Justice Gone

Fast paced and gripping, this legal thriller will grip readers from page one. When an east coast town experiences the brutal murder of an unarmed homeless man by six cops, people don't think it can get any worse.  That is, until they find out that the homeless man was a war hero undergoing PTSD treatment at a nearby counseling center. Riots and protests break out nationwide. Tessa is one of the head honchos at the treatment facility and she was particularly close to Jay, the man beaten to death by cops. She's taking it hard, but not as hard as another one of her clients, Donald, who was a war buddy and best friends with Jay. When Donald goes missing and some of the cops are found shot to death, Donald becomes suspect number one. Deep down she knows that Donald would never turn into a vigilante killer, but at the same time... who did kill those dirty cops? Broken into three parts, this legal thriller will keep readers guessing. A wonderful look into a fictional man hunt and court setting that feels all too real.

The Great Alone

Worth. The. Hype. Honestly, I liked this even better than Kristin Hannah's, "The Nightingale," and that book was a masterpiece! I zipped through this one, unable to put it down. It was gripping from the beginning and I know that this is a book I will return to. Set in the remote Alaskan wilderness, this coming of age story features a young girl trying to navigate her parent's stormy relationship and make friends of her own (a hard task when there are only about 30 people in town). Leni's father came back from Vietnam a changed man, prone to violent outbursts, restlessness, and crazy ideas. When his buddy from Vietnam wills him a cabin up in Alaska, he packs his family into their VW van and moves them across county into the great alone. They are woefully under-prepared for their first winter and that summer the townsfolk comes together to help out the newcomers. Little does Leni's family realize how long the winters are and how short daylight is; Leni's father mood shifts ever darker. Despite the darkness in her father their is beauty everywhere: in their new neighbors, the rugged wilderness, the value of hard work and borrowed books. Beautifully written; this love letter to Alaska will resonate with readers and have readers rooting for Leni. Tears may fall, dreams may be born, anything is possible. Favorite book of 2018 so far!

The Impossible Knife of Memory

Anderson, Laurie Halse. The Impossible Knife of Memory. 8 CDs. unabridged. 9hrs 13 mins. Brilliance Audio. 2014. ISBN 9781480553606. $59.97. 

Bestselling young adult author and Printz Award nominee, Laurie Halls Anderson (Speak, Fever 1793, Twisted) brings to the table another unforgettable novel that will have teenagers and adults alike clamoring for more. Seventeen year old Hayley Kincain has more on her plate than most of her fellow high school students. She and her father have spent a lifetime trying to outrun their memories, but now that they've settled in their father's hometown, the memories catch back up to both of them and threaten to swallow them whole. For Hayley, memories of abandonment, her mother and grandmother's death, and her stepmother's lack of commitment start to surface, first as ripples, than as waves. For her father, a veteran of the Iraq War, the horrors he saw in the war, won't stay hidden. He tries to numb the memories with drugs and alcohol, and his daughter is left picking up the pieces. And as if Hayley's life weren't anymore complicated, a sweet young man who just wants to see her laugh and smile comes barging into her life. For once, Hayley finds herself thinking about the future, but how can she do that when her past is hidden and she has to take care of her father? Narrated beautifully by TV and voice actress, Julia Whelan, whose youthful voice does wonders in bringing Hayley's own voice to light. Also, co-narrated by Luke Daniels whose gruff and melancholy voice is the perfect portrayal of Hayley's father. Engaging, heartfelt, and compelling - another must read from one of YA's best authors. For fans of young adult literature and coming of age novels. Erin Cataldi, Johnson County Public Library, Franklin, IN

Leave of Absence - Blog Tour

Mental illness carries such a stigma which is a damn shame because it is infinitely more complicated and confusing then we can ever imagine. Tanya J. Peterson does a masterful job of shedding light onto one of the most pressing and important topics of our generation. The media exploits mass killings, suicides, and health care to such an extant that mental health is put in very a negative spotlight. Keeping an open mind about mental illness is the only way we can begin to understand the complexities of it. We take medicine for our bodies when something is wrong so why is there such a stigma when we take medicine for our minds?

Peterson's story follows Penelope and Oliver, two people who are suffering from something outside their control. Oliver is admitted to Airhaven behavioral treatment center after he attempts jumping off an 18 story building hoping to end the guilt he has for not being able to save his wife and child from their untimely deaths. While there, he meets charismatic Penelope, a kind hearted woman who is suffering from schizophrenia. Other patients shun Penelope who is prone to make outbursts or cause a scene but Oliver finds a kindred spirit. Their journey towards healing and coming to terms with life outside the treatment center is humbling. Peterson really illuminates the characters raw emotions and the reader can't help but feel connected to these two poor souls as they to find reasons to live for in a world so un-accepting of their conditions. 

To date the only books I've read that deal with mental illness are: "Silver Lining's Playbook" and "The Curious Incident of the Nighttime Dog." This book however goes above and beyond and manages to humanize people who are suffering from many different forms of mental illness. It is a true eye opener. What books on mental illness have you read? What about movies? Why does our culture place such a negative stigma on mental health?

Thanks for reading!