The Trial of Lizzie Borden By: Cara Robertson

This tightly written presentation of the Borden case truly reads like a novel.  I've been fascinated by this case for a good 40 years, and I was riveted by this book and on the edge of my seat...and I know what happens in the end!  That's good writing.  I kept waiting for the "evidence to be presented afresh" as one of the reviews said, but I kept reading thinking, this is not covering any new ground, I've read the history of this case from a soci-sexual, -economic, -politcial and -historic perspectives before.  Then I realized why this wasn't covering new ground for me (and this is why readers should always read the acknowledgments), I'd read the author's original thesis! Two of the people Ms. Robertson thanks in the acknowledgements are the daughter and son-in-law of a dear friend of mine, for whom I house-sat for 30 years. The daughter had a coy of the thesis and left it at the house and I read it while house-sitting. It's a small world!

 

Summer on the Bluffs By: Sunny Hostin

 

This fantastic novel reads like a day on the porch swing sipping a glass of crisp white wine while listening to the coolest jazz!  An absolutely lovely book about a couple and the family they cobble together, and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart; a story of the resilience of families, those we're born into and those we create.  While the main story will keep the reader hooked, the history of the greats in Africann-American artists, musicians, scientists, leaders and locales imparts an education that is sorely needed in this day and age. This book is storytelling at it's most exquisite!

A Deadly Education By: Naomi Novik

A deliciously deviant twist on the 'magical school' trope of fantasy novels.  This dark and snarky take on magic school follows El and her fellow students as they navigate their junior year.  Constantly on the look out for poisonous food, evil creatures trying to eat them and the seniors; El still has to attend classes and get her homework done. Full of astonishing visuals and teenage angst, this is a glorious addition to the fantasy oeuvre!

Murder at the Lakeside Library By: Holly Danvers

Great fun and a nice start to a new series.  The settings are gorgeous, the protagonist has been through it, but still manages to keep her sons of humor.  I adored Julia (Rain's best friend who is a school teacher) habit of using creative phrases instead of swearing-made me chuckle!

Haunted Homicide By: Lucy Ness

A private Women's Club, housed in an old mansion, with plenty of generations, secrets and oh, yeah...a ghost.  What could possibly go wrong? Apparently everything, for Avery as she starts her new job smack dab in the middle of long standing feuds, intrigue and now a murder.  This book is great fun-Avery and Clemmie are a great team, and the mystery itself is well plotted with just enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the end.

 

Shuggie Bain By: Douglas Stuart

Well, it's odd to say that I loved this when it's very depressing, but I loved this!  Set during the end of the Thatcher years in the forgotten and neglected mining towns, Shuggie Bain is a look at one families implosion and resilience (for the most part), ending with the faintest of glimmers of hope.  I've read depression books before that have made me want to end it all, but this is not one of those.  Engagingly written, raw and real, Shuggie Bain is really quite extraordinary.

Imperial Towers By: Ashley Capes

After reading the first 4 books in the Never saga I had to read the 5th...and it didn't disappoint!  The showdown between Never and Snow, family secrets, and a whole lot of action, make this a great read and further set up for Never's new adventures!

 

The Silverleaf Chronicles By: Vincent Trigili

A fascinating world creates the backdrop for this elegant story of dragons and the mysterious 5th Council. Told from Silverleaf's point of view it chronicles his search for himself, family and purpose and leads to interesting and exciting adventures.

Float: Enchanted Horse Retold By: Demelza Carlton

I found this tale of magic and romance absolutely fascinating.  The whole series is a retelling of popular fairytales, and they are so creative.  I highly recommend!

The Dragon's Champion By: Sam Ferguson

This was great fun.  A ton of action helps to propel this story as well as a wonderfully guileless hero!  Well plotted and great descriptions.  Greatly enjoyed visiting the world that Mr. Ferguson has created.

Stargazy Pie By: Victoria Goddard

I have to admit that I wasn't sure what I was reading and that I found it kind of boring and difficult to get through.  With that said, toward the end I realized that this was more a cozy mystery with elements of magic than it was a fantasy novel.  Not sure if that was the author's intent, but that's what I got out of it, and ended up liking it in the end.

 

brat: an 80s story By: Andrew McCarthy

 

Having grown up watching McCarthy's movies, I've always felt an affinity to the quiet stoicism in his movie characters.  This memoir has that stoicism.  A simply told tale of his rise to fame.  There are ups and downs, but unlike other Hollywood bios and autobiographies, there is no bombastic element given to those ups and downs.  They are a part of life, and they are simply expressed, which is quite refreshing.

The Peaks of Autumn By: Ashley Capes

Things are coming to a head for our her Never and his newfound companions (dare I say it..friends), as the quest for information on his heritage reveals his brother in a new light and a devasting choice for Never to make. Book 5 should be explosive in this series!

 

The Book of Never: Volumes 1-3 By: Ashley Capes

 This is an interesting twist on the fantasy novel, and Never is such a unique character.  I'm a sucker for sarcasm and Never has it in spades.  These 3 volumes start Never's adventure to find out his real name and thus who he is.  Each volume is it's own stand alone venture, but combined create an over arching story, with a puzzle piece falling into place in each one.