Dead Until Dark

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Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1)

Charlaine Harris

Ace Books: 2001, 292 pages

Reviewed by Kelci Bozada

Sookie Stackhouse seems like your average, small-town waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana.  Except she’s definitely not average.  Sookie can read people’s minds, something she’s been able to do for years but keeps it to herself.  All she wants is a little quiet, but knows she can’t date anyone whose thoughts she can hear.  Then comes along Bill Compton.  Bill is a vampire in a town where people are very wary of his kind, all except Sookie.  As Sookie starts to fall for Bill, a string of murders plagues the town and Bill seems like the prime suspect.  Can Sookie find out who the murderer is before she becomes the next victim? 

Marked

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Marked (House of Night #1)

P.C. Cast + Kristin Cast
St. Martin's Griffin: 2007, 306 pages

Reviewed by Kelci Bozada

Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has been chosen, or Marked, as a fledgling vampyre to join the House of Night.  The House of Night is a special school were Zoey will learn how to become an adult vampyre. Her new life is definitely not average: she has been given special powers by the vampyre Goddess Nyx, but her powers become stronger and make her different from everyone else as she tries to fit in at a new school.  Zoey must try to understand her new-found powers as she learns more about being a fledgling vampyre. 

Golden Son

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Golden Son (The Red Rising Trilogy, Book 2)
Pierce Brown

Del Rey (Random House): 2015, 466 pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

In this sequel to Red Rising, Darrow falls out of favor with his benefactor, Nero au Augustus after losing his final battle at the Academy to rival Karnus au Bellona.  Without Augustus’s support, there is no one to protect Darrow from the bloodthirsty Bellona family.  Out of options, Darrow makes a deal with the duplicitous (and quite likely psychotic) Jackal.  Darrow also reestablishes contact with the rebel Sons of Ares – or what remains of them.  As Darrow becomes more deeply entrenched as a leader of the Peerless Scarred, does he risk losing touch with his Red origins?     

A Discovery of Witches

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A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1)

Deborah Harkness

Viking Penguin: 2011, 579 pages

Audiobook length: 24 hours and 2 minutes

Read by Jennifer Ikeda

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Diana Bishop comes from a long line of witches (think back to Salem, Massachusetts) but refuses to give into her magical heritage.  She focuses instead on her work as a historian, spending the year in Oxford for her latest research.  When she unknowingly comes across a magical manuscript thought long lost for centuries, the creature world becomes abuzz with excitement.  Soon there are witches, vampires, and daemons coming into the Bodleian Library in droves, including one Matthew Clairmont, a very old and very intense vampire.  They all believe Diana holds the key in unlocking the bewitched manuscript but Diana doesn't want to be a part of it, at all.  Soon events bind Diana and Matthew to work together while facing increasingly dangerous enemies.  Audiobook narrator Jennifer Ikeda does an excellent job creating a soothing voice in Diana while also managing a wide variety of accents.

Red Rising

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Red Rising (Red Rising #1)

Pierce Brown

Del Rey (Random House): 2014, 382 pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

The Earth is dying, so Mars is being colonized by a brave group of pioneer Reds.  Darrow is one of these pioneers, mining for Helium-6 deep under the surface of Mars.  After Darrow’s wife is executed, he is recruited by a secretive group of rebels who open his eyes to the truth: Mars has actually been colonized for generations and Reds like Darrow are toiling away to support the extravagant lifestyles of the Golds living on the surface. Fueled by his rage and a sense of justice, Darrow is reformed into a Gold and sets out to overthrow the colorful caste system from the inside. 

A Great and Terrible Beauty

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A Great and Terrible Beauty 

Libba Bray

Simon and Schuster: 2003, 403 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Sixteen year old Gemma Doyle lives in India with her mother and father, miffed at not being able to go back to London for her first season.  Suddenly there is a horrible family tragedy and she is sent not only back to England but straight to Spence's Academy for Girls.  It's the quintessential Victorian boarding school, focused on educating girls on how to be great wives, hostesses, and mothers.  But Gemma isn't like the other girls; she has a secret, a power that she doesn't understand and doesn't know how to control.  She tries to ignore it while she learns to navigate her new surroundings.  Gemma tricks her way into the mean-girl clique consisting of power-hungry Felicity and Pippa, the most beautiful girl in the whole school, bringing along her roommate, Ann, the scholarship student who is constantly picked on.  When the girls find a hidden diary of a long-ago student who shares the same powers that Gemma is experiencing, the foursome decides to try their hand at this new and unusual magic.  Are they just having some fun they wouldn't ever be allowed to have in the real world or are they acting beyond their control?  What is the price to pay for such pleasure?  Readers should be aware that this is the first book in Bray's trilogy.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Seth Grahame-Smith and Jane Austen

Quirk Classics: 2009, 319 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

In an interesting retelling of a beloved classic, this version of Pride and Prejudice is set in the same time and place as the original, just with the exception of the world having zombies. The lovely Bennet sisters are trained warriors, having studied in China under the expert tutelage of Master Liu, and have vowed to the King to keep their home and surrounding area free of the "unmentionables."  Lizzie is a most determined warrior, believing herself never to marry and relinquish her beloved katana sword.  However, the arrival of Charles Bingley and his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy is putting everyone in a tizzy, and Lizzie is no exception, even if she can't stand the proud and standoffish Darcy.  Readers of the classic story will notice how similar this retelling is to the original, with the exceptions of the brain-eating zombies, of course.

Into Thin Air

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Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster

Jon Krakauer

Anchor: 1997, 337 Pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

Krakauer chronicles climbing Mt. Everest on a guided expedition in May 1996 while researching an article for Outside magazine.  Clients on Rob Hall’s Adventure Consultants guided expedition each paid $65,000 for the opportunity to ascend the world’s tallest mountain.  While Krakauer is able to successfully reach the summit, he is all too aware that reaching the top is only half the battle.  A strong storm hits the upper reaches of Everest as the climbers are returning to camp and claims the lives of multiple climbers.  Into Thin Air provides a first-hand account of the weeks leading up to the tragedy as well as the aftermath for the guilt-ridden survivors.     

Pennyroyal Academy

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Pennyroyal Academy

M.A. Larson

G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers: 2014, 320 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

A girl, later named Evie because she has no name, leaves her family in a far away place, traveling through the haunted forests to come to the bustling city in order to enlist at Pennyroyal Academy.  Pennyroyal Academy trains future princesses and knights in order to fight the war against the witches and dragons.  Ever fearful of being cut and having to leave the Academy, Evie must survive the rigorous training by the Fairy Drillsergeant while also navigating this new world of friendships and enemies, of mean girls and cute boys.  The outside war continues to get closer to the Academy while also becoming closer and alarmingly personal for Evie.  She must draw on all her strength and courage in order to not just stay at Pennyroyal Academy but also to just stay alive.

Grin and Beard It

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Grin and Beard It (Winston Brothers #2)

Penny Reid

Cipher-Naught: 2016, 389 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

The second in Penny Reid's Winston Brothers series, this book focuses on oldest brother Jethro.  Jethro made some mistakes in his past but he's moved on and became a better person.  He feels like he's still making amends to his family but he knows he'll never go back to the way he was when he was trying to be a big shot in the local biker gang.  As a park ranger, Jethro finds a very lost but very beautiful woman who is part of the production company that's shooting a movie by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Jethro doesn't realize, at first, that the lost woman is Sienna Diaz, the famous A-list comedian and writer.  She's America's sweetheart who is a workaholic but can't help but be captivated by Jethro's good looks and charm.  Will they be able to date like normal people?  Will Sienna's fame and Jethro's past ruin their future?  Readers don't necessarily have to read the first book in the Winston Brothers series but it is highly recommended.

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics

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Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics

Chris Grabenstein

Random House Books for Young Readers: 2016, 288 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics is the sequel to Grabenstein's Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library.  Kids from all over America are upset at Mr. Lemoncello for not giving them a chance to escape from his library.  So what does he do?  He creates the first ever Library Olympiad!  Teams from across the country battles the hometown heroes as the winning players will receive a full scholarship to the college of their choice.  But something funny's going on.  Books are starting to disappear and a very persistent group of Alexandriaville natives are trying to wrestle control of the library away from Mr. Lemoncello.  Can Kyle and his friends win the game and figure out what in the heck is going on?

Confess

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Confess

Colleen Hoover

Atria Books: 2015, 306 pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

Auburn Reed still hasn’t gotten over the death of her high school sweetheart when she was 15.  She’s recently moved to Dallas and is struggling to make ends meet when she accepts a one-night gig helping out at an art gallery.  While the job may be temporary, her intense attraction to the artist Owen is so powerful that neither of them can ignore it.  While their chemistry is undeniable, Auburn wasn’t looking for love and isn’t sure that she has room in her life for Owen.  Owen’s life is also more complicated that it initially appears.  Will Owen and Auburn be able to overcome their pasts and confess their secrets?

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer

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Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer

Katie Alender

Scholastic Press: 2013, 296 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Colette Iselin is going back to her French roots!  A junior at a private school in Ohio, Colette leaps at the chance to spend nine days in France for a school trip.  But Paris is on alert right now: there's a serial killer targeting the young and beautiful and the killing method of choice is decapitation.  Colette isn't worried until she starts seeing visions of a pale woman in a pink ball gown and large white wig, like Marie Antoinette herself. Colette starts to investigate and teams up with a local French boy since her self-obsessed "friends" don't seem that interested.  Colette learns that her father's family may have been a part of something and now it seems that Colette is also involved and in danger! Can she solve the mystery and keep her head connected to her body before the trip is over?

Prom and Prejudice

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Prom and Prejudice

Elizabeth Eulberg

Point: 2011, 231 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bennet is a musical scholarship student at Longbourn Academy, the sister school of Pemberley Academy.  Things are hard for scholarship students, since the majority of the school's student population are wealthier than some foreign countries.  Prom is a big deal at Longbourn but Lizzie wants nothing to do with it.  Sure, she'll help her roommate and best friend, Jane - especially now that Charles Bingley is back from studying abroad - but that's the extent of her prom involvement.  But Charles isn't the only one back; Will Darcy is back at Pemberley after studying abroad in London too. Lizzie and Darcy's first meeting does not go well (surprise) and she's pretty sure it's because she's a scholarship student.  Chance keeps throwing them together even though Lizzie wants nothing to do with him...or does she?

The Winter People

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The Winter People

Jennifer McMahon

Doubleday: 2014, 317 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

This story flips back and forth between various characters all in a different point of time, beginning in the early 1900s to present time.  They all are affected by goings on at West Hall, a small town in Vermont, and an area of creepy land named Devil’s Hand.  It is a captivating ghost story that keeps the reader wondering up to the end.  I found myself wishing there were photographs to go along with the book.  It was a quick and easy read that I enjoyed and look forward to more by the same author.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

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Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

Chris Grabenstein

Random House Books for Young Readers: 2013, 304 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Kyle Keeley is the youngest of three boys and considers himself the most average, especially since his oldest brother is a great athlete and his middle brother is considered a genius.  Kyle loves games, especially anything by the great Luigi Lemoncello, who also happens to be building the new library in town.  To commemorate the grand opening, twelve kids will get to spend the night in the library and figure out how to get escape, using the clues hidden in the library.  Kyle is lucky enough to win a spot along with his best friend, Akimi.  Kyle and the others learn that there's more to Lemoncello's library than meets the eye and readers will enjoy following the characters as they literally try to escape Mr. Lemoncello's library.

My Brilliant Friend

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My Brilliant Friend

Elena Ferrante

Europa Editions: 2011, 331 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

My Brilliant Friend is a novel translated from Italian.  I found it hard to follow in some parts, but the story line did keep me interested.  It basically interweaves the lives to two girls as they grow up into young women.  It details the paths they take and how each led to a traditional life or something a bit different.  The author did an excellent job showing how girls are friends and yet dislike one another at times.  There are more books in the series and I want to read to find out more about their paths in life.

The House at Riverton

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The House at Riverton

Kate Morton

Macmillan Pan Books: 2006, 599 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

This novel goes back and forth from present time to the past of one character, Grace.  In present day, she is at the end of her life and begins to reminisce about an old mystery that she was involved with during her time as a servant on a large estate.  The story of that time is being made into a movie and the makers consult her on some details.  This makes her return to that time and the reader slowly unravels the mysterious events.  I enjoyed this debut novel by Kate Morton, and I read it because I loved her book The Forgotten Garden, however the latter was noticeably much better.

The Collector

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The Collector

Nora Roberts

Berkley: 2014, 483 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Lila Emerson is a young adult writer and a professional house-sitter.  While on the job at a beautiful high-rise apartment in New York City, Lila witnesses a murder in the apartment across the street.  What seems like a typical murder-suicide turns out to be a convoluted and deadly mess.  Lila partners with Ash Archer, the brother of the alleged murderer, and together they try to sort through the mess that got Ash's brother and his girlfriend killed.  It's a whirlwind of priceless antiques, sudden trips to Italy, and dodging a psychotic assassin.  Throw in a bit of romance and you've got the perfect, if not typical, Nora Roberts novel.

A Little Night Murder

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A Little Night Murder (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #10)

Nancy Martin

NAL Hardcover: 2014, 384 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Nora Blackbird is at a good place in her life: her best friend Lexie is back home from prison and Nora is finally, finally pregnant.  She's still busting the society beat for her column but this time the news comes closer to her.  Next door to Lexie's hideout from the press is the estate of the famous Toodles Tuttle, a Broadway composer.  His widow is putting on a brand new show and everything seems peachy keen except for the dead daughter.  Nora's on the case while also trying to wrangle in her older sister Libby's libido (she's caught between a bug exterminator and a Broadway veteran) in addition to convincing her younger sister Emma to avoid her new and very dangerous beau.  Readers should be aware that this is the last Blackbird Sisters book until further notice from the author.

No Way to Kill a Lady

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No Way to Kill a Lady (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #8)

Nancy Martin

NAL Hardcover: 2012, 320 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Life is a little stressful for Philadelphia socialite turned social columnist Nora Blackbird. Her oldest sister Libby seems to be gunning for tabloid worthy scandals and her younger, wilder sister Emma is pregnant with a baby whose father is a soon-to-be-married man.  Her best friend Lexie is in prison for manslaughter charges and her son-of-an-infamous-mobster boyfriend is under house arrest.  Luckily, or unluckily, there's a murder to solve! The sisters' great aunt Madeleine Blackbird leaves her estate and valuables to the sisters except that there's nothing left in the house except an old, dead body.  Nora won't rest until she figures out what happened at the estate so many years ago.  

Murder Melts in Your Mouth

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Murder Melts in Your Mouth (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #7)

Nancy Martin

NAL Hardcover: 2008, 282 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Philadelphia socialite turned social columnist Nora Blackbird finds herself in a tizzy. Her best friend, noted financial wizard Lexie Paine, is accused of murdering her business partner.  To make matters worse, her parents, the ones who spent the entire Blackbird fortune and stole from friends to escape south of the border, are back.  The Blackbird sisters are all in a panic at their sudden reappearance.  It takes Nora all her patience and amateur P.I. skills to solve this one!

Trigger Warning

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Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances

Neil Gaiman

William Morrow: 2015, 310 pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

This collection of short stories includes a number of pieces that have appeared in other publications, as well as one new piece written exclusively for this book.  The stories varied in length – some just a couple pages long and some included multiple chapters.  They ran the gamut from science fiction to fantasy to horror.  From reading the introduction, I understand that some of the pieces are related to other works that Gaiman has written, including American Gods and The Ocean at the End of the Lane.  I haven’t read much Gaiman and was unfamiliar with these previous works, but the short stories worked well even without any background knowledge.  One of my favorite stories in the collection was a Doctor Who story, which was written for the fiftieth anniversary of the series in 2013.  This book made me remember how much I enjoy short story collections, and I would highly recommend it for fans of speculative fiction. 

Blind Descent

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Blind Descent: The Quest to Discover the Deepest Place on Earth

James M. Tabor

Random House: 2010, 286 pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

This book is ostensibly about the race between American Bill Stone and Ukranian Alexander Klimchouk to discover the deepest cave on Earth.  However, very little of the book (maybe 20%) is spent on Klimchouk and his explorations.  This is presumably because there is a lot more published information available on Bill Stone, plus the author was able to conduct personal interviews with him.  I actually found Klimchouk to be more interesting, as well as a much more likeable person, but it was almost as if the chapters on him were added because Tabor needed to create the tension of a race between him and Stone.  This book seemed to be a biography of Stone, with some other stuff tacked on.  This is particularly strange since, spoiler, Klimchouk was actually the one who discovered the deepest cave, not Stone.  I could never really get into this book and would only recommend it to readers who are particularly interested in super caves.  If you’re looking for a nonfiction book on exploration or adventure, there are many better options.

A Crazy Little Thing Called Death

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A Crazy Little Thing Called Death (Blackbird Mystery #6)

Nancy Martin

NAL Hardcover: 2007, 288 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Socialite turned social columnist Nora Blackbird is the one making headlines as she's engaged to Michael Abruzzo, son of a notorious New Jersey mob boss.  Nora tries to avoid wedding planning with her ridiculous older sister Libby, while also trying to figure out the mysterious disappearance and possible death of ex-movie star Penny Devine.  And as per usual, her boyfriend/fiancé seems to be dealing in something unwise and secretive and Nora is really starting to wonder whether the relationship will work or if the naysayers are right: are they too different to be together?

The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern

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The Cat Who Ate Danish Modern

Lillian Jackson Braun

Recorded Books: 2001, 5 hours

Narrated by George Guidall

Originally published in 1967, 224 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

This is the second book in Lillian Jackson Braun's mystery series starring journalist Jim Qwilleran and his enigmatic Siamese cat, Koko.  Qwilleran has just been assigned to write a new weekly magazine for The Daily Fluxion called Gracious Abodes, a magazine that focuses on interior decorating.  Not exactly thrilled with his new assignment, Qwilleran goes with it and dives deep into the world of interior decorating.  However, the day after the first issue is published, the house that was featured is robbed and the wife of the owner dies of a heart attack.  Suspicious, Qwilleran investigates and is not surprised to find that his clever cat, Koko, is right there to help him find several key clues.  George Guidall does an excellent job narrating the book and his attempts at female characters are entertaining and amusing.  A bit slow at times, readers can't help but sit and listen in order to find out the answer to the big question: whodunit?

Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too

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Have Your Cake and Kill Him Too (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #5)

Nancy Martin

Signet: 2006, 304 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Philadelphia socialite turned columnist Nora Blackbird is a bit overwhelmed lately.  She's dating Richard, a well respected journalist and decent man, but she still has feelings for Michael, the son of a notorious New Jersey mob boss.  And as usual, she somehow manages to find herself in the middle of a murder involving crass aristocrats, an ambitious politician, and a self-obsessed teenager while also trying to help her friend who's being set up for the crime.  Add a huge personal emergency to the mix and all Nora can do is try to keep her head above water.

Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die

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Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #4)

Nancy Martin

Signet: 2005, 288 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Nora Blackbird, the socialite turned social columnist, is assigned to a fashion show that features a miracle bra.  She's barely able to write her story when she finds her boss, Kitty, dead on her front porch.  It seems that Kitty was shot execution style and bound with panty hose; nothing significant except for the fact that it is also the trademark of the Abruzzo family, a notorious Mob family in New Jersey.  Her lover, Michael Abruzzo, is the number one suspect to the police, even though Nora knows he's innocent.  As usual, it's up to Nora to find the real killer before she joins her boss six feet under!

Some Like It Lethal

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Some Like It Lethal (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #3)

Nancy Martin

Signet: 2004, 320 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Nora Blackbird, socialite turned social columnist, attends a fancy party where the husband of a wealthy but stingy heiress is found dead.  The extra bad news?  Looks like her feisty sister Emma is the number one suspect.  Nora does anything and everything she can to clear her sister's name whilst also trying to figure out how to evade a blackmailer who has his sights on quite a number of Philadelphia's finest citizens.  Readers do not necessarily have to read the other two books in Nancy Martin's series but it definitely would help.

The Nightingale

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The Nightingale

Kristin Hannah

St. Martin's Press: 2015, 440 pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

Vianne and Isabelle's relationship has not been an easy one since their mother died when they were young girls and their father virtually abandoned them.  When the Nazis invade France, Vianne's husband heads to fight the German forces while she tries to protect their daughter.  The younger, rebellious Isabelle, on the other hand, views Vianne's behavior as complacency and leaves her sister's home to join the Resistance.  Throughout the next few years, each sister faces hardships and horrors that would have been inconceivable before the war.  The Nightingale is a heartbreaking story of the women of war-torn France. 

Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds

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Dead Girls Don't Wear Diamonds (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #2)

Nancy Martin

Signet: 2003, 272 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Nora Blackbird, socialite turned social column writer, is a little unnerved to find her ex's wife suddenly looking and dressing a lot like her at a party.  She becomes even more unnerved when said wife suddenly commits suicide the very next day.  Was it really suicide?  Could her ex, Flan Cooper, be involved?  And what about the rumors that Laura Cooper was actually quite the clever kleptomaniac who whisked away fabulous jewels from the high and mighty of Philadelphia?  Nora is sure that there's more to the story and she's determined to find out the truth, even if it means putting herself in danger.

When in Doubt, Add Butter

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When in Doubt, Add Butter

Beth Harbison

St. Martin's Press: 2012, 338 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Gemma is thirty-seven and over the dating scene.  She's perfectly happy with her busy life as a personal chef, working with six very different clients.  Lex and a client she calls Mr. Tuesday love comfort food, Willa needs to lose weight but is very skeptical and hates dieting, a Russian family whose patriarch may or may not be a mob boss, a typically wealthy Georgetown family, and the Van Houghtens, a family suffering hungrily because Mrs. Van Houghten claims to be allergic to anything and everything.  Cooking is predictable but that is a comfort to Gemma, whose life is becoming more and more unpredictable.  She's thrown for a major curve and will have to rely on her friends, her strength, and her food to keep her head above water.

How to Murder a Millionaire

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How to Murder a Millionaire (Blackbird Sisters Mystery #1)

Nancy Martin

Signet: 2002, 266 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

The first in her Blackbird Sisters mystery series, How to Murder a Millionaire introduces readers to the Blackbird Sisters: Nora, Libby, and Emma.  The books are narrated by the middle sister, Nora, who considers herself the most normal.  Nora's a little down on her luck, since her parents left the country to avoid jail time for tax evasion and Nora is stuck with the Blackbird estate and $2 million owed in back taxes.  Nora takes her first real job as a society page columnist at a local Philadelphia newspaper.  Her first assignment turns out to be more than she bargained for when she finds the party host - an old family friend - dead.  Determined to find out who killed her friend, Nora plays detective by herself, since her hippie older sister Libby has four kids and a second husband to take care of and younger sister Emma is too busy being the wild child.  Although her new neighbor, the son of a New Jersey mob boss, seems very eager to help Nora out...

The Nightingale

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The Nightingale

Kristin Hannah

St. Martin's Press: 2015, 440 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

In The Nightingale, two sisters learn to survive in war-torn France in the 1930's.  Each takes a different path and struggles to stay alive, while at the same time helping others, as the Germans take over every aspect of their lives.  This story is heart wrenching and contains heroism that makes it worth the read.

The Forgotten Garden

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The Forgotten Garden

Kate Morton

Pan Books: 2008, 648 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

This story takes place over three generations and each chapter alternates between them.  It revolves around the mystery of the birth of Nell and her mother's life and her granddaughter's quest to find the truth.  The reader is taken on a journey to discover Nell's family's past and how she came to be adopted and who her true parents were.  I enjoyed the story and the many layers of secrets that were slowly uncovered between the different points in time.

Beauty and the Rake

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Beauty and the Rake (The Rookery Rogues #3)

Erica Monroe

Quillfire Publishing: 2015, 351 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Abigail Vautille has lived in the Whitechapel rookery her whole life, working long, hard hours at the factories until a tragic event rendered her unable to work.  With no other options at hand, Abigail offers herself in order to deal with her father's gambling debts and save them from debtor's prison.  Inspector Michael Strickland of the Metropolitan Police likes the deal; he gets to spend two weeks with Abigail as his mistress in exchange for forgiving the debt but is unaware that she has never been with a man before.  After all, aren't all Whitechapel women the same?  As they spend more time with each other, both are unprepared for how deep their feelings towards each other becomes.  Will Abigail be able to let go of the past?  Will Michael be able to change his roguish lifestyle? Readers should be aware that there is some sexual content and explicit language but it is not constant throughout the book.  The typical cliches of romance novels are present, as is the lack of historical accuracy.

Bad Monkey

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Bad Monkey

Carl Hiaasen

Knopf: 2012, 317 pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

Andrew Yancey is a former Key West police detective who is reassigned to Health Inspector after an unfortunate incident involving his girlfriend's husband and a handheld vacuum.  When an arm is found by a tourist on a fishing excursion, Yancey sees this as his ticket back onto the force.  The unofficial investigation takes him to Miami and the Bahamas where he encounters a poncho-clad real estate developer, a kinky medical examiner, a voodoo witch, and the titular monkey, who retired to the islands after starring in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.  While I'm not generally a Hiaasen fan, I think his audiobooks are ideal for road trips.  They are light and entertaining, not requiring too much of your attention, and are humorous enough to appeal to a wide-range of travel companions.  

The Light Between Oceans

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The Light Between Oceans

M.L. Stedman

Scribner: 2012, 343 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

The Light Between Oceans follows the life of a lighthouse keeper, his relationship with his wife, the solitude of living remotely, and their desire for a child.  It is a feel good story, and I don't want to give it away at all, but I liked the writing style and would recommend it, although the premise was a bit far fetched.  I suppose it could happen, but it's doubtful.  I think it will make a great movie and look forward to its release later this year.

The Girl on the Train

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The Girl on the Train

Paula Hawkins

Riverhead Books: 2015, 325 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

Rachel, a recently divorced and depressed woman, takes a commuter train each work day and observes her old street from the window.  One day she notices something odd and subsequently involves herself in a mystery.  This book definitely seems to be written for Gone Girl fans as it has some similarities.  However, the character development is a bit shallow and I found it hard to follow at first because the chapters switch from different characters in first person.  That being said, it did keep me interested and I read it in one day.  I found the ending predictable but not disappointing.  

His Forever Family

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His Forever Family

Sarah M. Anderson

Harlequin: 2016, 256 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Billionaire Marcus Warren and his executive assistant Liberty Reese were on their usual morning run, reviewing the day's schedule, when they find an abandoned newborn.  Suddenly seeing the maternal side of Liberty, Marcus beings to realize that Liberty is more than just his assistant but someone honest, someone who he could have a real future with, and not someone looking just for his money.  But Liberty doesn't want to get involved, she's worked too hard and too long to give up her security.  She wants her past to stay in the past but it gets more and more difficult to resist him.  His Forever Family is a quick read and it does contain some sexual content.  Readers should be aware that it is a Harlequin romance so the cliches will be abundant.  

I am Malala

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I Am Malala

Malala Yousafzai

Little, Brown and Company: 2013, 327 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

An inspirational account of Malala Yousafzai's life leading up to her attack by the Taliban for speaking out about the right of girls to obtain an education.  The book weaves through little tales of her life and shows how she was raised by her father to be a leader and stand up for what she believed.  It seemed a lot of the stories were thought of in hindsight of what she accomplished, but that didn't take away from the encouraging message that we can all make a difference.

Beating Ruby

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Beating Ruby (Spotless #2)

Camilla Monk

Montlake Romance: 2016, 310 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

The second book in her Spotless series, Monk brings back our beloved hero and heroine, March and Island.  Added to the mix is Alex, Island's new boyfriend who seems to be wonderful, who could be the one to finally end her virgin status, but isn't March.  Months after the events of the first novel, Island is trying to not think of March and get back to her life and immerses herself in her new work project: Ruby, a sophisticated piece of software that has somehow been used to steal a very large sum of money.  It looks like her boss is the suspect but he committed "suicide" and can't prove his innocence so Island takes up the task of clearing his name.  The sequel is fun, entertaining, full of action, and not explicit in sexual content or violence.

Brooklyn

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Brooklyn

Colm Tóibín

Scribner: 2009, 262 pages

Reviewed by Sheryl Walters

Eilis Lacey changes her life in the 1950s by leaving her family in a small town in Ireland for work in America.  This coming of age story is set in Brooklyn, New York, and allows the reader to follow Eilis's struggle to fit into society with other immigrants and Americans.  She struggles through being homesick, through her first love, and her friendships with other women.  She makes choices, sometimes that she comes to second guess, but she is strong and lives with her decisions.

Spotless

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Spotless

Camilla Monk

Montlake Romance: 2015, 332 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Island Chaptal is a 25-year-old IT engineer who loves escaping into romance novels to distract her from the fact that she is also a 25-year-old virgin.  Her rather humdrum life takes a drastic turn when she comes home early from work one day to find a very attractive but very OCD hit man cleaning her apartment.  March isn't there to kill her but he wants the diamond that Island's late mother stole from a crime organization called the Board; apparently Island's mother wasn't a French diplomat as she was led to believe her whole life.  Island has no choice but to work with March whilst also avoiding all the other baddies who also want the diamond and want to dismember her.  This is an actiony-romance novel with none of the cheesy explicit scenes that are too often found in other contemporary romance novels.  

The Quickening

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The Quickening

Michelle Hoover

Other Press: 2010, 215 pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

Enidina "Eddie" Current enjoys the simple life of a farmer in the Midwest during the early 1900's.  Her neighbor Mary Morrow, however, is unhappy with her rural life and yearns for more.  Although they have little in common and are often, in fact, at odds with one another, these two women come to rely on one another.  But when the Great Depression forces families everywhere to make difficult choices, Eddie and Mary's tenuous friendship unravels, and along with it their families and everything they hold dear.

The Hangman's Daughter

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The Hangman's Daughter

Oliver Pötzsch

Ullstein Taschenbuchvlg: 2008, 448 pages

English version published by AmazonCrossing in 2010

Reviewed by Jessie Park

The first in the Hangman's Daughter series, the historical fiction novel is set in Germany in 1659.  Jakob Kuisl comes from a long line of executioners; he himself is the current hangman in the town of Schongau.  When a young boy is fished out of the river, dying not from drowning but from a brutal attack, the people notice a crude tattoo on his shoulder.  The townspeople are convinced that it is a witch's mark and that the local midwife murdered him.  Jakob is not convinced and neither is the young physician Simon or Magdalena, Jakob's headstrong daughter.  As more children are found slaughtered with the same mark on their shoulders, the main characters race against the clock in order to save the midwife and save the town from the hysteria that will surly bring a bloodbath if it is not stopped.  Readers should be aware that there is violence, including scenes of torture but it is not excessively gory.

Wedding Night

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Wedding Night

Sophie Kinsella

Dial Press: 2013, 464 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Lottie is devastated; she's 33 and been with Richard for three years and she just knew that he was going to propose.  Except she was wrong, Richard had no intention of proposing.  Fed up with dating and excited about reconnecting with an old ex-boyfriend, Lottie jumps into a very quick marriage.  Lottie and her new husband, Ben, are off to honeymoon in Greece, where they first met each other 15 years ago.  However, Lottie's sister, Fliss, thinks this is all a huge mistake.  She has to stop Lottie from regretting her decision and realizes that annulment is the best and fastest option.  But how can she stop the blissful couple from coupling on their honeymoon?  Kinsella's Wedding Night is full of humor, wit, and entertainment, even if the situations are a bit out there.

Attachments

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Attachments

Rainbow Rowell

Dutton: 2011, 323 pages

Reviewed by Jessie Park

Set in Nebraska towards the end of 1999 (think Y2K paranoia), Lincoln's job title is "Internet Security Officer" and he was expecting it to be awesome, like he would be defending the company by building firewalls and catching hackers.  What he actually does is read the work emails and monitors them for any of the red flag notices: inappropriate jokes, words, etc.  He knows that he should tell Beth and Jennifer that their constant emails are in violation of company policy but he doesn't and just keeps letting it go on.  Even though he knows it's creepy, he likes reading about what's happening in their lives and the job's so boring that their emails are often the highlight of his night.  But then he realizes that he's falling for Beth, even though he's never met her.  He wants to talk to her but how?  What will he say?  This is Rowell's first novel and it's endearing but not in an overly sentimental way.  

Ripper

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Ripper
Isabel Allende
Harper: 2013/4, 496 pages
Reviewed by Jessie Park

Indiana Jackson is a holistic healer who believes in essential oils and how the planets affect her future.  Amanda Martin is her teenage daughter who is set to go to MIT and spends all her time on Ripper, an online gaming community that focuses on solving crimes.  Over the course of several months, San Francisco experiences several seemingly unrelated murders.  Amanda and her Ripper colleagues, which includes her grandfather Blake, meet online and try to solve the cases, becoming more convinced that they are all done by the same twisted person.  Amanda and Blake have the inside access since her father, Bob Martin, is the homicide police chief.  Things become personal when Indiana is kidnapped and Amanda is dead sure that the kidnapper is the same murderer the Ripper players have been chasing.  It's a race against time as Amanda and the Ripper players try to solve the murders and shed light on the murderer's identity while Bob rallies the police force to find his ex-wife before it's too late.  Adding to the action is Ryan Miller, Indiana's best friend who is also in love with her.  He's a highly skilled ex-Navy SEAL who will stop at nothing to ensure her safety, even if he's the number one suspect in her disappearance.  This is not a light read but it does pick up towards the middle as much of the book goes into the backgrounds of the characters.  There is violence throughout the book but it is not intensely gory.

The Girl on the Train

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The Girl on the Train

Paula Hawkins

Riverhead Books: 2015, 336 pages

Reviewed by Tori Lyons

Touted as "the next Gone Girl," The Girl on the Train is a psychological thriller set in the suburbs of London.  Rachel is an alcoholic who lost both her job and her marriage.  She rides the train into London every morning so her roommate won't find out that Rachel lost her job.  From the train, she becomes obsessed with a couple who she often sees sitting on their deck, drinking their morning coffee, inventing personalities and even names for this idyllic couple.  When the wife goes missing, Rachel becomes way too involved in the investigation into her disappearance, putting herself in danger.  This book alternates chapters from the points of view of three women: Rachel; Anna, Rachel's ex-husband's new wife; and Megan, the woman who goes missing.  It had enough twists to keep me riveted and I would highly recommend it to fans of crime novels/thrillers.