Universal joy in sound and text

Every Valley: Advent with the Scriptures of Handel's Messiah 
Jessica Miller Kelley, Editor
(C) 2014 Westminster John Knox Press

Accompanying my reading of this book were the remembered sounds of of Messiah.  I was humming under my breath as I read the book's text tied to the selected movements and their librettos. This synergy of text, sound, and source Biblical passages ensured an emotional engagement.

What's different about this book
The strong ties we have to Handel's work anchors our pleasure in these directed thoughts and devotions.  Contrary to the author's comment that Christ's birth is "at most" a focus for just one month each year, those familiar with Messiah and its scriptural source will find inspiration for year-round worship and growth.

The book is divided into three parts that highlight the entire life of Christ: His birth and its foretelling; His passion and resurrection; and His eternal reign. The movements of Messiah are beautifully interwoven with devotional text excerpted from Bartlett and Taylor's Feasting on the Word.  This makes for a rich, rich experience -sound and word- during the Advent season's devotional focus.

What I'll do now that I've read it
I am targeting this book as a display and focus for my library patrons seeking inspiration during this global time of Christian worship and re-focus.  The Messiah parsed across the inspirational text will be a welcome read for many.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A warm and literary read

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
by Katarina Bivald
SOURCEBOOKS Landmark
January 2016

To say this is a book about books doesn't do justice to the engaging story that Bivald offers about Sara and the small, really-small town of Broken Wheel, Iowa. This is a quiet but compelling read.

What's different about this book
The characters in Readers are well-developed and become people you care about.  The start was inauspicious for me, but after catching the rhythm of the narrative, the story became all-encompassing.  This was a book I was happy to return to, whenever I was able.  The references and allusions to so many well-known reads added to the pleasure:  Seeing Bivald's and Sara's take on books that I have read and loved took me back to moments of deep joy in reading.

What I'll do now that I've read it
Even before I finished, I was sharing this title with my reading friends.  As soon as the book is published, we will ensure that library patrons will be able access and enjoy the book as I did.  This is an intriguing book about books that will provide a warm and lovely read.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Fun to read -- and a great lesson to boot

God's Servant Job: A Poem with a Promise
by Douglas Bond
Illustrated by Todd Shaffer
P & R Publishing
October 2015

The Biblical book of Job offers unsearchable truths - but how does one make this compelling and relevant for our children?  Author Douglas Bond collaborates with Todd Shaffer to make it so.

What's different about this book
What has been complex reading for me as an adult has in this book been made accessible and attractive both visually and audibly. Written in verse, the poem's verses don't always scan rhythmically, but the message in accessible words and rich illustrations help the reader grasp the story and understand the truths beyond the words.  This is an excellent rendering of God's truth in pictures and in words.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This rendition of the story of Job is an eminently shareable book, and I am delighted to see Presbyterian & Reformed including this gem along with its weightier tomes for adults.  We'll be adding this to both our parochial and school libraries where young readers (or listeners) can begin to grasp the meat of the Bible: the Lord God's sovereignty and care extends to all areas of our human experience. Enthusiastically recommended.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Blood family

Bloodlines

by Lynn Lipinski
Majestic Content Los Angeles
October 2015

This dark tale of 26-year old Zane explores a life where the highs and the lows are never quite high; where family is both the best and the worst parts of Zane's life.

What's different about this book
Lipinski sets Zane's life among low points: the death of his mother by fire, the alienation of his imagined girlfriend, and the search for a lost father who might somehow move his life into better straits.  Nothing works.  At the end of Zane's story in this book, the best the reader has to cling to is the possibility of a new love interest, a continuing close connection to his younger sister, and the closure of the issue of his father.  The book ends with Zane no better off than he was at the start -- although he now knows there are no quick-save options from his father.  I missed elements of redemption and great hope.

What I'll do now that I've read it
When I finished this reading, I could find  no hook to which I would lead other readers.  No "here's how to make life better" or "here's a really good / chilling / loving / family read."  I didn't come across any compelling aspect of this book that would make this story shareable.  Not a bad read; just not a compelling one.  We'll see what comes of this work as it has more time in the sales market.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A dependably good mystery / romance

Secret Sisters
by Jayne Ann Krentz
Penguin Group
December 2015

One of the delights of my currently busy life is a Friday night with time to read -- and a dependably good book by Krentz.  This latest book provided just what I was wanting.

What's different about this book 
One of the great draws of Krentz' writing is a trusted formula for a good mystery, a danger-fraught adventure, and a dependably perfect romance.  That formula was present in this book -- and it was great! But somehow the precise angles and corners of Krentz' formula were off, so subtly.  I found myself trying to express what was "off," and all I could articulate was polish:  same formula, same dependable story line, but somehow the winsome polish was lacking.  Since I can't describe what was different, I won't spend time telling how that difference was perceived.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
This title will be one I'm able to share and book-talk with confidence:  those who love Ms. Krentz' writing will be happy to see this one come out in December.  We'll be providing this for our mystery adventure (and romance) fans -- once again a dependably good read.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Scam - Great fun for the fourth time

The Scam, A Fox and O'Hare Novel (#4)

by Janet Evanovich, Goldberg Lee 
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine  Bantam
September 2015

The story arc for this series is a fun one, not too serious, but with plenty of action.  This fourth book in the series is even more fun and the plot even more engaging.

What's different about this book
The plot in this fourth story is a little more intense, slightly more convoluted, and reveals a deepening relationship between Kate and Nick.  I wasn't always precisely sure what the con was, but I was happy to just go along for the ride. For the first time, this adventure ends on a purposeful cliff-hanger that is intended to worry the reader.  It succeeded, and I'll be a little more concerned to see the next book issued in the series.

What I'll do about this book
This is an obvious favorite for my adult patrons, and I've considered adding it to my high school libraries: There is a definite audience for clean and engaging FBI / detective / con-the-cons stories. These are pure fun.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Secret Codes within the Classic Paintings

The Master of the Prado
by Javier Sierra
Atria Books
November 2015

For lovers of the Prado and the masters that are represented therein, this book is a delight -- perhaps as close as some can come to re-visiting an unforgettable treasure.

What's different about this book
Built in the form of a fictional autobiography, this story of Sierra meeting a mysterious master in the Prado in Madrid breathes through the reader, reanimating the times she has spent admiring the museum's works.

The key difference in this writing is the answers -- answers to questions that many Prado visitors would not expect to receive.  Sierra does a masterful job weaving fact and fiction throughout centuries of art history.  After reading, I feel an irresistible need to return to visit the Prado, this time with new eyes and listening ears.  Now I have a better understanding of what --and how-- to look at those priceless treasures. This is a thrilling book for those who love art and are familiar with the Prado and the city of Madrid. Ciudad de encanto. 

What I'll do now that I've read it
The full-color illustrations and the stories Sierra weaves through historical fact and fiction make a compelling resource for library patrons.  I'll be sharing this resource with friends and patrons beyond the regular readers.  The art aficionados will love this and my reading patrons will as well.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

An excellent historical fiction series from WWII

Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante, A Maggie Hope Mystery

by Susan Elia MacNeal
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Bantam 

The longevity of this series is a testament to a compelling plot, an engaging heroine, and a tightly cohesive story of historical events.  Book 5, Mrs. Roosevelt's Confidante, extends and enlarges on the original -- much to the delight of Maggie Hope's readers.

What's different about this book
The story arc of the series follows Maggie Hope as she first appears: a young and naive American caught in London at the start of World War II.  Maggie's character development of is well done. Author MacNeal realistically and engagingly develops Maggie into an experienced and competent spy, still with her faults but with a much wiser understanding of the world around her.  I was sometimes impatient with her younger, ingenuous character, but Maggie is coming into her own with this fifth title.  A particular treasure of this book and the series itself is the exceptional look at a complex and compelling time in history and its remarkable heroes (and villains).  Ms. MacNeal is careful to characterize her books as fiction, but there is a wonderful interweaving of historicity with that fiction.

What I'll do now that I've read it
Being a compulsive series reader, I couldn't begin book 5 until I had read through the preceding four titles.  And I was pleasantly entertained, not by any single book but by the collective story.  However this fifth title is perhaps the strongest of the series.  As I have been reading, I have mentally enumerated the historical fiction readers who will want to read these -- along with those who want to see the growth of a feminist perspective grounded in a historical setting. This series will fill a great niche for our library patrons.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Caution: A completely absorbing experience lies ahead

The Scorpion Rules
by Erin Bow
Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Margaret K. McElderry Books
September 2015

The book's title doesn't tell it.  The less-than-alluring cover hides it.  The truth is, this tale is the most compelling story I remember reading: I read this every minute I could -- I broke away only because I had to, and I returned as quickly as I was able. There is no warning visible that would alert the reader to what is coming.

What's different about this book. 
It's a young adult title, and while these titles can be great, they are seldom enthralling.  The characters and the plot line explore amazingly huge concepts: love, life, intelligence, same-sex attraction, death, free will, pain, loss, torture.  And the reader is completely absorbed through it all.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This book may be the silver bullet answer for every reader's advisory question I receive:  I need something interesting. Check.  I want something with action.  Check.  Oh, I prefer something with romance. Double check. Well, I need something significant that explores serious issues. Check!  Oh, I only read adult literature. Check!  I regret that I can't begin to share this book until September.  That's hundreds of reader questions away!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gritty, suspenseful, and satisfying

Make Me, A Jack Reacher Novel (#20)
 by Lee Child
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press 
September 2015

One thing I can count on in all the Jack Reacher novels -- he never loses a fight.  But in this twentieth book, he does get pretty badly hurt.

What's different about this book
Make Me follows the best of Lee Child's Reacher series:  Jack always wins, the case is always a compelling one, and there are significant relationships that make the story all the better.  This latest release, however, seemed more gritty, the crime Reacher solves more violent and evil than I remember from previous books.  But there were some particularly good aspects: the scene where Jack and his ally snag some drug money and some needed firepower; the journalist that joins them and makes the action all the more interesting.  I appreciated the way Reacher was a touch more vulnerable, a touch more reachable, and all the good guys walk away at the end. This will be a hit for Reacher fans -- and will win the author more followers.

What I'll do now that I've read it
Definitely to be shared with my adult friends and library patrons, but I may wait to have this requested by my older high school readers.  Those that like the Jack Reacher series will come asking for the latest, and I'll be happy to oblige.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

An wholly entertaing (and endearing) mystery series

Scents and Sensibility, A Chet and Bernie Mystery
by Spencer Quinn
Atria Books
July 2015

One of life's recent consistent pleasures has been the Chet and Bernie series.  Book 8 expands that wonderful combination of full engagement between story, characters, and the reader who regrets reaching the end of the latest story.

What's different about this book
The initial novelty of having a dog narrate the story of his work with a private eye has not worn off, even 6 years after the publication of the first book.  The humor, as well as the pathos, of Chet's voice is magically able to tell a story so much more effectively than many human dialogs and descriptions.  I appreciate that Quinn allows the characters and the relationships among them to continue to grow over the years and to deepen the story line.  In this latest release, Chet and Bernie's relationship is all the more poignant as the mortality of them both is touched upon and developed powerfully.  This book is just a great read that keeps me reviewing books -- I know eventually another episode of Chet and Bernie's adventures will come along, and I won't be able to wait for the retail market to catch up.

What I'll do now that I've read it
There is no library or reading / listening patron I serve that would not be enthralled with this series (at least for readers who have made the move to stories about adults and evil-doers, of course).  We are adding this book to each of our libraries, and we'll be avidly book-talking and sharing Scents and Sensibility, along with the previous released in the wonderful story line of Chet and Bernie. Often the series' catchy titles are the first to attract new readers -- they are superbly clever.  If you don't know this investigative pair, you have a large treat in store for you!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

International Intrigue and Too Much Money

Vanishing Games: A novel

by Roger Hobbs
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
July 2015

Book 2 of the Ghostman tale picks up several years after the first story -- and it manages to top the first in grit, suspense, and foreign intrigue.

What's different about this book
As in the first book, Jack White carries the reader into his world as ghostman or international crime agent who has a knack for vanishing - and making other people or problems vanish. The global setting and the look into the life of the absurdly rich make this novel a compelling read.  I think I'm personally hooked by the way Jack somehow always manages to make it out alive. Compelling plot and resolution.  I don't like to like tales of violence and grit, but somehow Hobbs manages to overcome my reluctance with his excellent storytelling.

What I'll do now that I've read it
What does any read do with an outstanding suspense thriller? Share it, of course! The appeal of this book takes me beyond my school libraries and into my adult book clubs and private libraries.  Somehow not many folks seem to be familiar with Hobbs' Jack White.  We'll have to change that.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

An unexpected tale

Everything You and I Could Have Been If We Weren't You and I
Todo lo que podríamos haber sido tú y yo si no fuéramos tú y yo
by Alberto Espinosa
Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial / Grijalbo
July 2015

Quisiera haberlo leído en español – me habría caído más normal.

What's different about this book
 This story took me back to the years of my graduate work in Spanish literature.  The stream-of-consciousness narration that fills the first third of the book was more typical of that literary body of work.  Reading this in English, however, made me think the narrator was speaking of himself when he wrote, "sometimes you beat around the bush in order to avoid going straight to the root."  So while this book is tagged as for teens and young adult, that age reader will need to persevere beyond the first third of the book in order to reach the more engaging --and compelling-- plot action.  But the singular difference in this book is the unexpected plot twist: No, I'm not referring to the "future where everyone has given up sleeping."  That's almost secondary to the slow-to-develop but deliciously intriguing major action.  I was ready to put the book down one-fourth of the way in, but I'm delighted I stuck with it.

What I'll do now that I've read it
I don't know how popular this book will be for my typical patron.  I think I could easily sell it to young adults who are also studying global issues and languages.  And the shorter length of the book will help my book talks to students.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Young adult love, loss, and learning

A Million Miles Away

by Lara Avery
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
July 2015

A good romance can be made better by a meaningful context.  Avery's A Million Miles Away avoids the superficial by the quality and depth of her story and the significance of her protagonist's growth.

What's different about this book
The plot twist of a surviving twin stepping in for her sister seems fresh and interesting.  I didn't always like Kelsey and her choices, but the story soon settles in to be an engaging read.  The difference in what transpires is the extent to which Kelsey and her family have to live through the loss of losing her twin, and the extent to which Kelsey grows and learns through the ensuing developments.  I liked the seriousness of the book's challenges -- juxtaposed with the inclusion of art and dance and family and friends.  This becomes an increasingly compelling story as one moves through the book.

What I'll do now that I've read it
Before opening my blog to write this review, I went first to my go-to book vendor for my libraries.  I had to make sure this title is on our list for our young adult libraries.  Beyond buying the title, though, I will really enjoy sharing this with readers who want some real-life challenges and adventure mixed with a compelling romance.  A story where the protagonist recognizes her flaws and learns to deal with them -- and grow beyond them -- is both rare and a pleasure to pass on to other readers.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A sweet story of second chances

Firefly Summer
by Kathleen Y'Barbo
2015

When I want to read a good romance, I need something different, something compelling.  There are so many serious world situations -- I look for a story that speaks to those serious situations and to my life in such a world. Firefly Summer fit right in that role.

What's different about this book
There are real lives, real connections, and serious second chances in this story.  It spoke to my own need to look to others, feel empathy rather than impatience, and above all, to consider forgiveness as the appropriate response to difficult situations.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This book is a healthy yet engaging story to share with friends and reading acquaintances who are seeking a lighter but still rewarding read.  Firefly Summer lends itself to just those times.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A middle-grade thriller: Trollhunters

Trollhunters

by Guillermo del Toro, Daniel Kraus
Disney Book Group
July 2015

Knowing who had written this book gave me two thoughts:  I figured it would be good, coming from creative mind that know how to tell great stories and full-range horror; and I wondered how well the book, coming from those authors, could mesh with its intended audience of middle-grade readers. The was in fact a great read, and every bit of it was beautifully crafted for the intended audience.

What's different about this book
I wonder how many of us remember the complete escape into horror we experienced when reading R. L. Stine's  Goosebumps or Fear Street series.  That same delicious atmosphere immediately pulls in the reader in Trollhunters. From the first paragraph, it's obvious that family, friends, school:  Every part of Jim's Sturges' life will get pulled into the unsuspected world that Jim discovers.  Strikingly different, however, is the plot complexity (and sophistication) and the depth of character development that del Toro and Kraus bring.  This is well-written and polished adventure, with just enough horror added to make this a middle grade jewel.  The authors were obviously once tween readers themselves -- the humor, the ethos, and the adventure are perfectly matched to this audience.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This selection will be an easy sell to reluctant readers.  The opening paragraph, once read aloud to a group of potential readers, will mean that my libraries need multiple copies available for check-out.  And I'm delighted to have this piece of literature to share with family and friends with reluctant summer readers.  This is the perfect book for the summer lag in reading -- go get it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A surprisingly compelling read: Alive by Scott Sigler

Alive
by Scott Sigler
Random House Publishing Group
July 2015

The phrase "page turner" is overused, but lucky is the reader who experiences that intense focus in a book.

What's different about this book 
 When one reads a story and finds that she doesn't want to put the book down, there is something vital and almost mystical going on.  Sigler's Alive created that experience for me: at the sentence- or page-level in the reading process, each piece of the story held my focus.  What really struck me about this skillfully crafted novel was the vibrancy of each thought that so compelled me to keep reading.  The writing was smooth enough that I immediately let go of the analytical lens on the book -- and I just enjoyed the ride.  

What I'll do now that I've read it
It's not often that I want to immediately put a book into some reader's hand, but I do with this one.  The appeal of the action, the development of characters, and the thrill of survival will appeal to all readers: Alive is not a guy or gal read, but rather a READER read.  I think all ages will enjoy it, from young enough to be able to understand it, and up to adults who enjoy a compelling read.  Great stuff, and a title that I will disseminate through all my school libraries as well as friends and families.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Humor, mystery, and some romance

Double Mint, a Davis Way Crime Caper #4
Gretchen Archer
Henery Press
July 2015

Comparisons have been made of this series to Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series.  The two authors do include the same sense of wry humor (lots of it) and some appealing romantic connections.  But there are striking differences as well, which argue for Archer's series as being the better choice.

What's different about this book 
Beginning with the first book in the series, I was struck by the originality of the heroine and plot.  I again encountered the laugh-out-loud experience that comes so rarely in today's fiction, and I wondered whether the engaging story line would continue throughout the following books.  Interestingly:  the story in each book just gets better.  The character development is strong across titles, the plot is different in each book yet equally intriguing, and the overarching story line is compelling.  Solid work for what I suspect is not an easy style to sustain.

What I'll do now that I've read it
I recommend this series to readers who enjoy some smart dialog, an intriguing protagonist, and a humorous take on life.  The interesting part for me, in recommending this book, is that I've shared it with four friends before I got around to writing an official review.  Don't waste time reading about the book -- go get it!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Young adult: death, trauma, and healing

The Dead I Know
by Scot Gardner
HMH Books for Young Readers 
March 2015

Another young adult where parents are absent, but this book offers a whole new twist on why that's true, and how Aaron deals with it to survive.

What's different about this book 
Aaron has managed to withdraw into himself enough to survive through high school and to support his Mam.  When he takes a job with the local funeral director, he eventually finds more than a supportive employer:  He finds a family.  The kindness of strangers and of his employer make this a story that resonates as Aaron courageously faces and lives through the enormous trauma of his youth.  Heart-warming.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
This is one of those books that teens growth through reading.  They'll be able to feel and experience (vicariously) a number of life challenges that are almost insurmountable for adolescence.  I'm glad to know about this book -- that will be in all our libraries-- for the right moment to share with the right reader.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Strong female characters with unexpected abilities

A School for Unusual Girls
by Kathleen Baldwin
Macmillan-Tor/Forge
May 2015

Set in 1814 England at the time of Napoleon's machinations, this book is very appealing because of its unexpected setting for adolescent females who do much more than fit into English society's expectations for women.

What's different about this book
The students at the unusual school have been quietly abandoned by their families because they don't fit into the traditional roles for young ladies in 1814.  Instead, the girls have much more to offer, and the Stranje School is just the place for them to develop their unusual talents and find a way to serve their country and international politics.  

It's fun to watch the plot develop and to see the characters reveal their talents.  I was sometimes impatient with the main character, Georgiana, as she is slow to catch on to what the reader clearly sees.  Georgie has to mature, and that is sometimes irritating to me as a reader.

What I'll do now that I've read the book
I'll enjoy introducing my readers, probably the female patrons, to historical fiction at the same time as strong females, some with decided STEM talents.  Not a usual combination for young adult literature.  This is an entertaining and engaging read.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Action, Adventure, and Diversity

Scarlett Undercover
Jennifer Latham
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
May 2015

This young adult novel places a non-traditional teen not in school but in her office as a private investigator.  Readers will enjoy seeing Scarlett as a loyal friend, family member, and fair-play advocate. 

What's different about this book
This story feels different:  Scarlett moves in her own, adult-feeling world (no school, no usual competition with classmates) where family ties are strong but non-traditional; community support is realistic rather than stereotypical; and the grown-up challenges Scarlett faces, often on her own, are gritty, complex, and compelling.  The added element of supernatural aspects (genies and ancient warrior lines  and modern-day cults) add an unexpected level of intrigue.

The diversity of the book's characters should draw the attention of librarians who seek to enrich their collection's view of the world:  Scarlett is a Muslim, living in a family with Muslim practices yet very much representative of 21st-century life in America.  The occasional Muslim greeting and elements of the religion's heritage do a great deal to build the atmosphere for the edgy, at times threatening plot line.  The overall effect is suspenseful and engaging.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
Beyond book-talks and making sure my teen patrons hear about this book, I'm reaching out to fellow librarians and library directors to alert them to this rich book:  full of action, compelling mystery and suspense, and full of tantalizing unknown touches in the world it poses.  A great read.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

John Frame's Selected Shorter Writings, Volume 2

John Frame's Selected Shorter Writings, Volume 2
John M. Frame
P & R Publishing
February 2015

The accolades and resounding praise for Dr. Frame's writings in this volume need nothing more added.  They are well deserved.  This review serves instead to reflect how the material within the book has served an individual Christian who seeks and appreciates the deeper reasoning reflected in God's world.

What's different about this book 
Dr. Frame's thoughtful and cogent writings have the beautiful dual feature of being sound theologically and amazingly applicable to a Christian's life.  No better example can serve than the first chapter in this volume, "Inerrancy: A place to life."  I particularly enjoyed the way this seminal and critical presupposition is spoken of a "home" and "where we live."  Truly, the concept serves to anchor all discussions in the book itself, but  more importantly, in the lives we live within the Kingdom.  
"Biblical inerrancy provides us a place to stand, a way to live."

If I needed further convincing about the importance of this volume for personal reading, I would have found it in the fact that this accessible book cites [and makes clear!] some of Alvin Plantinga's material for Christian philosophers.  That discussion alone is worth a great deal. 

Each of these chapters presents savory discussions:  meat for the theologian in each believer, as well as substance for the stand believers need to take to a witnessing world.  Chapter 30, "Church discipline," particularly served as a clear example of sound, compelling theology as well as practical encouragement for one's daily walk.  As did Dr. Frame, I grew up learning nothing of this concept, despite being in biblical and orthodox churches.  He provides a great discussion that speaks to the importance for both life and church life.
What I'll do now that I've read it
This volume stands at the top of my Must Have list for church libraries.  We will be purchasing that for each such library where I serve.  But this one also fits into my personal library and my personal readings-to-revisit.  Very accessible, but also very compelling reading.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Murder in Hindsight and the New Scotland Yard mystery series - 6 ★★★★★

Murder in Hindsight: A New Scotland Yard Mystery
Anne Cleeland
Kensington Books
March 2015

This. is. the. best. mystery. series. ever.

When I review a new release from a series, I try to start with the first title, read through all in order, and then culminate with the latest.  I did so for the New Scotland Yard Mystery series, so in a way this review considers all three titles available to date: Murder in Thrall, Murder in Retribution, and this.

What's different about this series/book
Writing this review is somewhat overwhelming:  I'll never be able to explain the many ways this book delights, again and again.

So many of us are such busy people.  It's a real commitment to sit up too late reading because a book is so good.

But while "up late reading" is a compliment, this book found me also getting up too early, because doing so would allow me more time to read during the day.

Yes, this book / this series is that good.  What's different that makes each book so compelling?  It's the character of the protagonists:  the good but complex Kathleen Doyle, as well as the darker and more complex Michael Sinclair, Lord Upton.  The opposites do attract, but oh, my, their complicated relationship is its own character.  I am grateful that love and commitment are absolute givens in this series, and the plot lines in each book test that commitment but never break it.  And I supremely appreciate the resolute and abiding faith that binds the action and the characters: Because of it, redemption and grace can be applied to the plot and to the people in the story at just the right time.  It adds a depth to this wonderful story that many other books fall short of.

Another difference is the twist built into each character:  Doyle is fey, and Acton is obsessive.  And it works beautifully to solve crimes and love each other even more.

While characters and relationships abound far beyond the two main characters, the action and suspense are exceptionally different as well. I delight in the way I can't imagine who dunit, and yet I delight equally in the detecting and resolving of the murders and the crimes.  I love the way the author does not tell the reader everything that is happening, so that when more is revealed later, you look back at the point where you wondered, and it all comes together so beautifully.

I sound very poetic here -- but truly, each story in the series, and particularly this third book, is an exceptional read.  Someone who opens the first page of the first book will not be content to put it down.  Be sure to have the second and third book ready at hand.

What I'll do now that I've read it
Yes, each of my libraries with age-appropriate patrons (they are a married couple, after all) will be purchasing the series -- and this third title as soon as it becomes available.

Uncharacteristically for me as a reviewer, I'm also personally buying copies for my family members who love murder mysteries, police procedurals, suspense, and compelling romance. I don't remember a better book, in any of these categories, in my remembered reading life.  This is the best, and each title builds on the previous.  Do not let yourself miss this chance at sublime reading.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Burj Khalifa by Stuart Kallen

Burj Khalifa: The Tallest Tower in the World
Stuart Kallen
Norwood House Press
January 2014

Forget the retailer's stated interest level (grades 3-6).  This is a great read for anyone open to new ideas and global places.

What's different about this book
Really, adult fiction just doesn't do justice to the visual reality that this elementary non-fiction provides.  The pictures are intriguing, and the facts are clearly stated in comparable images for the younger reader.  Older readers need 'em too.  Perhaps best of all was the comprehensive coverage of information.  There were a few times when I wanted to know more, but almost always the author covered exactly what I would have asked, if I had known enough to ask.  Nice reporting and engaging reading.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This is on our purchase lists, and we'll be book-talking it to not only students, but to the STEM teachers and administration as well.  This tower is an intriguing and interesting subject, and the book does an excellent job communicating that interest to the reader.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Undertow by Michael Buckley

Undertow
by Michael Buckley
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
May 2015

This story feels like a new setting for Buckley (The Sisters Grimm and N.E.R.D.S).  Lyric Walker, the protagonist, shares a different take on high school and teens who don't fit in -- compounded by a new segregation order put into effect.  The not-human Alpha teens face the same threats of violence that history has reported, but now Lyric is in the middle of that violence and change.


What's different about this book
The non-human Alpha came from the ocean, arriving right on the beach at Coney Island where Lyric's family has lived.  The different kind of "different" gives the whole story line a fresh feel -- but a familiar one where violence and death and making allies to survive paint a vivid picture of teen life.  The story crafting is solid; Buckley is an accomplished author, and this different setting should please a lot of science fiction and dystopian readers.  The pacing seemed uneven at times, but the slow and steady development of characters and setting and plot never seemed slow.  The end rushes at the reader, though, in tumultuous and enthralling events. 

What I'll do now that I've read it
This title will be enthusiastically "book talked" to our YA patrons, as well as to adults who enjoy skillful world-making and plot twists. I regret the book won't be out until May, and it will be even longer before the next book in the series comes out.  This will be a worthwhile purchase and read.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein

Black Dove, White Raven
by Elizabeth Wein
Disney Book Group
March 2015

A well-crafted historical fiction that looks at a time and place seldom noticed:  1930s Ethiopia on the brink of war with Italy.

What's different about this book 
With amazing characterization and plot development, built around the lives of two American aviatrices, one Caucasian and the other African American, author Elizabeth Wein transfixes the reader with the culture and milieu of noble Ethiopia.  Because the reader comes to care about the characters who love Ethiopia, the country itself becomes a primary focus -- and of primary appreciation.  I've seldom read a work of historical fiction that drew me into the setting the way this book did.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This book has so many reasons for me to share it with library patrons:  global and African history, international intrigue and politics, strong women protagonists, struggles for civil rights and human dignity, historic spiritual values and treasure, and two completely convincing teens who must fight to come of age, all while supported by non-traditional family and friends whom the reader comes to love.  Great depth.  Important stories.  Vital understanding.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Nightbird by Alice Hoffman

Nightbird
by Alice Hoffman
Wendy Lamb Books
March 2015

Accurately described as for middle grade readers, this story of Twig and how her family heals and coalesces makes for a solid story of finding oneself.

What's different about this book 
The story is set in realistic New England town, but there's a touch of magic in the mix.  Agnes Early was a witch from that town, and somehow she and her true love got separated -- and Twig's family was cursed.  Somehow through all the story telling, the author manages to weave Twig's story and life into an intriguing tapestry.  The latter part of the book sometimes feels put together hodge-podge style, as if certain elements needed to resolve the story weren't thought of until well into the writing.  But the final effect is a satisfying, if not too-perfect, ending for all.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
This will be a good book for my middle-grade readers.  There's magic that will appeal to some, aviary science to hook others, and a mystery to solve for everyone.  A family that comes together makes it a happy read as well.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The Matheny Manifesto

The Matheny Manifesto : A young manager's old-school views on success in sports and life
by Mike Matheny, Jerry B. Jenkins
Crown Archetype
February 2015

Manifesto is a book for baseball aficionados, for business and leadership students, for parenting and coaching learners, and for those who just love a good story.  It's all the more cogent for me as a fairly recent resident of St. Louis.

What's different about this book 
I loved the personal stories that Matheny shared about his life and his career and his baseball experiences.  But I especially loved the clear thread of God's providence in Matheny's story.  This is less a book about Matheny and more about how God interjects himself in the lives of available individuals to establish a clear path of impact and grace.  I'm very grateful that personal anecdotes continued through the book -- there was no portion where the narrative turned didactic.  Instead the personal experiences were concretely tied to the happenings, many of which have made national news and videos.  It's great to hear the "behind the scenes" events.

I also want to acknowledge Jenkins' contribution to the writing process:  He managed to take an enthralling story, surely told conversationally, and make it into as well-written a book as possible.  The writing is acceptable, and the reader still hear's Matheny's voice.  Good job.

What I'll do now that I've read the book 
We are adding multiple copies of this book to all our collections: for adults, for young adults, for baseball fans, for administrative professionals, for Christians.  This book has wide appeal for all kinds of readers, and I love that Matheny's personal Christian witness -loud, clear, and strong without overpowering- will present a strong testimony into the lives of all those kinds of readers.  Great stuff.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

An intriguing but not-pleasant read

Remaking the John: The Invention and Reinvention of the Toilet
by Francesca Davis Dipiazza
21st Century Books
August 2014

What a great and intriguing examination of the history of the ---  (substitute here any of the common and also amazing names this invention goes by).  For something we see every day, the toilet is a complex story of need, invention, re-invention, and implementation.

What's different about this book 
Dipiazza does an excellent job explaining something that we don't think about:  We just depend on it.  So much of this information seriously causes the reader to think about how life used to look, how it reached the level of technology we have today -- and how primitive our current actualization of a toilet still is.  The concluding discussion of where the 21st century needs to go in developing the toilet in an eco-friendly way is also interesting.

Just don't try to read it (as I did) during your lunch time.  The narration is very real.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
This book is now in my young adult library collections, and the cover display has received some reader interest.  I think it will catch some reluctant readers who might be immune to some of the slicker fiction covers.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

All Fall Down: Maybe the best is yet to come?

All Fall Down, Embassy Row #1
Ally Carter
Scholastic Press
January 2015

From the book's back cover, Grace Blakely is absolutely certain of three things:
 1. She is not crazy.
2. Her mother was murdered.
3. Someday she is going to find the killer and make him pay.

Only after reading the book does one appreciate the intricacies of those points.

What's different about this book
I've enjoyed most of Carter's young adult works.  They are generally light, with humor and repartee witty dialog.  This book had those qualities as well, in addition to a hint of tragedy and mystique.  I tired quickly of Grace's overly-dramatic characterization: I had trouble understanding what made her think / fear she might be crazy? The story line was good enough to keep reading, but not solid enough to win me to the series -- until the plot began to resolve and it got interesting.  Unfortunately that point was in the last few pages.  So for me, the story was slow to engage me, but I was hooked by the end of the book.  This book may be the first in a series that, all too rarely, proves to have sequels that are stronger and more compelling than the first.  I'm counting on Carter being able to finesse that and produce a rousing and engaging mystery suspense series.

What I'll do now that I've read it
Carter is a favorite author for my young adult female readers who like a little spying and suspense with their adventure and romance.  So I'll be talking this book to both those who know Carter, and those who might want to get into a more political setting.  Should be an easy book talk.  Good stuff.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Half Bad: Young adult magic and a strong story line

Half Bad
by Sally Green
Viking Juvenile
March 2014

This young adult book of magic and coming of age and finding out just who you are offers a powerful combination of action, compelling characters, and the chance for good guys to win.

What's different about this novel
I don't remember contemporary settings, in realistic settings, where the primary story is about witches and magic and dealing with such things as radio interference from cell phones.  The story is quite engaging, drawing the reader in quickly as the action continues steadily and increasingly.  The magic is old, the witch lineages are ancient, but the world is today's, complete with normal technology:  an interesting dichotomy.

What I'll do now that I've read the book
I tire of books that don't end -- just so there can be a sequel, but this story has enough meat on its structural bones to carry forward a strong trilogy.  I will make sure this book and the books that follow (if as good) are available to my school patrons who love challenges and young adults becoming who they are -- with magic a serious part of that story.  Good stuff.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Some graphic fun - and a strong story

Princess Decomposia and Count Spatula
by Andi Watson
First Second Publishing
February 2015

One of the first graphic novels I have truly enjoyed, although I purchase and book talk many to my school library patrons.  

What's different about this book? 
I think it is the engaging storyline that hooked me, but as well, the graphics were straight-forward and intelligible for me as a getting-used-to-graphic-novel literacy reader.  The touch of romance and the good-guys-win ending made it all fun.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This book I can share with friends and patrons with authentic enthusiasm.  It's a fun read, a visually compelling cover, and a quick read.  My young adult readers will love it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *