Jack Reacher's 23rd is Past Tense

Past Tense, A Jack Reacher Novel
by Lee Child
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine
Delacorte Press
November 5, 2018


The many attributes that have made us love Jack Reacher are evident once again in this 23rd release in the series. Jack's sense of justice, his willingness to fight when needed, and his near invincibility are once more in play. But Past Tense gives us a broader view of Jack's family background. Just how many Reacher families can there be in a small rural area?

What's different about this book 
Actual coincidence plays a larger part in the plot development than I remember from past titles in the series. And the randomness of Jack's being at the exact spot there is a chilling case of victimization makes for a different but still engaging story. There are some skim-able areas in the development of the story, but by and large this is an entertaining read that continues to develop the larger-than-life figure of Jack Reacher.

What I'll do now that I've read it 
This book will make a solid gift for family and friends who, as I do, love to read about Jack Reacher. And for those libraries where our Lee Child books go quickly, we'll be sure to have this new release on hand on Nov. 5.  Perhaps not the best Jack Reacher yet, but a welcome new addition.

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

The fourth and best Murderbot: Exist Strategy

Exit Strategy 
Fourth in The Murderbot Diaries
by Martha Wells
Macmillan-Tor/Forge
October 2, 2018

This series is the best-kept secret in the "we love reading!" world, and this fourth and final book in that small, treasured series is the best. 

The novellas have won big-deal awards, and for once, it's easy to understand and applaud those awards.

The small, quick-to-read titles make book-talking this to a new reader a breeze, and it encourages reluctant readers to give it a chance.  That the titles have come out in print makes it easy for librarians. 

Though the titles are Sci-Fi, I have recommended this to readers of all genres -- it's just that good! I've heard this series described as a Sci-Fi Jack Reacher, but Murderbot is better.

The main characters wry humor (not to say snark), his strategic thinking, and the action and suspense make this a very entertaining read.  We care about the characters, even those that may not be sentient, and we care about the outcome and that justice triumphs. Great reads.

There are tantalizing rumors of a fifth, full-length novel coming later that will start a new arc. We should be so lucky!

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

"The Point" -- a fresh take on post-human powers for late teens

The Point

by John Dixon
Publication August 7th, 2018
Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine

Scarlett's teen years as misfit, trouble-maker, and dare devil come to an abrupt halt when, on her graduation day, the inexplicable power she has discovered within herself gets her "recruited" to The Point, a shadowy mirror world to West Point. 

This is a compelling "new adult" or young adult book that is hugely entertaining.  The fresh take on beyond-natural powers that develop in the main characters provides an engrossing tale of action and suspense. 

Because the book straddles the line between YA and new adult, readers will want to be aware of issues of strong language and a couple of needless, graphic sexual references (otherwise the romance is well-handled and typical for older teens).

This is an entertaining read for both YA and adults.  The Point is well worth the time to read and enjoy.

Julián is a Mermaid - is a charming read

Julián Is a Mermaid
written and illustrated by Jessica Love Candlewick Press

May 2018

This picture book is perfect is so many ways: 
   the loving Afro-Hispanic abuela and her mijo so perfectly drawn and the crucial expressions so accurately rendered; 

  the Afro-Hispanic community members rendered so faithfully along with subtle humor sketched in as well; 

  and the straight-forward story of the 5- or 6-year-old protagonist captured by the beauty and elegance of some passing mermaid costumes and transforming himself into a mermaid with everyday objects around the house. 

Forget the politics and the ethos of social judgment -- and just enjoy this book.

All Things New: Heaven, Earth, and the Restoration of Everything You Love

All Things New: Heaven, Earth, and the Restoration of Everything You Love

by John Eldredge
Thomas Nelson
September 2017

Once in a long while, you read a book, and you can hear the impact of it plop all the way to the bottom of your soul. You know the impact will resonate for years to come - and you hope it will guide your thinking for the rest of your life. This is such a book.

There is nothing that more powerfully shapes our life than knowing about the life to come. This book serves as a powerful, illustrated lesson in understanding what God meant when He said He was making all things new. And that lesson serves as the anchor, the lifeline of our hope that sees us through the pain and devastation of this life.

Eldredge's book is required reading for all humans. 

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

Inspector Gamache and the best yet: Glass Houses

Glass Houses 

by Louise Penny
Minotaur Books
August 2017

Penny's absolute mastery of complex woven story lines lived out by achingly dear characters appears at its strongest in this, her latest release in the Inspector Gamache series. 

If you haven't read it yet, hurry to do so.  And if you haven't begun or advanced through the series, slow down to savor and enjoy each book.

In this release, Gamache is pushing the boundaries of his career, as well as his personal life and reputation. The stakes could not be higher. Yet the amazing resolution that Ms. Penny paints makes you hold your breath, hang on for the cliffhanger moments, and then rejoice at the (amost) completely wonderful ending. 

As a reader who often doesn't trouble to read the second in most series, I have already begun the count-down to when I can look for the next new release.

Peace to you, Ms. Henry, and deep thanks for the consistent pleasure your writing provides.

Hunting Hour by Mizushima - newest release in a great series

Hunting Hour
     book 3, Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Series
by Margaret Mizushima
Crooked Lane Books
Aug 2017

This entire series is increasingly a pleasure to read. From the beginning with Killing Trail, the story line of a rural Colorado sheriff beginning her work as a K9 officer is engaging and character-driven.

This third book shows Mattie Cobb growing in confidence and her awareness of relationships with the folks around her. The life of the small town of Timber Creek is realistically complicated, and the residents respect Mattie's work and are grateful for the strategic help she and her dog Robo provide.

Author Mizushima does an excellent job positing a compelling and opaque mystery in each book, as well as developing characters the reader cares about and relationships that matter, change, and deepen.

The series is a pleasure to read - and this third entry is the smoothest and most enjoyable.

A compelling graphic novel: Park Bench

Park Bench

by Christophe Chabouté
Gallery 13, Threshold, Pocket Books
September 2017

In the graphic novel format, Chabouté's warm, evocative story is a delight to the eyes and the mind.

With the warm, loving pathos of Silverstein's The Giving Tree, the slow, steady passage of days, seasons, and years in Park Bench shows the reader the multiple stories and people who have played out their lives in the presence of the park bench.

It is those stories, and the bench's witness to their value, that make the book compelling. The story reads calmly, peacefully, poignantly. The depth of communication through the simple drawings makes the impact all the more powerful. You'll want to enjoy --and share-- this one.

* * * * * * * * *

Invictus: a YA sci-fi powerful read for all!

Invictus
by Ryan Graudin
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Strong writing, extraordinary plotting, and masterful resolution of the story line describe Graudin's latest young adult thriller that is too good to restrict to just teen readers.

What's different about this book 
Science fiction may not be the genre for every reader - but intelligent and compelling characters are.  A mystery and suspense setting for life and death events is. And the need to keep turning the page, to find out what happens next is just what most readers want.

One of the trickiest issues with YA books is keeping the material suitable for such a wide range of reading preferences. Language, sensitive topics, graphic or not graphic discussions:  All these are tip-toe matters for librarians who share reads with teens.  Graudin amazingly avoids the "inappropriate" content without losing a smidge of relevance, interest, or power.  Perfectly appropriate does NOT equate to boring or  weak with this work.  

Graudin's latest novel blew me away.  I don't do sci-fi, and I seldom do time travel. But this story of family, growing to wisdom, and valuing friends and courage was an exceptional read. This book will engage you, tantalize you, and refuse to let you forget it.  Grab this one. It's a keeper.

What I'll do now that I've read it
While I may not do sci-fi, my library patrons DO! And this will be an compelling title to talk about, share, and promote.  Awards and praise will be forthcoming for this book, due out in September 2017.

Soli Deo Gloria 

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

A Conspiracy in Belgravia - Second Charlotte Holmes book

A Conspiracy in Belgravia

by Sherry Thomas

Reading can be compared to a treasure hunt: Always on the look-out for a gem that will reward you for your patience.  You’ll want to know that this second book in the Charlotte Holmes series is just that: a jewel sparkling and irresistible – and worth the search.

What’s different about this book

There seems to be an abundance of books on the Sherlock Holmes theme recently, many well-done and enjoyable reads. But this concept of a female who creates and lives out the Sherlock Holmes mystique is unique:  It bests the original and many times over.  The first book in the series was excellent; this second book is strongly better and more appealing.

The reader who usually suspends judgment on a book and its quality until some chapters in can rest easy: They are in the hands of a master weaver who powerfully crafts characters, their interactions, and plots that bring a genuine sense of suspense and mystery.  I have been delighted to find that I can read a passage in this series, miss the undercurrents of meaning, and yet trust the author to strategically fill in the invisible story line that I missed the first time through. I love being surprised that the story between the lines resolves to be so beautifully just what I would have wanted if I had known the options.

What I’ll do now that I’ve read it

There is no reader I can think of to whom I don’t wish to recommend this book, indeed, this series.  All my library patrons (above elementary level) should hope to read this series, and I’m not only adding it to library collections – I’m buying family birthday and Christmas gifts.  Amazingly rewarding reading for fiction, historical, and mystery suspense fans. And who doesn’t like at least ONE of those genres?

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