Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: An Eclectic Reading Week

Happy hot Monday. I know I haven't written a review post in two weeks, but I just haven't been reading all that much. First was July 4, then I took another long weekend (off the grid and with friends), and then had to somehow get all my work done in between.

Oh, and in the meantime, I found a tick embedded in my arm and had to take antibiotics (hope we stopped any Lyme in its tracks) and my washing machine suddenly decided it wasn't going to move past the *fill* cycle. Fortunately, I was in the other room, and the ensuing flood (in my kitchen!) wasn't too horrible.

It took us a couple of hours to clean up the mess. Then we had to research a new washer and run around town trying to find someone who could deliver our top-choice machine this week. Success, and the new washer will be here Wednesday. In the meantime, we had tons of soaking wet dirty laundry (the stuff in the washer, plus the stuff on the floor waiting to go into the washer). It's all dry now and will be washed in a few days. Oh and did I mention it was almost 100F and we don't have central A/C?

Enough of that. No major damage (except to our wallet), so all is fine -- more or less.

Age of Legend by Michael J. Sullivan (Grim Oak Press, July 9). This is the fourth book in the Legends of the First Empire series. In three related series, Sullivan has created a complex, believable world with fully realized characters and a consistent history. I absolutely adore his books, his ability to write a compelling plot with a good mix of action, character interactions, descriptive prose, and flowing dialogue. Sad things and rough things happen, but there's always a touch of humor to keep readers buoyed. In this entry, the war between the humans and elves continues. We see a glimmer of hope for resolution, but can we trust that the plan will end in success? One thing I really loved about Age of Legend is that the story revolves around one of the (up to this point) minor characters, so we get a little different perspective on the greater political, magical, and spiritual aspects of the changing world. What didn't I like? The book ended on a cliff-hanger! Argh!!! The good news is that next installment should be out before the year is over. I need to know what happens to some of my favorite characters. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Recorded Books; 14 hr, 34 min), read by the fantabulous Tim Gerard Reynolds. Reynolds is THE voice of Sullivan's books and his characterizations are not to be missed. I can't say enough about his sense of pacing, his smooth delivery of the dialogue, his comedic timing . . . Reynolds has it all. (print copy and audiobook copy from my personal library)

Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball / Amelia Fang and the Unicorns of Glitteropolis by Laura Ellen Anderson (Delacorte BYR, July 30). I love middle grade fiction, though I'm normally drawn to books written for a tween audience. The Amelia Fang books are geared to somewhat younger readers, but I loved the premise and put them on my review list. Amelia is a young vampire who has a pet pumpkin. Her best friends are Florence Spudwick (a rare breed of Yeti) and Grimaldi Reaperton (a grim reaper in training). In Barbaric Ball Amelia has to be nice to the young prince of Nocturina, but Tangine isn't very nice back. The underlying message of the story is about friendship and how we shouldn't judge others' behavior until we know their background. In Unicorns, the four friends must travel to the terrifying land of light (with its unicorns and fairies) to try to set things right for Tangine and his family. The underlying message here is trying new things, being brave, and learning that different kinds of beings are scary only because we don't know their true nature. It's not all that sappy because there really are some bad guys in Glitteropolis.

Here are some other things that make the Amelia Fang books such fun to read. First and foremost is Anderson's laugh-out-loud sense of humor. For example, in Amelia's dark world of vampires and goblins, insults are terms of endearment. In fact, Amelia's father lovingly calls his wife "Dearest belch-breath." Each book begins with a map and then black and white portraits of the main characters. Each portrait includes the character's likes and dislikes (Tangine hates an empty stomach). Throughout the chapter books, readers are treated to Anderson's expressive illustrations: We see the emotions on the character's faces, drawings of scenery, and busy action scenes. Anderson also uses different fonts to convey different types of text: noises, Florence's dialogue, notes, signs, and so on.

The Amelia Fang books star a girl vampire, but she has female and male friends of different creatures, making it easy for all kinds of readers to find plenty to love in these stories. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series. (Thanks to the publisher for finished review copies)

Burn the Ice by Kevin Alexander (Penguin Press, July 9). In this well-researched book, Alexander takes a look at the American foodie boom, especially in the early twenty-first century. He looks at the role of social media, the "spicing" of American foods, the rise of celebrity chefs, important food cities, the rediscovery of cocktails, the #metoo movement, the #blacklivesmatter movement, NOLA and Katrina, and much more. To tell this story, Alexander focuses on a handful of important restaurant chefs and their establishments: how they came to cooking, what they brought to the scene, and where they set up shop. Some of them you may have heard of--like Tom Colicchio from Gramercy Tavern and Top Chef--and others are much less well known--like Anja Mitra and his wife, Emily, who brought Indian food to the Bay Area. Some people we meet in depth, like Portland's Gabriel Rucker, and others are given short bursts of background info (Guy Fieri and Ree Drummand). I was particularly interested in the history of hot chicken and the story of Indian food in California, both of which reflect on business competition, different levels of personal ambition, and what happens when diners and chefs sense a trend. Be warned: Burn the Ice jumps around a bit and doesn't hold back on adult language. Alexander's examination of the rise and fall of the new millennium's food scene will be most appealing to those of us who are interested in food movements and the interplay between the food world, the economy, and cultural trends. My review of the audiobook edition will be available via AudioFile magazine.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: Good Books for Young and Old

Last week was insanely crazy with work. I had editing deadlines and writing deadlines all piled up on each other. But I still managed to finish five books and make progress on a sixth.

How did I do that? Mr. BFR was off fishing with his friends for the week. So I had all the time to myself. I read at all my meals, never turned on the TV, and had an audiobook on speakers whenever I could.

I'm happy he's back home, but I was also happy to get in so much reading time. Here's what I read.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Books 1–2, edited by Fancesca Cavallo and Elena Favilli (Listening Library; 6 hr, 59 min, June 19). Put this audiobook (sold in two parts on Audible) on your reading list. Buy it for the young people in your life. Listen to it yourself. As the subtitle says, this is a collection of "200 Tales of Extraordinary Women," and the stories are inspiring, moving, and empowering. Forget the target audience of middle grade girls. Rebel Girls is for everyone: all ages, all genders. The stories are short, really short—but each is a biography of a rebel woman from ancient history to the current century. Some of the people everyone's heard of, such as Jane Austen, Marie Curie, Qui Jin, Sappho, and Frida Kahlo. Others were totally new to me (though maybe you'll recognize the names): Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (president & scientist), Wang Zhenyi (astronomer), Maya Gabeira (surfer), Grace O'Malley (pirate), and Eufrosina Cruz (activist and politician). Each volume contains the stories of 100 women and girls, arranged alphabetically and spanning the world. This is not a Euro-centric collection, and the women profiled excelled at politics, sports, science, cultural change, the arts, and more. The overriding message is that girls can dream of doing whatever they want: they can be smart, brave, and strong and if you don't believe it, here are 200 true-life stories to prove it. I am recommending, nay insisting, that you listen to Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls because the two volumes are brilliantly read by a cast of fantastic audio performers, among them Mozhan Marnò, Janeane Garofalo, Esperanza Spalding, Ashley Judd, Alicia Keys, and Esperanza Spalding. My full audiobook review will be available at AudioFile magazine, but let me assure you there are no weak links in the performances or the stories. (copy for a freelance assignment)

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand (Little, Brown, June 19): If it's summer, it's time for a new Hilderbrand novel. I can't say I've read all 21 of Hilderbrand's books, but I can say I've never been disappointed. This year's outing combines all the expected Nantucket details, great characters, up-to-date plot, and good food with a murder mystery. Just days after the island is recovering from the Fourth of July celebrations and tourists, the very wealthy Garrison-Winburys are hosting their son's wedding. Greer has managed the entire event (with the help of the island's best wedding planner and caterers) because her future daughter-in-law, Celeste Otis, is completely focused on her mother, who is battling end-stage cancer. There are delicious subplots involving secret affairs, a social media influencer who slept with her ex-boss, an airport security agent looking for love, an antiques dealer involved in fraud, and a famous author facing her first rejection. Everyone seems to be hiding something, and the cops are having a hard time figuring out the sequence of events that ended in the death of the maid of honor in the dark hours after the rehearsal dinner. This smart, sharp story is one of the must-read books of the summer. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 12 hr, 8 min) read by Erin Bennett. She did a fantastic job with the accents, pacing, and characterizations. I was captivated by her unforced expressiveness and easy-to-listen to voice. Get out your beach towel, pour yourself some expensive rum, put in your earbuds, and get ready for a trip to Nantucket. (audiobook copy provided by the publisher)

Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne (HMH Books for Young Readers, May 1): I love classic retellings and I love how Donne reimagined Jane Eyre as a futuristic, space age story. Earth is in the grips of an Ice Age, but the lucky humans are safe in space ships, orbiting the planet until it's safe to return to ground. Stella Ainsley was sent to live on an orphan ship after being rejected by her rich aunt. Despite becoming both a teacher and an accomplished engineer, she wants more out of life. So when offered a job as governess on a privately owned ship, the Rochester, she accepts, ignoring rumors that the ship is haunted. From there, the plot riffs on the main plot points of Jane Eyre, keeping all the familiar parts of the story—for example, Aunt Reed, a crew member named Poole, a secretive boss, and laughter in the night—but setting them on a space ship with cool technology. Stella is pretty kickass and doesn't let her heart get in the way of doing what she knows is right for humanity, herself, and her friends. I especially like the fact that Donne didn't hesitate to dispense with some of the original story arcs, thus keeping the story moving forward to a satisfying ending. If you haven't read Jane Eyre, you would still enjoy Brightly Burning, but a lot of the fun for me was recognizing characters and events from the classic. (review copy provided by the publisher)

A People's History of the Vampire Uprising by Raymond A. Villareal (Mulholland, June 5): Sometime in the near future a CDC virology researcher is sent to Arizona to investigate a suspicious death, but when Lauren arrives at the morgue, she's told the body has been stolen. Officials, however, can show her the body of another person who seemed to die under similar circumstances. Later that night, she's told the body got up and walked away. That day is forever known as Day 1 of the Nogales organic blood illness (NOBI). The story of what happens next is told a series of reports, newspaper articles, FBI documents, diaries, and interviews. The format is slightly derivative (see Mira Grant's Newsflesh trilogy or Sylvain Neuvel's Themis Files), but plot itself is unique, and the different perspectives on the vampire phenomenon are well thought out. For example, if people were infected by a virus that turned them into vampires, would they have rights under various disability laws? What if those people asked to be turned into vampires? Everyone has opinions on this and all kinds of other issues and complications caused by the rise of the vampires (called Gloamings in the book), including Hollywood, the Vatican, and Washington, DC. Meanwhile, Lauren and her team are interested in trying to isolate the virus and perhaps find a cure, and those acts are also considered controversial. A People's History of the Vampire Uprising is a fun addition to the vampire genre. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio, 13 hr, 26 min) is read by 10 narrators, including Christine Lakin, Robert Petkoff, and Karissa Vacker. I've grown quite fond of full-cast productions, especially when everyone does a good job. The expressive and well-matched performances added to my overall enjoyment of the story. (print and audiobook copies provided by the publisher)

The City on the Other Side by Mairghread Scott, illustrated by Robin Robinson (First Second, April 24): Isabel lives in San Francisco with her high-society mother, who is more concerned with her own life than that of her daughter's. If it weren't for the household staff, Isabel would be left totally alone. When she is taken to live with her artist father for the summer, Isabel is even more isolated. Her dad has no household staff and spends all his time in his studio. One day when playing in the woods, she finds a fay who has crossed the veil into the human world. As Isabel touches him she is transported to an alternate San Francisco, where two fairy factions are at war. Before the fay dies, he gives Isabel the power to bring peace, if only she can find the rightful prince and heir to the throne. With the help of some new friends, she sets out to find the prince. The City on the Other Side is a fun middle grade comic about a lonely girl who finds her courage and learns to make friends. There's plenty of action as she escapes the bad guys and figures out who is trustworthy and who isn't. The illustrations clearly show the action and the characters' emotions, and the fanciful creatures, including a delightful friendly mushroom, are unique and well rendered. Recommended for younger readers who like adventure and fantasy. (copy provided by the publisher)

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8 Audiobooks for Early Spring

My favorite part of spring is that the days are getting longer, which leaves me plenty of evening daylight for walking, yardwork, and (eventually) gardening. Of course, all that outdoor activity is prime time for listening to an audiobook. Despite this week’s snow, I’m optimistic that good weather is just days away. Fortunately, I don’t have to wait for a good audiobook. Here are 8 books for late-March listening.

• I’m looking forward to listening to Laura Thompson’s Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life (Brilliance Audio; 20 hr, 46 min), read by Pearl Hewitt. This biography of the maven of mysteries is written by an experienced biographer (The Six) and read by an experienced narrator. I think Hewitt’s light British accent and clear diction will pull me in.
• Although I tend to like Anna Quindlen’s nonfiction more than her fiction, it’s hard to resist her new novel, Alternate Side (Brilliance Audio; 7 hr, 40 min), because it’s read by Ellen Archer. Archer’s wide range of voices and engaging delivery is sure to enliven to this story of a family coping with a neighborhood tragedy.
• Kate Rorick’s The Baby Plan (Harper Audio; 11 hr, 18 min) explores three different kinds of twenty-first-century pregnancies. Eva Kaminsky’s fun, expressive narration should bring out both the humor of the story and the frustrations of the women as they face the realities of their upcoming little miracles.
• It’s hard to believe that the Maisie Dobbs series is up to number 14! Narrator Orlagh Cassidy is back to perform To Die but Once by Jacqueline Winspear (Harper Audio; 10 hr, 29 min). Cassidy took over the series at audiobook 3, and fans say she is the voice of Maisie. I love her accents and engaging performances.

• Dennis Boutsikaris and Dagmara Dominczyk team up to perform the heartbreaking Every Note Played by Lisa Genova (Simon & Schuster Audio; 8 hr, 2 min). Boutsikaris and Dominczyk are known for rendering lively dialogue and impactful narrative, skills that should shine in this story of two pianists, a marriage, and a devastating illness.
• I’m a Scott Westerfeld fan and can't wait to listen to his new book, Peeps (Listening Library; 8 hr, 10 min), read by Joshua Swanson. Swason’s youthful voice and good comedic timing will be perfect for this story of a college student who becomes an unwitting vampire maker after encountering a strange woman.
• Women’s relationships, family, and cooking come together in The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman (Macmillan Audio; 10 hr, 18 min), read by Susan Bennett. Bennett is well able to create believable voices for characters of all ages and personalities, which makes it easy for listeners to make strong connections to the story.
• Set in Morocco, Christine Mangan’s Tangerine (Harper Audio; 9 hr, 28 min) is about a marriage, a friendship, life in a strange world, and the deep secrets we all keep. I have faith that veteran narrators Barrie Kreinik and Erin Mallon will build the appropriate unsettling mood for this atmospheric historical novel.

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: The Mixed-Reviews Edition

Yawn! I hate the spring change to Daylight Savings Time. The fall doesn’t bother me, but it will take me all week to get used to waking up an hour early. I am happy about extra light at the end of the workday, but it’s so hard to adjust!

We’re slowing catching up on all the shows we missed during the February sports/speical events. Fortunately, neither of us is a basketball fan, so we’re spared March Madness.

Coming up this week I have a fun post over at the AudioFile Magazine blog in celebration of Pi Day. If you’re an audiobook fan, be sure to click on over on Wednesday afternoon.

What I Read Last Week

The Hunger by Alma Katsu (Putnam, March 6): I’ve always had a fascination with the Donner Party story; people do desperate things in desperate situations. In this reimagining of history, Katsu provides a paranormal/spooky element to explain the wagon train’s misfortunes. You don’t have to know anything about the facts to enjoy the story, but if you’re familiar with the names and places (such as Jim Bridger and Chimney Rock) then the novel will be just that much more fun. I really loved the way Katsu mixed the facts with a good dose of creep factor. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I was particularly impressed with the way she provided an explanation for why only some of the survivors admitted to cannibalism. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 10 hr, 34 min) was nicely read by Kirsten Potter. Her expressiveness added to the undercurrent of forboding and picked up on the characters’ personalities. Even better, I was grateful she didn’t give the ending away. Recommended in print or audio. (review copy)

The Spring Girls by Anna Todd (Gallery, January 2) I love modern-day retellings of beloved classics. It’s fun to see what favorite characters would be like if they could be transported a century or two into the future. Thus I was eager to read Todd’s version of Little Women. In this story the Spring sisters live on an army base near New Orleans while their father is deployed overseas. Their mother, renamed Meredith, has a hard time coping, and Meg, Jo, and Beth pitch in to help; Amy is too young to contribute much. That’s about where the similarities end. I found it very hard to connect the Spring sisters to the March girls, and it had nothing to do with the contemporary issues young women faced, such as social media, sex, and high school. Instead, this retelling just seemed to lack all the charm of the original. Amy is a spoiled brat, Beth is basically the family servant, the mom is emotionally absent, Laurie wears a man-bun and is half Italian, Meg is boy crazy, and Jo is clueless. Ugh. If I hadn’t had to listen to the audiobook for a freelance assignment I would have quit early on. The unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 11 hr, 25 min) was read by Cassandra Campbell, Joy Osmanski, Erin Mallon, and Madeliene Maby. Their performances were fine (except Laurie is given a stilted and weirdly accented voice) but couldn’t save this retelling. (more on the audiobook at AudioFile magazine)

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi and read by the fabulous Bahni Turpin (Macmillan Audio; 18 hr, 9 min): I don’t know why, but I ended up bailing after about 90 minutes. I love Turpin’s performance, and I usually enjoy anything in the fantasy genre, but I just wasn’t getting swept into the story. I decided not to return the audiobook to Audible because I may give it another chance. I think part of my issue may have been one of language—the book contains quite a few non-English words and without a glossary and without seeing the words in the print, I think I simply kept getting lost; I was even having trouble remembering who the bad guys were. This book may be a good candidate for a print and audio combo read or maybe I’m simply better off reading this one with my eyes. I provided a short description of the book last week. (personal copy)

Brazen written and illustrated by Pénélope Bagieu (First Second, March 6): I loved this collection of short biographies of 29 women who bucked tradition, expectations, or the law to fulfill their potentials and/or to make a difference in the world. The audience for this fabulous graphic / comic book is adult, though I wouldn’t hesitate to share it with teens or even middle grade readers (your own boundaries for young readers may differ from mine). I was familiar with some of the women, such as Temple Grandin (a scientist who is on the autism spectrum), Nellie Bly (fearless investigative journalist), and Josephine Baker (singer / dancer and French spy), but there were many other women who were new to me, such as Annette Kellerman (polio survivor, swimmer, feminist), Wu Zwtian (a Tang dynasty empress), and Sonita Alizadeh (an Iranian rapper). The artwork is expressive, colorful, and easy to follow. You may want to read this book all in one or go (as I did) or read only a biography or two at time. Perfect for Women’s History Month and a volume you’ll want in your permanent collection. (review copy)

Book Lists

I love themed lists of books (which comes as no surprise to those of you who read my weekly round-ups). Here are three that caught my eye last week.

• Esquire magazine’s “25 Best True Crime Books Everyone Should Read”: I’ve read only a handful of the books on this list, but most of the others were already on my radar. Two of the recommendations (Helter Skelter and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark) were among the scariest books I’ve ever read—these are true stories (yikes!).
• Bustle’s “21 Sci-Fi Books to Read after You Watch Annihilation”: Although I’m not quite sure I’d call them all science fiction (Welcome to Night Vale is on the list), most of the recommended titles look good to me. I’ve read very few of them.
• Southern Living magazine’s “50 Books from the Last 50 Years That Everyone Should Read at Least Once”: There are some awesome, amazing books on this list (A Thousand Acres is one of my favorites), but there are also books that I know everyone loved but me (for example, Let the Great World Spin). Still this is a solid list, and I’d like to read many of the titles I’ve missed.

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7 Books for Speculative Fiction Fans

November is a great month for speculative fiction fans. Nothing is better than escaping to another world when pre-holiday stress gets to be too much. Here are seven recent and forthcoming fantasy and science-fiction books to ease you into the end-of-year shopping and socializing frenzy.

• Artemis by Andy Weir (Crown, Nov. 14): The first city on the moon is dominated by the rich and richer, so what's a lowly porter to do? Jazz supplements her resources by smuggling and taking odd (illegal) jobs, one of which exposes her to information that threatens her life and could change the power structure of the lunar settlement.
• City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty (Harper Voyager, Nov. 14): In the Ottoman Empire, family-less street urchins must get by as best they can, and Nahri earns her keep by reading fortunes, healing the sick, and indulging in a little thievery. She has plans for a better future, until she unwittingly awakens a djinn and discovers she can't escape her past or her fate.
• The Complete Sookie Stackhouse Stories by Charlaine Harris (Ace, Nov. 21): Whether you're a fan of the original books or met Sookie through the HBO's True Blood, you'll love revisiting Bon Temps, LA, for more fun with your favorite not-quite-human friends. The ten stories are gathered into a single volume for the first time.
• Jade City by Fonda Lee (Orbit, Nov. 7): In an alternative Chinese world, jade is the key to magical abilities, and families vie for control, especially after the development of a power-enhancing drug. This adult fantasy involves clan wars, family loyalty, and life outside the law. Kirkus made comparisons to the Godfather books.

• Otherworld by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller (Delacorte, Oct. 31): Billed as a kind of Westworld for teens, this science-fiction thriller explores the future of full-experience gaming, in which players believe they face no limits or consequences. Instead of the Wild West, expect familiar fantasy elements, such as dragons and wizards.
• This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada (Simon Pulse, Nov. 7): When a devastating plague hits a high-tech future world, a teenage gene hacker races to find, understand, and produce her late-father's potential vaccine. The lines between friends and enemies, truth and fiction blur in this action-adventure science fiction tale.
• The Wild Book by Juan Villoro (Restless Books, Nov. 14): Who can resist a story in which books (literary) come alive, moving on their own and stealing from each other. This coming-of-age story for middle grade readers is set in Mexico and will appeal to book lovers and fans of magical realism.

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Giveaway: Lockwood & Co. by Jonathan Stroud

Are you ready for Halloween and the spooky time of year? Do you and your family like a little supernatural fun and young heroes saving the day? If so (with thanks to Disney-Hyperion), have I got the books for you: the Lockwood & Co. series by Jonathan Stroud.

I've only just started this creepy series about the hoard of ghosts, specters, and other evil spirits that has descended on London. Of course, everyone wants the city to be free of the otherworldly beings, but it seems that humanity can be saved only by the young, who have the power to see their foes.

Among the many ghost-busting agencies that have sprung up around the London, is Lockwood & Co., a completely youth-run operation manned by Lucy, Anthony, and George. The trio takes up a variety of spooky cases that are part exorcism, part mystery, and always creepy. The kids have to outsmart the ghouls and rival agencies, while they learn from their mistakes and their relationships grow and change.

Thanks to Disney-Hyperion, you too can get to know the Lockwood gang through Jonathan Stroud's books. Here's a brief look at what they're all about:

• In book 1, The Screaming Staircase (published in 2013), we meet our heroes as they are tapped to investigate a haunted house.
• In book 2, The Whispering Skull (published in 2014), Lockwood & Co. comes into conflict with the rival Fittes agents while investigating a possible grave robbery.
• In book 3, The Hollow Boy (published in 2015), the team gains a new member while they investigate a murder.
• The newest book, which was just released, is The Creeping Shadow, which focuses on Lucy and her involvement with taming a legendary cannibal.

One thing I really love about Stroud is his sense of humor and how he uses it as a foil for the scary bits. To get a sense of both his style and the artwork that introduces each chapter, take a look at this scan of the first page of The Creeping Shadow (click the image to enlarge; to read the whole first chapter, click the link):

To learn more about Jonathan Stroud and the Lockwood books, visit the official Lockwood website, follow Disney-Hyperion on Twitter and Instagram, and follow hashtag #LockwoodandCo on all your social media.

Giveaway Details

Thanks to Disney-Hyperion I can offer one of my readers with a USA mailing address the following awesome prize pack. Not only will the winner receive all four Lockwood & Co. books by Jonathan Stroud but he or she will also get this really cool pumpkin carving kit, complete with carving tools and a design book.

All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win this fantastic prize pack is to fill out the following form with your USA mailing address. I'll pick a winner using a random number generator on October 27. After the winner has been confirmed and the address has been passed along to Disney, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck!

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Today's Read: Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger

Imagine that you had psychic abilities. What would your responsibilities be—to the dead, to the living, and to yourself? Finley Montgomery is aware that her grandmother has helped solved crimes, can she do the same?

Daddy was on the phone talking soft and low, dropping behind them on the path. Nothing new. He was always on the phone—or on the computer. Penny knew that her daddy loved her, but she also knew that he was almost never paying attention. He was "busy, sweetie," or "with a client," or "just a minute honey, Daddy's talking to someone." He was a good storyteller, a bear-hugger, always opened his arms to her, lifted her high, or took her into his lap while he worked at his desk. Mommy couldn't lift her anymore, but Daddy still could. She loved the feel of him, the smell of him. He was never angry, always funny, but sometimes she had to say his name like one hundred times before he heard her, even when she was right next to him.

—Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger (Touchstone, 2016, p. 1; Prologue)

Quick Facts

• Setting: modern times, the Hollows (a town in the Catskills, New York)
• Circumstances: A young girl is kidnapped while on vacation with her family. Although it's been a little more than a year, the girl's mother, Merri, is back in the Hollows after hiring a local PI, Jones Cooper, to try one more time to find her Abbey. Cooper turns to Eloise, a psychic whom he's worked with on other cases, but discovers that her granddaughter Finley is the one who seems to have made a connection with spirits who can help them locate the missing child. Can Cooper and Finely figure out what happened to Abbey?
  
• Genre, style: thriller / mystery with paranormal elements told from alternating points of view 
• Themes: family; marriage; responsibility to oneself and one's community; how to live with psychic abilities
• Characters: Finley Montgomery, a college student with psychic abilities; Eloisa, her grandmother, with whom Finley lives; Rainer, Finley's tattoo artist boyfriend; Abbey Gleason, the missing girl; Merri, Wolf, and Jackson Gleason, Abbey's family; Jones Cooper, ex-policeman, now PI; various people from the Hollows; people whom Abbey meets; the Gleasons' friends and family in Manhattan; other missing people and children
• Things I liked: The slow build up of the tension and the underlying creep factor. Finley's struggle with her psychic abilities: how to control her visions and how to interpret them, when to trust herself and when to listen to her grandmother and Cooper. The chapters told from the missing girl's point of view had a youthful feel and made me shudder.
• Things I didn't like: Some parts of the Gleasons' personal and family life were distracting. I liked getting to know Abbey's family, but I was more interested in Finley, the Hollows, and the case.
• Something to know: Although Unger has set other novels in the Hollows (what a creepy place!), Ink and Bone can be read as a stand-alone with no problem.
• Recommendations: I generally liked the book a lot, even though parts of the story veered off from the main plot. It's a quick read with decent tension, a few surprises, and a creepy feel. Some of the chapters told from Abbey's point of view were initially confusing, but all made sense in the end. This psychological thriller with a paranormal bent and good characters is a great choice for an afternoon at the pool.
• Notes on the audiobook: I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Simon & Schuster Audio; 11 hr, 49 min), read by Molly Pope. I think this was my first time with Pope, and I enjoyed her performance. The narration was expressive, and Pope did a particularly good job capturing Abbey's voice and distinguishing among the characters. There were times when she came close to too dramatic for my tastes, but she never crossed the line. I can recommend the audio, and I liked Pope enough to see what else she's narrated. I bet she'd be great reading middle grade or YA.

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3 Picks for Fantasy / Speculative Fiction Fans

One of my favorite reading indulgences is fantasy and speculative fiction (though not science fiction). Here are three recommendations--each geared to a different age group, and I plan to read them all.

• Winterwood by Jacey Bedford: Set in England in 1800, this is an alternate history, fantasy/adventure geared to an adult audience. Our hero is Captain Rossalinde Tremaync, a cross-dressing privateer who's also a secret witch. Reviewers say this first in a new series has good world building and plenty of action, making it an engaging read. Keywords & themes: ghosts, fae, dark magic, ancient wrongs, new allies, treasure hunt, mystery. Data: Daw Books, February 2016
• I Woke Up Dead at the Mall by Judy Sheehan: Set in contemporary times mostly in the Mall of America, this is a combination of paranormal, humor, and speculative fiction geared to a young adult audience. Our hero is Sarah Evans a teenager from New York City who was accidentally poisoned and sent to purgatory at the mall. Reviewers say this a fun read, escape reading peppered with humor and deadly puns. Keywords & themes: life after death, friendship, righting wrongs, changing the future, self-discovery, a little postmortem romance Data: Delacorte Press, March 2016
• The Secrets of Solace by Jaleigh Johnson: Set in the make-believe land of Solace this is a fantasy with steampunk elements geared to a middle grade audience Our hero is Lina Winterbock, who is a young but ambitious archivist known to be far thinking and a bit of rule breaker. Reviewers say it's set in the same world as Mark of the Dragonfly (click for my review), but can easily be read as a stand-alone. They note the slow start but assure us we will be well-rewarded by the end. Keywords & themes: resourcefulness, calculated rebellion, friendship, adventure, a world at war Data: Delcorte Books for Young Readers, March 2016

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Sound Recommendations: The Cainsville Series by Kelley Armstrong

If you recall, I really enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's Omens, the first book in her Cainsville Series. I finally got around to listening to the latest two books, Visions and Deceptions over the holiday break. I'm sticking with my earlier description of this series as "paranormal light." Yes, there are some otherworldly creatures (like Fae and goblins) and, yes, some people have special abilities (to see omens, for example), but the story is more about solving a mystery,  the power (or not) of myths and fate, and learning the truth behind a decidedly weird town.

The main characters are Olivia Taylor-Jones, adopted socialite; Gabriel Walsh, her friend, lawyer, and boss; and Ricky Gallagher, her MBA-earning biker boyfriend. Their complex relationship underlies the books and is tied into the overall plot. Don't groan, though, this is not a YA love triangle.

Visions and Deceptions offer plenty of action (shootings, stalkings), a good creep factor (abandoned psych hospital, dead bodies, mysterious town), hot sex, and well-developed characters. The multi-layered mysteries involve Fae, serial ritualistic murders, and ancient rivalries. I had a couple moments of wanting to shout, "Don't go in there, you idiot!" but overall, I thought the story was strong and the paranormal elements held my attention. Although I guessed where some plot lines were headed, I was surprised by others. The ending of Deceptions was satisfying, but keeps the door open for more Cainsville books.

The audiobooks (Penguin Audio: 15 hr, 2 min; 14 hr, 43 min) are read by Carine Montbertrand and Mozhan Marno, who alternate chapters, depending on the narrative's perspective. I'm not convinced that two narrators were needed, and I'm not in love with their performances. Why I opted to listen to all three books is a mystery in itself. If there are more Cainsville books, I think I'll switch to print.

Recommended to those who like a little paranormal mixed with their mystery and anyone who wants to give Armstrong a try. Note, however, you need to read the books in order. For more on the narrators and the setup of the series, check out my review of Omens.

Published by Dutton
Visions: published 2014, ISBN-13: 9780525953050
Deception: published 2015, ISBN-13: 9780525953067
Source: Review (print & audio) (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor

In case you don't know, Welcome to Night Vale is a wildly popular podcast that's part horror, part conspiracy theory, part humor, and definitely strange--in a good way. In twenty-five-minute segments, authors Joesph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor invite us into the odd world of Night Vale, a unique town somewhere in southwest desert of the United States.

The novel Welcome to Night Vale tells a stand-alone story that fits seamlessly into the Night Vale universe. Although fans will immediately feel at home, I wonder if those new to Night Vale will be just as enchanted. The very premise of the town--with it's not-so-secret surveillance, nonhuman residents, and inconsistent flow of time--may be difficult to grasp within the pages of a book.

The audiobook (Harper Audio; 12 hr, 3 min) is probably the better way to read the newest offering from Fink and Cranor. The novel presents a complete story about Diane, a single mom, and Jackie, a store owner who is perennially nineteen years old, and their relationship to a strange man who is remarkably forgettable. The book contains some of the podcast's usual segments (the traffic report, for example) as well as the signature unexplained events, weird characters, and complex connections.

Podcast listeners will be immediately drawn into the audiobook, thanks to narrator Cecil Baldwin's soothing and familiar voice (he is also the primary voice of the twice-monthly show). The plot is fun and mysterious, and I love some of the characters, especially Diane's son, Josh. I've always appreciated Night Vale's easy acceptance of sexual identity, individual differences, and lifestyle choices; all of that--plus an abundance of otherworldliness--is included in the novel.

I was excited to listen to the Welcome to Night Vale book because I love the podcasts, which always leave me wanting more. Unfortunately, the longer format didn't hold my attention very well. Perhaps because I'm used to the show's short format or perhaps because my brain can take only so much weirdness in one stretch.

Here's the good news: The audiobook production is outstanding. We're lucky that Baldwin was available to do the narration. Seriously, he is the voice of Night Vale, and I can't imagine anyone else carrying the script. The story is also classic Night Vale, which means everything I expect out of the podcast is found in the novel.

So my suggestion is to listen to the Welcome to Night Vale audiobook a chapter a day or only during your commute. Had I done that, I think I would have avoided burnout and a wandering attention.

Fans have to listen to the Welcome to Night Vale. You really have no other choice. You will not be disappointed, but do yourself the favor of listening to the story in shorter segments rather than in large chunks.

Watch out for the Glow Cloud, stay away from the library, and don't admit you've seen angels.

Published by HarperCollins / Harper Perennial, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780062351425
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Review: Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson

The premise for Rae Carson's initial entry in her new Gold Seer trilogy had my name written all over it: a little bit paranormal, a strong female protagonist, and set in the mid-1800s. I could expect wagon trains, good action, and believable relationships. I'm happy to report that Walk the Earth a Stranger didn't let me down.

Here are my thoughts in a bullet review.

• What's the basic plot? Leah (Lee) Westfall was born with a gift: she can feel (or divine) the presence of gold. This talent served her family well in the twilight of the Georgia gold rush, until her parents are brutally murdered, their secret stash of gold is stolen, and Lee is left an underage orphan under the care of her creepy, greedy uncle Hiram. With few resources and no one to turn to, Lee disguises herself as a boy and hurries to catch up with Jefferson McCauley, her childhood friend and neighbor who left a week earlier to join a wagon train to California. Although she turned down his offer to accompany him, she's counting on his promise to wait "a spell" in Independence, Missouri, before he heads west. The year is 1949, and Lee's talents will be welcome at Sutter's Fort, as gold fever overtakes a nation.

• Lee (and Jefferson): Lee is fifteen when the story opens, and as the only child to a family that must hide its wealth in order to hide her secret talent, she has learned to help her father on the farm. She is strong, hearty, and a great shot with a gun. It's reasonable that she could pass as a boy because she can do the work of any teenager and has the rough hands to prove it. She's smart, realistic, and resourceful, but not so clever as to not make mistakes. This is good because it makes her human and easy to relate to. Jefferson is her neighbor and her only true friend. He's been bullied for being half-Cherokee and he's been beaten by his mean father. He has nothing to lose by seeking a new life in the west. Their relationship seems inevitable, but it's not built on starry romance. Instead it will grow on friendship, understanding, and trust.

• The journey west: Carson doesn't romanticize the overland journey west: People die, animals die, people make bad decisions, wagons break down, food runs out. In 1849, before the Homestead Acts, there were few trading posts, towns, or other resources between Independence and the west coast. It was a rough, scary journey. The dynamics of the wagon train also played a part in the success of making it to California: decisions have to be made and people have to pull together. When the issues cannot be resolved, everyone faces the consequences. In addition, for Lee, dressed as a boy and running from her uncle, even getting to the Mississippi River is fraught with danger, and we feel Lee's fear every step of the way.

• Some doubts: The focus of the story is on Lee (and Jefferson), and thus not all of the secondary characters are fully developed. Some of the people and situations come across as representative of a kind: the white men who shoot buffalo and leave the carcasses behind, the short-sighted family that brings too many useless possessions, the dangers of crossing a river, a child who is almost lost on the prairie. Regardless, other characters are three-dimensional and grow and change over the course of the journey. I suspect these are the people we'll meet again in the follow-up books. I also had a couple of issues with some of the details surrounding the discovery of Lee's true gender. But these were minor problems for me.

• General thoughts: Despite a few weaknesses, I like Lee, I love the time period, and I like the premise. Walk on Earth a Stranger is clearly the setup for the fuller story to come. We've been introduced to Lee, who has shown her strength, and Jefferson, who has lived up to expectations. We know the friends, and we also know the enemies. Lee's gold sense will be the future focus: If there is gold in them thar hills, then she will certainly be able to find it.

• Recommendations: Yeah, yeah, I know. You're sick of trilogies, and you've vowed to stay away from YA. Get over it! Rae Carson's Walk on Earth a Stranger has a unique premise, great period details, lots of action, a believable romance, and no clear resolution. The story could go in several directions, and I suspect that Carson won't be sugar-coating life in mining camps -- especially for a young woman. This is a fast read, so pour your beverage of choice, settle into your favorite reading spot, and get ready to dream of gold.

Published by HarperCollins / Greenwillow Books, 2015
ISBN-13: 9780062242914
Source: Review (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Imprint Thursday: A Teen Quartet

If you're a long-time reader of Beth Fish Reads, don't be thrown off. No, this isn't Friday, but it is imprint day. I love several of HarperCollins's teen imprints, and today I'm featuring Katherine Tegen Books and HarperTeen. Here are my reactions to two recent releases from each imprint.

First up from Katherine Tegen Books is Norah Olson's Twisted Fate. This psychological thriller/mystery is a little bit creepy and maybe even disturbing, so you might want to keep the lights on when you're reading it. Two sisters, Ally and Syd, couldn't be more different, but when a new boy, Graham, moves into the neighborhood, they both eventually fall under his spell. Ally loses her heart completely to Graham, but Syd is less trusting. The story--which involves a missing child, teen romance, and family relationships--is told from several viewpoints. The clues are dropped slowly, and you'll be wondering which sister has the better instincts. The author is a former crime-beat journalist, so you can bet she gets the details just right. (age 13+; 9780062272041)

Kathleen Peacock's Willowgrove is the third book in her Hemlock trilogy (published by Katherine Tegen Books). I have to confess that I haven't read any of the books (Hemlock and Thornhill are the first two) yet because I needed to take a paranormal break. But now I'm back in the mood for some handsome weres, and this action-packed trilogy looks good. The series promises teen love, conflicts between good and evil, questionable medical experiments, and teenage friendships. Apparently Peacock is not afraid to kill off her characters, so there are no guarantees; anything could happen. The overall story starts with a murder, the rise of lupine syndrome (or werewolf virus), and deep secrets. This paranormal/romance is not for the faint of heart. (age 14+; 9780062048714)

What's a young adult roundup without a little dystopian fiction? Tom Isbell's The Prey (from Harper Teen) imagines a world that has been devastated by a mega radiation event, which destroyed all electronics. A couple of decades later, in the Republic of the True America, children are captured and raised for use in medical experiments and for much more evil purposes. The divide between the haves and have-nots has never been wider. Twin sisters Hope and Faith, with the help of some boys, escape their captors, setting off a nonstop-action story as the group fights for survival and freedom. Told from alternating viewpoints, this novel offers a lot of excitement but is a little light on world building. It is the first in a planned trilogy, so perhaps more details will be revealed in the next book. (age 13+; 9780062216014)

Michelle Falkoff's Playlist for the Dead (from Harper Teen) touches on several difficult issues, including bullying and suicide. When Sam discovers Hayden's death by suicide, he uses the playlist suicide note to try to understand what happened. As he works his way through the songs, Sam begins to connect with new people and learns some surprising things about his best friend. Despite some beautifully written passages and a sensitive handling of gut-wrenching topics, Falkoff's contemporary fiction debut doesn't quite hold up. Among the problems, I found the playlist to be a bit gimmicky, often not adding much to the plot, and the pacing had a stop-and-start feel rather than a flow. Although not a five-star novel, readers interested in teen problems, might want to give it a try. (ages 13+; 9780062310507)

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Today's Read: Compulsion by Martina Boone

What if you lived your whole life in complete ignorance of your extended family? When Barrie Watson's mother dies and her godfather can no longer care for her, the teen learns not only that she's the ultimate heir to a family plantation, located clear across the country on a South Carolina island, but that her mother has a living twin sister. What else will Barrie discover after she settles in to her new home in the east?

The heat that crept into the airport baggage area whenever the door opened should have told Barrie Watson that she had arrived in hell. But it wasn't the Charleston weather, or the fact that her mother's sister, who she'd never even heard of before the funeral, was three hours late picking her up. Neither of those things kept Barrie's butt glued on top of her suitcase and her eyes on the door.

It was hope that kept her stuck, that stole her breath and made her eyes smart every time some likely looking woman rushed in and scanned the nearly empty area around the luggage carousels. Barrie hated hope. Too often, it was a Go Directly to Jail card that led to disappointment.

—Compulsion by Martina Boone (Simon & Schuster / Simon Pulse, 2014, p. 1)

Quick Facts

• Setting: Watson Island, South Carolina; modern times
• Circumstances: When Barrie's mother dies, she moves in with her aunt on the family plantation and learns that the Watsons are entangled in a three-hundred-year-old history with the other two main families on the island. That history, Barrie soon realizes, involves blessings, curses, secrets, and perhaps a little witchcraft.
• Characters: Barrie Watson, who has the gift of finding things; Charles (Eight) Beaufort, who has the gift of knowing what people want; Cassie Colesworth who is cursed with never getting what she wants; the teens' relatives and others on the island
• Genre and audience: Southern Gothic, contemporary fiction; cross-over young adult to adult
• Themes & story elements: curses, family feuds and secrets, murder, revenge, Native American spirits, folk lore, pirates, voodoo, love, loss, loneliness, trust, family, friendship, death
• Character development & plot: This was a slow start but is now picking up speed; Barrie is smart, somewhat impulsive, and knows how to stand up for herself; the romance aspect was predictable and a bit quick but is believable enough; Eight (not crazy about the nickname) has a few flaws to keep him real; Cassie's true self is easy to spot (though apparently not to Barrie).
• Things I like so far: The strong Gothic elements; the unearthing of family secrets (and maybe treasure) drew me in and is keeping me there; I like the adults in Barrie's life (Aunt Pru and godfather Mark)
• Recommendations: For fans of Southern Gothic and stories with voodoo, curses, and family secrets
• Miscellaneous: The first in the new Heirs of Watson Island series; hoping this doesn't end on a cliff-hanger

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Review: Omens by Kelley Armstrong

Has it really been almost a year since Kelley Armstrong's Omens appeared in my mailbox? When I learned the second book in the Cainsville series was due out in August, I knew I'd better start reading.

I've been thinking about how to describe Omens and keep coming back to the term paranormal light. This novel is perfect for readers who've been curious about Armstrong but who don't generally like books with otherworldly creatures in them. No werewolves or vampires here. There is a bit of a creepy factor; a strange small town; and some second sight, superstitions, old wives' tales, and folk legends. All you anti-paranormal readers need not shy away from Omens. This may be your gateway novel to Armstrong's writing.

• What's it about? High-society Olivia Taylor-Jones discovers at age twenty-four that she was adopted. When she is told why her true identity was kept a secret--that she is really the daughter of two serial killers--she goes underground to avoid the press and to take some pressure off her widowed mother and her politically ambitious finance. Acting on a tip, she moves to Cainsville, a hard-to-find small town an hour from her native Chicago. What she learns there about herself, her parents, and life in general makes up the bulk of the story.
• Olivia. Olivia is a smart young woman whose life is suddenly turned upside down. For a number of reasons, she decides to leave home and thus must experience the real world, including finding an affordable apartment and getting a job. She adapts pretty well to being poor, but then again, she has a really strong safety net (she can always ask her mother for money, and she will have access to her huge trust fund in a few months). Regardless, she is likeable as she struggles with finding her new niche and new self-image. Although her mother and fiance are not strongly developed, the people she meets in Cainsville are more fully realized, especially a defense lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, with whom she teams up to investigate the truth about her birth parents (the Larsens) and about her own heritage.
• Cainsville. The small town is filled with colorful characters. I don't want to say quirky because that implies a whimsy that doesn't exist; the citizens of Olivia's new home have a darker, deeper aspect to them. And, in fact, the town itself is a bit, shall we say, off, with its gargoyles, lack of a church, constant population size, and isolation. It's almost Stepford like--you just know there's a secret history there.
• Themes and genre. As I mentioned, Omens steps away from Kelley Armstrong's usual paranormal genre. It is a suspenseful, mystery/thriller that is as much about the investigation of the Larsens and their guilt or innocence as it is about Olivia discovering her place in the world and reconsidering her future. The title of book comes from Olivia's knack for seeing and interpreting omens (especially birds and poppies) and her strong superstitions (never leave your shoes upside down; keep the opening of your pillowcases facing out). Armstrong infuses the story with a thread of unease, but much of the action and Olivia's dilemmas are solidly grounded.
• Recommendation and general thoughts. Omens is the start of a new series, and as such, Armstrong spends some time familiarizing us with Cainsville and its inhabitants. The novel doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but several major story lines are left open-ended, and we have to wait for book two (coming out in a few weeks!) to get more answers. Overall, I really enjoyed Omens and zipped through the audiobook fairly quickly because I found it hard to step away from the story. I was caught up in several of the plot arcs, especially the one about Olivia's parents and, of course, the underlying question, What's the deal with Cainsville? I'm recommending Omens as a promising start to a complex series, with the warning that you'll need to keep on reading future installments to get the full story.
• Audiobook. The unabridged audiobook (Penguin Audio; 14 hr, 40 min) is narrated by Carine Montbertrand and Mozhan Marno. Montebertrand was the primary narrator, and I'm not a huge fan of hers, although she didn't do a bad job. Marno put in a stronger performance, and I was slightly disappointed when her chapters ended. I'm not quite sure why the producers felt it was necessary to have two narrators for this book; I don't think it added much to the story. If the narrators are the same for Visions (the second Cainsville book), I think I'll be reading instead of listening.

Published by Penguin Group USA / Dutton, 2013
ISBN-13: 9780525953043
Source: Review (print); bought (audio) (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Giveaway: Diana Bishop's Commonplace Book by Deborah Harkness

Have I told you lately that one of my most anticipated books of the summer is Deborah Harkness's The Book of Life? It's the third installment in her All Souls trilogy, and although I will be sorry to say good-bye to historian-witch Diana Bishop and vampire-scientist Matthew Clairmont, I can't wait to see how the story plays out. Now, how many days is it until the July 15 release date?

In case you're unfamiliar with the books, check out my thoughts on the first two entries: A Discovery of Witches (plus a wine recommendation!) and Shadow of Night (a more traditional review). Oh, and if you're an audiobook fan (like I am) don't hesitate to listen. The audios are bewitching (ha!).

Are you pacing around until you can buy The Book of Life? I have something that will make the time pass quickly. Check out this very, very cool giveaway for one of my readers. It's a copy of Diana Bishop's very own Commonplace Book; it's set up to look handwritten and includes a variety of her thoughts and collected data. This book is not for sale and can be obtained only through an author event or one of the several blogger giveaways. Check out the photos of the inside of the book (click the image to enlarge). Don't you need to have a copy? I know I want one.

I was going to write up my own description of this All Souls extra, but instead, I'm going right to the source. Here's what author Deborah Harkness has to say about the Commonplace Book (text from her website):

Inside, there are all the pages Diana describes in SHADOW OF NIGHT and more: a floorplan of the Old Lodge, snippets of poetry, some passages from a grimoire, astrological insights. It’s a mini-record of Diana’s few days in Woodstock before she and Matthew left for Sept-Tours and it’s accurate down to the splotches of ink, the faint traces of plants she pressed into the pages, and the color of the cover (the sticker is removable!). There are even blank pages, so you can put your own commonplaces in it, if you are lucky enough to receive one: notes of births and deaths, passages from favorite books, books you want to read. You’ll be walking in Diana’s footsteps when you do!

How to enter the giveaway: Because the Commonplace Book will be mailed from the publishers, you must provide a U.S. mailing address to be entered for a chance to win. Just fill out the following form and I'll pick a winner via random number generator on July 1. After the winner has been confirmed, I'll delete all personal information from my computer.

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Review: Hexed by Michelle Krys

Last week I mentioned I was reading Hexed by Michelle Krys on the train to New York to attend Book Expo America. I finished the novel just before I got into the city, and I recommended it to several people over the course of the week.

Sixteen-year-old Indigo Blackwood is the best friend of the most popular girl at her Los Angeles high school. She has blond hair, is a cheerleader, and dates the captain of the football team. She also has the third highest GPA in her school, which she is quick to let you know. There are, however, just a few tiny problems with her life, including the fact that her mom owns an occult store and sometimes even tries to casts spells.

Regardless, Indigo is usually content with the status quo, until the day she witnesses an unexplained accident near her mom's shop. From that moment on, she becomes entangled in an centuries-old battle between the witches and warlocks of the Family and the sorcerers of the Priory. Of course, there is a cute guy, a nerdy neighbor who turns out to be not so bad, some family secrets, and few witchy powers. There is also plenty of action and not every situation has a predictable outcome.

Hexed is a fast-paced young adult paranormal story with plenty to love. I liked Indigo's growth as she went from being obsessively focused on her social status to realizing that true friends are not necessarily found among the cool kids. I also enjoyed getting to know Bishop, an eighteen-year-old warlock who becomes Indigo's mentor. Although I was sure romance would bloom, it was fun to read their initial almost-hostile banter, and their relationship developed in a believable way.

Despite the Priory guys' tendency toward violence, I had to laugh at their obvious imitation of some of Hollywood's famous villains. And, in fact, Krys uses humor to lighten some of the darker moments of the book, which is a plus, especially for younger readers.

The primary negative is that the back story of the feud between the Family and the Priory remains somewhat murky. I hope Krys intends to address the history between the two groups in the next book, which would add a nice layer of depth to the novel.

All in all, I recommend Hexed to anyone looking for a cute read (and I don't mean that in a bad way). Indigo's world is not complex and sophisticated, making her story perfect for a summer afternoon. The intended audience is for younger teens, but Krys kept my attention throughout and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

A note on the audiobook. I listened to the unabridged audio edition (Listening Library; 8 hr, 34 min), read by Tai Alexandra Ricci. This is my first experience with Ricci, and I thought she did a great job capturing the personality of the teenage Indigo. She was particularly attentive to her pacing, pulling me into the action just as easily as she kept me invested in the sadder moments of the story. Ricci wasn't as strong with her adult male vocalizations, but that didn't stop me from liking the audiobook.

Published by Random House / Delacorte Books for Young Readers, June 10, 2014
ISBN-13: 9780385743372
Source: Review (print & audio) (see review policy)
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy)

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Reading on the Train

As many of you know, I'm in New York this week at Book Expo America, a huge publishing industry event. Here's what I took to read on the train.

Hexed by Michelle Krys is a YA book (Delacorte Press, ISBN-13 9780385743372) that will be available in stores on June 10. Of the three books I'm taking with me, this is the only one I've already started. Instead of carting the hardcover with me to New York, though, I've switched to the audiobook. So far, I'm enjoying the story of Indigo Blackwood, who at age sixteen learns that members of her family were witches. She won't know if she's inherited the witch gene until her 200th full moon, coming up in just a couple of days. The time period is now; the city is Los Angeles. There is a cute guy, but Indigo isn't even sure she likes him. And don't let the fact that she's on the cheerleading squad get in the way; she's quick to point out that she has the third highest GPA in her high school. Can't wait to see how it all plays out.

Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf is an adult book (Mira Books, ISBN-13 9780778316336) that hits the stores on June 24. I haven't started it yet, but I'm taking the paperback with me on the train. Here's part of the publisher's summary; doesn't it sound great?

Veteran social worker Ellen Moore has seen the worst side of humanity--the vilest acts one person can commit against another. She is a fiercely dedicated children's advocate and a devoted mother and wife. But one blistering summer day, a simple moment of distraction will have repercussions that Ellen could never have imagined. . . .

Meanwhile, ten-year-old Jenny Briard has been living with her well-meaning but irresponsible father since her mother left them, sleeping on friends' couches and moving in and out of cheap motels. When Jenny suddenly finds herself on her own . . . the last thing she wants is a social worker. . . .

A powerful and emotionally charged tale about motherhood and justice, Little Mercies is a searing portrait of the tenuous grasp we have on the things we love the most, and of the ties that unexpectedly bring us together.

Finally, Karen Harrington's Sure Signs of Crazy is a middle grade book (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, ISBN-13 9780316210492) that's just out in paperback and audiobook. I've had this one on my reading list for almost a year, and for some reason I just didn't get around to it. I have the audio edition loaded up on my phone for the train ride home. Again, I haven't started this yet, so I'll leave you with the publisher's summary; you gotta love a character who collects words:

You've never met anyone exactly like twelve-year-old Sarah Nelson. While most of her friends obsess over Harry Potter, she spends her time writing letters to Atticus Finch. She collects trouble words in her diary. Her best friend is a plant. And she's never known her mother, who left when Sarah was two.

Since then, Sarah and her dad have moved from one small Texas town to another, and not one has felt like home. Everything changes when Sarah launches an investigation into her family's Big Secret. She makes unexpected new friends and has her first real crush, and instead of a "typical boring Sarah Nelson summer," this one might just turn out to be extraordinary. 

I'll let you know what I think after I finish reading or listening. What are you reading this week?

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