The Mystery of the Haunted Dance Hall

A charming, albeit slow, retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses that will appeal to middle grade students. While this is set in the 1960s, it could have honestly been set in modern times. There wasn't much that made you think this was set six decades prior. Young girls are at a sleepaway birding camp and newcomer Bee (short for Phoebe) teams up with social pariah, Zippy, to discover what the older girls are up to. There is a mystery with the Hawks (the 15 year olds), every morning their batteries are completely drained. Are they sneaking out? Where are they going? Bee and Zippy make a great pair; Bee has ultra sensitive hearing and Zippy is really good at seeing in the dark. Together they will be unstoppable, when their little duo gets busted by popular and bossy Felicity, things take an interesting turn. A fun adventurous read. The length may deter some younger readers though. 

Twenty Four Seconds from Now

Is there anything Jason Reynolds can't write?! I love how this book was formatted and kept going back in time. It's a beautiful love story of two teenagers deciding to consummate their relationship. It sounds racy, but it is really well done, beautifully stated, and respectful. A wonderful love story for teens that shows real depth and understanding!

Funeral Songs for Dying Girls

This took me a little bit to get into, but man I really did love this young adult novel about love and loss. Set in Toronto, Canada, and featuring a sixteen year old teenager who lives in a cemetery with her father, readers will fall in love with Winnifred. Her mother died in childbirth, her father grows more distant by the day, and her only friend Jack has turned into a real jerk. Just when Win thinks she is all alone she is visited by a real ghost. At first she is just terrified but soon the two start conversing and Phil starts telling her about her life and eventually her death. Haunting, heartbreaking and beautifully written. It's definitely worth sticking it out (the beginning is slow) to get to the end!

The Skull

Short, sweet, and charming. This reimagining of a folktale is both creepy and wholesome. A girl named Otilla runs away and gets lost in the woods. Deep in the woods she finds a beautiful old house inhabited by a skull. The two hit it off but the skull is harboring a secret. Can Otilla help him out with it? Beautifully illustrated and short and sweet. A Beautiful little story for young readers who like things a little more on the macabre side. 

Vixen 03

Another installment in the Dirk Pitt series. Vixen 03 had a lot of moving components and was compelling, but honestly the rampant racism and sexism is too much to warrant a higher rating. When Dirk Pitt finds an oxygen tank and nose gear in his lovebird's cabin he desperately wants to know how they got there. He discovers a sunken plane at the bottom of the lake not far from the cabin. It's a military plane with no real records. Why? And what is up with the mysterious cargo? I will still probably continue with this series. It's exciting enough. 

Enchantra

I honestly think I may have enjoyed this more than the first one! This sequel follows Ophelia's younger sister, Genevieve, as she gets herself into a bigger pickle than her sister did in Phantasma. Unbeknownst to Ophelia, Genevieve has been corresponding with an old magical family in Italy. She is desperate to find others like her and her older sister never tells her anything. When she arrives at Enchantra though she discovers that she has been deceived and now she has to play a deadly game where her life is at stake. This is a very spicy enemies to lovers romance with lots of dark paranormal vibes. Demons, vampires, devils and more watch the game and Genevieve must learn to trust the Silver family if she wants to keep her life. Steamy, smutty, and fun! 

Start with Hello

I absolutely loved everything about this book. This should be required reading for everyone. A quick and dirty summary is, this book will help you be a better neighbor, will help you get out of your own head, will make you want to grow your empathy, take action and open your eyes to all the unused connections around you. Fabulous and inspiring. I definitely plan to recommend this to others and to re-read again. 

The Keeper of Lost Things

Heartwarming, sad, and affirming. This tale of lost items and second chances really pulls at the heart strings. Laura has loved working for Anthony Peardew. He is the perfect boss and being his "writing assistant" at his beautiful British estate gives her a sense of purpose. Her elderly employer is a bit of a recluse and spends a lot of his time in his study. After he passes and she discovers that she has inherited his entire estate, she finally ventures into the mysterious study and is amazed by what she finds. Tucked away on shelves and in drawers are hundreds, perhaps even thousands of small items carefully cataloged. A biscuit tin, a puzzle piece, an umbrella, a teddy bear. The contents o the study are all lost items that Anthony discovered and took home to keep safe, hoping to reunite them all with their owners. The Keeper of Lost Things isn't just Laura and Anthony's story however, we get glimpses into the lives of so many others, Sunshine the overly friendly neighbor, Eunice and Bomber, Freddy the gardener and so many more. Touching and heartfelt. Such a genuine story!

A Girl Walks into the Forest

I really enjoyed this dark fairy tale-esque teen horror novel. Honestly, it could have been an adult novel, it was deliciously dark and disturbing at times. When a teenaged girl has been selected to be the new count's bride, she is sent through the dark and dangerous forest to meet him at his castle. She is not looking forward to marrying a stranger, but she is looking forward to a life of luxury and maybe making some female friends. While on the way to meet the Count she is viciously attacked by a being of the forest and her once beautiful face is now destroyed. To make matters worse, life in the castle is far from what she imagined it to be. There is something evil and menacing lurking within her walls. She used to be scared of the forest, but maybe it's what is inside the castle walls that should concern her the most. Lush writing, this folk tale is definitely a memorable one. Loved it!

Out of the Ordinary

Ugh. This was a slog! I listened to the audiobook and it felt like SO MUCH DIALOGUE and so little movement. Hardly anything happened, there would be huge chunks of talk, talk, talk and then a little scene movement, back to talking. Maybe it was more noticeable because I was listening to the audiobook version, but man, I just wanted there to be a little more action! Miss Gertrude Cadwalader is a paid companion of a shifty lady, Miss Davenport. Miss Davenport is forever getting into shenanigans and Gertrude is always having to clean up the mess. When a sticky fingers incident puts her in an awkward place with the man of her dreams, Gertrude isn't sure how she will be able to get out of the mess. Banal, boring, and very predictable. I like Christian romance, especially historical romance but this New York drama wasn't it for me. 

I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com

Humorous and irreverent, but also... really pointless? I loved Lemming's Mead Mishaps trilogy; it was so much fun! This was full of humor, quips, and insanelt weird scenarios. It was ok but nothing I will ever feel the urge to pick up and read again. A wildlife biologist is filming meercats when a lion comes out of nowhere to attack her. Rather than being eaten, she finds herself beamed up onto an alien spaceship. She finds out that she has been selected as part of a breeding program for another alien species. Oh and they have only studied humans for three days, so these aliens have made the most bizarre planet for their captured humans and humanoids. There are dinosaurs, giant animals, and no women, that is except for Dorothy. What could possibly go wrong?! Steamy, smutty, irreverent and banal. 

With a Vengeance

Definitely a fast paced book, but it wasn't the Riley Sager that I've come to know and love. First off, I was disappointed because I've gotten his first 8 books through Book of the Month Club and he declined to make it available that way so I had to go to a bookstore to buy (but I did score a signed copy!). This was a bit unique because it's a historical murder mystery, not his usual thriller flirting with paranormal elements. It's very much a love letter to Agatha Christie. If Murder on the Orient Express and Then There Were None had an American baby, this would be it. It's a closed door murder mystery that takes place on a train. You will suspect everyone and be somehow both wrong and a little right. There were almost too many twists. Not bad, but definitely not my favorite Sager book. 

The Amalfi Curse

I adored this book! It had fantasy elements, underwater archaeology, dual timelines, and a beautiful Italian backdrop. Haven Ambrose flies into the gorgeous Italian coastal town of Positano eager to lead her first big underwater archaeological project, she has an entire female team behind her and she is eager to get started. She also selfishly chose the location because it was the last place her father dived before he passed and he was convinced that he was close to finding treasure there. Nearly 150 years prior in the same area a group of Italian Streghas (sea witches) find themselves struggling to protect their coastal town from pirates, bad weather, and other threats. The two timelines will find themselves linked in ways that neither could ever imagine. Inventive and wonderful! I want more!

The Third Gilmore Girl

I adored this audiobook narrated by the actress herself. It was charming and engaging and wasn't too long. The perfect memoir. I only knew Kelly Bishop from Gilmore Girls so it was a real treat getting to learn more about her life, her career on Broadway, TV, and films. Kelly seems like such an enduring and insightful person and I love that she didn't just gloss over her life, she bared a lot. Listening this really makes me want to do another Gilmore Girls re-watch! 

The One-in-a-Million Boy

Such a heartwarming and heartbreaking book that really tugged on my heartstrings. Ona Viktus is a feisty 104 year-old and she doesn't know what to make of the 11 year old boy who is been sent to help her out every Saturday. He likes things to be organized by tens, chores to be done in a certain order, and knows practically every single Guinness World Record. He gets it into his mind that he has to help get Ona in the running for oldest woman and the two of them find themselves looking forward to every weekend. She even agrees to let him interview her for a class project. They are an odd pair, but they both find themselves becoming friends despite their nearly 100 year age gap. One Saturday, he doesn't show up, his father Quinn does. What unfolds next is tragic, heartwarming, and a wonderful journey. Loved this story so much!

A Night Without Armor

This was a blast from the past. I remember this poetry collection being HOT when I was in middle school. That being said I never got around to reading it. I enjoyed this collection, but I wasn't in awe of it. It was ok for a singular read but I didn't find myself bookmarking any pages or wanting to save this to re-read it. Again, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. This was good for a singular read. 

The Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson

I have only read a few of Emily Dickinson's poems in the past so this was the first time I sat down and dedicated myself to actually exploring her work. It's undeniably beautiful and her use of language and prose is masterful. It's not all perfect though, there were some real standouts and some that felt rushed or just didn't feel right. She is without question one of the greats, but I don't know anything about poetry so I'm not exactly the best judge. Happy that I finally read her poems though, I felt as though I had gaps in my reading history. 

The Deal

Don't get me wrong, I liked this book, I enjoyed this book! I thought it was steamy and sexy and wonderful BUT... the second that Garrett mentioned he needed a fake ID.... it was a bit of a mood killer. I am in my mid-thirties and I just had in my head that they were older than that. I was picturing fifth year seniors or something but I got a reality check real quick when I read that. I was getting a little TOO invested in some 20 year old's sex life. Storyline was good and really reminded me a lot of Icebreaker. I wonder if the author was inspired by this book and decided to mimic it. Hot romance, but my age cooled that down real quick. 

Sunrise on the Reaping

Just as good, if not better than, the original trilogy. This prequel featuring Haymitch had me locked in from page one. It's SO GOOD! And it explains so much about how he got so jaded and critical in The Hunger Games. I read this in one day, it was an emotional rollercoaster. Obviously I went into this book knowing that he would win (because he's a mentor), but wow - his journey is insane. And the ending. My heart could hardly handle it. SO SO GOOD! 

Prophecy

The first in a trilogy, Prophecy focuses on two outcasts, Azriel and Persephone as they try to trust each other and figure out the riddles surrounding their future. Azriel is a handsome thief who spirits away Persephone from her owner. She may have been a slave but Persephone is an independent thinker; while she may have been "rescued" by Azriel but that doesn't mean she is beholden to him. At every turn she tries to evade him and forge her own path, but that pesky little prophecy is keeping them together. Too bad, the prophecy doesn't have any concrete details. This political intrigue has slight elements of fantasy and is perfect for older teens and adults. It starts off quite slow, but really picks up when the duo reaches the castle. The chemistry and undercurrent of romance between Persephone and Azriel is also a smoldering slow burn. Of course the book ends on a cliffhanger so you have to read the next book in the series to find out what happens. 

Lore Olympus v. 8

One of the best in the series so far! We got the outcome of Persephone's trial and the aftermath. The ending was awesome an we're finally getting closer to Hades and Persephone getting together together. Love it! As always, the artwork is amazing as is the way Rachel Smythe updates the classic mythology to fit the story. I can't wait for the next one! 

The Murderer Across the Hall

A haunting memoir about living with a man who turned out to be a murderer. When Chrystal and her boyfriend Tom found a cheap place to rent they were thrilled to get out of their crappy apartment. Tom had recently reconnected with an old friend and he had offered them a bedroom to rent. Chrystal wasn't thrilled with the house or with the owner, Johnny; but her boyfriend was all in so she tried to be happy about it. From the get go things were weird with Johnny, he was always on drugs and his behavior was getting more erratic. He practically trashed the basement including all the new paint they had purchased to spruce it up. He was always trash talking his ex and just seemed off. When they got the call that their house was a crime scene, little did Chrystal and Tom know what it was about. They thought it was for drugs. When they learned the truth they were horrified. This slim book is only 25 pages and holds the perspective of Chrystal. It is not an exhaustive true crime book, there is hardly anything about the murder of Hannah, it is mostly about Chrystal's experience. While good, it is very short and would be best served as a chapter in an exhaustive book about the incident. This is just one small angle. 

A Talent for Murder

First off, I loved the straightforward murder mystery aspect. This relatively slim novel hooked me right away and was a fast paced read. This was the third in the series, I had no read the previous two, but the story was still easy to follow. Martha Ratliff, a sedate librarian living in Maine has begun to suspect that her husband is up to no good when he travels the coast selling his wares. She doesn't think it's infidelity, but she does think it involves murder. Is her charming husband a serial killer?! Marth enlists the help of Lilu Kintner, a former college friend to help her dig deeper, she doesn't want to come out and accuse her husband, what if she's wrong? What Lily and her partner Henry discover goes much deeper than anyone thought. Chilling and dark, I need to check out the rest of the books in this series. 

The Spy Coast

Maggie is a retired CIA operative and she is enjoying the slower pace of life. For the past two years she has lived on a small farm in a small town in Maine. She tends to her chickens, drinks horribly bitter coffee with her neighbor Luther, and has meet-ups with a few other CIA retirees who conveniently live in the same town. When a body of a woman ends up in her driveway, Maggie knows something from her past has caught up to her. When she is shot at a few days later she knows that her time in Maine is at an end. She along with her retiree friends must get to the bottom of who is out to get her before the nosy police cop gets in the way. To uncover the threats, Maggie is finally going to have to tell her friends what happened sixteen years ago and maybe, maybe, they will be able to figure out who is after her and why. A fine book, but I didn't love the characters. I don't think I will continue with the series. 

How to Tell a True Story

This middle grade story about a teen girl losing everything but her family in a house fire is heartbreaking and full of hope. Amber Price is used to having to worry about studying for math or if the cute boy in her class has noticed her, but when a fire upends her life she hardly knows what to think. Her older brother Gage rushed into the house to save her from the attic and suffered sever burns. Everyone is calling him a hero and wants to help their family. But some things can't be helped. Their dad's stress about the insurance, their parent's deteriorating relationship, the lack of cute clothes to wear. This contemporary novel will make teens think twice about what kindness and the truth mean. 

The Paradise Problem

Christina Lauren books just keep getting better. I don't know how, but let me tell you I am here for it. The premise is borderline absurd, unbelievable, yet works SO GOOD! Anna and West got married in college so they could get cheap lodging. It was never consummated and as roommates they hardly ever saw each other. When they graduated Anna signed the divorce papers and they moved on their happy separate ways. That is until five years later. Anna has just been fired from her crappy convenience store job when West shows up asking for a favor. Turns out they had never actually been divorced and he needs her to pretend to be his wife for a tropical 10 day wedding. Oh and by the way his family is worth billions. Of course she says yes because he is willing to pay her 100,000 and that will pay off so much of her medical debt. What could go wrong? She's a broke adult who has no idea what it's like live with wealth, she can pretend to be a rich bitch.... right? Things start to go sideways when West's brother gets suspicious and when she starts to develop feelings for West. Over the top, witty, and wonderful. Christina Lauren at their best! 

Death in the Jungle

This book was so compelling and so heartbreaking. I was riveted. I knew about Jonestown, the Kool-Aid, Jim Jones, and the works. Or at least I thought I did. After reading this compelling narrative nonfiction title, I realized that it was so much worse than I ever realized. I only knew the broad strokes and author Candace Fleming did an amazing job of connecting the dots and focusing on a few key survivors to tell the story. Obviously the story starts with Jim Jones, but it goes so much more deep than that. This title is geared towards teens, but really I think it's a perfect place to start if you want to know about this tragedy. It is SO in depth and uses the testimonies of some key survivors to help set the scene and make readers understand how normal people could find themselves caught up in the web of deceit. Very well written and includes photos (none of the massacre itself thankfully). Truly moving, a fitting tribute to the survivors and a glimpse into something truly terrifying. 

A Curse Carved in Bone

The shield maiden Freya discovers that not all is what it seems. After Bjorn's betrayal in at the end of the last book, she is more than pissed. She wants answers and she wants them know. She goes with Harald and Bjorn to Nordeland so she can meet Saga and hear from her what the prophecy is and if there is a way to change it. The story definitely floundered the first half of the book and there were so many missing pieces. When the pieces all fit together it was quite a shock. A fitting conclusion to this duology. It's made me want to learn more about Norse mythology. The ending was great and I will be sad to let these characters go. 

Devotions from the Garden

This devotional has been a wonderful way to start each morning. Not only is it filled with beautiful reflections, but the accompanying garden photos showcasing the Lord's beauty is breathtaking. Each devotional opens with a piece of scripture, is followed by a devotional and ends with a prayer. I love how perfectly it tied into gardening!

Monsters in Your Head

Percius is sick and tired of being bullied. He gets it, he is an outcast. But liking monster movies, the local haunted house, and monster magazines isn't that strange. Why can't people just leave him alone?! With no friends and emotionally absent parents; Percius turns to his monsters for comfort. While at his lowest he creates three fictional monster friends and they make him feel stronger and more in control. When he decides to confront his bully, Marcus at school, he takes comfort in their presence, no mater how imaginary. But later that night when Marcus comes seeking vengeance, Percius discovers that there may be more to his imaginary friends then he realizes. Fast paced and well written, this horror novella is a love letter to every kid who was bullied. A new and inventive monster story! 

Year One

This may have been the first Nor Robert's book that I really enjoyed! Year One very much reminds me of Stephen King's, The Stand. It's a dystopian novel about the end of civilization from a plague and the battle for good and evil. There is a lot more magic in this book however. Lots of people who survive the doom (the plague) have found themselves blessed with powers. Many are witches, wizards, elves, and fairies. Not all though were blessed. Some are just ordinary people and they don't take kindly to those with powers. They call them the uncanny and blame them for the plague. Lana and Max along with some others, flee New York City to get away from the raiders and those that wish to use their powers for evil. Along the way they pick up many other people and look forward to starting a community of their own. One that will be safe. How safe can anyone be in a world like this though? A good story, but I may wait a while before I dive into the other two books in the series! 

Wild and Wrangled

I am so heartbroken that this series is over. I want more!!!!! Wild and Wrangled is the 4th and final installment in the Rebel Blue Ranch. It covers the romance between Cam and Dusty. I have been waiting to hear their story for forever! Cam and Dusty were high school lovers who went their separate ways. Cam has grown up a lot, she has a child and is a lawyer. She is also engaged. When Dusty moves back to town he is drawn to Cam like a moth to a flame. But she is off limits. However, when she is jilted at the alter she is back on the market. But is her heart open to romance again? Can they resolve their issues and start again? A heartfelt conclusion to a fantastic romance series. 

On Tyranny

Necessary reading! If you are an American living through these troubled times then this small book is a must read! It really packs a punch for being so little. It's thought provoking, engaging, angering, and so timely. If you value being a free citizen then please read this! It's bite sized reading so there is no excuse not to read this and think deeply on the value and importance of being free! 

Starling House

This is one of the delightfully dark gothic tales that's hard to describe, but so comfortable to settle into. Beautifully written, the story of Starling house falls a dark and twisting path and not even the ancestors know the whole tale. Opal keeps dreaming of the house and finding herself drawn to it. She doesn't know why, she's just a low class girl leaving in a motel with her younger brother just trying to get by. One day while walking to work at the Tractor Supply she stops in front of the gates and they open to her touch. Are the stories true? Opal is about to find out what madness lies behind the ivy. 

The Work Happiness Method

I love a good self-help book, especially if it has easy and manageable approaches to share. The Work Happiness Method has that in spades. You can start little and work your way up to the big items. Some of the methods and action items aren't new, I've read about them in other leadership books, but I did appreciate the way it was framed. I also REALLY appreciated that you didn't have to write in the book. You could and there was space for readers to write down their steps and to dos, but the author provided QR codes to printable worksheets. Huzzah! That's more my speed! I hate writing in non-spiral bound books! Readers will get the most out of this if they read the book in small chunks and really focus on the 8 different skills. This is a self-help/leadership book that I will definitely refer back to! I really liked the examples that were provided as well!

Temple of Swoon

This was a cute romcom. The premise is wholly unbelievable but that doesn't mean it isn't cute and steamy. While this is the second book in a series, it can very easily be read as a standalone. I love the titles and I love anything loosely based off Romancing the Stone and Indiana Jones. Temple of Swoon, Dr. Miriam Jacobs finds herself leading her first archaeological expedition and she is woefully unprepared and scared. Her mentors were supposed to be leading the exhibition, but due to a broken arm they won't be able to trek through the Amazon on the search for the lost City of the Moon. Everything starts to fall apart, people quit, equipment is breaking, and she is losing hope. Is someone sabotaging the expedition?! The only bright side is Rafa, the hunky photographer who is documenting the mission. The only problem is, he is hiding a very big secret. Cheesy, predictable, and fun!

Where the Library Hides

I really wanted to like this one more but Whit and Inez kept making horrible, dumb decisions and it really started to peeve me off. I loved the first book, but this one was just ok. Whit started off strong as a total douche-canoe. Like awful. Inez, honey.... you idiot. Where the Library Hides picks up right after the events of Secrets of the Nile. Straight into actions and straight into... marriage?! We definitely went there and this is a teen book. They bone a few times but it's done tactfully, closed doors style. I don't know how to even summarize this. They have to find her mother and fix the mess she created and in the process make an even bigger mess?! Lots of twists and turns, some believable and obvious. Others, not so much. I liked the epilogue a lot, I will give it that! 

Demon Summer

This was such a campy, cheesy, breeze. If you love b-movies, Scream, and unserious horror then this is the one for you. Some teenagers working at the fast food restaurant Snaxtime, may or may not have summoned on a demon and gotten mixed up in some weird stuff. Zane, Dexter, Star and Jake are about to have an unforgettable summer. Demon Summer is an homage to Stranger Things and Scream. It's campy and fun. Horror fluff. This book would appeal to older teens and adults. 

Pucked

This was a fun, smutty read. If you are a fan of lots of sex, minimal storyline, outlandish scenarios, and hot hockey players, then you will definitely like this book. Violet isn't into hot hunky hocky players. Which is a shame because her stepbrother is one and the guys on his team are hot, hot, hot. But Violet has morals and a good vibrator, she won't turn herself into a puck bunny. Most hockey players are big sluts and she doesn't want to get any STDs. But when she meets Alex, her stepbrother's teammate, all her own advice goes out the door. She stays the night with hockey's most infamous playboy and of course the sex is amazing. What's a girl to do?!?! Go back for more obviously! Soon there starts to be more feelings involved. Could what they have ever work?!  Super cheesy, full of ridiculous scenarios and an enviable amount of boning. Pucked is a part of a series. I don't know that I will read more, but I am not opposed to it either. 

Counting Miracles

I haven't read a Nicholas Sparks in ages and this really felt nice. It had all the hallmarks of a classic Sparks novel, tragedy, second chances, lost love, and hope. Sleepy, Asheboro, North Carolina is home to a cast of unforgettable characters. Jasper is a sad old man with a tragic past. The scars on his body always draws stares so he doesn't go out much and besides his doctor and a young boy in his neighborhood he doesn't really talk to anyone (besides his dog, Arlo). When a handsome miliary veteran comes to town searching for answers he meets Dr. Kaitlyn Cooper and her two children. Little do they know that their lives, Jasper's life and this stranger's life are all about to change. Heartbreaking and hopeful. I liked all the characters. a little sappy, bult ultimately a great read. Gotta love Nicholas Sparks!

The Book of Witching

A 3.5 rounded up to a 4. I enjoyed this story, but there were parts where it meandered or lost me. It was compelling, but also, easy to put down. It was a twisty tale of witchcraft told during two timelines, present day and in the 16th century. Clem experiences every parent's worst nightmare, a call from the police saying that they have discovered her daughter, near death and extremely burned. Erin has been placed in a medically induced coma and her diagnosis is not good. Clem has no idea what happened, a fire on an uninhabited island? When they discover that Erin's boyfriend is dead and there friend Senna is missing, Clem knows she has to get to to the bottom of it before the police start pointing fingers. In 1524, Alison is known for her healing arts although she refuses to consort with her mother's clan of witches anymore. When she is accused of a heinous act she will have to find the courage to survive and stay strong for her family. These two seemingly unconnected storylines will weave themselves together in nefarious ways. 

Qonqor: the Robot with the Radioactive Brain

Bonkers, brilliant, and bat shit crazy - this old school horror short story is perfect for those who grew up on B-movies. It's funny and irreverent and itches a scratch that you didn't know you had. Dr. Vincent Rattlocke is in a bit of a conundrum, his best friend, Dr. Johnny Calder, has died in a freak lab experiment and the clock is ticking. Vincent is "pretty sure" that he can bring back Johnny's brain function, but his body is shot. Johnny's been dead for several days and the chest is caved in; no way that is getting Frankensteined back to life. Vinny is going to have to get creative; good thing he has a veritable junkyard in his lab. Everything can serve a purpose if you try hard enough. Old cannisters pistons, fridges, and microwaves can hold new life if you're only brave enough to tinker. Filled with mad cap humor, this fast paced short story has such a fun hook. If Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Creepshow had a forbidden love child, Qonqor: the Robot with the Radioactive Brain, would be it. Who doesn't love a mad scientist and a sarcastic robot?!

The Songweaver's Vow

There are countless fictionalized tales of Greek and Roman mythology, but hardly any on Norse Mythology. Central Indiana author, Laura VanArendonk Baugh, seeks to remedy that with this compelling and fantastical tale full of Viking lore and adventure. Euthalia is excited to travel with her merchant father but when Vikings attack and her father trades her off to the enemy in an attempt to save his own skin, she has to hope that she'll be taken for a bride rather than a slave or a sacrifice. She is given to a god as a bride so she is lucky... to an extent. Her new husband seems decent, but he only visit her at night and won't let her look upon him. Euthalia spends her nights with her mysterious husband and her days telling Greek legends and tales to the Norse gods. She gets a reputation as a storyteller and all seems well. That is, until one of her stories inspires a god's murder and she discovers that her husband might really be a monster. What follows is a horrific retribution and Euthalia finds herself caught in the middle of it with no allies in Asgard. Euthalia must seek help with a spiteful goddess to sway Odin, discover the truth about her husband, and save Loki before bloody tragedy opens Ragnarok, the prophesied end of the world.

Casino Royale

A quick and dirty summary for those of you not familiar with the world of James Bond. This is the first in the series and it introduces us to a suave, calm and collected secret agent who is being sent to France to play high-stakes baccarat in order to knock Le Chiffre and his organization down a few pegs. His superiors send a woman to "assist" him and he finds her distracting. He wants to bed her, but her presence annoys her (she belongs in a kitchen.... eye roll). I wish I could give this 5 stars, but the sexism factor is quite high! I know, I know, it's a product of it's time, but man! It was a lot! The movie follows this book fairly closely so I knew a lot going into it, but I still really enjoyed it! I listened to the audiobook which had a superb English narrator. It really helped set the tone for me.  

Mending Broken Roads

Mending Broken Roads is a sweet Christian romance about a plus size woman with no friends or family (besides an abusive aunt) who decides to finally leave her hometown of Indianapolis. Callie no longer has anything holding her back so she decides to randomly point at a map and go wherever her finger lands. She ends up in Edenton Bay, North Carolina with no plans other than a fresh start. Callie has been saddled with grief from the loss of her parents and shame at her looks and the way she was treated by her aunt. Callie vows that this fresh start will turn her life around. During her first week in Edenton Bay she meets a handsome man at grief group but decides pretty quickly that he could never be interested in a fat girl like her. Colt strongly disagrees; he thinks she is beautiful, no matter what her size is and works hard to make Callie like him. He invites her to live in an empty cabin at his ranch and help out with the horses as rent. Not having any other plans, Callie decides to move onto Redemption Ranch. Working alongside each other every day becomes a joy and their attraction to each other is palpable. However, Callie is so filled with self-doubt that she is certain tat he doesn't want to purse anything other than a friendship with her. What will it take to heal her heart and allow her to trust Colt? This debut novel is the first in a series by local author, Elizabeth Woodrow, who currently resides in Whiteland, Indiana. A quick inspirational read that is a little light on editing but heavy on heart. 

Camino Island

I always thought that Grisham was this big literary giant, but the storytelling is... kind of flat. It opened up very promising, right in the middle of the action and then it just.... was. There isn't much guesswork or mystery, it's fairly flat. The premise is that Fitzgerald's manuscripts have been stolen from Princeton's library by a bunch of amateur bad guys who want to flip them for some serious money. Enter Mercer, a broke barely getting by author who is contacted by an insurance company to act as a spy... it's as ridiculous as it sounds. Mercer has the "perfect alibi" so she was recruited to spy on the main "suspect" Bruce. Bruce wasn't the man who stole the manuscripts but he is a bookstore owner who dabbles in stolen and rare books. I mean. It was fine. Maybe I will read the next, but I am not rushing into it. 

Cat Poems

Maybe I don't really like poetry or maybe I just didn't like these poems. It was an ok collection but there were really only 4 or 5 that I actually enjoyed. Some seemed like a bit of a stretch to include. An ok book, but one I doubt I will pick up again. 

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House

This series continues to be fun and adorable. The fourth book in the Dream Harbor series focuses on Iris, a flighty and fun job hopping diva that can't seem to commit and Archer, a world travelling chef who has just received some world changing news. Archer just discovered that he is the father to a precious five year old girl he never knew existed. When her mother is tragically killed in an accident he is found listed on the birth certificate. He drops everything to fly into Dream Harbor and meet his daughter. In order to get custody he has to live in town so he quits his fancy culinary job to become a small time diner cook and a full time dad. He hired Iris to be his live in nanny while he figures things out and boy are sparks flying between the two. They better both figure out what they really want though because they don't need to mess with Archer's daughter's heart. Charming single dad romance. Loved it! 

Extra! Extra! Eat All About It!: Recipes and Culinary Curiosities from Historic Wisconsin Newspapers by Randi Julia Ramsden

This was such a fun book! I live in Indiana so this really hit home for me even though I don't live in Wisconsin. I LOVED the format of this book. Like most cookbooks, this book was broken into sections, drinks, breads, desserts, etc. Within each section there alternated between a historic recipe and a well written chapter on the historical origins of food, cooking techniques, cooking equipment, etc. I also loved that both the recipes and the the historical section included the original newspaper clippings that they came from. What a fun concept and enjoyable read. I learned so much! Some of the recipes were kind of bizarre, but some also looked really good. As a vegetarian I can't normally eat a lot of recipes from older cookbooks, but I could more than half of the ones included in here, I was impressed! I wish all states did something fun like this. What a great way to highlight newspapers and other archival material!

Somali and the Forest Spirit

This was such a cute little start to a series. The art is beautiful and it's such an adorable cozy fantasy. I am not always the biggest fan of manga, but this was such a cute premise and I love the artwork. Humans have been hunted almost to extinction and goblins, spirits, ghouls, and witches rule over all. When  a golem discovers a human child he makes it his mission to track down her parents or other humans. The golem doesn't have much of a life left to for, so he may as well leave his forest and go on one final quest. Wonderful. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.