a land beyond the clouds, with his little sister, Annabella, in tow. The kingdom of giants is full of super-sized fun: puddings to swim in, spoons to use as catapults, monster toads to carry off pesky little sisters. . . .  But Jack and Annabella are on a mission. The king of the giants has taken something that belongs to them, and they'll do anything--even dive into a smelly tureen of green bean soup--to get it back."  I really liked this story.  The basic original story is all there but there is plenty of original material.  The characters are great and kids who like fairy tale retellings or adventure stories will enjoy it.

The Long Run

TheLong Run by Joseph Bruchac, 114 pages

Travis is a great runner.  At 17, he and his father have been on the road for 4 years, ever since Travis's mother died.  But Travis's dad is a drunk and hasn't been able to hold down a job.  For the past few months they've been living in a homeless shelter.  Travis misses his grandparents and when some other boys in the shelter try to plant drugs on Travis to get him in trouble, he decides it's time to leave.  Unfortunately he and his father are in Seattle and his grandparents, the only place Travis can go, live in Maine.  Undeterred, Travis sets out on a journey that may change his life.  This is a great read for a reluctant or low level teen reader, especially boys who like realistic fiction.

Where Are You Going, Baby Lincoln?

Where AreYou Going, Baby Lincoln? by Kate DiCamillo, 89 pages

Baby Lincoln has always done everything that her older sister Eugenia has told her to until the morning she wakes up convinced that she must go on a Necessary Journey.  This decision surprises Eugenia and Baby herself but, nevertheless, Baby sets off with no destination in mind to the train station.  This is an awesome book for beginning chapter book readers.  Kids who have enjoyed the Mercy Watson books will definitely want to read this and any others featuring the characters from Deckawoo Drive.

Just Add Magic

Just Add Magic by Cindy Callaghan, 229 pages

Kelly and her friends, Darbie and Hannah, find a book full of recipes that seem to be magic, recipes for making someone fall in love or to cause strife.  Kelly, who is an aspiring chef, decides that it is time to do something she has talked about for years: start a cooking club.  She and her friends begin to try to some of the recipes and surprisingly, they work!  They make a cobbler designed to silence someone.  Kelly’s younger brother and her dad eat it and the next day both of them have lost their voices.  They try more recipes that also seem to work but then bad things start to happen to the girls.  They have to figure out how to fix things, fast.  This was a fun read for elementary school kids who like magical realism.

A Flight of Angels

AFlight of Angels by Rebecca Guay, 128 pages

“The diverse mythology of angels is explored in this lushly painted graphic novel from high-profile fantasy authors including Holly Black (The Spiderwick Chronicles) and Bill Willingham (FABLES). Deep in the woods outside of a magical kingdom, a strange group of faeries and forest creatures discover a nearly dead angel, bleeding and unconscious with a sword by his side. They call a tribunal to decide his fate, each telling stories that delve into different interpretations of these winged, celestial beings: tales of dangerous angels, all-powerful angels, guardian angels, and death angels, that range from the mystical to the mysterious to the macabre. This original graphic novel spotlights the painted work of award-winning artist Rebecca Guay, whose other works include the Vertigo titles Veils and Destiny: A Chronicle of Deaths Foretold, as well as World of Warcraft, Magic: The Gathering, and Dungeons & Dragons.” As graphic novels go this wasn’t bad but everything was just too surreal and dark for me to really enjoy it.  I probably wouldn’t recommend it to anyone but for the right audience this would probably be a really good choice.

Dragonar Academy

Dragonar Academy 1-5 by Shiki Mizuhci, 964 pages (5 books)

Dragonar Academy is a school on the continent of Arc Strada. A school that teaches its students how to ride and tame their dragons. Unlike the classic dragon stories, where dragons hatch from eggs, here children are chosen by a “Mother Dragon” and eventually manifest in a semi grown up form. While most students seem to be progressing with their dragons, Ash is having problems. The first being his dragon has yet to manifest. And when she does finally appear she looks more like a girl than a dragon. Will Ash be able to control/tame Eco (what he named the dragon) or will her fiery spirit make him the servant?

I wasn’t sure what to make of Dragonar Academy for the first couple books. It seemed to have a good premise, and I liked the idea of dragon manifestation vs hatching, but I thought making the main dragon in the story a young girl with horns odd. It leads to some weird ecchi moments and some overdone innuendos about how dragon trainers are supposed to be able to ride their dragon. I can see how this would appeal to the teen market I am sure this manga is aimed at, but come on.

Overall though it is not a bad series. While it has its flaws, I think it serves the purpose of a not too serious manga. If you don’t feel like you want to read it though apparently there is an anime series .

The Scottish Castles Story

The Scottish Castles Story by Marc Alexander  128 pages.

This beautiful nonfiction book shows off some of the castles in Scotland.  The castles reflect the history of Scotland and its many conflicts, and the architecture demonstrates the need to both control a population and protect against rebellion and invaders.


All those fairytales of long ago times and lands full of castles and knights in shining armor, or J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, even cartoons like, “Frozen,” “Brave” and “Tangled” show wonderful castles and the lives lived within such wondrous walls.   When I think of castles though I love Lichtenstein Castle and of course Sleeping Beauty’s Castle,  I am drawn to the castles of Scotland.    All the great stories associated with  Edinborough Castle, and until I read this book I had never heard Edinborough Castle is actually built on an extinct volcano!   And the location it stands on is known as Castle Rock, hmmm, is that ominous fortress sitting atop a volcano inspiration for Stephan King’s often cited location?  I wonder.   I think of Scotland as a small country but you learn in this book that Scotland is home to over 1,000 castles, some in ruins some still being used as private residences (an image of Sting with a crown comes to mind – still the U.K.).   Cawdor Castle which just reeks, Macbeth as does Glamis Castle o.k. witches was he the thane of Cawdor or Glamis or both?  Reveal!  Scotland’s moors and castles just cry out for ghostly tales and the glories of Kings and warriors, the struggles tragic and heroic of highlanders and lowlanders the battles of Culloden, Mulroy and all bare witness to the heart of Scots willing to do what it takes to hold Scotland under Scot rule.  Hat tip to Flora MacDonald for aiding Bonnie Prince Charlie, it was a valiant effort.   This book is so readable you won’t want to put it down and you will be dreaming of walks among the heather at Eilean Donan Castle and the storybook looking Inveraray Castle.   I have to give a shout out to the nuevos architecture of Blair Castle.   Very clean, very modern black and white storybook castle.   Lovely.   To live in a castle happily ever after?    Maybe if you had enough tartans to cover the walls to keep the cold out, but, then castles are the stuff of legends and fairytales afterall and Scotland’s castles stand tall against all others. Thank you, Marc Alexander for enlightening your readers with all those juicy tidbits.

At Risk

At Risk by S. G. Redling  Audiobook:  6 hours 51 minutes; Book:  240 pages    

Colleen grew up wealthy and pampered as a member of a prominent family in Lexington, Kentucky. However, she was unprepared for how cruel her first husband could be.  Although she's moving on, she still bears the physical and emotional scars.  Patrick McElroy has scars of his own from his traumatic childhood, but with a business partner has created a state-of-the-art home for at-risk youth. When Colleen gets involved in finding a missing girl, she soon discovers that she's uncertain about the girl's disappearance and unsure of who she can really trust.
       

I have to say, I am now a fan of the writing style of S. G. Redling.    This is the first of her books that I have read but she has such an excellent grasp of who her characters are and conveys that so well in her writing.    You get to know these folks,  you can picture them in your mind.   To me, that is always the sign of a good writer when the author can make me so vested in the story that I actually like or dislike the people within the tale being told.   S. G. Redling did just that.    Set in Lexington, Kentucky a mix of old money, new money, people from both sides of the track, those born to the finer things in life mixing with those whose past reveals more and more as the story goes on.    Great plot twists and if a writer can surprise me that is a sweet bonus that will keep me reading their works and looking up every title they have written which is what I am about to do with S. G. Redling.    She keeps you in suspense because you know good and well something is coming but when it does it is such a genius plot twist you will say a minor swear word, or maybe that was just me.    Well done, S. G. Redling.    I am on to your other works.   

American Gods

American Gods by Neil Gaiman, 635 pages

American Gods is quite the interesting and award winning book. For the most part it follows the life of a recently released convict named Shadow who receives a proposition from a man calling himself Wednesday. What at first seemed like a simple bodyguard/assistant role soon spirals out of control and leaves Shadow fighting for his life.

What I liked best about American Gods is the blending of mythology into everyday life. There are the old gods, ones that have always been here and ones that were bought to this country with immigration, and the new gods, like internet, tv, etc. The gods get their powers from how many people believe and follow them. So in a world that is embracing all that technology has to offer, the old gods find themselves slowly drifting away. The plausibility of this scenario, assuming that the gods do exist, resonates with me. The assumption that media, television and internet are considered “gods” at first seemed unlikely, but as the story goes on, I came to believe it. If all that is needed for “worship” is our attention, then what else do we spend more time working with or sitting in front of?

I highly recommend this book to everyone, as it really makes you think about what might from some perspective be modern “mythology”.

On Looking into the Abyss

On Looking into the Abyss: Untimely Thoughts on Culture and Society by Gertrude Himmelfarb, 161 pages

In On Looking into the Abyss, historian Gertrude Himmelfarb looks at the state of the study of history in the last decade of the twentieth century and is appalled by what she sees.  Humanism is simultaneously threatened by a history from below that not only excludes heroes, but also villains, and a structuralist approach that denies free will and therefore moral agency.  Meanwhile, the absolute relativism of postmodernism advocates the abandonment of any kind of commitment to academic standards or objectivity, the latter being seen as a myth and the former instruments of repression in the service of that myth.  The result, Himmelfarb claims, is "an invitation to intellectual and moral suicide".

Those seeking a sensationalistic jeremiad or a reactionary call to arms will be disappointed by Himmelfarb.  While she takes seriously the dangers she perceives in postmodern fads, her response is consistent with the values for for which she is arguing.  In place of cries of outrage she conducts careful analyses of the dehumanization essential to Marxist ideology and the nature of liberty in Mill's philosophy.  The result is not only more interesting but more enduring than an impassioned screed.

Shelf Life

Shelf Life: Fantastic Stories Celebrating Bookstores.  304 pages.

This anthology of 16 stories, fourteen original to this anthology, includes bookstores at the core of each story.  Authors included are Ramsey Campbell, Charles de Lint, Nini Kiriki Hoffman, and others.

I was already familiar with some of the authors, but had never heard of others.  This is something I like about books of short stories, because I never know who I'll discover.  While I didn't love all of the stories in this book (which I actually found on the shelf when I was looking for a different book), I found some of them to be enjoyable and thought-provoking.  Some are lighter than others, and generally speaking, all of them fall into the horror, science fiction or fantasy genres.  Definitely an interesting find in Center for the Reader!

I Contain Multitudes

I Contain Multitudes: The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life by Ed Yong.  368 pages.Audio Book: 9 hours 52 minutes        

We might not want to think about this all the time, but every animal, whether human or wasp, is home to millions of bacteria and other microbes. A lot of people think of microbes as germs to be eradicated, but those that live with us—the microbiome—build our bodies, protect our health, and more. In this book, Ed Yong takes us on a grand tour through our microbial partners, and introduces us to the scientists on the front lines of discovery.

This audio book was exceptionally interesting, if a bit gross at times, but, given the topic one does expect a certain amount of microscopic foreplay with the inner workings of one’s biological anatomic makeup.    You will not be disappointed.   If you find forensic science fascinating that is also a foot up with this subject.   I have been a fan of those tiny objects unseen by the naked eye yet still very much there none the less since I first saw the Hidden World documentary films years ago.  Who knew all those mites live on your face and in your carpet?   Yikes!   Like Horton Hears a Who this book takes you to a whole new world of living things riding along on their unassuming hosts (you and me) yet unseen and virtually unknown by most of us laymen walking around with our own little galaxies of life riding along on our bodies.    Once you shake off that creepy, itchy feeling and get over your nervous tics at the thought of unseen things moving around on you it’s time to get your serious science side going and learn how beneficial we life forms are for one another and why we need those little critters desperately to keep us moving along at our healthiest best.   You just might say, “whaaaaat?” aloud a few times like I did and replay a few parts or reread a few parts like I did to get the full effect and reality of some of the things you may find hard to believe that you will learn from this read but I promise you will come away with a whole new respect and understanding of many things you did not fully understand the significance of before gleening the knowledge you will gain here.    (Like why it is actually necessary to their gut for animals to sniff and clean one another’s orifices.)   You will not look at the world the same again.  Superior knowledge awaits.

Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks From Japan

Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks From Japan by Lisa Katayama.  144 pages.

Urawaza, the subject of popular TV shows and numerous books in Japan, are very clever solutions to everyday problems.  In this book, you'll find more than 100 once-secret tricks, with step-by-step directions.  For example:  can't find someone to water your plants when you're on vacation?  This book's got an awesome trick for you to take care of them, yourself!

I am huge fan of books that can tell me how to things.    Not necessarily Do-It-Yourself books, although I do like DIY books, but, any book that can teach me a new way of thinking, or, a new way to repurpose something.   I love to learn new things and if there is a book or audio book out there claiming it is going to show me how to do everything better, well, that book is going home with me.    Urawaza lived up to that promise, well, if not everything, certainly all the things that are covered within it’s pages and it certainly gives the reader inspiration to go forth and find one’s own new ways of doing things.   Some examples of Urawaza (secret tricks) from Ms. Katayama’s book are pouring mouthwash in your toilet bowl, letting it set for 20 minutes or then swishing it with a toilet brush for a gleaming fresh smelling commode-works for breath and mouth-works for toilet stains/smells.   Want to go out with your friends for drinks but your cash flow is a little low?   Drink an energy drink first it will intensify the effects of the alcohol you consume making it more buzz worthy for less drinking.    Shoulders drooping over your keyboard at work?   A bit of scotch tape applied to the outer corner of each eye stretching them slightly but not uncomfortably will have a reflexology effect on your shoulder and neck strain.    Go Lisa Katayama!   Let’s hope there is a Urawaza 2 in the works.

Behind Her Eyes

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough.  320 pages.  Due out January, 2017.  I read an e-galley of this book.

It's tricky to write a summary and review of this book without any spoiler, but I'll do my best.  Louise, a single mom, meets a man in a bar and sparks fly. Thrilled that she's connected with someone, it's a huge blow when she gets to work on Monday and learns the man from the bar is her new boss, David.  Determined to keep things professional, especially since he is married, Louise keeps her eyes on her work. When she bumps into Adele, who is new in town and in need of a friend, things seem to be looking up . . . until she discovers that Adele is David's wife.  Awkward, to say the least.  And then, things start to get weird and Louise discovers that the more she learns about David and Adele, the more questions she has.

By the time I got to the end of this book, I found myself thinking "this is a really strange book." It's a love triangle that's all twisted, and the more you think you know, the more you realize you're just guessing at it.  You get perspectives from Louise and Adele, and as the book continues, it becomes clear that something's off about Adele. Really off.  There's definitely some suspension of disbelief that you have to have in this book, although I won't say more than that.

How Civility Works

How Civility Works by Keith J Bybee, 69 pages

The past few decades have seen recurrent, and entirely ineffective, calls for a restored sense of civility, but few have thought to ask what civility really is.  Keith Bybee attempts to briefly sketch an answer to that question, charting the changes from chivalry to gentility to courtesy and, finally, to civility, this last codifying the bourgeois separation of public and private.  He then addresses some of the major challenges civility faces in the modern era, concentrating less on the difficulties directly created by cultural diversity than on the objection that civility must inevitably mean insincere hypocrisy, as well as concerns over the role that any accepted standard of manners can play in enforcing social stratification.

Bybee's argument for civility is entirely utilitarian.  On the one hand, civility generally provides for the greatest rhetorical effectiveness.  On the other, civility allows for peaceable interaction between people with differing, or even conflicting, beliefs.  Overall, Bybee seems to view civility as a form of virtue signalling, which lends itself to a great deal of hand-wringing over whether the virtue is real or feigned.  This same possibility of hypocrisy leads him to a certain ambivalence towards the claim that the practice of civility teaches the virtue of civility - an odd problem, as there is no virtue, not even sincerity, which cannot be simulated.

What he omits - and the omission is glaring - is a view of civility that considers the human person as possessed of a certain irreducible value entirely independent of the quality of their virtue or beliefs, and as such entitled to a basic level of respect.  This results in his argument for civility failing even on the practical level on which it is founded - if the only purpose of civility is that it works to my advantage, I am free to abandon it as soon as it is ceases to do so.  Far from recognizing this as a problem, Bybee embraces it, reducing the realm of manners to another ideological battlefield, entirely depriving civility of its power and purpose.

The Girl in 6E

The Girl in 6E by A.R. Torre.  344 pages.

Deanna hasn't left her apartment in years. Thanks to the Internet, she's able to earn a good living as an online sex-cam worker. However, while you might assume that she doesn't leave her apartment because she's an agoraphobic, you'd be mistaken.  She doesn't leave her apartment because she believes that her desire to kill people would be overwhelming.
However, when she is faced with an online client who seems like he may harm someone in real life, Deanna has to decide if her secrets are more important than trying to save someone's life.

I found the premise of the book to be interesting, although I found I sometimes skimmed a bit because I felt the pacing was uneven.  I did like the character of Deanna, and that the author created someone who is very flawed, but still compelling (in a don't want to look but can't help yourself kind of way). The book had a satisfying ending, although I'm not sure how realistic it was.

Revenge in a Cold River

Revenge in a Cold River by Anne Perry.  288 pages.

This is the 22nd book in the William Monk series, so it definitely helps if you are already familiar with the characters and part of the storyline for Monk.  In this story, Commander Monk, who works with the Thames River Police, is called to investigate the drowning of an escaped prisoner. However, as always, things are not as clear as they seem at first, and Monk is forced to deal with a customs officer who seems to hold a bitter grudge against him.  After a second prisoner escapes, Monk's pursuit leads to the accidental death of a man who works for the customs officer, Monk winds up in a very dangerous predicament which puts his own life at risk.

As mentioned, since this is the 22nd book in this series, it helps if you have read at least some of the previous books in the series.  Typically for the series, Monk's loss of his memory years ago has a direct effect on what is happening in the story. In this story, it has a definite impact on what happens to him, and it's clear just how dangerous it is for him that he doesn't remember parts of his life (and thus, cannot be sure who he can trust).  I did appreciate that in this book, Hester (his wife) was somewhat minimally involved, and also that the author did not belabor Hester's backstory, as I often find happens.

I have read all of Anne Perry's books in the Monk series, as well as the Pitt series, and while this book was okay, I felt a bit disappointed. The last few books from Perry, in both series, have felt somewhat flat, which makes me wonder if she's writing them to fulfill a contract, and perhaps just isn't as invested in the two series as much as she used to be.

Life and Revelations

The Life and Revelations of St Gertrude the Great, Virgin and Abbess of the Order of St Benedict, written and compiled by the religious of her monastery, 565 pages

St Gertrude was entrusted to the nuns of the monastery at Helfta at the age of five and remained there until her death at the age of forty-six.  From her mid-twenties she received frequent visions of Jesus, His Virgin Mother, and a number of saints, and increasingly became regarded as a holy woman and sought out as a spiritual advisor.  Only one of the five books included in The Life and Revelations was authored by St Gertrude herself, the others were written by anonymous members of her community, no doubt largely after the saint's death.  Her memory was neglected in the waning of the middle ages, but was rediscovered during the Catholic Reformation, serving as an inspiration to saints including Teresa of Avila, Philip Neri, and Francis de Sales.

The Life and Revelations is not a compendium of divine revelations as a form of divination, but rather a vast treasury of devotions.  St Gertrude's questions and concerns are not about the future of the world or her community, but the spiritual health of herself and her sisters.  Throughout, the emphasis is on both the person of Christ and the communion of saints - Gertrude receives divine grace through the ministry of others, and the grace given her is intended as a light for others.  This fits perfectly with both the origin of this work as a communal project and the intended use of this book as a guide to the spiritual life.  St Gertrude's devotions are deeply embedded in the traditional liturgical life of the monastery even as they presage later devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Divine Mercy.

William Morris

Selections from the Prose Works of William Morris by William Morris, edited by AHR Ball, 214 pages

In addition to being a celebrated artist, famed for his furniture, textiles, wallpaper, and printing, William Morris was also a prolific author, writing poetry and fiction, as well as works on politics, literature, and art.  Prose Selections collects examples of Morris' prose works, organized into three categories - past, present, and future.  Interestingly, the first and last are both represented by fiction.  

It is no secret that Morris was heavily inspired by medieval culture, and the selections from his novels set in the Middle Ages illustrate the depth of his love for the era but also his recognition of its flaws.  The selections of essays and speeches addressing the men and women of his own time are fundamentally sketches of methods by which the possibilities for a holistic life he glimpsed in the Middle Ages might be recaptured and modern alienation overcome.  His utopian fiction holds out the promise of what will be accomplished should his prescriptions be followed.  Unfortunately, the religious element that supplied the very unity of medieval life Morris so admired is, at best, an afterthought in Morris' present agenda and future dreams, while a century of socialist mass murder has cast a sickly shadow over his utopian fantasies.

No Comfort for the Lost: A Mystery of Old San Francisco

No Comfort for the Lost: A Mystery of Old San Francisco by Nancy Herrimann  384 pages

This is the first novel in the “A Mystery of Old San Francisco.” Author Herrimann introduces readers to his two main protagonists. First is Crimea veteran Celia Davies. She came to the States with her husband, Patrick, who promptly signed onto to a sailing vessel and has disappeared.

Celia, a recent immigrant from Great Britain, feels for the Chinese immigrants who often live in squalor. She opens a free clinic for the prostitutes, funded by her late uncle. She lives in the uncle’s house with her half-Chinese niece and an opinionated housekeeper. I believe the housekeeper was designed as comedic relief, but it missed the point.

When one of her patients, and a women Celia considered a friend, is found dumped in the Bay, Celia vows to find justice for Li Sha. She works, often to his dismay and in opposition of, with Detective Nicholas Greaves. Celia is more often than not, getting in way and continues to find herself in dangerous situations that could prove fatal to both herself and Nick.

No Comfort the Lost takes place in 1867. Herrimann does an excellent job in providing atmospheric details without cluttering the book with unimportant information. For me, the book lacked tension. I never felt that Celia and her entourage were in any real danger. I also felt that many of the situations were the same, just located in a different part of the city.

I did like how Herriman tackled immigration---most of San Francisco hated the Chinese and were ready to revolt, burning Chinatown and sending the foreigners packing. Give readers a look at how foreigners were viewed a hundred and fifty plus years ago.

I give No Comfort the Lost 3 out of 5 stars.