Letters from Skye

Title: Letters from Skye

Author: Jessica Brockmole [Website][Facebook][Twitter] ; Read by Elle Newlands [IMDb][Twitter], Katy Townsend [Website][IMDb][Twitter], Lincoln Hoppe [Website][IMDb][Facebook][Twitter], Adam Alexi-Malle [IMDb][Facebook], and Guy Burnet [Website][IMDb]

Publisher: Books on Tape

ISBN: 9780385367646

Length: Approx. 8 hrs ; 7 discs

Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Why this book?:

For my book discussion, but also because I've been wanting to read it since I first heard about it before publication.

Comments:

I have to say, I am so glad I read this in audio format - despite being a bit more romance than I prefer with my audiobooks.  Because the accents/voices  were GREAT.  I haven't listened to many multi-narrated books, but I loved how each character had their own voice.  They were very distinct and came to life in my mind.

I had mixed feelings about this story.  I had some moral issues with it, but beyond that it was nice.  At first every time Margaret's story came up I was eager to get back to Elspeth, but by the time Elspeth "disappeared" I was really into Margaret's side of the story.

Anyway, glad I listened to this.

Letters from My Father's Murderer

Title: Letters from My Father's Murderer

Author: Laurie A. Coombs [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Kregel Publications

ISBN: 9780825442292

Length: 199 pages + "Afterword" + "Inmate Letters" + "Prescript" (includes images)

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I'm pretty pro-life, and interested in prisoners rights, so a book about the forgiveness of a prisoner interested me.

Comments:

This was very preachy at the beginning.  I expected something, because I figured a book about forgiveness was going to touch on religion.  But this is not just Memoir.  It also falls under the subject "Religious",  and I guess that needs to be factored in.  Anyway, I ignored the preachiness and was interested in the story.  But it wasn't easy in those first chapters.  It improved once it got into the meat of the story.  And Anthony's perspective definitely helped.

Ink and Bone

Title: Ink and Bone

Author: Rachel Caine [Website][Twitter][Facebook]

Publisher: New American Library

Series: Great Library, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780451472397

Length: 351 pages + "Soundtrack"

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

As soon as I saw a brief description of the new series I knew I had to try it.

Comments:

I was so excited about this book.  It wasn't quite what I expected, but I definitely found myself caught up in the story nonetheless.  The beginning reminded me of Harry Potter, the boarding school thing, train ride there, etc..  It also had some of the Big Brother touches from 1984, and the book censorship issues from Fahrenheit 451.  But it was ultimately its own book, and I enjoyed it.  I look forward to book 2, Paper and Fire.

Trailer:

Big Hero 6

Title: Big Hero 6

Author/Illustrator: Haruki Ueno (Translation: Alethea and Athena Nibley [Twitter] ; Lettering: Lys Blakeslee [Website])

Publisher: Disney Enterprises

Series: Big Hero 6, Volume 1

ISBN: 9780316263894

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

Uhm, Big Hero 6 was a fabulous movie and I could not resist the manga.

Comments:

This is a proper manga, not just a graphic novel, and the format is NOT meant for reading aloud.  This means I couldn't comfortably read this to the kiddos (now 4, 6, and 7) the way I could Amulet.  It was disappointing since the kids loved the movie Big Hero 6.

Also, the story isn't the same in all ways, and the characters don't gel with who they are in the movie, but I still managed to enjoy reading this.  I look forward to reading volume 2 and seeing more of Hiro, Baymax, Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Go Go, and Fred.

The Second Guard

Title: The Second Guard

Author: J. D. Vaughn aka Julia Durango [Website][Twitter][Facebook] and Tracie Vaughn Zimmer [Website][Facebook]
 
Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Series: Second Guard, Bk 1

ISBN: 9781423169093

Length: 421 pages

Obtained: ARC - I'm not positive where from.  Maybe the staff lounge?  Maybe C2E2?

Why this book?:

It sounded interesting, and I'm clearing out for my home library.

Comments:

Tali is to join the Second Guard, formed to prevent war and leave a last remaining land of peace in a world where everywhere else has turned to war.  But not all is as it seems, and Tali, along with friends Zarif, Chey, and others cannot seem to just let it go.  I really liked Tali, her friends, and their bond.  I don't have much else to say, other than I can't wait for book 2.

Library Wars: Love & War

Title: Library Wars: Love & War

Author: Kiiro Yumi (Original Concept by Hiro Arikawa [IMDb])

Publisher: Shojo Beat Manga

Series: Volumes 1, 2, and 3

ISBN: 9781421534886, 9781421534893, 9781421534909

Obtained: Library copies

Why these books?: 

Uh, library manga.  I had to try it.

Comments:

Iku Kasahara is joining the Library Defense Force, a group designed to save books from censorship under a special law so they can remain accessible by all.  The federal government is on a continual mission to destroy all books not considered "appropriate" and the Library Act (and Library Defense Force upholding it) is the only legal recourse.  It a fascinating scenario - definite parallels with Fahrenheit 451.  It has the usual angsty is he like my hero that I can't remember the face of (crush-material) or is he the opposite?

Trailer Park Fae

Title: Trailer Park Fae [Amazon]

Author: Lilith Saintcrow [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Lili St. Crow

Publisher: Orbit

Series: Gallow & Ragged, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780316277853

Length: 309 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It looked interesting and I've enjoyed Lilith Saintcrow's books in the past.

Quick notes jotted on my phone:

Haven't read this author in awhile.
Fairies - eh. Mixed feelings.
Really liked Gallow and Ragged though.
Fairies! eh!
Looking forward to more.

A Jazz Age Murder in Northwest Indiana: The Tragic Betrayal of Nettie Diamond

Title: A Jazz Age Murder in Northwest Indiana: The Tragic Betrayal of Nettie Diamond

Author: Jane Simon Ammeson [EdibleFeast.Com Contributor Bio][Blogger profile]

Publisher: The History Press

ISBN: 9781626194786

Length: 153  pages + Bibliography + Index

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I was curious.

Comments:

The writing could be clunky.  The genealogy parts where the author was explaining her research and potential but not determined answers tended to drag.  Some bits were repetitive, such as ... "Interestingly" they were buried in different sections (paraphrased).  

But I still enjoyed it overall.  The story could fit in well with an episode on an ID (Investigative Discovery) show.  The drama that came from the time increased the entertainment aspect.  The trial dialogue - both of witnessed and lawyers - was especially interesting, because it all came across so melodramatically.  Quite honestly, I had trouble reacting to it as the murder it was.  And Nettie's living and remaining coherent enough to name her killer and change her will showed a strength that was impressive.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Title: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Author: Mary Roach [Website][Twitter] ; Read by: Shelly Frasier [Tantor][IMDb]

Publisher: W.W. Norton and Company / Tantor Audio

ISBN:  9780393050936 / 9781400100972

Length: 303 pages / 7 discs ; 8 hours

Obtained: Library copies (print from book kit, audio individually checked out)

Why this book?:

Started for my book discussion.

Comments:

As I read this book for my discussion I found it to be amusing and interesting in turn.  But like so many nonfiction books I didn't finish it quickly.  I did want to finish it though, so I decided audio may work better and checked that out.  Surprisingly, the audio took longer for me to get into - I don't know whether not all the sidebars were coming through or if it was the chapter being read in question, or if just took me a bit to be in the right mind frame and adjust.  Whatever the case, it did pick back up.  I ended up enjoying it.

Little Pretty Things

Title: Little Pretty Things

Author: Lori Rader-Day [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: Seventh Street Books

ISBN: 9781633880047

Length: 300 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book/Comments: 

I received a poster of Summer Reads that I wanted to post at work.  I was going through the list and this was one of three still on order.  It sounded like an interesting mystery, and I wanted to know when it was cataloged to add the call number, so I put it on hold.

When it came in I went back and forth about whether I should read it, but finally decided to try.  I was hardly in when I started feeling dread.  I thought I knew some of the mystery, and I don't like that sort of thing.  But I had already started, so I pushed on.  As I continued reading I started thinking about how the author's name sounded familiar.  And I realized why.

I heard Lori Rader-Day speak on a panel at the 2015 Printer's Row Lit Fest (I looked it up for this post, and the panel was called "The Characters You Love To Hate").  At the time I had decided her books were probably too dark for me, and I wasn't going to read this.

Now I found myself in a position where the books are still darker than I like (touching on subject matter I find literally nauseating), but I'm reading one anyway.

So oh, I knew what was coming long before Juliet did (though she wasn't head-slap stupid about it so much as a combination of naiveté at the time and not seeing the big picture because she was in the small part of it).  And I knew who (or partially).  The story had me churning a bit.  But it was good and well written.  And I will probably read more, but I need something light to follow.

The Little Paris Bookshop

Title: The Little Paris Bookshop

Author: Nina George

Publisher: Crown Publishers

ISBN: 9780553418774

Length: 370 pages + "Recipes" + "Jean Perdu's Emergency Literary Pharmacy: From Adams to Von Arnim"

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

The book aspect appealed to me.

Comments:

In some ways this book really bothered me.  Morally, for instance.  (We are going to ignore the fact that I apparently have no problem reading books with assassins and thieves for protagonists.)  Or the fact that Jean Perdu has become so withdrawn and depressed and gloomy like.  (How is it that he can bring comfort and company to others?  Maybe because he doesn't go on about the gloom and doom thoughts, but keeps them to himself.)

In other ways (primarily the book related ways), I found it enchanting.  A book store on the water, a cat in residence, prices adjusted to the need of the person... sounds lovely.  I am not as sure about the title choices, but oh well.  The ability to just pick up and go.  To have an adventure and just let whatever is going to happen, happen.

Perhaps my mixed feelings come from this being one of those general fiction/literature type deals.  But I suppose it is good to venture out on occasion.  And it brought me to consider books in a different light.

Privy to the Dead

Title: Privy to the Dead

Author: Sheila Connolly [Website][Facebook] aka Sarah Atwell [Berkley Prime Crime]

Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime Mystery

Series: Museum Mystery, Bk 6

ISBN: 9780425273463

Length: 293 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I enjoy this author's books and this series.

Comments:

Dragged a bit, not like usual with lots of repetition of the facts they knew as well as the suppositions.  And now that they are living together Nell and James ended every chapter with closed doors.  Which is fine, except the repetition of that too.  It didn't need to be mentioned every time.

But otherwise I enjoyed the story.  And I appreciated that there was a murder/mystery without either another museum or having to kill off a staff member at the Pennsylvania Antiquarian Society.

From a High Tower

Title: From a High Tower

Author: Mercedes Lackey [Website][Facebook][Twitter]

Publisher: DAW Books

Series: Elemental Masters, Bk 11 (officially Bk 10)

ISBN: 9780756408985

Length: 328 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I'm a fan of the author and series.

Comments:

I especially liked the twist on the Rapunzel fairy tale for this one.  From the depth in the background story as to how Giselle came to be in the tower, to a different look at the various figures (the father, the witch who owned the garden, etc.) and their motivations. 

But the story really picks up and becomes it's own after Giselle leaves the tower and is left to find a way through her new life. 

And it was great to see Rosa from Blood Red again.

The Final Reveille

Title: The Final Reveille

Author: Amanda Flower [Website][Facebook][Twitter] aka Isabella Alan [Website][Facebook]

Publisher: Midnight Ink

Series: Living History Museum Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780738744735

Length: 326 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I've read and enjoyed books by Amanda Flower before, I enjoy museums and history, and I enjoy cozy mysteries.

Comments:

I liked the writing, characters, setting, and the theme.  I did guess who the killer was much earlier than the protagonist figures things out, though.  It you enjoy cozy mysteries, particularly contemporary cozies that do a little historical digging or remembering (and don't mind figuring out the killer in advance), this is a good one for you.