Killers of the Flower Moon

DAMN! This book was worth the hype! I loved The Lost City of Z, so I'm not surprised that I loved this as well. It's dark, disturbing, wonderfully researched and written. It's truly a marvel about a dark and bloody part of United States history. This book investigates the murder of dozens (the number is likely in the hundreds) of Osage Indians during the twenties as greedy white Americans tried to wrest oil rights from them. When some of the richest oil fields in the world were found in Osage territory, the tribe suddenly became some of the wealthiest people per capita. Try as they might the government couldn't force them to move or to take their oil away from them so greedy white neighbors hatched a plot to slowly kill them off. Local officials were crooked and it took Hoover sending over some of his investigators to help curb the deaths. It's a dark and sordid take that's worth remembering. I can't give this book enough praise.

The Accidental Guardian

When Deb and her younger sister survive a wagon train massacre they find themselves caring for the author survivors, two small children. Stuck in the high Sierras they happen upon a young man who takes them back to his modest homestead. With winter on the way and only small rough settlements nearby Deb, Gwen, and the children find themselves being welcomed into Trace's home. He and the other two ranch hands build up an additional house for the women and in return they do the cooking and cleaning. It's an ideal arrangement. However, Deb and Trace are worries for more wagon trains, the outlaws that massacred their group are still out there and might be plotting it again. Inspirational historical fiction that is the first in a trilogy. 

The Amazing Adventures of an Amish Stripper

WOW. This was a pretty salacious read. I don't know how much is 100% fact - but also, I can't imagine someone making this up. Naomi left her Amish order at 17 and went on a decades long bender of drugs and prostitution. She went straight from modesty to boning anyone that seemed remotely interested. There are a LOT of details, it truly is erotica. Naomi makes a lot of interesting choices in her life, especially in regards to men and copious drug use. But, it takes a brave soul to share your story in all its gory glory and man it gets quite explicit. There are even included photos. Definitely an interesting read!

Pink Glass Houses

This book is a delightful mix between Class Mom and Big Little Lies. The cover makes it look more menacing and suspenseful than it really is, but I digress. I loved this book. It was SO MUCH FUN. Sunset Academy is one of the most elite public elementary schools in the United States. The wealthy Malibu zip code it is in ensures that their kids get the best education imaginable. Charlotte Giordani is one of the top moms and the fundraising queen of the PTA. Melody Howard is a Florida newbie having just arrived from Kansas. She is desperate to fit in and Charlotte takes her and her daughter under her wing. Melody also meets Darcy, a Florida native who despises Charlotte and her ultra rich cronies. Each chapter alternates between different moms and the unfolding PTA scandals. Deliciously juicy, snarky, and fun. This would make a great TV show!

Unforgiven

I thoroughly enjoyed this inspirational tale of second chances. Most of the Amish fiction I read tends to portray only the devout and practicing Amish. Unforgiven focuses on a woman who was shunned for divorcing her husband and an Amish man who went to prison and is unbaptized. Seth Zimmerman went to prison for accidentally murdering an Amish man who was assaulting a woman. Tabitha Yoder was a young woman who married a monster. She was physically and emotionally abused constantly, but she left her husband for good after he beat her so bad she miscarried their baby. These two outcasts find they have a lot in common and start to grow closer. A slow burn with lots of interesting side stories and characters. I was rooting for Seth and Tabitha the whole way!

The Last Bookwanderer

This series started off strong and kind of meandered. The Last Wanderer is the final book in the six book series and it does tie a lot of loose threads up but I feel as if it still ended rather abruptly. Tilly, Alessia, Oscar, and Milo team up to find the final ingredients for the potion to wake Horatio up and vow to discover where the book of books is before the Alchemist discovers it first. As with the other books there are lots of little side quests taken and lots of fanciful bookwandering rules and lore. Fun, but the first book is still the strongest. 

Water, Water

A book about a young boy who wakes up and discovers that his room has somehow separated from his house and he is now floating on what appears to be an infinite sea. Thankfully he has his dog to keep him company, because what on earth is he supposed to do?! Rafe has to find ways to keep him and his dog occupied AND keep them fed. Whimsical and intriguing, this book will appeal more to kids (the intended audience) then to adults because there are so many questions that will never get answered (how on earth did his bedroom get detached? is this the great flood?). The illustrations help keep the story going. 

The Puppets of Spelhorst

A charming tale with absolutely wonderful illustrations. An old sea captain sees some whimsical puppets in the window of a store and takes them home. One puppet in particular catches his eye. When he goes home all he can do is stare at her and cry. The next morning the landlord discovers that he has died and the puppets start another journey. The puppets know that they are a set and they are part of a story. The problem is they don't know what their story is or what their role should be. There is a young girl, a hunstmen, a wolf, an owl, and a king. Exceptionally illustrated and told. A tale i will gladly read to my daughter.  

Emmie of Indianapolis

A coming of age story set in 1960's Indianapolis. When Emmie's parents get divorced, her mother takes her and her two sisters and moves into a series of small apartments in Indianapolis. While her mother struggles with alcohol and depression, Emmie steps up and helps take care of her siblings. When she isn't watching her sisters she is walking around the neighborhood making friends. She befriends a gypsy girl, a Chinese immigrant, and a young Black boy. Soon they are the best of friends. If that had been the only story that would have been believable and interesting enough, but there were also witches, mean boys that get hit by cars and died after taunting them (really?!), a neighbor being murdered (which Emmie knows and does nothing about). It's a little over the top. Good storytelling - but this is VERY fictional and doesn't seem like it could ever be real.

Queen Charlotte

I haven't seen the show yet but now I am chomping at the bit to watch it! This audiobook was so good! The narrator was top notch (loved the accent!) and she really helped bring this regency romance to life! Queen Charlotte wasn't a steamy slow burn - there was romance, but it unfolded in a caring and tender manner. King George hid his mental breaks from everyone but his closest advisors and when he is forced to marry a queen, the color of her skin doesn't matter but he is determined to hide his "mental decline" from her and it strains their marriage. When she finally discovers his ailments she is more than supportive. This story also focuses on the two main servants and their relationship as well as Lady Danbury. Wonderful addition to the Bridgerton universe!

The Keeper

A quick and moving graphic novel that has never been more timely! Kelcey Ervick was a top soccer player in the 80s and was in the first wave of female athletes. This graphic novel reflects on the history of women's soccer, her youth spent playing soccer and what it meant to be a young female in the 80s, the ramifications of title IX, and growth of women's sports. The illustrations are top notch and the story is timely and inspiring. A must read for athletes, feminists, and more!

The Minus-One Club

Heartfelt and moving; this teen novel about a boy losing his sister and coming to terms with his sexuality is emotional and inspiring. After the loss of his older sister, Kermit is angry and lost. His parents are shaken and nothing is the same. At school he finds a mysterious note in his locker telling him to meet in the art room after school. When he gets there he meets other teens who have lost someone dear. A sister, a mother, a grandfather, and so on. They take him under his wing - they don't ever talk about IT, but they are there for each other through the tears and through it all. In the club, Kermit starts to get close to Matt, the only openly gay kid in school. The two start to fall for each other and work through their demons. Very moving!

Katzenjammer

Dark, twisty, and filled with trippy illustrations; this young adult book will stay with you. Cat is stuck in hell, or at least she imagines what hell would be. She's trapped in a living, breathing high school and she and the other students are slowly being transformed into monsters. If that wasn't bad enough something is roaming the halls and killing students. None of the teens have any memory of how they got there or what life was like before, but they are all desperate to escape. As Cat tries to find out who is killing her friends she starts to get flashbacks from her old life. Her life where she was an artist and her best friend was Jeremy. Are these memories a clue to how she got here? Are they clues on how to escape. The whole book is so weird and I had no idea where it was going until the very end. Inventive and unique storytelling. No spoilers, but it's pretty heartbreaking. 

Kindred Spirits

J Whit wants to escape; from his school, from his father, from everything. He just wants to focus on his poetry and his future. He befriends a new kid from Ohio and he just so happens to a poet. Together the two of them bond over poetry and decide to put on a show so they can prove to their whole town, that they are worth something and have a bright future to look forward to. Interspersed in the short young adult story is information about James Whitcomb Riley and Paul Dunbar; two famous poets from over a century ago. Their real life story is being retold with these two teenager. I love the poets, and I love what the author was trying to do but it didn't mesh together very well at all. I can't see teenagers relating to this. 

Difficult Dog

A very short book that shows the world through a sad and scared rescue dog's eyes. Titan is adopted and then returned. He has a scary stay in a shelter before being adopted by a second family. Even though they have another dog from the same litter, it's still a scary experience and Titan can't stop being a bad dog. He gets scared easily and doesn't know how to properly channel his emotions. Told from his perspective this book makes a compelling case for giving rescue dogs another chance. While this story has a happy ending, many don't. Very short and filled with pictures, this true story is a quick read for all ages. 

Junkyard Dogs

Josh's dad has left again and this time he took the dog. Josh and his younger brother, Twig live in their grandma's trailer and she is extremely resentful. She didn't want to raise kids and she certainly doesn't want to raise grandkids now that her good for nothing son has run off again. She plans on calling child services and putting Josh and Twig in the system, but Josh convinces her that he'll move out and give her $200 a month to take care of Twig. Problem is, he has no idea where to get it or where to sleep. He runs into his father's old friend Stan and starts working jobs for him when he's not in school. Soon he is sleeping in an abandoned factory with Stan and a cohort of other young homeless people and wondering when life got complicated. Soon his grades start slipping and he starts letting his basketball team down, will things ever get any better?! The awful reality for some impoverished youth. Gut wrenching and far too real. 

Instructions for Traveling West

Fresh starts, the road less traveled, and a thirst for discovering oneself are at the heart of this immersive and impressive poetry collection. Filled with quiet moments of introspection, joy, pain, and love. Readers will find a myriad of poems that seem to speak just to them. From the British monarchy, questioning a higher power, the pandemic, motherhood, finding a home for oneself. Narrated by the poet herself, Joy effuses self-discovery and reflection in every syllable. A sincere and moving narration. Joy Sullivan's raw, enigmatic debut will easily win readers over and will be a collection to listen or reread over and over again. A marvel.

Made of Stars

Fans of teen sci-fi will eat up this book. Made of Stars is what would happen if Star Wars and Illuminae had a love child. There are bad empires, neglected planets, enemies to lovers romance, hackers, and lots of witticisms. Told in three parts, this teen novel bounces between several viewpoints. Cyrus graduated the flight academy with honors and feels so privileged to work with General Noth. Shane and Ava are outlaws, but outlaws like Robin Hood. They steal and they give back a little to their impoverished home planet and their families. When they realize that Opian's military leaders are hostilely invading and stealing all their home planet's resources they feel the need to let the other planets and system's know. If only they could get help from the inside. I felt like there were some world building holes, but the story was compelling and I liked the characters. 

Fair Game

As a female Hoosier, living through the Clark effect - this book is so timely! Not just for teens but for adults! The Madison high School girl's basketball team is one of the most winningest athletic teams in the state yet they can hardly get any gym time. The practice gym is flooded and the boy's basketball team can't be bothered to sign up for gym time - they just show up and take it when they want. Amanda is sick of it. She wants to prove once and for all that not only are they the better team, girl's sports matter too. She and Dot and Maddie challenge the boys to a scrimmage - winner gets the gym. But is that the best way to prove a point? And can they even win? Told in alternating perspectives between the three best friend, Fair Game is more than just about sports, it's about gender equality in all formats and learning how and why to fight for it. 

The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple

Inspirational historical fiction that will leave readers guessing all the way through. The story opens at the end, with Lily Temple appealing to jailers to let Peter Driscoll free. It's the turn of the twentieth century and Lily Temple has a story to weave and a man to save. The men scoff at her, but Lily is a good storyteller and soon she has their rapt attention. Peter is in prison for killing Lily Temple and stealing a blue sapphire. But she is Lily and she has the sapphire. That really gets their attention and she dives into what the truth is. With Lily there are lots of stories and not all are completely true. When Peter first meets her Lily was an actress with a man from Scotland Yard hot on her heels. But who is she really? She has lots of secrets and no one to trust, that is, until she meets Peter. Inspirational fiction with mystery and intrigue, a splash of romance, and fun twists and turns. Lily's story brings her closer to Peter and more importantly to God. 

Snitchers

If you're looking for a black Nancy Drew book, then Snitchers is a perfect fit for you. When five year old Little Petey is shot in his front yard, Nia is beside herself. If only she had been there a few minutes earlier. She was on her way to babysit him when he got caught in crossfire and became an unintentional casualty. Nia convinces her two best friends Miracle Ruth (love the name) and Dontay that they have to to do something, they have to find out who shot Petey so he can have justice. This is very personal for Nia because not only was she close with Petey, but her own father was murdered a few years prior and no one had ever been convicted. She wants justice for her loved ones and her neighborhood. Obviously, they decide to conduct their investigation in secret because no sane adult would let them be involved in something so dangerous - they are just getting ready to enter high school for goodness sakes! Memorable characters, minor cussing, and improbable plot. I would read more by this author!