The Restorer

The Restorer
Amanda Stevens
Harlequin MIRA Books

Great read, and an intriguing plot. So many para-normal novels out there, but each has a slightly different twist. This one did.

Amelia finds she is one of those who can see ghosts, and her father guides her to understand The Rules, the first being "Never acknowledge a ghost" so they won't know she can see them. Years later, she's grown up and is a prominent restorer of cemeteries --yes, I know: ironic.

Great romance, good murder mystery plot, good characterizations. Definitely looking forward to the sequel -- though I much prefer those that don't MAKE you have to read the sequel to find answers to foundational questions.

Evaluation: what will I do now that I've read this?

• Not for my school library -- though some of my high school readers would enjoy this. Forget that it's a book from Harlequin, a name synonymous with bodice-rippers.

• But this title is perfect for another sphere of influence I forget sometimes: my fellow librarians and BOOK READERS who love a good mystery with a twist of romance. I'll definitely be recommending this one to a good number of these folks.

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The Ghost and the Goth

The Ghost and the Goth
Stacey Kade
published in 2010 by Hyperion Book CH.

Stacey Kade's YA book is a really enjoyable read: high school cheerleader gets run over by a bus (yes, the element of the absurd is a strong part of the story) and can't leave the locale until she makes things right. Pair her with the goth boy who can see and hear the dead, and you have a great recipe for a fun read.

A lot of the fun is starting with stereotypical characters who turn into multi-dimensional and well-nuanced personalities. The valley-girl cheerleader changes and improves to be an empathetic protagonist, and the goth boy proves both intelligent and resilient given the context he is in.

I enjoyed the lighter side of supernatural literature, and I also enjoyed the presence of family and parents, not always present in YA tales today. Fun read, engaging plot, glad I have a sequel ready at hand.

Evaluation: what will I do now that I've read this?

• I am delighted that my school library (PreK - 12th) already has a copy, and I can't wait to book-talk this to my kids.

• While perfectly appropriate for my church library, it doesn't fit in our current collection development focus.
  

• I will remember it pleasurably -- and can't wait to pick up the sequel, Queen of the Dead, to be published in June 2011 by Hyperion Book CH.

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The Final Summit

The Final Summit: A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity
by Andy Andrews
published in 2011 by Thomas Nelson

I often tire of contemporary "parables." Too much moral, too little story. This was different.

While it's definitely a parable style of tale, the story was engaging, and the lessons weren't too preachy. It was a brilliant plan to insert famous characters from history and to give short glimpses of how they interact with each other.

A follow-up to Andrew's earlier The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success, I didn't need to have read that to enjoy this.

Evaluation: what will I do now that I've read this?

• I won't buy it for my school library (PreK - 12th) -- although older kids might appreciate it.
• I won't buy it for my church library -- it doesn't rank high enough to meet the demands of space and finances.
• I will remember it pleasurably but probably not for long.

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