Book #74 Read in 2016
Girl at War by Sara Novic
This was a good historical fiction read. Ana grew up during the war in Crotia. Loss and devastation was part of her childhood. Fast forward ten years and Ana is a college student in New York City. She is drawn back to her homeland. Will it give her closure to return there? This was a well written read with interesting characters. The ending was a little abrupt for me and left me wanting more.
Book # 73 Read in 2016
A Pound of Paper: Confessions of a Book Addict by John Baxter
Baxter details how he became a book collector, one spanning years and countries. Baxter mentions many works of literature, many bookstores and many stories about getting the books he wanted. A book lover will love reading about another book lover.
Book #71 Read in 2016
Curse of the Boggin by D.J. MacHale
This is the first book in a young adult paranormal series. Marcus finds out mysterious things about his past and about his deceased birth parents. Marcus is becoming an agent of the Library--a place where ghosts and spirits write stories. The boggin, an evil thing, wants the key to the library and tries to intimidate Marcus into giving the key to her. This would be a good read for middle school and high school readers who enjoy the show "The Librarians". I would future books in this series. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #70 Read in 2016
Murder in the Secret Garden by Ellery Adams
This is the third book in one of my all-time favorite cozy mystery series. In this book, set in the wonderful Storyton, a retreat for book lovers, a group of herbalists are attending a conference. One of them is murdered. Jane and the Fins, a secret group that protects great books, try to figure out what happened. Will they figure out the murderer before he or she strikes again. The cozy setting of this series, the description of books and decadent food offered at the retreat is wonderful. The literary references are fun. I highly recommend this series to cozy mystery lovers.
Book #70 Read in 2016
My Life in Pictures by Deborah Zemke
This is a sort of cool way to introduce younger readers to graphic novels. Bea likes to draw what is happening in her life in her journal. She is a good artist. After her best friend moves away, a boy named Bert moves into her friend's house. Bert becomes the main person Bea draws in her journal....using the places learned through geography lessons in school. This is a cute read.
Book #69 Read in 2016
Booked for Trouble by Eva Gates
This is the second book in a great cozy mysteries series. It has a great location--a library in the lighthouse, with a library cat named Charles. In this book, Lucy, a librarian who lives in the top of the lighthouse, stumbles upon a dead boy outside of the library the morning after book club. As if that is not bad enough, Lucy's mother is a prime suspect. Will Lucy be able to clear her mother's name? Love this series.
Book #68 Read in 2016
Paris is Always a Good Idea by Nicolas Barreau
This was a nice romance read. Rosalie owns a card shop in Paris. She gets a job illustrating a children's book with a famous children's author. Robert Sherman is a NY lawyer visiting Paris. He is stunned to see the children's book in the window of Rosalie's shop, as he considers it to be "his" book as his mother told him the story repeatedly during his childhood. Robert and Rosalie get off to a rocky start but pair up to find out the truth. Of course, romance occurs along the way. But will the couple make it in the end?
Book #67 Read in 2016
Never Missing Never Found by Amanda Pantich
This is a decent young adult mystery. Scarlett was kidnapped as a young child. About 8 years later, she returned to her family. Her mother takes off shortly after, her father is a good man, and her sister acts like she wants nothing to do with her. Her younger brother is her saving grace. Scarlett gets a summer job at an amusement park where the girl who interviews her turns up missing. This brings all sorts of memories back for Scarlett. Will they find the missing girl? Will Scarlett be able to put the past behind her?
This was a good, quick read with twists and turns until the end. High school students and adults would enjoy this book. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #66 Read in 2016
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
This was a re-read for me. This is my favorite book series of all time. In this book, #4 in the series, Harry is entered into the Tri-Wizard competition which can be very dangerous to its participants. Who is trying to get him hurt or killed? This series is full of action, humor and mystery, with wonderfully written characters.
Book #65 Read in 2016
The Trouble with Twins by Kathryn Siebel
This is a cute read, perfect for upper elementary students. Arabella and Henrietta are twins. Arabella is smart and popular. Henrietta is friendless and not as academically gifted. As the two begin to move away from each other, Henrietta, in a jealous fit, cuts Arabella's bangs while she is sleeping. Their parents sent Henrietta to live with Aunt Priscilla, who is a scary lady. Will the sisters ever be brought back together? This would make a great read aloud in elementary classes. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #64 Read in 2016
Burn by Paula Weston
I did not realize that this was the fourth book in a YA paranormal series but there was enough background given and the book was well written enough that I did not feel as if I was missing anything. That being said, I will go back and read the first three books in this series. In this book, the last book, twins Gabe and Jude, half-human/half-angel, want to release the Fallen (their angelic fathers). Their memories, wiped away for the last year, come back to them and the two bring their fighting factions together for one hell of a battle. This book has action, romance, mystery and humor. A good series for high school readers and adults alike. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #63 Read in 2016
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Roz is a robot and is washed up on an island after the ship carrying her sinks. The island animals believe Roz to be a monster and are scared of her. Eventually, Roz convinces them, mostly through her fostering of Brightbill, an orphaned gosling, that she is not a monster and wishes to be friends with them. The island crew band together when things get dangerous. This is a cute, quick read that middle school students will love. I borrowed this book from the public library.
Book #62 Read in 2016
Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland
Grace Town is the new girl in Henry Page's school and he is drawn to her instantly. Little does he know that she is still healing--physically, mentally, emotionally--from the car accident which killed her boyfriend. Even though Henry knows it won't end well, he pursues Grace to begin a romantic relationship. Fans of John Green will love this book. It is full of teenage angst. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #61 Read in 2016
Exile for Dreamers by Kathleen Baldwin
This is the second book in a young adult historical fiction/mystery series with a gothic feel to it. I enjoyed this book much more than book #1, which I liked but was a bit slow for me. In this book, the main focus is on Tess and her dreams, as well as his complicated relationship with Lord Ravencross. There is of course a storyline that involves political intrigue and danger for Tess and her friends. This was a very good read. I recommend this series.
Book #60 Read in 2016
The Best Man by Richard Peck
Archer begins his story in 1st grade. He tells of the first wedding he was in as ring bearer, how he met Lynette Stanley, his time at school etc. The book wraps up as Archer is in 6th grade and is the best man in a wedding. During the book, Archer learns a lot about people, love and other important topics. This book was a good, quick read full of humor and hijinks. I think middle school readers through adult readers would enjoy it. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #59 Read in 2016
The Reader by Traci Chee
First in a series, The Reader is a great read. Sefia is on the run from evil people who want the book that she has....a rare and unusual thing in her world. She meets Archer, a wounded boy, and the two try to find Sefia's aunt, who has been kidnapped. On this journey, they meet tons of interesting people....some good, some bad....and find out more about themselves and their powers. This book is full of action and interesting characters. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review. I highly recommend it for high school readers as well as adult readers.
Book #58 Read in 2016
Murder Between the Covers by Elaine Viets
This is the second book in a cozy mystery series. Helen, hiding from the law after assaulting her cheating ex-husband, goes from dead-end job to dead-end job. In this book, Helen is working in a bookstore. The sleazy bookstore owner is killed and one of Helen's friends is arrested for his murder. Helen sets out to prove Peggy's innocence. This series has a lot of fun characters, decent mystery plots and humor. I recommend this series.
