Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald

Theodora Tenpenny lives in a rundown home in Greenwich Village with her grandfather, Jack, and her socially non-functional mother.  When her grandfather dies suddenly, Theo finds herself struggling to keep food on the table for her and her mother and wonders what will happen once her grandfather's retirement checks stop coming in.  One day she spills rubbing alchol on one of her grandfather's paintings and finds that it was painted on top of a much older work.  It looks like it might be valuable, so she and a new friend start researching to find out what the painting is and how her grandfather might have aquired it. As Theo digs deeper into her grandfather's past, she learns amazing things about art, her grandfather, and herself. 

This is a great mystery for middle grade readers.  It reminded me a lot of Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, but I actually liked this one better.  Theo's situation at home is more compelling than in the Balliett book. Her relationship with Bodhi is fun because of the rich/poor contrast. Fitzgerald does a good job of juggling the three stories; the painter Raphael's, her grandfather's in WWII, and the present time. The ending is a little too "coincidental" but I don't think kids will be bothered by that. (2014, 256 p)

A Treasure Concealed by Tracie Peterson

Emily lives with her prospector father in Montana in the 1890's.  Her mother is ill, and they don't have much money, but Emily's father is sure that any day he will strike it rich.  Emily has grown up in mining towns and has learned to wear clothes that conceal her feminine figure in order to discourage unwanted attention.  One day her father brings home a stranger, Caeden, who happens to see what Emily really looks like.  Caeden came from a disfunctional home and has vowed never to marry, but as he gets to know Emily, his resolve starts to waiver. Meanwhile, another stranger is trying to buy up all of the local mining claims, and when Emily's father refuses to sell, he threatens to do whatever it takes to get the claim.  Can Caeden protect Emily and her father, while still protecting his heart?

I started to read a different book, but in the first chapter I could tell it had elements that didn't meet my standards, so I just searched for available historical Christian romances and clicked on the first one in the list. I must say that this book proves that not all Christian historical romances are created equal.  This read like an old Vaudville melodrama with all the stock characters you would expect.  The dialog is terribly stilted and so cliche I couldn't help rolling my eyes.  It is also really preachy and the pacing is slow. I wonder how books like this get published, let alone made into  audiobooks.  It really was very silly.  So why did I finish it?  Why not?  At least it was clean, and it was so bad it was almost funny.  Will I be reading more in the series?  No. (2016, 328 p)

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

 Princess Ani never had the way with people that her powerful mother has.  Still, as the crown princess, she tries hard to prepare to rule her country when she becomes of age. When the time comes, however, her brother is chosen to rule instead, and she is sent away to marry the prince of a neighboring kingdom.  On the way to her arranged marriage, she is betrayed by a friend who kills her guards and takes on her identity.  Alone, Ani must go into hiding and eventually takes a job as the royal goose girl.  As Ani gets to know the other palace workers she starts to have friends for the first time in her life, and to learn things about herself that give her strength and confidence she never had before. Her betrayer is leading the two kindoms toward war, and Ani must decide if her new life has taught her enough to challenge her usurper and save two kingdoms. 

This is another book that I read years ago and that I am reading again now because it is a parent/child book club title.  It was fun to read again.  Shannon Hale really is a good writer.  Her characters are good and her discriptions are lovely.  The magic system in the book is a little amorphus, but, if I remember right, Ms Hale tightens it up a bit in subsequent books in the series.  The whole horse head thing is a bit odd, and I hope it isn't too much for my book club families.  Still, the book has some good discussion potential and I am looking forward to it in January. (400 p. 2003)

Christmas By Accident by Cameron Wright

 Carter works as a claims adjuster, but longs to be a writer.  Abby owns a small bookstore and cares for her Uncle Mannie who has rased her from childhood. Abby loves Christmas and Carter believes it is all a big commercial scam. One day a car accident brings Carter and Abby together. As Carter's interest in Abby grows, he opens his heart to the possibility of Christmas miracles.

Each Christmas I endulge in a couple of sappy Christmas romance novels.  This one plublished by Shadow Mountain and was pretty typical of their offereings: Sweet, short, clean. I liked that Carter isn't some amazing, buff, rich, superstar.  He is just a slightly geeky guy who is willing to make an effort to impress a girl.  (2018, 240p.)

Daughter of the Deep by Rick Riordan

 Ana Dakkar and her brother Dev are both students at an elite private school that focuses on marine science. Ana is nervous about her freshman trials that are coming up, a weekend of hands-on tests aboard a school owned ship.  As she and her fellow freshmen are on a bus  ride to meet up with the ship, their seaside school is attacked.  The teacher/advisor with them on the bus hurries them onto the ship anyway, and informs them that the attack was perpetrated by a rival aquatics school. Ana, realing from fear that her brother, her last surviving relative, perished in the attack, finds out that she is a direct descendant of the real Captain Nemo from the book, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  She and her classmates also discover that the Nautilus and all the amazing technology from that story is real, and evil people are after it.

I was excited to see that Mr. Riordan had started a new series, and one not connected to his earlier series.  Although I don't think this new series will make the kind of "splash" Percy Jackson did, it was a solid offering and one that Riordan fans will enjoy.  The story similar to Riordan's other books.  A kid finds out that they have inherited something special from unknown ancestors and is thrust into a situation where they need to save the world.  But in this book, the powers are based on science rather than magic.  The one thing that I think will hamper the book's popularity is that I don't think many kids have read 20,000 Leagues under the Sea or have even seen the old Disney version of it.  What works are Riordan's characters, each flawed, but each one discovering the best inside of themselves.  

One fun note, Ana's side kick, Gem, is a Mormon from Provo.  He scolds people for taking God's name in vein and talks about his missionary brother.  I like to feel that the inclusion of this character in the book was infomed by his visit to Provo Library back in 2012.  I had the opportunity to meet him then and chat over dinner with my fellow librarians.  I am sure someone must have talked about their missionary son, and maybe scolded someone about swearing?  (2021, 352 p.)

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

 WWII is winding down and the German army is fleeing East Prussia.  Four young adults are heading for the coast, hoping for passage out of the country.  They each have their own past, and their own secrets.  As they endure harrowing trials, they pull together, and unite with other travelers to form kind of family.  Then they board the ill fated ship, the Wilhelm Gustoff.  

This is a a riviting WWII drama unlike any other I have read.  The setting and historical backdrop are unusual.  I actually hadn't heard of the Wilhelm Gustoff tragedy before.  Nor was I very familiar with the German experience in Russia. The thing that makes the book so engaging, though, are characterizations. Each of the point of view characters, (including a forth, a German soldier, Albert) are brilliantly drawn and multilayered.  It is a teen book, so, of course, there is a romance involved, but the book isn't about the romance, it is just about what war does to people and how people get through it.  Here is another book I will be recommending a lot to teens and adults. (2016, 391 p)

Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Mejia

 Paola's mother believes in the old Mexican mystical folklore, which is an unending source of embarrassment.  Paola tries to keep a lid on her frustration with her mother because she understands how hard it has been on her mother since her father disappeared.  But that does not keep Paola from defying her mother's injunction not to go near the Gila river because it is source of "evil magic".  Then one day Paola's friend, Emma, disappears by the river, and Paola and her best friend, Dante goes to look for her.  Strange things start to happen and Paola realizes there is more to her mother's superstitions than she suspected. 

This is another in the "Rick Riordan Presents" imprint, this one focusing on the legend of La Llorona. I have enjoyed the books about Aru Shah and Tristan Strong that are also "Rick Riordan Presents" books, but I didn't like this one as well as those others.  There were a couple of things that didn't work as well for me.  I didn't like that Pao and Dante were sometimes pretty mean to each other.  I know their squabbles were supposted to be caused by adolescent hormons, but it didn't work for me. I also didn't feel like the story gave me any new insights into Mexican culture. I thought they took the Llorona legend and stretched it all out of proportion.  I did like the little cupacabra puppy though.  Maybe if I were more familiar with the mythology I would have enjoyed it more.   (2020, 350 p)

Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Ann Hunter

 Aaron is an illegitimate son who has made a life for himself as a horse trainer and stable manager.  He has always vowed he would never inflict the liabilities of his birth on any woman by marriage. Then one day, Sophia tricks her way into his life.  She is an amazing horsewoman, and someone in need of his help and protection.  They both have walls and secrets, but with the gentle nudging of friends those walls have at least the possibility of coming down.

Yeah, Christian historical romance time again.  In this one we get to meet many of our old friends from previous Hunter novels.  In some ways this book is as much about having a supportive community of like-minded friends as it is about the two love birds. It takes a lot of encouragement and conniving of their friends to get Sophia and Aaron together at last. One thing I like about Hunter's stories is that she doesn't rush the relationships.  No Cinderella-like "love at first sight" here.  It takes time and much overcoming of bumps in the road to bring Hunter's leading men and women together, which is much more realistic than the fairytale version. (2021, 352 p.)
 

Lovely War by Julie Berry

 Hazel plays piano at a parish dance at the beginning of WWI when Aphrodite steps in and makes sure that James notices her behind the piano.  Later Collette is intrigued by the handsome Amercian soldier, Aubrey, who plays jazz in an all black army band.  The black soldiers are forbidden to associate with the white YMCA workers, but that can't keep Collette and Aubrey from sneaking out and meeting at the piano after lights out. As two romances blossom, Ares steps in and calls the men into battle, leaving the women to wonder and wait and worry if they will ever see their beautiful boys again.  

In some ways this is an odd WWI romance, but I really liked it.  Berry frames the books with the story from Greek mythology when Haephestus captures his wife, Aphrodite and his brother Eres "in the act" so to speak.  Haephestus holds a trial to convict his wife of infidelity and she uses the story of the war love affairs to defend herself and justify the importance of what she does--bringing hope and joy to young lives during the time of war. The story has a second message about racial prejudice, and many of the characters and events related to Aubrey's black regement are based on history. Berry does a great job of showing the horrors of war and how they change both the men and the women in the story.  But at the same time, the characters stay true to each other and help each other cope and heal. It is super sweet, and, remarkably clean.  Reader beware that there are some graphic depictions of battle and racial violence, but I think Berry does a good job of giving enough detail to make the reader appreciate what is going on, without being overwhelming. I am certainly going to be recommending this one to my friends and patrons. (2019, 480 p.)

P.S. this book is marketed as a YA historical novel, but I think it is better suited for middle age women. :)

Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell

Gladwell, the author of The Tipping Point, and Outliers, in this book asserts that people are pretty bad at telling when strangers are lying. He talks about how people think they can tell if someone is lying by looking at their body language, but that studies show that this is not true.  He talks about why intoxication is such a complicating factor when trying to assess guilt in a date rape situation, and how Fidel Castro was able to plant multiple people as spy double agents in the CIA.  He talks about how people just don't want to believe that someone is lying and how that allows people like Bernie Madof and Adolf Hilter to deceive people quite easily. He finishes the book with a look at what happens when we don't "default to true", and how that brings its own consequenses.  

This had interesting ideas, but, like some of the other nonfiction I have read lately, it was gritty.  Gladwell describes date rape, murder, suicide and Guantamo Bay style torture. I feel like I have some new insite to human behavior, but I kind of feel like I need to go and wash out my brain with soap to clean out the nasty images. So, read at your own risk.  (2019, 400 p)

Duplex by Orson Scott Card

Ryan's dad has moved out and is converting their large house into a duplex so that the tenant income can help pay the rent.  The family that moves into the other side of the house includes Bizzy, a beautiful Romanian American girl Ryan's age.  Ryan is astonished when she befriends him, and he soon feels very attached to her.  While walking home together, a bee flies into her hair.  With preternatural speed, he gets the bee out of her hair, pops it into his mouth, and then releases it with a breath.  His swift response does not go unnoticed, and he is recruited by a club at school of kids with micropowers. He discovers that Bizzy also has a micro power, one that has made her a target of an evil group from her mother's country of origin.  Ryan's growing love for Bizzy pushes him to develop his skill so he can protect her and the others he loves. 

I started to listen to the story, and then about halfway through, when Ryan meets the kids in the micropotents club, I thought, "wait, haven't I read this before?"  Actually, I hadn't, but I realized it is the second in a series that started with Lost and Found.  It is, actually, remarkably similar to the first book.  In my review of that book I complained that Card really didn't capture authentic teen conversation.  That is true of this book as well.  It really sounds like an old guy trying to sound like a teenager.  It is also a bit preachy.  Ryan's dad gives him some meaningful "life lessons" talks that reminded me of the "To thine own self be true" talk in Hamlet.  Despite all that, I enjoyed the book. The premise is interesting and Card doesn't shy away from some hard issues.  The romance between Ryan and Bizzy is sweet and pretty age appropriate. It was a nice break after reading Talking to Strangers (review to follow).  (304 p. 2021)

A Search for Refuge by Kristi Ann Hunter

 Margaretta is newly widowed and on the run.  Although she has always lived in wealth and comfort, she now finds herself with very little money and nowhere to stay.  Margaretta is taken in by a kindly shopkeeper who is a widow herself.  The shopkeeper's solicitor, a young handsome loner, is worried that the newcomer will take advanagage of the older woman so he decides to keep an eye on Margaretta. In doing so, he gradually finds himself breaking his promise to himself never to become attached to a woman again.

I have been reading Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell and it just got too heavy.  So I took a little break and listened this short prequel to the Haven Manor series which I started a couple of years ago.  This is a light historical romance, with a little bit of depth and a happy ending. Listening time is only 4 hours. It was just what I needed to salve the wounds to my soul caused by reading about the real life cruelties depicted in Talking to Strangers, and The Body Keeps Score. (2018)

The Outward Mindset by The Arbinger Institute

 The city administration where I work is sending all the managers to an Arbinger Institute training next week. In preparation we were asked to read Leadership and Self Deception, which I read several months ago, and The Outward Mindset.  The Leadership and Self Deception book is written around a fictional narrative about a middle manager executive who is called into his manager's office and trained to be more open and compassionate to his co-workers and family.  This book is more like a workbook written to go along with the training.  It contains several real-life stories about different companies and their success or failure at maintaining an outward mindset.  It also includes a lot a commentary that reinformces the main ideas meantioned in the Leadership book. I found the book fairly dry, and that it really didn't have any new ideas that hadn't been discussed in the Leadership book.  Still, I tried to satisfy due dilligence by considering my own actions by asking myself if there is someone with whom I need to be more open. It sounds like it will be an OK training and I am looking forward to attending. (2019, 208 p)

Astronuts : The Plant Planet by Jon Scieszka

Four super-powered animals were created in the 1980's to go into space and look like for a "goldilocks" planet were humans could go when global warming had destroyed earth.  Thirty years later they are called into action when Earth hits the "big red line" that represents the point of no return from global warming. The first planet they investigate is called the Plant Planet.  It seems to be a paradise for plants, but the astronuts are surprised that there are no animals on insects on the planet.  Little do they know that all the leafy greeness is not as innocent as it appears.

After reading "The Body Keeps Score" I decided to read something really short and silly before I jumped back into the next nonfiction on my list. The Plant Planet book is a graphic novel, but I listened to an audiobook version that was performed with a full cast.  The whole books was only 2 hours long, and it was very silly.  I was surpised to find that it also contained a few solid science facts, and an almost propoganda strength message about global warming. Mr. Scieszka is obviously very put off by people who are still denying the exisitence or importance of global warming.  I am not sure how I feel about it.  It seems kind of sneeky to put such a politically controversial message into a kid's comic book.  I actully believe in the threat of global warming, but I would rather see a book confront the issue head one, instead of hiding behind silly humor. (220 p. 2019)

The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk

Dr. Van Der Kolk is a research psychiatrist who has spent his long career studying trauma.  He started working with Vietnam veterans with PTSD, and then expanded his focus to include children who grew up in abusive homes and other sources of trauma. He spends the first half of the book talking about different kinds of trauma and how they impact both behavior and physiology. In the second half of the book he discusses some non-mainstream treatments and gives case studies to show in what kind of cases they can be helpful.  

I read this book because of friend of mine who has trained as a trauma councilor recommended it to me.  It was a little bit difficult to read because the case studies he recounts are so horrendous.  But I am super glad I read the book. It is very accessible and I stayed engaged even though the audiobook takes 16 hours to get through (on regular speed.  I admit that about half way through I increased the playback spead to 1.25). I felt like the first half made me much more aware of the impact of trauma on people.  I had never understood before how people could commit violent crime of submit to repeated abuse but he explains how trauma relates to those behaviors. The second half that talked about different treatments was also interesting.  I am not as convinced about the efficacy of all the things he talked about as he is, but it did open my eyes to how some of these less mainstream methods of treatment might be useful.  

With a book like this, you need to be careful to check the author to see what their credentials are.  Dr. Van Der Kolk's career has not been without controversy, but he does seem to be what he claims to be. I kind of think that everyone who has someone in their life (including themself) who has suffered from trauma should consider reading this book.  (2014, 464 p)

Stay With Me by Becky Wade

Genevieve Woodward is a hugely successful Christian bogger and speaker. What her fans don't see is that she is also addicted to persciption opioids.  One day, after a drug induced stupor, she wakes up in a strange house near her parent's home.  It happens to be the guest house of a single, handsome, and successful local restaurant owner.  As unthrilled as Sam is to have Gen and her problems thrust into his very controlled life, he can't bring himself to turn his back on her.  He has had experience with dealing with opioid addition before, and that didn't go too well.  Part of him want's to run for the hills, but part of him senses that he needs Gen as much as she needs him.

I have read several Becky Wade books before, but this is probably my favorite so far.  In some of the other ones, the male love interest is just too over the top; a football super star, a ex-navy seal, a famous pro hockey player.  In this one it is Genevieve who is famous and Sam is more like just a regular guy.  I liked that fact that Wade delt with the pressure Genevieve felt as a prominent Christian to put on a "perfect" face.  That is a real temptation when you are part of a close-knit Christian community.  I also thought she did a good job with Sam's inner struggle about whether to get involved or not.
Another feel good clean romance for those that like the genre. (2020, 392 p.)

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

 In a remote Norwegian village there is a store of gold bullion.  When the Nazi troops arrive, Peter's uncle Victor comes up with a plan that the children will help smuggle the gold from a hidden ice cave to a ship waiting to take it safely beyond the Nazi's reach.  The children load the gold bars on their sleds, pull them out beyond the city limits, and then build snow men which mark the spots where they have burried the gold in the snow.  The children face many harrowing adventures, but succeed in saving the gold.

This is an older historical fiction written on about a 3-4 grade level.  I read it because it it the parent/child book club title for this month.  I had read it before so I was surprised that I hadn't blogged about it before.  It is simplistic and lacks any kind of nuance.  The children are heroic, the Nazi's are easily dupped. There are near misses, but the reader is never in any real doubt that our heros will be successful. I just looked it up and it was orginally published in 1942, so I guess it could arguably be called propaganda. but is has never gone out of print. (196 p.)

The Princess Search by Malanie Callier

Evie is a dress maker who is a favorite of the spirited Princess Celeste.  The princess invites Evie to go with the royal family on a tour of the kingdom as mistress of the wardrobe.  Evie is nervous to go because of her stormy past in some of the provinces they will be visiting, but Celeste is hard to turn down.  She is amazed when she finds she has been accepted in the royals' inner circle and is the particular favorite of Crown Prince Frederick. She resists his attentions, sure that when Frederick discovers her real past, it will end their budding relationship forever.

This is the 5th and final book in the Four Kingdoms series. I have enjoyed this series.  They are a formulaic, but I there are enough little variations to keep them interesting and entertaining.  This one is less thrilling than The Princess Game because, instead of fighting the bad guys, Evie is mostly fighting her own insecurities, but sometimes the battles with ourselves are the hardest ones. I think this whole series is a good choice for either teens or adults who want clean romance books with a little added adventure and magic. (2018, 308 p.)

Rakes and Roses by Josi Kilpack

Harry Stillman is the most profligate of Lord Elliot's nephews. When Lord Elliot presents to him the marriage incentive and refuses any more support until Harry cleans up his life, Harry is angry and defiantly continues his dissolute practices. A gambling habit soon leads to trouble with a loan shark and between that and a drinking problem he hits rock bottom.  When he hears of a benefactor, Lord Damion, who helps undisciplined young men like himself improve their lives, he hopes he has found a way out of his troubles.  Little does he know that Lord Damion is just an alias for a very wealthy widow, Lady Sabrina. Having escaped an abusive marriage by the timely accidental death of her husband, she seeks to use her inherited wealth to help others.  She tries to stay emotionally unattatched from the men she helps, but that doesn't work so well when she find Harry beaten half to death and takes him to her own home to recover.  She has secrets, he does too, and both have prejudices about the other that only time and hard won mutual respect will overcome.

Here is the third in the Mayfield Family series.  It is much like the others.  The heroine is a pargon of moral rectitude, and the hero is burdened with challenges and hangups that only the love a good woman can overcome.  It is cotton candy literature, but some weeks that just what I want.  I can't say the Kilpack is my favorite historical Christian romance writer, but I like her well enough I will probably return to her the next time I am having a stressful week or am waiting for another book that I have on hold to come available. (320 p. 2020)

Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation by Stuart Gibbs

 Charlie Thorne is a 12 year-old-genius with an IQ over 200.  She is already in college, but often skips class out of boredom.  She is, rather dramatically, "recruited" by the CIA to help solve a 70 year mystery about an equation Einstein revealed right before his death that could bring prosperity or distruction to the whole world. As she joins a small elite group of agents on a quest that will lead them across the globe, she wonders if the secret Einstein so carefully hid would be safe in anyone's hands. 

Ok, this is my new recent favorite in the Kid's Lit category.  I have been a great fan of Stuart Gibbs for a while.  His action sequences are wonderfully written.  He adds thrills and humor in generous helpings.  What I like most, though, is the intelligence of both his plot and his characters.  Charlie is an interesting mix of adolesence and genius.  She sees through complicated issues quickly, but isn't above sticking her tongue out at someone. The other characters are nicely filled out as well.  As with his other books, Gibbs doesn't shy away from ethical questions, and doesn't give in to easy answers. Smart writing for smart kids.  (I just put the second in the series on hold :) (2020, 416 p)

Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles by Thomas Lennon

 Ronan Boyle is the son of two Irish scientists who have been wrongfully convicted of stbrealing a valuable artifact.  Ronan, though just 15, joins the Irish secret police as an intern, hoping that from that position he can find evidence to prove his parents' innocence.  He is surprised when he is recruited into special forces that are charged with monitoring fairy influence in the human world. As he bumbles his way through his first case, he learns information that could help his own investigation.

That plot summary sounds super serious, but there is very little about this book that is serious.  It is very silly and full of slapstick and potty humor. I think that 8 to 10-year-olds of a certain disposition would really love it.  I enjoyed it myself.  It brought many smiles to my face and maybe I even chuckled outloud once or twice.  I also enjoyed the references to Irish folklore. I had recently done some research about Irish fairy folklore for a project at work, and it was fun hear references to the creatures I had learned about.  A note about the audiobook.  It is read by the author.  At first I assumed he was an native of Ireland, but when I looked him up he isn't.  He is an actor who has done a lot of voiceover. He is also the screenwriter for Night at the Muesum. He has played several Irish roles before so I wonder if it is in his cultural heritage. (305, 2019)

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles

 On New Year's Ever 1937 Katy Kontent is hanging out at a two-bit Jazz bar with her effervescent roommate, Eve, when a handsome and eligilble social climber, Tinker Gray, walks in.  This chance meeting catapults the two women into the amoral arms of New York's high society from which neither of the girls will escape unscathed. 

I read this book because I enjoyed A Gentleman of Moscow so much.  This one was actually Towles' earlier work, and I didn't end up liking is as much. Granted, it has the amazing atmostpheric detail the later book has that makes the reader feel like they understand what it was like to live in another place and time.  This is definately a great choice for anyone who is a lover of New York or of the late 30's in America.  What I didn't like as much is that the main character had a fairly weak moral compass.  Her main goals in life seemed to be to enjoy social status and drink as much as she could.  As I read I wondered if some readers would actually envy Katy and the way her life ended up.  I wonder if they would consider it glamorous. I mostly considered it dissapated.  The characters who do show some moral backbone don't fare well. I guess a character doesn't have to be morally strong to be a good literary character, but maybe I just like my main characters to be so.  One thing the book does present is a bunch of interesting ethical questions.  It could be the kind of book-club book that people didn't really enjoy reading that much, but they enjoy discussing.  (368 p. 2012)

To Have and to Hold: Three Autumn Love Stories by Betsy St. Amant, Katie Ganshert and Becky Wade

As the title suggests, this book contains three novellas by three Christian romance writers. In each one a 30-something woman thinks love has passed her by until an incredible guy comes into their life.  There are bumps along the way, but in the end, true love and God's will win out. 

So, these are formulaic and not very deep, but they were clean and pleasant enough to listen to.  They served the purpose of filling a gap while I was waiting for something else I had on hold. This is part of a series published by Zondervan of Christian romances set in different seasons of the year.  Another unifying element is that in each story the heroine has some role in wedding planning, and the whole romance takes place in the midst of plans for someone else's wedding. It is in interesting ploy.  This way the reader gets to enjoy hearing about the dress, the decorations, and the desserts (the three D's of any wedding senario) while the fate of the main character's relationship is still in limbo.  (363 p. 2016)

The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner

 In the 1940's a group of people in the small English village of Chawton come together in an effort to save the cottage where Jane Austen wrote some of her novels, and make it into a museum.  Four of the members of the "Jane Austen Society" are locals, but come from different social circumtances.  One is a village doctor, who has never quite gotten over his wife's death.  Another is a young widow who is expecting her deceased husband's child.  There is an heiress of an estate facing financial ruin, and a farm hand from the same estate.  They are joined by an American movie star who has the means and influence to make things happen.  As the unlikely group work together and share their common love for Austen's wit and wisdom, relationships form and lives are changed for the better.

As I was going on one day about how well Tom Hanks did with the narration of The Dutch House, my coworkers said, "Well then, you need to listen to The Jane Austen Society, narrated by Richard Armitage."  The general consensus amoung my friends (all middle aged women) was that the story was OK but that listening to Armitage's resonant British accent for 10 hours was the true enjoyment.  I think they are right.  The story was decent, if a little predictable. The characters were well drawn, though the plot was at times slow. Also, I am not convinced that there really are men in the world that love Austen as much as the male characters in the book do.  Still, the best part was the narration.  I was suprised that with his rumbling bass Armitage could do the women's voices so well.  It almost sounded like a full cast.  That said, I liked Tom Hanks better, but that is just personal preference.  (2020, 320 p)

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Count Alexander Rostov is convicted of being an unrepentant aristocrat at the beginning of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1922.  He is sentenced to house arrest at the Metropol Hotel in Moscow where he is to remain for the rest of his life. For 27 years he looks out the hotel windows at the ever-changing landscape of Rusia and sees the leading figures of the age come in and out of the revolving doors of the hotel. During that time his station changes from wealthy heir to hired help, but he never lets go of the principles that make him a true gentleman. Even within the confining walls of the hotel, fate brings love and grief, joy and fullfillment and a host of interesting companions that become his family. 

So, this audiobook is 18 hrs long, and the book description sounds like it could be dead boring, but it was recommended to me by a friend and so I decided to give it a try.  It turned out to be just lovely.  It is slow moving, and kind of gentle, but there is so much humanity,
wisdom and humor in the story.  Towles charactarizations are masterful and the dialog is so intelligent. It also has a really unique view of Rusian politics during the transition from Bolshevik idealism to the harsh reality of Stallin's reign. I enjoyed it very much and I will be recommending it to all my historical fiction loving friends. (480 p. 2016)

The Untethered Soul by Michael A Singer

Mr. Singer presents an impassioned introduction to the basic philosophy of Yoga.  His main ideas are that our mind is filled with a frenetic voice that is constantly commenting on the world around us and within us.  He assurts that if we can observe this voice, it is not really part of our true self, and therefore we can free ourselves from its influence.  If we can learn to quiet our inner voice, and just experience each moment as it comes, our lives can be filled with constant energy and love. 

This is a spiritual self-help book that hit the top of the New York Times best sellers list in 2007.  It had some interesting and useful ideas.  He suggests that when our hearts start to close off to protect ourselves from anything that might challenge our self concept, we should, instead, open our hearts and let the experience and the emotions flow through us. I have been struggling to be happy recently, and this technique has helped me this week.  Some of his other assertions didn't really ring true to me.  His claim that this limitless energy and love is available and just waiting for us to tap into it didn't make sense. Where would this energy come from and what is its source?  Plus, does anyone really want constant joy and estacy?  It sounds exhausing to me, and menotonous. His explanations were hollow at best.  Still, I am glad I read the book.  It was short, engaging, and it reminded me that I need not spend a lot of energy trying to change things I can not change. (232 p. 2007)

Daisies and Devotion by Josi Kilpack

Timothy Mayfield knows he must marry for money, but he hopes that he can also find a wife he can love and respect.  Maryann Morrington is an heiress with plenty of money, but no classic beauty, and, due to tragedies in her family, is older than most debutantes enjoying their first season in London.  Timothy considers Maryann an possibly good match.  She is clever and straight forward, fun to tease and wealthy.  ThenTimothy learns that his Uncle Elliot will give him a generous living if he chooses a respectable wife, and he suddenly feels free, for the first time, so seek for the girl of his dreams. He swiftly relegates Maryann to "friend" status and goes in search of his accomplished, blond, delicate ideal.  Meanwhile, Maryann puts away her feelings for Timothy, and begins her own search for someone who is not just after her money, who will love her as she is.  Will their separate searches for love ever lead them back to each other?

This is the second in the "Mayfield Family" series. I am a little embarrased that it only took a week and a half since I finished the first one to come running back to the series. In my defense, I was listening to it at the same time as The Untethered Soul (review forthcoming) which is so conceptually dense, I felt I couldn't rush through it. I needed something to fill the gaps while the deep thoughts were sinking in... yeah...right..... (I know,  pathetic).  I enjoyed this one very much. It is, like "Promises and Primroses," very clean, proper, and sweet. Timothy is more firtatious and playful than Peter in the first book, but Maryann is pretty much like Julia--proper, self-assured, and willing to stand up for herself, but at the same time, vulnerable. Anyway, it is merely escapist, but a pretty innocuous way to escape. (2019, 298 p)

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise by Dan Gemeinhart

Coyote Sunraise is a 12 year-old-girl who lives on a refurbished school bus with a man she calls Rodeo, but who is actually her father.  They have lived together, cruising aimlessly from one place to another since the death of Coyote's mother and two sisters in a car accident five years earlier.  At first it seems like an idylic lifestyle for the pre-teen, but all that starts to change when Coyote learns during a phone call from her grandmother that the park near the home where she lived before the accident was going to be torn down to make room for a freeway overpass.  Suddenly it is super important to Coyote to return to the home she hasn't seen since she was seven, but she knows it will be a definite "no go" for Rodeo who can't bring himself to face his terrible loss. Coyote comes up with a scheme to at least get Rodeo going in the right direction, and along the way they pick up one misfit passanger after another. As the strange group of fellow passangers start to feel like family, Coyote's longing for memories of her lost loved ones becomes an unstopable force that drives their impossible journey, but will it drive her and Rodeo apart?

This book got all kinds of good reviews when it came out.  The pre-teen voice of Coyote is delightful, and the portrayal of her and Rodeo's free-wheeling, hippy life style is appealing. Gemeinhart did a great job portraying Rodeo as a man who is trying hard to make a good life for his daughter, but is doing it from a place of utter brokenness. He also manages to mix in some pretty funny scenes to balance out what is often an emotionally heavy story.  The writing is good, and the wisdom is good and I am debating whether to give it a starred review.  The thing holding me back is that I didn't love it.  I wasn't ever eager to start listening to it again (even though the reader was excellent).  It felt too long and maybe a little tiny bit maudlin.  It might have just been the mood I was in this week. I think kids who really liked Wonder or Fish in a Tree would like this book.  (346 p. 2019)

Promises and Primroses by Josi S. Kilpack

Elliot Mayfield is a viscount and the head of a family that has struggled.  He never married, instead dedicating himself to earning back his family's fortune and respect.  Most of his nieces and nephews have given themselves over to riotous living, except his oldest nephew and heir Peter Mayfield. To try to reclaim his wayward family members Elliot creates an incentive for each of them, even Peter, to find a suitable spouse and settle down. Peter has no interest in his uncle's plans. He had a successful marriage, and has two wonderful daughters. He has felt no need to remarry since his wife's death. Then Julia walks into his life.  As his daughter's new governess, she fits amazingly well into his household.  She even shares his love for dogs and dog breading. Julia's mother objects to having Julia work for a Mayfield.  She says its it because of the family's dissolute reputation, but is there something more? And can Peter and Julia's growing attachment survive Julia's mother's disapproval?

I started reading a gritty teen fantasy, The Cruel Prince, by Holly Black, but two hours into the e-audiobook I just couldn't face it anymore and caved.  I turned instead to Josi Kilpack because we have a huge section of her books in our "Rel Fic" (think Christian Romance) section of our library.  This was probably the most clean and polite romance I have ever read! Peter refuses to put one toe out of line when it comes to being a proper gentleman who will avoid scandal at all cost.  Julia is the epitome of restraint.  Yet still there is enough mutual attraction to keep it interesting. I was surpised that it didn't really mention religion except to say that the characters went to church and Peter said prayers with his daughters every night. I enjoyed the book, though it was a little slow paced and the writing wasn't as cleaver as Georgette Heyer's or Roseanne White's.  I will still add Josi Kilpack to my list of go-to authors when I need a good clean historical romance to help me through a difficult week (2018, 322 p.)

Leadership and Self Deception by the Arbinger Intitute

 This is a self-help book presented in the form of a story.  A new manager gets called into his boss's office.  His boss tells him that he is lacking an important skill he will need to be successful in the company.  That skill is being able to see others as people instead of objects.  As the new manager listens to his trainer, he begins to realize what he is learning will help him at home as well as in the office.  He leaves the training eager to mend fenses with his wife and rebelious teenager.  

This is one of the foundational books of the Arbinger Institue leadership development training.  It has a lot of good ideas, and I felt challenged, as I read it, to identify whom I was looking at as objects rather than people.  The way the ideas were presented were as engaging as any book of this type.  I think I liked it more than Crucial Conversations.  I felt like that book's approach to conflict resolution was a bit formulaic.  In the end, people really can tell if you are sincere or just going through the motions. There was a lot of hype and promotion of the Arbinger Institute in the book,  especially at the end, but it wasn't more than I expected. I read it because all the managers at the city where I work will be going to a Arbinger Institute training in November.  I am looking forward to the training. (2018, 302 p)

Magic in the Moonlight by Jules Barke

 Laurel was the tag-along sister who had a crush on her big brother's best friend.  Now that Nate is back in town after being away for ten years getting his life together, Laurel doesn't know how she wants him to see her, as his friend's kid sister, or as something more.  Laurel manages a jumble store on the charming island of Moonrise Cove.  The island and its people have always been touched with whisps of magic, and Laurel is no different. Can Laurel get close to Nate without revealing her magical gift, and does she want to?

This is part of a new series written by my neighbor's writing group.  Each novel is set on the same magical island, but each follows a different couple on their bumpy road to love.  I believe they are independently published, so I didn't know what to expect, but it turned out to be really cute.  It is a clean romance, with likeable and relateable characters.  There are funny mix-ups and bumbling.  This is a good choice for either teen or adult women who want to read a light, fast, clean contemporary romance. (2021, 216 p)

Killing the Mob by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dungard

This is a new, interesting, and engaging history of organized crime in America and the efforts to defeat it. The authors start off with the famous criminals of the depression era like John Dillinger and Bonnie and Clyde. Then they trace the rise of first the Mob and then the Mofia. They conclude with stories of Jimmy Hoffa and the rise of the modern gangs. They explain how organized crime has been involved with the labor unions, politics, and even the war effort.  As they talk about the crime dynasties, they also discusses efforts, some real, and some just a sham, of the US government to curve organized crime, forcusing on J Edgar Hoover and Robert Kennedy. I found the story very readable and mostly believable, but I did notice that they did not always use the most reliable sources, and included a lot of hearsay.  The book is clearly not an academic study of the topic, but a piece of popular non-fiction, focused on the sensational.  Still, as a piece of popular literature is succeeds splendidly and I am sure I will recommend it to some of my history-loving adult patrons. (2021, 304 p)

Sal and Gabi Fix the Universe by Carlos Hernandez

 Sal and Gabi are back, ready to do what it takes to fix the holes they have made in the multiverse.  They are also looking forward to their special arts school back to school night.  Things seem to be going well, until Sal gets a visit from a Gabi from another universe. She shows Sal what has happened to destroy her world, and claims that Sal's dad, in that universe, made a mistake that caused the destruction. Sal is concerned because his dad had just made a big breakthrough in his study of calamity physics.  Can this new "Gabi" be right?  Is Sal's own father on the road to destroying the universe?

I chose this one after finishing Cold Mourning because I was ready for something much lighter.  This book fit the bill.  It has much the same tone as the first in the series, but if anything, it is even funnier.  I love Hernandez's languange, filled as it is with spanglish and creative metaphore.  He also has a nack for creating really silly and hilarious situations.  I was chuckling outloud as I listened.  The only reservation I have about it is that it was a little long, and could maybe have used some more editing.  The author ended the book with hints of another in the series, and I will probably read it when I come across it. (2021, 432)

Cold Mourning by Brenda Chapman

 Kala Stonechild is the newest member of the Ottowa specialized crime unit.   She has come to Ottowa escaping an uncomfortable situation, and wanting to find a long lost cousin whom she fears is in trouble.  She knows she will have a tough time gaining respect of the other investigators as both a woman and a member of First Nations. A grisly death over the Christmas holidays gives both her, and the new crime unit a chance to prove themselves. 

I read this book because it was available and I was waiting for other holds.  It had good reviews and Chapman won awards with it as a new author.  In the end, however, it turned out to be super gritty.  There are descriptions of no less than three brutal rape situations.  I don't know why I kept reading.  I guess I hoped that if it had good reviews, the ending would be amazing and worth slogging through the smut. The plotting was good and the characterizations complex and authentic.  But in the end it wasn't worth reading.  I can't really recommend it to anyone unless you are super immuned to that kind of content. (2014, 392 p.)

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

 Artemis is a 12-year-old genious and heir one of the richest crime families in the world.  He is also mourning the loss of his father, who has disappeared, and his mother, who has lost her senses in grief.  To distract himself, Artemis spends all his time reserching fairy lore and discovers that leprecauns are real.  He decides that he will try to catch one and hold it for ransome.  When he does, he discovers that the fairy folk are much more than he bargained for.  

I was surprised to find that I don't have a blog post for this one.  We read this whole series to our kids when they were growing up.  It is full of wit, action, an fun. I am reading it again because it is our Parent/Child book club title for September.  My kids loved Artemis Fowl, I think, because they were also super smart, and they enjoyed the fact that Artemis stayed one step ahead of his opponents. Now that I have to present it to my parent/child book club, I realize it is not super full of deep meaning.  Mr Colfer does a good job of making all of the characters dimensional. You can kind of see, in this first book, that Artemis is really just a little boy who is hurting, but he isn't super moral yet. During the rest of the series, and because of his interactions with the fairies, particularly Holly,  Artemis learns to be a good guy instead of a super villain.  But I can see why some of my friends were not as thrilled with this series as I was when I first read it.  It will be interesting to see what my parent/child book club families think. (2001, 304 p)

PS: The reason I chose this book is because Disney did a series based on it in 2020.  However, I was just reading the reviews, and they weren't very good.

White Bird by R. J. Palacio

 Julian, from the Wonder book, is interviewing his french grandmother about her experience in WWII.  Though it is hard for her, she decides to tell her whole story, so that what happened will never be forgotten.  The grandmother, Sarah, was a daughter of a wealthy Jew who had nice clothes and went to a private school.  When France is invaded, it at first doesn affect Sarah very much since she lives in the "free" zone.  Soon enough the Nazi's gradually infiltrated even smaller villages, and Sarah realizes, too late, how much danger her and her family are in.  It is only the kindness of one of her classmates, Julian, who is a polio victim, that allows her to survive the war, when so many others parished. 

This is a graphic novel that is really well written, beautifully illustrated, and quite moving.  Palacio adds a touch of the fantastic, which adds a literary element to the story that, though a little odd, ends up working. I listened to the book on recording, and then just looked at the print version afterword.  The readers of the story (it is full cast) do a good job suggesting the illustrations of the graphic novel. The illustrations are done in full color and are quite stunning.  The only thing I didn't really care for was that Palacio (or her editors) felt that this story had to be tied into the Wonder group of stories.  It totally would have worked all by itself, and trying to connect it with Auggie's friend, Julian, felt like a stretch.  I also didn't really like all the preachy moralizing tacked on at the end of the recording. The story gets across the message of the importance of being kind and courageous, without the extra note.  Why not let the young readers make the connections to what is happing in the world today instead of spelling it out. Still, the book is well done.  It is not quite as toned down as "Number the Stars," but it is still  an appropriate introduction to the Holocaust for a 4-6 grade audience, especially with adult guidance.  (2019, 224 p)

(I don't know how I ended up reading three "man's cruelty to man" books in a row.  That wasn't on purpose.  I am totally really for some romantic fluff, people.)

Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck

 Regina Beswick is a good old Florida girl who used to be an accountant but recently left the corporate ratrace to try her hand at restoring classic cars.  She thinks she has found her "happy place" until Tanner Burkhardt from the Grand Duchy of Hessenberg shows up and informs her that she is the heir to the thrown of Hessenberg and the only one who can save their small country from perminantly become a vassel state to Brighton. She has to decide what is more important to her, her family heritage or living her dream. Her decision becomes even more complicated when she suspects that she is falling for the charming Tanner, who has a checkered past.

This is the second in the "Royal Wedding Series."  It is just as silly and improbable as the first, but after reading the books about the cold war, and WWII, I was in the mood for something light and I enjoyed reading it quite a bit. The next time I am in a low mood, I will probably listen to the next in the series as well.  I am not ashamed to admit it.  Sometimes I just want to read trite escapist Christian romances (so shoot me.)  (368 p. 2014)

The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell

 During WWI airplanes and pilots fell under the jurisdiciton of the Army and their main job was supporting ground crews. After the war, the military set up a pilot training school which would eventually become the airforce academy, but in its infancy, was the incubator for what was called the Bomber Mafia.  The Bomber Mafia were a group of military strategists who came up with the idea that to win a war, you don't have to kill a lot of civilians, you just have to take out strategic essential services. In their mind, this could be done with high altitude bombing missions done with technologically aided targeting systems.  The only problem is, that during WWII there wasn't any technology that would make the bombers accurate enought to hit the strategic targets consistantly.  This "book" discusses the rise of the strategic accuracy bombing theory, and the oposing philiosophy, massive distruction bombing, and explains which worked best in WWII.  It also follows a champion of each camp, and explains how one failed and the other was very effective in helping shorten the war. 

The "book" was produced in its audio format before it became a print volume.  The recording contains clips from interviews and newsreels related to the significant events in the book.  It is really well done, and listening to it is more like watching a documentary than like reading a book. Gladwell does a good job of presenting complex moral issues, with out varnishing over hard questions. I learned a lot I didn't know about WWII.  I am embarrassed to say I didn't understand how much Napalm was used against Japan the last year of the war.  The topic of WWII bombers is of special interset to me since my uncle was a bomber and lost his life in WWII.  This is a great choice for any WWII buff, man or woman, who is willing to have their moral fiber stretched a little. (2021)

Who Was Harvey Milk by Corinne A Grinapol

This is a short children's biography about an early Gay Rights activist.  Harvey was born in New York in 1930.  His grandparents were immigrants, but his parents had made a comfortable lifestyle as the owners of a dry goods store.  Harvey was a teen when he first suspected that he was gay, but kept it a secret as he went to teacher's college and then joined the military.  While in the military he heard that in San Francisco gay people could live openly without as much persecution as in some other parts of the country.  Harvey and his partner moved to San Francisco and opened a camera shop.  While in San Francisco Harvey got interested in politics. After several failed attempts, he was eventully elected to the city board of directors.  He was one of the first openly gay people to be elected to public office at a time when homosexuality was still illegal in many states.  Tragically, after only a short time in office Harvey milk was assasinated by a disgruntled political rival.

Sometimes when I know one of my holds will come available soon, I read one of the short biographies in the "Who Was" series while I am waiting. I chose this one because I didn't recognized the name in the title.  It was interesting, and it reminded me of how gays people were looked on when I was a child. Society really has come a long way in accepting a variety of sexual orientations.  This book contains some side bars that explain, on a child's level,  about the LGBTQ commmunity and history. It might be good for parents to be on hand to explain things if a young reader hasen't been exposed to the topic before. (112 p.  2020)

A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen

 The day before the Berlin Wall goes up, Gerta's father takes a trip to West Geramy with Gerta's younger brother.  The wall ends up separating father and mother, brother and sister. Once the wall is up, East Germany exercises great control over the citizens, watching their every move and controling their opportunities to get ahead. At first Gerta thinks her dad will be able to return, but as time goes on, she begins to feel that they only way for her family to be reunited is to find some way to escape to the West. Together with her brother Fritz, Gerta undertakes a daring and desparate plan that will either lead them to freedom, or mean their death.

It is interesting for me to read books about the Berlin Wall because I remember when it was up and I remember when it came down.  This is a good introduction to what life might have been like in East Germany.  Gerta is a sympathetic character and the conditions Nielsen portrays are probably pretty authentic.  That said, I found it a little difficult to get through the book.  I thought the pacing was a little off.  It dragged in the middle, and Nielsen is not able to do what a lot of great historical fiction authors manage, that is finding grains of humor in the sea of trial.  If Nielsen could have added just a little bit of humor to releave the tension of the plot, it would have helped the pacing.  That said, this is a good introduction to the cold war and the separation of Berlin and I won't hesitate to recommend it to young (or older) historical fiction readers. (336 p. 2015)

One Good Deed by David Baldacci

 Aloysious Archer is released after serving time in a state prison.  He meets with his female parole officer, who gives him rules he will need to follow to keep from breaking parole. One of the rules is that he is supposed to find a job.  This he does, but it isn't the most respectable job.  He is hired to collect a debt for a local loan shark.  When, later, the loan shark ends up dead, Archer is the prime suspect.  He knows that he must find out who really killed the guy or he will go back to prison. 

Archer is an interesting character.  He is fundamentally ethical, but isn't always saintly.  The plot is interesting, and doesn't end as predicably as I had feared.  The characters are what make the book fun to read.  Some start out stereotypical, but as the story goes on Baldacci adds detail and insight, and soon the characters are not as flat as they first seemed.  This book is probably targeted at men, but is isn't as gory or racy as many men's action mysteries, so it could be shared by a husband/wife who were on vacation.  I can see why Baldacci is hugely popular.  (433 p. 2019)

The Date to Save by Stephanie Kate Strohm

 Angela wants to be a writer in the worst way, and the only student publication at her school is the newpaper, the Prepster.  Unfortunately the Prepster is ruled by a dictatorial editor named Colin. Desparate to get an article in the homecoming edition, Angela agrees to write a 250 word article about Academic Battle.  As she starts to investigate the story, she discovers that Academic Battle, school elections, and the homecomig game are all scheduled at the same time and that the conflict was not an accident.

This book is written as a collection of interviews with different people at the school.  The recorded version is performed nicely by a full cast.  It is very silly, and in a few places, quite funny.  I actually laughed outloud.  The writer has a good grasp of what counts as high drama in a high school.  To the characters, the election of school student rep, the winner of Academic Battle, and the success of the halftime show at homecoming are the most important things in the world.  I especially appreciated the snarky comments from the few school administrators. Even though this book it set in highschool, it is really targeted at junior high age readers.  It would be a great way for an eighth grader to relax after finished some super dry required reading. (201, 288 p.)
  

Virga and Bone by Craid Childs

 Craig Childs is a desert researcher, educator and lover.  In this book he waxes eloquent on many aspects of the American western desert regions. Each chapter is an essay on a different theme.  One is about finding water, and one is about all the garbage people have dumped in the desert.  He talks about the ties between ancient and modern desert dwellers, and both the beauty and violence of the desert landscapes. 

I read this short book because it was the first of two "Thrive 125, Utah Reads" titles.  (The second, Summerlost, I read coincidentally just a few months ago).  It was worth reading.  I liked the fact that Child's embraces both the good and the bad of the desert. The abandoned and shot up old refridgerators are as much a part of the landscape for him as the sequaro cacti.  The writing is good, and the length is good.  I don't think I would have been able to finish it if it were 100 pages longer.  For someone who has lived most of her life in desert areas, it spoke to my heart.  I don't know how much appeal it would have for someone from the East coast.  They would probably just think Child's was crazy.  (120 p. 2019)

p.s.  In case you, like I, didn't know what virga is, it is when clouds over the desert start to rain, but the rain evaporates before it hits the ground.  We experienced it just this past week in Utah County.

All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker

Olympia lives in SoHo New York in the 1980's.  Her mom is an artist and her dad, an art conservator, and Olympia carries a sketch pad wherever she goes.  One day her dad disappears, and her mom, who has struggled with depression in the past, goes to bed and refuses to get up.  Olympia tries to go on, as if her life isn't falling apart at home, but as time goes on, her father doesn't return, and her mother doesn't rally, it becomes harder to maintain appearances. Her best friends Richard and Alex sense what is happening, but Olympia swears them to secrecy. The secret stretched their friendship to the breaking point until the three pre-teens don't know what to do or where to turn.

This is a book about both art, loyalty, and mental illness. Tucker does a good job of portraying the isolation and conflict of living with a person with severe depression. Olympia's reaction to her mother's withdrawl is believable and sympathetic. As an amature artist I was interested in the discussion of color, drawing and art history the character, Apollo shares.  I also enjoyed the setting.  SoHo in the 80's was just on the cusp of becoming the artistic center of Manhatten it is today.  I don't see this book as having universal appeal, but it would be good to recommend to either young artists, or kids dealing with family members with mental illness at home. (320 p. 2019)

A Ceiling Made of Eggshells by Gail Carson Levine

Paloma lives with her family in Spain in the 1480's.  Her father and grandfather are wealthy Jewish tax collectors who fight to keep Jews safe and in favor with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. When Paloma's grandfather discovers that Paloma has a quick mind and a skill with numbers, he trains her to be his traveling companion in his diplomatic missions.  Paloma meets traiders, cardinals and the King, himself, but what she really wants to do is to go home, get married, and have children.  She also worries about the future as the Christian rulers of her country ask more and more of the Jews, even as they become less tollerant of their religious practice. As Paloma watchs her younger siblings come of age and get betrothed, her loyalty to her grandfather and her people battles with the deepest desires of her heart. 

Gail Carson Levine is most famous as the author of Ella Enchanted which won a Newbery Honor and was made into a movie.  Most of her books are fantasy, but she has written a different historical fiction, Dave at Night, which is one of my favorites of her books.  This one was interesting, and I was fascinated by the historical and cultural aspects of the story, but I thought, overall, it lacked the sparkle of her earlier books.  It seemed more plot driven rather than character driven.  That is the challenge in Historical fiction.  You have to fit your characters into the story, instead of letting the characters create the story.  Still, I enjoyed the book and I am glad I read it because I learned a lot about a period of history I didn't know about before.  (2020, 400 p)

The Tudor Secret by C. W. Gortner

Brendon Prescott was a foundling raised in the household of the Dudley family in Tudor England.  Brendon knows that his appointment to be the squire of Robert Dudley is an honor, but it is one he doesn't relish because he has been the butt of the Dudley brother's cruelty his whole life.  Once he get to court Robert sends Brendon to the young Princess Elizabeth with a secret message.  In the process of delivering it Brendon is recruited to be a spy on Elizabeth's behalf. Meanwhile, Robert's family are plotting to marry off a different son to Jane Grey who is a neice of Henry VIII, and then put them on the thrown in place of the catholic heir, Mary Tudor.  As Brendon is led deeper into the dark underside of political rivalry, he begins to undersand he needs to be more than a just a pawn in the hands of the conspirators.

My sister-in-law recommended this one to me and I enjoyed it quite a bit.  It is based on historical events, but with fictional elements and characters.  I thought Gortner did a good job fleshing out the characters of Elizabeth and Mary, and was also good at clearly conveying a lot of complicated political machinations of the time period. It wasn't as squeeky clean as the Christian historical novels I usually read, but it wasn't too bad and I only had to skip to the end of a chapter once. This book is the first in the series and I would be open to reading more in the future.  (2011, 352 p)

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

 Minli lives in a poor village at the base of Fruitless Mountain. She feels badly that her parents have to work so hard just to put rice on the table, and that her mother fills each day with disappointed sighs.  Minli loves her father's stories about The Old Man in the Moon and one day decides to find him and ask him how to improve the fortunes of her family.  On the way Minli meets a dragon and other characters from Chinese mythology who each give Minli a piece of the puzzle of her destiny.  

I have read this before and read it again in preparation for the July Parent/Child Bookclub.  I was surprised to find that I hadn't blogged about it before, though I have written about the subsequent books in the series. Grace Lin is a lyrical writer with a wonderful way of blending the real with the fastastic. I love how the stories Minli hears from her father and others foreshadow later events so that in the end everything comes together in a single complete whole. I look forward to discussing this book with the young families who come to my book club. The only difficulty will be deciding which of all the rich topics presented in the book to discuss. (278p, 2009)

The Widows by Jess Montgomery

 Lily Ross's life starts to fall apart when she hears that her husband, Sheriff Dan Ross, has been killed while transporting a prisoner from a nearby town to the county jail.  In another town, Marvena Whitcomb worries about her wayward daughter who hasn't come home for Sunday dinner in a month, and heads out on foot to ask Sheriff Ross what he has discovered about her disappearance.  She happens to show up in Kinship, Ohio on the day of Sheriff Ross's funeral.  When Lily meets Marvena, she begins to discover that there was a lot about her husband she didn't know. As the two women are driven to discover what has happened to their loved ones, they form an unusal friendship, and then a partnership in the pursuit to rid their communities of the forces of greed and corruption that have made more widows than even the infamous Widow-maker Mine.

This is a well-written, strong-woman story that delves into the evil practices of mining companies in the 1920's. It starts out very emotionally heavy, so much so I almost didn't continue after the first couple of chapters.  I was thinking, "All I nead now is another book that is going to pull down my emotions for the next week."  But several of the ladies at work recommended it, so I switched the playback speed to 1.25 and pressed on. I am glad I read it.  It reminds the reader that people can accomplish great things if they perservier in the pursuit of justice and right. Both Lily and Marvena and deeply wounded, but they keep going, lending each other strength, until things really do get better. Montgomery is a great writer, giving just enough detail to paint the scene and characters, but leaving enough unsaid that the reader is challenged to bring part of themself to the world that book creates. People who liked The Giver of Stars will like this one. (2019, 336 p)