Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder Graphic Novel Biography/Memoir Nonfiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Tyler Feder was 19 when her mom died from cancer. Now in her 30s, Tyler still feels like a huge chunk of her is missing AND that her mother is still with her in all kinds of ways. She wrote this memoir of this time in her life – just as she was becoming a new … Read more
Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Jen and her mother move to the country with her mom’s boyfriend, Walter, so mom can follow her dreams of being a farmer. But for Jen, who has had no choice in the matter, it’s kind of a nightmare. She’s had to leave her home in the city, her dad (when her parents divorced), and now has all kinds of … Read more
Hunger Winter by Rob Currie Adventure Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars This book was extremely enjoyable. Depicting strong emotions, “Hunger Winter” will pull you in throughout all of its chapters. The characters are realistic, and enjoyable to read about. The plot and conflict are well laid out, constructing a book I would always recommend. Growing in his faith, Dirk is tested on a journey. He learns to discern, and he … Read more
Animal Farm by George Orwell Classic Fantasy Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) When the animals on one farm decide to rise up against their farmer, they win and take over the farm. They start to run it themselves. What was at first promised to be freedom and equality for all soon turns into something far worse than they had ever imagined.
The School for Good and Evil book #1 by Soman Chainani Adventure Fantasy Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “The School for Good and Evil” tells the story of Sofie and Agatha. Sofie wishes to be a princess and Agatha wishes to live alone, but when they find themselves at the School for Good and Evil, there seems to be a mistake. Sofie finds herself in the school for Evil and Agatha … Read more
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah Autobiography Biography Non-fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Trevor Noah, comedian and current host (as of 2020) of The Daily Show, was born and raised in South Africa under apartheid. He was literally “born a crime,” as his mother was black and his father was white, and their relationship was deemed illegal, as was Trevor, the result of it. Still, there were … Read more
Murder, Magic, and What We Wore by Kelly Jones Fantasy Mystery * * * Stars (Pretty good) Annis Whitworth is a fashion-savvy young society lady living with her aunt Cassia in London in 1818 when they learn of her father’s untimely death. Annis finds evidence supporting her theory that her father was a spy who died in the line of duty and means to make it known to the London War Office. But her information … Read more
Nyxia Unleashed Nyxia #2 by Scott Reintgen Science Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) The Babel corporation has misled its young Genesis crews countless times, and now that the teens are on the alien world Eden (Magnia), they have a chance to hear another side of the story – that of Magnia’s inhabitants, the Adamites (as Babel calls them) or the Imago (as they call themselves). As Emmett and Morning and the others on … Read more
Nyxia Nyxia triad #1 by Scott Reintgen Science Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * Stars (Pretty good) When Emmett is chosen, along with 9 other young people, for Babel’s super-secret mission to planet Eden, he can’t believe his luck. The compensation – $50,000/month – will allow him to lift his parents up out of poverty and make possible his mother’s medical treatment. But first he has to survive the training phase, where he will have … Read more
The Toll Arc of a Scythe #3 by Neal Shusterman Science Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The fates of Scythes Anastasia and Lucifer seemed sealed when they sank along with the island of Endura, but a salvage mission into those waters retrieved their deadish bodies and they were revived – 3 years later. Meanwhile, the Scythe Goddard proclaimed himself High Blade, holding dominion over all Scythes, and began changing Scythe laws and … Read more