Three Apples Fell From the Sky

This was breathtaking and unexpected. I didn't think I would find myself so engrossed in this story, but it was such a pleasure to listen to. I highly recommend the audiobook version because the names are hard to pronounce and the narrator does a phenomenal job of bringing the dialect and accent to life. This book is set in the small mountain village high in the Armenian mountains. Once a bustling town, famine, war, earthquakes, and more have dwindles the town's population down to nothing. But despite the solitude, the the lack of contact with the outside world, hunger, and no more children - the elderly residents of this town keep going about their lives, not just out of stubbornness, but because it's the only thing they know how to do. Harvesting crops, laundering clothes, making meals, taking care of livestock, and gossiping with neighbors has never been more interesting. Thoroughly enjoyable, the setting and the characters are unforgettable. 

The Unknown

This was a wild ride. It took me a little bit to get into but it was so worth it because the END! The end got me man. Did not see it coming! An aspiring actress is plucked out of obscurity and saved from waiting tables to work on a top secret film directed by the legendary Ronan Peters. The catch is, she has to report to a supposedly haunted island for a week of team building with the other actresses and director. They picked the cursed island because that is actually the setting of the movie. Nothing could possibly go wrong... right? Slowly people start disappearing and it seems to be mimicking the script, Marin thought it was all mumbo jumbo, but now she's not sure. What will she do to survive? Classic Riley Sager, lots of fun and twists that you won't spot coming! 

A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle

This was an enjoyable listen. I admittedly had not read the first book in the series, but that did not impact any bit of the story, this can definitely be read as a standalone. When Flora discovers that her husband of 20 years is having an affair, she leaves her apartment and decides to stay at her bookshop. There is an attic with an uncomfortable bed in it. Anything is preferable to being near her adulterous husband. Her bookshop is located in the tiny village of Honeyford and it's loads different than living in Oxford. Since purchasing the bookshop she has struggled to fit in with the locals, maybe now that she's living there she can start to assimilate better. When a nosy shop owner overhears Flora's husband barge into the bookstore and demand she come home, she announces that Flora is living with her. Luna owns a mystical shop and she can see that Flora's aura can do with some healing. Desperate to escape the spider's in the bookshop attic, Flora takes Luna up on her offer to lodge a Starlight Cottage, and finds herself having a rather different summer than she intended. Cozy and cute, although completely predictable. Good fluff. As an added bonus the narrator has a British accent to help bring the story alive. 

Alchemised

EMOTIONAL WRECKAGE! And I loved every second of it. I fear this is about to set me on a path of reading exclusively Dramoine fan fiction til the end of the year and I'm not even mad about it. Alchemised is a retelling of Manacled which is a reimagining of dark, slow burn enemies to lovers fanfiction romance set in the wizarding world of Harry Potter and starring Draco and Hermoine. It is so so dark, and I am obsessed with it. I can't even write a review on it, because you just have to read it yourself. It starts a little slow, but by the end of part one I was INVESTED. Even though it was over 1,000 pages it didn't feel like it (well my wrists felt it, this was a damn heavy book!

Life

I love a good devotional and I really adored this one. I love that Lisa Harper didn't offer vague generalities -  she shared stories from her life, lessons she's learned, failures, and many, many joys (often involving her adopted daughter). Each devotional opened with a few lines from scripture and then shared a story from her life that tied in to the scripture. The stories were candid, insightful, and didn't always make her look the best (which is INSPIRING - we aren't all perfect!). Following that there were three questions to help the reader will dig in deep and reflect on what was just read and make a plan on how to incorporate a lesson or a mindset into their lives. Wonderful! I need to read more of her books! 

The Shippers

This was such a cheesy, fluffy book and it came at the right time! This book is... 100% predictable. Cheesy. Over the top. Wonderful. No part of this book is believable, but did that stop me from enjoying it? Absolutely not. It was so cliche and romantic and I didn't even care! JoJo walked away from her fiancé at the alter (more like fake fainted) and while she is glad that she dodged that bullet, she is unmoored. What comes next? Her older sister's wedding is mere weeks after JoJo's failed wedding and JoJo is dreading it. It's a cruise ship wedding and her whole family and neighborhood friends will tease her mercilessly at her botched attempt at love. When her sister informs JoJo that her childhood crush will be attending the wedding and that he's newly single, the sisters make a plan to steal his heart and remake JoJo's image. What could possibly go wrong? When JoJo's best friend also shows up on the cruise, she makes him go along with her plan and makes him pretend to flirt with her to make her crush jealous. But what if they're not pretending? Predictable, charming, fluff. 

Wrath of Poseidon

This series is fun and I liked that this one was a prequel of sorts. Wrath of Poseidon goes back to how Remi and Sam met and their very first adventure together. Is it cheesy? Yes. Did I still thoroughly enjoy it? Also yes. Remi was young and inexperienced at the ways of the world (gun handling, scuba diving, etc.) but luckily for her Sam has already made it through DARPA training. Despite her lack of "skills" she showcases her quick thinking and adaptability. The only thing that troubles her is how "easy" it was for Sam to kill a man in self-defense. Can their budding relationship survive when bodies are hitting the floor? This isn't going to win awards anytime soo but it was fun and I plan on reading (aka listening) to the next installment whenever it comes out. 

The Mash Up

This was such a cute, feel good novel for millennial women. It' a little over the top, but that didn't bother me in the slightest. Ruby Wynne likes to play it safe. She and her boyfriend Conner are as beige as they come and they have everything mapped out. On Ruby's 35th birthday, her best friend presents her with a remnant from the past. A rediscovered MASH game. According to her younger self, her dream future included marrying her twin brother's best friend Penn (yuck!), driving a tie-dyed jeep, owning a roller rink diner, and so much more. Ruby can hardly remember that idealistic and over the top girl. When her boyfriend tells her, he's moving to NYC later that night - Ruby is aghast. Her carefully planned future is destroyed. After a few too many drinks she falls, hits her head, and wakes up in her MASH future. In this world, everything is as young Ruby envisioned it, down to the multiple pools, mansion, and roller rink diner. But what about Penn? And how on Earth is she supposed to get back to reality? This will be of most fun to girls who grew up in the 90s. It's a nostalgia overload and super cheesy but it works. Excellent debut! Make a Hallmark movie of this already! The witty banter was amazing! 

Fight Oligarchy

Concise, easy to read, well stated, ESSENTIAL! I read this short manifesto in under 90 minutes and man it packs a punch and gets you mad. Bernie Sanders has been fighting the oligarchy for decades so he knows what he's talking about and he knows what's effective at disrupting it. At no point in our country r world's history has so few people held all the money and power. It's disgusting, disruptive, and dangerous. This book is perfect for anyone, regardless of political affiliation (he craps on the democrats too!), because it is a cliffs note book on what is wrong in our country, how it got that way, and how to fix it. Very impactful, I've already passed this book on to someone else to read!

Yesteryear

I don't normally enjoy books where the main character is supremely unlikeable, but this book was hard to put down! Natalie Heller Mills is an influencer, a tradwife to be exact, although she resents the term. She and her perfect husband and her perfect children live on a huge ranch and they work the land, homeschool their children, and live simple lives. But what if it's not all that it's cracked up to be? What if there are two realities, the one that social media users see and the one that's really happening? One morning Natalie wakes up and she's in her room, but it's not her room and it's not her family. She's back in time, in the late 1800s and she has no idea how or why? Is she on a reality show? Did she eat something weird? Life may have looked wholesome and easy, but having to put in this level of work (no washing machines!!), is tedious. Told through multiple storylines, Yesteryear is raw, thought provoking, and unputdownable. I didn't see the end coming!

Thinky Thoughts

Very much in the same style as Jenny Lawson, this collection of humorous essays discuss motherhood, trauma, womanhood, writing, friendship, love, and more. I felt personally seen in some of the essays. Gwenna has a way with words and her humorous turn of phrases or funny insight really helped this book shine. I especially loved the essay that was from the sofa's perspective, it was so sweet and heartening, and her author's note at the end was a delight as well. An excellent book of essays that will make you feel less alone and more seen. 

Make Believe

Are you freaking kidding me?!? This book is a love letter to children's literature and is a MUST READ! It was funny, insightful, and so essential. Mac Barnett is a beloved children's book author and he decided to use his influence and platform to write a book for adults about the importance of making and reading GOOD books for children. No summary will do this book justice; Make Believe is a slim, 180 page rallying cry for authors, librarians, editors, educators, and adults who read to children. Mac talks about why kids are so amazing and why we need to make the books they WANT not the books we think they need. Kid's books are worthy and not just for kids. Kids deserve the same appreciation and care that give to adult books. Essential reading! I liked it so much, I bought my own copy after reading the library copy.  

Murder in an Irish Village

This was the cute start to an Irish cozy mystery series. I related to this book a fair bit. Not because I'm a gorgeous, talented red haired Irish beauty; but because Siobhán O’Sullivan is the oldest daughter, has six siblings, and has dead parents (I have one dead mom and that's enough, but you get the picture). Since her parent's unexpected death by a drunk driver, Siobhán has become guardian of the younger siblings, taken over running her parents cafe, and deferred her dream of going to Trinity College to stay home and make sure the family stays together. When they open up the bistro one morning and find a dead body (the brother of the drunk who killed their parents!), Siobhán knows she has to get to the bottom of it to clear her family's name and save them from financial ruin. It doesn't help that the town police has their eyes firmly set on James, the eldest brother because he was on a drinking bender the night of the murder. Full of twists and turns, figuring out who the murderer was, eluded me until the very end! I'll read more in the series for sure! 

The Daisy Chain Flower Shop

Dream Harbor is so cute and lovely and I love getting to read every new book in the series. The Daisy Chain Flower Shop features Daisy, flower shop owner and newcomer to town, Elliot. After the mayor has a vision of a storm cloud above Daisy's flower shop and three couples who used Daisy to make their wedding floral arrangements have split up, the town of Dream Harbor has decided that the Daisy Chain Flower Shop is cursed and business practically dries up. Desperate for newcomers, Daisy decides that a fake relationship might be the thing to turn her business around. They'll never actually develop feelings for each other... right? Fake dating is probably my least favorite romance trope, but whatever, it's fine. Not my favorite in the series, but it's cute, quick, and fun. I'm interested to see who the next couple will be, it's shaping up to be Elliot's brother and the town vet!

Dungeon Crawler Carl

I'm annoyed it took me so long to read this! Freaking obsessed. Hell of a great start to a series. I was hooked from the very beginning. Snarky, laugh out loud funny, adventurous, gory, and fun - this has something to appeal to most everyone. When Carl runs outside in the middle of the night to rescue his ex-girlfriend's cat he doesn't expect the world to essentially end. But while he's outside in his leather coat and frayed boxers coaxing Donut down from a tree every building in the world sinks into the earth's surface killing anyone and anything that was unfortunate to be inside at 2am. Immediately after that happens, thousands of portals open up and tempt surviving humans to enter within one hour if they want to survive. Inside the entrance is a series of levels filled with insane beasts and monsters. Carl and Donut will have to take them on in order to survive. And if they do well, they can get sponsors and be featured on intergalactic tv as trillions of beings around the galaxy are tuned into the games. How deep in the dungeon can he go? And did he just become best friend's with his exe's cat (who can also talk now). So much freaking fun!

The Potter's Field

It's been a long time since I watched this episode of the Brother Cadfael series on Masterpiece Theater so I was surprised at the end. Hoodwinked again! This whole series brings me so much joy. A body was found buried in a potter's field. There didn't appear to be any foul play, but it was clear she must have been murdered otherwise she would have been given a proper Christian funeral. Brother Cadfael and Hugh Berringer must figure out who the woman is and who killed her there. There are lots of men who look guilty, so the pair will have to use all their cunning to uncover their truth. Give me more!

Within the Black

A middle grade novel about grief and losing yourself to anger and pain. Will's mom died and everyone seems to be handling it better than him. His older sister isn't fighting his friends, his younger brother isn't hiding in his room, his dad isn't hiding things that remind him of her. Only Will. When nowhere comes for him, he embraces it. It's an escape from reality and in Nowhere, he can embrace the black, the cold nothingness of forgetfulness. But his family and friends keep trying to pull him back and make him remember. But Will just wants to forget, it hurts less. A good novel about grief, but the concept of Nowhere and the Keeper and the Caretaker needed a little finessing. As an adult reading this novel, I had trouble following the thread sometimes. 

St. Peter's Fair

Derek Jacobi could read a phone book for all I care and I will still love it. As a child I watched Brother Cadfael with my mother and I am so glad to finally be reading the books that the PBS masterpiece theater series was based off of. Brother Cadfael is a medieval monk who always seems to stumble upon a mystery, during the annual fair a merchant is found murdered in the river, his valuables abandoned. Is this just a random act of thievery or is there something more sinister afoot? Wonderfully narrated by Derek Jacobi, this medieval murder mystery is damn good and keeps you guessing. Give me more!

The Secret Library

This was an excellent middle grade read with truly an amazing plot that could have worked really well for an adult audience as well. Especially the ending, it was really deep! Dally Peterharrington just wants time for herself, time to explore, go on adventures, make friends. Instead her overbearing mother forces her to go to school, have a private business tutor, etiquette classes, nearly every waking moment is spent preparing to take over the family business. Her mom is concerned with being a good steward of the family fortune and legacy an there isn't time for adventure or fun. Life has been miserable for Dally until she discovers a map that leads her to a secret library. The library is filled with family secrets and soon Dally starts to learn more about her family history then she ever thought possible and it's about to change her whole life. Impressive world building, unique magic, and one hell of an adventure. 

Fire Mountain

One of the more action packed inspirational books that I've ever read to be honest. Kit wakes up only to discover she has wrecked her semi, has a baby as a passenger, and is stranded on a mountain with an active volcano threatening to blow. Did I mention the bullet holes? Someone was also shooting at her. She has no recollection of the wreck or picking up a baby. When a strange man comes to her aid, she is very wary of him at first. He soon proves to her that he is a good guy and he wants to get her and the baby safely to the evacuation zone. Cullen is a former cop and knows how to take care of himself, which is good because it turns out that there are some bad man after the baby and it's mom. Nonstop action, very clean, minimal mention of religion, but still a presence. Not a bad thriller. 

All About Mohandas Gandhi

This slim little biography is perfect for kids. It's got large print, breaks down a big topic into simple talking points, has illustrations, and is a great introduction to the life of Gandhi. I knew the broad strokes of Gandhi's life but even I learned a lot about his early years in this book. This is very similar to the "Who Was" book series for kids and I believe there are lots of other biographies in this series. 

Kareem Between

I absolutely LOVED this book! It pulled at my heartstrings and covered so many timely topics. Kareem Between is a middle grade novel told in verse. Kareem is a Syrian American and all he wants to do is fit in and make the football team. When he is told he has to help a new Syrian student in school, he is resentful. That kid can hardly speak English, having to "babysit" him at school isn't going to help him fit in any better. If anything it will make him stand out even more. To make things more stressful, his mom is going back to Syria so she can bring her parents back with her to America. Kareem has never met them before but he has talked to them on the phone for his whole life. Things are tough when his mom leaves, but they get so much more tough when the president passes the Muslim ban and their mom can't come home. This book deals with xenophobia, bullying, family relationships, guilt, and hope. I absolutely LOVED this book.

Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude

A quick poetry collection that has depth and soul. I savored this collection one poem at a time over a few weeks. As a Hoosier, I've met Ross Ga at different literary events and he is a real nice man. I am more of an old school poetry lover and I am more used to rhymes o easy concepts. Some of these poems were really heavy and I had o re-read them to really let it sink into me. I would read more of his works. 

Freedom's Game

A little French orphanage in southern France isn't filled with much hope, but it is filled with one big secret; it's full of Jewish children in hiding in plain sight. It's 1942 and the war is in full swing. Twelve year olds, Elka and Ziggy have been on the run, moving from place to place trying to stay one step ahead of the Nazis. Hitler has taken over northern France and the children are scared that he is getting closer and closer. There isn't much in the way of food an blankets at the orphanage but the children have each other and they love their teachers. Well mostly. Ziggy is convinced that their new gym teacher is a spy, and Elka is convinced he is one of the good guys. When their new teacher wants to organize a sport competition, Elka can't wait to race; Ziggy on the other hand, has his reservations. Loosely based off of a true story; this tale of courage, friendship and faith is a great middle grade read.

Bree Boyd is a Legend

Admittedly, I've never read the first novel in this middle grade series, but that didn't impede my reading or understanding of this at all. Bree Boyd follows a young Black girl trying hard to make her father and family proud all while trying to be there for her friends, stay happy, and be true to herself. It's a story that everyone can relate to. To make matters worse though, Bree has started getting these weird tingles in her hand when she is upset or anxious. The tingles always proceed some kind of magical calamity and she has no idea how to control it or stop it. It keeps popping up at the most inopportune times though. And the pressure is only mounting as her father's political campaign takes shape, the spelling bee approaches, and her friends ask her for a big favor. What's a girl to do? Relatable and fun, this wholesome book is great for middle grade students. 

Katz Pajamas: The Holly Jolly Heist

This was the first book that I had read in the series. I'm not sure what order the books go in, but this might be the third? This is a cute, although overly punny, middle grade read. Katz Pajamas is a feline detective who has to work on his most unique case yet. A tiny little cat knocks on his office door and declares that Santa Claws has sent him to whisk Katz back to the North Pole to solve a mystery. According to the little elf cat, Santa's magic toy bag and the naughty and nice list have been taken! Katz Pajamas is honored to take the job and goes up north. He is overtaken with holiday cheer and happiness when he arrives. The North Pole is all he ever imagined and more. But now to find the culprit. This is a super quick read and kids will enjoy it. The formatting is a little unique, but it makes for quick reading. 

Dive

This was an exceptionally well done and thoughtful middle grade read. Dive follows Kass, a middle school student who has recently transferred to a private Catholic School so she can join their dive team. She's grateful for the opportunity, but she really misses her old run down public school, her best friend, and fitting in. She's an outsider, and a poor one at that. Her new classmates probably never have to hear their parents whisper arguing at night about money and worrying about business. Her parents own a restaurant and money is tight, she feels guilty that her parents are sacrificing so much to send her to a school she doesn't love. One day while waiting at the bus stop she meets, Miles. A high school drop out digging through the dumpster. The two form an unlikely friendship and soon he is showing her the ropes on scavenging and helping her realize, that there is someone always worse off then she is. Kass is convinced that no one will understand her relationship with Miles so she keeps him a secret and starts lying to her parents and skipping dive practice to hang out with him and dumpster dive. Sooner or later though, the truth will come out. Dive touches on a lot of timely topics and is a great read for kids! 

Young Man in a Hurry

I wanted to like this so much more than I did, but I found this memoir to be both braggy and with an agenda. On the whole, I still like the man and I can't deny the positive success he has had in California. I have no doubt he will be running for president. This book made me realize HOW connected Newsom is. To the Gettys, Pelosis, the tech giants, politicians, celebrities, etc. Even though he grew up with divorced parents and a mom who struggled to make ends meet, his family's legacies and friendships afforded him insane opportunities. From dining with royalty, partying with celebrities, studying polar bears in Alaska and so much more. This book feels like it was made just to silence his critics, to say, "Yes, I know all these people, they opened doors for me and helped me out, but I struggled as a kid! I didn't get where I got JUST because of my connections." And really, that is the crux of the book. As a reader you have to decide how much of Gavin Newsom's success came from his hard work and perseverance and how much came from the sphere that surrounded him. I do think it is a mix of both and I still admire him. I just got tired of all the name dropping. 

Smiling on the Inside

This was a sweet little memoir about practicing dentistry. Author, Sarah Akard Wilson, treats readers to stories about the day to day realities of cleaning teeth, shares funny stories about mishaps and misunderstandings, and pulls back the curtain on what really goes on in a dentist's office. Not quite a linear story, this memoir is more of a collection of short essays about different aspects of dentistry. It's humorous, eye opening, and intriguing. This book is very short and easy to read in one sitting. It's a fun glimpse into what really goes on at the dentist.

Orphanland

A little slow to get into, but worth the wait. This charming middle grade read is about a found family of misfits living in a small town Ohio orphanage. Most are truly orphans, but a few, like Kacey, have been abandoned by their parents. Primarily told through the eyes of eleven-year old, Willa, this story is one of friendships, the family you make, rising from the ashes, and of course there is a little mystery at the heart of it all. Willa discovers that Mercy (the manager of Southern Ohio Children's Home) is hard pressed for money and looking for a way to keep the orphanage running. That's when they discover that there is an old boys school practically in their back yard. It's neglected and falling apart and Mercy owns it. Will she sell it to make ends meet? What happened there and why will no one talk about it? Orphanland deals with a lot of meaty issues; opioid addiction, losing your parents, consent, injustice, losing your parents, gender identity and more. I was so impressed with how topics were respectfully discussed without being too preachy. Orphanland is a great book for kids to read and then start asking questions of their own. The cover and title is awful, if it were re-branded I think this book would go gangbusters! 

Night Shift

Another compelling collection of Stephen King short stories. I might have liked this audiobook better with a different narrator, but I eventually got used to his "expressive" voice. This collection is a mixed bag and had a little bit of everything, some of this I wouldn't even classify as horror and others are truly gruesome and gory. As always, King is a master at creating compelling characters and captivating circumstances in no time flat - his ability to set the scene and get the ball rolling on a story is insanely impressive. Some stories that I really enjoyed include: The Graveyard Shift, Quitters, Inc, Sometimes They Come Back, and Strawberry Spring. This wasn't my favorite Stephen King short story collection, but I still really liked it. He is just so dang good! 

There Once was a Girl

A short collection of heartfelt and meaningful poems written over  lifetime. Penned by a central Indiana author, this collection of poetry is melodic and deep. From motherhood to childhood - this poems will resonate with readers. Each poem is accompanied by a picture or an image that adds to the beauty of the collection. Charming and sweet, this is definitely a collection that I will read again! 

The Mountain Between Us

This was more than a survival story, it was about forgiveness, hope, and looking toward the horizon. When two strangers find themselves on a charter flight over the mountains, they never suspect that they will soon crash and have to brave the horrible winter alone after their pilot is killed. Stuck high in the mountains, Ashley has a broken leg and Ben has broken ribs. Fortunately for her, Ben happens to be a doctor and has some survival skills. He sets her leg, but they will need to find food and shelter if they want to make their way down the mountain. They are in a nature preserve with no roads or buildings for miles and the altitude isn't helping their healing or breathing. The two must find hope and companionship if they want to stay alive. They may even find more than that high in the mountains. I was mad for the first half of the book, caught on to a potential twist (I was right) and pretty much predicted the end. I still enjoyed it though!

Devotions from the Kitchen Table

This devotional has been an amazing start to my morning over the past few months. This is either my second or third devotional from Thomas Nelson and I love it. I love that each day there is a beautiful scripture quote, a relatable story to go along with it, a prayer, and a beautiful photo. The daily devotionals are truly relatable and not too deep or introspective. It gives you something to think on all day to really let the message sink in. I also love the ribbon bookmark. I need to see if there are more of these devotionals in the series!  

Chicago Homes

This was such a fun and educational book. As someone who grew up near Chicago and spent a decent amount of time in the city, this book made me stop and appreciate the architecture so much more. I've been on an architectural tour of some of the big buildings in the Windy City, but never learned anything about the homes. This book focuses solely on the evolution of homes in the city, from log cabins up to WWII bungalows. There are wonderful hand draw sketches of a variety of house houses and they are so well done. The illustrator deserves major props! The accompanying text was also interesting without being too dry. It blended history, architecture, and culture into one. An eye opening read and not just for architects, if you ever want to walk the streets and appreciate the beauty of the buildings around, then this book is for you!

Paperback Crush

This was a fun blast from the past. I listened to the audiobook, but also have the book as well. The book is fun to have because it has lots of photos and pictures of the book covers (hilarious). As a millennial this book was a blast from the past and it was so fun. Gabrielle Moss talks about all the big hits (Babysitter's Club, Pony Club, Sweet Valley High, etc) as well as some other B-hits that I had never heard of. Each chapter explored a theme of books from the 80s and 90s - friendship, jobs, boys, clubs, horror, and more. It was a lot of fun and filled with witty dialogue. There was a good opening, but there was no ending. It was talking about horror books and just abruptly ended with no conclusion. Still, it was a fun romp through memory lane and it makes me want to pick up some of my old teen reads! 

The New Buffalo

I immediately hated the cover of this book and went into this book annoyed. It looks like AI slop, even though the author is white, he could have had an indigenous author design the cover or used a photograph of the casino. Cover bashing aside, I really did enjoy this book and learned a lot and Indian gaming. I know a lot of people (white people mainly) that get up in arms about the unfairness of casinos on tribal ground, but personally it's never bothered me because it's the LEAST we can allow them to have. Hasn't the US stolen enough from them? The New Buffalo is a great look at what it took to allow gaming on tribal land; from bingo halls to video games of chance, and the opposition from businesses, Vegas, and the government. It showcases the movement spearheaded by Leonard Prescott in Minnesota on a very small reservation, their tiny group was under national scrutiny as it proved what tribes could do if allowed economic independence. This book examines the life of Leonard Prescott (in detail at the beginning of his life and then it tapers off to politics only) and his influence on his tribe and on the national stage. This book was very biased in favor of Prescott and not his rival, and I'm sure some people have beef with that. A very interesting and enlightening book and a must read for anyone who wants to complain about tribal gaming. A final note, I was surprised by the lack of footnotes or sources at the end. There was a lot of research poured into this book and nothing to back it. 

The Sacraments of Blackgum Lake

Clint Smith's newest novella is eerie, forbidding, and deliciously dark. Cecil Mears has questions and it's past time for his father to come clean about that long ago summer back at Blackgum Lake. For most of Cecil's youth, the cozy little lakefront cabin was filled with good memories and laughter. But over the years it's fallen into disrepair and only gotten worse as his parent's marriage has disintegrated. One fateful teenaged summer, Cecil and his father go to Blackgum lake alone to salvage what they can of the cabin. While restoring the cabin, Cecil starts to learn more about the lake and the secrets it holds. Did Dillinger really dump bodies here? Is his elderly neighbor seeing things, or is she really being visited by her dead husband at night? And worst of all, his father, who is he calling at night? There is something far worse than secrets in the deep dark water. Something far more powerful and menacing awaits in the murky depths. One fateful summer at Blackgum Lake will change everything. This novella is perfect for those looking for a quick, dark read with local color. Clint Smith is an Indianapolis author and culinary arts educator in Greenwood.

Echoes of the Old Country

This should have been such a fascinating book, but sadly it was a slog and a half. Jessica Clark compiled 200 oral history interviews taken in the early 2000's for the Dakota Memories Oral History Project and attempts to combine them all into a narrative on what it was like growing up German-Russian on the Northern Plains. Rather than being filled with lots of anecdotes and stories, it's written as "many children enjoyed playing games such as...." and it is SO SO REPETITIVE!! The same thing will be said in four different ways. Also the word "German-Russian" appears at least 20 times per page. The author could have saved at least 20 pages of manuscript had she just abbreviated it to GR or something. The best parts of the book were the photographs and the sprinkling of anecdotes that were included (it wasn't near as many as it should have been with 200 interviews). A slog. And the cover.... awful. I hate to be a hater, because again, this should have been so interesting, but it was too repetitive to bear. 

Salem's Lot

People have told me that this was the scariest Stephen King book they have ever read and while I did thoroughly enjoy this book, I wasn't all that scared. It could be because I listened to the audiobook and the narrator wasn't very suspenseful, or maybe it was because I went into it thinking I was going to be scared stupid, whatever the reason it wasn't nearly as scary as I thought Pet Semetary was. Salem's Lot is Stephen King's take on the Vampires and Dracula, but set in a small, sleepy Maine town. When some out of town folks buy the creepy old Marsden house, things in town suddenly start getting bad. People are scared to go out at night and people are disappearing. Told mainly through the eyes of Ben Meers, an author staying in the town boardinghouse while he writes a novel, and through the eyes of various townsfolk. I liked the multiple town people perspectives because it showed the slow progression of wrongness taking over the town. Another great Stephen King novel, but I don't know if this one makes it in my top 10. 

I Thirst

This is a book that I am going to need to sit down with a few more times to really get it's meaning and message. This book is one of the most high concept and detailed devotionals I have read (it's also the first one that's exclusively Catholic). Father Joseph Langford penned this book about Mother Teresa's devotion and understanding of Jesus' thirst and ties it back to the bible. It's really powerful and I really enjoyed listening to the accompanying video series on Hallow, it helped break it down and make it more understandable. My small group has been reading and discussing this book each week. I've enjoyed it and I definitely plan on reading it again so I can hopefully absorb the message even more. 

Emma and the Reindeer

This is a fun middle grade read that will encourage kids to care about their environment using the spirit of Christmas. One ordinary day, Emma is working on her homework when a small woman with red and green hair pops up on her bed. At only two feet, she is small and dainty and full of spunk. She introduces herself as Emma's great great grandmother who lives with Santa. She tells Emma that she has been chosen by Santa to help write a book on environmentalism. Things are getting dire at the North Pole as the reindeer are struggling to find food to eat. Grandmother Hazel transports Emma to the North Pole so she can interview the Reindeer, meet Santa, and see for herself what Climate Change is doing. Emma is aghast and vows to write a book that will help children turn climate change around. A fun concept and I loved all the reindeer. What a unique idea for a book! 

Popcorn

I absolutely adored this middle grade novel about anxiety and panic attacks. What a necessary read in a world that needs to talk more openly about mental health. Popcorn is about a seventh grade boy who is having the worst of worst days. It's his mom's first day at a new job, a job she really needs because they need the money to help put his grandmother in a safe facility (her Alzheimers is getting worse by the day). All she asks of him is to PLEASE take a nice photo (it's school picture day) and it seems as if the universe is out to get him. He already suffers from anxiety and he's nervous about his mom's first day, his grandma being watched by a friend, and staying clean and presentable for his photo. It's a lot! Throughout the day there is a bully who is out to get him, a science experiment gone wrong, juice box sneezes, and a basketball to the face. Andrew's anxiety keeps ratcheting up after each and every incident. He's never had a panic attack at school and he is determined that today won't be the day. But what if the universe is out to get him? Filled with amazing illustrations and comic frames; this middle grade novel is so important. Should be required reading for kids and adults!

Soledad and the Curse of the Phoenix

This middle grade fantasy novel is perfect for kids who like folk and fairy tales. When Soledad hears her mother's awful visions, she is determined to not be a part of them. She steals her mother's magical flute and runs into the mountains. Over the course of a year, three plagues befall her village and she is helpless to assist them. All she knows is that she cannot fall into the hands of the Phoenix otherwise she will be used as his pawn to create further chaos. Even while isolated high in the mountains, Soledad has fallen victim to one of the plagues, she has a wound on her leg that will not heal. She can prevent it from spreading further only if she keeps bathing it in the healing waters by her former village. It's getting more and more dangerous though. The ruin dwellers and the Phoenix's men are down there and one of these days they are going to catch her. When she runs into an old friend, she thinks that everything might be ok, but that interaction sets off a chain of events that will end everything once and for all. Solid, but some of the events seem out of order or not needed. 

Once Upon a Time in Maggie's Key West

Short and sweet, this little self published novel for middle grade readers had good bones, but could definitely have used an editor. It was riddled with spelling and grammatical errors, the formatting was weird, and the homemade drawings were very... amateur. That being said, I think it's an enjoyable story about a young girl and the magical Christmas she spent with her family in Key West. It's easy to read, sweet, and fun. Again, I think the story has potential, it just needs some more TLC. I do believe this is also part of a series. 

28 Days of Neon

This was a quick read that will appeal to middle graders. Twelve year old, Neon overheard her parents whispering in their bedroom and to her utter dismay she finds out that she only has 28 days to live. They are trying to keep her healthy and happy; but they are hiding the truth from her. Neon decides to live her last 28 days to the fullest and doesn't let her parents know that she knows. She decides that she wants to do one good deed a day and if she's really good, maybe she'll be granted a miracle and can live. She decides she'll help everyone in town if that's what it will take to get a miracle. She helps her elderly neighbor, decides to sit with an autistic classmate at lunch, gives her sweater to someone who needs it and so on. The pressure to keep her secret though is weighing on her. She doesn't want people to start treating her any differently. Soon though she is having to make up lies and is inadvertently pushing her friends away. But could they handle the truth? Sweet and a little sad. With some more chapters and a better editor, I think this could be a big book. 

Baseball in the Roaring Twenties

I am not much of a baseball fan. And by not much I mean I've been to less than five MLB games and a handful of minor league games. I never watch baseball on TV and I certainly don't listen to it. That being said, this book was interesting, although I don't think I'll ever re-read it or retain any of the knowledge I learned (other than Babe Ruth was a brothel man, who knew?!). Going into this book, I thought it would only be covering the Cardinals and the Yankees and their race for the pennant, but it really included a lot of other info about teams, management, owners, fans, training camps, and the Black leagues. It mostly focused on 1926 but sometimes it went really into depth about a player or owner and then there would be a pretty detailed backstory going back years or even decades. Well written and with a decent amount of photos, this book will appeal to fans of history and baseball. 

Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship

Charming and inspiring, this middle grade book introduces readers to Amina, an immigrant from Syria who has just arrived to Indianapolis. Desperate to fit and try to make American friends, Amina decides to write a formula to help her make friends. Back in Syria she loved science and STEM and she is convinced that with the right formula, she'll be able to fit in. Relatable and cute; this is a great chapter book for kids in elementary school to learn about fitting in, making friends, and being open to those from other cultures. The illustrations are a nice touch as well. I definitely plan on getting the rest of the series for my daughter to read some day!  

Don't Bounce Back, Rebuild Forward

An absolutely inspiring read! This book blends personal experiences with actionable steps to help readers flip the script when life gets challenging. Andrea Gash is a speaker, facilitator, and career coach who helps people rebuild their lives after unexpected change or loss and I am lucky enough to call her my friend. In her debut book, Andrea discusses dealing with loss of both her biological and adopted parents, the loss of her in-laws, grief, infertility, and caregiving; and how she coped when the weight of it all caught up to her. Using her life experiences as examples, Andrea introduces the Momentum Method, a five-stage framework designed to help readers rebuild their identity, purpose, and direction after a major life change. Don’t Bounce Back — Rebuild Forward is perfect for readers who enjoy stories of reinvention and growth after loss. This book is full of tools that will help readers navigate grief, identity shifts, exhaustion, and burnout. It’s also a roadmap to rebuild confidence, clarity, and figure out what the next chapter has in store. I usually read self-help books in a day or two and then not do any of the action steps or really ingest what I've read. I took a good week to savor this book and really work on the steps and the guided questions at the end of each chapter. It made a big difference. This is definitely a book I plan to refer back to, to try and keep my life on track. Very inspiring and impactful!

The Thirteenth Crime

A young girl by the name of, Lillie Field was, brutally murdered in Otter Tail County, Minnesota in 1887. The author speculates that justice was being served, because prior to Lillie's murderer being punished for his crimes (by hanging) many others before had not served time for murder. In fact, the little county was getting a reputation for letting murderers walk free. The author sensationalizes the many instances (twelve to be exact) of murderers walking free in part one and then in part two she goes into the death of Lillie Fields and talks about how justice was finally served. I liked the concept of this book, but the execution left a lot to be desired. I loved that maps were included but I would have liked to have seen photos an newspaper clippings as well. My biggest beef was that nothing was cited; newspapers and dates were referenced but when the book ends there is no works cited. This could easily have read as fiction, especially since so much was embellished (mannerisms, dialogue, etc). A blurb on the back of the book touts "an insightful, creative and well researched account of crime and punishment in 19th century rural Minnesota..." It was creative all right!