– Book Reviews
Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell. New York : Tor, 2022.
Romantic fantasy novels provided a gateway back into reading for many adults during the pandemic. Can romantic science fiction novels persuade reluctant readers to dip their toes into a genre that is often seen as obscure and complex? Give this approach a try with …
“Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love” by Dani Shapiro. New York: Alfred A Knopf, 2019, 250 pages, $24.95, Kindle $12.
Dani Shapiro is a middle-aged professional writer with a slight interest in genealogy when she submits a DNA test kit for laboratory testing in 2016. As an Orthodox Jew, she’s not …
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn. New York : Margaret K. McElderry Books, [2022].
The middle book(s) in a series always feel a bit like a letdown. You know you’re not going to get resolution and answers to all of your questions, and it is easy for the story to get swamped down in details …
“We Deserve Monuments” by Jas Hammonds. New York : Roaring Brook Press, 2022, 384 pages.
Content warning: grief, cancer, death, homophobia and racism
“We Deserve Monuments” is an incredible story of how prejudice affects three generations of women – Letty, the grandmother, Zora, the mother, and Avery, the daughter.
Avery is a high school senior …
“The Last White Rose: A Novel of Elizabeth of York” by Alison Weir. New York: Ballantine Books, 2022, 526 pages
Fifteenth century England was dominated by the War of the Roses—a military and political power struggle between the British noble houses of York (symbolized by the white rose) and Lancaster (symbolized by the …
When looking for family read-a-louds with the best illustrations to captivate the imaginations, we often first think of fiction. That does not mean, however, that they are not just as many stories of friendship, magic, humor, and wonder about the world around us. Whether you are looking for facts or an inspiring …
“Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear. Avery, 2018. (320 pages, $27).
James Clear is a writer and speaker focused on habits, decision making, and continuous improvement. He is the author of #1 New York Times bestseller, Atomic …
“The Holiday Trap,” by Roan Parrish. Copyright 2022, Sourcebooks Casablanca (440 pages, $16.00).
Content Warning: Emotional abuse, sexual content, chronic illness.
If you’re a fan of the Christmas movie, The Holiday, then you’ll love Roan Parrish’s novel The Holiday Trap with its queer and modern spin on the concept of house swapping for the …
“Cemetery Boys,” by Aiden Thomas. Copyright 2020, Swoon Reads (344 pages, $17.99).
Content Warning: Transphobia, Blood, Death, Death of a parent, Violence
Cemetery Boys is a refreshing coming of age story with realistic issues that people face today, interwoven with a touch of magic.
We follow Yadriel as he’s just trying to find his way …
“A Spindle Splintered” by Alix E Harrow. New York: Tom Doherty Associates, 2021. 119 pages, $17.99
“A Mirror Mended” by Alix E Harrow. New York: Tom Doherty Associates, 2022, 130 pages, $18.99
From the series “Fractured Fables”.
Alix Harrow’s two recent novellas are time travel “fractured fairy tales” for adults in which Harrow takes the …