YA action suspense: The Girl I Used to Be

The Girl I Used to Be

by April Henry
Macmillan Children's Publishing Group 
Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
May 2016


Author April Henry offers one of her strongest young adult novels yet with this May release. Olivia's story of murdered parents, fostered childhood, and emancipation as a teen hits the right balance between engaging readers with a compelling protagonist and lots of action - without talking down to teen readers.


What's different about this book
Henry's recent YA mystery suspense books have offered readers light but well-crafted stories that weren't too heavy but weren't frothy either.  This newest title is, in my opinion, her best work so far. It will still appeal to those teens who may not have a lot of reading stamina but who want a seriously entertaining read.  This novel will appeal to adults as well who enjoy a quick mystery read.  This story ramps up the suspense towards the end and concludes with a satisfying mystery solution and just the right touch of romance.


What I'll do now that I've read it
Henry's novels are always a great suggestion for teen who ask for mystery.  I'll enjoy recommending this title as well and hinting that this may be the April Henry book they like the best.  A quick and completely satisfying read.

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Deception Island: Some grit with that Romance

Deception Island
by Brynn Kelly
Harlequin (US & Canada) 
May 2016


The book's cover gives a great visual of the mix of settings for Deception Island: palm trees, ocean waves, and lots of fire, death, and suspense. The action is gritty at times, but the plot resolves satisfyingly.


What's different about this book
Deception Island satisfied a number of reading interests: mystery, suspense, pathos, action adventure, enduring romance and familial love. This combination is seldom typical in my experience of reading in the romance genre, but the reader is well-served here by author Brynn Kelly.


What I'll do now that I've ready this
Deception Island fits the profile for adult romance reading. Accordingly I'll be sharing this with my adult patrons, particularly those who prefer a little action-adventure with their romance. This book offers a compelling read that goes beyond the usual relationship-only stories. Definitely worth a week-end read.

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Grab a copy now - The Invisible Library by Cogman

The Invisible Library
by Genevieve Cogman
Berkley Publishing Group  /Roc
Sci Fi & Fantasy
July 2016


The first in a series, this introduction to the reality-wide Library and its agents is a fun, engaging ride.  Characters are intriguing and complex, and the plot line and the action is compelling.




What's different about this book
The world(s) in which Irene works is unlike others I am familiar with.  The Library exists independent of the alternate realities, all of which resemble London in intriguing ways. And the realities of those working for or in line with the Library are unexpected as well.  This is an involving read that gets better with each page, and as a librarian, I was completely hooked by the mission and methods and compulsions of this Library tale.


What I'll do now that I've read it
This novel is encouragingly similar to O'Malley's The Rook, in its dry, dry humor and its unexpected manipulations of reality and physics. The advantage of this series, however, is not having to wait years for the sequel! Book 2 and 3 are at least in the 2016 publication and release pipeline (The Masked City and The Burning Page).  So my avid and eager patrons awaiting Book 2 in the The Checquy Files will gobble up these new offerings. The question now is, How many copies will we need?

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NYC and Post-WW2 Life: While you were mine

While You Were Mine
by Ann Howard Creel
Lake Union Publishing
April 2016


A well-written and well-researched period piece that follows convincing characters in New York City immediately following the close of World War II

What's different about this book
I was not familiar with this time as it was seen and lived by people in this place, but Creel offers a well-told story, one that realistically (I assume) reflects the realities of New York as the War ends and families and their soldiers return and work to find out what life will now look like in the changed world.  Characterization is thorough: These are realistic people with their imperfections and dreams, and that may explain the slower-than-expected pacing of the plot. A worth-while read but not a fast one.


What I'll do now that I have read it
I am not usually a fan of realistic historical fiction, but this was a solid read.  I'll be book-talking this to my patrons (and friends) who look for well-written novels in this genre.

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Murder in Missoula, and a protagonist of note

Murder in Missoula
by Laurence Giliotti
Chateau Noir Publishing

September 2015

Despite a less than compelling title and cover, this book is a good read. The characters and the plot line are skillfully presented, and the reader is engaged quickly.

What's different about this book

It was the speed with which I was engaged that drew me in.  I had just put down two books because I couldn't get hooked into the stories, and I was wondering if the problem lay with me and my current life.  Enjoying this book was a relief.

I particularly liked the character development: The protagonists were likeable, and they moved the plot in agreeable and engaging lines.

What I'll do now that I've read it

This will be an easy sell to patrons interested in character-driven mystery suspense stories. We'll be sure to have copies on hand in our relevant libraries.

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A levening humor with your etymology

A Field Guide to the F Word
by Ben Parker
Valley Press
2016


The book title and description will probably attract readers with diverse expectations:  Those linguistic types who enjoy reading about the history of words and language, and those who are intrigued about this particular word. Readers with both perspectives will find the reading enhanced by an enjoyable humorous touch to both the scatological and the academic.

What's different about this book
Like the elephant in the room, The Word never appears in this book.  But we all know what the author is talking about.  What I did not expect was the wry and deft humorous touches, slipped in where least expected.  The book may be short on academic linguistics and empirical evidence, but it is strong in pleasurable reading and mental exercise.

What I'll do now that I've read it
I'm thinking of both my adult patrons who enjoy a good story and laugh, and my upper level students who do "serious" etymological studies.  This book will be a great resource for both audiences, as well as the random reader who wants to consider a topic not often considered in literature. A short and very accessible read.

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