Murder in Wauwatosa

Nearly a century ago, eight year old Buddy Schumacher went to go playing with his friends and wasn't seen again for seven weeks. When he was eventually found, he had been murdered and abused, a dirty handkerchief had been stuffed down his throat. Though his murder was heinous and terrifying for the entire community - no one ever stood trial for his killing. Local author (Columbus, Ind.), Paul Hoffman, goes over the case in great detail, examining all the false leads, yellow journalism, "moron" mania and more. It's compelling and heartbreaking. Evidence goes missing, kids keep changing their stories, and the "tips" that keep getting reported just keep leading police (and journalists) on wild goose chases. True crime junkies will eat up this well researched book; it's full of photographs, anecdotes about the era in which the crime occurred, and brings up issues (mental illness, abuse) that still take place today.  

The 5 Practices of Highly Resilient People

This self-help guide teaches readers how to hone their resiliency skills. We are all born resilient - but with practice we can really face adversity so much better. Dr. Stejskal breaks it down into five main practices - with steps, guidance, personal stories, and anecdotes for each. Besides just the five main practices there are sections on how to live out resilient practices and apply them in your life; parenting, leadership, and womanhood are touched on (I really got the most out of the parenting and women sections!). I really appreciated that when the author discussed vulnerability - she didn't just give platitudes about it, she was vulnerable herself. It lent the book an air of realness, that is many times missing in self books. This is definitely a book that I will refer back to. It's good, it's simple, it seems achievable! 

The Gray Ghost

Until reading the reviews - I did not realize that this was a crossover book featuring Isaac Bell (the center of another Cussler series). However - that wouldn't have made to much difference to me. The story was slow and the treasure just meh. I wanted more historical info and actual treasure hunting. It was mostly just action. Honestly, it might be my least favorite so far - but of course I'll keep going - I am this close to the end - may as well finish out the series! 

Whispering Pines

Not my favorite middle grade horror novel. It felt like there were too many moving pieces and this story was just a little too over the top. After their father vanishes; Rae's mother, moves her and her sister across the country to the weird town of Whispering Pines. Sinkholes crop up everywhere, goat run the town, the woods are unsafe, and there has been a rash of children who have been abducted and returned sans eyeballs. Rae is immediately suspicious - but wants to fit in and make friends She befriends the town outcast, Caden, who conveniently lives across the street. Caden's family is into the occult - although things have been bad for them ever since his older brother "disappeared." What is actually going on in this town. Too far fetched and weirdly plotted for me. I doubt I will continue the series. 

Who Owns the Clouds

An illustrated novel depicting the violence and horror through a child's eyes. There isn't much text but the illustrations are haunting and beautiful. A child has trouble determining what was a dream and what was real. Her experience in the war was so awful that it can hardly be separated from nightmares. The illustrations make this book a masterpiece. Definitely a profound book for all ages. 

The Giver of Stars

I absolutely adored this novel. For once a book lived up to the hype. I kept hearing rumors that this book shamelessly stole from The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and I was disappointed. But after reading this - there is no stealing. Both stories are about women who sign up to be part of the WPA's packhorse librarian program in the Kentucky mountains but that's it. Entirely different storylines and characters. The Giver of Stars centers on Alice, a young English woman who has come to Kentucky wed to a charming coal man she met while he was touring England. Alice isn't remotely prepared for what is ahead - she was under the assumption that she would be living in an American city but she arrives to a little village in the foothill of the mountains and everyone treats her with suspicion as an outsider. She has no friends, no life, and even her husband has turned away from her. She signs up for the fledgling packhorse library on a whim because it will give her something to do. But she doesn't realize how drastically her life is about to change. She'll gain friends, but she'll also gain enemies. A wonderful story that I plan on re-visiting!

Feed Them Silence

Imagine experiencing the world through an animals eyes; feeling their heightened senses, their reflexes, their instincts, and their hunger. Dr. Sean Kell-Ludden doesn't have to imagine anymore. In this near future novella; Sean uses a neurological interface to experience first hand what it's like being a wolf in the wild. It's all new scientific research and despite objections from her wife - Sean can't stop obsessing over her project. Soon, the only thing she looks forward to is getting to the lab so she can "log on" and become one with her wolf. Stalking prey, running through the woods, smelling nature, and being with the pack doesn't seem trivial when you're experiencing it "first-hand." As Sean continues to lose herself in her work, her relationship with her wife deteriorates and she starts to lose the trust of her team. Is Sean even trying to collect data anymore? Is she just trading one pack for another? Exceptionally narrated by Natalie Naudus, who flawlessly conveys the growing feeling of unease as Sean loses herself within the wolf's mind. Verdict: this genre bending novella is perfect for those readers who love ethical quandaries touched with a bit of science fiction. Though short in length, the story will stick with readers long after they've listened to it. - Erin Cataldi