December

There, There by Tommy Orange
Let me preface this with...this book may not be for everyone. It is a string of individual stories of Cheyenne tribe members who live in Oakland, CA, but it is for those of us who want to hear unique stories of people often neglected in society, who feel the need to hear the wrenching tales of sadness, who are compelled to try to understand more. Debut author, Tommy Orange, speaks through his characters with raw honestly, and from his own knowledge of what it is to grow up Native in an urban area. His novel is inhabited by a variety of characters: the boy born with fetal alcohol syndrome, the daughter who lived on Alcatraz in childhood now raising her three grand-nephews, the woman adopted by white parents searching for her Cheyenne roots, the mother who seeks the baby she gave up in her youth as she battles alcoholism, the teenage boys caught up in drugs, the young man searching online for his biological father.All these characters circle around the axis of the Great Oakland Powwow, culminating in an ending that will stop your heart. This book will sit inside my heart for quite some time.

The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis
Admittedly, I spent a few months after the 2016 election with a Pigpen cloud following me for months. I wondered about the Trump transition team- how do we go from competent governance (hard to argue competence even if one doesn't agree with the policy direction) to a group of people who know absolutely nothing about government? Michael Lewis pulls back the curtain and shows us into a few specific departments (Energy, Commerce, Agriculture) and it will scare the bejesus out of you! Did you know the guy in charge of nuclear weapons safety had to begged to come back to man the desk again? How about how climate change impacts the severity of weather events but all that info has been pulled from govt. websites? I found Lewis' detailed research to be utterly fascinating - who knew that NOAA and the weather service is part of the Dept. of Commerce? The data, facts and science buried in all these obscure departments were sewn together into an absorbing story, soon to be a documentary produced by the Obama foundation. Highly recommend - just be thankful we haven't had a nuclear accident yet - fingers crossed:)

Dry by Neal Shusterman, Jarrod Shusterman
In this dystopic novel of one of my favorite writers, Southern California is in the beginning of the "Tap Out," as in, no water comes out when one turns on their faucet. As in...it is very DRY. In just a few short days, we see society completely unravel with the electrical grid off line, all internet down, grocery stores supplies depleted, martial law installed, and anarchy in the street. Shusterman plays on all of our fears of climate change and shows us what the future is like (hint: it is scary). The main characters are a motley crew of teenagers trying to just find a sip of water: the nerdy kid next door whose parents are survivalists and have booby traps for intruders, the sister who is wise beyond her years, tries to do what is right, but is also pragmatic; the little brother with the creative ideas; the 'bad girl' from the high school who saves everyone's neck more than once; and the pathological liar who will either save them or kill them all. This is a roller-coaster of a ride and a frightening look into a possible future.

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
I have been counting the days (or should I say years?), waiting for a new book by the author of The Thirteenth Tale, one of my favorite gothic tales from years ago. Her much-awaited new book is finally out and it is a magical turn into a mysterious tale. It all begins at the Swan, a pub set by a river known for its storytellers. On a dark and stormy night (yes, seriously), a strange man walks into the Swan with a dead little girl in his arms. Yet, hours later the little girl awakens and thus the mystery begins. Who is she? Who does she belong to? How did she get into the river? Why are so many people claiming her? The book has maaaany characters to keep track of: Margot, the pub owner, her sickly husband, and her prescient disabled son; the photographer who saves the little girl; the nurse who wants scientific answers to the child's recovery; the grandfather who claims her and his dissolute son who abandons her; the couple whose lost child nearly destroys them; the ferryman, a legend from long ago; and the little girl herself, whose chameleon charms softens everyone's heart. Told in beautifully poetic writing, the story dragged at times for me, with too many characters waltzing in and out of the story. With some further editing, I think it would have gripped me a bit more. With that said, if you like magical realism and tales of olde, this might be the book for you.

The Fire Witness (Joona Linna Series #3) by Lars Keppler
This Swedish mystery series has been compared to the Girl with Dragon Tattoo books, as well as the Harry Hole series by Jo Nesbo. Unfortunately, I did not feel as favorably towards it as I did the other Nordic series. Yes, Keppler is dark and creepy, he writes a tense plot line, but the translation is stilted for me and most importantly, the characters are rather one-dimensional. The mystery begins with a double murder at a home for disturbed teenage girls, and then follows suspended National Crime Unit policeman Joona Linna as he searches for the answers. It is a page-turner, but I wanted to understand the motivations of the characters better, particularly the lead detective. I never got a sense of Joona and the demons that drive him, not until the very end, which by then was a little late for me. I love the Scandinavian mystery writers, but this one was a miss for me.

For Better or Worse by Margot Hunt
How was this a Book of the Month pick? Good grief, this was a completely implausible plot line (as in two attorneys choose to commit murder when their son is sexually molested - two people who know full good and well the legal consequences and the ins and outs of investigations???), shallow one-dimensional main characters that are impossible to care about, and a questionable ending. Do NOT waste your time - trust me. Doesn't even deserve a picture:(

BEST BOOKS OF 2018

WINNER: The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
This book is the most creatively plotted book I have read in my lifetime. The main character wakes up in an unknown body, gets a new identity each day, and has seven days to solve the mystery of who killed Evelyn Hardcastle. The consequences for failure are severe: reverting to the beginning of the week and reliving it all again, forever. Beautifully written with each subsequent character developed to complement the plot twists, this book will keep you turning pages and reveling in the unique story. It. Is. Brilliant.



General Fiction:  A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne
This is a completely different turn for the author of The Heart's Invisible Furies, this time exploring the age old siren's song of success and greed. The life of Maurice Swift, a man who relentless seeks stories, is a tal eof greed, obsession, desperation, and unmitigated ambition. The question is, what came first...the evil or the ambition? This is a provocative novel that will provide a book club with endless conversation and an individual with haunting thoughts.

Honorable Mention: There, There by Tommy Orange, A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult, Virgil Wander by Leif Enger, The Lost for Words Bookshop by Stephanie Butland, Us Against You by Frederik Backman, The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, Night Child by                                          Anna Quinn, American Marriage by Tayari Jones

Mystery: The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
A woman visits a funeral home to plan her own memorial, and is then found strangled just six hours later; a deliciously clever cast of suspects abound as we see the latest crime-solving duo created by Anthony Horowitz. writer Anthony Horowitz (yes, one and the same) who Hawthorne wants to write up his life story into true-crime fashion. These two are hilarious, brilliant, and ultimately completely ingenious as we watch the mystery unfold. As with any British caper, red herrings are rife in the scenery and Horowitz uses his own bungling to mirror the reader's confusion as to whodunnit.

Honorable Mention: The Woman in the Window by AJ Finn, The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware, The Plea by Steven Cavanaugh, The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey, The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor, Into the Black Nowhere (Unsub #2) by Meg Gardiner, Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

Historical Fiction: The Silence of the Women by Pat Barker
The traditional version is of Achille's anger when his slave girl Briseis is taken from him by Agamemnon, thus leading to Achille's temper tantrum and his refusal to fight for the Greeks on the plains of Troy, all about taking back the beautiful Helen. However, author Pat Barker has her own opinion of how the story actually played out, and in this one, the truth of rape, war, deception, and loyalty is revealed in the most beautiful prose and from the woman's point of view. The consequences of war on the women and children of an occupied country are powerful and unforgettable.

Honorable Mention: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton, In the Shadow of 10,000 Hills by Jennifer Haupt, The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, How to Stop Time by Matthew Haig

YA Fantasy: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Set in the world of Orisha, the magic has been vanquished years ago through murder and destruction, killing the maji off and leaving their children, the diviners behind. The diviners have no magic, but have stark white hair against their brown skin to set them off. Enslaved and abused, the diviner society is set for rebellion. This is an incredible gift of storytelling to the world. If you like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and every other magical tale of friendship, loyalty, family bonds, destruction, power, fear, you name it, pick up this book. You will not regret it.

Honorable Mention: Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl, Legendary (Caravel #2) by Stephanie Garber, Court of Thorn and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas, The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Science Fiction: Red Clocks by Leni Zumas
This dystopic novel takes place in a world of 'today' - no spaceships, no Big Brother computers, just normal Pacific Northwest setting. However, the federal government has recently outlawed all abortions, as well as invitro treatments, making them crimes for which young unwed teens and grown married women can be imprisoned. And just for an encore, the latest law is the "two parent family, only mom and dad" rule, stopping all single people, much less (gasp!) gay people, from adopting the unwanted babies. The premise is creative and oh so topical.

Honorable Mention: Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe #2) by Neal Shusterman, Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman

Memoir: Educated by Tara Westover
Raised in a strict Mormon family in the mountains of Idaho, Tara and most of her siblings were kept out of school, not to be educated at home, but to work in their father's scrap yard and their mother's homeopathic and unlicensed midwifery business. It is a profound look at what happens when one doesn't educate a child on things we think are basic. How does this skew their view of the world? How does the world look on this child, when as an adult their questions and comments show not only ignorance, but whiffs of racism and hatred? Whose fault is it? Parent, society, the  individual herself? Can a lack of education, or conversely a formal education, fundamentally change society?

Honorable Mention: Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom by Ariel Burger, Rising Out of Hatred by Eli Saslow, Heartland by Sarah Smarsh, The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton, Southern Discomfort by Tena Clark

Non-Fiction, History: The Library Book by Susan Orlean

Revolving around the story of the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central library, this is a love letter to all things "library" - the history, the buildings, the administrators, and the frontline people who devote their lives to books, as well as some investigative journalism over 'whodunnit.'

Honorable Mention: The Soul of America by John Meachum, The World As it Is by Ben Rhodes, The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis, The Day the World Came to Town by Jim Defede, American Nations by Colin Woodard




Non-Fiction, Social Justice: One Person, No Vote by Carol Anderson
This short book by Carol Anderson, recommended by both President Obama and former AG Eric Holder, is a fascinating look at what has happened to the voting rights of all Americans over the past decade. It also looks at the history of of the past one hundred years, including the poll taxes, the civil rights movement, the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This research will give one a deeper knowledge of the systematic manner in which voting rights have been stolen from millions of Americans, especially those who live in poverty and/or are people of color: the purging of voter rolls, voter suppression campaigns through social media, the removal of polling places and places to register, the myth of voter fraud, and the illegal use of voter ID laws.

Honorable Mention: Janesville by Amy Goldstein, What Truth Sounds Like by Michael Dyson

Non-Fiction, Science: Rocket Men by Robert Kurson

This new book on the historic first orbit of the moon is a wonderful walk down a lot of exciting memories, but it is also an outstanding reminder of what hope, determination, and plain ole hard work can accomplish. It is as an incredibly inspiring story of what three men did for our country on Christmas Eve in 1968.

Honorable Mention: The Brain's Way of Healing by Norman Doidge, Cure: A Journey into the Science of the Mind by Jo Marchant

November 2.0

A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne

The author of The Heart's Invisible Furies, my pick for best book of 2017, is back with another incredible story, exploring the age old siren's song of success and greed. The life of Maurice Swift, a man who relentlessly seeks stories, is a tale of greed, obsession, desperation, and unmitigated ambition. Told through the eyes of the many characters who inhabit the decades of his life, we see Maurice at the beginning of adulthood, willing to do whatever it takes to obtain a publishable story. Next, we observe his mid-life years in the world of writers and publishers, and how his raw need for subsequent stories will drive him to ever darker behavior. Ultimately, we witness his elder years, where life has taken unexpected turns and another's ambition will seek to destroy Maurice. The question is, what came first...the evil or the ambition? This is a provocative novel that will provide a book club with endless conversation and an individual with haunting thoughts.

The Witch Elm by Tana French
Having read every one of Tana French's previous books (yep, there's six of them, all part of the Dublin Murder Squad series), I was itching to get my hand on this stand-alone novel. It did not disappoint. I understand some reviewers on line being frustrated with the length of it, but for a 500 page book, it did not move slowly at all for me. French is the master at developing characters, which is one of the reasons I love her writing. I can see deep into the soul of the people she creates, helping me to better understand the complicated plot lines she lays out. In this book, Toby is our main character, suffering from a traumatic brain injury following a home invasion. As he recovers at his uncle's house outside of Dublin, this home of special childhood memories begins to take on a dark side as a skull and a murder are discovered. French builds the characters and plot methodically and deliberately, but not pointlessly. Great twists and turns abound, leaving the reader satisfied but not in a perfectly-wrapped-package kind of way. If you like Tana French, you will like this book.

Lethal White (Cormoran Strike, #4) by Robert Galbraith
Yes, I love JK Rowling (aka Robert Galbraith) and of course I love HP. But seriously, this woman is just a great storyteller. Her main character of Cormoran Strike is one of my favorites in today's world of British mysteries; he is wretchedly smart, wryly funny, tortured by his past, frustratingly oblivious to his own feelings, and thoroughly delightful. If you haven't read the other three in the series, catch up! But if you haven't, this can be read as a stand alone, but you would miss the development of the relationship between Strike and his assistant/now partner, Robin. This time around these two have their noses in the government, with some crooked ministers, a creepy old country mansion, and a mysterious crime. Solid mystery + engaging characters + thoughtful prose = a hit for me.

The Gods of Gotham (Timothy Wilde #1) by Lyndsay Faye
One of my favorite "listens" over the last few years was Lyndsay Faye's 2016 book, Jane Steele. I loved her sassy voice, her prowess with vocabulary without being too verbose, and the wickedly complex character she creates. So, I thought I should go back and read an earlier series, based around Timothy Wilde, a New York cop. For the record - good decision! Timothy is an interesting man; half his face burnt from a home fire that killed his parents, desperately in love with the pastor's beautiful daughter, complicated relationship with his brother, and a reluctant cop on the newly formed NYC police force, Timothy then decides to adopt a little girl who has information on a murder case. Mid-century New York is a fascinating setting and Faye creates a city that sings with darkness, crime, and rotten politicians, but with a couple good "copper stars" who don't mind getting their hands dirty. Lyndsay Faye is one talented story teller - don't miss her novels.

Next Year in Havana by Chanel Cleeton
Curiosity about Cuba led me to this book, as well as the rave reviews. Admittedly, I am a bit torn. The story is told from two different perspectives: the tale of long ago during the revolution, involving Elisa and her siblings as the privileged planter class watches their world be destroyed; the other story is one of Elisa's granddaughter, coming to modern day Cuba, to sprinkle her grandmother's ashes. I was absorbed with the story of the revolutionary with whom Elisa falls in love, the story of how and why rebels chose to follow Castro, and how it impacted the people of Cuba. However, I would have enjoyed some different viewpoints. Elisa and her family are quite wealthy and they have the means to escape; while Cleeton gives some details of the poor and middle-class left behind, it is quite sparse. And the modern day story was a bit too romance-y for my taste, reading more like a Harlequin novel. With that said, I did enjoy the richness of the Cuban story and might be willing to try the sequel, which is about the older sister Beatriz (more of a rebel, she may be more interesting to me than Elisa). If you're planning a trip to Cuba, this would definitely add to one's knowledge base.

November

Witness: Lessons from Elie Wiesel's Classroom by Ariel Burger
Having taught Night, Elie Wiesel's first book chronicling his horrific time in Auschwitz, I could not wait to get this book into my hands. Ariel Burger was Wiesel's student for more than two decades and had a front row view of his teacher: his philosophies, his faith, and his extraordinary ability to open a classroom wide for his students. What I would have given to be a member of one of Professor Wiesel's classes - what a gift he was to this world. Admittedly, at times I got a bit bogged down in the story of Burger's search for his life direction, but I could understand those diversions better as the ending developed. Ariel Burger did outstanding research, and gave us a very personal look at this heroic man, giving him some feet of clay and reminding us that Wiesel was human. This book is a 'must-read,' 'must-have,' in a teacher's hands who uses Night in their classroom, as well as anyone who wants to see the power of learning, the power of love through forgiveness, and the power of the search for meaning through the questioning of life.

One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression is Destroying our Democracy by Carol Anderson
This is the most most important book to read in the context of what is going on today in America. I find myself frustrated and angry when I listen to the news, so I stop. Burying my head in the sand, however, is not the answer. So once again I went searching for some answers in the place I depend upon: books. This short book by Carol Anderson, recommended by both President Obama and former AG Eric Holder, is a fascinating look at what has happened to the voting rights of all Americans over the past decade. It also looks at the history of of the past one hundred years, including the poll taxes, the civil rights movement, the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I will now think twice before blaming "those people" who chose not to vote in 2016. I have a deeper knowledge of the systematic manner in which voting rights have been stolen from millions of Americans, especially those who live in poverty and/or are people of color: the purging of voter rolls, voter suppression campaigns through social media, the removal of polling places and places to register, the myth of voter fraud, and the illegal use of voter ID laws. Do yourself a favor and read this book (I listened to it - excellent narrator); the facts found here will arm you for the fight in front of America.

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
Having heard about this book all last year, I finally got around to picking it up and YES, it is worth it. Set in New York City, in a lovely brownstone near Columbia University, the mysterious story slowly introduces its characters: Anna Fox, severe agoraphobic, alcoholic, retired child psychiatrist; the handyman who lives in Anna's basement - handsome, wild, mysterious; Anna's husband and child, who no longer live in the house with Anna but whose conversations pepper the story; and the new neighbors, the Russells, who Anna fears are involved with dark secrets and violence as she spies on them through her window. This book had me chasing lots of clues down the wrong hallways and kept me reading voraciously far past my bedtime. Highly recommend this one -it will not disappoint you.

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
The story of the Iliad, but told from the woman's point of view? Perfect timing for me, as I read it during the Kavanaugh hearings and could place my anger into Briseis' hands, and not into my own anger backpack. Do you have to know the story of Helen, of Agamemnon, of Achilles, to enjoy this book? Absolutely not. In fact, it is a spectacular introduction to the foundation on which much of western literature is based. However, if you do know the story, you will find it even more enjoyable. The traditional version is of Achille's anger when his slave girl Briseis is taken from him by Agamemnon, thus leading to Achille's temper tantrum and his refusal to fight for the Greeks on the plains of Troy, all about taking back the beautiful Helen. However, author Pat Barker has her own opinion of how the story actually played out, and in this one, the truth of rape, war, deception, and loyalty is revealed in the most beautiful prose. I was gripped by Briseis' voice as she told of her kidnapping, her enslavement, her life with the famous Achilles and his friend Patroclus, and the choices she was forced to make to survive. Pat Barker is famous for her Regeneration trilogy on WWI with it's strong anti-war message; this book continues these themes, and develops further the consequences of war on the women and children of the occupied country. Highly highly recommend!

Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear
The first book by debut British author Caz Frear was chosen by Book of the Month and it is well-deserving of the honor. First in a series about a female British copper,  Detective Cat Kinsella is a complex, intriguing, and authentic character. We meet her at a murder scene of young woman who happens to live close to Cat's father's pub. As the mystery pulls in a disappearance of a young woman Cat's family had known long ago in Ireland, the dark side of the family is exposed. Her father's connection to the underworld, her sister's friendship with the missing girl, and Cat's own knowledge of events on the fateful day years ago all lead to more questions than answers as Cat and her partner try to solve the mystery of the present-day murder. It took me until the bitter end to figure out 'whodunnit' in the most satisfying manner. Well done to a first time author!

October 2.0

The Library Book by Susan Orlean
My grandmother was a university librarian, my first babysitter was the county library, and my first crush was Mrs. Pyle, my school librarian who wore purple earrings and chose me to stamp the date cards. So yes, I am a lover of libraries and everything about them; so is Susan Orlean. This New Yorker writer has a few bestsellers (think Orchid Thief) and her latest is sure to please many bibliophiles. Revolving around the story of the 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Central library, this is a love letter to all things "library" - the history, the buildings, the administrators, and the frontline people who devote their lives to books, as well as some investigative journalism over 'whodunnit.' I cannot tell you how many lines I highlighted or how many times I gasped aloud at the fascinating trivia on either Los Angeles or the library itself. I found this book completely engrossing, utterly fascinating, and extraordinarily well-researched. Highly recommend to anyone who has a love affair with books.

A Well-Behaved Woman  by Therese Anne Fowler
I have been chomping at the bit to start this novel, as I loved Fowler's first book Z about Zelda Fitzgerald, and having read a non-fiction book on the Vanderbilts last year, I was curious as to a historical-fiction look at their lives. Alva Vanderbilt, wife to the patriarch's second grandson, is used to build the story. Alva comes from an old Southern family, must marry wealthy to support her sisters, and ultimately shows the deep and desperate climb up the social ladder of New York, to ensure that the family sits atop with the Astors. Ultimately, I was rather disappointed in this book. For the first two-thirds, it is a looooong litany of the social climbing, the back-stabbing, the petty insults, the family feuding over money with little deep character development. Alva is not admirable, nor is she detestable; she is just 'meh' for me. I wanted to better understand her ultimate transformation - what drove her to give up her drive for social status? With a weak plot line, I quite frankly found it rather boring. Six pages on the description of the costumes and conversation at her famous ball was overkill. The last third of the book was more interesting as we see Alva breaking free of society's rules, becoming involved in the suffragette's movement. After reading the notes at the end concerning Alva's latter years, I wish the story had included more of that as it would have been a more compelling read for me. Thanks to Net Galley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Half-Drowned King by Linnea Hartsuyker
The first in a trilogy, this Viking saga is pretty awesome. Granted, I grew up being read The Tales of Asgard by a mother with Norwegian ancestry, but it does not matter your background as long as you like heroic wartimes, some blood and gore, and some battled-tested characters. Brother and sister, Ragnvald and Svanhild, (yes, names are brutally difficult and hard to keep track of at first) are in a bad situation in 9th century Norway: grandpa was a stud but dad was an idiot, mom remarried dishonorable man, arguments ensue and both siblings must find their own way in the world. For the record, really not easy if you're a woman. Svanhild must form an alliance with Solvi, a complicated occasionally unlikable but disarmingly charming hero (or is he an anti-hero?). Ragnvald, in his search for glory, has to figure out which king to swear allegiance to and who is ultimately going to prevail in their quest to bring Norway under one rule. If you like GOT, or the stories of Thor and other swashbuckling heroes, and if you like a girl who has to use whatever skills she has in the time period in which she lives to survive, you'll like this book.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Yes, it took me far to long to finally pick up this book after all the rave reviews for the last two years. Question is...are the reviews correct? Is it amazing? Here's my two cents. First, the narrator and main character, Count Alexander Rostov is quite lovely. After returning to Russia in 1922, he is tried, convicted, and put under 'house' arrest at the Metropol hotel in Moscow. The Count is witty, intelligent, introspective, curious, and kind. He creates for himself, in this new life within four walls, a microcosm of society that is fascinating to watch unfold. His friendships with a famous actress, a young girl, the head chef, a Politburo member all contribute to a shockingly full life lived within the confines of a hotel. And when another little girl enters Rostov's world, his heart grows even more full. While I thoroughly enjoyed 2/3rds of this book, I will say it got a bit long and verbose for me. Plot-thin at times, it is definitely a character-driven novel and luckily, the Count is as delightful a main character as you can find. It would definitely be a intriguing, if long, book club choice.

House of Gold by Natasha Solomons
Based loosely on the famous Rothschild family, showing their power and ties with all the European countries and royal families, it is now the Goldsteins as the family members get pulled into WWI with their Austrian and British families on opposite side of a conflict that neither support. On one hand, I was pulled into the characters of Otto and Greta, the Austrian siblings, and Albert, the son and heir of the British banking side. The slow love story of Greta and Albert is compelling, and Otto's wartime friendship with a Jewish orphan is powerful. Yet the story moves too slowly for me, as the war slowly begins; I found the second half more powerful once the war finally begins. Admittedly, I am also not a lover of gardening so the pages and pages of garden description and yard work is a bit too much for me. This book was full of interesting historical detail, focused on an extremely privileged family at a traumatic moment in 19th century history, yet also drew in at times how this war impacted people of poverty.  Overall, I enjoyed the book but do wish it had been a bit shorter. Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

October

Muse of Nightmares (Strange the Dreamer #2)by Laini Taylor
Laini Taylor is one of the very best YA fantasy writers of today, and I use the YA category cautiously as her writing is so gorgeous, so lyrical, so evocative that her books could occupy adult fiction shelves as well. The first one in this series, Strange the Dreamer, has over 30,00 reviews on Goodreads with an average of 4.3 stars...and that's in just a year and a half. Seriously, she is that good. In the second book, Taylor outdoes herself again. In this world of heroic characters illustrated through warriors, mothers, gods, and monsters, one sees every human emotion. Lazlo, the scholarly orphan with deep secrets, is back once again, as he searches for the answer to who he is. Sarai, the goddess of dreams and nightmares, is one of the most beautiful, as well as the most heartbreaking characters in fantasy today. Using these two characters, Taylor shows us a creation of worlds, of wrenching decisions, of love lost and re-found, and of towering heroism. And if you typically say, "I don't read fantasy," as I used to, I would challenge you to try this series; I suspect you would fall madly in love with this world of beauty just as I have.

A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult
Best-selling author Picoult has taken on many controversial issues: school shooter, transplants amongst family members, hidden Nazis, suicide, racism, etc. Using a unique timeline, the plot involves an abortion clinic shooting, unspooling backwards, beginning at the conclusion of the standoff and ending with the first hour of the terror. Each chapter is one hour, as we see into the minds of each occupant of the clinic during that hour: the traveling doctor, the nurse, the aunt with a young niece, the swat team cop who is the niece's father, the anti-abortion protester as well as a young woman having an abortion, the retired college professor, and the shooter himself. One might think repetition would occur, but instead it forces the reader to look at his/her own prejudices and assumptions. This is a powerful story, that shows that emotions run deep around the issues of choice. We see that one's past provokes action in one's today, that both right and wrong answers exist, that finding the grey area is the only way to open one's ears and listen, and that the past can give us many of the answers for the way forward. This would be a provocative bookclub choice, on whichever side of the issue one lands.

Virgil Wander by Leif Enger
After a decade away, the author of the classic Peace Like a River is back with a beautiful story of life in the hard luck town of Greenstone on the shores of Lake Superior. The story begins with Virgil Wander flying off the cliff in his old Pontiac, suffering a traumatic brain injury and needing his eclectic group of friends to heal him in every way: the Finnish man in search of his son; the widow and her son caught in a constant loop of uncertainty; the hermit-like wealthy son, steeped in ugliness; the mayor trying to lift her town back into relevance; the handyman who searches for meaning and purpose; the hardscrabble family who battles poverty and a big fish. Virgil is the axis they all spin around as the heart of this community is revealed. Enger's new book will grip your heart and make you smile as it engulfs you in this kite-flying, stolen-movie-watching, endearing crowd.

The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate Morton
I have read all the books written by this best-selling Australian writer and she has yet to disappoint me. Once again, she has created a story full of historical tidbits, gothic ghosts, and page-turning mystery. The nexus of this story is a house, Birchwood Manor, built on the bend of the river, protected by a Fairie Queen and an ancient promise. Through this house marches a plethora of complex characters: the Magenta brotherhood, fans of the Romantic Age, lovers of beautiful women, painting, and intrigue; Elodie, the daughter of a famous cellist, an archivist due to marry soon but who is pulled into the mystery surrounding the manor; James, a detective looking for a diamond, with heartbreak in his past; Leonard, a former WWI soldier suffering from PTSD, whose research adds to the mystery surrounding a murder; Lucy, the young girl who defies convention and is obsessed with the science of the world; Tip, a young boy whose family escapes the London Blitz; and most important, Birdie, the clockmaker's daughter whose life and stories binds them all together. Be forewarned: this author always writes very long books, but they are un-put-downable.

The Lies We Told by Camilla Way
This is a taut, well-constructed thriller that is sure to be a hit this fall. Told in two different viewpoints and time periods, the connection between the two stories takes quite some time to figure out. One side of the story focuses on Beth and Doug, an English family living in a small village twenty years ago, raising a daughter who shows every characteristic of a sociopath. Some deep, dark secrets exist in this family and the author spins them out slowly. The other story is of Clara and her missing boyfriend Luke, as she and Luke's best friend do their own detective work to figure out what happened in today's world. Luke's family has some pretty mysterious secrets of their own, particularly considering their first child disappeared years ago as well. I had a hard time putting this book down, yet was a tad disappointed in the ending and ultimately not all that surprised. The do-it-yourself detective work was also a bit unrealistic for me but perhaps I am being too picky? Close to a 4-Star for me, but missing just a couple pieces. This is a great vacation read if you love a good thriller. Thanks to Net Galley for a free book in exchange for an honest review.

The Fallen Architect by Charles Belfoure
I loved Belfoure's first book, The Paris Architect, as did thousands of other readers. I really liked his second book, House of Thieves, but his latest was just 'meh' for me. The story begins with an architect being released from five years of prison for manslaughter following the collapse of a balcony at his newly-built London theater. As Layton attempts to rebuild his life and forge a new identity, he also becomes enmeshed in the search for the true culprits of the tragedy. My problem with this book was the weak characterization; I never felt deeply drawn to any of them, the main characters or the minor ones, though I did kinda like some of the quirky theater folks and the love interest was kind of a badass. The second half was decidedly better, but I would have liked richer more complex development of the main players.

September 2.0

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
This is one of the most creatively plotted books I have read in years...Agatha Christie meets Stephen King on an Alfred Hitchcock set. The premise is unique: the main character has eight days, in eight different bodies, to find out who killed Evelyn Hardcastle, a young privileged woman newly returned to the family estate in England. The consequences of failure are severe - being stuck in the loop of time forever. The wide variety of characters is impressive: the likable drug peddler, the overweight brilliant aristocrat, the devious artist, the shockingly complex maid, etc. - and they all have their roles to play. Be forewarned that this book takes a little time to quash the frustration and confusion, but be patient. By page 50, you will be beyond hooked, unable to put down this clever, well-written book until you know all the "whodunnits." This is the perfect book for a stormy day, nestled in a cozy chair with a cup of tea. In a word, it is brilliant.

Heartland:A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth by Sarah Smarsh
For those of you who loved My Name is Lucy Barton, or Nickled and Dimed, or Hillbilly Elegy, you will need to add this book to your TBR pile. Debut author Sarah Smarsh chronicles her life, and generations of her family, as they try and survive living and toiling in Kansas during the past century. The difference in this story for me was the fact that it is told from a female perspective, as well as focusing on the matriarchal struggles of generations of teenage motherhood, abusive marriages, and the lack of education. The idea that one can pull oneself up by the bootstraps is turned upside down when one does not even own any boots. This is an engrossing book that I read voraciously in just 24 hours, unable to put it down, unable to relate in many ways, and also seeing many of my former students in her stories. I wish I had known years ago what I have spent the last few years learning: that the chance of skin color, economic class, and geography has more to do with a person's ability to 'make it' than just about anything else. Yes, there are those anomalies, the poor kid who hits it big like Andrew Carnegie, but they are fewer and fewer than in years past. This book will provide any book club with some provocative conversation and food for thought in our own communities.

Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow
Powerful. Crushing. Frightening. Inspiring. This is the power of a new book by the Pulitzer prize-winning Washington Post journalist. More than just a treatise on escaping a powerful belief, it is a tale of the rise of white supremacism in the very midst of the American experiment with democracy. Following the life of Derek Black, son of the creator of StormFront, an infamous Neo-Nazi website as well as the godson of David Duke, we see the incredible power of this movement. Derek was steeped in hate, in racism, in anti-semitism literally from his birth and groomed to be the next big leader of the movement. However, at his small Florida liberal arts college, Derek is surrounded by a small group of friends, who hate his beliefs, love him anyway, and show him through their lives and their words a way out. Saslow's story also shows us the blatant manner in which the Neo-Nazi movement has infiltrated the common political world of today, as well as mainstream media. Well-written with detailed investigative reporting, this book has a heart as well as a warning.

The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity by Norman Doidge, M.D.
After ten months of chronic pain due to shoulder surgery and frozen shoulder, my physical therapist recommended this book; it has changed my life. Based on the many studies of how our brains can morph, change, and heal, the area of neuroplasticity is a whole new world. I actually listened to this book first, and then bough a paper copy as it contains so much information that I want to refer back to over time. The chapters deal with a variety of medical research and studies on Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, learning disabilities, tinnitis, autism, stroke recovery, and pretty much anything involved in neural pathways. I found it utterly fascinating, well-researched, and full of solutions that can change lives. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Transcription by Kate Atkinson
I loved Life After Life and A God in Ruins by Atkinson, but this latest book left me disappointed. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a straight historical fiction or a farce, which is problematic. The premise of the book is a story of a young British girl who goes to work in WWII for MI5, the domestic spy group. As Juliet is dragged from a secretarial role of transcribing secret recordings of Nazi sympathizers in London into actually being a spy, the story rolled off the tracks for me. Characters that just did not make sense to me, plot twists that were so contrived they were laughable, and an ending that was a complete let down all combined to make this book a big "miss" for me. Thanks to Net Galley for a free book in exchange for an honest review.

September

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
First, the cover of this book blows; it looks like the potboilers my mother used to buy at the local grocery store...blech. However, inside this horrendous cover, is a shockingly awesome book that I could not put down. Each chapters chronicles Evelyn's life as it unfolds during her marital years to a particular husband - yes, it sounds like a bad made-for-tv movie. But what saves this book is Evelyn herself, an incredibly complex, refreshingly honest, and provocatively intelligent woman. She uses her wiles and her talents to break into the Hollywood of the 1950's, making both friends and enemies along the way, and hiding a forbidden love. This book is a page-turner, and while it may look like 'brain candy' on the outside, the inside is rich and satisfying.

Little Comfort (Hester Thursby Mystery #1)by Edwin Hill
Looking for that next great mystery series? I found it for you:) Coming from one of the smaller publishers, be sure to search your indie bookstore and ask to have it on shelves as this story is worth every penny. Debut author Edwin Hill has created a spectacular main character: Hester Thursby, librarian and private investigator on the side, a fireball of a 4'9" woman, lives with a man she refuses to marry, foster mom to her best friend's daughter. The mystery begins with a search for two young men who disappeared a decade ago. Ultimately, the story involves identity theft, sex trafficking, high society, codependent friendships, military PTSD, and murder, all while little Hester Thursby sticks her nose into everybody's business. The characters are incredibly well-drawn, with both admirable and frustrating traits, as well as some seriously baaaaad people who need their comeuppance. And let's face it, I'm a sucker for beautiful syntax and this man can write! I absolutely loved this book, could not put it down, and cannot wait for the second installment.

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris

I had hopes that this book would be reminiscent of Orphan Train, a rich historical tale of the Great Depression. The story begins with a down-on-his-luck reporter, taking a photo of two boys holding a sign that shows them to be "For Sale" in 1932 Philadelphia. As the tale unwinds, this photo causes lots of problems for both the reporter and the office assistant who involves herself in the newspaper publishing of the story. I found the main characters to be quite thin, the minor characters to be tedious, and the plot to be without much-needed tension as well as a tad saccharine. I am sure there are many readers who love this type of book; it just is not me. Thanks to Net Galley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle
This is a creative story of life, love, and second chances. At first, I was not sure this was a book for me; admittedly, I tend towards the dark, dramatic, historical, tragic tales, but the premise of this novel is intriguing. Based on a classic conversation in every classroom I've ever led, the question begins with "Who would you invite to dinner, dead or alive, fiction or non-fiction, if you could?" This was always the start of some fascinating English lit class discussions. In Rebecca Serle's book, she tips it a bit towards family and friends, and away from famous and historical. At first, the literary snob in me was put off - where was Shakespeare, Homer, or yes, even Harry Potter? Why do I want to read about a dinner with Sabrina's old college professor, ex-boyfriend, best friend, dead father, and the obligatory famous person, Audrey Hepburn? Ah, the answer is because Serle makes me care. This story wraps itself insidiously around your heart as once again I was reminded that life is not fame and fortune, but the small moments...like when you meet the love of your life, the first apartment with your best friend, a night with a new baby, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed this short, sweet little story.

Lies by T.M. Logan
This new thriller by debut British writer is fine, but nothing memorable for me. When driving his young son home one night, Joe, a public school teacher who lacks ambition and passion, hears his son say that he's seen Mum's car, forcing Joe into a hotel parking garage where the trouble begins as he confronts a husband of a friend. When said husband then pulls a runner and cannot be found, Joe finds himself the main suspect. It is a page-turner, I will give it that. The problem for me was that Joe is just so stupid; he chases every wrong clue, won't listen to legal advice, and has unaltered trust in people whom he shouldn't. Yet, at least this time around it is the guy being dumb and not the stereotypical woman so that's a plus! Regardless, I would say it's a good vacation read, but a bit forgettable for me. Thanks to Net Galley for a free book in exchange for an honest review.

August 2.0

Not Her Daughter by Rea Frey
This book by a debut author addresses a conundrum: what does one do when seeing a child neglected and abused? Do you report it to the authorities and hope the foster-care system doesn't mess it all up? Or do you do what main character, Sarah Walker, does and just take five year old Emma? Yep, it's a problem. Emma is smart, beautiful, and sad; abused by her mother, ignored by her father, she wears the same clothes to school each day. When Sarah's life weirdly interconnects with Emma more than once, perhaps it is karma, perhaps it is her job to abandon her successful business, perhaps her wretched breakup with long-time boyfriend was meant to be? Admittedly, some plot holes glared at times for me, but I could not stop reading this book. The question of what Sarah would ultimately do with Emma, how Emma's mother handled the situation, and how Emma adapted kept me turning pages quickly. It is a good 'brain candy' book for sure.

Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson
His earlier book, The Kind Worth Killing, was a dark and creepy thriller that gave me the heebie-jeebies, and yes, I loved it. This second book was solid, but not quite as good. The premise revolves around an apartment swap. A young British woman, suffering from PTSD as well as a long-term anxiety disorder, finally finds the courage to leave London, arriving in Boston to live in her cousin's Beacon Hill home. Of course, a murder occurs in the apartment next door, which plays to all of Kate's fears (hence the title). The cousin, now staying in her London flat, has a bit more of a secret life than anyone (Kate, neighbors, or even us, the reader) had ever suspected. As the rabbit hole we go down to see Corbin's past gets darker and creepier, the threads of the murder start to come together. This was definitely a page-turner and a solid thriller, but a bit too predictable of an ending for me.

The Other Woman by Sandie Jones
I seem to have an opposing view on this book from many other reviewers; I give it 2.5 stars at best. First, the premise is creative as this time the 'other woman' is the mother of the boyfriend/fiance. That's a nice twist. The problem I had was the complete shallowness of the main characters; the girlfriend who continuously stays in an abusive relationship with both the man and the mother; the boyfriend who is a nasty drunk but loves his mother obsessively for unexplained reasons; the brother who, even in the end, is not fully flushed out and makes a muck of things; and the besties who stand by and don't yank poor lil Emily miles away from this man. Not even the dark and twisted ending could salvage this book for me. I hate hate hate weak, gullible, static women - protagonists like this merely perpetuate the myth of spineless women trapped in toxic relationships. Try giving us a trapped woman who gets herself out through her strength and smarts, someone to aspire to, someone to give us hope. Aargh. Thanks to Net Galley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Children of Blood and Bone (Legacy of Orisha #1)) by Tomi Adeyemi
Debut author Tomi Adeyemi is a gorgeous writer with a depth of knowledge on African mythology, and she uses both skills brilliantly in this first of a new YA fantasy series. Set in the world of Orisha, the magic has been vanquished years ago through murder and destruction, killing the maji off and leaving their children, the diviners behind. The diviners have no magic, but have stark white hair against their brown skin to set them off. Enslaved and abused, the diviner society is set for rebellion. Thus enters our cast of characters: Zelie, a young diviner, whose mother was a Reaper who could call upon the souls of the dead; Tzain, her brother, a strong athlete devoted to keeping Zelie and her father safe; Inan, the son of the murderous king, torn between his knowledge of moral rightness and his need for his father's approval; and Amari, daughter of the king, scared and weak on the outside, a lion in her heart, who begins the whole rebellion with a stolen scroll. This is an incredible gift of storytelling to the world. If you like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and every other magical tale of friendship, loyalty, family bonds, destruction, power, fear, you name it, pick up this book. You will not regret it.

What Truth Sounds Like: Robert F. Kennedy, James Baldwin, and Our Unfinished Conversation about Race in America by Michael Eric Dyson
Recommended by none other than #44, Barack Obama, this book is a must-read for American citizens, as it gives a thoughtful look at how history has shaped race relations in our country. Focusing on essays and events involving black writer and activist James Baldwin, as well as Robert F. Kennedy as his understanding of race relations evolve, Dyson explores every aspect of American life today and its intersection with race: the world of entertainment, politics, professional sports, music, you name it, that world is dissected looking through the lens of race. This book opened my eyes in so many ways and made me realize how little I truly know and understand, as I live in a predominantly white PNW college town. I highly recommend reading it not listening to it, as the language is beautiful, and the narrator was truly terrible.