I've been wanting to try a Joanne Fluke mystery for a while now, so when I saw this audiobook available at the library, it seemed like perfect timing.I've been wanting to try a Joanne Fluke mystery for a while now, so when I saw this audiobook available at the library, it seemed like perfect timing. This had Nancy Drew vibes but written in the modern era for adults. Definitely a "cozy" Christmas mystery, despite the death. I also loved how every chapter ended with a recipe. I'd love to try some of them!
The prophetic ghost dad parts had me really confused, though... Is that something that happens a lot? It was a little weird....more
It kept me reading, and the story itself was well written. The pacing was just all over the place and it was noSlow start, obvious killer, no twists.
It kept me reading, and the story itself was well written. The pacing was just all over the place and it was not what I was expecting from a thriller. ...more
This is an intriguing memoir about author Peg Kehret's childhood battle with polio. I picked it up because so many of my students were raving about itThis is an intriguing memoir about author Peg Kehret's childhood battle with polio. I picked it up because so many of my students were raving about it and requesting it after a 4th grade teacher read it aloud. I was fascinated by all that Peg went through, even as an adult. Her story reminds me a lot of Joni Eareckson Tada who was paralyzed with a swim dive gone wrong. There are themes of resilience and gratitude that are beautiful. I enjoyed this even without having read any fiction by Kehret.
3rd grade & up would probably be interested. Peg was in 7th grade during the events that take place....more
I loved this book that’s part self help, part memoir from Mike Massimino. He shares how grit and tenacity got him into the NASA program after a decade I loved this book that’s part self help, part memoir from Mike Massimino. He shares how grit and tenacity got him into the NASA program after a decade of trying. Each chapter ends with a summary of life lessons and advice to apply.
I also appreciated listening to the audiobook narrated by Mike. His Long Island accent comes through and the way he shares his story sounds like an engaging TEDxTalk.
I highly recommend for anyone who enjoys leadership books, memoirs, space, STEM, and/or science. I learned a lot about NASA as well as tips I can apply.
This was one of the best celebrity memoirs I’ve read in a while. This was one of the few celebrity memoirs that made me love the author MORE. He doesnThis was one of the best celebrity memoirs I’ve read in a while. This was one of the few celebrity memoirs that made me love the author MORE. He doesn’t sugarcoat his shortcomings, but you can tell he is an overall great human.
I have such a long list of movies and shows I need to go back and watch now. I loved hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of how he auditioned for and formed so many of his characters. It was refreshing to know that even though he was a famous actor with clout, he still got anxious about auditioning. There was so much “human” to him. You could tell that fame has not gone to his head even as he mentioned his interactions with many well known people.
The only thing I didn’t love was sometimes how random his stories were. Things were set out in a mostly linear way, but there were random tangents about things that didn’t make as much sense. For example, on one page he shared a joke of how his young son told him how he knew what “dirty talk” meant then segued that by “speaking of dirt…” to a story about gardening. ...more
Aimee Roh suffers from STWS (Sensory Time Warp Syndrome) which causes her to time travel back to past memories when she smells familiar scents. The epAimee Roh suffers from STWS (Sensory Time Warp Syndrome) which causes her to time travel back to past memories when she smells familiar scents. The episodes are starting to ramp up, and she's heard horror stories of others getting caught in memory loops and never returning. Aimee's dad is convinced she will grow out of it. Aimee is beginning to question if there's more to the story of her mom leaving the family because she was unhappy. Did her mom also have STWS? Is she stuck out there somewhere? Aimee plans a trip to Korea to find her mom's side of the family and find answers.
This one was very intriguing! Being told in first person, it definitely focused more on the emotion and family dynamics moreso than the sci-fi action. I loved it, though! There were still high stakes moments and the sci-fi dynamic was explained, even if all of the elements didn't completely make sense. This was a story you could suspend your disbelief long enough to appreciate the storyline. There are great conversations about family, distance, communication, love, and loneliness. Aimee is a senior about to embark on her college career leaving home and friends for the first time, so there is also great conversation there. The inclusion of Korean culture was so authentically and naturally done. Korean phrases were naturally translated and there were many mentions of Korean cities, markets, parks, and street food. There are stellar elements that come together to create a solid story. It will appeal more to realistic fiction readers who want to branch out to a little taste of sci-fi more than die hard sci-fi fans. I'm glad I gave this one a try!
Note for librarians/teachers/parents - This one reads like classic YA in that it's very innocent and could be for even younger readers. There are a few mature words (ugly-ass, "don't give a shit," damn, etc.) and one innocent kiss. I loved that it felt younger like true YA... I'd feel comfortable giving this to 7th graders and up....more
Fast paced sci-fi mystery with plenty of twists and high brow STEM references.
Maisie wakes up on her birthday and realizes that the house is empty anFast paced sci-fi mystery with plenty of twists and high brow STEM references.
Maisie wakes up on her birthday and realizes that the house is empty and there’s nothing but inky blackness on the other side of her front door. The story is told in alternating chapters between a “normal” birthday and Maisie’s new reality. For sake of not spoiling more of the story, I’ll stop there.
My only critique is that this story was so short and fast paced that I found myself not really connecting with the characters as much as I’d like. Younger readers will love this story and the twists....more
This is a fabulous middle grade biography about Joseph Lister who worked in the medical field and discovered that germs were to blame for all of the "This is a fabulous middle grade biography about Joseph Lister who worked in the medical field and discovered that germs were to blame for all of the "hospital diseases" that were killing patients after amputations. The information is written in a way that is very easy to understand and fully explains the background and contemporary culture surrounding the medical field and surgery. For example, in the mid-1800s, surgeons were seen as blue collar workers who were no better than butchers. Some of the first surgeons were actually barbers who were skilled in using instruments to cut hair.
This book offers a lot of insight. Highly recommend! I would suggest for 5th grade and up. There are some graphically illustrated amputated limbs and cadavers that may be too mature for younger readers.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's Copy!...more
This young reader's edition of The Radium Girls explains a tragic and fascinating time in history. In the 1920s, radium was the newest discovery beingThis young reader's edition of The Radium Girls explains a tragic and fascinating time in history. In the 1920s, radium was the newest discovery being touted as a health tonic and cure all as well as in paint form to make everything glow in the dark.
Young women were hired to paint the hands of watches and used a special "lip dipping" technique to get the paintbrushes to have perfectly pointed tips. They didn't realize that they were consuming radioactive elements that would lead to their slow disintegration, tumor development, and death.
What makes this story even more horrifying is the company coverup in the face of all the evidence. Company leaders looked women in the face and told them they didn't see anything wrong with them even as they were plagued with lesions and faced amputations and surgeries.
The writing in this is thought provoking and heart wrenching while using first hand documents like interviews and newspaper clippings to create a full understanding of these figures of history. The descriptions are appropriately graphic, though not sensationalized. This is an amazing adaption for young readers. I do think the story could have been condensed a bit as the page count will be intimidating to many, but this was a story I was willing to stick with and finish....more
Wow! This was an action packed adventure. I was expecting the survival drama story, but I wasn't expecting how DEEP the storyline went.
Jolene is the Wow! This was an action packed adventure. I was expecting the survival drama story, but I wasn't expecting how DEEP the storyline went.
Jolene is the only witness to a plane crash. No one else knows that 12 year old "Addie Earhart" (as she calls herself online) livestreams her flights across the desert. When Jolene witnesses the crash, she immediately tries to report it and get Addie help, but no one believes her. The only choice she has left is to go find Addie herself. This is the type of story with every twist and turn where everything that can go wrong does.
I also loved how there were subplots about Jolene's mom's oxycodone addiction and dealing with losing friends who were in the foster care system. This story gets real. I'd definitely recommend it for older readers. ...more
The story continues! I like that there are short chapters which keeps the energy up. This is a sci-fi that reads like realistic fiction. The story wasThe story continues! I like that there are short chapters which keeps the energy up. This is a sci-fi that reads like realistic fiction. The story was just as cute as the first, and I find that I really like Roz's personality.
Readers who loved the first book will enjoy seeing most of the characters again as Roz faces new challenges. The ending was heartwarming. ...more