Dreadful Places

The World of Lore: Dreadful Places
By Aaron Mahnke
Del Rey, 2018. 329 pages. Nonfiction

Do you ever visit a place and get *that* feeling? In-explainable, unsettling, and dark? This book takes the reader into the creepy underbelly of many well-known cities. It features some of the most popular stories from the Lore Podcast and is sure to send a shiver down your spine. It's terrifyingly interesting to discover how many supernatural occurrences have happened in some of the most familiar places!

As a Stephen King fan, I was particularly fascinated by the story of his stay at The Stanley Hotel; his inspiration for writing The Shining. Mahnke's book reads like fiction even though it is not. The chapters are a perfectly consumable length and divided up by location. Be sure to keep the lights on for this one!

LKA

Meet Cute

Meet Cute

By Helena Hunting

Forever, 2019. 384 pages. Romance

Kailyn Flowers was a calm, collected law student until the day she literally tripped over Daxton Hughes, the former actor she grew up having a crush on, and her inner fangirl came loose.  Despite her embarrassment about their first meeting, their years as fellow law students led to a friendly rivalry until a betrayal left Kailyn feeling cold.  They don't see each other again until five years later when Daxton reappears in Kaily's life and needs her help.  Despite her mixed feelings, Kailyn realizes their old chemistry might not be dead after all.

Despite some heavy moments, this is a lighthearted romance with plenty of humor and complexity.  Recommended for fans of titles like the Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang and readers who won't mind descriptions of steamy situations.

BHG

White Bird

White Bird
By R.J. Palacio
Alfred A. Knopf, 2019. 220 pgs. Young Adult Comics

In this graphic novel continuation of R.J. Palacio’s Wonder story, Julian the bully, continues to learn that physical appearances matter less than the character of a person. Julian’s Grandmére was a young Jewish girl in a French village during World War II. When the Nazis came to her school and started rounding up all of the Jews, she was saved by a classmate who she previously had shunned due to his physical limitations. His family hid her in their barn throughout the war, saving her life.

This is a moving story about a young girl and the challenges and hardships during World War II. The illustrations are colorful and simple, but aid in the storytelling. The message of loving others despite our differences is simple, but powerful. Overall, I enjoyed this graphic novel and would recommend to anyone who enjoyed Wonder or likes historical fiction.

TT

Skeleton Keys: Workplace Hauntings

Skeleton Keys: Workplace Hauntings
By John Klann
Schiffer Publishing, 2016. 143 pgs. Nonfiction

If you grew up reading Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books or you saw the recent film adaptation, this book is for you! John Klann has compiled ten true stories of paranormal experiences that focus specifically on workplace hauntings. Each story is less than twenty pages and provides a quick, enjoyable scare. The author writes in his introduction, "If the theme intrigues you, you will find material here worthy of your inspection. If you are one of these key holders yourself, you have found your peers."

I really enjoyed this book! It was an entertaining break from the mundane, easy to read, and left me wondering. I'm a big fan of suspense, but don't always have big chunks of time to invest in reading for pleasure. This compilation was a spooky treat!

LKA

The Institute

The Institute
By Stephen King
Scribner, 2019. 561 pages. Fiction

On a quiet night in suburban Minneapolis, Luke Ellis is taken from his home and his parents are murdered. He wakes up in a room that looks exactly like his own, but with no windows. He soon discovers that he has been taken to an institute for young people with special powers - telekinesis and telepathy - and there is no escaping their fate. They must cooperate with The Institute's director, Mrs. Sigsby, or be subjected to brutal punishment. What does she want with their powers? How will they escape?

I'm a huge Stephen King fan, so when I knew his next book was coming out I immediately put myself on the hold list for it. This one didn't disappoint! I enjoyed that it was a little bit different than his recent novels in that the enemy wasn't supernatural. It is, in fact, the "good guys" that are the supernatural/paranormal ones. I often have to keep the light on when reading King's books and this one was no different! If you like being kept in suspense, you'll enjoy The Institute.

LKA

Very Good Lives

Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination

by J.K. Rowling

Little, Brown and Company, 2015. 80 pages. Nonfiction

In 2008, J.K. Rowling was asked to give the commencement speech at Harvard. This short book is her transposed speech. She offers insight into failure and success drawing on her own life experiences. She  also speaks of imagination and its importance in our lives. As she defines it, "[imagination] [i]n its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, ... is the power that enables us to empathise with humans whose experiences we have never shared."

Whether or not you love Harry Potter, this book is worth reading. I personally loved getting to know Rowling through her own words and experiences. Her frankness and sincerity made me respect her all the more. This is a one-sitting read but this book is also full of wonderful one- or two-line quotes worth pondering and going back to time and again. The books is also decorated with simple illustrations that add to the overall aesthetic and pleasure of the book. One of my favorite lines is, "We do not need magic to transform our world; we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already." 

LH

The Sun Does Shine

The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life & Freedom On Death Row
by Anthony Ray Hinton
St. Martin's Press, 2018. 255 pages. Biography

"On April 3, 2015, Anthony Ray Hinton was released from prison after spending nearly thirty years in solitary confinement on Alabama's death row." The first sentence in this book had me hooked. Mr. Hinton gives us a detailed account of his almost thirty years on death row for two murders that he didn't commit. The degradation, humiliation, and unimaginable horrors he went through are outlined in his book. More surprisingly, however, is the hope, faith, and love that is detailed in its pages. "Everything, I realized, is a choice. And spending your days waiting to die is no way to live," he writes.

I was utterly spellbound by this book and read the entire thing in one sitting. I'd like to think that if I were in the same situation as Mr. Hinton, I would have the same response. Doubtful. My heart burst with love for this man that I don't know and my heart ached for his pain. I have not been as inspired by a story as this in a long time. I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in living a life of purpose. Hinton writes, "I was afraid every single day on death row. And I also found a way to find joy every single day. I learned that fear and joy are both a choice."

LKA

Girl Gone Viral

Girl Gone Viral

by Arvin Ahmadi

Viking 2019. 402 pages. Young Adult

In an imaginative near future not too different from our own, coding wiz Opal Hopper must become the internet’s next big sensation in order to win a contest and meet the person who may have answers about her father’s disappearance. A small data hack and a lot of coding later, her virtual reality channel is revealing the ways that internet uses personal data for less than noble ends, garnering the attention of some powerful internet moguls who may not be the type whose radar you want to be on.

An engaging and at times too close to home narrative about the consequences of living our lives online, this cautionary tale feels apt for teens in the information age. Opal’s plight to find out the truth about her father is as compelling as the twist and turns through a virtual world where reality is shrouded by the imagined safety of online anonymity. A gripping read for fans of Ready Player One, Warcross, or the Black Mirror series from Netflix.

RC

Over The Top

Over the Top

by Jonathan Van Ness

HarperOne 2019, 288 pages. Biography

Jonathan Van Ness has risen to fame through Netflix’s popular reboot of Queer Eye, but his success has been hard fought and in his revealing and honest memoir, he recounts the struggles that have brought him to a place of self-love and acceptance, as well as success. Van Ness describes growing up in a small town, feeling different from the other boys from an early age. He is candid about discovering his true self and the ways he acted out and explored this feelings in both positive and self-destructive manners. 

Fans of Van Ness will appreciate his signature sass, charisma, and charm, which translates well from television to the page. The books is at times laugh out loud funny and will leave you heartbroken in other moments, but the ultimate message is one of love and positivity, inspiring and uplifting readers to reach for their dreams. The audiobook is narrated by the author himself which truly brings his story to life.

RC

The Raven Tower

The Raven Tower
by Ann Leckie
Orbit, 2019, 416 pages, Fantasy

Summoned back to the city of Iraden from the Front, Prince Mawat and his assistant Eolo are stunned to discover that Mawat’s father has fled the city and Mawat’s uncle has claimed the throne. This overthrow is disturbing on its own, but the rulers of Iraden made a bargain with the Raven God long ago. At the end of their lives, the rulers of Iraden must sacrifice themselves to the Raven God in exchange for the Raven’s protection of the city. Since Mawat’s father wasn’t sacrificed, the Raven is no longer protecting Iraden. People are starving, sickness is spreading throughout the land, and Iraden’s enemies are advancing. It’s up to Eolo to figure out what really happened to Mawat’s father before Iraden’s enemies gain enough power to destroy the city.

Ann Leckie has won awards for her science fiction writing, but I think this, her first foray into fantasy writing, is even better. The Raven Tower feels new and fresh even though it’s basically a well-done fantasy retelling of Hamlet.

The novel switches perspectives, telling the current story of Iraden from Eolo’s point of view, and telling the history of Iraden from the point of view of a nameless stone god who is much older than the Raven. The god’s narrative was especially compelling to me since it’s written as if the god is trying to talk to Eolo directly, which is a narrative style that isn’t usually used. The story ended with a very satisfying conclusion that could lead to a series, or not.

I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy, Shakespeare retellings, and overall well-written literature.

MB

The Stranger Diaries

The Stranger Diaries
by Elly Griffiths
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2019, 338 pages, Mystery

High school English teacher Clare Cassidy may know more about Gothic writer R.M. Holland than anyone else. She teaches at the school that used to be his home, and she uses Holland’s well-known short story, “The Stranger,” to teach an adult creative writing course during school holidays. When one of Clare’s colleagues is found murdered with a line from “The Stranger” left by her body, Clare is horrified. She is also a likely suspect. Clare pours all of her fears and suspicions into her diary until one day someone leaves a note in her diary, answering back.

One of my favorite parts of this novel is that it contains a story within a story. Holland’s spooky short story “The Stranger” is told slowly throughout the novel, which adds a lot to the ambience, and also seems to hint at clues as to who the murderer could be. The main story shifts between the perspectives of Clare, the detective assigned to the case, and Clare’s daughter, which helps add to the sense of mystery and keeps the reader guessing who the murderer is. This book is a fairly cozy read, but the Gothic and ghost story elements of the plot makes this book stand out from other books in this genre. Fans of both cozy mysteries and Gothic literature will find a lot to enjoy in The Stranger Diaries.

MB

Small Great Things: A Novel

Small Great Things: A Novel

by Jodi Picoult
Ballantine Books, 2016. 470 pages. Fiction

Ruth, a labor and delivery nurse, is charged with a serious crime even though she is innocent. But, is she? After over twenty years of experience, Ruth is faced with the toughest situation of her professional and personal life. She happens to be African American and the parents of her newest patient are white supremacists. Ruth is quickly reassigned to a different case, but not before a terrifying situation turns her life into an unrecognizable nightmare.

This book addresses important topics like race, justice, white privilege, and ignorance. My heart broke for Ruth as she struggled to make those around her - the white, privileged people around her - understand her innocence and be sympathetic to her situation. This book is for anyone who is not afraid to visit the ugly parts of our world and come out the other side with a stronger passion for creating positive change.

LKA

With the Fire on High

With the Fire on High
by Elizabeth Acevedo
HarperTeen, 2019. 392 pages. Young Adult

Emoni knows that as a teen mom, odds are stacked against her. So she works hard, at school, her job, and at raising her daughter, determined to not be a burden on her Abuela or an absent parent like her own father. Anyone who knows her also knows that she has a near-magical gift for cooking. When her school offers a culinary arts class, Emoni's excitement turns to frustration; the more she learns, the more her long-buried dream of becoming a chef comes bubbling to the surface. Her teachers and friends encourage her, but Emoni knows she chose a life of responsibility and sacrifice when she had her daughter. Does she dare let herself dream now, with all that rests on her shoulders?

I really loved this author's debut novel last year, THE POET X , so I was excited to get my hands on this one. WITH THE FIRE ON HIGH is a little different, being written in prose rather than in verse, but shines equally bright. With wonderfully developed characters, especially protagonist Emoni, and relatable and immersive storytelling, Acevedo also has a talent for addressing complicated topics in an honest, realistic way that never feels too heavy. Emoni is a wonderful soul, a loving, introspective girl ready to take her place in the world, and you'll be better for knowing her.

MW

Cannery Row

Cannery Row
by John Steinbeck
Penguin Books. 2002. 181 pages. Fiction.

The "story" of Cannery Row follows the adventures of Mack and the boys, a group of unemployed yet resourceful men who inhabit a converted fish-meal shack on the edge of a vacant lot down on the Row.

The lesson found in this Steinbeck novel is to "roll with the punches" and be content with where you're at. The characters in Cannery Row live unglamorous lives filled with problems, and yet they are worry-free. They don't allow themselves to be strangled by money and by the idea of reaching the top run in all aspects of life. They find joy in being honest with each other and kind to their fellow men. In reading this book, I have had a little bit of faith restored in humanity. I recommend this book to those looking for a unique, yet relatable story that won't take very long to read. 

NS

Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered

Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered: The Definitive How-To Guide

by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

Forge, 2019. 300 pages. Nonfiction

The creators of the hit comedic true crime podcast (it works, trust me) "My Favorite Murder" came together to make this one of a kind dual-memoir. With their signature charm, humor, and honesty, the women reflect on the life experiences - mistakes, struggles with addiction, mental health journeys, family dynamics, and more - that taught them the valuable lessons of self-advocacy, self-care, and being better humans.

I'm already a devoted fan of the "My Favorite Murder" podcast and of Karen and Georgia, the marvelous hosts and authors of this book, and was hungry to get my hands on this book since it was announced.  Murderino Approved! Translation: This book blew all my expectations out of the water! Don't be afraid if you're not into true crime though - some crime stories are included of course (on-brand for true crime podcasters), but this is a book full of empowering stories for anyone trying to get through life in one piece. And being decent to oneself and others in the process.  Ever relatable, hilarious, and frank, Karen and Georgia will feel like old friends by the time you finish reading. I highly recommend the audiobook as well, read by the authors. It'll feel like an ultra-bonus podcast episode!

MW

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Red Rising (Red Rising #1)
by Pierce Brown
Del Rey, 2014. 382 pages. Science Fiction.

Darrow, a Red Helldiver whose sole responsibility is mining Helium-3, a gas mined on Mars that is used in the terraforming process for mars and other planets in the solar system, loves his people and his wife. After a few heartrending events, Darrow discovers that many of the things he's believed his whole life are false and have been for hundreds of years. To correct those falsehoods, Darrow sacrifices his life and identity and becomes the people he hates, all for the love of his people and the dream of the woman he loves.

Pierce Brown uses a unique mixture of dystopian fiction tropes such as castes of people (each referred to by a single name) that are controlled for the betterment of a ruling class, violent games played by kids, a system of government that uses obfuscation and fear to keep the slave class slaves, rebellion against the system, a corrupt and hypocritical society that participates in the very activities they claim to be wrong, etc. in order to show that even tropes can still be impactful.

For those who like Hunger Games and The Giver, this is definitely a book to pick up.

SMM

Rework

Rework
by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
Crown Business, 2010. 279 pages. Nonfiction.

It's easy to get bogged down as a new business owner. You have so many things to manage while trying to keep your enthusiasm up for the whole process. This process can make it hard for your biggest plans and dreams come true, even with years of planning and operation. Fried and Hansson present a different perspective that small business owners can adopt as they get started and continue to operate. When you're still small as a business, instead of trying to grow as fast as you can, only focus on the immediate needs of the business, the things that can be done today, this week, or this month. If you do so, you will get closer to achieving your goals than if you use the same time to plan for the next 6 months or to focus heavily on finding investors. Fried and Hansson display the attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs that are important for a small businesses, like the fact that isn't okay if you stay small, or its okay not never ever hire employees in order to assuage the feelings new entrepreneurs can have from traditional advice. They strike at the very heart of traditional business advice and give a fresh perspective on what it truly means to be an entrepreneur in any market, not just tech startups, real estate, or ecommerce.

Any small business owner (or those thinking about starting a business) should read this book in order to relieve some of that stress that plagues the beginning and continued operation of any venture.

SMM

The Halloween Tree

The Halloween Tree
Ray Bradbury
New York : Knopf, 2007. Young Adult Fiction. 

A group of children and a "spirit" go back through time to discover the beginnings of Halloween.

This book has that classic Halloween feel. Think Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but for Halloween.This story is spooky, fun, and imaginative.You can listen to the audiobook on the Libby app. Bronson Pinchot did a fantastic job narrating as well. He breathed emotion into the characters and added detail to Bradubury's beautiful imagery.

NS

A Song for the Stars

A Song for the Stars
by Ilima Todd
Shadow Mountain, 2019. 296 pages. Romance

Maile has lived an idyllic life on the island of Hawaii but things start to change when the explorer James Cook and his crew arrive. Many of her people believe Cook to be their God, but Maile is glad when they leave. Soon they are back the the islanders aren't as welcoming this time. Maile's fiance is killed in a battle by one of the explorers and she takes that man hostage and hides him on the island. John Harbottle loves the island and the people and is devastated by what has happened. As the two are forced to spend time with each other they find a mutual understanding that soon grows into more.

This book was based on a true story. It was fascinating to learn of the early Hawaiian culture before explorers started to influence the area.  The novel was slow moving but the descriptions of the island made me want to go visit. This is part of the Proper Romance series of books but it is a stand alone novel. 

AL

They Called Us Enemy

They Called Us Enemy
George Takei
Top Shelf Productions, 2019. 204 pages. Graphic Novel

Takei is typically known for his work on the original Star Trek series as Hikaru Sulu.  What fewer people know about him is that as a child, he and his family were imprisoned in Japanese Internment camps during World War II.  Written as a graphic novel, this book brings to life the story of his family as they were taken from their home and held in one of ten "relocation centers" at the order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Held for years, Takei watches as his father and mother work tirelessly to lessen the load on their family and many others despite their unthinkable circumstances.  After being released and as he grows into a young adult, Takei works to process what he saw and experienced in the camps, inspiring a lifetime of purpose and activism.

You may be familiar with many Holocaust stories taking place in Europe during this time in history, but it's chilling to see how many of the same situations played out on US soil, and how it was omitted from recorded histories for many years afterward.  As a result of his experiences, today Takei is an activist devoted to equal rights, and this book represents an important contribution to a critical and too-often disregarded chapter of American history, with continuing relevance today.

BHG

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe
Heather Webber
Forge Books, 2019. 336 pages. Fiction

Anna Kate's grandmother has died, prompting her to travel to the small town of Wicklow, where Granny Zee lived and ran the Blackbird Café.  Known for its mysterious blackbird pie, the café draws a steady crowd of locals and outsiders alike each day.  Although Anna Kate only intends to stay in town long enough to settle her grandmother's affairs and sell the café, she can't help being drawn into the quirky community as well as her family's history, especially the mystery surrounding her father's death before she was born.

While essentially a fiction novel, this story has elements of fantasy and mystery, and plenty of Southern charm.  Ultimately, it's a sweet story about the importance of community and family in our lives.

BHG

A Woman of No Importance

A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II
Sonia Purnell
Viking, 2019. 368 pages. Nonfiction

Virginia Hall was born a Baltimore socialite, but sought more excitement from life.  After traveling extensively in Europe and pursuing a career, she found herself in the right place at the right time to make a difference at the outbreak of World War II.  Virginia became a Special Operations Executive for England, working behind enemy lines in occupied France, providing support to spies sent in from Britain, establishing resistance networks throughout France, aiding operatives who had been caught and imprisoned, leading a victorious guerilla campaign, and dodging German detection - sometimes only narrowly avoiding capture.  She did all this with a prosthetic leg, acquired in a hunting accident before the war.

If you have read other spy stories from World War II, there is a good chance those operatives were at some point directed or aided by Virginia.  She was a linchpin of the Resistance, and operated the most successful spy networks in occupied France during the war.  Yet her life has been mostly a mystery until the dedicated research of author Sonia Purnell, who pieced together bits of information found from a multitude of sources to paint a picture of Virginia Hall's life and critical work.  This is a fascinating story and a much-deserved spotlight on a remarkable and important woman.

BHG

The Anatomist's Apprentice

The Anatomist's Apprentice
Tessa Harris
Kensington Publishing Corporation, 2012. 310 pages. Mystery

Dr. Thomas Silkstone is a young anatomist from Philadelphia, visiting England to study under an esteemed surgeon.  His unconventional methods have caused some buzz in English society, and caught the interest of the beautiful Lydia Farrell, who is in desperate need of help when her husband is accused of the murder of her brother, Sir Edward Crick.  She appeals to Dr. Silkstone to help solve the murder and absolve her husband.  When Dr. Silkstone reluctantly agrees, he unwittingly enters a web of danger and mystery.

This is the first in a series of mysteries based on Dr. Thomas Silkstone.  Those with an interest in period mysteries will enjoy the sights and sounds of 1780 England come to life, especially when the characters of the book react to Dr. Silkstone's more "modern" scientific approach.  Anyone familiar with today's forensic processes would recognize his methods, but at the time of the book they were suspect to say the least.

BHG

Children of the Sea 2

Children of the Sea 2 
by Daisuke Igarashi
Viz, 2009. 314 pages. Graphic Novel

Umi is distressed over Sora’s disappearance, and no one knows how to help him or how to find Sora. Jim reveals the source of his interest in the boys; 40 years ago, he met another young boy like Sora, but let the boy die. Since then he has been searching the world for children like that mysterious boy to understand them when he finds Sora and Umi. Anglade, Jim’s previous research partner and nephew, also wants to understand the mystery of the boys, but his methods differ from Jim’s. Ruka is determined to help Umi find his brother despite an approaching typhoon. They all are desperately trying to discover the connections between the boys, the meteorite, and the fish that disappear into light, but time is running out.

Since the scene has already been set, book two has more storyline than book one, making it more satisfying to read. I like that in this one Ruka gets more of a defined role in the unfolding events, even though the whole thing is still a little confusing. Translated from the original Japanese, this graphic novel series keeps the original right to left format.

 ER