Year of Yes

Year of Yes 
By Shonda Rhimes

Simon & Schuster, 2015. 311 pgs. Nonfiction

Shonda Rhimes is the creator of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Scandal". In this book she tells about the year she realized she was saying "no" to almost everything in her life. She hadn't really realized how unhappy she was. She decided that for one year she would say yes to opportunities that presented themselves. She didn't fully anticipate the far reaching effect this decision would have on her life and how the momentum of a few "yes's" would carry over into other areas of her life. She also talked about how some of the experiences terrified her to death, but she went through with it anyway and was glad that she did. 

This was a great book to read at the beginning of a new year. I have to be honest and say that I've never watched any of the shows Shonda Rhimes created, but it was fun to hear some of the behind the scenes details. I listened to this book on Libby and it felt like I was sitting down with a friend for some helpful advice. I also enjoyed that she shared the actual audio of some of the speeches she gave. The way she writes, and repeats certain phrases, probably would have bothered me if I was trying to read the physical book so I'm glad I listened to it. This book encouraged me to evaluate my own life and see if there are some areas that I could start saying "Yes" more often.  

AL

Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel

Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel 

by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Danica Novgorodoff 

Atheneum, 2020. 208 pgs. Young Adult Graphic Novels 

Will’s older brother, Shawn, has just been shot and his grief might overwhelm him. But, in Will’s neighborhood, there are THE RULES: No. 1: Crying. Don’t. No matter what. No. 2: Snitching. Don’t. No matter what. No. 3: Revenge. Do. No matter what. The morning following his brother’s murder, Will is on his way to get revenge on the person he thinks killed his brother when a 60-second elevator ride changes his life. He is reminded that bullets can miss. They can hit the wrong person. You can get the wrong guy. And there is always someone else who knows to follow the rules. 

This is a heart-wrenching story about one boy’s struggle to come to terms with his brother’s death and how he’s been taught to react a certain way. Much of the lyrical language from the original book is present, although it has been edited to fit the graphic style. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, with an incredible lever of detail, and the use of watercolors conveys the mood and setting perfectly. This is a deeply-moving tale about teen gun violence, and will appeal to both new readers and Reynolds’ fans. This is more than a simple retelling, but is a poignant adaptation that stands on its own. 

TT

You Are Not So Smart

You Are Not So Smart: Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You're Deluding Yourself
By David McRaney
Gotham Books, 2011. 302 pages. Nonfiction

McRaney uses studies and research to illustrate ways that we as humans can be not so smart sometimes.  There are a great many logical fallacies and failures of reasoning pointed out here, all things that even the best of us fall victim to from time to time.  This is an interesting study of human behavior and a humorous ego check to boot.  Recommended for fans of popular science and humor.

BHG

Blood Countess

Blood Countess

By Lana Popovic

Harry N. Abrams, 2020. 293 pages. Young Adult

Anna is intelligent, driven, and struggling to figure out her place in the world with limited options. After a chance meeting, Anna catches the attention of the young Countess Elizabeth Báthory, an incredible opportunity for Anna to provide for her struggling family. Anna is drawn to the charismatic Elizabeth, who seems a kindred spirit who is just as invested in their friendship despite their differences in fortune and class. But the outwardly-charming countess is hiding a dark side, and her friendship comes at a high cost. Alone and trapped, Anna tries to mitigate Elizabeth's abuses and rationalize away her violent whims, but can she see Elizabeth for what she truly is before it's too late?

You've probably heard of Dracula, but less known and far more deadly was the Countess Elizabeth Báthory who lived in Hungary in the late 16th century, sometimes called Countess Dracula or Blood Countess. While the exact number of her victims is unknown, she is still regarded as the most prolific female murder - to this day. This atmospheric and spellbinding historical fiction-horror gives readers a front-row seat to her dark deeds through the eyes of Anna, a teenage village midwife. Horror abounds; Elizabeth's sadistic disregard for human life is enough to chill you to the bone, but the subtlety with which she manipulates and traps Anna in a toxic and domineering "friendship" is the stuff of nightmares. While more seasoned horror or crime thriller fans might find this book a bit tame, readers wary of guts and gore will likely find it enough without being too much.

MW

The Weight of Ink

The Weight of Ink
by Rachel Kadish

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017. 561 pages. Historical Fiction

When a soon-to-be-retired university professor in London is called to assess a hidden cache of ancient papers, she begins a search to discover the identity of the scribe known only as "Aleph." Blending history and fiction seamlessly between London of the 1660s and the 21st century, the quest to discover who wrote the letters is interspersed with desire and the struggle of mortality across centuries.

The writing is truly phenomenal, which made the frequent switching between voices and time-periods easy to follow without feeling like anything was added just for fluff. All the story and mystery does a lovely job illustrating the struggle of humanizing history, especially when confronted with the distance of time. Contemplative, with a balance between introspective moments and an emotionally driven story, The Weight of Ink builds soul-searching moments into a depth that stayed well after reading the last page.

AS

Anxious People

Anxious People

by Fredrik Backman

Atria Books, 2020, 341 pages, General Fiction

A bank robber’s escape plan is foiled when he takes the wrong door out of the building, and ends up accidentally holding eight strangers hostage. But when the police finally enter the building, the bank robber has vanished, leaving only a bloodstain on the floor. As the police interview the hostages to get leads on the bank robber’s whereabouts, they become more and more frustrated. It’s hard to figure out what happened when the only witnesses are eight anxious people who had a hard day. 

Fredrik Backman excels at writing stories that are a bit quirky, but that also hit right at the core of common human worries and anxieties. Although all of the characters in this story are more over-the-top than those featured in Backman’s other books, they all have moments when their true fears and desires are revealed. Personally, I loved this mixture of absurdity and heart, and found myself laughing aloud one minute, then sighing in sympathy the next.

This story is mostly told in non-sequential order, which allows the reader to get a better idea of each character's background story, but also keeps the reader, along with the police, in the dark as to what actually happened until the very end.  Because of this, the plot takes some interesting and unexpected turns, which ends to a satisfying conclusion for everyone.

MB

Displacement

Displacement 

by Lucy Kinsley 

Fantagraphic Books, 2015. 156 pages. Graphic Novel. 

When Lucy’s aging grandparents book a cruise through their retirement home, the Knisley family is anxious about the elderly couple going alone. Young, and recently single, Lucy volunteers to act as caretaker to her physically and mentally ailing “grands.” Lucy confronts her feelings about her grandparents’ failing health, and juxtaposes the current reality of her elderly grandfather with excerpts of his memoirs of serving in WWII. 

Fans of Knisley’s Relish will find a lot to love here—her illustrations are just so positive and they seem to perfectly capture the essence of life’s ups and downs. In some ways, this is a hard read because Knisley’s frustration and anxiety during this trip are perfectly captured. Readers that have experienced the trials of caring for aging loved ones will find a lot to relate to. While this memoir is not as universal in its appeal as Relish, it is still a very accessible and enjoyable memoir about travel, family, and love. 

ALL

Ready Player Two

Ready Player Two

by Ernest Cline

Ballantine Books, 2020. 377 pages. Fiction

Wade Watts won the greatest video game ever created. For a few days, he has time to bask in the glory of his hard-earned wealth and fame. But then a new piece of technology is discovered in the vaults of Gregarious Games Inc. that could once again change life as he knows it. This new tech is wildly popular, but also puts people at the mercy of virtual reality. Almost immediately a new adversary takes over the Oasis and Wade is once again called upon to save humanity.

This is a fun sequel to the super popular Ready Player One. There are new bad guys to outsmart, new clues to find and decipher, and a whole new world to explore. It is interesting to see how the top four, Wade, Ache, Art3mis, and Shoto all respond to having wealth beyond reasoning. Art3mis, Samantha, is still determined to help the troubled world outside the Oasis. Shoto and Ache become interested in the business side of Gregarious Games, but Wade is kind of lost.  He alienates those most important to him and must learn how to deal with people in real life, not just in virtual reality. There is enough new content about the characters that this book is worth the read, but fans of Cline may feel like they have been through this all before. This book will appeal to those searching for a book with adventure, interpersonal relationships, and mind-bending views of reality. 

AGP

Rebecca

 

Rebecca 

by Daphne du Maurier 

Doubleday, 1938. 380 pages. Fiction. 

 This classic novel of romantic suspense begins with our young, unnamed heroine in Monte Carlo. Here she meets the mysterious Maxim de Winter, widowed within the last year, trying to evade the memory of his late wife Rebecca. After a whirlwind romance, quiet wedding, and honeymoon abroad, our young heroine, the new Mrs. de Winter, accompanies her husband to his grand estate of Manderley. As Mrs. de Winter learns more about the late mistress of the house, she feels more and more inadequate to fill her new role, feelings that are generously helped along by the sinister housekeeper who is unnaturally devoted to the memory of Rebecca. 

 The first part of this book is rather slow, but once you get to the party the story really gets moving and has interesting twists and turns. The writing is very atmospheric and has a gothic, ghostly feel to it. The whole estate is haunted by the memory of Rebecca, she put her mark on everything from the house and the staff, to the grounds and the surrounding neighbors. The poor protagonist feels constantly compared and found wanting to her predecessor, a feeling she struggles with throughout most of the story. This book would make a great discussion novel, especially in contrasting the personalities of the two Mrs. de Winters and how they managed the social roles they were expected to fill.

ER

How to Hang a Witch

How to Hang a Witch

by Adriana Mather 

Knopf Books, 2016. 368 pages. Young Adult 

After moving from New York to Salem with her stepmother,15-year-old Samantha Mather finds herself ostracized from many in town due to her ancestor being Cotton Mather, one of the men responsible for the infamous witch trails. Sam becomes the enemy of a group of girls who call themselves the Descendants because their ancestors were some of the witches that were hung by Cotton. To add to her problems, she befriends a rather handsome and angry ghost who helps her as they discover she is tied to ancient curse affecting anyone attached to the trials. Her only hope is to work with ghost and the Descendants before it is too late.

 I really enjoyed this book.  It was a great read to have during October and the author did the audio narration and did an amazing job. The Salem witch trials are so fascinating and I liked how the author tied the trails into bullying and how some of the practices from that tragic time are still in practice today. The characters were well thought out and the twists and turns of the story made it easy to want to keep turning the page. I highly recommend this book! 

ME

Scars Like Wings

Scars Like Wings
By Erin Stewart
Delacorte Press, 2019. 376 pages. Young Adult

Sixteen-year-old Ava is left severely disfigured after a house fire claims the lives of her parents and cousin. Now she lives with her aunt and uncle, and after a lot of counseling and trips to the burn unit, her aunt and uncle decide it’s time for Ava to return to high school, to try and regain some semblance of “normal.” Except, Ava knows there will never be a return to normal, not with how she looks. She agrees to give it a week, and in that time Ava meets Piper, a fellow survivor. Together, they work through the trauma—both physical and emotional—that both sets them apart and brings them together. 

There is a lot of emotion packed into this book. It clearly evokes the fears, hopes, and awkwardness that are pretty relatable to most people who have been through high school. The characters are well developed, with their own stories to cope with and grow from. Ava’s journey, from a popular and talented musical theater star to a burn survivor hiding from the world, is raw and thought-provoking. Often, we have a warped view of ourselves, and this is especially true for Ava. I found her story incredibly moving, and would easily recommend this for those who feel like they struggle to fit in, and those learning to cope with loss. 

ACS

The Blade Itself

The Blade Itself
by Joe Ambercrombie
Orbit, 2015. 542 pages. Fantasy.

Magic is leeching from the world, or so Ambercrombie writes as he introduces us to a new fantasy world where no one can be trusted and nothing is what you'd expect. The Union, a kingdom where everyone is born into their place in the world with nobles and commoners and merchants, becomes embroiled in a war with the Gurkals of the South and King Bethod in the North. All the while, conflict with an ancient evil millennia in the making is just about to get started. Without magic or a true understanding of history, the main 3 characters of the book find that they must face an evil few men understand, or war will be the least of the worlds problems. The Blade Itself follows 3 major characters and the story of how they get roped into the fight to save the world. Logan Nine-Fingers, a barbarian from the north whose bloody history defined the shaping of a kingdom, escapes a supernatural evil in order to answer the call of world's oldest (and literally the first) Magi. Captain Jezal dan Luthar, a selfish, self-absorbed nobleman, who's constantly forced into situations he would rather avoid by people who are far smarter than him. And Inquisitor San dan Glokta, a man who survived being tortured about a mile past the edge of his life and who now tortures others in service to his king.

The Blade Itself brings together political intrigue, the corruption of governments and history, and the classic gathering of heroes to fight the storm of an ancient evil, and does so without providing us any hope that things will get better. That might sound like a bad thing, but Ambercrombie does such a good job of making us root for morally grey characters that despite a future outlook that appears grim and dark, we want to watch these characters go through the process of trying to save the world. For those that like classic fantasy by David Eddings or Terry Brooks, but want a darker world where any character that is "good" must compromise their definition of "good" to survive (à la A Song of Ice and Fire) this book (and this trilogy) is for you.

The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea

by T.J. Klune

Tor, 2020, 398 page, Fantasy

As a case worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, Linus spends his days inspecting orphanages for children with magical abilities. Known for his detached reporting style, Linus is charged by Extremely Upper Management with a highly classified assignment—look into the running of Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six of the most magical and highly dangerous orphans reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. The orphanage is run by the enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who may be hiding his own secrets.

Although Linus was told to be wary of the orphanage’s inhabitants, the longer he spends at Marsyas Island, the more he struggles with maintaining the distance required to do his job. How does one keep an objective outlook when the place you’ve been assigned to investigate starts to feel like home?

This book is funny, charming, and just plain great. I couldn’t wait to pick it up at the end of a long day. Readers can’t help but fall for all of the characters who live at Marsyas Island Orphanage, who all have varied abilities and interests that keeps the plot turning in wonderful and unexpected ways.

Klune’s writing style is a mixture of charm and humor that veers between witty and sarcastic, which meant that as I read this book, I kept thinking of another favorite: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. While both books feature a child Antichrist and two great male protagonists, it’s really the writing style that makes these books a good match for each other. But you don’t have to be a fan of Good Omens to love The House in the Cerulean Sea. This book will charm you whether you want to be charmed or not.

All Hearts Come Home for Christmas

 

All Hearts Come Home For Christmas

By Sarah Eden, Anita Stansfield, Esther Hatch & Joanna Barker

Covenant Communications, 2019. 290 pgs. Romance

This is a wonderful collection of Regency Christmas short stories. I'll be honest that the only reason I picked this up is because Sarah Eden is one of my favorite authors and I noticed she had a short story in this collection. I loved that her story returned to Falstone Castle and the Lancaster family. I liked getting a brief but deeper look into their family. I was pleasantly surprised by "Tis the Season to be Daring" by Esther Hatch. I loved this story. The main characters had such great banter, the plot was fun and unique, and I enjoyed it so much. 

This collection of short stories was perfect for the Christmas season. The stories were long enough to get to know the characters but short enough that I could fit them into my crazy Christmas schedule. This would be great for anyone looking for a collection of feel good Christmas romance. The best thing is that they can be read any time of the year.

AL

We Are Not Free

We Are Not Free
By Traci Chee
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020. 384 pages. Young Adult 

Fourteen Japanese-American teens who grew up in Japantown, San Francisco, have their lives dramatically changed shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. They’re imprisoned in relocation camps, and while some look for hope and opportunities, everyone struggles with the discouragement, racism, and abuse that now permeates their lives. Some teens will be released, some will go to war, and yet others will be imprisoned until the camps are closed. Despite everything, these 14 friends must rally together when everything else threatens to pull them apart. 

This was an incredibly moving book, made all the more impactful because of the 14 distinct backstories and personalities. It’s a stark reminder that people in similar circumstances can have vastly different reactions to those circumstances. This book is just as much about the setting as it is the people. A portion is based here in Utah, around the Topaz War Relocation Center. While I haven’t been to the site myself, now a museum, the evocative detail will color any future visits I might make. 

There’s a lot of great WWII fiction available, but this one stands out among the rest. Recommended for anyone who appreciated Samira Ahmed’s INTERNMENT, or George Takei’s THEY CALLED US ENEMY. 

ACS

Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World

Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World

By Brooke McAlary

Sourcebooks, Inc., 2018. 262 pages. Nonfiction

Memoir-esque and meditative, Slow: Simple Living for a Frantic World examines the different activities present in modern day life and shows how to maximize our time with the things that really matter. By presenting great techniques and insights into what it means to be content, readers will find simple solutions for achieving a simplified modern life. This book combines lovely photography and design with engaging storytelling, outlining not only the benefits of slowing life down, but the ways we can begin to anchor life in meaning and intention. 

This is a surprisingly thorough book about all the tiny ways we trade calmness for clutter, either by physical things or situations that eat up our emotional, mental, and physical stamina. While McAlary presents everything in a step-by-step way, she also owns that the process of simplifying and incorporating mindfulness into any life is more of a meandering path, and includes personal anecdotes and plans for those inevitable slides into previous habits. Overall, Slow is a perfect book for those who are looking for actionable ideas to shed distractions and to better focus on the moments you live in.

AS 

A Promised Land

A Promised Land
By Barack Obama
Crown, 2020. 751 pages. Biography

Former President Barack Obama sat down to write his memoir and thought he might be able to sum everything up in about 500 pages.  700+ pages later, we have Volume 1, which covers his early political career, campaign for president, and first four years in office. The most momentum of the book occurs during his decisions to run for office and the whirlwind campaign trail, culminating in an historic election.  The second half of the book gives way to description of challenges facing his first four years in office, and while this half is somewhat slower as he can't resist outlining much of the complexity of the challenges that he faced, it is interesting as political power struggles can sometimes be, and always underscored by his values and a sense of the responsibility he carried.  I was surprised at how honestly he described many behind-the-scenes experiences, both positive and negative, and many small but interesting details were included about what life is like as a president, how it can be both surreal and bizarre.

 

Obama certainly did seem to inspire a lot of people, and his election seemed a phenomenon that surprised him as much as anyone.  Outside of platforms and politics, he was a president who cared deeply, and who cared enough to try to understand even the most complex issues the best that he could.  Overall, this is a fascinating look at a figure who inspired both hope and vitriol.

 

BHG

Is This Anything?

Is This Anything?
by Jerry Seinfeld
Simon & Schuster, 2020. 470 pages. Nonfiction

Seinfeld has collected his material from many decades in comedy and published them here for you to enjoy.  Chronologically arranged, the "bits" are prefaced by some details of what was happening in his life at the time, and how that colored his work.  If you are familiar with his early material, you will find it repeated here, but his newer material is a fun reflection of modern living.

I have always enjoyed Seinfeld's comedy, and this audiobook, read by the author, didn't disappoint.  I laughed out loud several times as I listened. This might be a good antidote to any blues you might have this winter.

BHG

Mexican Gothic

Mexican Gothic 

By Silvia Moreno-Garcia 

Del Rey, 2020. 301 pages. Fiction 

In 1950s Mexico, Noemi’s life as a glamorous debutante is filled with chic gowns, bright red lipstick, cigarettes, and men. Until she receives a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her from her new mysterious home, High Place. Noemi must travel to the deep Mexican countryside, where she encounters her cousin’s menacing and alluring husband, the ancient patriarch who is fascinated with blood lines, and the inhospitable house that is invade Noemi’s dreams with blood and doom. What happened in the past to fill the house with violence, madness, and death, and will Noemi be able to save herself and her cousin from the horrors and mysteries that surround High Place? 

Noemi is an unlikely hero, but her courage, determination, and smarts made her an interesting and compelling character. Once again, Moreno-Garcia’s writing crosses genres to create a historical fiction, gothic thriller, a dark mystery, and a psychedelic tale all rolled into one intense story. The writing and details are expansive and intimate, and draw the reader into the mystery of High Place and the bizarre history surrounding its family. I would recommend this for anyone who enjoys historical fantasy, dark fantasy, or gothic fiction. 

TT

Becoming RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Journey to Justice

Becoming RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Journey to Justice 

by Debbie Levy 

Simon & Schuster 2019. 207 pages. Graphic Novel. 

Modern feminist icon and supreme court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s life is summarized and celebrated in this accessible graphic novel for young readers. Ruth’s accomplishments for gender equality happened one step at a time, just as she evolved slowly from a good student that questioned unfairness to a law student that challenged societal norms of the time. Despite many obstacles, she persisted and became a force for change in the justice system. 

This is a quick read for any RBG fan, and a great introduction to Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s contributions to gender equality. Her major cases are summed up and easy to understand, and anyone will appreciate Ginsburg’s no-nonsense approach to fair and equal treatment. 

ALL

Shine

Shine
By Jessica Jung
Simon & Schuster BFYR, 2020. 346 pages. Young Adult

When Rachel Kim is recruited by one of Korea’s top K-pop labels, her family moves their lives from New York to Korea so that Rachel can become a trainee, and hopefully, debut one day in a K-pop group. Yet, due to the fierce competition and cattiness of the other female trainees, her life is more difficult than she imagined. When Rachel starts to fall for one of Korea’s top idols, the careful balance she has created in her life starts to wobble. She must decide what lengths she will go to make her dreams come true.

Rachel wants nothing more than to debut as a K-pop idol, and while she has the talent, she freezes in front of the cameras. It’s made it difficult for her to progress, and the bullying of her fellow trainees just adds to the stresses in her life. As a character I feel like Rachel is quite strong to withstand all that she does, but even she gets to a point when she’s struggling. It’s relatable for anyone who has put on a brave face while struggling. The author, Jessica Jung, went through the process of training and becoming a K-pop idol, so the peak behind the scenes of the glittery K-pop world feels authentic, and heavily influenced by her insider knowledge. This looks to be the first in a series, so I’m eager to see what happens to the characters next. Recommended for fans of K-pop, especially those who liked K-POP CONFIDENTIAL.

ACS

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts
by Nancy Campbell Allen

Shadow Mountain, 2020. 308 pages. Romance                   

                                       

Activist Emme O'Shea has been chosen to speak at an important summit in Scotland regarding shifter rights. But when a death threat arrives she is placed in protective custody. Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed, who is all too familiar with Miss O'Shea and her antics, has been assigned to guard Emme and to escort her to the summit before midnight on the last night. But getting her there safely will be a challenge, especially when the two of them realize they might be falling in love with each other.   

I loved going back into this world that Nancy Campbell Allen has created. It has all you could want - fairytales, steampunk, and paranormal. This book is the Cinderella story with the main characters having a rocky relationship at the start because of their respective positions. But once they put that behind them an adorable love story unfurls. The story keeps your attention has you reaching for the next page. Emmeline and Oliver have such great banter with each other that it makes you sigh and laugh at the same time. You do not need to read the previous books in order to understand and enjoy this story but, for those that do, it is fun to see the characters from the previous books. I both listened to the audio and read the book. The narrator for the audio does a remarkable job. 

ME

Elemental Haiku

Elemental Haiku: Poems to Honor the Periodic Table, Three Lines at a Time
By Mary Soon Lee
Ten Speed Press, 2019. 131 pages. Poetry

A set of 119 haiku for each of the elements of the periodic table, these creative and witty poems are paired with imaginative line drawing on each page. The accompanying notes on each page explain how every square on the table relates to everyday life, pulling from astronomy, biology, history, physics, and (of course) chemistry. These brief, structured poems present the wonders of the universe in a very accessible and light format as science and art combine beautifully.

With a background in chemistry, I loved this quick, fun read. But don't fret if you haven't studied science since high school: you'll find a bite-sized chunk of science and history on each page that doesn't come across as pedantic. A perfect book for reading aloud or just contemplating quietly while you relax, Elemental Haiku would make a great gift for the science nerd in your life.

DT

A Deadly Education: A Novel

A Deadly Education: A Novel
by Naomi Novik
Del Rey, 2020. 320 pages. Science Fiction

Trapped in the Scholomance, a deadly version of Hogwarts without adult supervision, El is seriously considering turning into a soul-sucking sorceress solely to keep Orion Lake from saving her life. Again. But despite the temptation of ending Orion’s knight-in-shining armor routine permanently, El struggles against the assumptions of her fellow students and even the school itself to retain her humanity and resist her destiny as a world-destroying villainess. Naomi Novik brings El to life as the snarling, unlikely heroine who is simply doing her best not to kill everyone around her.

I love Naomi Novik’s Uprooted, which has a strong leading character that doesn’t seem to fit in, as well. But what I especially love about A Deadly Education is that the Scholomance acts as both setting and character--a magical school that is both protector, teacher, and enemy. Seamless and spectacular, each page turn blends into the next until you find yourself at the last sentence and absolutely not ready for the book to end. Readers who are looking for a unique fantasy world to dive into that is filled with both humor and horror will find A Deadly Education impossible to put down.

AS

To Kill a Kingdom

 

To Kill a Kingdom 

by Alexandra Christo 

Feiwel and Friends, 2018. 342 pages. YA Fiction, Fantasy 

Princess Lira, next in line for the siren throne, has been taught brutality by her mother for as long as she can remember and has the literal hearts of seventeen princes in her collection as a testament to her savagery. As punishment for breaking a fundamental rule her mother the Sea Queen transforms Lira into the thing sirens loathe most – a human, and tasks her with bringing back the heart of the prince that hunts their kind as the price to end her banishment. 

Prince and heir, Elian is more at home on his ship at sea than he ever has been in his own kingdom. His true calling is hunting the sirens that prey on humans, especially the one that preys exclusively on princes. When he rescues a drowning woman in the middle of the ocean with no other ships in sight, and she promises to help him find the key to ridding the sea of sirens, he realizes he can actually win this war. But can he trust her? 

 This is a dark story, both main characters categorize themselves as murderers, that is a loose retelling of The Little Mermaid. Much like Cinder by Marissa Meyer, it has elements of the fairy tale while still having its own unique storyline. The book is full of snark and banter, making it an easy and enjoyable read despite the dark premise. I especially enjoyed the character growth as Lira is puzzled by the loyalty of Elian’s crew, without the cruelty she was taught to associate with strong leadership. I would definitely recommend for those who enjoy fractured fairy tale retellings, or even just a good stand-alone ocean fantasy.

ER

Home Body

Home Body 

by Rupi Kaur 

Andrews McMeel, 2020. 188 pages. Poetry 

i dive into the well of my body

and end up in another world

everything i need

already exists in me

there’s no need

to look anywhere else

– home

New York Times bestselling poet is back with another book of illustrated poetry. In this collection, Kaur explores the past and present, and the healing that comes with accepting and loving one’s self. Kaur’s unique style is raw and honest, cutting right to the heart of issues such as self-acceptance, family, trauma, change, and healing. 

Fans of Kaur’s previous works will enjoy this work, with its familiar themes, same illustration style, and similar aesthetic. Her books would look great on a shelf together. Though this work isn’t quite the heart-wrenching masterpiece that is Milk and Honey, or the cheery and poignant collection that is The Sun and Her Flowers, this is nonetheless a solid collection from a beloved modern poet.

ALL

I'll Be the One

I’ll Be the One
by Lyla Lee
Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2020. Young Adult

Skye Shinn wants to be a K-pop star, singing and dancing her way into fame. She has the moves. She has the high notes. She has the sassy personality. The only thing she doesn’t have is the size 00 of a K-Pop star. Her entire life, her mother has told her the fat girls shouldn’t dance, or wear bright clothes, or be on television. But Skye wants to prove her and all the other haters wrong, so she auditions for an American K-pop competition called “You’re My Shining Star.” Everyone is surprised at her talent, but one judge is explicit that fat girls can’t make it in K-pop. But Skye only needs the votes of the two other judges and she is in! Skye soon becomes immersed in the auditions and meets amazing new friends and bumps into Mr. Henry Cho, himself. But, huge surprise, the glitzy Korean American star can actually dance and ends up becoming Skye’s dance partner. As the pressure of the competition builds, so do the sparks between Skye and Henry. But will Skye lose herself in the K-Pop culture and forget all the things she is fighting to prove?

This book was a hoot and a half. It’s charming. This feel good novel will have you rooting for Skye and her friends. There was one point I actually gasped out loud in. I flew through this book. The characters are relatable and everyone loves an underdog story. The book is also an #Ownvoices story, with culturally diverse characters and LGTBQIA diverse characters. But mostly it is RomCom that will melt your heart into a gooey pool of love. This book is for fans of Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’ and fans of reality shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” and “American Idol.”

AGP 

To Best the Boys

To Best the Boys

By Mary Weber

Thomas Nelson, 2019, 321 pages, Young Adult Fantasy/Adventure Fiction

Every year, the residents of Pinsbury Port are invited to a celebration at the mysterious Holm manor. While the townspeople enjoy food and entertainment, the town’s college-age boys compete in the Labyrinth—a magical maze set to test their abilities in multiple subjects. The winner of that maze receives a scholarship to the esteemed all-male Stemwick University.

Sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur dreams of becoming a scientist and helping her physician father find a cure for a horrible plague that’s making its way through the town’s poorer residents. Together with her cousin Seleni, the two girls disguise themselves as boys and enter the Labyrinth. Rhen and Seleni must work together in order to escape detection and hopefully earn their right to go to college. Except not everyone can survive the maze, and not everyone plays fair.

A lot of adventure and a dash of romance and magic makes To Best the Boys a novel that will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Although the town’s residents don’t possess magic, the sea is full of sirens, ghouls come out at night, and Holm’s Labyrinth seems to defy the laws of physics. This adds to the dark and urgent tone of the book, and drives the stakes for surviving in the Labyrinth even higher.

Rhen and her cousin Seleni each have different reasons for entering the maze, but their driving motivation is their desire to be taken seriously instead of being written off for their gender. I also appreciated that although Rhen is smart and inquisitive, it’s hinted that she struggles with dyslexia. 

Although To Best the Boys contains more suspense and the stakes are higher, this book reminded me of Tess of the Road. Both books are set in a vague past, and are about women who chafe at the confines that are put on them for their gender. Both worlds are slightly magical, although the main characters aren’t, and they must rely on their wits to survive.

MB

Stalking Jack the Ripper

Stalking Jack the Ripper

By Kerri Maniscalco 

Brown and Company, 2016. 326 pages. Young Adult.

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life. 

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

I really enjoyed this book! I listened to the audio version and the narrator did such a great job that I found myself laughing out loud to the charm and applauding the characters when they did something daring. It was so interesting to follow this infamous crime scene through this story and bring it life. It is considered a young adult but the way it reads it can easily be entertaining for adults. Not a lot of teenage drama but enough of real-life drama to keep it interesting. You won't want to stop listening or reading. 

 ME

The Glass Ocean

The Glass Ocean
By Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White
William Morrow, 2018. 408 pages. Historical Fiction

Desperate for inspiration for her next book, a struggling author opens a chest of her great-grandfather's memorabilia from the RMS Lusitania. What she discovers could change history, and she begins her quest to answers in England. Her research ties her to two women aboard the Lusitania in 1915: a Southern belle who senses something amiss in her marriage and happens upon an old flame aboard the vessel, and a thief and forger who has come aboard to pull off one last heist. The three women find themselves entangled in a web of scandal and betrayal, and they each work to unravel mysteries that will ultimately change the course of their lives.

This intricately plotted story has a bit of everything -- romance, mystery, intrigue, action -- without feeling overcrowded or haphazard. Collaborations among three authors are admittedly somewhat unusual, but Team W manages to pull off another beautiful and riveting story after their joint effort on The Forgotten Room. Each author pens the chapters from one character's point of view, which makes for a strong sense of voice, and the audio format mirrors this structure: three performers for the three main characters. Readers craving more by the same trio of authors may also enjoy their newest release, All the Ways We Said Goodbye.

DT