I'm certainly not the only person who is quick to grab a copy of a new book from S.A. Cosby. Having read three of his books, I know to expect snappy wI'm certainly not the only person who is quick to grab a copy of a new book from S.A. Cosby. Having read three of his books, I know to expect snappy writing, flawed characters, and gritty scenes of violence as well as a plot that could have been ripped from today's headlines. Roland Carruthers is enjoying a successful career as a financial planner in Atlanta when his sister, Neveah, summons him home. It seems that their father is in the hospital after a car crash. Once back in Jefferson Run, Virginia, where his father runs a crematory, Roland quickly realizes that the crash was no accident and that his brother, Dante, is in big trouble. As Roland sorts through the mess, trying to find a way to fix everything and thwart the thugs who want their money back as well as a heaping measure of revenge, Roland concocts a plan using his connections and money skills to thwart them. However, as his plan unfolds, he finds himself taking action in ways that are just as bad as those of the Black Baron Boys. Of course, he justifies his deeds because he's saving his family. Clearly, he's haunted by a childhood trauma when his mother disappointed, and the responsibility for that death is hinted at early on. Fast paced, gripping, and troubling, this is another winner from Cosby. ...more
It would be best to read the previous two titles in this, the Peapod Farm series, in order to appreciate the emotions and dynamics of the characters iIt would be best to read the previous two titles in this, the Peapod Farm series, in order to appreciate the emotions and dynamics of the characters in this one [3.5 for me!]. As Jen and Andy continue to struggle a bit with their relationship as sisters as part of a new family, they experience some conflicts, including one about clothing, crushes, responsibility, and their place in the world. The personal drama is interwoven with small but important moments such as maple sugaring, Andy's study of the Torah for her coming of age ceremony, farm tasks, building a snow cave, cutting a Christmas tree, and lighting a menorah. Knisley always somehow manages to blend humor and somber moments perfectly. ...more
After her father's death, Lucretia Sanderson and her move to the small town of Candle Island, Maine, in order to heal and build their lives again. TheAfter her father's death, Lucretia Sanderson and her move to the small town of Candle Island, Maine, in order to heal and build their lives again. The small tourist town has appeal for them for many reasons, partly because of its beauty and isolation, but also because Lucretia has a secret, one that isn't revealed right away. While she and her mother paint, she also tends to a young osprey and forms a friendship with Bastian, one of the locals. He, too, has a secret that she accidentally discovers. As Lucretia deals with the animosity of Murdock, another local, she also lands in the midst of a conflict between the locals and the tourists, a conflict that builds inexorably across the book's pages. As with all books by this author, this one has an interesting setting and plot, characters that are richly drawn, and questions about grief, loss, voice, and being true to oneself. In many respects it's also an homage to art, writing and music (all means of self-expression) and the power they have to help us find our way and heal....more
Fans of Southern historical fiction and book clubs in search of a title worth reading and discussing are sure to enjoy this one [3.5 for me!], set durFans of Southern historical fiction and book clubs in search of a title worth reading and discussing are sure to enjoy this one [3.5 for me!], set during the 1930s and 1940s. The two protagonists, Del and Rae Lynn, haven't had easy lives, and readers may be shocked at the events that open their separate stories. While the slow burn of their relationship and the redemption they eventually find in each other is appealing, what sets this story apart from many others is how the author weaves in details about the turpentine camps and pine forests where their paths cross. Swallow Hill, which is one of those camps, is not the easiest or safest of places, and racism and sexism run rampant there. Amid the natural beauty of the setting, there is evil, anger, and violence, and kindness is often regarded as weakness. The descriptions are lush, sometimes raw, and the emotions and sentiments expressed are honest and just as appealing as the book's characters. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling back in time to learn more about longleaf pines and turpentine and considering what the land must have been like before so many of those pines were carelessly destroyed. ...more
I don't quite know how he does it, but this author always, always manages to tell stories in a way that makes me care about his characters, even thougI don't quite know how he does it, but this author always, always manages to tell stories in a way that makes me care about his characters, even though they are nothing like me, and prompts me to see the world as being a little brighter and humans as better than I have before. In his most recent title, he explores the power of friendship and artistic expression through the stories of four teens who spend a splendid summer together in a town by the sea. Their homes are not exactly sanctuaries as there is violence in some, death and dying in others, and carelessness in still others. But none of that matters when they're together. Their stories are told through the eyes of Ted, one of the boys, 25 years later, as he and Louisa, an 18-year-old artist, deal with loss and their connection to a recently deceased artist who has given her, a homeless girl, his most famous and most valuable painting. As usual with this particular writer, there are moments of immense pain and heartbreak, but there are also moments of joy and humor, and readers can't help but feel uplifted by his words and the time they have spent with these characters. ...more
An immersive mystery concerning a girl named Crow and her determination to learn more about her past, this excellent historical fiction will intrigue An immersive mystery concerning a girl named Crow and her determination to learn more about her past, this excellent historical fiction will intrigue many middle-grade readers. All of the characters, including twelve-year-old Crow, Osh, the man who cares for, and Maggie, their kind-hearted neighbor--yes, and even Mouse, the family cat--are well drawn and interesting even when they make mistakes or hold back their emotions. Set off the coast of Massachusetts, the book covers territory not found in most books for this age group, describing a leper colony on one of the islands and how the locals treated its residents or anyone like Crow that might be associated with it. As always, the author, Lauren Wolk, tackles big questions about family, destiny, and treasure with grace and thoughtfulness while describing this particular corner of the world with respect. ...more
Set in and around Spokane, Washington, this book [3.5 for me!] features flawed characters, several of whom are searching for some sort of redemption oSet in and around Spokane, Washington, this book [3.5 for me!] features flawed characters, several of whom are searching for some sort of redemption or a way to find their way back home. The central character, Rhys Kinnick, a former journalist who has gone off the grid to live on his family's land in the woods for several years, has surrounded himself with solitude and books as he tries to sort out the meaning of life and avoid the messiness of the outside world. He's had little to do with his daughter, Bethany, or his two grandchildren, Leah and Asher, but once the two of them land on his doorstep, he begins to regret his actions and what he's missed. But his daughter is in the midst of an identity crisis after the death of her mother and her husband, Shane's, increased involvement with a fundamentalist group that has a branch called AOL (Army of the Lord), and Rhys must find the youngsters after they've been kidnapped. There are some interesting twists and turns in the plot, but what sparkles here are the characters. Even the less important ones have stories and complexities that draw readers into the book. This is a fast read but one with layers and emotional resonance. ...more
Long before I moved to the Pacific Northwest, I read many books and articles about the serial killers who seemed to proliferate in the region. I oftenLong before I moved to the Pacific Northwest, I read many books and articles about the serial killers who seemed to proliferate in the region. I often wondered why there were so many of these individuals in the area. Perhaps they were just better publicized than others of their ilk or possibly there were plenty of serial killers out there who hadn't been caught or weren't known. I still don't have the answers to the questions posed by my younger self although this book and its author offer one possible one. Moving back and forth between the killers, their crimes and victims and the poisoning of the area, especially Tacoma, due to lead, copper, and arsenic, Murderland proposes that it's these chemicals, particularly lead, to which these serial killers had been exposed that contributed to their violence. Although I'm still not convinced after reading the book and considering her reasoning, it certainly is an interesting idea. The book covers plenty of familiar territory that anyone having read about serial killers such as Ted Bundy, the I-5 Killer, BTK, or the Night Stalker will already know, but she does so in such a fresh way, weaving in her own formative years and impressions of various events and moments in time, even television programs, songs, and political movements, that even the most jaded of readers will be intrigued, drawn into a world where home isn't particularly safe or nurturing and prompting questions about the value of human lives vs. progress and the bottom line. Although the small amount of time spent on the various murders and her tendency to jump from one serial killer to another can be rather jarring, especially initially, readers will finish the book impressed with the author's essay-writing ability and penchant for looking below the surface. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. ...more
A forty-two-year-old nurse, Valerie Gillis, disappears while hiking the Maine portion of the Appalachian trail. Volunteers and rescue teams gather to A forty-two-year-old nurse, Valerie Gillis, disappears while hiking the Maine portion of the Appalachian trail. Volunteers and rescue teams gather to try to find her or locate her body, if she is no longer alive. The author raises the tension in this slow-burning novel with authentic details about the trail and hikers as readers follow Valerie day by day as she rations her food and water and she writes letters to her mother in order to pass the time and remain sane. At the center of the search is Beverly, a game warden for the state, whose own relationship with her mother is complicated. A third perspective is offered through the eyes of Lena, 76, a birdwatcher living in a retirement community, who is estranged from her own daughter but with an unlikely online connection who might be involved in Valerie's disappearance. While this is a mystery with small clues dropped bit by bit, it's also a story of survival and one that examines the relationship between mothers and daughters. It will certainly prompt reflection about survival as well as readers' own familial and friendship relationships. ...more
This newest novel by the master writer, Joyce Carol Oates, is a 4.5 for me. I've read several of her previous books, and this one simply has to be couThis newest novel by the master writer, Joyce Carol Oates, is a 4.5 for me. I've read several of her previous books, and this one simply has to be counted among the best. It's intense, really intense, dark, insightful, and unforgettable. Others have compared the book's namesake, Francis Fox, to Tom Ripley, and that comparison seems apt to me in many respects since Mr. Fox, a newly hired English teacher at a prestigious boarding school, is just as devious in his own ways as Ripley. Somehow, he uses his charm and charisma and anyone that might be helpful to him to achieve his goals, whatever they might be. The way he strings along various adult women--his soul-mates--and middle-grade girls is just as fascinating as staring into the cold eyes of a predator in the wild. And yet, he often has the best intentions to turn over a new leaf, to be a better man, something he's never able to pull off because of the dark desires he simply cannot control. While this is quite the page-turner, with readers most likely unable to pull their eyes away from the tragedy unfolding in front of them, I didn't read it as a mystery since I was sure almost from the start who had killed this man. Instead, I read it with great appreciation for the descriptive powers of this author and her ability to see inside a sexual predator as well as her understanding of several complex characters whose emotions and vulnerable sides are revealed in all their rawness. Some of the passages about Fox's interactions with his students and how he uses grades as emotional leverages are simply brilliant, bringing to mind one of my all-time favorite YA novels, The Chocolate War, and the unforgettable Brother Leon. If there's a flaw to this one, it pertains to one character about whom little is revealed after Fox's death. This one will stick with me for a while as I consider what makes it so easy for some individuals to use and discard others so efficiently and what makes some individuals so easy to discard....more
As one of those conscientious individuals who does her best to separate trash from materials that can be recycled, I knew that I wanted to read this bAs one of those conscientious individuals who does her best to separate trash from materials that can be recycled, I knew that I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw its title and cover. While it didn't address some of my questions or expectations since I thought the author would follow the path of one particular load of trash or the contributions of one community from beginning to end, it did something even more important. In painstaking detail with statistics, interviews, and anecdotes, the book reveals the sordid truth behind trash and its fate. As it turns out, not surprisingly, most of the world's trash, including stuff that is deemed "recyclable," comes from the more affluent countries and ends up being shipped to poorer countries rather than in our cities' back yards. There is money to be made and saved from these efforts, even though how these discards are handled turns out to be more harmful to the environment than some of the fossil fuels being used to heat our buildings or power our cars. And despite what we've been told, plastics really aren't recyclable. They might be broken down into smaller bits, but they never really go away. Filled with humor, anger, and empathy for those who make a living sorting through or burning trash from foreign lands, this expose is a must-read for elected officials across the world and a wake-up call for the rest of us. With some historical background about consumerism, references to Vance Packard and Rachel Carson, the book left me feeling terribly guilty and responsible for my own careless lifestyle while wondering how to avoid plastic in the future, buy fewer items, and solve the problems identified in its pages. It completely answers the question of where all that trash goes. ...more
Not only is this unique novel sweeping in its scope, moving back and forth in time and leaping from one character to another while also returning to tNot only is this unique novel sweeping in its scope, moving back and forth in time and leaping from one character to another while also returning to the night when one character disappears while walking along the beach with his daughter, but it's just as sweeping and massive in its writing. The author uses complex sentences, vivid descriptions, and small moments that capture the essence of her characters, and just when it seems that readers feel as though they know all about someone, that knowledge turns out to be untrue or incomplete. Since I knew nothing about how several individuals had been kidnapped and imprisoned in North Korea, much of the political aspect of this story was revelatory for me. There is so much to consider while pondering the slippery nature of memory and emotions here as well as family dynamics and how we choose to cope or simply continue on after great losses. It's a fascinating mystery that requires some patience on the part of readers, and the omission of great swaths of time may be problematic for some. But ultimately, everything fits together rather neatly, possibly prompting a reread to appreciate even more the author's storytelling and plotting abilities. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when starting this book, but I wasn't disappointed. As I reached the last pages, I found myself thinking about how little of what happens to us is actually in our control, something that the author makes quite clear. ...more
All of my life I've been quick to pick up anything written by this master storyteller, liking some of his books more than others and relishing the surAll of my life I've been quick to pick up anything written by this master storyteller, liking some of his books more than others and relishing the surprises he often has for his readers. While he once again handles tension beautifully in this, his latest offering, building it minute by minute during the last portion, the plot ultimately didn't work for me. While the "Bill Wilson" character's need to atone for or seek atonement for initially unnamed acts, the more I read, the less his desire to pay back members of a jury who got the verdict in a case wrong made sense. And when the paths of this revenge-minded individual and that of a deluded pro-life supporter converge, I was disappointed and not even surprised. After all, there are plenty of troubled individuals out there, but must their anger always be traced to sexual identity or daddy issues? As another reviewer wrote, this one never made me flinch or buy into the narrative's premise, and even Holly Gibney, one of the characters from previous novels, seemed less intriguing than might be expected. I'm sure that Stephen King still has the ability to move, fascinate, and frighten his readers, but this one just didn't do much for me. Probably the best part of the book is the cover, which fits the book's contents quite well, prompting some consideration of justice. ...more
I've been a fan of this series ever since I read the very first book, and my admiration for its creator, Suzanne Collins, continues to grow as she offI've been a fan of this series ever since I read the very first book, and my admiration for its creator, Suzanne Collins, continues to grow as she offers fans the back story of some of the characters who appear in the first three books. While The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes offers readers the origin tale for the Hunger Games by focusing on Coriolanus Snow and his slow but relentless descent into the dark side, this book follow Haymitch Abernathy, winner of the fiftieth Hunger Games, as he becomes a tribute and manages to outlast all the other competitors. Savvy readers will recall how broken Haymitch is as he guides Katniss and Peeta in their Hunger Games, no doubt wondering what has caused him to be so broken. Surely, something terrible must have happened, and while fans of the series will already know that he survives, a feat that surely would haunt anyone because of what is necessary in order to leave the Games alive, they'll have no idea just how harsh his punishment will be for having embarrassed President Snow. His is not a triumphant return to District 12 at all, and I felt a literal chill at Snow's final words to him since I knew that he'd come home to nothing. While this book may not have quite the same emotional impact that the previous book does, it's still moving and disturbing, mimicking in some ways the helplessness that any individual or group of people must feel when all the odds are, indeed, stacked against them and are never in their favor. The skillful weaving of lines from Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" with its echo of "Nevermore" through parts of this particular love story adds another layer to the story, contributing to the hopeless yearning of Haymitch, who must surely be driven mad by his longing and feelings of loss. This one simply MUST be read. ...more
The protagonist and plot of this book [3.5 for me and a fast and engrossing read!] are great examples of how one shouldn't let outer appearances deceiThe protagonist and plot of this book [3.5 for me and a fast and engrossing read!] are great examples of how one shouldn't let outer appearances deceive them. After all, even the quietest of mild-mannered individuals--in this case, a middle-aged sweater-wearing librarian named Hana Babic--have stories and sometimes a dark past. For three decades Hana has lived in Minnesota, tending books and her farm as well as her memories of the Bosnian war for independence when Serbs and Bosnians fought. The story moves back in forth in time from the 1990s, mostly 1995, in rural Bosnia, and then years later, in Minnesota. Hana's quiet life is interrupted by the news of a friend's violent death. Naturally, this puts Hana on high alert as she tries to discover who knows her secrets. As she seeks to avenge her friend's death and protect the small life entrusted to her, Hana takes increasingly dangerous steps. Most readers in this country (the United States) probably know very little about the Bosnian war and some of the war crimes that occurred against Muslims during that time, making the sections entitled "Bosnia" in which Hana's experiences during the war are revealed in shocking detail eye-opening and disturbing. While there are some false notes sounded in the narrative, overall, this was a solid read, engaging, thoughtful, and fully rendering the long-term effects of trauma on teens like Hana. I can see why it's been garnering rave reviews, but it certainly isn't an easy read. ...more
Both a great beach read and insightfully humorous social commentary, this debut novel [3.5 for me!] couldn't be more timely or original. The book's prBoth a great beach read and insightfully humorous social commentary, this debut novel [3.5 for me!] couldn't be more timely or original. The book's protagonist, Julie Chan, struggles to make ends meet while her twin sister, Chloe Van Huusen, is living the high life as a social media influencer. Due to their parents' death, the girls were separated when they were four and have had little contact since then. After Julie receives a brief and aborted phone call from Chloe and then gets no response to her calls, she travels to Manhattan to check on her. Finding her dead, she impulsively decides to assume her identity and becomes involved with a group of influencers called the Belladonnas--beware of anyone or anything with that name!--who were her sister's friends. Initially, Julie is down to earth and immune to the lifestyle that their posts and views afford these women, but she's quickly lured into posting her own stories and photos due to the lucrative nature of these activities and the allure of all the positive feedback she receives online. Page by page, it becomes clearer that the old Julie Chan really is dead, and this iteration of her needs the adulation provided by online activity. While the book could have been even better by exploring this aspect of social media a bit more, it's still a strong debut, with whip sharp writing and insight into the hearts of humans. ...more
Poems and short stories compose this tribute to the resilience of young people during and after the pandemic. Sometimes slightly disjointed and as disPoems and short stories compose this tribute to the resilience of young people during and after the pandemic. Sometimes slightly disjointed and as disorienting as the virus's relentless incursion across the globe, the book gives insight into the lives, thoughts, and feelings of various young New Yorkers during that bleak and confusing time. As the book's title declares, there is hope that life will go on and that there will be joy, even from the seemingly smallest moments. From Malachi Craig's surreal imaginings of the aftermath of the pandemic after losing three years as the result of COVID-19 to Tariq's description of the seven stages of quarantine to Hyacinth and Electra's reminder that we need each other and on to Zamira as she watches her older sister, Tamara (Tam) double-glove to stay as safe as she can as she delivers groceries throughout the city, all of them and several others are "just trying to make our ancestors proud / even when our backs are against the wall" (p. 145). Readers will long for more from each of the voices that are speaking here and hope that things will improve. ...more
A small spark ignites a fierce fire that threatens to destroy the habitat of various animals living on the African savannah. The animals head to the rA small spark ignites a fierce fire that threatens to destroy the habitat of various animals living on the African savannah. The animals head to the river for safety while a hummingbird tries tirelessly to put out the fire, carrying drop by tiny drop to the conflagration. At first the animals belittle her, knowing the futility of such a small amount of water against the blaze. But upon reflection, first the elephant, then the others, including ants, gorillas, and warthogs, join her, inspired by her assertion that she is doing what she can do. With all those animals pitching in, the fire is extinguished. This moving, inspiring fable is a great reminder that even in the hardest of times--perhaps times like right now--one person can make a difference, and we can/must do what we can. The motion-filled, colorful, intense illustrations, created with acrylic and India ink, are just as memorable as the book's message. Even the tiniest drop CAN make a difference, and a tiny bird--or person--can lead the way, inspiring others. ...more
I've loved everything that this author has written, especially Plan A, which just knocked it out of the park. In this one, her latest, she explores soI've loved everything that this author has written, especially Plan A, which just knocked it out of the park. In this one, her latest, she explores some of the negative aspects of Artificial Intelligence while also examining the importance of families, both birth and found, and the importance of being seen and heard. Through the lens of the protagonist, Eleanor Diamond, whose father, tech god Hugo Harrison, has never acknowledged her or her older sister Rosalind, readers watch as Eleanor learns some hard truths about her father and his ethics. For years she's lived in awe of him, longing for his love and recognition while also feeling ignored by her mother and sister. When she has the chance to be a nanny to Arlo, Hugo's young son, and work with Aurora, his famous and beautiful wife and stay in their Seattle mansion, she leaps at the opportunity, changing only her last name. The more time she spends with this family, the more confused she becomes, growing increasingly uncomfortable with how carefully curated everyone's life is and Hugo's ambitious project intended to replace mothers. As alluring as Hugo's world is, not all of it is real or meaningful, and it's clear that both he and Aurora fail to realize that there's a difference between paid help and real friends. For some, the references to comic books and a comic heroine, Miss Fury, may be confusing, but she serves as Eleanor's alter ego, and is important to include as is the back story about her creator and other comics. I also loved the Soggy Pages Book Club and would wish for such a support system for myself if I were still a teen. Readers will probably finish this one with an inclination to do some soul-searching and thinking about what is real and what isn't and why the distinction matters. I read some of the more negative reviews about this book, and while I respect the fact the everyone has different reactions to books, I didn't agree with their comments. The book isn't perfect, but its positive points far outweigh any flaws. ...more
This picture book's clever title is more amusing than its content. Squeak is the mouse in question, and Squeak has a fondness for green slime, of whicThis picture book's clever title is more amusing than its content. Squeak is the mouse in question, and Squeak has a fondness for green slime, of which the illustrations aptly supply several examples. Not only is the slime rather gross and oozie, but when he nibbles on it, the slime changes him, somehow releasing his inner monster. As the panels in this picture book show, Grandma simply can't tolerate the new version of Squeak, and after he changes several times, she takes drastic action. This one is a 2.5 for me, but its intended audience will probably lap it up and ask their teachers and caregivers to let them make some slime, but it'll have to be green slime, of course. ...more