The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
Vintage Contemporaries, 2004. 226 pages. Fiction

For 15-year-old autistic savant Christopher, interacting with people is a challenge. He has a hard time processing his own and other people's emotions because they aren't like numbers and equations. Or physics and science. Or anything else that makes sense. After a school counselor suggests he write a story that he would like to read, Christopher decides to investigate the murder of his neighbor's dog, Wellington, and write what he finds. It doesn't take long before he finds himself in the middle of a lot more than just a pet homicide.

This book was much different than any other book I have read before. The formatting and the voice were unique and they greatly contributed to the success of the story. I felt that the author did a great job of capturing the challenges of at least one individual with autism and perhaps many others. It opened my eyes to the differences between the way that some people see and experience the world and how different it is from the way I experience things. I also felt very deeply for Christopher, and I enjoyed all the other characters presented in the book. Although this book didn't end perfectly, I did feel quite satisfied with the way that things did end.

LH

C.S. Lewis' Little Book of Wisdom

C.S. Lewis' Little Book of Wisdom
by C.S. Lewis; compiled by Andrea Kirk Assaf and Kelly Anne Leahy
Hampton Roads Publishing, 2018. 400 pages. Nonfiction

This book is a collection of quotes by C. S. Lewis which have been collected from various writings. The book is divided into themed sections including: Living a Full Life with Christ, Choosing Joy, Transforming Grief,  Learning to Love, Lessons from Reality and the Imagination, The Consolation of Friendship, Reason to Hope, Recognizing Sin, Finding God, and Aslan's Country: Onward Toward Heaven. 

I picked up this book for two reasons. The first is that I wanted to quickly familiarize myself with Lewis's thoughts on several different topics without reading all of his works. The second is that I was looking for a light, quick read. I realized my folly after a couple of hours reading. There is really nothing quick or light about Lewis. But I did enjoy this read quite a bit. Occasionally I found it difficult to fully understand a concept from just the quote instead of having the surrounding context that I'm sure the full work would have provided, but overall I felt enlightened and more connected with Lewis than I had previously. It took several couple hour sessions for me to get through the book, but I enjoyed taking Lewis's wisdom in chunks.

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

Angelfall

Angelfall
by Susan Ee
Skyscape, 2012. 288 pages. Young Adult

Penryn's life has never been easy, but things got a lot harder once the angels came seeking vengeance for archangel Gabriel's death, leaving nothing but fear and destruction in their wake. At 17, Penryn shoulders the weight of her family's survival because her 10 year old wheelchair bound sister, Paige, needs her and their mentally ill mother is rarely capable. Penryn is small and scrappy and has learned how to scavenge and stay out of sight and trouble. But when a beautiful white-winged warrior angel is thrust from the sky in front of her and then brutally de-winged by an opposing gang of angels, she finds herself in the thick of trouble. Her unstable mother bolts leaving the Paige defenseless. The gang of angels kidnaps Paige; and Penryn, desperate to get her back, makes a deal with the wounded enemy angel at her feet.

This book had so many new and surprising elements I haven't seen before. I've read several dystopian books and I have never loved them. However, this book is considered apocalyptic or post-apocalyptic and I really enjoyed it. This book is literally angels and demons fighting on Earth with mankind stuck in the middle. I loved the relationship between Penryn and Paige. I also love the way Rafe's attitude and conflict come through actions and demeanor because he doesn't always offer much verbally. The plot was great. The characters are great. The audiobook was awesome. Check it out and read it.

-LH

How to Make a French Family 
by Samantha Verant 
Sourcebooks, 2017. 336 pgs. Biography 


After finding her life in shambles from a recent divorce and job loss, Samantha decides after twenty years to apologize to the Frenchman she fell in love with and left standing on a train platform never to hear from her again. That apology changed her deepest regret and gave her and her Frenchman a second chance at love. But after the wedding is over and Sam is living in rural France with her new husband and two step-children, the reality of her sacrifice begins to set in over the newlywed bliss. Sam writes about her struggle becoming an insta-mom, an ex-patriot, and a new wife in this charming and entertaining food memoir. 

Samantha and Jean Luc's love story sucked me in right away. Sam's humor and honesty kept me reading. I was fascinated by Sam's experience as an ex-patriot, but more so I was inspired by her determination to herself and devotion to her new family. I also loved all the recipes sprinkled throughout the book. Each dish is mentioned in the narrative and had some significance to the story. I even did a quick google search and found a few recent pictures of the happy couple. If you're looking for an amazing heart-warming story, this true account is for you!

LH

Signed, Skye Harper

Signed, Skye Harper

By Carol Lynch Williams

Paula Wiseman Books, 2014. 304 pages. Young Adult Fiction

The year is 1972 and 14-year-old Winston can't wait to watch her idol, Mark Spitz, swim in the upcoming olympics in Germany this summer. She lives with her grandmother, Nanny, and their dog, Thelma. She's never known her dad and her mom left her ten years earlier to move to Hollywood in hopes of making it big. And so far Winston has gotten along just fine without her mother. But then a letter arrives from her mom saying that things aren't going well and to "come get me." But California is a long way away from Winston's Florida home and Winston has no idea how she and Nanny will get there. Turns out, Nanny has a sneaky idea that just might get them across the country...

This book was such a fun read. I loved the relationship between Nanny, Winston, and Thelma. I also loved the writing style in this book. Each chapter was quite short, but still so full of emotion. I also loved the humor. Since Winston tells the story the reader gets to know her pretty well and her inner musings are oftentimes hilarious. Despite some of the more serious themes that litter this book, I consider it a light, quick read, but one that sticks with you long after you've turned the last page.

LH

The Liar's Girl

The Liar's Girl
By Catherine Ryan Howard 
Blackstone Publishing, 2018. 336 pages. Mystery.

Alison can't wait to start her first year of university with her best friend at the prestigious St. John's in Dublin. Almost right away she meets the dreamy Will Hurley who seems to be the perfect boyfriend. Then first year girls start turning up dead in the canal nearby, and a general terror grips the campus. Then Alison's best friend turns up dead in the canal and Will admits to the murders. Unable to cope with the shame and grief of it all, Alison moves away to the Netherlands and starts her life anew. But ten years later, when Alison feels like she might be able to start moving on, the Dublin police show up on her doorstep. The Canal Killer is at it again. The police think Alison may be key to solving the current cases. Conflicted between her sense of self-preservation and her desire to save the young women in danger, Alison must decide if she can confront her past, or if she can live with herself if she stays.

This book had me gripped. It was full of suspense. The story alternated mainly between Alison's now point of view and her then point of view ten years earlier when she first started at St. John's. The audiobook was great to listen to because of all the Irish accents and the artistry in the story-telling. It made listening so much fun. I loved the characters, their relationships with each other, and their growth. Although I didn’t love the title, the back blurb piqued my interest and I’m so glad I gave it a chance. I had chills and was genuinely freaked out at several points during the book; however, I finished the book feeling satisfied with the story. There is some language in the book but it never felt excessive and was always appropriate to the situation. 

LH

The Sun and Her Flowers

The Sun and Her Flowers
By Rupi Kaur
Andrew McMeel Publishing, 2017. 256 pages. Nonfiction.

"this is the recipe of life 
said my mother
as she held me in her arms as i wept
think of those flowers you plant
in the garden each year
they will teach you
that people too 
must wilt
fall
root
rise
in order to bloom"

Rupi Kaur takes the reader on a transcendent journey through the different stages of wilting, falling, rooting, rising, and blooming. It is a journey about growth and healing, ancestry and honoring one's roots and expatriation, and rising up to find a home within yourself. Kaur often mixes her succinct poems with simple, descriptive images. The effect is that the words and the art work together to enhance each other. This book is a celebration of love in all its forms.

Anyone who loved Milk and Honey is sure to love The Sun and Her Flowers. So many parts of this book resonated with my soul. The others gave me glimpses into experiences that I have never known and filled me with compassion for those who have. While Milk and Honey seemed to deal a little more with the challenges of being a woman and of the issues surrounding the female body (ie. mostly sexual abuse and body-image), this book--though these themes are still present--centers more on a self-journey of falling and then rediscovering oneself. Kaur displays a powerful blend of confidence and vulnerability. Respect and honor are apparent as she honestly explores her relationships with different family members and her own heritage.

LH

Takane & Hana Vol. 1

Takane & Hana Vol. 1 
By Yuki Shiwasu 
VIZ Media LLC, 2018, 200 pgs, Young Adult Graphic Novel

When Hana’s older sister refuses to attend an arranged marriage meeting, Hana is forced to go posing as her older sister in order for her father to keep his job and reputation. The meeting is brief and utterly disastrous, yet… successful? Takane, 10 years Hana’s senior, continues to see Hana who is still posing as her older sister. But what will happen when he finds out the truth about Hana’s age and identity? 

I loved this book for so many reasons. Each character has a distinct personality and style. The relationships are dynamic and entertaining, especially the one between Takane and Hana. While Hana is spunky and grounded, Takane is demanding, stubborn, and awkward. Their behavior towards each other is often appalling, their conversation snarky, but their overall dynamic sweet and charming. The art is engaging, expressive, and fluid. The content is clean. I loved the good-naturedness and innocence of this comic. This is far from your typical romance story which is one of the reasons I think it works so well.

If you aren’t used to reading backwards, I feel that this is a good comic to start with. There is a mini instruction guide on the very last page of the book that shows with arrows and numbers in which order the comic panels should be read. I also recommend this comic for starters because even if a couple of the panels are read out of order, it won’t affect the flow or feel of the story (I speak from experience). I also feel that the story sucked me in so quickly that I was willing to take the time to learn how to read this comic because I wanted to know what happened.

LH

The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: a magical story

The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story
By Marie Kondo, Illustrated by Yuko Uramoto 
Ten Speed Press, 2017. 192 pgs. Graphic Novel 

Meet Chiaki: a young, single professional living in a tiny messy apartment. When she gets a glimpse into her attractive neighbor's tidy apartment one night, she is determined to have an apartment as clean as his. After reading some glowing reviews, Chiaki hires Marie Kondo to help her on her life-changing journey of tidying up her small and unlivable apartment. With principles illustrated directly from Marie Kondo's The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up, and with Marie Kondo herself as the guide, Chiaki ventures through all of her belongings to determine which of her belongings bring her joy to ultimately get her to a living space that brings her joy.  

Let me first say, I read The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up a couple years ago and really enjoyed it. When I saw this title sitting on the shelf, I was a bit skeptical of the comic format but curious enough to pick it up. I loved it. Although Kondo had shared personal snippets of story here and there in her previous book, it was still a little difficult for me to relate to those people or feel like the Konmari method was something that I myself could undertake. However, I felt fully invested with Chiaki. I was cheering her on and rejoicing in her successes the whole book through.

LH