All Summer Long

All Summer Long by Hope Larsen, 170 pages

“Thirteen-year-old Bina faces her first summer without her best friend, Austin, who has left for soccer camp.” So, I clearly like realistic graphic novels.  This is a great story about friendship and growing up.  Kids who like graphic novels and realistic fiction will enjoy this a lot.

The Mammoth Book of Erotic Romance & Domination

The Mammoth Book ofErotic Romance & Domination edited by Maxim Jakubowski, 547 pages

“With the publication of 50 Shades of Grey BDSM gained new popularity. This captivating collection of stories brings together outstanding and newly-commissioned material by some of the best authors in both the erotica and romance genres. They explore aspects of BDSM focusing on sex-positive and life-affirming scenarios that will arouse and seduce.”  I enjoyed some of these stories more than others but most of them were pretty good.  Anyone who enjoys the genre will like this collection of stories.

Scythe

Scythe by Neal Shusterman, 435 pages

“A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery: humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now Scythes are the only ones who can end life--and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control. Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe--a role that neither wants. These teens must master the "art" of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.”  This was amazing.  I think this may be my favorite book by Shusterman.  Teens who like science fiction dystopian type novels will enjoy this.

The War I Finally Won

The War I Finally Wonby Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, 385 pages

As the frightening impact of World War II creeps closer and closer to her door, eleven-year-old Ada learns to manage life on the home front. This is an amazing work of historical fiction about England in World War II.  This is a sequel, although the books could be read as stand alone stories and I think I liked this one better than the first.  This story has as much action as the first and really hits all of the emotion that anyone could possibly want in a story.  I would highly recommend it to kids who like historical fiction.

Unearthly Things

Unearthly Things by Michelle Gagnon, 278 pages

“After losing her parents in a tragic accident, surfer girl Janie Mason is forced to trade the sunny beaches of Hawaii for the cold fog of San Francisco. She's never even met her new guardians, the Rochesters - an old money family who relish being pillars of high society. Janie feels hopelessly out of place in their world of Napa weekends, fancy prep schools, and cotillions. But something isn't right in the Rochester mansion. There are noises - screams - coming from the attic nearly every night. Noises everyone else claims they can't hear.” This was a creepy but awesome story.  Although it is a loose retelling of Jane Eyre, I liked it much better than the original.  I ended up bored with Jane as an adult in the original story, but this moves much more quickly and held my attention much more.  I would give this to any teen who likes horror or magical realism.

What You Left Me

What You Left Me by Bridget Morrissey, 287 pages

“If I Stay meets While You Were Sleeping in this beautiful and heartbreaking novel told in dual perspectives about friendship, family, and all the other threads that bind us together. Martin and Petra meet for the first time at graduation, and though they've shared the halls of their high school for four years without crossing paths, there's an instant connection the moment they're seated next to each other at the commencement ceremony. Then a car accident puts Martin into a coma; and Petra is somehow left picking up the pieces, using friends, family, and shared dreams to keep their surprise connection going. Together they must unlock the truth of his situation, and with time running out, their bond becomes Martin's best shot at waking back up to the life he's left behind.”  This book is one that will make you think.  I liked it, but it was also very sad so it was a difficult book to read.  Teens that like magical realism and don’t mind a sad story will like it.

High

High by David & Nic Sheff, 260 pages

“Just Say Know!  With drug education for children more important than ever, this nonfiction book draws on the experiences of the NY Times bestselling father/son team of David and Nic Sheff to provide all the information teens and tweens need to know about drugs, alcohol, and addiction. From David Sheff, author of Beautiful Boy (2008), and Nic Sheff, author of Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines (2008), comes the ultimate resource for learning about the realities of drugs and alcohol for middle grade readers. This book tells it as it is, with testimonials from peers who have been there and families who have lived through the addiction of a loved one, along with the cold, hard facts about what drugs and alcohol do to our bodies. From how to navigate peer pressure to outlets for stress to the potential consequences for experimenting, Nic and David Sheff lay out the facts so that middle grade readers can educate themselves.”  I thought that this was a decent account of how drug addiction can negatively impact lives. It was a little dry in places but I still felt like it was worthwhile and something that some teens might pick up on their own.

Raspberry Danish Murder

Raspberry DanishMurder by Joanne Fluke, 362 pages

“Thanksgiving has a way of thawing the frostiest hearts in Lake Eden. But that won't be happening for newlywed Hannah Swensen Barton--not after her husband suddenly disappears . . .  Hannah has felt as bitter as November in Minnesota since Ross vanished without a trace and left their marriage in limbo. Still, she throws herself into a baking frenzy for the sake of pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving-themed treats while endless holiday orders pour into The Cookie Jar. Hannah even introduces a raspberry Danish pastry to the menu, and P.K., her husband's assistant at KCOW-TV, will be one of the first to sample it. But instead of taking a bite, P.K., who is driving Ross's car and using his desk at work, is murdered. Was someone plotting against P.K. all along or did Ross dodge a deadly dose of sweet revenge? Hannah will have to quickly sift through a cornucopia of clues and suspects to stop a killer from bringing another murder to the table . . .”  This book has an interesting collection of recipes, several of which I want to try.  The story is very good as well, typical of Fluke’s writing.  Mystery lovers will enjoy it, especially ones who like food.

The Parker Inheritance

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson, 331 pages

“Twelve-year-old Candice Miller is spending the summer in Lambert, South Carolina, in the old house that belonged to her grandmother, who died after being dismissed as city manager for having the city tennis courts dug up looking for buried treasure--but when she finds the letter that sent her grandmother on the treasure hunt, she finds herself caught up in the mystery and, with the help of her new friend and fellow book-worm, Brandon, she sets out to find the inheritance, exonerate her grandmother, and expose an injustice once committed against an African American family in Lambert.”  This was a great story.  Kids who like realistic fiction, mysteries, or puzzles, will love it.

The Thing With Feathers

The Thing With Feathers by McCall Hoyle, 276 pages

Emilie has been homeschooled most of her life.  Since she was diagnosed with epilepsy, she has been afraid to be around people very much, or to do anything that might trigger a seizure.  Since her father died of cancer, she has been even more reluctant to interact with other people.  Her mother and therapist have agreed that she needs to go to be more involved so now she is attending public high school.  If she’s being forced to try and be normal, she wants the chance to just be normal, so she doesn’t want to tell anyone about her seizures.  This becomes complicated as she starts to make friends, and possibly even a boyfriend.  She knows she can’t keep the secret forever, but is afraid of telling people the truth.  This is a great realistic story about growing up and navigating the emotional waters of high school life.

Eleventh Grave In Moonlight

Eleventh Grave InMoonlight by Darynda Jones, 310 pages

“A typical day in the life of Charley Davidson involves cheating husbands, errant wives, missing people, philandering business owners, and, oh yeah...demons, hell hounds, evil gods, and dead people. Lots and lots of dead people. As a part time Private Investigator and full-time Grim Reaper, Charley has to balance the good, the bad, the undead, and those who want her dead. Now, Charley is learning to make peace with the fact that she is a goddess with all kinds of power and that her own daughter has been born to save the world from total destruction. But the forces of hell are determined to see Charley banished forever to the darkest corners of another dimension. With the son of Satan himself as her husband and world-rocking lover, will Charley be able to defeat the ultimate evil and find a way to have her happily ever after after all?” This series is always fun and this book is no exception.  There is sex and violence. Sometimes the sex is great and the violence can get gory. The best part of these books, in my opinion, however, is the humor.  Charley is hilarious, even when, sometimes especially when, everything is going wrong.  Anyone who likes humorous adventure books that include some sex and gore will want to read the whole series.

Genuine Fraud

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart, 264 pages

“Imogen is a runaway heiress, an orphan, a cook, and a cheat. Jule is a fighter, a social chameleon, and an athlete. An intense friendship. A disappearance. A murder, or maybe two. A bad romance, or maybe three. Blunt objects, disguises, blood, and chocolate. The American dream, superheroes, spies, and villains. A girl who refuses to give people what they want from her. A girl who refuses to be the person she once was.” This was a great story, one where I didn’t know if I should be rooting for the main character or not.  Lockhart is a master at the unreliable narrator and I love her books, even when I’m not sure what’s going on, as I often feel while reading her books.  She’s a great storyteller and I look forward to every one of her books.

Zombie Baseball Beatdown

Zombie Baseball Beatdown by Paolo Bacigalupi, 292 pages

“While practicing for their next baseball game, thirteen-year-old friends Rabi, Miguel, and Joe discover that the nefarious activities of the Delbe, Iowa, meatpacking plant have caused cows to turn into zombies.” I didn’t really like this story much.  However, I can see why this is popular, especially with boys.  It’s a gory horror story for grade school that is also humorous.  It’s perfect for the right reader.  I’m just not that reader.

The Button War

The Button War by Avi, 229 pages

“Patryk and Jurek are as much friends as rivals in the small Russian-occupied Polish village where they live. When, in August 1914, Patryk finds an old button on the forest floor, Jurek becomes wildly jealous. World War I comes to Poland, bringing one invading army after another to the village. Jurek devises an exciting dare among the boys: whoever steals the best military button will be Button King. The contest is on. It's only Patryk who tries to stop Jurek's increasingly dangerous game before it leads to deadly consequences.” This is one of Avi’s most disturbing books.  It’s a good story, well crafted, and interesting characters.  It’s a fast read as well, but the subject  matter is really difficult and not all of the characters are very likeable.  I would recommend it to kids who like historical fiction and aren’t bothered to be reading about death.  Very sensitive children might have trouble with this book.

The Last Panther

The Last Panther by Todd Mitchell, 246 pages

“An eleven-year-old girl discovers a family of panthers that were thought to be extinct. But when others find out they are alive, too, she must risk everything to save the species.”  I really loved this book.  The message is clear but it isn’t at all preachy.  It might be a little obvious from an adult perspective but the story is captivating and I don’t think that kids would feel spoken down to by the message at all.  I will definitely be recommending this to grade school kids.

Someone Like Me

Someone Like Me by M.R. Carey   500 pages

"SHE LOOKS LIKE ME. SHE SOUNDS LIKE ME. NOW SHE'S TRYING TO TAKE MY PLACE.

Liz Kendall wouldn't hurt a fly. She's a gentle woman devoted to bringing up her kids in the right way, no matter how hard times get.

But there's another side to Liz---one which is dark and malicious. A version of her who will do anything to get her way, no matter how extreme or violent. And when this other side of her takes control, the consequences are devastating.

The only way Liz can save herself and her family is if she can find out where this new alter-ego has come from, and how she can stop it."

This is the summary from Goodreads, which I felt gave a good outline of the story without revealing too much.  What the summary doesn't mention is another character in the story whose storyline is running parallel to Liz's own: Fran Watts.  Fran has survived being kidnapped as a young child, but has continued to have hallucinations of a protector called Lady Jinx, a talking fox.  Fran and Liz intersect when Fran becomes friends with Liz' son, Zac.  Right away, Fran can see something odd about Liz but initially chalks it up to another hallucination. However, when Liz' personality begins to change, Fran realizes it was no hallucination; she was seeing something real and very dangerous.

I thought this was a creative story that had a nice, dark edge to it.  Carey has written a very unsettling story that has some almost supernatural edge to it, but he also is tackling the very realistic horror story of what it's like to experience domestic violence.  I think the book could have used a little editing, as it felt slow in a few places.  However, I found myself hooked on the story and making time to sit and read and get immersed in the book.

Unsheltered

Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver   464 pages

This story alternates between two time periods and two main characters. The thing that connects them is that they are living in the same dilapidated house (just in two different time periods).  In our present time, Willa Knox is feeling frustrated. Maybe bump that up to feeling panicky. The magazine where she worked has folded, the college where her husband (finally) had tenure has closed, her ill father-in-law is living with them, along with their strong-willed daughter, Tig.  Add to that her son, Zeke, who has arrived with his unplanned baby.  And did I mention the dilapidated house that is literally falling down around them?  Willa is desperate to keep the roof over their heads and hopes the local historical preservation society can give her some assistance.  Through her research into her community and its creation as a Utopian community, she discovers a kindred spirit from the 1880s, Thatcher Greenwood.

Thatcher is a science teacher who finds himself under siege in his community for wanting to tell the truth: his employer forbids him to speak of the exciting new theories published by Charles Darwin. Adding to Thatcher's list of frustrations are his new wife, new mother-in-law and sister-in-law who live with him, and their dilapidated house. Thatcher's friendship with a brilliant female scientist is important to him, but also draws him into serious conflict with the town's most powerful men.  And did I mention his house is falling down around he and his family?

Kingsolver gives us two families, in two different centuries, who live at the same neighborhood corner and who are navigating survival in the face of multiple challenges. The characters are all very realistic and I found myself settling in and turning the pages, eager to see what would happen to these people. At times, it's a bit of a stressful read, especially when Willa is trying to figure out how to pay her family's bills while at the same time taking care of her son's baby and her ill father-in-law.  Kingsolver doesn't give the impression that it's all going to be happy endings for everyone, but I liked that. It made me feel more connection to the characters and the story.  I haven't loved all of Kingsolver's books, but this one is a keeper!

Chi’s Sweet Home Volume 5

Chi’s Sweet Home  Volume 5 by Konami Kanata                Paperback Book:  160 pages                              

Chi’s Sweet Home Volume 5 was a surprise.     The previous 4 books in the series were a lot thicker but his one was only 160 pages which felt like am I missing something?   Are there more than one book of Volume 5?    And didn’t Volume 4 end with Chi moving to France?     No mention of France in this book.    It also is like Chi has amnesia because she doesn’t recognize her old neighborhood stomping grounds nor her old friends from her neighborhood and around the park.    They know Chi.    I of course love all the stories about Chi’s adventures but I feel like Alice down the rabbit hole reading this one, did somebody slip me something to make me grow small so small that I am missing something here?     Did Chi come back home to Japan and in the time she was away forgot her old buddies?    What happened?     And why is this volume so much smaller?    It is not explained why Chi doesn’t recognize Auntie and only toward the end does she recognize her dear friend, Blackie.   I’m hoping I find the answers to these questions along the way but it is really confusing and unclear as to what has happened.    Is this the dream sequence while she is flying to France or what?   Did they decide not to go?   I love Chi, so, I would really like to know the answers to the questions this Volume poses.    I did thoroughly enjoy the book however, and I love Chi more and more but if I could ask the author, I would seriously like to know what happened.    The search is on.   I will let you know what I come up with when I get the next Volume and complete it.     Highly recommend the story for all ages.   Highly curious as to what the author is about in this one.    Maybe the clue is that Chi is laying down and the reader is seeing her from above but it also gives the impression of her being upside down, which is how I feel coming away from this one.    Good stories just trying to figure out where the story picks up from the end of Volume 4.   Having a, “huh?” moment here.

 - Shirley J.

MAGIC BLEEDS

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

367 pages

Reviewed by Rae C.

From SLPL Bibliocommons:

The fourth Kate Daniels novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author who "defines urban fantasy" (Fresh Fiction). 

Kate Daniels works for the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle--especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community.

When she's called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar midway between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there's a new player in town. One who's been around for thousands of years--and rode to war at the side of Kate's father.

This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family...

What a great series! Every book just gets better and better!  And this one is really significant because we meet another member of Kate's family, her relationship with Curran becomes serious, she gets a dog- and there is a twist in the dog's story which is hilarious and awesome! (Actually two twists in the dog's story.)  The relationship between her and Curran is especially satisfying because they are both so crazy and stubborn, and there are so many obstacles to overcome.

The only drawbacks are the same as the other books- they really read a lot mythology, but none of it retains any of the original flavour, it's all just filtered into modern comic book superhero identities.  But these are fun books, not meant to be serious.  But if, like me, you read a lot of old cycles and stories, and read a lot about world religions, it does require turning your academic brain off.

If you want to read my reviews of the other three, the links can be found here:
https://slplbookchallenge.blogspot.com/2018/11/magic-strikes.html

The Secret: A Treasure Hunt

The Secret:  A Treasure Hunt by Ted Mann, Sean Kelly and a host of other collaborators         Hardback Book:  226 pages             Genre:  Non-Fiction   Treasure Hunting with clues to 12 actual hidden treasures

A cross between Chauncer’s Canterbury Tales and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth tales only this time it is for real.    There are 12 treasures hidden throughout North America and the clues to their whereabouts are written in what one would think medieval verse thoughout the book though in truth the authors put it together and got it published in 1982.    The clues to the locations the treasures are hidden in can be found in the verses within the pages, the illustrations and craftily among the explanations of the Fair Folk who the tale alleges hid the treasures each group (fairy folk, goblins, leprechauns, Giants, etc.) brought over from Europe and buried in various parts of North America.    From the clues I read I don’t necessarily think the treasures were hidden completely within the borders of the United States because there is a lot of arrows pointing to New Foundland,, Nova Scotia  maybe even Iceland and Greenland.   Clear clues also point to Pony Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and other clues to the Catskills.     The book is just chock full of wondrous illustrations and discussions of the folk of all cultures that are supernatural to humans.     The writers are basing their fun treasure hunts on the iconic preternatural folk that stories have been told of down through the centuries that each of the 12 treasures seem to relate to.     Codebreakers unite there is treasure to be had if only you can figure out the keys set before you in these pages.    Sounds fun and the forms to fill out if you have found one of the treasures or if you can’t get to it but you think you have figured out where it is hidden you can offer that, too, and they will let you know if you guessed correctly and award you said treasure.    A fun mystery with lots of riddles, and a cartographer’s dream.   Add in a nuclear physicist, oh heck just hand the book over to Sheldon, Leonard, Rahj and Howard and they could likely solve all 12 locations, or at least come up with some unique theories.   A fun read and a delightful dream of finding wealth.   Hope all the treasures are found eventually – the author who originally came up with the idea has passed away, sadly, but all the rest are still out there hoping to meet those who take the quest and solve it.     I recommend this book especially to adventurous souls who would love to go on the adventure.    If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings, Yettis and you think puzzles are the most fun thing in the world this book is made for you.    Well done all involved.    They also give you information on where the treasures are NOT hidden (cemeteries, public monuments, private property, etc.)  and they tell you how deep to dig to find them once you have arrived at the location.    Make like a pirate and find that buried treasure!  (NOTE:  2 have already been found – 1 in Cleveland and one in Grant Park in Kankakee County in Illinois.)

 - Shirley J.

There Is No F*cking Secret

There Is No F*cking Secret: Letters From a Badass Bitch by Kelly Osbourne    Audio Book:  6 hours, 17 minutes    Hardback Book:  256 pages              

Kelly Osbourne is the daughter of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne (Ozzy, former lead singer of the (metal) rock group Black Sabbath and now doing his own thing musically as self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness – her mother, Sharon managed Ozzy and other rock performers.)      Kelly grew up at home and on the road with other rock bands and their families.     She was introduced to a lot of information at an early age and finds her background formed her personality into the no nonsense person she has become.   She feels her life has been a great education if edgy and she has been besties and roommates with Amy Winehouse and pretty much any rock/metal performers needing a place to crash when they were in town.      Kelly has experimented with many things in her life and in this book she examines and sometimes glorifies the fun she had along the way making NO apologies for any of the turns and twists her life has taken as everything she has gone through has served her in some way.    The book is written in letter form with each letter directed to a different person and/or thing  (Her Mom, Her Dad, Her Brother, Her Vagina, Her Lyme Disease, Her Best Friend Joan Rivers, etc.).    She speaks openly to her addictions, to the loss of several friends who died of overdoses, so many things it is a real fun down the rabbit-hole of her Alice in Wonderland life.     Well done, I would not recommend this to very young children – the title gives you a clue on that, but, for a look at the real behind the scenes life of the rich and famous and the good and bad that brings it is certainly a worthy read for older teens on up as she expresses her hopes, fears and intentions while growing up a teen in front of cameras on their reality t.v.show.   She talks about her weaknesses and her passions with equal candor.    A good read and microscopic view into the who of Kelly Osbourne and she is not who you think she is.   Well done, Kelly.  Yes, I would recoomend this book for older teens and adults.  Good read.

 - Shirley J.

Kat and Meg Conquer the World

Kat and Meg Conquer the World by Anna Priemaza       Audio Book:  9 hours 15 minutes   Paperback Book: 384 pages            

Kat has severe Anxiety Disorder and is pretty much stressed out by just about everything except staying in her room and studying.   Interacting with other people is incredibly nerve-wracking for her and she can only barely tolerate her immediate family and even then there are times when her worries about their health are more than she can take.   Meg has severe ADHD.   Meg cannot stay focused on any one thing for very long and is constantly getting into hassles with her Math teacher and then her Mom over not doing her homework.    She bounces from one thing to the next and her conversations are kind of like being shell-shocked if you are the one she is having a conversation with because she flies from one thing to the next so fast it is hard to keep up.    She has a really hard time making and keeping friends because most of the people that know her can’t deal with her erratic here and there and over the moon manner of speaking, thinking and often acting too soon to have all of the details formulated for consequences not to occur.    She is a whirlwind of activity ALWAYS.    She does not have an off-button and the word CHILL does not exist in her vocabulary.   Her behavior is very off-putting because it is so frenzied all the time.    Both Kat and Meg are in highschool and have been assigned to be partners to come up with a science project for the semester.   It is like HOT and COLD forced together.   While Kat is meticulous in coming up with lists and steps to do everything in life Meg is a little silver ball in the pinball machine of life bouncing here and there running across and into ideas then fleetly avoiding them as long as possible because there are so many other things popping up that take her mind in other directions.    Kat tries to nail her down to doing the project but Kat is bouncing around and can’t calm her thoughts long enough to settle down and get the work done, although, she does come up with a brilliant idea for their project.    The book is all about the friendship that develops from both the introvert perspective and the over the top outgoing extrovert personality.   Both girls are kind and good and dealing as best they can with the circumstances they find themselves in and both tend to bring out the best in each other (eventually after a rocky start).    The story is a good one with highs and lows, joy and sorrow, and coming of age in a world that is slightly askew for them but since that is their normal they prove the saying that there are many different paths to the same destination.    A kind of wild ride at times especially when Meg is on one of her jags the reader will feel as though they would like to rein her in and Kat, the reader will want to pull her out of her extreme fearfulness of everything but the story is a good one and other than the sometimes borderline annoying behavior of Meg (she has a lot of attributes of somebody on crack) once you make peace with her pixie-like ways it is all good and the author has an admirable handle on what these two disorders can be like and expertly shares this knowledge with her readers.   First effort is a tremendously good novel, Ms. Priemaza, I look forward to reading your next book.  Keem ‘em coming.   Yes, I do recommend this book for all ages, though there is a little profanity and a sex scene so be mindful – it is short and not particularly explicit but it is there.   Having said that, well done, Ms. Priemaza.  

 - Shirley J.

Insane City

Insane City by Dave Barry      Audio Book: 7 hours, 58 minutes          Paperback Book: 400 pages           Genre:  Adult Fiction        Bachelor Parties, Hi-Jacked Weddings, Hilarity!

If you like the Hang Over films you will LOVE this book.   It is a riot all the way through from beginning to end.    So much happens and this book is so funny you will be laughing out loud throughout.    The characters and the adventures they go on willingly and unwillingly, the locations all they needed is an orangutan, oh wait, they’ve got one!    I don’t want to give too much away but I recommend this book to anyone - it is the funniest book I have read in a long time.     It will seriously put you in the mind of the film, “The Hangover.”    There is so much happening to the groom-to-be from rescuing boat people to borrowing the car of the stripper and her boyfriend who was hired for the bachelor party then stiffed for her money, I don’t want to give too much away but you will laugh till you have tears in your eyes from all that goes on in this story it is delightful.    Accolades to Dave Barry, surely one of his best works if not the best.   I LOVED IT!

 - Shirley J.

Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs

Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs by Cara Sue Achterberg        Audio Book:  7 hours, 48 minutes    Hardback Book:  272 pages                

Heart-warming, sometimes sad sometimes extremely happy account of the Achterberg household who have so far fostered 50 rescue dogs from kennels that kill them.    They didn’t go into the fostering dog field with direct intent but once they had fostered one, they seldom said no to another dog in need of temporary housing till their forever family (we hope) was found.    She tells delightful stories about the love received from and the love given to dogs who came from abusive backgrounds who flourished under her families care.   She tells about the program itself and encourages readers to help by becoming foster families for the thousands of dogs in desperate need to save their very lives as shelters only keep them so long – the shelters that kill that is – then these precious animals are simply killed as if their lives don’t matter to make space for more dogs till they are adopted, fostered or put down due to lack of space or simply following the rules of the animal shelter they end up in.     She promotes spay and neutering so the ratio of dogs needing homes to humans willing to give them homes is reduced.    She talks about the rescue program she is involved with that brings dogs in from kill shelters to allow them a second chance to keep living in foster homes until they can find people willing to take them.    It is a bittersweet story.     There are funny stories about the antics of a litter of puppies the Achterbergs took in along with their mom.    There are sad stories telling of the suffering of dogs in overcrowded puppy mills – one rescue from a puppy mill took a long time to come out of its crate because it had never been outside of the small cage at the puppymill and how it had been left in its own urine and feces so long that its coat and health were affected, she talks of dogs rescued from fighting dens and the scars and torn body parts they arrive with and while she had trepidations as to their temperament after being raised in such an environment she found the dogs (pitbulls, mastiffs, etc.) to be loving and affectionate and not aggressive at all even when a young child chooses to play with one of these dogs – it tolerated all of the little girl’s petting, hugs, brushing and tail and ear pulling with perfect manners seemingly knowing it was a child and taking the sometimes innocent but rough treatment in its stride and continuing to allow the little girl’s kisses even licking her face and hands till she giggled.    So many great stories here and she discusses how it affected the family when they had certain dogs for a while and grew attached only to have to let their dear friend go when a family was approved to adopt it.    Sometimes her kids would lobby to keep certain dogs, but, she only kept one that she honestly felt that no one else would want but all the rest she willingly if sometimes half-heartedly releases to their new “parents.”    Such a great and enlightening story about what actually is involved behind the scenes in shelters and being foster families and the dog rescue programs.   Good book, might make you shed a tear now and then but so rich and full of love and respect for canines.    I whole-heartedly recommend this book for everyone.   Even kids will learn about this special kind of love.     Great book.    Great service to be involved with, too.

 - Shirley J.

Crazy Rich Asians

Crazy Rich Asians (Book 1 in Trilogy) by Kevin Kwan          Audio Book: 13 hours,  53 minutes      Paperback Book:  544 pages              

I saw the film first and when I saw it was based on a book I had to read the book which is an excellent read and now I find out it is book 1 in a trilogy so I will definetly be looking up the next two titles.   This is such an enjoyable story with many laugh out loud moments.    The characters are written with such exquisite depth and their emotions and circumstances communicated so movingly that you literally feel you are there with them and feeling what they experience.   Kevin Kwan is a uniquely talented writer.   His words go into your brain and you absorb all the details in technicolor and find yourself gasping right along with the character in the situation.   He makes his story that real.      Excellent writing style.     Kevin Kwan is to romantic comedy what Stephen King is to thrilling horror stories.    This story takes you into a whole new world of thought on Chinese culture and even discusses the differences and how they came about from the former regime to the allowance of capitalist culture happening today.   It is shocking in its oppulance.   We in the West aren’t in the know about this sector of Chinese society and it is such an amazing peek into a little discussed reality.   I was in awe.    I recommend this book to everyone, young or old, there is romance, comedy, generational and cultural nuances described, the multi-generational households and the new Western ways introduced with the acquiring of real estate and international commerce.    It is a wonder and while a view behind the veil it is strikingly noted how similar we all are in the end.      Excellent book!

- Shirley J.

How To Cheat at Organizing

How To Cheat at Organizing: Quick, Clutter-Clobbering Ways to Simplify Your Life by Jeff Bredenberg            Paperback Book:  293 pages               

Fun, easy to understand and follow short-cuts that will declutter everything from your closets to your bank accounts.    Jeff Bredenberg doesn’t just give you outstanding tips on how to retrain your brain to keep clutter out of your house, he also teaches you how to rethink and regain control of your finances which will de-stress you so that your thoughts aren’t scattered so in effect he declutters your mind, too.    This guy even gives you helpful tips on how to get your kitchen in shape and your cooking not only more organized but he can tell you how to shop better and more efficiently and how to stock your shelves for greater stretching of your food dollars and supplies complete with ideas for more efficient use of the products you have at hand to turn out delicious quick meals with less work and less dishes to clean up after.  Oh yes, he also offers tips on how to make those paper dragons on your desk be more efficient and how to leave work feeling good about yourself instead of dreading coming in the next day to all those piles of to-dos.    He has such a fun and factual delivery and he has so many great tips to offer.     Both thumbs up for this one for all the practical short-cuts and times savers on accomplishing a lot in less time than normal.

 - Shirley J.

The Wisdom of Sundays: Life Changing Insights From Super Soul Conversations

The Wisdom of Sundays: Life Changing Insights From Super Soul Conversations by Oprah Winfrey           Audio Book:  4 hours, 54 minutes      Hardback Book:  240 Pages      

In this book, Oprah speaks with several well-known deep spiritual gurus, motivational speakers, writers all, who share their insights into the spirituality of their own soul quests for understanding of the human condition and how we can enrich our lives and find our paths in joining our beliefs or self-searching to find our core spiritual foundation and how to open ourselves to a deeper understanding opening our minds to our own life journey.   They offer their personal ideas on life, their views on how people relate to one another and offer thoughts on how relating could go a step further to honestly hear and see each other rather than phasing out when others start to speak and they encourage the opening of our minds to new ways of looking at and coming to understand ourselves and the others in our lives.   All promote studying to become more aware of the world and thought processes around us.   Learning to love ourselves is the first step to transcendence.   This book has a very metaphysical feel as well as principles of Christianity but there is a good mix of many different mindsets and philosophical approaches.    Some of the speakers are:  Eckhart Tolle, Thich Nhat Hahn, Tony Robbins, Arianna Huffington, Shonda Rhimes, Wayne Dyer, Cheryl Strayed,  etc.     All of the people discuss the healing power of love and connection and forgiveness of ourselves and others in our lives  in one version or another according to their own creeds or school of thought.   They promote the idea of what can be that life can be fulfilling and is full of promise and opportunities if we want to see them.    Very good book, I particularly enjoyed all the different directions each person was coming from and how they all bridged in helping the reader to explore your inner self to achieve universal enlightenment.   Lots of good nuggets of wisdom found here and the reader will learn that each person discussed the different aspects Oprah is striving to understand in her own life and share with the world to make it a better place.    The more we know the more we can do to understand all sides of an issue and the more we can find common ground and if not complete agreement certainly compromise points at which we can come together and reason together.   Well done Oprah, yes, I would recommend this book with the caveat to give it a chance if the reader finds one person’s ideas too far from their own, take each chapter on its own and dwell on the concepts found there, then go to the next and find out what concepts are there till you come to the end.   You will have learned a lot and may come away with a new outlook for your own life. 

 - Shirley J.

How To Be A Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals

How To Be A Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals by Sy Montgomery          Audiobook: 3 hours, 42 minutes     Hardback Book:  208 pages          

Sy Montgomery is an author, a naturalist and loves adventure which during her life has often taken her to parts known and unknown all around the globe.   In her adventures she has often come in contact with animals of all species and has been impressed by the lesson each has taught her and the similarities she has found between humans and animals in dealing with death and mourning, love,  gratitude, unconditional love and empathy.    At some of her lowest moments in life when she has been in such deep despair she was having suicidal thoughts she was so impressed by the love she saw in a tree a kangaroo’s joy they found in the company of each other that it restored her own hope,  how she became friends with an octopus named Octavia who formed a friendship with her as when she neared or opened Octavia’s tank the octopus would swim over to where Sy was and reach her tentacles up in greeting to which Sy would reach into the tank and pet her.   They would hold on to one another like long lost friends all the up until two weeks before the octopus died still never hurting Sy always reaching for her and grasping on to her feeling her skin with iits tentacles.  From her earliest animal encounter before she was 2 years old when Sy disappeared from her parents at the Frankfort Zoo and was found in the Hippo pen without a scratch on her, the hippos seeming to accept her without hurting her in any way.    She has snugglied tarantulas, learned compassion from dogs who are perceptive and pick up on human emotion understanding through their senses empathetically consoling her just when she needed it.  There are so many stories 13 but in her life she is always experiencing how close humans and animals can be.    She respects animals as equal species to humans with all the traits the human psyche is known to muster and many times having extraordinary abilities beyond that of humans.     Such a good book.   There is such a commonality between humans and other species, like communicating with someone from another country or as with a baby, you may not have the same language to communicate to each other but we each can make ourselves understood to one another if only we try.   It is all about perception and understanding.   Animals are not less than humans just other than humans.   I highly recommend this book.    She takes intuitive to a whole other level transcending differences to overcome fear and find commonality with our fellow beings on planet earth.    Bravo, Sy Montgomery.  

 - Shirley J.

French Exit: A Novel

French Exit:  A Novel by Patrick DeWitt              Audio Book: 6 hours, 53 minutes         Hardback Book:  256 pages        

I loved this book.    The banter between mother, Frances Price and her son Malcolm is so witty and so funny I was sorry to see this story come to an end.     The Price family is insanely rich but Mr. Price (Frank) is a total womanizing rogue who dies and while Mrs. Price is packed and ready to pull off on a fantastic trip to join friends and kick up her heels (the Prices didn’t have much in common anymore and each went their separate ways) but forgets something and comes back in the house to find her husband  laying dead.   She figures there is nothing that she can do at that point and the car is waiting so she continues on with her trip.   The story is so full of hilarious dialogue and situations it is a joy throughout.   Mrs. Price does go to jail over the death and lack of reporting it to authorities when she returns but all of the twists and turns along the way are hysterical.   The relationship she has with her son, Malcolm is also  comical.    I absolutely love the repartee between them – the humor is so dry in their remarks to one another and oh yes, there is a stray cat that wonders in one day and gives Frances the eye.    He makes himself at home no matter that neither Frances nor Malcolm like cats.    Frances becomes sure that the cat is her husband reincarnated coming back to haunt her.   She names the cat, “Little Frank,” and continues throughout the story to refer to him or when he comes in from his all night wonderings (much like his namesake) she greets him with, “Hello, A**hole!”    This story is too good, kudos to Patrick DeWitt,  I adored this book.   After getting out of jail and losing their huge fortune to bankruptcy due to “Big” Frank’s philandering Frances and Malcolm see no way out as they have been scandalized by all that has transpired so far lots happens, but, Frances decides she Malcolm and Little Frank will move to Paris to start a new life.    They do, lots more happens, Little Frank disappears and while neither Frances nor Malcolm like the cat, Frances feels the need to find him as she thinks it is somehow her penance to make sure the cat is cared for, secretly she may have developed a sort of bond to the cat.    She had been having conversations with him as talking to her husband “through” the cat who continues to react in ways his namesake did.    Frances hires a detective to find Little Frank by hocking some more of her jewelry and keepsakes.     She even ends up encountering a psychic through her son’s endeavors (that term is used loosely in this context).     The psychic is spot on and actually conjures up Big Frank it is so humorous the way it all plays together.   I’ve already given too much away but I highly recommend this book to any one – the writing is magnifique’!    This story will have you roaring with laughter it is that good.    Excellent read – so funny and you won’t believe the twists.    A total riot.    Like I said earlier, I LOVE THIS BOOK.

 - Shirley J

The Lonely Hearts Hotel: A Novel

The Lonely Hearts Hotel: A Novel by Heather O’Neill               Audiobook: 12 hours, 2 minutes      Hardback Book:  400 pages                  

Great bittersweet story.    Reminds me of Pierrot, the sad French clown pining for his love, Columbine (cue the French accordion music).    But that is another story.   This story begins with the pregnancy of an unwed mother’s dropping their babies off at a Catholic orphanage in Montreal.    The children grow up unloved and brutalized by the nuns though they form bonds with the other children in the orphanage through their comical antics and musical abilities.   They have such tragic beginnings and even more tragic lives as they are treated like scum by the nuns and beaten for any thing and most times for no reason other than the nuns dislike the children because they feel they are abhorrant for being born out of wedlock to women who were looked down upon as whores and the children were made to pay for the sins of their mothers just for breathing.    The children somehow manage to keep their sanity though many crazy things happen to them and they fall in love.    Rose, the girl loves to dance to Pierrot, the boy’s piano playing.     A rich female benefactor offers the mother superior a large donation is she will let them come to her house to play piano and sing and dance for her guest which gets them a lot of gigs with the rich folks in town and become quite lucrative for the nuns.    After they are released from the orphanage at 19 the boy and 17 the girl.     The boy was adopted by a rich donor to the orphanage who heard the boy playing piano while he was there and was taken with the beautiful mellifluous tones.   The girl was sent to work as a maid and a nanny for a well-to-do family whose children were terrors, but, because of the girl’s winning way with children she was able to win the children’s adoration because she is always doing stuff that is Waaaaay out there herself.    She often dances with an invisible bear, etc.    Much more happens in this household which leads to a big change in Rose’s life.    Around this same time Pierrot has been writing to Rose at the orphanage but the nuns throw his letters away leaving him to think Rose received them but was not speaking to him for leaving.   In truth she never knew about the letters.   There paths come so close to crossing so many times over the years and each finds themselves in amazing circumstances learning new skills and making new connections.    Great story, if sad at times.   There is so much happening all the time throughout the book and the reader will be spellbound to find out what comes next.      I don’t want to give any more away but trust me this is an awesome book truly defining the when life gives you lemons make lemonade outside of the box survivalist thinking.    Just excellent.   It is a must read if you like stories with lots of loosends that come together in markedly unique ways it is a total pageturner!    I recommend this book for adults, maybe older teens,  there are many things that happen that are pertinent to the story but maybe a little too adult themed.   GOOD BOOK, I applaud you, Heather O’Neill you really capture the spirit of the moments.   

 - Shirley J.

The Memo: Five Rules for Your Economic Liberation

The Memo: Five Rules for Your Economic Liberation by John Hope Bryant           Hardback Book:  160 pages              Genre:  Adult Non-Fiction            Financial Advice

John Hope Bryant tells the reader that true power comes from being financially wise, staying out of debt but unfortunately the poor in society always seem to have too much month left at the end of their money.    Mr. Bryant is the founder and CEO of Operation HOPE whose purpose is to work with anyone willing to learn how to manage their finances thereby making their lives better because why schools teach a lot of things they don’t teach people how to control their money and to do well in life.    The poor didn’t get the memo so Mr. Bryant is here to make sure they do.    Mr. Bryant explains that the poor are basically invisible in society.   Having grown up in those same circumstances himself he too didn’t get the memo but he self-taught himself how to rise above one’s current circumstances and to become successful and financially comfortable in the process.    Here he offers his plan sharing his rules to achieve financial freedom: inner capital - mindset, relationships, knowledge, and spirit and outer capital financial wealth and property.    Once a person learns how to achieve their inner capital they will never be poor again but, if a person won’t buckle down and achieve the knowledge he describes as inner capital then no amount of money will set you free.    Bryant walks the reader through his process explaining how to achieve financial knowledge - the basics, nothing too difficult to understand –he takes big hard information and makes it understandable for the layman.    He informs the reader the how tos of investing for your future, and talks about networking to find the relationships you need to pursue to aid you in gaining the knowledge that will allow you to get out of debt and be able to save money.      He describes poverty as having more to do with your head than your wallet.   Once a person gets the mindset they want do better financially and have more cash for their families instead of living hand to mouth, paycheck to paycheck –get that thought settled in your mind then begin putting action behind that thought to achieve your goals.    First you have to take care of your NEEDs food, shelter, clothing then work toward your goals to prosper.      And always plan for something bad to happen that way you are prepared in advance when it happens and he says believe it something bad will happen, sometimes lots of bad, prepare in advance and you are a step up the financial ladder.    He brought up an interesting concept – We are more powerful than we believe which is why we don’t advance as fast as we should.   He says we are the CEOS of our own lives.     His teachings really make sense and are doable.    He also offers the reader extra help by contacting him and/or Operation HOPE.    Good, quick read.    Like the coach in any athletic competition pumping you up for what you are about to face.   This man is good and has everyone’s best interest at heart.    Good book, yes, definetly recommend this one to teens on up.   You can’t learn these skills and the information and teachings he imparts here, too soon.    Start early and learn to save big.    This book would be a good present for young people and a good book for Middle and Highschool curriculums.

 - Shirley J.