Better Luck Next Time

Tatum is so ready for high school to be over so her new life can begin. She is chomping at the bit to go to college; the only thing concerning her is her boyfriend Jeremy. He has no idea what he wants to do after graduation and it's causing Tatum to be very concerned about their future. It also doesn't help that Tatum has daddy issues and is convinced that all men will leave her. She doesn't want to say the L word and isn't sure if she should lose her virginity to Jeremy. She likes him a lot and wants to look forward to a future together but being in love and making love seem like too big a leap. Right before graduation Tatum, her best friend Kait, and Jeremy go to a party together and nothing will ever be the same. I really wanted to like this, but this highlighted such a toxic relationship. It was cringy and uncomfortable. I was so ready for the book to end and I didn't like a single character (except Dean). I think I may be getting to old and cynical for young adult books?!

Not Good for Maidens

I absolutely loved the setting and the premise. The world building was top tier - unfortunately for me, I didn't care about the main plot. I loved the idea of a market, an inbetween place full of goblins and horrors. It was truly intriguing and it reminded me of a darker labyrinth. I wanted Jareth to pop out so bad! Instead a girl, living thousands of miles away finds out about it when her aunt is taken there. Her mother rushes back to York to try and rescue her and Lou finally finds out what her mother and aunt had been hiding from her all her life. When her mom and aunt were her age they too entered the market and ended up killing a goblin and getting banned from their coven of witches (oh yeah - she also finds out she comes from a coven). A lot of plot holes but I truly loved the setting. So dark and creepy!

Just for the Summer

A light hearted and enjoyable summer read about two women who decide to swap jobs for the summer. Ginny is the manager of a high end hotel in Seattle and is in dire need of a break. Her job is demanding and her boss is a tyrant. Jacqueline is sick of running her grandfather's fishing lodge and is ready for the finer things in life. The two women both reply to an ad about a job swap and then the two switch places. Jacqueline is in awe of the glitz and the glamour but is in way over her head; she may have lied a bit about her managerial experience. Ginny on the other hand is happy for the first time in years. The scenery is beautiful, the job is less stress and more rewarding, and the hunky fishing guide is starting to win her over. This is a sweet clean read with a happy ending. I do feel the ending was a little rushed and that Jacqueline was a little two dimensional; but other than that I really enjoyed it. I loved the hotel management aspects of the book - it sounded fun! 

Clear

 

Beautiful and masterfully crafted; Carys Davies delivers a unique and moving novel about a minister tasked with evicting the lone inhabitant from a small distant island. During the 1840s the Scottish Clearances were in full effect, removing thousands of poor residents through mandatory evictions. John, a poor Scottish minister desperate to earn some income, takes the job of removing Ivar from a remote island. When John finally arrives at the island, he immediately falls off a cliff and is nursed back to health by Ivar, who has no idea what John's arrival means for him. Used to being solitary, with only his animals and the ocean for company; he quickly takes to John. Together they work past their language barriers and begin to understand each other; forging a much deeper companionship and outlook on life. Impeccably narrated by Russ Bain whose Scottish timbre effuses the story with authenticity and soul. Short and simple; Clear is a thought-provoking historical novel that showcases the nuance of words, the complexity of relationships, and hauntingly beautiful atmospheric writing.  

Always Sunshine Yellow

Always Sunshine Yellow is a profoundly moving collection of deeply personal and emotional poetry. Maria doesn't shy away from reflecting inward and her prose is all the more brilliant from it. This poetry collection is broken into three sections: Faith & Hope, Lessons & Resilience, and Love & Family. Each section contains poems that reflect joy, introspection, triumph, and hope. The poems themselves range from a few lines to a few pages, but no matter the word count, they all elicit emotion from the reader. One of my favorites is a short poem entitled, "Excess." 

Lord, pour yourself over me,

and allow the excess

to flow from my pen. 

Interspersed amongst the poetry are small illustrations that help add to the mood and add some charming whimsy. A wonderful book of prose that can be devoured over one sitting or sampled at intervals. As an added bit of interest, Maria Gray-Gerhart is a Johnson County resident currently living in Franklin. 

The Only Survivors

Twisty, turny, and expertly narrated - I found myself easily captivated in this thriller. The story took a while to pick up speed, but even in the beginning I was intrigued enough to see where the story would leave. After a tragedy claimed twelve of their classmates and teachers, the nine remaining survivors get together each year on the anniversary of the accident to stay connected. This year however, they are down to just seven. A lot happened that fateful night and the survivors weren't entirely truthful with the police, their yearly gathering helps reinforce that they all have each others backs - even if they don't entirely like or trust each other. But this year on the tenth anniversary of the tragedy - things are going wrong. Are they being followed? Why are people asking questions?1 The ending wasn't a blockbuster, but it was a surprise. The narration was fantastic and is really what kept me going. 

Why Not You?

I think this book is an excellent starting guide for teens that are interested in politics, leadership, and making a change. Written by Christina Hale, a former Indiana State Legislator, this book has excellent personalized stories to help drive her point across. She is able to speak from experience and use her wins and losses to drive the book. Not only does she use her personal experience she ties in the experience of a lot of other changemakers as well. No matter your politics this book is a great guide to getting the youth involved!

The Gimlet Slip

 

A fun and fast-paced novella written by bestselling authors Fiona Davis and Greg Wands; perfect for fans of the roaring twenties and mafia thrillers. New York City in the early thirties is a hotbed of gangsters, crooked cops, and thirsty citizens. Jo Hayes is an independent young woman bucking societal norms by being an auto mechanic. After a series of impulsive actions she finds herself as a getaway drivers for a bunch of rum runners. When she gets into a serious accident, Jo heads for the big city determined to salvage things and work her way up in the business. There she meets Lydia Gardiner the notorious queenpin of a sweeping criminal empire, who decides to take Jo under her wing as her protege. What they don't account for is a nosy detective with a score to settle. Narrated by a trio of voice actors whose cadence and accents give the characters grit and charisma. Clocking in at less than three hours, this audiobook was definitely short on time and hurried on plot. That being said, it was still an enjoyable listen that fans of Boardwalk Empire and other prohibition era literature will enjoy. 

Wild Conviction

Definitely a unique concept, Wild Conviction is a coming of age novel set right before the Civil War. Twilight (yes, that's really her name) is living with her well to do family in Memphis, Tennessee. When she opens a letter from her dear GrandMama on her 16th birthday she discovers that not only does she have secret powers, but she also has an African American ancestor (which is practically a death sentence in those times). No one in her family knows and to keep her family safe she should burn the letter (which she obviously doesn't). Growing up she has always hated slavery but now she really wants to act on it and abolish it. She and her riverboat captain friend impulsively buy a woman and her child so that they can set them free. Next Twilight inexplicably allows a plantation heir to court her and soon she is swept off her feet. In no time at all she is held against her wishes on his plantation and being waited on by the enslaved, which is the opposite of what she wanted. If only she had given her heart to the riverboat captain instead. This is a long book, and minus the impulsiveness of Twilight could also be considered an adult title. The ending leave it open for maybe more books?

What Stalks Among Us

Super intriguing concept and unlike anything I've ever read before. On the surface it's a horror novel about two teens lost in a corn maze that keeps killing them as they try to escape. But below that it is so much more. Sadie and Logan skip their senior trip to King's Island and decide to drive around aimlessly, a favorite past time of theirs. While they haven't been friends for years, they got really close their senior year of high school and now the pair is inseparable. But there is a lot they don't know about each other and this twisty, messed up maze is going to bring a lot to the surface. Can they survive this maze? Can they trust each other? Time bending, heart pounding, generally creepy; this is a standout teen novel. 

Never Fall Again

Landry Hutton and her daughter have been living a quiet unassuming life in Gossamer Falls. Landry is an artist in residence at an exclusive resort and she will finally have enough money to build a house of their own. The contractor she chooses to build her house turns out to be a wonderful human as well as contractor. He takes Landry and her 5 year old daughter under his wing and has soon introduced her to his entire extended family. Landry ran from a troubled past and has no family to speak of so she is incredibly grateful. When a fire at the resort takes out most of her pottery inventory - she begins to wonder if it's an accident or if its personal. Good thing her contractor. neighbor/ former marine has her best interests at heart. Speaking of hearts - could what they've both been running from bring them together? Inspirational romance that isn't too preachy. I can't wait to read the rest in the series!

The Girl in the Thistles

The premise of this story (which is based on real events) is good. It's compelling and interesting. Unfortunately, I don't think the story was executed very well. The characters seemed very two dimensional and I didn't care all that much for any of them. They all lacked a spark to make them feel real and important. Emilie is a mixed blood. Her father is Scottish and her mother is Dakota. She straddles both worlds and loves them both pretty equally. When the US-Dakota War of 1862 erupts her clan is embroiled in it and her home is destroyed. Her father goes missing in the chaos and she is determined to find him. Again, the events are compelling, but Emilie is not. Very slow read. 

Sand and Fire

The history and importance of an often overlooked and underappreciated landscape, the Pine Barrens of Wisconsin. Prior to reading this book I had never even heard of this area. This area is completely unique to North America and efforts are finally being made to maintain it and restore it to protect the fragile ecosystem and wildlife that lives there. Dave Peter does a great job describing the landscape, it's importance, early inhabitants, the fight to preserve it, and beauty of the area. There are many pictures to help illustrate his points. A small and important read. 

The Werewolf at Dusk

A quick but masterful graphic novel told as three short stories. The Werewolf at Dusk is about the changes an aging werewolf goes through. Still able to change at the full moon, yet hardly able to chase a squirrel or climb up stairs. A Walk in the Old City is about a shrink who loses his way at night. Attempting to psycho-analyze himself will not getting him out of the mess he stumbles across. The final story is The Tiger in Vogue which is a terrifyingly whimsical look at Hitler's rise to power in Germany. Unique and wonderful storytelling in that one. Fantastic illustrations grace the pages of all three stories. I wish it were longer! 

Help for the Haunted

My rating is really a 3.5. This book is perfect for fans of The Conjuring and suspense novels. Sylvie is the good daughter, she is the youngest of her parent's two kids and the one that can be counted on. Her parents are "helpers" they take demonic or spiritual cases and try to solve problems with prayer. As their notoriety grows across the country, things get harder at home. Her older sister Rose acts up and starts driving a wedge between their parents. When her parents are murdered in a church after meeting with a client they helped in the past, Sylvie is the key to the case. But what does she really remember. Told in alternating timelines between the past and the present; Help for the Haunted starts out pretty slow but the pace really picks up in the last third of the book. 

Raiders of the Lost Heart

This was a fun, steamy, romantic comedy perfect for fans of Indiana Jones, Romancing the Stone, and The Mummy. Corrie gets called out to her dream archaeological dig, the study of her life's work, and she finds out that the lead of the dig is the guy that broke her heart in grad school. She is beyond angry but surprised the attraction is still there. Against her better judgement she finds herself staying onsite because she will never be this close to finding the lost remains of her ancestor, Chimalli, an ancient warrior of the Aztec empire. The two keep finding themselves flirting with each other and soon enough they are sharing tents. Very steamy - I could have used a little more adventure however!

All Hail, The Queen of the Freaks

I was far too sober to read this book. If you are a fan of nonsense novels then you may enjoy this weird young adult novel. Otherwise steer clear! The book opens with a warning to go to the author's website to learn how to properly read the website (which seems like it would be useful because trying to find the plot in this book....) - the only problem is the website no longer exists. The "premise" of this young adult novel is that a young female teenager wakes up in a weird asylum with no memory of who she is - all she knows is that people are trying to kill her. She runs away and finds herself in Paradiddle Lane - a high end street in the suburbs of Chicago. She runs into a high end collectible shop (that is alive) and a lonely German man takes her in and decides to raise her as his own. He enrolls her in a school for ultra rich teens called Prep and there she makes friends with some billionaires. While playing around she discovers she can enter different dimensions and time travel. Her friends are like, "that's cool." Nothing in this book makes any sense - it's weird and ironic and annoying and I hate read the whole book. Not one of the characters is likable, there is no plot, there are so many weird nonsensical asides. It was too much for me. Read at your own risk.

Live and Let Chai

Cheesy, predictable, and a fun cozy read. The book was fun and highly improbable as all good cozy mysteries are. Everly has moved back to her hometown on Charm Island after a devastating breakup with a cowboy. She buys a fixer upper on the boardwalk and decides to convert the downstairs into an iced tea shop called Sun, Sand and Tea. Things get off to a rocky start when the old town curmudgeon is found dead, with her tea glass right beside him. The new detective insinuates her tea poisoned him and suddenly she can't get any customers. It's up to her to clear her name and prove she's not an iced tea killer. Lots of small town cliches, zero business sense, and attraction to the hunky detective. Nice fluff. I may continue with the series later. 

The Real Hoosiers

For someone who doesn't get that into sports I freaking LOVE reading about them. The Real Hoosiers is magnificent, it's a breathtaking look at The Big O, Attucks, and basketball in Indiana. As a Hoosier, this content isn't brand new to me. I have read several other books on Hoosier basketball, and a young adult book on Attucks - however the framework of this book included so much background and depth that I learned a ton. This should be required reading. It talks in depth about how deep racism permeated in the Hoosier Heartland (on and off the court) and the hoops (see what I did there) that African American players faced just to play the game they love. I love Indiana and we've come a long way as a state - but boy... things were bad. It's amazing that we got such a great school and basketball team out of so much prejudice. Wonderful book, I loved all the footnotes and anecdotes! 

A Place Called the Tree

A relatable teen novel about wanting to belong, parental angst, tumultuous friendships, drama club, and first romance. Leah has always felt like she is on the outside looking in. Her mom has been in and out of relationships and has moved her from place to place. Tipton, Indiana is the place where she has lived the longest and it's starting to feel like home. What if she could really belong? She belongs in drama club and with her two friends Justin and Becky. But she doesn't feel as if she belongs at home with her mom's new boyfriend and she longs to belong to the "cool kids" group at the high school, the choir. The choir kids have a tree they all sit around at lunch and to Leah it's larger than life. What are they discussing out there? After school she sneaks out to be by the tree when no one can see her, and on one auspicious day she finds a letter buried in dirt from an old man named Robert. Life as she knows it will never be the same. Teens will really relate to this novel but the I did not care for the ending. As a Hoosier, I did love all the Indiana references. 

Greymist Fair

LOVED this book so hard! This is my favorite Zappia novel to date. I loved this village and all the people in it. The storytelling was beautiful - if the characters aged up, this would easily read as an adult novel. This is one book that I plan on keeping and re-reading. Greymist Fair is a little village in the middle of the woods, some people never make it there and the villagers never leave. They know to stay out of the forests, for death lurks within. Each tale is a retelling of old Grim fairy tales and they all connect to the town. The Grim tales that are "retold" aren't necessarily the common ones and most children would never know them. I myself didn't know a few. The storytelling is beautiful, the setting is beautiful, the characters are complicated and interesting.  

Higher Power

I didn't love this book but I learned so much. This is never a book I would have picked up, but I'm not mad that I had to read it. Prior to reading this book, the only other book on nuclear energy I had ever read was, "Midnight in Chernobyl" which was slightly terrifying. Higher Power is not that kind of book. Broken into three parts: Higher Power has a mix of different nuclear themes. The first section is about Dowie, a religious leader/fanatic/hypocrite and the founder of the city of Zion in Illinois. The second part of the book is about the nuclear plant with twin reactors that was built in the town. The author was able to spend nearly two years there as a journalist working for the Chicago Tribune. The final section of the book is a bit of a hodge podge about the future of nuclear energy, former workers of the Zion plant, and the decommissioning process, and other nuclear disasters. It was all interesting - but a very dense read.

Dust Yourself Off

 

An engaging biography of a North Dakota farm wife who proved she was so much more than that. This reads like a love letter to Muriel Henrickson Sandhei. It outlines her childhood, her marriages and the many ups and downs that came from living off the land during the 40s and 50s. Barely making ends meet, but proud, fearless, and determined; she was a strong and passionate woman who raised several fine young children and weathered quite a few tragedies. Not only is it a look at her life and that of her families - but it is also a wonderful snapshot of Fort Ransom in the first half of the twentieth century and the Norwegian farming community that lived on the land. With an upbeat attitude Muriel took everything that was thrown at her with stride - she didn't think that was extraordinary - she thought it was expected. A moving portrait of strong woman. 

The Other Side of Anoka

When Karen's husband dies she starts to wonder about lives lived and if she'll see him again. Her curiosity leads her to start working the ghost tours in her town and that leads her to someone who has answers. A past life regressionist takes her to "the other side" of Anoka - back to 1851. The majority of the book is through Carrie's eyes as the small settlement of Anoka grows into a bustling town. Carrie meets Jacque-Pierre, her soulmate, and starts a family of her own. Her family grows as the town does. While Carrie is the "main character" there are also many other characters, ordeals, and backstories that readers are privy too. The town itself could also be classified as the main character, because as the years pass, the buildings and population grow as well. This book would mainly fall under historical fiction although the buildings, the catastrophes, the people, and the deaths are all based on real accounts of the town. An interesting way to tell a town's history while focusing on one family. 

Blaze

I love nearly everything written by Stephen King but I didn't love this as much as I wanted to. I don't know if it was the narration or my concern for the baby - but this book was just so so for me. The premise of Blaze a man wants to kidnap a baby so he can do one big con and be set for the rest of his life. The only issue is that Blaze is a few fries short of a happy meal after being repeatedly being thrown down the stairs by his father as a child - for years he would pull cons with his buddy George, but ever since he was stabbed during a poker game he's been on his own. He's a gentle giant and too stupid to do much without George - but George's voice is guiding him on what to do and he wants Blaze to do this kidnapping. Can he pull it off? He is a sympathetic bad guy and the story will give you complicated emotions. I'm sad I didn't like it more. 

The Irish Matchmaker

I am a sucker for inspirational historical romance - especially when it is set in Ireland. Having read Jennifer Deibel's other books, I knew I was in for a treat. While I didn't love this as much as some of her other titles, it was still a nice quick read. Catriona Daly is a matchmaker just like her father - she is too busy helping other people find their forever love that she never gets to find a man for herself. When she starts to work with Andrew Osbourne - a man of means and property she is determined to match him with herself so that she can get away from their small Irish town and be financially well off. Donal Banratty, is a single father with a barely functioning farm. He never seems to come out ahead no matter how hard he tries. When his daughter Sara begs him to go to the matchmaking festival so she can have a mother - he reluctantly agrees. If nothing else he could use an extra set of hands around the farm. He isn't looking for love - he's looking for a partner. Little do Catriona and Donal know that what they are looking for could be right in front of them. 

Taboo

Interesting look at Nino Cutraro, an entrepreneur who created some of the most iconic night clubs and restaurants in America. Nino immigrated to America with $20 in his pocket and with a little hard work and a lot of good business sense started creating iconic businesses (mainly in Detroit) that people still talk about today. All the major celebrities went to them and they became legendary even after they were closed down or rebranded. From disco clubs to Italian restaurants to dance venues to western bars; the whos who of every in America passed through the doors and Nino has the pictures to prove it. Madonna, David Bowie, Pavarotti, Stevie Wonder, Al Gore, Sugar Ray Leonard and so many more came back time and again. Nino even developed a deep relationship with Mark Whalburg and helped open up their first restaurant. This book is fun and reads like a long Rolling Stone article. A fun little coffee table book. 

Standing at the Grave

This family history took a bit to win me over. Genealogist, Gary Heyn, wanted to write about his family that emigrated over from Germany - and do it in a compelling and interesting way. To achieve that he fictionalized their thoughts, conversations, and attitudes to create a narrative story. At the heart of the story all the "facts" are true; the houses, the scandals, the marriages, births, deaths, and more - but he fleshed them out in a way that at first felt inauthentic to me. How could he possibly know how Anna felt, or if there was jealousy between brothers. At first it annoyed me. But then... I got into the story - I got into learning about this massive sprawling family and all their trials and tribulations. Normal people wouldn't be invested in just a family tree, but they would in a good story. And that's what this was. A fictionalized account of a real family. And it's interesting - it's the ultimate immigration story. I did have trouble keeping track of all the Augusts, but that's to be expected in a huge German family. An innovative way to tell family history. 

Juliette

A graphic novel about a dysfunctional family that is relatable for it's ordinary nature. When Juliette leaves Paris to go back to her hometown and crash with her dad - she isn't sure how long she plans on staying. She knows she wants to reconnect with her family and spend time with her older sister and eccentric mom. Juliette is dealing with crushing anxiety and depression - her father is lonely, her sister is unhappy in her marriage, and her grandma is getting lost in dementia. Told through beautiful and charming watercolor panels - this graphic novel is a breath of fresh air. It's emotional and filled with relatable characters - while not terribly exciting - it's still a nice quick read. 

Amish Grace

Woof - this was a tough read. It probably could have been 5 stars but I don't think I could read it again. The first part in this book had my eyes swimming. It was an emotionally intense book. I have mad respect though for the authors who didn't intrude or make assumptions about the Amish - they were respectful and kept away from the traumatized children. Amish Grace was primarily about the awful tragedy at Nickel Mines where a man took a gun into an Amish schoolhouse and killed and intensely wounded nearly ten innocent children. It garnered immediate worldwide attention and the media was quick to grab onto the story. The Amish however wanted no limelight and stunned the world when they said they forgave the man who murdered their children. Amish Grace describes the event itself, Amish beliefs on forgiveness, and forgiveness as a whole. It's very insightful and sad. Have your tissues ready. 

A New History of Iowa

This is definitely not "leisure" reading. This is more of a textbook for high school and college students. That being said - I did learn a lot about the great state of Iowa, and as someone who lives in Indiana - a lot of it felt very familiar to me. Broken into three parts: Iowa to the Civil War, Iowa from the Civil War to 1929, and Iowa since 1929 - each part was then broken into 5 chapters or sections. This history book was very linear which made it easy to follow. I wish there was a little more about Iowa before it was a state, but I guess there wasn't much to write about prairie and the Indigenous tribes. I do appreciate that the author noted how homogenous and white the state was (and is) and discussed how hard it was for African Americans, immigrants, women, and LGBTQ folx. Very slow paced read, but informative. I can only imagine how hard it would be to condense an entire state's history into one book!

Violets Are Blue

This middle grade book deals with some pretty heavy topics and does such a good job of it! Wren is having a big year of changes. Her parents get divorced, her dad gets remarried moves to New York and has twins, her mom decides to move them to a new town and a new school. The one thing that stays constant to wren is her love for special effect makeup. She loves watching videos and experimenting on her mom. Soon her makeup skills are the thing that help her make friends and connect with other people. Her life may be messy, but her makeup is always on point. Violets are Blue deals with tough topics like: divorce, bullying, new families, and addiction. Readers will fall in love with Wren as she tries to find her voice and forge a path into new unknowns. 

In Order That Justice May Be Done

While very interesting, this book is definitely dry and mostly of interest to those who practice and those who wish to learn more about Indigenous  history. This book outlines the struggles that the Turtle Mountain band of Pembina Chippewa faced over nearly one hundred years, all while trying to follow the letter of the law (American law) and remain peaceful. It's no surprise that the United States government screwed them over not only once, but pretty much at every turn. They did everything right, kept paperwork, attended delegations in good faith and constantly got ripped off. It was really disheartening to read about, although not at all surprising. Extremely well researched, but again, not light leisure reading. 

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

The book was charming and honestly one of the best middle grade fantasies I've read in a while! Marya Lupu has been ordered to Dragomir Academy for troubled young ladies. She is sure it's because she inadvertently messed up her brother's chances of becoming a sorcerer (really though, it was the goats fault!) so she resignedly goes. Her parents are glad to be rid of her but she will miss her brother and Madame Bandu down the street. Bandu taught her to read and write and told her the secrets that can be weaved in the tapestries. At Dragomir Academy she finds lots of other "troubled" girls like her, but she can't help but make a few friends and stumble upon a mystery or two. A fantastic feminist fantasy filled with girl power, friendships, and adventure. So much fun. I wish this were a series!

The String of Fate

Giving out one star reviews is no fun, I'm not trying to be mean spirited - but this read as a first draft of a fan fiction or a middle school fantasy. It just didn't cut it for me. Some people may be into that kind of thing, but not me. Sarah Gibson met the love of her life at just fourteen years old. He moved away and they don't see each other again (why they couldn't talk on the phone or email or catch up on social media is never discussed) until four years later on a plane. Sarah has just graduated high school and is trying to find a job after deciding she can't afford college. She gets an email which she thinks may be spam but turns out to be a life changing gift. She has been chosen to represent America (how?!? she is an average teen who plays violin and does nothing else) on a reality television show called The Castle of Challenges in Paris France. When she boards the plane bound for France she runs into Andrew, her true love from four years past. It turns out he is also a contestant on the show and is representing Spain. Why he is on her plane in Indianapolis makes no sense (why would he fly from Spain to Indianapolis to go back to Paris!?!), but there are also other contestants from other European countries on this plane?!? That alone made my head hurt and it only got worse from there. The writing is extremely juvenile and these contestants act like they are middle schoolers rather than young adults (they all appear to be between 18 and 20 but the ages aren't ever really discussed). The challenges are weird, half the time it doesn't seem like they are even on a game show, and the romance between Andrew and Sarah (that is forbidden because of show rules) is so obvious it makes no sense how none of the other characters would ever suspect it. There is also a weird supernatural element that gets thrown in with all the bad nightmares Sarah has every time a contestant gets booted off the show that just doesn't vibe with the whole story. Spooning and kissing turns into "forking" in one off the page sex scene (why?!). And also we are expected to believe that Sarah is a master fighter and can beat up anyone and dodge knives - even though she is just an average teen from Indiana. There were so many plot holes and weird dialogue and it was just overall 100% too unbelievable. There just needed to be a lot better editing.

Great Women of Mackinac

Extremely well researched - this nonfiction collection of biographies is perfect for fans of Mackinac history, Native American Studies, and women in history. This regional history comprises of biographies of thirteen notable women who resided, visited, or spread the word of Mackinac Island. The women ranged from Native fur traders to poets, nurses, wives, and authors. Each of them helped impact Mackinac Island even if their contributions are unknown or overlooked. Included are photographs which help the reader visualize some of these great ladies. Slow paced, but of interest to those who love Mackinac.

Cell

Honestly - even those this concept is a little outdated - I enjoyed the ride. It was a fun audiobook and it kept me intrigued. In Cell, everyone who is on their cell phones on a normal October afternoon, are suddenly turned into crazies. They will bite and attack anyone or anything that gets in their way. Clay is in Boston for an important meeting and is instantly terrified. On the way back to his hotel he bands up with another man, Tom, and they carefully try to see shelter. They rescue a teenaged girl named Alice and soon the trio realizes they need to flee Boston before it burns to the ground. Clay desperately wants to get back to Maine to see if his son and ex-wife are ok - but doing so seems near impossible. The phone crazies are everywhere and they are starting to organize - they start flocking together and soon it is only safe to travel at night. A new apocalyptic tale that doesn't seem as relevant since no one really talks on phones anymore - they just text. Still a fun (and gory) horror read filled with interesting characters. Gotta love Stephen King!

Some Kind of Hate

Honestly, I think this book was good, not enjoyable per se, but necessary and gripping. It's a book for teens that shows just how easy it can be to surround yourself with the wrong people. When Declan breaks his arm after doing a stupid stunt his baseball career is all but over. He is beyond devastated and angry. Baseball was his everything. He starts lashing out at his twin sister, his parents, and his friend Jake. He wants to blame everyone but himself. He starts alienating his friends and family and holes himself up in his room playing video games. When he gets an invite to play an exclusive crusades style game by some new online friends, he is stoked. These guys seem to "get" him. Slowly he starts to think and act like his new online friends and then finds out that some of his co-workers at the grocery store think the same way. Soon he is totally immersed with these "friends." The guys he hangs out with believe that globalists are out to take over the world and that white people need to take back what is theirs. It gets dark quick. The story is told through two alternating perspectives: Declan and his best friend Jake who just happens to be Jewish. Eye opening. For fans of Heroine by Mindy McGinnis.

Old Trails and New Roads in South Dakota History

Really a 3.5 rating for me; this collection of historical essays was a mixed bag. Old Trails and New Roads contains 13 essays about South Dakota history written by various scholars and professors. Topics included filming locations, railroads, sports, cookbooks, the American Indian Movement, weather and more. What I knew of South Dakota before reading this was next to nothing. I knew only about the Black Hills, Mt Rushmore, and the Badlands. So virtually nothing. The essays were very eye opening on a lot of different facets of midwest history that I hadn't considered. Some of the essays were very compelling and interesting; others were a bit more of a slog. Overall an interesting collection!

What the River Knows

I was sold at Egyptian, archaeology, magic, and romance. It's a young adult novel which is easy to tell because of the brash, hasty, unthought out actions of our heroine. Inez Olivera is done being left behind in Argentina while her parents have all the fun in Egypt. She longs to go with them on their months long travels. but she always gets left behind with her aunt and cousins. When she receives word that her parents are dead, she decides to sneak away in the dead of night to board a steam liner headed to Egypt. She has to find out what really happened to her parents. Posing as a very young widow, no one thinks it's scandalous that she is travelling unaccompanied. But when she arrives in Egypt she accompanies her very irate uncle who demands she return to Argentina at once. Inez ignores her uncle at every turn, making Whit (her uncle's assistant) run all over Egypt trying to keep her safe and return home. Filled with intrigue, history, and romance - this is a fun novel that is the first in a series. 

The Lily of Ludgate Hill

Regency romance lovers will swoon over the third offering in the Belles of London series. Bestselling author, Mimi Matthews, pens another entertaining regency romp. Lady Anne Deveril may look dour and weak in her mourning clothes, but she’s really a fierce defender of those she loves. When her father tragically passed away seven years prior, she and her mother put on their black mourning clothes and began a long engagement with the spiritual side of the world. Lady Anne isn’t a lover of seances or spirits but she’ll do anything to keep her mother happy, even if it means losing her standing in society and losing the love of her life. When Lady Anne needs a favor to help a friend she calls on Mr. Felix Hartford, a gentleman from her past. He agrees to help her, for a cost. In return she must accompany him to a house party on his family’s estate. Unrequited love, hurt feelings, and family secrets come to light the more time they spend with each other.  Delightfully narrated by Samuel Roukin and Elizabeth Knowelden - this audiobook is oozes, fun, charm, and growing sexual tension. Fans of the Bridgerton series and regency romance will delight in this book and the series as a whole.

A Long Petal of the Sea

Lyrical and evocative historical fiction about two lost souls fleeing the Spanish Civil War and the lives they make for themselves in Chili. Victor, a medic for the militia, must flee Spain with his mother and Roser, his brother's pregnant lover. Since his father and brother's death, Victor must do what is best for the women in his life. Told over the course of decades, A Long Petal of the Sea, tells us the up and downs of the life that Victor has forged for himself. Set in a country where I have read little, it was fascinating to learn more about Chile and the political strife they were facing. This story is really a 3.5 rating for me. For a lot of the book I wasn't sure where the story was going but I was still intrigued. I enjoyed the characters and thought they were very human, but didn't always love them. They were real and flawed. Character driven and beautifully narrated. 

The Divine Proverb of Streusel

Nikki should be celebrating the last day of school. She has the summer off and doesn't have to deal with students for a few months. She can just focus on her and her boyfriend. However, that all goes out the window when her sister texts her a picture of their father's wedding that was on social media. Their father has the gall to get married just a few months after divorcing their mother?! How could he?! Shattered and heartbroken she drives all night and ends up at her grandparent's farm. They are both long gone but her Uncle Wes still lives on the property in a newer smaller house. She hardly knows her uncle and she only remembers her grandmother from the yearly Christmases they came to - but she felt compelled to come here. Told in alternating storylines between Wes and Nikki; the two learn to grow together, show their emotions, and try to forgive her father for abandoning his family. Heartfelt and redeeming; perfect for Christians who love the prodigal son story. 

Iron Flame

Ahhhhhh! Freaking cliffhanger! The book started a little slow, but honestly I was still so into it the whole time. I know everyone loves the Violet and Xaden romance, but I just like the dragons and the world building. The romance is fine; but I am loving the fantasy aspect of this. It's no small feat to write a 600+ page romantasy that readers don't want to put down. You could murder someone with this book! Now I freaking have to wait forever for the next book!

The Missing Piece

More than just a self-help book, "The Missing Piece" by Bud Boughton contains a beautiful allegory and a tool-kit to help readers discover what their missing pieces are and how to achieve security and peace in a hectic and insecure world. Beautifully written, this book examines different facets of our lives that make us feel less than and incomplete. Drawing not just from personal experience, Bud makes the case that we are all striving so hard to find security; whether it be in our relationships, careers, financial stability, education, or activities; yet we often fall short of achieving what we need to feel truly secure. He breaks down the ways in which we try to achieve stability and the hang-ups we often face, while never being negative or pessimistic. Rather than focusing on certain missing pieces, we need to look for missing peace, and see how that reframes our lives and the way in which we look for security. A meaningful self-help book that is heavy on hope and light on pages. A great book for those wanting to look inward. Harold "Bud" Boughton is former athlete, coach, and senior executive and is a current professional speaker living in Greenwood, Indiana. 

The Honeymoon Crashers

A fun little novella that fans of The Unhoneymooners will definitely enjoy. It's not a necessary read, but it's nice to revisit those characters. In this little follow up (that only exists as an audiobook), Ami is floored when she discovers that her twin sister is eloping on the beach. Yes, there is the Torres family curse to think of, but how could Olivia get married without her family?! Olivia and her family decide that they will crash the honeymoon and make her have a wedding. Luckily, that is secretly what Olivia wanted all along, she just felt bad asking her family to pay to travel for a destination wedding. Ami has vowed to plan the whole wedding in less than a week for her sister and she is thriving on it. she loves her to do lists. But when Olivia and her fiancé foist the best man on her things take a turn. A romantic turn. A fun audiobook with a full cast of characters and sound effects. 

Fourth Wing

Ok. I finally get what the hype is about and FOR ONCE I was not disappointed! WAs some of it predictable.. yes. Did that make me enjoy it any less? No way. Reading this brought me back to reading The Hunger Games or Divergent for the first time. It was so well done and had a unique concept. I also like that this was written more for a new adult audience, rather than a young adult audience. You got the violent dystopian WITH smoking hot sex. Talk about a win! I really enjoyed the character development, the love dragon, and most importantly the dragons. The world building was done so well. I can't wait for the next one!!

Down the Hill

The double murders in Delphi are horrific and Susan Hendricks did a great job of breaking down the tragedy and humanizing it; choosing to focus on the bereaved families rather than all the gory details. Not that those details aren't included, but they are dealt with very gingerly. I'm not sure I've read a true crime book like this before. My only regret is that this book was published so early, there are already so many new details, court hearings, and other information that could have been added to this story had Susan just waited for the trial to be over. Regardless, it was still an eye opening and chilling look into one of the most heinous Hoosier crimes in my lifetime. 

The Upcycled Self: A Memoir on the Art of Becoming Who We Are

Grammy- award winning, co-founder of The Roots and MC, better known as Black Thought, pens an insightful, fiery, and soulful memoir. Opening up with setting fire to his childhood home, Trotter recounts the struggles and the victories that came with growing up in Philadelphia in the 70s and 80s. From selling crack to becoming a graffiti artist to embracing rap and hip hop; art became the savior and the lifeline that he embraced. The Upcycled Self is broken into four relationships that made him the man he is today; community, friends, art, and family. Each relationship is expanded with vignettes from his childhood some humorous, many heartbreaking and emotional. Poetic and masterfully written, this memoir is narrated by Black Thought himself, which makes the audiobook even more powerful and passionate. This will resonate with hip hop lovers, Roots fans, and those who love a good memoir. The only negative is the short length, readers will want more!

An Amish Christmas at North Star

An interesting collection of Amish novellas that all have one common thread. Four babies were born on a stormy winter night by one midwife. It was the talk of the town and of the nation. Decades later one reporter wants to do a follow up piece and see where the Amish babies are now. Each novella in this collection focuses on a different baby. One is a murder mystery with a fudge shop, another is about an adopted English girl that discovers her birth family was Amish. In another, a woman breaks off her engagement with her beloved over mysterious circumstances. And in the last a twelve year old boy will stop at nothing to get his older brother home for Christmas. All have ties to the North Star Amish community, and all the stories take place at Christmas. I actually did enjoy all four. I wouldn't mind reading another collection like this!