Young Tristran Thorn (who’s birth is maybe not as…aboveboard…as Victorian society would like) is desperately in love with Victoria Forester. He screws up his courage one night to ask her to kiss him or marry him or just–something! He is met with laughter. In desperation, he offers to slay dragons and bring back treasures for Continue Reading…
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff: Book Review
Daisy has been sent from NYC to live with her aunt and cousins in the English countryside. Shortly after her arrival, her Aunt Penn has to travel out of the country for work, leaving the teens alone for a few days. Terrorists strike and nothing is ever the same. This just wasn’t really my kind Continue Reading…
The Lost City of Z by David Grann: Book Review
In 1925, Percy Fawcett, a seasoned Amazonian explorer, his son and son’s friend set out to find a fabulous city in the Amazon that Fawcett calls only “Z.” The world had become fascinated with the expedition. Fawcett sent back a few reports, but then none of the men were ever heard from again. Over the Continue Reading…
The Dreaming Place by Charles de Lint
Ash is a teenage girl who is angry at the world. Angry at her mom for dying and leaving her alone. Angry at her dad for refusing to take her in. And especially angry at her cousin Nina for having everything. That kind of anger inevitably draws attention. The problem is, the spirit who first Continue Reading…
The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff: Book Review
Wilhelmina “Willie” Upton has just returned to her hometown, having made something of a mess of her life while away at grad school in Stanford. Then her mom drops a bomb on her that has her scrambling through family history to solve a mystery. Maybe I’ve read too many books lately where the storyline goes Continue Reading…
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Kendra and Seth have been shipped off to stay with their dad’s parents, the grandparents they barely know. Grandma and Grandpa Sorenson rarely show up for visits and they never invite the family for a visit. But when there’s no one else to turn to, they reluctantly agree to let Kendra and Seth stay with Continue Reading…
Deception Point by Dan Brown: Book Review
NASA, a hot-button topic in a contentious presidential election, has made the discovery of a lifetime in the Arctic Circle. The organization calls in civilian scientists to confirm the validity of their findings. The President is ready to announce the discovery and virtually assure his victory in the election. But then questions arise and the Continue Reading…
Mr. Rosenblum Dreams In English by Natasha Solomons: Book Review
Jack Rosenblum and his young family were some of the fortunate Jews who escaped Berlin before WWII started. When they disembarked in Great Britain, they were given a pamphlet entitled While you are in England: Helpful Information and Friendly Guidance for every Refugee. Mr. Rosenblum becomes obsessed with the idea of living his life according Continue Reading…
A couple of books I “Did Not Finish”
I will usually finish any book I start, but I am slowly learning that sometimes it’s better to cut my losses and move on. Here are two that I’ve given up on recently. The Phantom of Pemberley by Regina Jeffers Synopsis from GoodReads: Newlyweds Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet knew their first year of married Continue Reading…
Sabriel by Garth Nix: Book Review
Sabriel has just graduated from her boarding school in Ancelstierre when she receives a message from her father letting her know that he’s in trouble and needs help. The problem? Her father, Abhorsen, is a talented necromancer whose job is making sure that the dead stay dead. Sabriel has some magic training, but she’s going Continue Reading…
Twice Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris: Book Review
Marigold and Christian are living out their happily ever after, but they aren’t perfectly happy. Little spats and hurt feelings have started creeping in. Could Olympia’s evil be influencing their lives? And what about the rumors of a woman who washed up in a village downstream not too long after their wedding? It can’t be Continue Reading…