Entertaining but edifying: Traces of Guilt

Traces of Guilt
by Henderson, Dee
Bethany House Publishers
May 2016

Dee Henderson is a reliable author who knows her craft and produces excellent reading. This new novel, the first in the Evie Blackwell Cold Case series, is one of her better works and something you'll want to read.

What's different about this book 
 Henderson writes genuinely of Christians and nonbelievers alike, and each character is placed in a context of respect. This novel works with that mixture of characters to build a strong and compelling suspense story. 
     Really different: Women explore their career and life options honestly and realistically. There is a strong message that it's OK to be unmarried, just as it's OK to choose to marry.  In my own life, I have not experienced such an open and freeing discussion that doesn't rush to resolve all possible relationships. Friendship is portrayed as a natural and healthy first stage for male-female relationships, with equal respect shown to both genders. I doubt single women (or men!) hear that message from a healthy and Christian perspective. 
     Also different: acceptance of career ambitions (men and women) without subtle judgment that ambition is ungodly. Henderson shares a grounded perspective that ambition is, when healthy, a natural instinct to live out the gifts God purposefully provides to individuals to will work to build and strengthen the Kingdom.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This will be a strong addition to my adult libraries -- but an even stronger resource for my young adult readers. This book will entertain, for sure, but it will also be an edifying, grounding read that gives a new way to look at life choices and options. We are already ordering for our libraries.

Best takeaway:  I am at my best when I am alone with God. 

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Smoke: a world where our emotions are visible and honest

Smoke: a novel
by Dan Vyleta
Doubleday Books
May 2016

A compelling story of an alternate Victorian London where three teens -and the reader- learn the lie and the truth of their humanness.

What's different about this novel 
Publisher Doubleday labels this work as general fiction (adult).  I felt its audience was more powerfully identified as young adults. Both spheres of readers will find themselves reconsidering what they know about Authority and Social Truth and the virtue of our emotions. 

The three teen protagonists, indeed their entire society, considers the smoke emitted from their bodies in response to "sin" to be a mark for correction and avoidance. But that same society is founded on manipulated reality. 

The greatest difference in this novel is the transformation of the antagonist: first the Smoke, then family and authorities and society itself. 

Philosophically I don't agree with the premises of ultimate truth and value that the author posits, but Mr. Vyleta does a skillful job of making those premises cohesive and coherent and fully embedded in the world he creates. This book is powerful and compelling and envisioned from a unique perspective.  Adults and teen readers alike will be rewarded for their perseverance with this story.

What I'll do now that I've read it
This is a sure purchase for all my libraries serving mature middle graders, high schoolers, and adults. We should be hearing more about this book - and this author. 

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Action, adventure, and suspense: The Last Days of Night

The Last Days of Night
by Graham Moore
Random House Publishing Group - Random House
September 2016


The descriptive labels that might be used for this novel would not do it justice: historical fiction, turn of the century, golden age of inventions, Gilded Age.  Instead, I suggest these tags:
murder,
suspense,
romance,
industrial espionage,
and big money.


What's different about this book
An accurate blurb for this book could say that this is about the competition between Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse. But author Moore has outdone his earlier writings by making this a vibrant and dynamic story about genius and invention and cutthroat competition that involves murder, threats, and competition at a level I have seldom read in historical fiction. The sheer engagement of the reader in this compelling story makes this an easy-to-follow, hard-to-put-down book.  Some books are more powerful than others by the depth and scope of the narrative.  This is one of those that surprise with its gripping (but true) tale. Excellent read for both fiction lovers and nonfiction fans.


What I'll do now that I've read it
The wide range of readers who will be interested in this will ensure that all our libraries purchase this:  for young adults, adults, teachers, even beach readers.  The Last Days of Night will be a book readers are talking about.  Be sure to get on your book store's or library's Hold list for this one.  Coming out September 20, 2016.

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A new Evanovich venture: Curious Minds with Knight and Moon

Curious Minds: A Knight and Moon Novel
by Janet Evanovich, Phoef Sutton
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine 
August 2016


Many of us can't get enough of Evanovich and her varied collaborations. This pairing with Sutton is a solid and enjoyable venture. Hopefully this will prove to be a long-running effort.


What's different about this book
Much is the same: Evanovich repartee, an appreciation of the older, wiser characters in life, and the fun friction between independent-minded individuals.  The male protagonist in this new series is different: in the beginning of the novel Emerson Knight is so eccentric as to be socially inadept - painfully so.  But as the plot develops in pace with the characters, Emerson is more than amazingly wealthy and moves beyond bumbling. The pairing with Riley Moon, credentialed but inexperienced, begins to work -- by the resolution of this first book there is hope that following novels in the series will be increasingly engaging and compelling. 


What I'll do now that I've read it
A wide range of my library patrons enjoy Evanovich mystery/suspense/romance novels. Evanovich's name along will assure we purchase this new venture for our readers.  The collaborative shading and depth that Sutton adds may make this venture a compelling one that we will continue to enjoy! Definitely worth a try.


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Powerful but wordless: Love: The Lion

Love: The Lion
by Frederic Brremaud
Magnetic Press
July 2016


Graphic novels are increasingly respected as literacy tools for learning and pleasure. Powerful stories in those graphic novels are the key to hooking readers -- and making them think.  Love: The Lion manages to do that, wordlessly.


What's different about this book
The power of the images and the wordless narration in this book is amazing, really. The author/illustrator depends on the reader's literacy and thinking skills to make the story bridge the gap from the page to the mind.  I find it interesting that two earlier books in this style and series were recommended for younger readers; this is labeled by at least one vendor as young adult.  The reality of life is portrayed honestly in Love: The Lion: gritty but representative of wild life.


What I'll do now that I've read it
I have pre-ordered copies for my young adult libraries. I'll be very interested to see which readers "get it," and which have to turn to read the book again -- as I did. This book may be a growing experience for many of my patrons as they work to understand the full story told by the beautifully and compellingly illustrated art. A literacy experience indeed.


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