A Confederacy of Dunces

GAH! I wanted to like this book but I couldn't get into the humor. Which is weird, because I love Vonnegut and this is a very similar satirical book filled with dark and bawdy humor. Ignatius, the protagonist of the novel, is a world class asshole and is soo unbelievably unlikable, which is the point, I know, but I couldn't handle it. What a buffoon, what a jerk! He's a thirty year old loser who lives with his mom and is totally useless, he expects everything and gives nothing. He can't hold down a job, he is convinced of his own grandeur, and he expects the world to bow before his greatness. He bumbles about in life and pisses EVERYONE off in the process (including me, the reader). Man, I haven't hated a book this bad in a while!

Ms. Marvel: Teenage Wasteland

I'm slowly becoming more disenchanted with this series. Am I too old? Am I just annoyed with her teenaged antics? Am I the person yelling at kids to get off my lawn? Whatever the case, this ninth installment wasn't for me. Ms. Marvel wasn't even in the firs half! She peaced out, because life was stressing her out too much and her friends tried picking up the slack by pretending to be her, but that's kind of hard to do when you don't have superpowers. Also included are some "complicated" teenaged love triangles. Overall, it was just ok.

Suicide Club

Fresh and inventive, Suicide Club was an interesting take on the quest for immortality and eternal youth. In the near future, America is on the cusp of immortality. Lifers now live to be nearly 300 years old and word is that soon, death will be eliminated. Lea Kirino has nearly perfect genes, with the right treatments, she can live far longer than most of her peers. Her first century has passed by in a blur, from a strict regimen of nutrients, supplements, and exercise, and government directives. Everything is going along swimmingly; she has her perfect job, fiance, apartment, and body. While walking to work one day she thinks she see her long lost father and crosses the street to get him. When she comes to, she realizes that she's been hit. The government has placed her on "observation" because they are convinced that she's trying to kill herself. Lea is initially furious, she wasn't trying to get into that awful club where lifers (those with great genes) find atrocious ways to kill themselves (so their bodies can't heal). But once she starts going to WeCovery and rediscovers her father, she starts to suspect that their is something her perfect life is missing. Different, dark, and beautifully written. This book will appeal to many readers.

The Last Time I Lied

Suspenseful with a twist I didn't see coming. Imagine a literary version of the cheesy cult classic, "Sleepaway Camp" and you get this thriller. While it starts slow and you really question the narrator's reliability, it quickly picks up steam when Emma returns to the camp that rocked her childhood and changed the course of her life forever. The camp was closed down the summer that Emma attended when the three other girls in her cabin disappeared without a trace. As an adult Emma has resorted to using art to treat her depression and doubt, and art is precisely the reason she's returned back to the camp. She's been offered a job as the art instructor for the camp and she's determined to uncover the truth of what happened that fateful summer. Where did her cabin mates go? Did she have a hand in their disappearances, however unintentionally? A great summer read!

Throne of Jade

While I enjoyed this book greatly, it didn't hold as much sway for me as the first one.Which is still fine because I still enjoyed this book greatly, sometimes i's just hard to live up to the debut. In this second book in the series Laurence and Temeraire are summoned to China. A royal escort has come to take them back to China to explain themselves to the emperor. The Chinese embassy is aghast that an imperial dragon such as Temeraire would be allowed to fight in battles and treated as if he were any other ordinary dragon. Reluctantly they head off for a six month journey. Along the way lie many dangers, and Termeraire and Laurence's relationship begins to strain a little. What will happen if Temeraire likes China better? Will they really be safe there? And will they ever be able to go back home? The sea journey was a little long for me, but there was a lot more intrigue and a lot more dragons which i appreciated.

Ghosted

Walsh, Rosie. Ghosted. 8 CDs. unabridged. 9.5 hrs. Books on Tape. 2018. 9780525631262. 

Love at first sight may sound like a cliche; but after a week of romantic bliss with a perfect stranger; Sarah becomes a believer. Sarah and Eddie have connected on every level and have fallen hopelessly in love. After seven days together, they know each other inside and out. But then suddenly, Eddie doesn't call. Not for a day. A week. Or even a month. Complete and utter silence. Sarah knows what they had wasn't just a fling and racks her brain trying to think of what could have happened. Is he injured? Has he died? Does he have a secret life? Never does it cross her mind that his feelings towards her have changed. Grief envelopes her life as her friends try to help her cope and move on. But what if there is something more to the story. What if something in her past is coming back to haunt her? How can she let go of the past if she can't let go of a man she's only known for a week? Breathtakingly narrated by Katherine Press, the narration spills forward and keeps readers enthralled as the story picks up speed. Press does a wonderful job bringing Sarah's paranoia, fear, hope, and worry to life with her skilled and accented oration. Surprising to the very end, each section of the story captures the reader in new unsuspecting ways. - Erin Cataldi, Johnson Co. Public Library, Franklin, IN 

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Gah! I never wanted this book to end! It was an adorable, cozy read from start to finish and I LOVED the characters and the witty writing style of Juliet. Told through a series of letters, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, tells the story of a small island off the coast of England and how the islanders survived German occupation during World War II by forming a very unconventional literary society. Juliet is an author and Londoner whose wartime editorials have just been published into a popular book. While she is being celebrated around England she starts an odd and charming pen-pal relationship with a Guernsey islander and before long, she's writing to half the island. In no time at all she's found her inspiration for her next novel, in these odd, resilient, totally bonkers islanders. Cute, heartfelt, moving, wonderful, beautiful. I cannot wait to watch the movie adaptation!!

A Study in Emerald

The illustrations were wonderful, but the plot was a little bizarre, even for me. It's a mix of Sherlock Holmes and Cthulhu, complete with a gruesome murder mystery. A detective, too smart for his own good, makes his new roommate tag along to help solve a horrifying murder that has even left the police shaking their heads. Tinged with elements of the supernatural, and smart witticisms; this graphic novel is recommended for die-hard Gaiman fans only. 

Timeline

I couldn't put this down! As a kid I LOVED the movie, so I was stoked to actually read the book. From my memory the movie follows the book pretty well, although it's been a decade so I could be very very wrong. Timeline combine history, archaeology, and science to make this an action packed historical/ science fiction thriller. Fourteenth century France comes alive for a team of archaeologists. They had no idea that the site they were excavating could still theoretically "exist." When their team lead, the professor, goes missing, the team travels to the headquarters of a multi-billion tech corporation that has been funding their digs. Little do they realize that all their historical knowledge and expertise is about to come into play when they are transported back to France, only this time, it's 600 years earlier and the castles they have been excavating are still standing. Timeline is fast paced and fascinating, the history and science blend together to make a compelling action thriller. I definitely need to re-watch the movie now!

Fables: The Dark Ages

Man, after everything was so "neatly" tied up in the last book, this one really screws with you. All the wonderful things that were accomplished came with a price. A very heavy price that none of the fables comprehended, not even Snow White or Frau Totenkinder. There is a power vacuum left behind after Gepetto is given amnesty and came to Fabletown. Not only is there a power vacuum, but many dark secrets that were hidden away were able to free themselves and they are now wreaking havoc on the homelands and in the mundy world. Shit is about to get serious. Grab some popcorn!

The Crescent Stone

An inventive new teen fantasy drama that creates a whole new realm where not everything is as it appears. Sometimes when you get an offer that is too good to be true... it is. Madeline Oliver is reaching the end of her life. Once an athletic, bubbly teenager; issues with her lungs make it hard to breathe, attend school, see her boyfriend, and soon it will be too hard to live. When a stranger approaches her and offers to cure her of her lung illness for a year of service in his world... she accepts. What she doesn't expect is that her nosy lab partner, Jason, will invite himself along for the ride. The Sunlit Lands are everything Madeline has ever dreamed of and more; it's so fantastical that she can't believe her luck. But deep down she realizes that there is a lot she and Jason aren't being told. What is the real price they must pay for their gifts? Laugh out loud funny and compelling, this teen fantasy is a hit. I can't wait for the sequel!

Fables: 1001 Nights of Snowfall

Another amazing installment in the Fables series. This one is more of a standalone that shows some of the backstories of characters. This volume is good to read before, after, or during the middle of the series; it doesn't spoil any of the series and helps flesh out some of the characters darker, more heroic, more foolhardy pasts. Each tale is illustrated by a different illustrator which helps keeps this volume fun and exciting. I loved all the stories in this collection and this is a must own for any Fables fan.

The Sapphire Widow

At times predictable, but still thoroughly enjoyable, this historical romance will intrigue and bewitch readers. The most endearing aspect of this book is it's lush setting on the island of Ceylon (now known as Sri Lanka), Jefferies does a wonderful job detailing the beautiful smells, views, and setting. It made me want to move there! Louisa has a happy comfortable life. Her father and her husband work in the gemstone business and she has three wonderful dogs a large house and staff. Minus being unable to conceive a child, things are perfect... that is until her husband has a fatal accident. She soon discover that he may not have been the man she thought he was. The trail of deception and lies she starts to uncover shatters her idyllic world. Filled with romance, mystery, and a little bit of adventure this is perfect for those who like quick beach reads.

Siddhartha

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I wasn't really sure what to expect, being nearly 100 years old and translated to English (as well as nearly every other language in the world), but the narration was wonderful and sucked me right in. Siddhartha tells the story of a young Indian man who has decided to reject his comfortable lifestyle to seek enlightenment. At first this journey begins with self denial to find higher fulfillment, but as Siddhartha ages so do his opinions and worldviews. His journey takes him through luxury, love, hatred, desire, denial, and acceptance. Told with wonderful prose, many consider this novel to be the finest moral allegory ever written. Only by failure, does Siddhartha find what he is looking for. Readers will find some aspect of Siddhartha's journey to relate to. “Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else ... Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”

His Majesty's Dragon

Impossible to put down, this historical fantasy is inventive and entertaining from the beginning. Set during the Napoleonic Wars, aerial combat adds another dimension to battle. Dragons are bred and coveted by countries to add to their military's defenses and attacks. Britain isn't known for having the best or most exotic dragon breeds but they make do with what they have. When a British ship captures a French vessel they find a beautiful dragon egg inside Little does the British naval captain know how much his life is about to change. Overnight Captain Will Laurence will go from being a respected Navy Captain to a "lowly" Aerial Combatant. Little does he realize how much he will grow to love his new job and his dragon, Temeraire, a unique and spellbinding beauty. A wonderful book, I'm not big on dragon novels but this one is a cut above and I LOVED the main characters. I can't wait to read the rest in the series!

Along Came a Spider

UGH, time of my life I'll never get back! I'll admit this book started out promising but quickly got stale. At a certain point I didn't care who lived or died and I never felt any real affinity towards the "hero" of the story, Alex Cross. A kidnapping case quickly spirals out of control as the body count rises and the "madman" they're after seems to have some serious mental health issues (or does he?!). Alex Cross soon finds himself obsessing over the case; when he's not thinking about the case he's boning a co-worker and neglecting his two children that he leaves at home with his grandma. Reading this book did not make me ever want to read another book in the Alex Cross series. Not only was it meh, it was just a little too over the top at times or to on the nose. Pass....

Fables: War and Pieces

This installment could very well end the series with the final all out battle taking place. Rather than ending though, it's simply the ending of a chapter and the beginning of a new one. Major sacrifices were made on both sides and the losses were high, but the build up of confrontation finally comes to a head and this installment was impossible to put down. The battle plans were amazing, and Fabletown really came together with creativity and ingenuity. Wonderful! I can only imagine where the series will go from here!

Fables: The Good Prince

I adored this one! Flycatcher has always been one of my favorite Fable characters and I've been dying to get more of his back story. Flycatcher has been wallowing in misery unsure of how to go about living not knowing whether his family is alive or dead in the homelands. Deep in his heart, he knows it's not good. When Bufkin accidentally breaks the Forsworn Knight his spirit is set free and starts to guide Flycatcher. Together they sneak into the Homelands and created the strongest, purest little kingdom that is fast becoming a huge thorn in the adversary's side. Go Flycatcher go!

Bridget Jones's Baby

I liked this one much more then book three. It was funny and over the top, much the same way that the first two were. Even though this is the fourth book in the series, it's technically between books two and three. Bridget Jones had been engaged the wonderful Mr. Darcy, but after a misunderstanding it was called off and Darcy remarried. It's been five years since she last saw her ex-fiance but a baby christening throws them together. Shortly after their "encounter" Bridget has a nightly visit at her ol' pal Daniels house. When she discovers she's pregnant a few weeks later she knows she is in trouble. Who on earth is the father? Filled with hilarity, this is a laugh out loud read. Now I need to see the movie!

Fables: Sons of Empire

Another amazing installment. After Bigby's blow to the Adversary, things go momentarily quiet. But really it's just the calm before the storm. Will this be all out war? Fabletown has been playing it smart but was Bigby's attack going too far? I also enjoyed the little side story about Snow White, Bigby, and the kids going back to the homelands to visit Bigby's estranged father as well as the short vignette's about reader's questions. Great fun!