Death and Mystery: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd 

By Agatha Christie 
Adult Mystery 

Roger Ackroyd knew too much. He knew that the woman he loved had poisoned her brutal first husband. He suspected also that someone had been blackmailing her. Then, tragically, came the news that she had taken her own life with a drug overdose. 

But the evening post brought Roger one last fatal scrap of information. Unfortunately, before he could finish reading the letter, he was stabbed to death. 

Besides the rather drab title, the Queen of Mystery does it again: wows the reader with a brilliant plot and unexpected culprit. I've only read a handful of mysteries, all Christie's (she is the master, after all), but each time I'm stupefied of who the murderer turns out to be, how they accomplished it, and how the detective (Poirot, in this novel), unwinds the knot of the mystery. 

In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, I enjoyed watching the banter between the main character, Dr. Sheppard, and his sister, Caroline, as the latter attempts to solve the mystery using her various gossip channels. The main character himself was rather blah, and it would have been nice to peek more into Poirot's mind about what he's thinking and why. 

This was a quick, easy read, and pairs perfectly with a cup of hot tea and a rainy evening. I scatter three stars onto good, ole Roger, and recommend this novel for 15 year olds and up. 

*What are some mysteries that you love cozying up with on a wet, wild night?

Winter by Marissa Meyer

Winter 
By Marissa Meyer 
YA Fantasy
*Last in the Lunar Chronicles Series 

"Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

"Winter despises her stepmother and knows Levana won't approve of her feelings for her childhood friend, the handsome palace guard Jacin. But Winter isn't as weak as Levana believes her to be, and she's been undermining her stepmother's wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that's been raging for far too long." 

Welcome to the final installment of the magnificent Lunar Chronicles! This novel is worth its place as the final book of the series. 

Winter, bless her heart, is a bit crazy, but the reason why softened my heart so that her madness didn't throw up a wall between us. Although she's broken (who isn't?), she possesses a courage and strength that the other characters don't. I do wish I could've spent more time with her; the reader is thrown around into so many heads because there a mountain-load of events happening all the time.

However, I did enjoy watching the other characters grow more in this novel, especially Cress, who I believe matured the most. Cinder didn't seem to change much over the course of the series, which was a bit disappointing since she's the main character. 

Meyer continued to enthrall me in this novel with her world-building prowess of the eerily majestic Luna, the fast-paced events that hint at the Hunger Games, the variety of the characters, and the satisfying conclusion (don't worry, I won't spoil anything!). 

The main thing that niggled at me throughout the novel was that the fairy-tale surrounding Winter, that of Snow White, was more difficult to follow than in the other books. This could just be due to the fact that I'm not as familiar with this fairy-tale as I am with Cinderella and Red Riding Hood. But I still wish it could've been as straightforward and obvious as it was with the other characters. 

Still, Winter deserves a 4 out of 4 like the rest of her comrades, and I recommend it for 15 year olds and up. 

*What I learned: There are different kinds of crazy, and being so doesn't mean you're not smart, brave, or capable. 

A Year in Provenance by Peter Mayle

A Year in Provence 
by Peter Mayle
Adult Non-Fiction

"Peter Mayle tells what it is like to realize a long-cherished dream and actually move into a 200-year-old stone farmhouse in the remote country of the Luberon with his wife and two large dogs. He endures January's frosty mistral as it comes howling down the Rhone Valley, discovers the secrets of goat racing through the middle of town, and delights in the glorious regional cuisine." 

This book was an all-expenses-paid vacation to Provence, France, without the annoyance of standing through security, enduring a long, claustrophobic plane ride, and memorizing how to say the 'lady's room' from a tiny French guidebook. The best way to travel, in my opinion. And what a trip it was. 

We get to see the back-roads, forests, and restaurants of France that a normal tourist wouldn't know existed. But it's really the characters and the narrator who are the heartbeat of this novel. In his witty, warm way, Mayle introduces us to his lecture-loving, humorous plumber, the inexperienced hunters who dress like they're experienced, and the various aspects of truffle-hunting. 

Mayle has an entertaining way of sharing an anecdote about something that seems like an ordinary event, like a celebratory dinner, and shaping it with humor until it settles on your mind like a cozy blanket that you don't want to take off because it feels so good. 

The author gives us a rich and real picture of Provence without dipping into criticism or dull facts. He takes you, month by month, through the year in this perplexing, wonderful place until you feel like it's your home as well. 

The only aspect in this book that I had a hard time with was the usage of French words. I didn't have a problem with him sprinkling them in, since he is in France, after all, but several times he didn't mention the meaning of a particular word, leaving me in the dark about the point he was trying to tell. This did not occur often, however, so I still award this novel a 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend it for 16 year olds and up.

Also, bring an empty stomach to A Year in Provence, because many of his anecdotes revolve around food!

*Mayle has also written a novel titled, My Twenty-Five Years in Provence, which I will definitely find and proceed to devour. Another cheap (if not free) trip to France! 

Scarlet and Cress by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet 
By Marissa Meyer 
YA Fantasy
#2 in the Lunar Chronicles Series

I'm not going to type out the synopsis on the back of Scarlet, as I typically do, so as not to spoil anything in case you haven't read the first book in the series, Cinder, yet. But if you have read that novel, then there's no doubt you're reading or have read Scarlet. One bleeds into the next like watercolor, all vivid and thrilling. I've found this to be true with each book in this delightful series. 

Scarlet is the story of Red-Riding Hood, but more than that, it's the story of Scarlet, a stubborn, strong-willed young lady and her love for her grandmother. When her grandmother goes missing, and a suspicious, yet handsome wolfish man appears who claims he can help Scarlet find her, Scarlet jumps into an adventure that will bring her in close contact with Cinder and her dangerous reputation. 

I love how Meyer introduces the reader to new characters while continuing to develop those in former novels. This requires true talent. 

The first time I read this book, my heart galloped in fear and pleasure at Wolf's and Scarlet's interactions. Their relationship spun out differently than I anticipated, and they both changed for the good at the end. I also enjoyed the French culture tossed into the book and into Scarlet's character; it was light enough to be charming. 

Although I thoroughly devoured this novel, I gobbled up the next one in the series much quicker. 

Cress 
By Marissa Meyer 
YA Fantasy 
#3 in the Lunar Chronicles Series

This novel explores the fairy tale of Rapunzel. Cress has been imprisoned in a satellite by a wicked Lunar to spy on Earthens. Until one man shows up and hurtles her into Cinder's and Scarlet's plot to save their world. 

Every chapter of this book was a feast! So much happens on every single page, that I definitely extended my lunch hour to longer than an hour just to get to the end of a climax. But then another one would begin, and my eyes kept swinging across the pages. 

Also, I love Cress. I love her more than any other character (so far). This is probably due in part to her utter innocence and how pitiable her position is at the beginning of the story. But more than that, I love her because she is so like me: enthusiastic and passionate, imaginative, and yes, because she loves to sing out loud (and in the shower). 

This book devotes more time to the other characters (due to there being more characters around), and Cinder and her friends are (finally) sharpening their plans and plots to protect their planet(s). Things are happening, and Meyer yanks you through the story with all of her plot twists, but it's so exhilarating that you just feel as if you're soaring through the action. It would be worthwhile to read the other two novels just to read Cress. 

The problem of the various languages spoken throughout the novel did niggle at me, and Meyer's quick explanation didn't tie it up neatly enough for me. Also, my husband, being the engineer/logic-brained one, questioned the anti-gravity on the ship, but those were our only obstacles. 

Both Scarlet and Cress deserve four gold stars. I recommend them for 15 year-olds and up. 

What I learned: People are more than their appearances, and a beautiful face does not equate to a beautiful heart. 

Code Name Verity

Code Name Verity 
By Elizabeth Wein 
YA Historical Fiction 

"On October 11th, 1943, a British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. But just one of the girls has a chance at survival. Arrested by the Gestapo, "Verity" is given a choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution. They'll get the truth out of her. Only, it won't be what they expect." 

This book is a masterpiece. It's also a tear-jerker, so have a box of Kleenexes ready if you're one of those readers who melt into tears when something somber occurs. 

But veritably, Wein did an amazing job sculpting the world and characters of England and France in the 1900s. I can't fathom how much research she did, but it is (as much as I am aware of, which isn't much), spot on. Everything, from the airplanes to the scarves 'Verity' wears seems current to the time period. Her characters also make references to books and other media in thise time period. This was fascinating and definitely helped push the reader thoroughly into the characters' world, but it also sometimes was over my head, since I obviously didn't live in this era, and it frustrated me at times. 

Overall, though, this novel and the other Wein book I've read has caused my expectations of historical fiction to rise to Mt. Everest heights. Sorry, future historical fiction books I will read and historical fiction books I long to write; you just won't measure up. 

'Verity's' and Maddie's best-friend love for each other are as real and apparent as my husband's love for me. I can't believe they're not real! The characters charmed me with their British and Scottish slang, the way they played make-believe to incite their courage, and the way they fought through all the trials that confronted them. 

It did take a while for me to get used the narration style. The narrator is unreliable for an exceptionally good reason, but it did throw up barriers between her and myself. I also didn't relate to her personality as much as most characters in previous novels I've read; she's just wild. I much preferred the narration and personality of the other main character, Maddie. Too bad she didn't have much talking time! However, she features in the book, Rose Under Fire, so I'm quite excited to enter that story once I can get my hands on it. 

For all the above reasons, I give this novel a 4 out of 5. It would have been a 5 if I had not felt so left out of 'Verity's' mind. Again, it was for a good reason, but I do not enjoy the experience, nor am I used to it. 

What I learned: Writing historical fiction requires too much research! But in all seriousness, life is fleeting and short; it can leave us as easily and quickly as blowing out a candle. So what am I doing with mine? 

Hanging out with Harper Lee

The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee
By Marja Mills
Non-Fiction Memoir 

"To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best loved novels of the twentieth century. In 2004, with Alice and Harper Lee's blessing, Mills moved into the house next door to the sisters. She spent the next eighteen months there, sharing coffee at MacDonald's and trips to the laundromat with Nelle (aka Harper Lee), feeding the ducks and going out for catfish suppers with the sisters, and exploring all over lower Alabama with the Lees and their inner circle of friends. 

"Nelle shared her love of history, literature, and the Southern way of life with Mills, as well as her keen sense of how journalism should be practiced. As the sisters decided to let Mills tell their stories, Nelle helped make sure she was getting that-and the South-right. Alice, the keeper of the Lee family history, shared the stories of their family." 

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I checked this book out of the library, as I've never read a book about living next door to a famous author. Mills opened up a window into these sweet women's lives, who were graciously willing to allow her and us, the readers, into them. It was mind-boggling how simple their lives truly are (except for, perhaps, that Alice still practices law at age 90). Why wouldn't they be? But we, at least I, expect people who write great things to live great lives. Not that simple living isn't great, but it just wasn't what I had in mind. It was refreshing, though, to relax and just enjoy the simple pleasures in life that the Lee's explore on a day-to-day basis. 

There is some background information about the making of the various movies, the Lee's family, and Harper Lee's fears, which help put flesh on this mysterious woman, and I found fascinating. 

I enjoyed traveling with Mills through the back roads of Alabama with these wise, yet fun-loving, sisters and their friends. I loved seeing how their Alabama, the Alabama of To Kill a Mockingbird, once existed, and how, sadly, it is fading away like a cicada's song at the end of summer. At the end of the book, I felt like I had become good friends with all three, a part of their intimate, book-loving, adventure-hunting trio. It was sad to say good-bye on the last page. 

I do wish I had re-read the novel before I read this book, as characters and places from the book are mentioned in this memoir, and they're bit foggy in my memory. You don't have to re-read the classic tale before you read this book, but I do suggest it so you can reap even more gold from Mill's laid-back telling. I also wish she had mentioned something about the second novel Lee wrote, Go Set a Watchmen, since she discusses almost everything, but perhaps she left before then or didn't have permission. 

I give this novel a 4 out of 5 and recommend it for anyone (older than a child) who adores To Kill a Mockingbird. 

What I learned: Beauty can be appreciated without the need to possess it. 

Happy Birthday, Harry!

In lieu of Harry Potter's birthday today, I've decided to compile a list of some of my personal favorite stories featuring magic, some nonsensical, some more serious, some just fun, to overflow your days with delight. Of course they can't compete with Harry Potter, but they are still fantastic and worth a read! So go grab a mug of Butterbeer and pull out your to-read list. 


1. The Two Sisters of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine 
I adore this book! It's the tale of two girls, one of whom must fight her fears, specters, and dragons to save her sister's life. Magical gadgets and creatures dot this story, but the real magic is the sisters' love for each other.  

2. Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George 
This is a lighthearted, whimsical story of a girl who's captured by a dragon. She eventually becomes friends with another dragon as she's on her way to the city to find a job as a seamstress. There's not much magic in this book but the dragons and the slippers, but it's a lively read! The adventure continues in Dragon Flight and Dragon Spear, both equally entertaining and rife with action. 

3. Stardust by Neil Gaiman 
I read this book this year for the first time, and loved it. I enjoyed it more than Neverwhere by him, which was a lot stranger and creepier. The magic in Stardust rotates around the world of fairy and the boy who travels through it looking for the fallen star to give to his girlfriend. This world is definitely worth getting lost in. 


4. Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
This is not my favorite magical book or series (yes, it's one of those), due to an under-developed plot or something else; I'm not quite sure. However, it is a magical tale that takes place in Victorian England, so I give it points for that unique twist. It's also an epistolary novel, written as letters between two friends. So, if you're longing to read something in a different format, this novel's for your eyes. 


5. All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater 
This novel will have a place on my bookshelf as long as I have one (so, forever). It's full of magical realism, a magic that takes the contemporary world and turns it upside down so you, the reader can find your own miracle. See my full review here. 

6. The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker 
This is another jocund tale that I loved (and probably would still love if I re-read it) when I was a child. Instead of turning a frog back into a prince when she kisses it, the main character changes into a frog herself! This is a great twist on the fairy tale and riveting as the frustrated frogs venture to find the witch who cast this curse in order to break it. There are also many books in the same series, all easy reads. 

7. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin 
If you need a taste of more serious magic, you might find it in Wizard of Earthsea. It follows a young wizard who is being chased by something sinister and evil. This book chased me too, to lunchtime, to my bed, as the events became more thrilling and dangerous. 


8. The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time series) by Robert Jordan 
I'm not sure yet if this series is one of my favorite magical books. I haven't finished it yet, and I've been listening to it for two years. In my defense, I only listen to it when I wash the dishes, and the series is looong: fourteen novels, dicken-sized (each one). So beware before diving into this monstrosity. Despite some irritating characters and mountains of detail, the series is well-written with a very believable magic system and well-built world. 

9. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson 
Sanderson is the king of magical systems; each one in his novels are well-defined with specific rules and consequences. The one in the Mistborn series focuses on people with the ability to perform magical feats based off of burning different metals. It's a unique concept, and well-done. 

10. Eragon by Christopher Paolini 
More dragons! I appreciate and applaud Paolini for his dragons more than probably any other author who has written about them. His are the most detailed, the most wise and powerful. Their relationship with each other and humans is fascinating and complex. If you love the fire-breathing species, you can't read any other book about them until you read this one!

A Cyborg Cinderella

Cinder 
By Marissa Meyer
#1 in the Lunar Chronicles 
YA Fantasy 

"Sixteen-year-old Cinder is considered a technological mistake by most of society and a burden by her stepmother. Being cyborg does have its benefits, though: Cinder's brain interface has given her an uncanny ability to fix things (robots, hovers, her own malfunctioning parts), making her the best mechanic in New Beijing. This reputation brings Prince Kai himself to her weekly market booth, needing her to repair a broken android before the annual ball. He jokingly calls it 'a matter of national security,' but Cinder suspects it's more serious than he's letting on. 

"Although eager to impress the prince, Cinder's intentions are derailed when her younger step-sister, and only human friend, is infected with the fatal plague that's been devastating Earth for a decade. Blaming Cinder for her daughter's illness, Cinder's stepmother volunteers her body for plague research, an 'honor' that no one has survived. 

"But it doesn't take long for the scientists to discover something unusual about their new guinea pig. Something others would kill for." 

There are enough fairy-tale retellings nowadays to fill a ballroom. This one, though, is worth the trip to the library or bookstore. The fact that Cinder is a cyborg hooked me right away. Meyer does a great job, even though she's probably not a mechanic herself, of making Cinder's mechanical parts, their unique functions, and even her job as a mechanic, believable. Cinder is also a spunky, sarcastic, yet tender underdog-type character whom it's hard not to root for. Or possibly even shed some tears on behalf of. 

Kai is also a sweetheart, yet strong, and difficult not to like. This was my second reading of the book (yes, it's that good!), and I did notice this time around that there wasn't much foundation to the couple's feelings. I didn't quite understand why he liked her so much, and vice versa, so perhaps Meyer could have dived deeper into those reasons. But it obviously wasn't something that turned me off from the story. 

Also, who ever heard of a fairy-tale taking place in Asia, and a futuristic Asia, at that? The setting is fascinating and although not crafted in as many details as the world of Harry Potter (which book is?), it's still a place steeped in character. But the characters and the world-changing decisions facing them are what pulled me deep into every page and line. You might grow dizzy with all the plot twists and turns, but hang in there! The battle for this country and its people is worth fighting for alongside the characters. 

This is the first in a series, so you might want to have the second one, Scarlet-which follows another fairy-tale character, but in the same world-handy so you can dash right into it. Be on the lookout for a review of the sequel in the upcoming weeks. 

This novel deserves a shining four out of five stars, and I recommend it for 15 year olds and up. 

What I learned: First impressions are not typically true. It takes time and initiative to learn the depths of a person's soul.  

The Magic of Summer

Dandelion Wine 

By Ray Bradbury 

Adult Fiction 

"Twelve-year old Douglas Spaulding knows Green Town, Illinois, is as vast and deep as the whole wide world that lies beyond the city limits. It is a pair of brand-new tennis shoes, the first harvest of dandelions for Grandfather's renowned intoxicant, the distant clang of the trolley's bell on a hazy afternoon. It is yesteryear and tomorrow blended into an unforgettable always. 

But as young Douglas is about to discover, summer can be more than the repetition of established rituals whose mystical power holds time at bay. It can be a best friend moving away, a human time machine who can transport you back to the Civil War, or a sideshow automaton able to glimpse the bittersweet future." 

This book is rife with magic-the magic of summer according to two boys. But by the end of the book, you are sure to be as enchanted by this fictional town and its unique charm as the boys are by the rows and rows of green bottled dandelion wine lining their grandfather's cellar. 

This book is episodic: told in little episodes rather than weaving one plot throughout the book. I wasn't expecting that and haven't read many novels written in that style, but I quite enjoyed it. The style works well for the two boys who see the summer and life as a series of exciting or terrifying incidents. I didn't enjoy all the episodes the same, but they were definitely created of various flavours: silly, sweet, creepy, or just plain ridiculous, and I enjoyed most of them. Besides, if you don't like one particular 'story,' it's sure to be over in a few pages (by the end of the chapter, in fact). It was also nice that there were several threads connecting all the episodes or stories, since the two brothers play a part in each one, and they all occur in the same town in the same summer. 

The first chapter, or episode, was the most difficult for me to enter, just because I was still trying to nail down Bradbury's style and what was happening, but once you soar through that dramatic, vague chapter, you're good to go! The rest of the book is as lovely as a cup of tea during a rainstorm. 

I loved how lyrical this book is; similes, metaphors, and other various types of figurative language pop out on nearly every page like a sunset begging to be savored and admired. So beautiful! 

It was also quite different from the only other novel I've read by Bradbury: Fahrenheit 451. Dandelion Wine is as lighthearted and fun as that book is depressing and bleak. So, this is a great novel if you prefer the former, especially for a warm, bird-chatter filled summer day! It also helped that I read this book while being in Illinois, where the story takes place; it makes the story just lift off the page, alive and breathing. Have you read any books while being in the setting where it takes place? 

I give this tale a 4 out of 5 and recommend it for fifteen-year olds and up. The main characters are young boys, but the novel is written to be savored by an older audience. 

What I learned: I am alive, and each day is to be truly felt, from the delightful to the ordinary to the sorrowful.  

What great books have you been reading this summer? 

The City of the Gods

Elantris
By Brandon Sanderson
Adult Fantasy

"Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, and filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of all.Ten years ago, without warning, the magic failed. Elantrians became leper-like, powerless creatures, and Elantris itself grew dark, filthy, and crumbling.

"Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died, leaving a country caught in the machinations of a high priest who wishes to convert the country and claim it for his god, no matter the cost.

"Sarene doesn't suspect the truth about Prince Raoden: stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raoden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself." 

Sanderson does it again! This novel delighted me with its complex characters who turn out to have deeper, more layers than I imagined and make decisions I didn't think possible. The characters are not the only things in this book to possess layers: this land and its culture does as well. The complexity of the Aonic language of the country was well-thought out, as well as the habits, customs, and other important aspects of the various cultures mixed into Arelon. All these things helped make the world realistic and fascinating, although some of them could probably have been explained even more thoroughly. 

The main thing that kept me reading, though, was the major mystery shrouding Elantris. Sanderson keeps the answer tantalizingly close without giving it away, like a carrot in front of a rabbit. Close enough to be intriguing, but not frustrating. This was not the only mystery either, of course. The country is on the brink of collapse, and it was fun to see how Sarene attempted to outwit the priest at every corner of his masterminded plan. 

The politics did grow a bit insipid at times, but the ending, with all of its surprises, is well worth it! I also realized, while reading Elantris, that though Sanderson writes brilliantly, he does not write beautifully. His stories are logical and detailed when they need to be, but not woven with a plethora of figurative language. I missed that, but it all depends on personal preference.  

I give this novel a 4 out of 5 and recommend it for 16 year olds and up. If you're a fantasy nut, or even just like to breeze through it once in a while, you must definitely check this novel out! It's long, but there are so many interlocking plots that you'll shoot right through it. 

What I learned: People are not (usually) what they seem. 

Superb Summer Reads

The summer, with its lethargic, warm days, is nearly upon us! I love reading books containing summery feelings or themes, such as cool breezes, bright water, or characters facing their own summers, since it makes reading a much more enjoyable, immersive experience. So here are nine superb books to spend your long, hot days with (not listed in any particular order). 

*Several of them also feature mermaids, because summer means the beach, and the beach means mermaids!

1. My Louisiana Sky by Kimberly Willis Holt

Hang out with Tiger, a twelve year old girl, in a rural town in Louisiana in the 1950s as she struggles with how to live and love her mentally challenged mother and 'slow' father. She longs to escape the difficulties of home to visit her aunt in the big city of Baton Rouge. 

This is a tender novel and has been dear to my heart ever since I first read it long ago in third grade. 






2. Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman

This short tale (pun intended ;) is one of my all-favorite mermaid stories. It's a classic for anyone who loves reading about the fantastical creatures. 

Two best friends, Hailey and Claire, are spending their last summer together when they discover something lurking in the decrepit pool of the Capri Beach Club. The mermaid therein has left her family in search of love, and the friends are forced to focus on someone else's needs as they help the creature. This is such a sweet story of lasting friendship and magic. 




3. A Long Way from Chicago by Richard Peck 

This child's chapter book focuses on the siblings, Joey and Mary-Alice, who visit their grandmother every summer in a rural Illinois town. I never knew that living in such a tiny town for a few brief months could be so thrilling! The kids have great adventures, and their grandmother, Grandma Dowdel, is a hilarious character. If you're in need of something light that will make your belly dance with laughter, this book is for you! 

*See my entire review of the book here: http://rachsreads.blogspot.com/search?q=Chicago. 



4. Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis 

If you think you're hot this summer, then pick up this book and travel to Uganda with Katie. This is an amazing true story of a normal American woman who realized what is vital and gave up the American dream to live in Uganda, adopt thirteen girls, and shower love on them. I am continuously challenged by this young lady's servant, compassionate heart. 




5. Ingo by Helen Dunmore 

This is another of my favorite mermaid books. One summer, Sapphire (or Sapphy) meets Faro, a Mer boy who introduces her to a fabulous world she never knew existed. She must let go of the world above to truly embrace the world of the Mer, but Sapphy also still craves to see her lost father again. 

This is a haunting story steeped in legend that will follow you long after you read the last page, its song of ocean waves reverberating in your head and heart. 

*It's a series, but the first was my favorite.





6. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis 

Why not travel across the seas this summer with a timeless tale of adventure and danger? 

Lucy and her brother, Edmund, find themselves coasting the seas with their bratty cousin, Eustace, and several friends. Their duty is to find several lost lords of Narnia, but they must first encounter sea serpents, dragons, and much more before they complete their quest. 

My husband and I just finished reading this book again (for my third time), and it remains one of my favorites of the Narnian books. 




7. Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan 

Travel to Camp Half-Blood this summer, where demi-gods of the Greeks battle monsters, fulfill prophecies, and fall in love. These books will exercise your stomach muscles and your fingers as you grip your fingers in anticipation of what will happen. 

8. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton 

If your summer is revolving too slowly or too boring, then hitch a ride to Jurassic Park! Many have seen the movie, but of course, the book far surpasses its visual partner. 

Before it can open, certain experts arrive at the park filled with reconstructed living dinosaurs to check it out. But their journey soon devolves into a battle for their lives against the wild creatures. 








9. Seven Tears into the Sea by Terri Farley 

Seven years after an encounter with a stranger on the beach during a storm (it's not nearly as creepy as that sounds), Gwen, seventeen, returns to her hometown to help her grandmother at the Sea Horse Inn. 

Gwen and the stranger soon become friends, and Gwen realizes the boy is not an ordinary boy; the sea is strong in him. 

This novel is steeped in Celtic mythology, and haunts the reader with its magic through every page. A definite must-read for those who love the ocean! 




*What other books do you love to read in the summertime?  
*If you liked this post, you might also like Spectacular Spring Reads.

The Danger of Silence

Speak 
By Laurie Halse Anderson 
YA Realistic Fiction

"Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops, so her old friends won't talk to her, and people she doesn't know hate her from a distance. It's no use explaining to her parents; they've never known what her life is really like. The safest place is for Melinda is to be alone, inside her own head. But even that's not safe. 

"Because there's something she's trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she admitted it and let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have no choice. 

"Melinda would have to speak the truth." 

I've never been much into realistic fiction because who would want to read about real life, when you can read about dragons, mermaids, and time travel? But I heard great things about this book, so I gave it a go. And I'm SO glad that I did! This book was exceptionally-well written about a hard topic that is often glazed over. 

The main subject in the book (which I won't give away) has the tendency to be depressing, and the book was at times, but Melinda's sardonic humor mitigated the somber feelings. Sometimes I even laughed out loud. Anderson, the author, did a wonderful job of leaping into a high schooler's brain and describing the tedious, difficult world of a high schooler from her opinionated perspective. Anderson handled the delicate balance between melancholy and humor magnificently, while remaining true to her point. 

The symbolism woven throughout the novel also helps deepen the story line and shows how Melinda changes. It was neat to see her healing, or lack thereof, in a tangible way. I love symbols, but I'm an English nerd, so I guess that's to be expected. But they add so many layers and meaning to the story, when done well, and these symbols were written expertly. 

The themes of silence, being rejected, the self-centered world of high school (and the world in general) were not too conspicuous and hit truth spot-on. Good job, Anderson, for speaking out about important, often pushed-away matters, and doing so in a gentle, loving way! 

It's probably obvious, but this book definitely deserves a five at minimum. It's appropriate for fifteen year olds and older, though you might want to check me on that (especially if you're a mom reading this). 

What I learned: We must give people time and space to speak and to truly listen. Our thoughts and words are always worth sharing (sometimes it just takes a while to find out who that 'safe' person is!). 

Machines Vs. Beasts

Leviathan, Behemoth, Goliath
By Scott Westerfeld 
Young Adult Steam Punk
*A Trilogy 

I read the first book in this series, Leviathan, several years ago, and knew I had to nab the rest of the series to know what happened, but I just got around to finishing it. 

This series is an alternate history of World War I, with elements of steam punk and fantasy. It follows Alek, a young prince of Austria without a throne running for his life. He is part of a Clanker nation, which surrounds itself with metal and machines. 

Deryn, a girl disguised as a boy in the British air service, also plays a crucial role in this series. She is a lover of fabricated beasts, from flying whale-like airships to message lizards, and detests anything metal. 

Fate throws the two together, and they must battle to end the war before it ends everything they know, both metal and beast. 

I highly enjoyed this series! Something exciting is always happening, so the story flies by. The books are also littered with excellent drawings depicting the fabricated beasts, metal creations, and characters so you can better imagine these bizarre things that Westerfeld imagined.

Alek is a bit dimwitted and naive at times, especially in the last novel, but Deryn more than makes up for his idiotic moments. She is clever, daring, adventurous, and basically a 'better' boy than he is. I do get frustrated with many of the female characters in today's world acting like boys. Can't there be a strong, clever girl who's more feminine? I suppose one must look to Jane Austen for that. But overall, Deryn was a great, realistic character (even with all of her crazy stunts); I just wish she didn't have to help/prod Alek so much. 

As I mentioned above, the series moves along at a gallop, which is mostly a good thing. However, I did find myself, especially in the sequel, Behemoth, wishing for the action to slow down a bit so the characters would interact more and grow. There was such a spate of action, that it was hard to keep track, in the second and third books, what was happening, and how everything is connected. Certain events in Goliath seemed random, or that Westerfeld just wanted to put them in the novel because they were cool. 

I enjoyed the first or the last book the best. I like certain characters in the final novel, but not how thick Alek acts. But once you've started the series, there's no going back! You must finish it, or you probably won't sleep at night. This series deserves a 3.5 out of 5, and I recommend it for 10 year olds and up. 

What I learned: Don't judge someone on just their appearance (including gender). Also, fabricated beasts are awesome, and it's really too bad that thylacines are extinct. 

*Westerfeld also wrote the Uglies, Pretties, and Specials series which is deeply provocative and fabulously written. 

A Massive Gold Robbery

The Great Train Robbery 
By Michael Crichton 
Historical Fiction 

This novel is based off the true story of the Great Gold Robbery of 1855, a massive gold heist, which takes place on a train traveling through Victorian-era England. 

My husband has opened the Michael Crichton door for me, and I'm not sorry. The Great Train Robbery has a different narration than the others I've read, as it's told from an objective historical view rather than a character's perspective. It took me a while to dive into the story due to that, and I missed being in the character's heads. But once I became accustomed to the historical narration, I chugged through the story as fast as the train on the cover. 

There are fascinating tidbits thrown into the tale, which sometimes seem a bit dull or overkill, but they're not. These historical almost-lectures are important for the reader who doesn't live in Victorian England to understand what is going on and why it's integral to the plot. Crichton definitely did his research! It's amazing how many books he wrote with all the digging around he had to do for them all. 

The plot of this novel is gripping and fast, the characters mysterious and daring, and the end even more so. If you think you know what's going to happen at the end (like I did), you're wrong! The fact that most of the events in this novel actually occurred and the characters actually lived make it even more breathtaking. 

I give this novel a 4 out of 5 and recommend it for 17 year olds and up due to one particular scene.  

What I learned: Criminals (the good kind) can be some of the most clever people alive. 

Spectacular Spring Reads

Spring is in the air! That is why I've compiled a list of some great books to read in the Spring, due to their themes of new birth/beginnings, because they are light and joyful, or for other Spring-esque reasons. Most of them are YA, but a few other genres snuck into the batch.  

Bloomability by Sharon Creech

This was one of my favorite books in elementary/middle school, and I'm aching to read it again. This is a great tale for any age about how a girl is torn from all she holds dear, and is thrust into a different culture (in Switzerland!) for good reasons by her Aunt and Uncle. She must learn how to bloom in this new place with new people or suffer from hiding from the world. 










Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

Although this novel takes place in the heat of summer, it has a physical spring in it, so Spring must obviously be the best time to read it! But seriously, the main character must face a difficult decision about a possible new beginning that could possibly change her life forever. Will she follow this decision with its serious, heady repercussions, or continue in the current season of her life? 







Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber

This is a true story about a young woman who travels to Oxford for a Masters degree. But what she discovers there about the world and the One who made her turns her world upside down. This is a lovely book about the beauty of knowledge and England and one woman's journey into a different life. So pull up a chair out on the porch, and pour yourself a large mug of tea! You can read more about my thoughts on it here: http://rachsreads.blogspot.com/2018/01/best-of-2017.html under 'best biography.' 






Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman 

This young adult novel is based off of Shusterman's son, who struggled with schizophrenia, just like the main character. There are even drawings from Shusterman's son scattered throughout the book. This is a rich, poignant tale of one boy's journey to the depths-as far as Challenger Deep-and the opportunity to arise as someone whole and complete. 








Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein

This novel is full of new beginnings. The two main characters, Teo and Em, follow their mother to Ethiopia after tragedy strikes. There, as soon as they settle into a new life, war strikes. They must battle for this place they have come to love and for each other. 










Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth E.

This novel follows the true story of the missionary Jim Elliot and his friends and wives who journeyed into the heart of South America to share the gospel. Things did not go as planned, however, and the wives must wrestle with the aftermath. The natives that the missionaries reached out to and who bring so much heartache, also bring healing and joy to those involved in this inspiring story. 










Forest Born by Shannon Hale 

This book is actually the fourth, and last, novel in the Goose Girl series. All of the books are a delight, and some of my favorites, but this one has some special Spring themes. Firstly, trees play a large role in the story, as the main character can control them. As she learns how to shift these giants of the forest, she also learns more about herself in the process and blooms into the person she is destined to be, even though it might be different than who she wished she could be. A delightfully deep, provocative read! 






What other books do you think would make exceptionally good Spring reads? I'd love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

If you liked this post, you might like my Best of 2017 post.