How Dare the Sun Rise

How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child
by Sandra Uwiringiyimana, Abigail Pesta
Katherine Tegen Books, 2017. 304 pages. Young Adult Nonfiction

Sandra Uwiringyimana's biography opens with the moving retelling of a massacre at a refugee camp where her family was staying when she was ten years old.  She goes on to tell about her life as a child in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, playing with her siblings and exploring her neighborhood, then of the growing tension and troubles facing her people and their eventual flight, including their fear and uncertainty after the massacre in the refugee camp.  When her family is accepted as refugees to the United States, what seems like a promising new start instead turns into an ordeal of culture shock and racism.  Sandra sees the racism in the United States through an outsider's eyes, lending a fresh perspective to a pervasive problem.  As she grows older, she becomes involved in activism and works to transform her life and rise up and become a voice of her people and others with similar struggles.

Uwiringyimana's biography is a stunning story and I would heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a new perspective or a story of rising above adversity.  So much of her tale dealt with grief, and anyone who has personally experienced it will find echoes of their own pain in her words.  I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Uwiringyimana, who does a fantastic job and has a lovely voice.  This is also a great pick fans of I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai.

BHG

The Cross of Lead

The Cross of Lead
by Avi
Hyperion Books For Children, 2002. pgs 262, Young Adult

On the day of his mother’s funeral a 14th century peasant boy called Asta’s Son is accused of murder and must flee his village never to return. On his path to avoid detection from the village enforcer he comes across a juggler and together they begin an adventure of a life time.

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I really enjoyed the plot and the process of Crispin discovering his name and what that meant to him. This is one of the few books I would not recommend listening to. It was voiced by an older man and his tones and pace did not fit the story. So if you tried listening to it and his voice got in the way I would totally recommend trying again and just reading the book because at that point I really enjoyed the story and taking a step back in time which is very different from the world I have experienced.

MH

The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear To Faith

The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear To Faith
By Gabrielle Bernstein
Hay House Inc., 2016. 200 pages. Nonfiction.

This is a short guide to setting intentions and shifting your energy from its natural state of fear and bringing it to the higher frequency of faith. Bernstein uses kundalini yoga meditations and principles from A Course In Miracles to empower readers to find their universal assignments and embrace the idea that the universe really does have their back.

This is a self-help book that uses the principles of positive self-talk, visualization, affirmations, prayer, and meditation to unlock personal growth. The book is easy to understand and Bernstein writes in a personal and compelling way. There is extra material available on Berenstein's website like singing mantras and meditations that compliment her curriculum. She also has some fun ideas for vision boards and vision statements on the site.

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
By Malcolm Gladwell
Little, Brown and Co., 2005. 277 pgs. Nonfiction

In this book, Malcolm Gladwell examines how we think without thinking. Often we seem to make a choice in the blink of an eye, but it's really not that simple. He also examines why some people are so good at these gut decisions while others struggle and end up making horrible choices. He uses the examples of a renowned psychologist who is able to predict the success of a marriage by observing a few minutes of conversation, the art experts who can recognize a fake after a brief glance, and the tragic shooting of Amadou Diallo by police.

Malcolm Gladwell's books are guaranteed to make you think differently about life. I had never really thought much about why and how I make decisions. It was fascinating to learn how quickly our brains can interpret fleeting facial expression and also how much of our choices are based on quick judgements and predetermined stereotypes.

AL

Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hansen 
by Val Emmich and Steven Levenson
Poppy, Little, Brown and Company, 2018. 358 pages. Young Adult Fiction.

Evan Hansen is not a popular kid at school; in fact, he doesn’t really have friends at all and feels mostly invisible. He struggles with depression and his therapist recommends he write letters to himself to work through his feelings, they start “Dear Evan Hansen”, and contain his deepest, sometimes darkest secrets and emotions. When a troubled classmate, Connor Murphy, commits suicide and one of Evan’s letters is found and mistaken for a suicide note, a chain of well-meaning lies and exaggerations digs Evan into a hole that just gets deeper and deeper the more he attempts to cover up the mistake without hurting anyone.

This book is a novelization of the hit Broadway musical by the same name. I listened to the audio book, which I’d recommend because it incorporates a few songs from the musical into the story. I enjoyed learning more about both Connor and Evan’s backstories; it felt like the novel was a good opportunity to get to know the characters in a more meaningful way than you get with only the play. This book stands alone well without knowing anything about the play, too, and explores the topics of grief, teen suicide, and depression in an approachable and hopeful way.

RC

A Defense of Honor

A Defense of Honor 

By Kristi Ann Hunter

Bethany House, 2018. 376 pgs. Romance

Katherine "Kit" FitzGilbert had to make the hard choice of turning her back on London society. She never planned on setting foot in a ballroom again. Business has her return to London and soon she is forced to run for her life. She finds herself hiding behind a potted plant in a glamorous ballroom. Lord Wharton, Graham, is intrigued by the woman hiding behind the plant and decides to meet her. Kit can not give him much information about herself  because she has too many people depending on her. Kit has dedicated her life to helping women who have been ruined. She hides them away until they have their babies and can return to society. She then raises the children at Haven Manor, a remote estate away from the eyes of society, and prepares them for the future. To make ends meet she has found a clever way to blackmail the fathers into providing funds for their children. Kit never expects to see Graham again, but he stumbles across Haven Manor when he is trying to help a friend find his missing sister. Kit tries to hide the truth from Graham for as long as possible but soon they must decide if they can trust each other enough to find a future together. 

I read a lot of Regency romance and that's what I was expecting. This book was totally different, it didn't focus on the ballrooms and glamour, instead it showed the life and struggles of those who aren't accepted into high society. The characters were fantastic; Kit, Graham, the children, and the other women who help at Haven Manor all worked their way into my heart. This is the first in the Haven Manor series and I look forward to seeing what happens with all the characters in future books. 

AL

Just Mercy: (adapted for young adults) A True Story of the Fight for Justice

Just Mercy: (adapted for young adults) A True Story of the Fight for Justice

by Bryan Stevenson

Delacorte Press, 2018. 277 pages. Young Adult Non-Fiction

Bryan Stevenson is a lawyer who established the Equal Justice Initiative (EIJ), an organization working on behalf of the marginalized, the poor, and those discriminated against due to race or ability who have been wrongly convicted, or unfairly or harshly punished by the justice system. In this book, he uses cases he’s worked on, including capital punishment cases, to shine light on the injustices and inequalities that exist and points out the flaws, corruption, and biases within the system that have led to cruel convictions, imprisonment of the innocent, and deterioration of mental health in inmates.  

Although I was largely infuriated throughout, this is a compelling and eye opening read that I didn’t want to put down. This version of the book has been adapted for young readers, and while criminal justice and mass incarceration may seem a strange topic for a book aimed at teens, the message presented and the feelings evoked by the accounts Stevenson shares are applicable to those of most any age in our society. Stories such as these can make a person feel powerless, but knowing that there are “Bryan Stevensons” in the world fighting for justice that is more equal, fair, and right, shines a hopeful light on the heavy topic.

RC

And the Ocean was Our Sky

And the Ocean was Our Sky

by Patrick Ness

HarperTeen, 2018. 158 pgs. Young Adult Fiction

For centuries, whales and men have been at war with each other. Bathsheba is an apprentice under the formidable Captain Alexandra, and they hunt to protect and provide for their pod. During an attack on what appears to be easy prey, they find the trail of a mythical monster. Following their unrelenting Captain, Bathsheba and her fellow apprentices must each come to terms with fate, prophecy, and prejudice as they face the upcoming battle.

I found this book intrigue and thought provoking, although the plot was slow at times. The illustrations by Rovina Cai are absolutely gorgeous and enhance the story.  The topics of fate and prejudice are highly relevant today and Ness’s writing encourages deeper exploration of your own thoughts and feelings. The references to Moby Dick are fairly minor, and I do not feel that it is necessary to have read it beforehand. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys illustrated stories or lyrical writing.

TT

Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky: Myths of Mexico

Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky: Myths of Mexico
by David Bowles
Cinco Puntos Press, 2018. 300 pages. Young Adult Nonfiction.

The stories in Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky trace the history of the world from its beginnings in the dreams of the dual god Ometeotl, to the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in Mexico and the fall of the great city Tenochtitlan. In the course of that history we learn about the Creator Twins, Feathered Serpent, and Dark Heart of Sky, and how they built the world on a leviathan’s back; of the shape-shifting nahualli; and the aluxes—elfish beings known to help out the occasional wanderer. And finally, we read Aztec tales about the arrival of the blonde strangers from across the sea, the strangers who seek to upend the rule of Motecuhzoma and destroy the very stories we are reading.

Ask yourself- can you think of one Mexican myth? If you can, would you feel comfortable telling said myth to a friend? If you’re like me you probably answered no to both questions and have now possibly come to the realization that your public school system did you a great disservice by focusing all too much on Greco-Roman mythology and all too little on Mesoamerican mythology. To you, I recommend starting with this book, “Feathered Serpent, Dark Heart of Sky: Myths of Mexico” by David Bowles. In it the myths of Mexico are presented in chronological order starting with the creation of the earth and its people and ending with the arrival of the Spanish conquistadores. I personally enjoyed the fusion of history, religion, and mythology as it gives the book less of a textbook feel and more of what I call a sit-down-storytime feel. The book also includes a pronunciation guide and glossary of people and places which is extremely helpful. One negative is that there are a few errors that were not caught before publishing that were a bit distracting. Even still, I’d recommend this book to those interested in mythology, folklore, and history. 

NS

How to Win Friends and Influence People

How to Win Friends and Influence People
By Dale Carnegie
Simon and Schuster, 1936. 299 pgs. Nonfiction

Have you ever wondered why you get passed up for promotions? Or why your relationships aren't improving? Carnegie gives techniques and advice to help the reader improve their relationships with others, which influences all other aspects of life. You can succeed when you know how to connect and interact with others.

Though most people would say Carnegie's advice is common sense, not very many people actually apply the principles he outlines. I like that he explained the principles and gave examples of how they look in practice. This makes application easier for the reader. His methods of dealing with conflict and building relationships are techniques I've seen in my favorite managers, friends, and former boyfriends. This is a book that one should read at least once and then periodically reread sections to refresh the knowledge of interpersonal skills. This book is a good choice for those who:
1) Want to improve their relationships
2) Want to respond instead of react to stressful situations
3) Want to gain good management skills

HS

On a Sunbeam

On a Sunbeam
by Tillie Walden
First Second, 2018. 533 pgs. Young Adult Graphic Novel.

Mia is a new member of a team that travels through space repairing broken-down structures. As she gets to know the other members of her team, she opens up about her time at a boarding school and the girl she fell in love with while there.

The art throughout this book is amazing. The artist chose to only use colors in blue and red hues and I feel like that helps to bring the reader into an outer space type of atmosphere. One thing that is difficult is that the world isn’t explained super well. It appears that this world (universe?) is entirely populated by women, but that’s not necessarily immediately apparent. I did enjoy the slight whimsical touches that the author included throughout; like that their ships were all shaped like fish and basically every part of The Staircase. I would recommend this book to readers who are looking for a more diverse graphic novel or those who have already read and enjoyed other books by this author.

AU

The Gilded Wolves

The Gilded Wolves
by Roshani Chokshi
Wednesday Books, 2019. 388 pgs. Young Adult.

In Paris, 1889 the Exposition Universelle is about to open with its main attraction--the Eiffel Tower. Séverin Montagnet-Alarie is a treasure-hunter and a wealthy hotelier who has a bone to pick with society’s most powerful organization, the Order of Babel. But when the Order needs his help, they offer him a bargain: his true inheritance for the use of him and his crew. Séverin, along with his band of misfits, will have to use their wits and unique talents to find the artifact that the Order is looking for.

I’m a big fan of heists so I was really prepared to love this book. However, it was a little less about the heists themselves and more about the characters and the political climate with the Order of Babel. I found the writing to be confusing sometimes especially during action sequences, but the reader still gets a pretty good sense of this version of 1889 Paris. A big draw for this book is that it has an extremely diverse cast of characters. There are characters of color, characters on the LGBT spectrum, and possibly characters with mental disabilities (not explicitly stated, but implied). I would recommend this book for readers trying to read more diverse books as it checks pretty much every box.

AU

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees
by Don Brown
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018, 103 pages, Graphic Novel/Young Adult Nonfiction

Starting in 2011, refugees flood out of war-torn Syria in Exodus-like proportions. The surprising flood of victims overwhelms neighboring countries, and chaos follows. Resentment in host nations heightens as disruption and the cost of aid grows. By 2017, many want to turn their backs on the victims. The refugees are the unwanted. Shining a light on the stories of the survivors, The Unwanted is a testament to the courage and resilience of the refugees and a call to action for all those who read.

This book recently won an award for excellence in young adult nonfiction, and it definitely deserves it. The story is moving and compelling. Brown’s focus on the stories of the refugee experience, instead of on the incredibly complex politics that surround the reasons why so many refugees are fleeing Syria, helps keep the focus where it should be--on the extreme human toll that is charged with any war. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand the Syrian refugee crisis a little better, and for anyone who enjoys graphic novels about complex real-life stories such as March, Maus, or Persepolis.

MB

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

The Tattooist of Auschwitz
by Heather Morris
Harper, 2018, 262 pages, Historical Fiction

This beautiful, illuminating tale of hope and courage is based on interviews that were conducted with Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau prisoner Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov. As a Jew sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp fairly early-on in the war, Lale is assigned the relatively cushy task of tattooing all of the incoming prisoners. Lale uses the leverage of this elevated position to help those he can, buying food from locals in the surrounding area and smuggling it in to other prisoners. He also meets a beautiful fellow prisoner named Gita, and learns to find hope for the future through his love for her.

Stories that take place during World War II are easy to find, but one of the appeals of this story for me was that it is largely based on an actual person’s experience of being a prisoner at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. In order to survive, every day Lale must ask himself difficult questions like: What would you do to others in order to preserve your own life? When can you afford to help people and when can you not? When you make decisions like these, are you complicit in crimes that you abhor? I wonder if the answers for some of these questions would have different answers if they happened today.

While this book asks hard questions, it’s also a book of love, hope and courage. This book is a great addition to the growing list of excellent World War II fiction out there.

I listened to the audiobook since it’s narrated by one of my favorite audiobook narrators, Richard Armitage, and his reading skill does not disappoint.

MB

Monster Hunter Vendetta

Monster Hunter Vendetta
by Larry Correia
Baen Books, 2010, 656 pgs. Sci Fi

Owen Zastava Pitt has faced werewolves, zombies, and a pack of man eating chupacabras but nothing compares to planning a wedding and trying to figure out how to introduce your fiancé to your family. Everything goes helter skelter when the Immortals put a ransom on Pitt’s head and they will use whomever they need to get their hands on him. The gloves come off when the Shadowman attacks his family and Pitt will have to face a whole lot more than zombies to keep those he loves alive.

I am really enjoying reading this series. Who knew I am not a B-rated horror films fan but I really enjoy the banter between all of the characters as they kick supernatural butt. The plot had me on the edge of my seat and “Oh my gosh” when you find out who Agent Franks is!!! I really had a lot of fun reading this book.

MH

The Blue Sword

The Blue Sword
 by Robin McKinley
Puffin Books, 2000, 272 pgs, Young Adult.

“Harry” makes the long journey to the desert to live with Sir Charles and Lady Amelia ,her elder brother’s benefactors, after her parents death. While there she is a witness of a strange encounter with the king of the Free Hillfolk who is trying to protect his people from invasion and comes seeking the help of the Outlanders. The Outlanders cannot help and so the king is compelled for reasons he does not entirely understand to kidnap Harry and take he with them on their journey, she is soon found to be invaluable to the camp and may change the future forever.

This is one of my absolute favorite books I love Harry’s personality and the friendships she makes along the way. I love her strength as she learns the ways of the Hillfolk and her force of personality as she confronts the king. I have loved this book since I was 12 and it gets better with every reading.

MH

Flocks

Flocks
by L. Nichols
Secret Acres, 2018. 332 pages. Graphic Novel

It can be hard to figure out where you "belong" in life. Imagine how much harder it would be if the community you've grown up in and loved considers who you are to be a perversion, a sin against God and nature. L. Nichols takes us on his  journey of self-discovery, from his conservative Christian upbringing, as a female, in Louisiana, through his struggle with his identity and all the "flocks" - friends, family, communities - which shaped him.

Of all the wonderful things about this book, I have to start by saying that L. Nichols' has an incredible talent for connecting emotionally through his art and storytelling. The art alone in this book is a wonder; neither the story nor the art overtakes the other, but balance to engage you not just as a reader, but as a confidante. No matter your background, you'll connect with and feel for  L. Rather, you'll feel with him, and I dare anyone to read this book and tell me they felt otherwise. FLOCKS is precisely what the doctor ordered for a world that's in dire need of opening its heart to the people it too often casts aside and ridicules.

MW

The Winter of the Witch: A Novel

The Winter of the Witch: A Novel 
by Katherine Arden
Del Rey, 2019. 372 pgs. Fantasy.

 This epic conclusion to the Winternight trilogy starts the day after the events at the end of The Girl in the Tower. Much of Moscow has burned, and Vasya finds herself alone in the hands of an angry mob that blames her for the fire. The Grand Prince is on a path that leads to war and ruin, a wicked demon is on the loose determined to spread chaos between men and chyerti, and the winter-king is nowhere to be found. Vasya is caught in the middle of the conflict between men and chyerti, the conflict between brothers, and the conflict between Rus and her enemies. As she desperately tries to save Rus, Morozko, and the chyerti she must come to understand her mother’s past and her own magic if she is to save anything at all.

I can’t express how much I loved this book! The writing is superb and the story is complex. Of the three books in this trilogy, I think this one is the best and it is certainly my favorite. I loved finally learning Vasya’s family background, I loved watching Vasya grow into her magic, and seeing her learn to understand the chyerti and her relationship to them. I highly recommend this series to anyone willing to read fantasy. The first book has a slow pace but it picks up in the next two and the story is well worth it.

 ER

Storm Siren

Storm Siren 
by Mary Weber
Thomas Nelson, 2014. 341 pgs. Young Adult Fiction.

Nym shouldn’t exist. Elementals, able to manipulate weather, are always born male and always killed at birth, but Nym is a 17-year-old female Elemental. When she is exposed as such at the slave auction, a court emissary sees her as a powerful weapon in the ongoing war and purchases her. While Nym is training to hone her abilities, time is running out for the kingdom. Nym may be all that stands between her country and destruction, but she must learn trust and control amid a growing number of difficult challenges before she will be able to save anything and even then it may not be enough.

My husband and I listened to this one on Libby, and we both enjoyed it. I like that the main character exhibits personal growth and gains some self-confidence throughout the course of the book. My husband really liked the magic system and how different abilities played into the story. This is a good book for those interested in young adult fantasy or dystopia genres. I especially think those that liked Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard will enjoy Storm Siren.

ER

The Beatles: The Biography

The Beatles: The Biography
By Bob Spitz
Little Brown, 2005. 983 pages. Biography

Though I am a big Beatles fan, I didn't have a good chronological understanding of their story, so I set out to find a good biography on them.  Rather than a simple recitation of the when and where and who of the Beatles saga, this biography brings their story to life, lending insight into how people were feeling throughout and adding color to their many remarkable experiences.  This book of course has its "take" on some events, but it isn't afraid to recount The Beatles' shortcomings while still acknowledging their genius.  In order to maintain a compelling narrative, this book can't cover everything - even a few major elements of the Beatles story aren't quite fully discussed.  Still, I definitely came down with some "Beatles-mania" while reading this and had to stop several times to listen to their songs, even though I've heard them probably a hundred times before.  The story ends with the break up of the Beatles, including a quick nod to things to come in future years, and even after 10 hours it felt like it was over a little too soon (which is a great metaphor for the Beatles themselves). I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator does a great job bringing the story to life, especially quotes from the Fab 4 themselves.

BHG

Handmade Houseplants

Handmade Houseplants

by Corrie Beth Hogg

Timber Press, 2018. 298 pgs. Nonfiction

Learn how to make realistic plants from paper in this debut book. There are instructions at the beginning for the various techniques and materials used, as well as details for each project. These include tools, materials, and finished size. There are cutting and painting templates included, some of which do need enlargement. There are 30 different plants included with colors ranging from light green to pink and purple.

I am moving soon and want to add some greenery to my house. However, I am very bad at keeping plants alive, and thought that paper might be a good alternative. There are over 70 pages of instructions at the beginning, which felt a little overwhelming, but once I got into the individual projects, it was easy to find specific ones that I liked and only focus on those materials and techniques. I especially liked the variety of colors, sizes, and shapes that were included. I felt that some plants looked more realistic than others, but overall the book felt comprehensive and makes me want to try at least a few of the plants.

TT

The Bird and the Blade

The Bird and the Blade
By Megan Bannen
Balzer + Bray, 2018. 416 pages. Young Adult

Set in the Mongol Empire around the 12th century, Jinghua is a young slave with a secret past in the Kipchak Khanate. She swears to serve young Prince Khalaf, but when invaders force Khalaf and his father out of their homeland and out of power, Khalaf believes the only course forward is to pursue a marriage with Turandokht, daughter of the Great Kahn. However Turandokht has no desire to wed, and has devised a challenge of three near impossible riddles. If a suitor can solve all three riddles she will agree to marriage, but failure means death. Jinghua strives to help Khalaf, but her feelings for him grow, and as her past unwinds her loyalties will be called into question.

The setting of this book is what made me pick it up to begin with, but the amazing characters and plot made me fall in love with it. The story unfolds over time as the perspective alternates between past and present, making for some massive revelations as the story progresses. This book is based on the Puccini’s opera, Turnadot, but changes the focus from Turnadokht and Khalaf to Jinghua. While I loved this book, you may want to read it with tissues nearby.

ACS

Code Girls

Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers Who Helped Win World War II
by Liza Mundy
Hachette Books, 2017. 416 pages. Nonfiction

The Allied forces of World War II owed much of their success, if not most of it, to the throngs of young American women who served in the U.S. Army and Navy as code-breakers. As their work demanded the utmost secrecy, their story and efforts remained all but unknown until recent declassification of World War II records. Including thorough research and interviews, readers will learn the history of women's involvement in American military, how "code girls" were recruited, their invaluable work in breaking Axis codes, and their camaraderie with their sisters-at-arms.

I love me some history, especially when I get to learn something new about a time/event I feel familiar with, and even more especially when it involves women. I loved learning about the evolution of military code-breaking in America, how societal notions of the time influenced leaders to seek out women for this important work, and the tremendous sacrifice those women made to turn the tide of WWII. This book was so well-researched, and it's clear that Mundy's research was fueled with passion for the subject. I loved how Mundy included insight into the personal lives of several women; their characters popped up throughout the book as insight into what life was like for them as well as when code-breaking victories could be attributed to their individual efforts. My favorite "character" was Dottie! I also loved reading about the group of librarians recruited who upon arrival in Washington DC, disgusted by the disorder of the records, dug into the mess and built a organization system from scratch (hail librarians!). This is a great read for fans of HIDDEN FIGURES and WWII history.

MW

Batman: White Knight

Batman: White Knight
by Sean Gordon Murphy
DC Black Label, 2018. 323 pages. Graphic Novel

Bruce Wayne has always done what it takes to be the hero Gotham City needs, even if it means tapping into his darker nature. But lately Batman lingers more and more in darkness, and one fateful encounter with the Joker leaves Batgirl, Nightwing, and even Commissioner Gordon and the whole of Gotham questioning if the Dark Knight is any kind of hero at all...if ever. And Joker is more than happy to show them how...by giving them a White Knight: Jack Rapier.

Iconic. Epic. Gripping. Flawless. There are not words enough to describe how fantastic this book is. This is the ultimate Batman comic, right up there with THE KILLING JOKE. Maybe...dare I say...even better than THE KILLING JOKE (gasp!) This book has everything. You've got the killer dynamics of Joker vs. Batman which makes for great stories alone, but used to examine Batman's character, methods, and legacy - and it's incredible! Don't miss out!

MW

Mercy Thompson: Homecoming

Mercy Thompson: Homecoming
by Patricia Briggs
Ballantine Books. 2009. 112 pgs. Graphic Novels

Have you ever wondered what life was like for Mercy when she first moved to the Tri Cities? Mercy has just graduated college and wants to find a teaching position in the Tri Cities and she is having a hard time because the school values someone who can coach sports more than how well they teach history to their students. And in true Mercy like fashion she got in way over her head within hours of showing up in town.

So I am slowly easing my way into the world of graphic novels. It is such a different story telling mechanic than the traditional way books are presented. I loved the way the art conveys the emotion and the setting without having a long explanation. Personally I loved imagining the characters more than seeing them on the page but I thought they tied in a lot of the set up information presented in other books really nicely.

MH

Ty Cobb: A Terrible Beauty

Ty Cobb: A Terrible Beauty
By Charles Leerhsen
New York : Simon & Schuster, 2015. 449 pages.

An authoritative, reliable and compelling biography of perhaps the most significant and controversial player in baseball history, Ty Cobb, drawing in part on newly discovered letters and documents.

This biography forces the reader to push aside any previous notion they had of Ty Cobb. Known as an overly aggressive man on and off the field, as a racist, and a hater of women and children, Ty Cobb continues to create enemies long after his death. Leerhsen's travels to Cobb's home state of Georgia and also to Detroit (home of the Detroit Tigers, the ball club he belonged to) brings forth brilliant research that challenges the Ty Cobb we think we know. His inquiries and findings are balanced, therefore Ty Cobb is neither seen as saint or sinner, but simply as a man.

In addition to enlightening the reader about Cobb, Leerhsen also educates the reader about the game of baseball that was played during Cobb's lifetime. I believe that this knowledge greatly enhances the reading experience. My one critique is that the book has a bit of a disorganized feel at times due to the fact that the reader is often jumping back and forth between different people, places, and events. I hope anyone even slightly familiar with Ty Cobb will give this book a chance and find out if they truly know Ty Cobb.

NS 

Long Journey Home

Long Journey Home
By Sarah M. Eden
Mirror Press, 2018. 363 pgs. Romance

Maura O'Connor became a war widow at a young age and struggled to raise her son in the slums of New York. That life has taken a toll on both of them and finally, out of desperation, she moves them both to the small western town of Hope Springs. She hasn't had contact with her late husband's family for ten years, but she hopes that they will accept her son and give him the family and stability he needs. Ryan Callahan has been working the land that belonged to the late Granny Claire for years, with the hopes that he could one day buy the land and move himself and his mother out of his brother's house. Granny Claire's home is unexpectedly given to a young widow and her son and his dreams of owning his own land become uncertain. Both Maura and Ryan desperately need the home and the land, but only one of them will be able to keep it.

This is the fourth book in the Hope Springs series. I liked that I finally got to learn Maura's story. She is mentioned briefly in previous books but this definitely filled in a lot of details. Sarah Eden is one of my favorite authors. I love how she deepens her characters through each additional book in the series.

AL

The Long Walk

The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom
By Slavomir Rawicz
Lyons Press, 1997. 242 pages. Nonfiction

Rawicz was a Polish Army lieutenant who the Soviets claimed was a spy, and was imprisoned after the German-Soviet invasion of Poland. Escape seemed impossible, but life in a Siberian Gulag camp was unbearable, so he and six other prisoners made a daring escape. To get to the safety of British India, they walked out of Siberia, through China, the Gobi Desert, Tibet, and over the Himalayas. As they marched thousands of miles by foot, hunger, thirst, illness, wounds, and death marked their journey.

This is an incredible tale of endurance and teamwork. There has been a lot of controversy over the validity of Rawicz’s account, and while there are passages that seem quite unbelievable, I also know that truth can be stranger than fiction. Whether this story really is an honest account, entirely fictional, or a combination of the two, I’m not qualified to judge, but I do know it’s powerful, moving, and an incredible testament to the human spirit.

ACS

Dry

Dry

By Neal Shusterman

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2018. 390 pages. Young Adult.

In Southern California, when residents are asked to stop watering lawns and filling up swimming pools, no one expects the drought will last for too long. When the taps run dry, everyone assumes they’ll be back on soon, that someone is going to take care of the problem. As it starts to become apparent that this is not the case, as neighbors begin to turn on each other, and people’s humanity is replaced with fear and desperation, it may already be too late to leave. Faced with few options and fewer resources when their parents don’t return from a trek to a promised water station, teenage Alyssa and her younger brother must decide what drastic or dangerous actions they are willing to take to survive.

I deeply enjoy my apocalyptic tales with a side of realism and this one felt totally plausible considering some water crises that have been in the news in recent years and the rumored shortages that may be imminent. While it is a little less realistic that the teens in this novel are as resourceful and knowledgeable as they are described, it’s easy to suspend that disbelief because the storytelling and world building is that good- and listening to the audiobook with fantastic narrators was a treat as well. This book made me reconsider the running time of my showers and spurred me to stock up on emergency essentials, with plenty of water!

RC

The Belles

The Belles

By Dhonielle Clayton

Freeform Books, 2018. 434 pages. Young Adult.

The Belles are women born with a magical power to change the way people look, to make them physically beautiful, which is revered above all else in the world of Orleans. While any imaginable transformation is possible, Belles are brought up to follow strict rules, and laws are in place to prevent certain dramatic or unsafe trends or transformations. There are those who push these boundaries and desire to use the Belles’ power for their own personal gain at the expense of others. When one of those people is royalty, can a Belle continue to do her duty to beautify as commanded, when what is asked of her conflicts with own moral compass, the law, and may bring a great evil into power?

While there is no shortage of YA books that question societal beauty norms and the dangers that can come from a fixation on appearance, this one adds to that narrative in ways that didn’t feel played out or repetitive. There were plenty of twists and turns that helped the story feel fresh and characters with questionable motives who kept me, and the Belles, wondering who they could trust. This is the first book in a series and I am looking forward to revisiting the world of Orleans to find out what happens next when the second book is released later this year.

RC