The Stupid Crook Book by Leland Gregory

This book is just what you would suppose.  It is a collection of very short stories about stupid things criminals have done.  The stories mostly fit one to a page, and are sometimes accompanied by wacky illustrations.  The stories are taken from places across the globe and often the author mentions his source.  This could be a great book for a reluctant reader, or just to place on the coffee table to pick up and read for fun now and then. The book is written for adults, but could be enjoyed by teen boys.  There is a little bit of innuendo, but it is super subtle. (231 p 2002)

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

Zoe lives with her mom and step dad.  Her biological father, Mark, has been in prison since before Zoe was born, a convicted murderer.  Zoe hasn't spent much time thinking about her bio-dad, since she has never met him, but on Zoe's 12th birthday she finds a letter addressed to her from him.  She is intrigued, especially when he states in the letter that he has written to her before.  She sends a reply and they start a clandestine communication.  When Mark claims that he has been wrongfully convicted, Zoe, with the help of her newly reconciled best friend, is determined to prove her father's innocence.

This is another children's book that has received a lot of starred reviews lately.  Zoe is a likeable character, and her mom comes off believably damaged by her past relationship with Mark.  I was a little disappointed that it turned out that her bio-dad was innocent.  It is just too fairytale-ish.  For most kids whose dad's are in prison, their dads really are guilty, and the kids have to learn to deal with that.  I can see why a kid would much rather read this story, with its happy ending, but it is a bit too "Cinderella" for an adult. (291 p. 2020)

Origin by Dan Brown

In this 5th adventure of Robert Langdon, Robert is invited to an elaborate presentation about a revolutionary scientific discovery of one of his former students, and strident atheist, Edmond Kirsch.  Right as Kirsch is about to make his announcement a shot rings out and Edmond falls dead.  Robert teams up with a super intelligent AI, and a beautiful museum curator to try to find a way to reveal Edmond's announcement to the world.  To do that they have to discover the password to Edmond's state of the art super computer before a radical Christian assassin finds them first.

I read The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons years ago. Both books had a bit too much sexual innuendo and violence for my taste. I'm not sure why, then, I picked up this book, but it turned out that it was cleaner in both respects than the other two.  It was quite an entertaining read, with lots of action, intrigue, and strong, complex characters. The humanities geek in me also loves all the descriptions of art and architecture in each of the Robert Langdon novels. Readers should be aware that this book has a pretty strong anti-religious vibe to it, but the author ends on note of faith
that redeems it a bit.  (2017, 463 p)

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Jordan is going to a new school for the first time.  He is from the Bronx, but his new school is a private school uptown.  Jordan experiences subtle acts of prejudice, but eventually makes friends with two other boys who each have their own reasons for feeling like outsiders.

I am a little embarrassed that it took me so long to read this book that got starred reviews everywhere last year and was the first graphic novel to win the Newbery.  I ended up liking it a lot.  It feels like the Smile by Telgemeier or Real Friends by Hale, but with a boy main character.  Craft sheds a light on all the subtle ways we can be and show prejudice.  One of Jordan's teacher's keeps calling him the name of the other black kid in his grade.  One of the boys keeps calling his Hispanic friend Mexican even though he is from Nicaragua.  Jordan, himself, is prejudice because he thinks his rich white friend doesn't have his own struggles.  Jordan shows courage to reach out, to defend, and to lift, and as he does, he builds friendships that cross social divides. (2019, 256 p.)

Funny, You Don't Look Autistic by Michael McCreary

Michael McCreary was diagnosed as autistic at age 5.  Now in his early 20's he does autism themed stand-up comedy across Canada. This is a lighthearted but candid look at what life was like for him growing up on the spectrum.

I listened to this book because it is Overdrive's Big Library Read title.  I think it is an interesting choice.  McCreary tells funny stories from his growing up years, but also elucidates life as an aspie in a very accessible way.  He thinks of himself, primarily as a comedian, but also accepts the fact that he is an advocate for people with Autism and their families.  He is high functioning, but his brother, who also had Autism, was more severely challenged, so McCreary has a good perspective on the wide range of experience of people on the Spectrum.  If someone had not really investigated Autism before, this book could be really eye opening. I must admit that it wasn't as funny as I expected, but it was uplifting and well worth the short time it took to read.  (2019, 176 p.)

The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley

Eleven-year-old Flavia de Luce is still basking in the glory of her first successful murder investigation when tragedy strikes again.  Rupert Porson, a famous children's entertainer, is found electrocuted on his puppet stage. Flavia instantly senses that it was not an accident and sets out to investigate all the possible culprits. As always, everyone is more than they seem and it will take all of Flavia's deductive powers, and diabolical chemistry, to bring the real perpetrator to justice.

This is the second of the Flavia de Luce mysteries, and was just as entertaining as the first.  Flavia is such a fun character who takes a grim delight in all things moribund, yet uses her considerable charm to wheedle information out of everyone in town.  I kind of see Flavia as a young Miss Marple.  Bradley is not quite as much a master of elucidating human behavior as Christie, but he comes close.  And like Christie, he is great at amassing a complex set of clues and then bringing them together in the end. I must remember that this series is another good one for stress relieving escapism. (2010, 364 p.)

Her One and Only by Becky Wade

Gray Fowler is a pro football player.  Dru Porter is a female executive protection agent.  When Dru is assigned to protect Gray from a stalker, Gray can't see how a woman half his size could do anything to protect him even if she is an ex-marine sharp shooter. Needless to say, they don't hit it off at first, but as they get thrown together, and learn about each other's dark pasts, their relationship changes from professional, to friendly, to something more.

So, if you have been following my blog, I have been been looking desperately for clean escapist literature.  This is a Christian romance mystery and pretty much fit the bill.  Yes, it is sappy and predictable, but the characters are quirky and likable, and I was totally in the mood for the Christian message.  I felt like cheering when Dru (the more Christian of the two at the beginning) tells Gray that she has decided not to have sex before marriage, and then Gray respects that.  Hooray!  There is also a heaping dose of description about Grays rippling muscles, and how Dru looks in leather leggings, but it is within bounds.  So if you are looking for a clean escape, this is not bad.  (400 p. 2016)

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Some people are born into wonderful families where parents provide a loving and stable environment where their children can thrive.  Jarret was not born into one of these families.  When he was a toddler, he mother barely functioned and he had no idea who his dad was.  His grandparents took custody of him when he was three, but even in their home he was surrounded by fighting, smoking and alcohol.  As he grew older he found out that his mother struggled with drug addiction, and was in and out of either treatment or jail. Embarrassed by his family, he found escape through art.  Luckily his grandparents encouraged him and he went on to become a successful children's book illustrator.

This is a memoir in graphic novel format.  It got tons of great reviews the year it came out, and for good reason. It is powerful and unflinchingly honest.  I can see how reading it could make kids in similar situations feel they are not alone, and kids with happy families feel grateful for what they have.  Krososzka is not only telling his story, he is sharing his woundedness with amazing courage. The reader should know that there are difficult situations and quite a bit of gritty language in the book, so if that bothers you, this is one to avoid. (320 p. 2018)