Ashe County Reading Challenge 2023: Books Read in 2023 (1-25)

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Being a besotted Anglophile, I waited the arrival of this book with great anticipation. I was not disappointed. If only half of it is true, it is so very tragic, the fragmenting of a family. I am trying to imagine growing up with no hugs. None. Of being a child awakened in the middle of the night to be told your mother had died, then left alone until the next day, not even a nanny's embrace. Well, phooey. Never have I been so glad to be a peasant. Readable book. Intriguing. Sad, sad, sad. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Despite the very poor writing style, I was nonetheless intrigued by his story (and this is even coming from someone who is not overly interested in the Royal Family). Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING:★★★
REVIEW: I wanted to read this because i know four of the women who contributed essays to the compilation. I admire them and their work. The overall concept is admirable for sharing their stories, but there was not any continuity for me in reading that held the book together. Writing was trite, and in some cases seemed self-serving. Photos were poor quality, type face was inconsistent. It just did not live up to my expectations and I had to make myself keep reading. Not a good use of limited reading time!

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: Great book, hard to put down. A lady shows up claiming to be Annie's sister, who was kidnapped as a child. Annie is suspicious of her story, but is checking DNA. Annie is searching for a missing woman as she and Jon are trying to decide how to tell her daughter, that Jon is her biological father. Meanwhile her daughter is kidnapped and the search turns to finding her. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: When Jade is forced to spend the summer with her father in order to secure finances for college tuition she discovers that the house has a rather complicated and creepy agenda. Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Georgie returns to her hometown after losing her job as a personal aide to an actress who changed careers. She feels she is a disappointment to her mom and dad and herself. She has to consider what she wants. She meets the Levi, older brother of her high school crush, Evan. Levi got into lots of trouble in his youth and had been basically belittled and disowned by his father. Levi worked hard to overcome his troublesome ways of his teen life. He build up a business and made a life for himself, but had not the confidence that he could and did do well. It is the story of these two working through feelings about their past to find out they were enough all along. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A debut novel written about an important part of racial unrest in the late 1950's and 1960's. The novel boldly questions the value of integration and acceptance, if it means losing the comfort that separation may have created. Desegregation as not welcome by all black people. Many believed the fight could upset the hard-won though limited freedoms already gained by some black communities and could invite white violence. New Jessup as an all-black community where residents had largely rejected integration as the means for Black social advancement. There are those however who are working underground and engaging in clandestine activities that could threaten "their side of the woods." Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book tells the story of Arthur Moses and how he finds his way after tragic loss and the love of someone that seems to only see him as as good friend. In the end Love does come his way but only after many twists and turns. Love, kindness and compassion are all throughout the story and love does ultimately win! Rating and Review by Becky

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This was a great new adult fiction. Basically Hunger Games, with dragons! I love the disability representation, action, and the cunning nature of the narrator. I'm already looking forward to the rest of the series. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING:
REVIEW: This thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat! It is the first book in a series featuring FBI agent Daniela Vegas, a former Army Ranger and expert cryptographer. By change, Dani witnesses a professional hit, but is unable to catch the murderer. The investigation that follows lead to a dangerous murder-for-hire team. When she infiltrates the group to gather evidence, she finds herself caught in a vengeful game pitting all of the killers to fight to death. This book is fast paced and full of twists and turns. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Henry willy did go through an awful lot. It was interesting to see how quickly he thought of things being as young as he was. I liked learning how his life ended after the war. I thought the book was beautifully written. It did a good job-sharing additional facts about the war throughout the story. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: This book, the fifth in the Shadow Island Series, introduced me to new authors and a modern-day mystery occurring on a small barrier island south of Northfolk, Virginia. While the overall premise was believable, I found some happenings a bit weak and generally prefer my mystery reads with fewer grissly details and a little more insight that can help the reader figure out "who dunnit!" And while there is lots of innuendo about a major crime ring (The Yacht Club) that factored into Books 1-4, there is not enough information to tie the books/characters together that well, and it doesn't really compel me to go back and read them to find out. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai was a perfect blend of plot, character, setting, and theme.The plot kept me interested, but the book wasn't just a page-turner.The setting, an elite boarding school in the New Hampshire woods, was a character itself, (think Donna Tartt's The Secret History but easier-to-read prose). Most of the characters were nuanced, complicated, complex, and conflicted. And the themes! So many layers, so much to think about. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "This true story occurs in rural Hungary in the years 1915 – 1926, during which a midwife and numerous women accomplices killed at least 160 men and newborn babies, targeting abusive and/or drunkard husbands and sickly and/or unwanted newborns, using arsenic. How they got away with this “open secret” for so long is quite a story. The book covers the events and people involved, the investigation, and the prosecution of the midwife and her accomplices. A fascinating book which gave me a look into poverty and rural life in Hungary, at the time, the culture, and the legal system of Hungary which was in disarray due to WWI. I rated it a 4 not 5 because it bogs down in places, but it is worth the read." Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: It was set during the bombing of London in 1939 and parents were asked to send their children to a safer place. These 2 sisters Flora 5 and Hazel 14 are sent to the countryside for safety. There people took them into their homes. They were taken in by Bridgette and her son Harry. Hazel made up stories and a special place their minds could go to help it was called Whisperwood and the River of Stars. They had a wonderful time in Binsey. One day Flora disappeared while Hazel and Harry were having a little kiss. Flora is searched for, for years. Hazel's mother came and after much searching took Hazel back to London. Hazel never gave up hope that her sister was alive. Twenty years later on her last day working in a rare book store there's a new book from America "Whisperwood and the River of Stars. Hazel just takes the book and goes home. Looking over all her old things and trying to figure out how this could be. Because of this book she has written and called the author to find out how she knew her and Flora's story. From there new hope and interest in the disappearance of Flora is ignited and you'll have to read the book to find out the end. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This was really wonderful. It wasn't a fun read, that's for sure, and it did take a while to get into the rhythm of the writing. However, the story was incredibly compelling and character development was fantastic. The way that the characters and plot mirrored David Copperfield--which is my favorite, favoritre Dickens book--worked really well. The author paints an amazing picture of Appalachia, with the importance of family, the poverty, and the horrible impact of the opioid crisis. So sad. Yes, it got a little preachy at times, with the politics, but you know what? She's not wrong. And it absolutely worked in light of the context of the story. Rating and Review by Sydney

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: A fascinating glimpse into nursing across the ages. The history to me as a nurse is wonderfully done and some of it SO different from things I learned early on. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I grew up watching the Duggar family on tv, so when I saw that Jinger released this book I was really curious. It was super good, I started and finished the book all in the same day!

I really appreciate how she chose to tell her story. She was very graceful and respectful when speaking about her family, and I really appreciated that. I also admired her boldness in calling out Gothard as a false teacher. It was refreshing to hear her talk about the difference of deconstruction vs. disentangling.

If you’re looking for a tell-all about the Duggar family, this isn’t it. This is an encouraging story about how Jinger broke free from the false teaching she believed for so long; & how she came to see the Lord as the good Father He truly is and walk in the freedom He has given her, and all of His children! Rating and Review by Baylee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book was an easy read, as most of her books are. I enjoyed the characters very much and the dynamics between them when the protagonist assembled friends from each stage of her life together for a weekend. There are many highs and lows but true friendship wins out in the end.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Toya is spending the summer with her grandmother, in Sylva, NC, and working on her college thesis. She has been tracing her family history and becomes obsessed with a Confederate statue in the middle of town. When she throws red paint on the statue, people begin to turn on each other and local KKK members begin to act. A police man is almost beat to death and Toya is found shot. I thought this story was very thought provoking. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "Mr. Ledbetter's Shoes" is a novel about a now 95-year-old former Tuskegee airman, Raymond Ledbetter, in WWII whose plane was destroyed by enemy fire so he had to parachute down in the Swiss Alps. The story of Raymond Ledbetter's life after WWII is chronicled by a Raleigh newspaper reporter, Joe Vogle, who goes with Raymond to the Everett Base Camp. There are personal conflicts, lovely descriptions of the villages along the route to Base Camp, and Ray's ability to see the best in his acquaintances while also not allowing anyway to get in his personal space and being disrespective to him or his friends. This is a good, pleasant read, great winter or summer reading, and a book I'm recommending to friends. (I'm not giving anything away about the boots but they play an important part in the last half of the book.) Rating and Review by Karen

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I saw all of the Peter Jackson movies but had never read any of the books, so I wondered how receptive I would be to this one after all the razzle - dazzle special effects of the movie. I was surprised/pleased with how clearly Tolkien described his mythological settings/characters, especially Gandalf, Smaug, and Bilbo, the simple, meek hobbit who has agreed to accompany the dwarves on their quest to the Lonely Mountain. Along the way, Tolkien introduces a great deal more detail about the history of the dwarves, goblins, and elves, (and) I could not have easily followed had I not already seen the movies, but I seldom had to re-read any of the detail to keep things straight. Long and detailed, but necessary for the sequels that follow! Rating and Review by Joan

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: Want to read a book where an apple tree throws its apples to get attention? Want to know what herbs and flowers to use in recipes to affect peoples’ behavior? No, not a recipe book,instead a novel about women,sisters and their ability to learn from one another and to love. Well written and fast paced, a small book to keep you entertained. Rating and Review by Em

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The book was interesting and kept the reader wondering where a young girl who was unable to speak or communicate had come from. A psychiatrist, who chose to work with her, and had returned to her home town due to a scandal, worked with her tirelessly. Slowly but surely the child learned to trust and finally was able to get in touch with her past which was traumatic and heartbreaking. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING:★★
REVIEW: Mary Poppins arrives in a gust of wind to #17 Cherry Tree Lane and takes charge of the Banks children. They have had nannies before, but never one that can talk with animals, or take them around the world in one afternoon. The adventures never cease as long as Mary is there. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Sir Terry Pratchett's humor is unmatched and shines through in this book about Ankh-Morpork's Night Watch, dragons, and a love match. Rating and Review by Donna

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is another winning Louise Penny mystery! I'm in love with the characters and with the locale. The weaving of back-stories, the gradual unveiling of motives, the conflicts of individual characters and their relationships with others is brilliantly told. The magic references are very interesting in challenging what we all believe and what in our lives is really magical. Rating and Review by Jane

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Graphic novel depicting three storylines that alternate to develop one’s acceptance of one’s self. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: As usual, Nora knocks it out of the park. This book concludes the trilogy The Dragon Heart Legacy set in Talamh ;mystical land in Ireland where magicks thrive. The main character, Breen comes into her own with her magical skills and helps defeat the evil dark god Odran. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This book is a quirky spin on a cozy mystery. It is the first in a series set in the tiny West Texas community of Midnight. The remoteness of the location and the ability of the neighbors to keep a secret attracts a strange mix of characters with and without magical abilities. The writer switches viewpoints so the readers gets a variety of perspectives. The main story in this book focuses on the disappearance of the girlfriend of BoBo, the owner of the local pawn shop. Many rumors circulate and the locals become the targets of a group of right-wing conspirators. While I love a good cozy mystery, this one was a little too strange for me. I listened to this as an audio book, which was available through Hoopla. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book was really enjoyable. When Kerry finds herself falling in love with a male witch, she and her friends become entangled in a centuries old vendetta. Very engaging story. Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book was amazing and kept me captivated for hrs. And the rest of the series is just as good! Rating and Review by Ginger

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: A book with 6 weeks worth of lessons to help parents cure their kids' picky eating habits. Some good advice. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I don't even know what to say about this book. I neither loved nor hated it. I didn't totally understand it. I did finish it, so that's something. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This book was okay- it didn't have as much whimsy as I'd like in a fantasy and the romance didn't make sense to me. I couldn't really figure out why the love interests were attracted to one another. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "This is a macabre, fascinating book about severed heads; it is both compelling and repelling. The heads discussed range from those considered to have magical qualities, such as heads severed by indigenous tribal people for ceremonial use, and heads of saints of the Catholic Church considered to be relics and be magical due to their inexplicable states of preservation; to those beheaded by guillotine or in other public beheadings (such as Oliver Cromwell, Anne Boleyn, etc.); to ""trophy heads"" taken in war. If you delight in the macabre and can stomach some gruesome illustrations, this book is for you!" Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: I didn't really like this story it was confusing, not being of drug, sexual freedom era, I found it hard to relate. It had a lot of the 60's era in it but it was 2006. Also not up on living in New York. I had little in common with the characters. I was told it was a forerunner of Frozen, that's why I read it. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: If you are a fan of James Lee Burke, you will not be disappointed by his latest novel. Told in the first person, this is a story of violence, cruel characters, love and hate, incredible descriptions of Montana geology and weather, and prose that delves into the heart and mind of the main character. A. Broussard is a famous author whose daughter has recently died. He is immeshed in grief and wonders if he should end his own life. Fannie Mae, his daughter, comes to life in his mind as he sees her and carries on conversations about life and death. Broussard also sees and hears voices of terrible men who have mistreated Native Americans and people of color. This all proves torturous for Broussard. Simultaneously, he carries on a relationship with a Native American woman who works in law enforcement, and carries her own ghosts. In real life, Burke, whose daughter died this past year, considers this novel his best and most personal. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Appalachian folktales are some of my most favorite stories. I, like this author, feel they are best read aloud. But, for me the best way to experience them is by listening to a storyteller. As I am very familiar with many folktales, it was interesting to see the author’s twists as she worked new characters and a few events into some of my all time favorites. However, I like the versions I have heard most of my life more than these. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This was an interesting story. I liked the witch, vampire, fairy combination. I have a great picture of Ivy in my mind, the author did great describing her. I liked the twists the went throughout the story., Looking forward to reading more of this series. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The year is 1714. Addie, in a moment of desperation, makes a bargain with a dark god to live forever―and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. She lives for 300 years, on the run, stealing food and clothes, sleeping where she can, not having friends or family. Until one day she meets Henry when she steals a book from his store. She returns the next day and Henry remembers her! I enjoyed this story. It has some twists, turns and a few surprises. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A series of new age short stories all of which had a slightly eclectic theme. These weren't too bad and the book was appropriately titled.. some of them had pretty abrupt endings though that didn't really feel like the story was done. Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: Ron Rash's short Storie capture the complexities of Appalachia, a rugged brutal landscape or exceptional beauty, promise and suffering. The short stories span from the Civil War to the present day. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A great book which contains short stories and beautiful art work. A wonderful book to read to children or grandchildren. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: I was delighted when my husband came home from the library with a collection of Frog and Toad stories that we had not yet read. While these few stories aren't Lobel's best work, they are nonetheless charming. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This a great intro to Ender's parents, and gives you some information about Ender himself. I would highly recommend after reading Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: It seems that I’m reading a lot of Cat books for this series, but then I LOVE cats. Any cat lover knows what can happen when you put Cat and Christmas tree together, you don’t have to read the book to find out. Be warned, I cried at some of the stories. Death is always going to occur when you have cats in your life and cry you will. But then there’s that magic moment that another cat comes into your life, not to replace your lost love but to give your heart a chance to love again…here’s to the cat lovers of the world! Rating and Review by Em

RATING: ★
REVIEW: Awful, senseless, vulgar, bad language, etc. Apparently, I don't like short stories. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I've loved Wendell Berry's poetry for a long time. This is my first experience reading his prose, but it won't be my last. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The various stories of this book feature young people in unconventional, weird, supernatural, fantastical scenarios. They are told in a wildly imaginative way with dark humor and surreal events, and yet written in a readable style with plot lines relevant to adolescents – bullying and body shaming; the sense of not fitting in; emotional issues relating to peer pressure, changes in family dynamics, and physiological changes to their bodies. The book was not an easy one to read for a variety of reasons but it grew on me, and I think a good book for both adolescents and adults. As an enticement, consider such story titles as: Ava Wrestles the Alligator, Haunting Olivia, Z.Z.'s Sleep-Away Camp for Disordered Dreamers, The Star-Gazer's Log of Summer-Time Crime, Lady Yeti and the Palace of Artificial Snow, and, of course, ...the Girls Raised by Wolves! Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: While Flannery is renowned for being a great writer, her obsessive themes are tiresome to me after awhile. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This was a really fun read. It was a quick read, there was some delightful humor, lots of fun facts, and somehow, by reading about mundane parts of daily life, I feel like I have a more profound understanding of humanity. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Funny stories with outrageous characters some of which are always trying to get money by crook or hook. Lots of trickery. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book is full of interesting short stories. The stories are based about the area I am currently living and I recognize some of the places. The book is also written by my pastor which made it more fun to learn a little more about someone I know. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Martin Hansen (1909-1955) was the greatest Danish writer of his generation. His often autobiographical stories are dark and frequently disturbing. As stated in the Introduction "his writing seemed to embody what many were searching for - a way of believing that did not deny or distort the grim realities they had recently experienced". His work appealed to sophisticated and common readers alike who had lived through 2 wars. The first four stories drew on Hansen's youth; the next eight stories are darker in style, mood and setting; the last and longest story shows more compassion and positivity. While I admired Hansen's writing style, I found most of his stories difficult to understand and questioned the meaning of their endings. Perhaps, for me, something was lost in translation. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I went into this book very uncertain if I'd like it. It was wonderful, heartbreaking, maddening, hopeful, and more. Mariam is forced into a typical marriage. It's so unfortunate the things she went through, that she survived. She may not have been physically, but she was a fighter within. Then Laila enters the picture. At first it looks like she is going to have better luck, but she doesn't. They are married to a monster. They form a bond after some time, and it helps them survive. Things go awry and it saves their lives. This book talked so much about the culture in Afghanistan and it so hard to even fathom. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I had to google to find a book with my first name, Sandra! This book was perfect, because I am a nut about mummies! Technically, this is a book for young people, full of the latest scientific research on investigating mummies without unwrapping them. The photos are a tad ghoulish for very young children but if you have nerdy kids like I was, perfect for grades four and above. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A story of a young girl, who grew up during war. The Taliban tried to stop all girls from getting an education, but she and her father stood up to them. They kept working for the rights to education. She was eventually shot in the head, but survived and instead of being silenced, millions of voices joined hers. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Set in Istanbul in 1945. It's a fiction espionage mystery. It's based around the time of the Cold War. I found it confusing with the various agencies. It seemed that the lead character had many confusing behaviors. The ending left me scratching my head. What just happened? Who was who? Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is the true story of one house, a lemon tree in the garden and a history that links two families, one Arab and one Jewish. It is the larger story of two families on one land. This tale symbolizes hope for peace in the Middle East and is a tale of a simple act of faith between two young people....one for Israel and one for Palestine. It also tells of the OTHER and gives their side of history. This openness can open up the heart and mind. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Don't keep from reading this book even though the copyright date is 2006. "The Lemon Tree" is an engrossing story, characterized by the author's statement that it is a 'non-fiction narrative'. Tolan tells the historically true story of the Palestine/Israel conflict. Prior to WWII, we learn about 2 families, one Arab living in Palestine, the other Jewish living in Bulgaria. The Arab family plants a lemon tree in the backyard of the home they have just built. The Jewish family survives the holocaust and moves to Palestine to begin a new life. As the years progress, we follow the vastly different lives, happiness and conflicts of the two families. When the Israel army forces the Arab family out of their home, the Jewish family moves in. Years later when there is a lull in fighting, the elder Arab son travels to his old home where he meets the Jewish daughter still living there. The two become friends, occasionally meeting and exchanging letters. Though they are complete opposites in their viewpoints of what should be done in Palestine/Israel, the Arab believing he should be allowed back to his home and the Jewish woman disagreeing, they remain friends. There is no answer to this problem and the book ends with the same terrible situation these people endure today. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This incredible book tells the story of Dinah, son of Jacob, who only gets a brief and ambiguous mention in the Book of Genesis. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Book combines a refuge family fleeing from Syria and flashes back 800 hundred years ago to a apprentice map maker. I persevered and finished the book which was confusing at times and more difficult to read due to all of the middle eastern words. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Have a tissue box ready if you read this book. Parts brought tears to my eyes! There are two main characters in the story--Maryam and her daughter Sarah. Maryam grew up in a privileged family in Iran during the rule of the Shah, but as a young woman is banished from her family and moves to England to work as a nurse. She marries a kind and loving Englishman, and they raise a daughter, Sarah. When a catastrophic conflict shatters all that Sarah believes to be true about her mother, Maryam decides to return to Iran to try to make peace with her past. Eventually Sarah follows her to try to better understand her mother. The story takes place during over a time period of great upheaval in Iran, but the focus is on Maryam and her family more so than on political change. It is clear from the story that women in the Iranian culture face many hardships and challenges, but it also portrays positive aspects of the culture. The author has an Iranian mother and a British father, so she has first-hand knowledge of the challenges of a marriage where each partner comes from a very different cultural background. (These comments are based on an uncorrected proof.) Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The novel shifts in perspective between a mother and a daughter, going back and forth between Iran and London.I liked but did not love this one. Themes of secrecy and brokenness leading to rupture then a kind of forgiveness in families. Interesting theme about parents as people before and outside of their parenthood. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I don't generally find travelogues compelling because of their somewhat droning nature. However, the author's technique of tying his travels to those by a famous British author through the Middle East made the book appealing, especially given the overall context of the two trips: Christie traveled in the late 1920s, on a luxurious railway, during a relatively peaceful time, while Eames traveled 75 years later, on a fragmented, less glamorous railway, through countries that had gone through political upheaval, just before the second Gulf War in Iraq. I liked how Eames integrated Christie's life/works into the guide and how he compared his findings of various key stops along the route with those Christie likely experienced at the same stops. I especially liked how he explained the cultures, religions, and history of various countries. I know so little of that area and, though his explanations were limited by necessity, his descriptions helped me better understand why life is so complicated in places like Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "In the past, I had read the Bible through in the order it is written. However, I decided I wanted to read it chronologically, so I searched until I found a chronological Bible in a Year Reading Schedule which I followed closely. And, yes, it did take me a year. I started November 17, 2022. Prior to reading it chronologically, I had not realized how many Old Testament writers were writing during the same periods and about the same locations in the Old Testament. It was interesting to see the situations from different viewpoints.

Many of the earthly events discussed in the Bible take place in the Middle East. Moses was raised in Egypt and led the Israelites to Canaan, the promise land. Noah’s ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat which now includes parts of eastern Turkey and Iran. Samson destroyed the Philistine temple of the god Dagon at Gaza destroying his captors and himself. David lived in the Judean hills around the Israelite town of Bethlehem. David was Israel’s second king succeeding King Saul. In Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar II tried to kill Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego by throwing them into a fiery furnace for refusing to bow to the king’s image. But, the fire did not harm them. During the captivity of the Jews in Babylon, Daniel continued to pray to his God against King Darius’ commandment. He was placed in the lions’ den. However, the lions did not harm him. Most importantly, Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth, a village in Galilee. Golgotha is a hill just outside the Jerusalem city walls where Jesus was crucified. He was buried in a tomb in Jerusalem. But, He rose from the dead after 3 days and now resides in Heaven. Praise the Lord! " Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING:★★
REVIEW: This is a mystery novel that features a mustachioed journalist and his two clever Siamese cats. I read a lot of Braun's "Cat Who..." novels in high school, so I selected this one to read as part of the challenge. Unfortunately, her writing didn't age well for me. This one was hard to finish, and ultimately ended up being unsatisfying. You can't win them all! Rating and Review by Sam

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: If you are an animal lover, especially cats, I highly recommend you reading this book. I liked this book because Nana, the cat, is narrating the story. It was fun to see the perspective from an animal. Nana takes you on the adventure of him and Satoru visiting old friends, and going down memory lane. The ending will pull at your heart, so make sure and have tissues! This book truly shows a great illustration of what human and animal companionship is. Rating and Review by Rikki

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: If you love cats, this book is for you. In I lick Your Nose…”I drag my claws down your eyelids, Oh, you’re up? Feed me.” In O Christmas Tree, if you have cats, you know what happens. With one cat, we had to wire the tree to the ceiling to keep it upright. A delightful book of cat poems. Rating and Review by Em

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This collection of short story mysteries was very entertaining. If you enjoy a good whodunit, you will enjoy this book. The copy I read was an advance uncopyedited edition. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Good book about a lady with a cat who helped solve a murder mystery. Rating and Review by Misty

RATING:★★
REVIEW: Very whimsical and not as much fun as previous reads by Braun. Koko, the abundantly whiskered cat who "senses" when a murder has occurred, is barely mentioned, as is the crime itself. Much fragmentation of events makes the story difficult to follow, not to mention the introduction of over 50 characters in the setting of Moose County, "400 miles north of everywhere!" Obviously not intended to be a serious mystery-read, but not really all that much of a fun-read either. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The cat had very little to do with the story. The story was weird with ghosts, murder, secrets, an ugly red tic hound named Sweetie Pie, and a manuscript that could ruin many lives. After Lawrence the author is murdered, everyone is panicked. Sarah Booth is a private detective hired to find the murderer. It was too confusing with the ghost thrown in with the over hormoned dog, powerful people, money, corruption, and silly southern behavior. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: For all cat lovers and animal lovers, in general, "Homer's Odyssey" by Gwen Cooper is a must read! This is a true story about a young single woman, Cooper, living in Miami with 2 cats. Out of the blue, she receives a phone call from her cats' vet asking if she'd be interested in adopting a blind 4 week old kitten. Not wanting another cat, Cooper reluctantly says she'll consider it; however, when she sees this teeny tiny black kitten he immediately steals her heart. The kitten, Homer, surprisingly is rambunctious, quick learning, fearless, lovable and absolutely adorable. Even Cooper's 2 other cats are accepting of this addition to the family and Cooper's friends are equally enthralled by Homer's personality. Simultaneously, is the story of Gwen who finds life changing inspiration due to her sweet and loving Homer. Finding new jobs, developing a new career, living alone, experiencing a frightening break-in, moving back home with her parents, plane and train travel with cats, Sept. 11, and more. "Homer's Odyssey" is a beautiful story of a blind cat and the young woman who loves him. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The true story of a blind kitten adopted by the author and their close relationship. Homer taught Gwen about courage, taking risks, not letting obstacles stop you from going after your goals and adapting to change seamlessly. He survived numerous moves and being trapped in their apartment alone near the World Trade Center on 9-11. Another lesson was that love isn't something you see with your eyes. Take a blind leap!! Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This was a quick read and an enchanting tale of a blind kitten, his adoption, and the life and journey this little ball of fur makes! I'm a self professed "cat lady" and while I only have one cat at the moment, I've had as many as eight! I loved the language and pace of the Homer stories. I loved how the author characterized his conversations with various "meows". Perfect - oops purr-fect! This was a delightful tale of a young women growing up, having absolute devotion to her four-legged family members, and how valuable it is to share your life and love with an animal. Rating and Review by Jane

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The book was not as interesting to me as the title and book cover. The cover shows a cat standing on its hindquarters serving tea. I was expecting something more whimsical. A woman who is running from the law and the mob finds a musician who has been murdered not long after seeing him on stage. Because she is considered a suspect, she works with a very attractive retired detective to solve the case. There was too much focus on the good looking detective’s effect on all women. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: After Ove's wife dies, he sets out to kill himself quite matter-of-factly. This charming story about a loveable curmudgeon is an absolute delight. I gave it a 4 only because it's fairly predictable in its plot line. But quite well written and worth the read! Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: Honestly, for a book that talks about an author going to a writing conference on how to right a book, it wasn't very good. The mystery didn't even start until the book was almost over and the poisoner was pretty obvious and it just wasn't Jill Churchill's best work. Rating and Review by Rachel

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This was a delightful, cozy, slice of life fantasy set in a medieval castle. The narrator is a house witch who runs the kitchen. This was a great read, made even better through audiobook narration. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I love a good cozy mystery and this one fits the bill. Tenth in the Second Chance Cat Mystery series, Ryan's characters are lovable and the mysteries always have a little twist.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book has such an interesting story. The cat gives Mala so much in her life - courage, hope, excitement. Their relationship is special with the cat being there for Mala exactly when she's needed. I liked how the story was written from Mala's view of life. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Two stories about rekindling love that you thought was lost. Rating and Review by Misty

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Entertaining read with all the elements one expects in a Nora Roberts' story - high adventure, mystery, romance, intrigue. And, in this case, a plot based somewhat on historical events - about a collection of jewels belonging to Marie Antoinette that she supposedly entrusted to her valet, to be taken from France during the Reign of Terror, protected, and then returned when the monarchy was restored. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I really liked it. Two beautiful people and a cut throat world. Hillary, a small town farm girl, made it big in modeling staying pure. Here comes Bret Bardoff, brash, rich, powerful, with a beautiful woman on his arm. Bret was in love with Hillary; she finally got it and they did get married. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: Winter Rose, by Nora Roberts tells the story of a young warrior, who was wounded in battle and wandered into a land covered in snow and ice. He was rescued by a Princess, who saved his life. He learned that a curse had been placed on the land and it would be eternal winter. But love proves to be the way to break the curse. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Callie Dunbrook is an archeologist working on an site in the Antietam Creek area. She encounters dangers and intrigue as well as discovering facts about her birthright not known before. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: It is a pager tuner!! I could not put it down! She is an author I normally don't read. I had to go get the second book because I needed to know what happens to everyone. Highly recommend. Rating and Review by Nichole

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book is a departure from Nora Roberts' usual style, but is a real page-turner! It is the first in a trilogy and I plan to keep reading. Although this series was written before the COVID pandemic, it deals with a similar, but much worse situation. The world succumbs to the Doom, a disease that wipes out a large part of the world population, leading to all kinds of havoc. In addition to killing most people, exposure to the Doom heightens magical powers in those who already possess them and causes some previously non-magical people to discover new magical abilities. Some use their powers for good, but others become evil. Among the non-magical survivors, some show great moral strength and kindness, but others degenerate into evil. Motorcycle riding Raiders spread death and destruction and a vicious sect of Purity Warriors sets out to kill anyone exhibiting magical powers. The survivors must not only cope with the loss of loved ones and basic infrastructure, but face dangers from many competing forces.The characters are well-drawn and the story moves rapidly. Roberts shows that not only does she write profusely, she can cross genres with ease. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I am not a fan of Nora Roberts so found her novel of romantic suspense pretty boring and predictable. Maggie Fitzgerald leaves her lucrative career and moves to the mountains from LA to grieve the loss of her husband. She falls in love with her landscaper. Bones are found on her property and he becomes the number one suspect. Did she fall in love with a murderer?? Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Harry starts out young in the "job" he finds himself in. His character grows so much and spreads his wings throughout. He has many friends and acquaintances who help him along the way that are really good for him. Carter LaPorte is a fabulous bad guy. His character is cruel and ruthless. If it's the correct wording his character is perfect in his nature. This was a quick read because I kept wanting to know what happens next. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "I really enjoyed this story. I didn't give it a 5 because I have read better, but I did enjoy it. For generations the Burtons and the Murdocks have been feuding neighbors. Now they each have a new generation at the helm. Boy meets girl, girl is losing cattle to rustlers and suspects boy, girl is exasperating, boy is determined. Will they get together in the end? It is a romance story, of course they will, but you'll have to read it to see how they overcome the obstacles. If you enjoy romance I recommend this book." Rating and Review by Nancy G.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Five years ago Shelby left her home in Tennessee to marry handsome, debonaire Richard. When Richard dies in a boating accident Shelby finds herself in deep debt and no where to turn except home. She brings her three year old daughter to live with her parents. She soon finds out Richard was not the man she thought he was when a private detective shows up at her door looking for millions of dollars of stolen goods. Things go from bad to worse. At the same time she finds herself falling in love with Griff, a contractor working on her parent's home. This is part romance and part suspense with likable characters. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This is a typical Norah Roberts novel, which is no surprise since she doesn't write any other kind. It is a formulaic romance with a heroine who is a famous fitness guru; her love-interest is a graphic comic book writer/artist. This one is more of a tear-jerker than most of her novels. I am always amused at the sex scenes in Roberts' books: nobody ever has bad or disappointing sex—it is always earth-shattering/mind-blowing/life changing sex. Norah Roberts is a good choice for summer vacation reading. Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Miranda struggles daily from lack of love and appreciation from her mom and dad, but has a beautiful relationship with her brother. She and her brother pretty much run the family business that deals with a gallery of famously pieces. They specialize in verifying the authenticity of priceless pieces of art. She is falsely accused of verifying a sculpture as authentic that was a forgery. A thief, who had actually stole the forgery from her museum thinking it was the real deal, assists her in getting back the real sculpture. There were three murders involving people associated with the sculpture and Miranda gets repeated messages from someone who is trying to locate the real piece of art. This is a story of romance, betrayal, and the revelation of family secrets.

This was the first book I have read by this author. I will likely read other books written by her. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: This was the first book I've read by Nora Roberts and likely the last. Hot Ice is the story of a beautiful, blond, rich, young woman from NYC who unexpectedly meets a handsome, intelligent thief as he is being pursued by a group of murderers. If you are looking for an exciting thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, do NOT choose this title. The pair, Whitney and Douglas, embark on a fast paced trip to Madagascar in search of diamonds and other jewels once owned by Marie Antoinette with a gang of thieves close behind. Whitney and Douglas have a relationship that really makes no sense. If you seek a highly charged romantic story, again, choose another title. Even the ending, I found, ridiculous. Hot Ice was published in 1987; perhaps Nora Roberts more recent novels might be more entertaining. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: Trevor Noah was born to a white father and black mother during Apartheid in South Africa. It was illegal. Noah uses humor to tell his story. Rating and Review by Michelle

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: I chose an autobiography of Laura Bush for the challenge to read a book by or about a First Lady. I really enjoyed it, but found myself wishing it told more about her daughters. It was clearly a challenge growing up being watched by Secret Service agents and under the unforgiving eye of the press. I found this book, checked it out, and really enjoyed it. It is not a straightforward sequential story. Rather, it is a collection of reminiscences by the girls. They alternate in the storytelling. Some stories are funny, some are painful, and some are deeply touching. This is a very quick read and I highly recommend it. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "I wanted to read this book because it is set in the town where I was born and was raised for much of my childhood.
The author and her husband are actors and have moved from Big City to small town America. Based on what I know of the village they moved to (Rhinebeck, NY), this seems to be a trend among the rich that live in big cities. They want a place to find comfort and silence when they are not working, but when they come, they want to change the town. Based solely on this town, they come in and buy up the local establishments and put in boutiques where none of the longtime locals can afford to shop, with merchandise they wouldn't want or need if they could afford it. And so, I wanted to see what Hilarie's story was, and what impact she is making on the town.
It was fun for me to read because I know most of the places she was speaking of in the book. I was hoping to read some names of people that I know there, and while I have family members that know some of the characters, sadly I do not. But I read her story, and through her eyes, and my own knowledge, it was easy to see why she fell in love with the area. And different from some other big name affluent folks, she is becoming part of the town. She owns a farm, she shops locally, she helped to save a business that employs locals, and she has found a way to help the ""old town"" community by using her affluent friendships.
It is a story about dreams and struggles, and if you weather the struggles, your dreams can come true." Rating and Review by Nancy G.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I am grateful that I read this memoir regarding Prince Harry as I really learned so much about his perspective and life after his mother tragically died. He continually struggled with PTSD, anger and loneliness and blamed the press for his mother's death. At 21 he joined the British Army which gave him discipline and structure. When he fell in love with Meghan they were preyed on from the start, by the press, subjected to waves of abuse, racism and lies. Harry truly felt that their safety and mental health were at risk and he felt he had no choice but to leave the Royal Family behind. The last to try to do this was his mother. Prince Harry tells his story chronicling his journey with raw, unflinching honesty. HIs memoir is filled with insight, revelation, self examination and what it has felt like to be a spare. It expresses the hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love over grief. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING:★★★
REVIEW: The story of Nancy's life contains much sadness by the way she was treated by her earthly family throughout life, especially the early years. Her life was made bearable by her experiences with the living Christ. After her marriage, she and her husband served as missionaries in different area of the world. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Inspired by reading a biography about Mary Todd Lincoln (also for this reading challenge), I decided to dive in deeper and read this memoir by Lincoln's seamstress (who was a former enslaved person who purchased her own freedom). While she was one of Lincoln's closest confidantes, she caused a permanent split in their friendship when she published this memoir. A fascinating story! Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Aidan MacCarthy was a Irish physician who joined the RAF in 1939. He thought he would be serving in the European Theatre, but instead of serving in North Africa, his ship set sail for Cape Town, he ended up in the East Indies and became a POW. At war's end, he was a POW in (of all places!) Nagasaki, Japan and survived the atomic blast there. A fascinating look at the war from a doctor's perspective. His survival was miraculous. Good read. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Very interesting but long. Like she said, she had a great life. She married George at 19 and it worked. They loved each other and were good for each other. She was always physical; swam, walked, played tennis, jogged. She traveled a lot and got along with most of the world leaders. She campaigned vigorously for her husband and other candidates. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: If you know the name “Doc Watson” you know this biography is a love story. If you don’t know Doc Watson, so sad for you. He is a Bluegrass legend born in the high country and MerleFest is his legacy. If you don’t know what MerleFest is, boy have you missed something. Watson was blind since birth but never had any disability with his blindness. As he said of his lack of sight, “I used to walk a country road and not lend up in the ditch…I could do it without a stick,..I could walk right straight down the middle of the road.” Many, many years ago when we were young enough to camp out in the Oklahoma summer at a bluegrass festival, we were fortunate to hear Doc Watson play. Some memories stay with me forever. Rating and Review by Em

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Interesting memoir written like a letter to his 15 year old son that explores all facets of feeling regarding living in America as a black man. Pretty good; occasionally confusing. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book is a memoir written by my friend's great grandfather. It's a really interesting story of survival during the Holocaust. It focused on a perspective that I'd never read before as Dmitri fled to France then joined the army to release victims from concentration camps. It's definitely powerful, but also rather dark. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This is a memoir by an infantryman serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, about his experiences in combat. I read this because I ashamedly know so little about the Korean War, which was going on during my infancy. The author combined actual letters he wrote to family members, especially his sister, with commentaries that provided greater depth and explanation of what was going on in the combat zone. I liked this combination of letters and commentary. Very well written. And yes, I did learn much about the war. Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This is a funny look at a dreadful time in the lives of this Northern Irish family with eleven kids being raised by an eccentric, but loving father after the death of their mother. Family, friends, neighbors, grief, religion, politics - Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I assumed (incorrectly) that this book would be about the author's sister's death. However, Judy describes how she 'lost' her sister, not only in death but sometimes during their lives. A very honest telling of a usually-close sibling relationship along with dynamics of a well-to-do but down-to-earth family in Rock Hill,SC/Charlotte, NC. Rating and Review by Jeannie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Mary MacLeod and her family moved to a remote island in the Scottish Hebrides in the 1970's. She was the district nurse, which took her all over the island at any time of the day or night to deal with any type of emergency or medical issue. Each chapter in the book deals with a different occurrence such as boat rescues, adult abuse, fires, child birth and death. I found the stories heartwarming and tragic. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I thoroughly enjoyed this one and have bought her other memoirs to read. Stories about community and connection, as well as a picture of life on a remote island in the Scottish Hebrides. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Natalie Goldberg is an author, artist, teacher and Zen practitioner. When she shockingly discovers that she has cancer, her life shifts to a foreign landscape. She wants to deny this diagnosis yet begins a search for the nation's best oncologist. Surprisingly, once she finds and makes an appointment, refuses to take his prescriptions. At the same time, her friend and lover, also learns that she too has cancer. Each follows her own pathway leading to different doctors and treatments. Natalie weaves this memoir with stories of her past in Minneapolis, New York and Taos, NM and the friends who support her through this difficult period. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Interesting insights into an author who clearly used his love of reading, as well as his writing skills, to escape the demons of his personal life. I enjoyed the chapters on the people/experiences contributing to that love - his mother, the teacher he called his "lodestar," the Old NY Bookshop in Atlanta, and life in Paris/Rome. I also enjoyed his discourses on various books and observations on favorite authors. He spoke often of the beauty/eloquence of a sparse writing style and the genius of finding just the right word, and he praised those who advised him to do the same in his own writing. So, it was somewhat ironic that he often waxed florid and loquacious in the book, which was at times tiresome. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book was really good, I feel like I couldn't put it down because I just wanted to keep knowing what was happening in Jennette's life. This book also made me really sad though, her and her mom had a rough life together. Rating and Review by Baylee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: David's life was incredible. He and his family survive being deported and just dumped in another country. The book does an interesting job telling what all they did and the determination that pushed them to go home. Then the unthinkable happens - they are deported again. David catches so many lucky breaks that really help survive. His story portrays a boy with a very strong will. I think there are a lot of people who could learn from him about keeping hope alive in their own lives. His life after WWII is just as amazing. He tells about how he keeps hoping for the future, for the life he wants. throughout the entire book there is a wonderful job of telling the horrors and the hope. I think this is a great book and enjoyed reading about after the war as well. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Joey spends several weeks in Beaufort, SC taking care of his father, who has dementia. His father's short term memory is gone, but his long term memory is intact. He has hallucinations and often talks to people who are long dead hinting at secrets, scandals and suspicions. When his dad's old rival is found shot to death nearby, Joey can't help but suspect his dad. I enjoyed this book and learned a lot about Lewy Body Dementia. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This self-help guide, like others I’m familiar with, seemed repetitive and much about common sense. Maybe that’s the point – to repeat the message until it becomes a positive mantra and to reinforce reason when rational thinking has failed. It was an interesting read from someone who endured much torture during apartheid in South Africa and yet found a way to forgive his torturers. And I did gain insight into a personal issue that has never quite gone away, which helped me to understand that reconciliation is about accepting that a past harm can sometimes reassert itself and that forgiveness can sometimes mean releasing the relationship with the person doing the harm, but still deeming them accountable. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I really enjoyed this book! It was very well written, & Julie had me hooked the entire time, it felt like I was walking alongside her as she took her journey to find her birth parents! Rating and Review by Baylee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This was a heartwarming story about the past meeting up with the future when the patriarch of the family has a stroke and the family learns that their land is in jeopardy. Each character has a past that needs to be forgiven and they need to forgive others. The characters were so interesting and the writing was engaging.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This was very interesting. I did not know about the book until I saw the movie. The Amish definitely showed everybody the true meaning of forgiveness. The author did a great job explaining how forgiveness starts with the intent and is something that you sometimes must do over and over. I loved how the Amish supported the killer's family and did not snub them. We can all learn how to truly forgive! Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "On a night five years ago Kenna lost the love of her life (Scotty) to a tragic accident. That one night led her to five years of prison and the custody loss of her child to her boyfriends family. Kenna is out of prison now and trying to navigate how to move forward in her life, and she desperately wants to lay eyes on the daughter she gave birth to, but never got to see. Scotty’s family and friends believe that Kenna just left Scotty to die that night, and they harbor a lot of hate and resentment toward her. Scotty’s best friend Ledger will meet Kenna and see if she is what they all thought all along, or is there a reason she should be forgiven? This book takes you through a lot of feels. Like so many of Colleen’s books that I have read, I could not put it down once I got started." Rating and Review by Nancy G.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: An ordinary life can be turned upside down by one incident. Charged with murdering his wife the father of 3 young sons tried to persuade them to believe that he was innocent. The youngest son forgave him. The 2 oldest did not. Non-fiction. Rating and Review by Elaine

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The second in the series, this graphic novel depicts the activism of John Lewis. This book in particular focuses heavily on the Freedom Rides. Very very highly recommend this important work. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "Our Missing Hearts" tells the story of a young boy, Bird, and his father, a former linguist living in Cambridge after their Chinese American mother/wife, a once famous poet, has disappeared. Earlier chapters portray the mother and father, growing up, meeting, falling in love, having a son, and the direction their lives then take. During this time, the CRISIS occurs, a period of national economic catastrophe and climatic change leaving people poor, lost, homeless, jobless. The government institutes PACT - Preserving America's Culture and Traditions. Citizens were not allowed to spread beliefs unless they described American values. From this propaganda, citizens were led to believe that China and Chinese people were responsible for these upheavals in American life. As a result, children of Asian parents were often taken from their families. Due to Bird's mother, Margaret's book of published poetry, she is afraid that her son will be taken from them. When she disappears, Bird and his fathers' lives change and when after 3 years Bird decides to find his mother, another more profound direction occurs in his life. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The Morrow Family retreats to an old Lodge for their annual gathering. Four siblings, spouses, mother, step-father, a grandson and ghosts from the past come together. The murder that takes place is seemingly unsolvable. A statue falls on top of one of the daughters? Really? Family secrets are unraveled, past hurts are revealed, and understanding of the true family dynamics take place through forgiveness. Rating and Review by Jane

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Barbara's son, a single dad is murdered , and she has to raise her twin granddaughters. Gingers daughter leaves her son for Ginger to raise, when she marries a wealthy man, whose family won't accept him. Judy is raising her grandson because her daughter is hooked on drugs and is in and out of rehab. All three grandmothers resent having their lives completely changed. As they meet and get to be good friends they also learn to forgive and decide they are not only grandmothers, but they are also, grand mothers. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: It was very uplifting. I have read her other books and God and prayer are her foundation. This book is about her family and her career. It's sad , it's happy, it's unfair, and shows how easy it is to fall. She never mentions her 1st husband! So it's not a basher book. She had a great family and many good helpful friends. Great support system. Without that I don't think she could have survived and go on to thrive and find great 2nd husband. Her career isn't the same but she has moved past it. She's been honored for her work. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: A great book based on a dying coastal tradition of the hard life of shrimpers and their family, it portrays love, passion of career, the difficulties of this life, the resentments of the wife left behind worrying about whether her husband will return nd the illuminating moment when her husband is lost at sea and her realization that all could be lost. Caroline Morrison is determined to find her husband and forgives when she realizes she may have thrown a good marriage away. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: 17 year old Johanna always thought she lost her mom to a car accident. When she discovers the truth, that her mother was accidentally shot by Johanna as a toddler she has to learn to forgive both her grandparents for lying to her for many years as well as herself. Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The true story of how a 12 year old girl became a victim of war in Sierra Leone. She was not only robbed of her childhood but of her hands which were cut off. She tells the story of how a country came a society filled with suspicion and distrust as neighbor turned against night and child against child and child against parent. The book not only focuses on her trauma, but also her recovery. Her humanity remains intact and she has the ability to forgive those young rebels who had tortured her.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I don't usually read Macomber's books, but a snow day was coming up, it was large print, and I needed a one-day read. It is pretty much a routine romance, but having worked with high school students, the theme of troubled teens was interesting. Predictable sappy ending. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: It’s a thriller about a hero who risks life and limb fighting human trafficking. It involves a love story, a story of friendship, faith and family. Murph’s repeated message about the “ninety-nine and one” was very appropriate for this story. The personal stories of characters he helped could possibly have been real. However, his fighting tactics and ability to keep fighting after several serious injuries were too fantastical to be believed. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: This book is both a thriller and an emotional story of a family in crisis. The story begins when Thea's son Stefan is released after a short prison term for the brutal, drug-induced murder of his longtime sweetheart Belinda. On the way home in a blizzard, the two are menaced by a lone driver who runs them off the road. Stefan, Thea, her husband Jeb, and the rest of the family must face the guilt and sorrow, along with harassment and blame from the community, former friends, and even family members. Eventually Stefan establishes a foundation similar to the Forgiveness Project to help others suffering from guilt and the need to forgive and be forgiven. As the story progresses, we learn that not everything that happened is at it seems and that danger still lurks close by. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING:★★
REVIEW: A different book,easy reading, though I didn't especially care for it. The characters' angst became wearing, however it ended well. Rating and Review by Donna

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I didn’t want to do this category as you can see by the book I picked. Lance Vance’s Fancy Pants Store is selling potato pants for one day only. That’s right, fancy pants for potatoes and our Potato wants a pair! However, by accident he is prevented in his quest by Eggplant and to say the least, Potato is angry and holds a grudge. Eggplant offers an apology but will Potato accept it? Read on and see if there is forgiveness in this children’s book. Rating and Review by Em

RATING:★★★
REVIEW: Jacob loses his family and on a whim hops a train and ends up joining the circus. The story focuses on his time in the circus in the past and his present day life in a nursing home.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Gruen is a master of storytelling! An elderly man reflects back on his life with the circus. The plot ambled between the young Jacob Jankowski in the circus and the elderly Jacob Jankowski in the nursing home. An incredible story. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: I think books read when you are young tend to stay with you forever. This book was written in 1881 and was read to us when I was in the 4th grade. I’m 75 now. I didn’t remember the moral of the story…life looks better on the other side of the fence. Toby learned that when he run away from home and joined the circus. He found that home wasn’t so bad after all. I did remember being a “Toby Tyler” means running away from responsibility isn’t always the best way to live life. Rating and Review by Em

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: When Joy has to leave her uncle's home for her own safety, she meets a circus performer that helps her get a job in the circus. Later she is thrilled to start working with the big cats, but he worries about the danger. She carries much anger for her uncle's family, but finally realizes she must forgive. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Good book about a boy who visited a magic circus that his grandpa had visited as a child. Rating and Review by Misty

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I was surprised how much I like this book! I could hardly stop reading it. The story alternates from the viewpoint of two women--Lilly and Julia. Lilly is a young girl in the 1930s who is locked in an attic room for several years, before being sold to the circus by her mother to be a part of the freak show. Julia grows up in the same home, raised by the same parents. As the story switches back and forth, the reader learns about the growing up stories of each woman, and eventually how they are connected. Although both Lilly and Julia faced unbelievable terrors, they each became strong, caring women with a strong affinity for animals. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book kept me up half the night reading. It was well written but really heavy as it dealt with the subjects of both child abuse and animal abuse. The main character is held captive by her parents for ten years locked away in an attic because she is an "abomination" due to being albino. She is then sold to a circus passing through town where she spends several years of her life working in the Freak Show in several different roles. She has an uncanny way with animals and ends up under the Big Top showing elephants who have become her close friends. The people who own the circus are money hungry and abusive and care nothing about the people working for them or the animals. The cruelty to the animals is heartbreaking. Definitely well written although sad. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The story alternates between the 1930s and 1950s. Lilly, a daughter held captive in the attic at Blackwood Manor until age nine and then sold to the circus freak show, grew up in the 1930s with her circus family. Lilly endured a life of abuse at the hands of her owner, enjoyed the love and acceptance she found there among others who were outcasts like herself, and cherished the animals who were her kindred spirits. Lilly’s story is told alongside the story of nineteen year old
Julia Blackwood who 20 years later ran away from the rigid rules and coldness of her family at Blackwood Manor. When her mother and father died, Julia returned to take over the family horse business. Julia develops a great love and commitment for the horses similar to Lilly’s relationship with the elephant the circus. Julia becomes determined to uncover the mysteries of the manor and what happened to Lilly twenty years ago. The novel is frequently heartbreaking, but offers moments of hope. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★
REVIEW: This was a book about Satan and there was no redeeming character. The two main characters who were part of a challenge they didn't pursue and they were young and really had no choice. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is a remarkable, fascinating and informative story of Lauren Fleshman, who from childhood, loves to run. Once in high school, she begins competitive running and by the time she is college bound has amassed trophies and awards for her abilities. A Stanford scholarship puts her in an elite category and her life becomes a circus, as I mentioned earlier. After graduating, she is endorsed by Nike and runs a professional circuit. Throughout her life, the reader learns about the sport itself and the problems young women face regarding diet, physical and mental changes in their bodies, the commercial side of running, and the doctors, coaches, psychologists, and corporate heads who play a scary role in a runners' life. Truly an outstanding story and whether or not you are a runner, a book I highly recommend reading. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Amazing stories about life under the Big Top selected by the author. Gives the reader a great inside look at the Circus the performers and day to day living Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Liam has a vivid memory of going to the circus with his dad when he was in elementary school. That day his dad told him "You can be anything you want to be". But what if all he wanted to be was a girl? This is the story of two teenagers, Lily and Asher, who fall in love. Asher is later arrested and accused of murdering Lily. How did it all go so wrong so fast? Lots of surprises and some twists and turns in this story. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This children's book gets a 5 for illustrations, but only 3 for text. I think it would be a good book for parents and children to read together, because some of the words would not be in a young reader's vocabulary and could be explained. Also, frankly, Olivia the Pig is a downright liar because of her fantasies. A good opportunity to discuss real life vs fantasy and truth vs falsehoods. But, oh, those adorable illustrations! Therefore, mixed feelings about the book. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A very interesting book in which the author documented his year with the circus from one state to the next, one town to the next, and often one day to the next. Feiler, who had always wanted to join the circus as a child, was able to fulfill his dream and at the same time document life under the big top. Enlightening in its explanation of circus history and terminology, and circus life as a microcosm of society in general, with folks of different ethnicities, faiths, cultures, etc. existing side by side, in very close quarters. Also enlightening were the discussions with various performers, who shared their experiences as acrobats, animal trainers, etc. I came to realize that the circus family is indeed a “family,” with its inherent diversity and its ability to laugh, love, squabble, support, defend, distance, blame, and forgive. Would have never read a book like this without the reading challenge. So glad I did and sorry that the circus is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "I loved the trek down memory lane as I read this book. Like most struggling graduate at Carolina, I was grateful to visit Mama Dip’s Kitchen, where I could get a good, substantial meal for just a few dollars – a meal that would carry me through the day. Reading the recipes brought back great memories of eating there as well as memories of childhood on the farm, where my mom prepared much the same type of traditional southern fare, using the same ""dump"" cooking method. Mildred Council’s mini-bio in the introduction is a great reminder of how folks were so self-sufficient at a time when what was available to eat was based primarily on what folks could hunt/gather, grow, can/preserve, or raise as livestock." Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I don't give many 5 stars, but this book, published originally in 1978, is fantastic! Best of all, I knew many of the women in it, because they were friends of my mom. It contains the best quiche recipe I've ever used and I have been cooking variations of it for forty years! Since it's a Tampa cookbook, there are many seafood recipes, but I must say that some of the titles could be improved upon. For example, do you really want to fix "Crab Mold?" I mean, how old is that crab? Local cookbooks, often printed by social clubs, church groups, etc., often have really great recipes! Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: As far as recipe books go, this is a good one, I suppose. It not only provides 500 great recipes (the cantaloupe sorbet was a big hit with my family!), it also delves into the science behind why this diet is so healthy AND gives a nod to the non-culinary healthful aspects of a Mediterranean lifestyle. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Not as full of recipes as her first book, Deep Run Roots, but it has more follow-up about what has happened in her life. I faithfully watched her PBS series, A Chef’s Life. Following her burn out that took place after the TV series ended, the closing of her two restaurants in Kinston NC, and her divorce, Howard finally had to learn to slow down. That slow down and discovery of herself resulted in this book. Rating and Review by Em

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "Seitan (pronounced SAY-tan) is made from wheat, but has little in common with flour or bread. Seitan becomes surprisingly similar to the look and texture of meat when it's cooked, making it a popular meat substitute for vegetarians and vegans. Seitan has a mild flavor on its own but can take on many more flavors from different recipes. It can be hot and spicy as in seitan sausages or savory as in Cuban style pulled porq. I found some of the recipes to be a tad tricky, but especially liked the New-fashioned meatloaf dinner." Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I met the author at Mountain Island Library in Charlotte. She was lovely and made 2 of her recipes; delicious. It's a beautiful book and interesting recipes. I haven't made that many of her recipes but have changed how I cook. For the most part no whites: flour, sugar rice etc., using coconut oil, coconut sugar , almond flour and milk, coconut milk etc. I've found other books with these ingredients and have made many recipes from that collection. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Dylan has such a fun TikTok page that I really wanted his book. He does a great job telling some history about the decades he writes about. He throws in a little of his personality about the different recipes. I have not baked any yet because I've let others borrow the book, but I can't wait! Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Many years ago, my great aunt and uncle gave me this cook book which had been used by them for many years. The editor stated in an introduction that while in the US in 1945, he found marked interest for an illustrated Swedish Cookbook in the English language, containing typical and well known Swedish dishes. As a result, this cookbook was published in 1947. The recipes include main courses, desserts, breads, pastries, cakes, cookies smorgasbord, traditional party and everyday menus. English and Swedish indexes are included. Black and white photographs accompany each recipe along with frequent full color photographs. I have not prepared any of these dishes but upon rereading this book after many years of its sitting on my shelf, i will likely plan to make a cookie, dessert or bread recipe. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Though an old cookbook (1981) it contains more pie recipes than one could perhaps make in a lifetime. There are pies of which I have never heard and pies that make my salivary glands pop. Borrowed this from a daughter and intend to copy out many recipes to try. Rating and Review by Donna

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: I own Ali Maffucci's Inspiralized cookbooks. We are expecting our first grandchild, so I was searching Amazon for a recipe book that would be great for children. This recipe book contains so much information on prepping ahead, tips, strategies for weaning and feeding, dealing with challenges, and not only that but an occupational therapist assisted with putting together this cookbook to assist those that may have a developmental disability or have sensory issues. The recipes in the book are great for the entire family. There is also a visual index in the back on how to plate meals for your child. I would definitely recommend this to anyone's kitchen cookbook library. Rating and Review by Marilyn

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: Great collection of the recipes and the passages from which they were used in the Mitford series. I will be trying some of these recipes. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This is one of my favorite recipe books and I have used it often. However, I had never read it cover to cover. Interestingly enough, when the new challenge list was published, I had started reading through it to see if there were new recipes I wanted to try. So I read the whole thing! I saw a lot of good recipes I haven't tried yet, and some I need to make again. I gave it four stars because since the book was published in 1998 some recipes call for products that are no longer available. Some are also incredibly rich and others call for ingredients that may be tricky to find here. But overall, it has a lot of great recipes. Some recipes are coded as healthy or quick. Many were contributed by readers and I even saw some that were contributed by North Carolina readers. I was in the library recently and saw a copy of this book in the Friends corner for a dollar. If it's still there, I would recommend that anyone who loves to cook should buy it. There are a lot of other good cookbooks being offered too. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A recipe book with every variation you can think of involving pound cakes. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "Loved it! Sci Fi mystery. Tesla Crane is an inventor, a multi-millionaire, a celebrity recognized everywhere, and her husband is a retired detective in this futuristic novel. Tesla is the survivor of a spaceship crash and survived horrific injuries; she has a small service dog (a Westie), as she is severely disabled from the crash. The entire book takes place on a luxury spaceship on their honeymoon. Several people are murdered on board and her husband, Shal, is arrested on suspicion. Tesla is determined to find the real killer. Clever dialogue; likeable characters. I hope author makes this a series." Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Charlotte thought she was just going to think, but buys this trunk instead. I found it interesting how Charlotte looks at this trunk as things in her life changes. The story behind the trunk and the dress were fascinating to read. Each of the women involved with the dress have great stories to tell - love and heartbreak. This is a great book! Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A good tale of suspense and imagination. Mary delivers even more than she did in her earlier books Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I really enjoyed this book! I wasn't expecting the author to talk about her faith so much, but as a fellow Christian, I really loved how she kept bringing that up and tying it to her letter-writing project. It's a book that gave me a lot to think about, a lot of which I'm still mulling over almost a month after I've finished reading it! Rating and Review by Baylee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This was such a sweet and funny book and the characters were so great. A curmudgeonly old man (Arthur) who likes to harass everyone, but especially librarians it seems, meets his match in Sloane, a local librarian. When Arthur doesn't show up one day for their daily spats, she becomes worried and finds a way to check on him only to find him bedridden and ill. She loses her job and decides to stay with him full time as his only son is not around. Sloane rallies everyone - her friends and his neighbors - to help him. These characters are larger than life and when their lives intertwine, they are even better.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A struggling new attorney finds himself in an insurance fraud case. Most of the book was the trial but was well written and interesting. Hard to put down. However it did have an unexpected end that was a little too " happily ever after " Rating and Review by Elaine

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Considering how little documentation is out there, thought the author did a good job of examining the outrageous and inconsistent information about Annie Oakley's life through press articles, Annie's diaries/scrapbooks/letters, and stories recounted by her relatives. The authors extensive annotations and bibliography attest to her significant research. As a result of her efforts, it was easy to develop a better understanding of the person vs. the legend, to see how a quiet, unassuming, petite, and ladylike woman of the period earned such high regard in an arena dominated by men and, by example, served as a feminist for women in a time when they were not accepted in a man's world, could not wear pants, could not participate in "manly pursuits," and could not vote! Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: It was as interesting book about leadership. The business plan is to be good to your employees and customers. It takes place in Walmart, Ritz-Carlton hotels, Southwest Airlines, UKROP's supermarkets. Fire Chief Jack McElfish of Richmond is the story teller. Going the extreme with positive attitude. Have a vision. Be a team. Have spirit of service. Yes, I can attitude. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: It's 1906 and Sophie is living in NYC in a tenement and working in a factory. When she reads an ad from a widower named Martin who is looking for a wife and a mother for his little girl, she writes back that she will take the job. After arriving in California they quickly marry and she settles in and begins her new life. A few months later she realizes that Martin is not quite the man she thought he was and her suspicions are confirmed when a pregnant woman shows up at her front door looking for him. That night an earthquake hits California and their lives are never the same. I enjoyed this book with its many twists and turns. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This is a really interesting retelling of Peter Pan, where Peter is a horrifically bad person. I think it wove in the components of Peter Pan and it's characters really seamlessly into a modern story. The pacing was really engaging. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Reading Finch's thoughts from the year 2020 felt very validating to me, as I had had many of the same thoughts during that time but had not been surrounded by people who thought as I did in many instances. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Jillian, a genealogist, gets possession of a trunk, abandoned at a railway station almost 100 years ago. She finds clues in the contents that make her start a search for the descendants. What she discovers is a surprise not only to her, but also the family of the former owner of the trunk. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Carrie is just a toddler when her mother dies leaving Carrie and her Dad together. Dad is a famous tennis player, teacher and coach and is very well-known throughout the tennis world. Once Carrie is old enough to hold a racket, her Dad Javier, begins to teach her how to play. When Carrie excels, she and her Dad practice hours each day. Once Carrie is old enough, she begins to compete and eventually drops out of school, is tutored at home, and begins winning every tournament in which she competes. Both Javier and Carrie are thrilled. By her late 20's, Carrie's dream has come true having won every championship title. But then Carrie's life changes and in the remaining 3/4 of the book you discover how. Yes, this novel is about tennis but SO much more. I highly recommend this title. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The story follows the Bemis and Webber families in Wyoming, 1876. When Ernest Bemis finds his wife - Cora - in a compromising situation with his neighbor, Ernest kills the man and he is off to prison. His wife, Cora, and Nettie, the wife of the man he killed, are left with their children to survive the harsh winter. Nettie is filled with bitterness and hatred over Cora’s betrayal, and Cora is consumed with guilt and regret. It is a story of life and death, the beauty of nature, and healing, sorrow, and redemption. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "The Accidental Veterinarian" by Dr. Philipp Schott, is a book I saw in the library and picked it up on a whim (so meeting the challenge). What a wonderful find! He shares many funny stories while also giving us a sample of unique cases and run-of-the-mill cases with just the right amount of how medical problems work in a dog's life. Dr. Shott has that sense of humor in his writing that I love -just slightly off-kilter but pleasant things that make us smile. I have several friends who have had several different dogs from showing them in dog shows to the ones who have working breeds on farms to home pets who have read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Again, a very neat find! The book is also a pleasant read at bedtime. Rating and Review by Karen

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I had read the author before (also on a whim) and picked this book up at the Friends of the Library sale solely because of the author. Didn't even know what it was about. Boy am I glad I did! Turns out this was a murder mystery, and I could not put it down.
Alexandra's mother Celina was murdered when Alex was two months old. Twenty-five years later and she is now an assistant DA set on solving her mother's murder. Give this book a try but allow yourself some time because you are going to want to find out what happens next.
Sandra Brown is becoming a new favorite author of mine. Rating and Review by Nancy G.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A very important book for anyone who is concerned about feeding their kids well and who want to avoid clever marketing schemes that target kids. I have a feeling I'll re-read this book fairly regularly. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I think readers who enjoy books by Jane Austen will enjoy this book. Stephanie Barron, the author, builds fictional stories around the life of Miss Austen. The research she has done on the Austen family and the time period is clear, and she does a remarkable job of capturing the writing style of Miss Austen. This book takes place a year before Austen's death. Jane and her sister Cassandra visit Cheltenham to take the waters in hopes of improving Jane's health. They are soon embroiled in the lives of the other residents of the boarding house. There is quite a bit of romance, along with a murder mystery to solve.The story takes place in 1816, a year when climate was drastically affected by the eruption of a volcano. I had not been familiar with this event, and was interested to learn of it. Be aware that the spelling and grammar reflect the time period and often vary from today's standards. This book is part of a series, but I have not read the others. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Marty Crisp's books for kids who want to know more about various animals are a delight. I read the one on cats and loved it, as I am a life-long crazy cat person. I have little understanding of dogs, so figured this book might do me some good. It is difficult for me to embrace creatures that roll in deer poop and have long slavering tongues, but . . .having read this little book, at least I understand why dogs act the way they do! Fun, informative read. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A funny, joyful, perceptive journey deep into the Garrett family's heartbreaks and craziness. Rating and Review by Becky

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The story of two lovers, one Hindu and one Indian and one Muslim and one Pakistani, when Partition occurs. Two nations are split apart by forces beyond their control, yet the lovers are bound by love, memory and history spanning continents and generations. They never forget each other. The book is steeped in the ancient art of calligraphy and perfumery. I loved this book. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: MATURE FOR ADULTS ONLY: Just two things to say; PLAYLISTS and chapter ILLUSTRATIONS. Great mafia romance, exciting and brutal. Rating and Review by Molly

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: Honey Lovett continues her mother's legacy as a book woman, a packhorse librarian, in 1950s Kentucky. Honey must face the prejudices for being different while trying to survive on her own while her parents are in prison for breaking miscegenation laws. Rating and Review by Michelle

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This story is about Raymond Mathis who was brought up in the NC mountains and, whose son has become addicted to opioids. The author tells in moving detail the struggles Raymond goes through in trying to save his son, learning just how hard this effort is. Raymond confronts his son's dealer and the interactions are interesting and thought-provoking. There are lots of on-the-edge-of-your-seat pages as law enforcement searches for the dealer, with Raymond trying to keep his neighbor, who is in the sheriff's department, safe as she works to find the dealer and stop him from selling to more young men. I liked this book in that the author describes the way addicts and their dealers can behave while bringing the sadness of a child's addiction to a parent. It's a book that should be read, I believe, by families dealing with a loved one's addiction as well as those of us who are fortunate enough to have not had to deal with this major problem. Rating and Review by Karen

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This was a tough book to read as it addresses the very real drug problem in Appalahcia through fiction. It was a story about a father trying to help his son in the best way he knows how and also trying to shut down the drug supply in the area. The book was well-written and the emotions of the characters came through in Joy's writing.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A young couple in love, get separated through a misunderstanding, then her family moves away. When she returns 7 years later, they realize the love is still there, but there are many problems to overcome. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Is there room for another book about a pack horse librarian? I say yes! Even though there are parallels between The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and Giver of Stars, I found this book to be a great read. The heroine is a widow with a small child with a troubled past. She meets and befriends many along her route, especially the lively MacInteer family. The book has a beautiful location, humor, suspense, and more. I found it hard to put down. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: At first I didn't think I could read, but forced myself and glad I did. It has so much poverty, bigotry, hope, no hope, horrible mine conditions. How important the books were! Cussy Mary was a book woman. Her mother had died. Her father had lung disease. Cussy Mary survived fear and hatred because she was a blue lady. She faced so much death from starvation. Found love and married, but they were mixed race. Which, they were not; the blue was a blood disorder. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This mystery/thriller is set in the Swiss Alps. Elin's brother has invited her to his engagement party at the modernistic hotel his fiancee works at. It was once a hospital for TB patients. A blizzard forces the guests to evacuate, but Elin and a few workers do not get out before an avalanche snows them in. As the days go by, two workers are found dead, including her brother's fiancee. Elin, a detective from the UK who is on a leave of absence, has little choice but to start investigating. I thought the author focused on the relationship between Elin and her brother too much and the ending was a let-down. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Espen was a brave young man. He started helping in the resistance as a courier and he kept doing more and more. He sees a great deal of the war and things others in the resistance go through. He finds out surprising things about some who are close to him. Finds his love. And so much more! Great story! Rating and Review by Erin

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: A young girl detests everything that has to do with the family moonshine business. She hates it so much that she wears clothes that are very worn and far too small for her rather than spending money her father shares with her from the business. All the while, Jessie struggles with an eating disorder that is worsened by her concerns about her family and making moonshine. She eventually has to decide if she will carry on the family business. Mountain families compete for moonshine customers. They destroy each other’s property and physically harm each other. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: In Feb. 1910, a killer blizzard hit the Northwest, trapping over 100 passengers in two trains in the middle of nowhere next to a tiny town of 100 people. Deemed safer to stay aboard the train since the town's hotel was considered more fragile, most of passengers and crew remained aboard for six days. Then, the mountain above them collapsed. Ninety-six people perished; ironically, the hotel was untouched. Great research, very readable as you go from day to day, getting to know the victims and survivors as the tragedy unfolded. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "Here by the Owl is a true story of Robert Gray Shipley who was born and raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He and eight other farm boys from across the United States were sent on a strange mission in the final year of World War II to an Island in the middle of the ocean. The mission he was on has turned out to impact the whole world, from grocery stores to restaurants. The book centered on his life while on the mission as well as his life in the Blue Ridge mountains."

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This was a debut novel and thriller about a multi-generational family who resides in the mountains of Northern Georgia. It was more than a chronology of the violence perpetuated for nearly a century in maintaining a criminal empire, built on bootleg, hooch and drugs - not in the name of power, women or money but of home. It is an intergenerational battle between good and evil with many twists and turns. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "High Country" is another Nevada Barr novel in the Anna Pigeon series. Anna is a park ranger, as is Nevada Barr, and each story takes place in a national park or monument. In this novel, Anna has been asked to go undercover as a waitress in the Park's restaurant to help find 4 young people, all Park employees, who have recently disappeared. Anna soon discovers that illicit drugs and dangerous dealers are in the park. On her day off, she ventures onto a hiking trail leading her to a plane crashed into an ice and snow covered lake and trash bags filled with dope. Her waitress disguise is uncovered and Anna finds herself in wintery isolation as she is hunted down by dangerous men attempting to kill her. This is an exciting story with many suspicious characters, leaving the reader in suspense until the final chapter. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book was amazing and kept me captivated for hrs. And the rest of the series is just as good! Rating and Review by Ginger

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Harlequin Intrigue Romance about brilliant yet virginal scientist CJ who must be protected by Frank because of her recent research. Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: "The author accomplished the first solo through-hike of the Appalachian Trail. His hike was in 1948, after he returned from WWII fighting in the Pacific. He kept a journal on his hike which was first published in 1981. This is a slender book, only 152 pages, so it is a quick read. I enjoyed his nature descriptions and the details of what the trail was like at the time, due to neglect during the war years: very primitive falling-down shelters and lean-tos, with parts of the trail so neglected, overgrown, or damaged that he had to find ways around the actual trail. The author went on to become a mentor to other hikers and was instrumental as an advocate for the Trail." Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A very readable historical fiction covering 1929-1931, when the movers/shakers driving the wealth/expansion of "greater metropolitan Asheville" greedily over-extended themselves and then were suddenly faced with total loss when local real estate/financial businesses collapsed. Events are seen through the eyes of a young woman who has moved from a poor, rural home setting to a job in town. She has not forgotten her roots and, as the story unfolds, reflects on the values and work ethic that keep rural families surviving this difficult time - largely through hard work, reliance on family/neighbors, and self-sufficiency. And their "innovativeness" in turning corn into corn liquor, a profitable cash crop didn't hurt! Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This was pretty good. It’s been a while since I’ve read a King novel. I used to be obsessed with his books & really loved them, but I think my taste has changed now. The story was very suspenseful, and I kept reading because I just had to know what happened to Trisha and if she made it out of the woods or not. It was just a little hard for me to keep reading at times though, but I’m attributing that to the fact that I just gave birth to my daughter 5 weeks ago & reading about a little girl lost in the woods was just too much for my postpartum hormones. Rating and Review by Baylee

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: This was such a fun book. Lord Gort travels all over the place. She rescues people who do not know they need it. And she loves on all she encounters. All the people were well thought out and given wonderful personalities. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The subtitle of this book is "The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916." Stay out of the water! Hard to believe that a scant 100 years ago, "beach bathing" was a relatively new concept. Swim wear was just reaching a point where one could actually get in the water without being weighed down with many layers of clothing. In general, the gentry just sat in the shade, but the younger folks were learning to swim -- long distance swimming was coming into vogue among young males. Chomp, chomp. It was believed that sharks were not "maneaters" and even after the attacks began, people believed it to be the work of whales, assorted large fish, or even giant turtles! Wrong. This book delves into the mind of the public in 1916 and yes, into the mind of the shark, as well. A fascinating, well-written and researched slice of life in the early 20th century. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING:★
REVIEW: A well written book, that I am sure kids would love. Ralph the mouse lives in a mouse hole at the Inn. He discovers that the boy in the room has a toy motorcycle that is just his size. He gets permission to ride it and has a lot of adventures discovering things in the inn. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Having had dachshunds for the past 25 years, I found "Hot Dog", by Doug Salati, to be a sweet book that I think young children will enjoy and love. The text is simple but tells a neat story and the illustrations are fantastic. I'll be giving this book to my grandson this year! (And I'm pleased that the word "weiner" was not used at all in this story of a dachshund. I do not like that word at all when used to describe these dogs!) Rating and Review by Karen

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "A heart-pounding epic that gallops backwards and forwards over three time lines starting in the 1850's. It is the story of a record breaking thoroughbred, Lexington, race and freedom, art, and the lineage of not just ancestors but actions. Jarret Lewis an enslaved groom for Lexington, forges a bond of understanding that will carry the horse to record breaking victories across the south. Horse tells a distinctly American story that shines a light on the legacy of slavery and the pursuit of independence. Jarrett and Lexington were both the property of others and Lexington was probably treated better!!!" Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: It was a story by Shelby the dog explaining from her point of view what her life was like. Starting in a poor situation where she and her siblings and mother. She runs away and squeaks by until she's discovered and becomes a movie star. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A friend gave me this book years ago, when I was struggling with a difficult work situation. Years have passed since, and I regret that I shelved the book and waited so long to read. What a lovely, imaginative story to illustrate how you can learn to adapt and maintain your sense of self if you have the support of family and friends and the kindness of others. A beautiful message for children/adults alike. And references to environmental issues are even more relevant today; sadly, because children are not so much in tune with nature or the environment, I fear that many would not be all that interested in this book today. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is my favorite book of all time, so it was not my first read. However, what an absolute pleasure to listen to the audio book read by the author! I laughed and cried in my car while listening. Rating and Review by Jeannie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: When a herd of sheep discovers that their shepherd George has met with foul play, they are distraught. He was a very good shepherd! He read them stories, treated their injuries, and did all he could to keep them healthy and provide a pleasant life. He used only their wool and never sold them for meat. Each of the sheep has a different skill or talent. They join forces to find out how and why George died. They are hampered by their difficulty in understanding human minds, but persevere. Despite a lot of false trails and red herrings, along with an fairly disinterested police investigator, in the end the mystery is solved. This is the first novel by the German author Leonie Swann and it has been translated into 20 languages! While I did not find it to be a favorite, it was definitely original, and overall a pleasant read. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: A high school boy inherits a book shop when his grandfather passes. The new young proprietor is visited by a mysterious cat who takes him on four adventures to save books. This book is more ideas-driven than plot-driven and I have to admit I found it to be fairly amateurish in the writing style (although this could be attributed to the translation). Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Overall, it was a good story, but I felt there were times the story moved to slowly. I felt there was too much repetition of her being set to move on and not going. The relationship between Hitchhiker and Ruby was very special. They clearly understood and communicated with each other. Over the years, I’ve had the feeling that my dogs understood my feelings and I sometimes understood theirs. My dogs have been wonderful supportive companions. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "Horse" was an historical fiction novel of Lexington, an American race horse. Set in the years 1850 - 2019, this was also the story of the owners, trainers, jockeys and stable boy who cared for this horse. Additionally, other characters included an equestrian artist, a NYC gallery owner, an Australian paleontologist who worked for the Smithsonian Institute and a young black man working on his doctoral dissertation concerning artists' portrayals of black Americans in the 1800's. Quite a network of characters and plots yet the story moved seamlessly back and forth through the three centuries and from character to character. The plot was engrossing and a real page turner. I highly recommend it and will be interested in reading some of her other books. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Speaker for the Dead is a thought provoking second installment to Card's Ender's Universe series. It makes some very interesting arguements about our preconceived notions about others and their beliefs. I definitely recommend reading.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The book written in 1993 is speculative fiction set in 2024. It is based on journal entries of 15 year old Lauren Olamina, a young woman who can feel the pain of others and it becomes her own. She is displaced from her home and she and several characters from all walks of life join her in traveling north to get away from anarchy and violence. This has been brought on by both poverty, climate change and discrimination. Octavia Butler presents a society baed on enclaves, all fighting for survival. The author is cautioning people who live in the US and readers from all over the world that poverty, environmental issue, discrimination and political corruption that is seen today, is on track to get worse. She paints a picture of the horrible state that the world could be if we do not recognize and work to combat these problems now. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is one of the coolest sci-fi books I've read. The manner in which the story is told is really compelling, there's a great magic system, and N.K. Jemison just has such a way with words. Definitely a must read in the genre. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This is the first novel in a 3 volume series entitled The Broken Earth. Jemisin tells the story of a woman with magical powers who can affect the geography, geology, weather - really the earth sciences, in many ways. Told through her voice, it is the story of her life, the stages she goes through, the people she becomes involved with, the places she lives, and the power she attains over the earth. She lives on a planet that has evolved over millions of years through variously named Seasons - Choking Season, Acid Season and more. A Catalog of Seasons and a Glossary at the end of the story provide much needed information in making the seasons, people, places and descriptions clear to the reader. This is a very engrossing novel and I recommend it for science fiction fans. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A vividly imagined story about a Jewish homeland carved out of Sitka, Alaska after the collapse of Israel. There is murder, intrigue, and even romance. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★
REVIEW: I didn't like it! It was confusing, so many characters, Jewish names and places! Murder and trying to find someone to be the Messiah and rebuild the temple in Israel. I didn't know there was a huge Jewish community of Jews in Alaska taken in by the U.S. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book won not only the Hugo Award, but several others, including the Newbery Medal. Although it was published as a children's book, I found it very entertaining. I would consider it more of a fantasy book than a science fiction book, but however it is classified, the writing is engaging. The story begins when all the members of a family are brutally murdered except a one-year-old boy. The toddler wanders into a nearby graveyard. He is adopted by a loving ghostly couple who name him Nobody Owens (Bod for short). He is befriended by a variety of ghosts who keep a watchful eye on him. A mysterious man named Silas who is "neither living nor dead," agrees to be his godfather and supplies him with food and other necessities. Despite his unusual upbringing, he grows up to be a compassionate and caring person, who also loves to read books. Unfortunately, the man who killed his family is still seeking the boy with murderous intent. This book would work for other challenge categories, including A Book with Magical Characters and possibly A Scary Book. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "I was immediately drawn into the story as it begins in the middle of the murder of a family being committed. Only a toddler, who had climbed out of his bed and out of the house that night escaped. The child ends up in a graveyard where he grows up with a ghostly couple for parents
and is surrounded by a hosts of other ghosts that protect him as he grows up. He also has a guardian, Silas, who is neither dead nor alive, who provides him with food and other things a living person would need to survive. Bod grows up to be a kind and compassionate person. However, the man Jack who killed his family is still looking for him. Interestingly enough, there are many Jacks, Jacks of All Trades." Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I like mysteries in general and was surprised at how well the murder of a diplomatic figure was integrated into a story of politics, espionage, and subterfuge set in a futuristic high-tech, multiplanetary empire that, on the surface, appears to be a stable society. Through the lead character, who is the new ambassador from an outlying space station, the reader is exposed to a culture whose actions, words, and allusions suggest undercurrents of political upheaval and hidden agendas for various government officials vying for power. Intriguing, enlightening, well written, and certainly relatable to what ambassadors in our world must deal with as they parse statements/actions for implied, secondary motives and step gingerly with their responses/reactions. Oh, the word games they play! Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Set in the late 2020's, this story begins with Lauren and her family living in the Los Angeles area. A middle-class family, her step-mother teaches and father is a minister, younger siblings in school, they live in a walled community with security. Climate change has wrought arid conditions and water is scarce. Violence is prevalent and only the very wealthy have the security they need and who knows how long that will last. The gap between rich and poor grows as more people are jobless and homeless. Lauren is a reader, a thinker, and worries and wonders about their future. She develops a philosophy, a religion of sorts, names it Earthseed where God is Change. When drugged gangs set fire and kill most everyone in her community, Lauren escapes with a preplanned backpack filled with the supplies she envisions needing. On her own, she heads north though crossing state borders let alone Canada may be impossible. The people, experiences and terror she faces on her journey inspire her to start an Earthseed colony. When the story ends, you will want to read "Parable of the Talents" to continue Lauren's journey. Butler planned to write "Parable of the Trickster" but died before this would be accomplished. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I have read this before but enjoyed reading it again... dystopic trilogy set in the future where everyone belongs to one of 5 factions... those who don't test into a specific group are considered divergent and a danger to society. Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I picked up this book in the summer of 2020, and it felt a little too real at the time! I'm glad to have picked it back up this year. I found it so compelling to consider the role that music and theatre play in an uncertain and scary world. Definitely recommend. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Another great book about Eve Dallas lieutenant in NYC and her crew solving homicides. The book is detailed and draws the reader in with every sentence. JD Robb has a way of telling a story even the gory ones that are fascinating with a little love thrown in. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This was a good, solid science fiction story, though not as complex as Wool, which I read several years ago. And, as with most science fiction, though set in the future, it deals with topical issues applicable to today - in this case the ravages of one war after another, one man's personal trauma in the ongoing fighting, and how he is drawn into a novel situation for the ultimate battle to end the fighting. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This is the second book in the In Death series, written by Nora Roberts using the pen name J. D. Robb. The entire series is set in the future. The main character homicide lieutenant Eve Dallas is a woman haunted by her troubled childhood and driven to help victims by solving murders. This book begins with the murder of a powerful female prosecutor. This is followed by more killings as Eve fights her hardest to solve the case despite political pressure and unfavorable news coverage. This entire series is worth reading and this book is a great read. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Interesting concept in which the current norm of America being where people flee to has become a place everyone flees from...Not an uplifting book but a quick read. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I was uncertain when I first started reading this book, but the further I got the more I couldn't put it down. Day's character was my favorite. Just the kid growing up the best he could while finding for himself. He's grown up in a place that really makes no sense and I thought has a strange way for kids to grow up. June is just going with all the things the government has told her and never questioning things. Finally, June starts to question things and this is when her character really became interesting to me. I've already borrowed the second book and can't wait to read it. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Ender's Game is a amazing book that challenged my ideas and forced me to think differently. It's not just a story about a boy saving the world, it's a view into the world of the mind.

RATING: ★
REVIEW: Jonas, a twelve year old boy, lives in a colorless world where everyone is told exactly what to do at all times. No one even has to think for themselves He is given a life assignment as a Reciever and when the Giver gives him his memories, he discovers dark secrets about the community. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "The story begins in 2043 looking back at a neighborhood tragedy that took place in 2027. Arlo Wilde, a has-been rock star , his wife, beautiful ex-pageant queen Gertie, his preteen Julie and her kid brother Larry moved to the suburbs to live out the American dream.

Their next-door neighbor, Rhea Schroeder—a lonely community college professor repressing her own dark past—welcomes Gertie and family into the fold. Then, during one spritzer-fueled summer evening, the new best friends share too much, too soon.

As tensions mount, a sinkhole opens in a nearby park, and Rhea’s daughter Shelly falls inside. The search for Shelly brings a shocking accusation against the Wildes that spins out of control. Suddenly, it is one mom’s word against the other’s in a court of public opinion that can end only in blood.

After several twists and turns all turns out well for the Wilde family. I can't say the same for the Schroeder's and the other families on the block." Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Very interesting book about the Saguaro cactus. It is amazing how many animals use the cactus as their homes or for food. The Tohono O'odham indians also gather the fruit of the cactus for food. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: A very important book! Especially if you have kids and want to explore the importance of raising kids away from screens and in nature. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This was a very good story. Kya was a complicated character even though at times she seemed simple. Being alone for so many years shaped her life in so many ways. Tate was good for her while Chase was pond scum. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Douglas Tallamy states that “nothing is wasted in nature” and this book demonstrates in its tribute to the mighty oak. After planting a white oak seedling in his yard and watching it grow, Tallamy began to ponder the “diverse web of life” that oak trees support. So, he decided to write this book, in diary-like format, to describe the contributions that oaks make to nature, month by month. Each month’s chapter discusses the ways that oaks sustain life and support the environment at that time of year, including the way in which oaks provide shelter, housing, shade, and insulation; the various caterpillars that feed on oak leaves and later serve as a food source for birds; the insects that burrow into the soil to enrich the earth; the manner in which oaks remove/use CO2 from the atmosphere (carbon sequestration); and the role oaks play in preventing runoff of topsoil and filtering of water from heavy rains, thus purifying water that eventually ends up in our rivers and oceans. Tallamy is an understandable scientific writer and a knowledgeable entomologist/ecologist, and he has effectively described how vital the oak is in maintaining a healthy ecosystem in our natural world. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Mimi Herman's new novel was one that was hard to put down. The story line was fascinating - the "selling" of the value of planting kudzu, the crop of the future. Knowing what we do today about this invasive species, it was a very interesting read about the life of farmers in the 1940s, the very difficult lives they lead and the hope they put into everything they plant. The development of the characters was so well done. Each storyline unfolds and intertwines perfectly. The conclusion was perfect! I really enjoyed the writing, the style, the flow. And I learned a lot not only about agriculture (nature) but family values. Well done! Rating and Review by Jane

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "The main character is a girl Elnora Comstock raised by a cold unfeeling mother. Starting high school and excelling in her studies especially nature provides her with comfort and development of friends. Elnora studies the species of the swamp and sells specimens to make money for her studies. The book explores love, success and friendships. As well, the books provides so much information about the Limberlost swamp and the disappearing valuable species lost as the swamp is drained." Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I recommend this book to everyone. This is a cosy fantasy surrounding a nature witch who gets a surprising offer through a video she posts online. She becomes a kind and nurturing mentor while navigating her sense of self and community and a slow burn romance. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Once I started reading this story, I couldn't put it down! There are three main characters. The first is Jo, a PhD student and breast cancer survivor doing field research on the nesting habits of birds. The second is Ursa, an unusual girl who appears near the house where Jo is living for the summer. She shows signs of neglect and abuse, but claims to be an alien who has inhabited the body of a dead girl. She insists she must experience five miracles before she can return to her galaxy. The third is Gabe, a neighbor who struggles with depression and other issues. All of the characters are entranced by different aspects of the natural setting where they live and grow increasingly close to each other. The plot, the setting, and the characters combine to make an unforgettable book. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: In the summer of 1869, John Muir joined a team of shepherds in the California Sierra Nevada Mountains. While tending sheep, he kept a diary detailing everything he saw, heard, smelled, tasted and felt. Muir was overwhelmed by the beauty of this experience and wrote and sketched continually. During a four-month stay in both the Yosemite River Valley and the High Sierra, he reveled in the solitude and quiet of this adventure. When the book was first published in 1911, it inspired thousands of people to visit Yosemite country. "My First Summer in the Sierra" is the most popular of the author's works. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: It's 1938 and 17 year old Woody has lost his family to the dust bowl of Texas. He travels to NY to work on a boat for his cousin, who soon dies in a hurricane. Left alone at the docks Woody can't believe his eyes. Two young giraffes are in the harbor about to embark on a road trip to the San Diego Zoo. He takes off after the truck on a stolen motorcycle and eventually finagles the job of driver. What could go wrong? A 17 year old without a license, who has never driven a truck before, manages to get them safely across the country and falls in love with a woman photographer along the way. I enjoyed this book, which is based on a true story. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: "It's written by the author and his memory of the depression. It had a lot of family history. The neighborhood and the struggle to survive. They had little but shared what they had. Jobs were scarce and his father worked at what he could when he could. People didn't have electricity sometimes because they couldn't pay the bill. No refrigerator but they had a well that they could keep things cold in. Most of the time no car. It had happiness, sadness, great loss, good people and good friends. Glad when the end came and there was work they could afford things." Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Although written by a man, the book sets out to offer a feminine point of view. The main character, Katya Kontent or Katey, is a hard-working young women trying to make her way in New York City. While far from rich, she has a steady job. By chance, she and her best friend meet a polished young banker and their lives become entangled. The book has a strong sense of place and time, and this adds to the enjoyment of the story. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: "Author states that while the Depression hit hard in Asheville, by 1936 “the entire city had more or less recovered financially” This nonfiction book is a straightforward examination of the circumstances surrounding the 1936 murder of 18 year old Helen Clevenger in her room at Asheville’s fanciest hotel; the police investigation and the suspects; the racism of the era, police, prosecution, and the South; the prosecution of a black man who confessed; and the doubts of many regarding the validity of the confession and the guilt of the accused. Who killed Helen? A maddening read, because one wants to know the truth, and we probably never will. The author achieves sensitive coverage of the influence of racism on the case. Police and prosecution tactics at the time were outrageous in this case, but normal for the era. The book is poorly organized, which was confusing, which is why I gave it a low rating." Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I rarely give a book five stars, but this book both intrigued and terrified me. Well-researched social history of our American Ambassador to Germany (and his family) at the rise of Hitler. How subtly it begins . . . a laughable little man surrounded by a band of political thugs who slowly cause chaos in the political spectrum and eventually take over the country. So many parallels with today's world. Based on letters, diaries and interviews with people who were there. One sees how Ambassador Dodd's viewpoint changes in just four years in Berlin as he watches helplessly at the gathering carnage. I heartily recommend this book. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: Samuel and Julia lose everything they have during the great depression. They start, with their two children, walking or hitching rides to a different city to look for work. When they are caught in a bad storm, they take shelter in an abandoned farmhouse, never realizing, it is their hopes come true. Great story! Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book was awesome. Mr. Russell is a great man and did wonders for the kids at the orphanage. The book talked about how small the kids were at the beginning and as the years passed the kids got to the size of their peers. It made me wonder if it was because of love and acceptance. It was amazing to see how the kids believed in themselves. Mr. Russell was good for the kids and the school. And through that the kids helped to encourage a nation during the great depression! Rating and Review by Erin

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: Whitney is desperate to save her restaurant business from a hostile takeover. She inherits a decaying Gilded Age hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks that could possibly provide just what she needs to save her business. However, things at the Excelsior Hotel are complicated. Whitney’s estranged stepfather is living on the third floor. The downstairs tenants are determined to save the historic building. As Whitney searches through years of stored family heirlooms in hopes of quick cash, she finds an old necklace and a Depression-era love story evidenced by a letters from the past. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "This was an interesting story about the trials/tribulations of various characters that ended up working at a turpentine camp in Georgia during the Great Depression, including: Many Blacks, who had few job options to start with, and ended up doing extreme menial labor and being subjected to physical torture by Crow, a bigoted, tyrannical woods manager; Delwood, a young man who wasn’t ready to settle on his family farm in NC and is now trying to work through the strange events that nearly led to his death after philandering with a farmer’s wife in a previous job; and Rae/Ray, the young woman who disguises herself as a man and flees North Carolina after a moral dilemma that has placed her in danger. The description of the turpentine farm/process as well as the turpentine industry's relevance to the Long Leaf Pines in the Tar Heel State was very interesting." Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: I had to make myself keep reading this book. That's sad. I love Proulx's books, but this was hard to get in to. I kept waiting for each section with it's new set of characters, a new locale and timeframe, and a common storyline to hold everything together and that never happened. I also had a real issue with the language in the last third of the book. I just don't need to read the "f" word in every other sentence! The book itself was well researched but the immigrant stories, the poverty, the abuse were all just hard to take. The timeline of the depression was definitely depressing.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A timeless significant tale about poverty, intolerance and how books can bring hope and light to even the darkest pocket of history. The Kentucky Pack House program was implemented in 1935 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to create women's work programs and to assist economic recovery and build literacy. The book is about these book women who were paid $28 a month and had to provide their own mounts. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Fun book about a young girl separated from her father during the depression. She makes new friends in a new town and learns about it's history. Rating and Review by Misty

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Not an easy book to read. I started it five times before I stayed with it. Steinbeck details every small weed, weed covered with dust, the dust itself and this happens before human characters enter. Set in Oklahoma during the dust bowl, there is no joy, nor any hint of joy in the book. Deep sorrow is all you find. Farmers who owned small farms for generations have to give up their farms due to bank foreclosures. They carry their families and few possessions to find work in California…California, that land of milk and honey and jobs. If you read it, you will find our country then is so much like our country now, and that is also a deep sorrow. Rating and Review by Em

RATING:★★
REVIEW: This is a book of love poetry and has poems from all over the world, including the U. S. Some I had heard before, others were new to me. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This collection of poetry was graciously offered by ACPL through one of the winter kits. I love the variety of poets included, which offer something for everyone. My husband and I enjoyed reading a few of these poems together. The one that particularly struck me was James Russell Lowell's "The First Snow-Fall." Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I saw this book reviewed by another Challenge participant, who mentioned it had been part of a winter package from the library. I missed that one, but was able to choose a copy of this slim volume from the prize shelf for those who participated in last year's challenge. It was a good read for this time of year. I had rather expected mostly cheerful or peaceful poems describing winter's beauty, but there was quite a variety and some were rather grim or startling. Many of the poets were familiar, but there were others that were new to me. I especially appreciated the brief biographical notes about the poets, which was at the end of the book. After reading that information, I went back and reread some of the poems with a new understanding. I had not noticed that this was available when I started reading. In hindsight, I would personally recommending reading the biographical information on the author before reading each poem. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: This book by local author Sandra Lawson was ok. Not a big poetry fan. Rating and Review by Misty

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: Kenyon's poems often evolve around the natural setting of the New Hampshire area in which she lived as well as serious and sad issues relating to life/death. Her direct, clear, sometimes bittersweet style resonate with me in a way that no poet has in a long time. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Mary Oliver captures the special relationship that a dog owner has with her dogs who have accompanied her on daily walks, warmed her home and inspired her poetry. Her poems begin in the small everyday moments familiar to all dog lovers, but through her extraordinary vision, these observations become higher meditations on the world and our place in it. Thirty-five dog songs and one essay. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: For me, most of her poems in this collection require slow reading and rereading to comprehend. However, there were about 20 I particularly enjoyed. Some that stand out to me are “I’m nobody! Who are you?”, “Hope is a thing with feathers.”, “When I hoped I feared,”, “The spider as an artist”, and “Because I could not stop for Death,”. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: Oh, dear. I wanted to like this book. I like Ogden Nash, I really do. His verse can be funny as heck and most enjoyable. But....this book is 862 pages long. No one can write that many poems and have them be consistently good. And they are not. Much of it is drivel. I weep with disappointment. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: I just don't get poetry. It just seemed to take a turn from where she was going. Just didn't get it. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This poetry book is divided into 4 sections: Lonely People Weeping, Pliable People, Sadness Has No Seasons, and No Limits to My Dreaming. Black and white drawings of birds in trees, mountains and shorelines begin each section. Forty four poems are included. Subjects covered include love, friendship, loneliness, happiness, sadness, and laughter. Each poem encourages reflection and rereading, all are understandable and, in my opinion, beautifully written. "Will You Be My Friend?" is the sequel to "There Are Men Too Gentle to Live Among Wolves". Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I really don't like poetry but needed a for a library reading challenge. I am so glad I picked Mirror Mirror. The books poems are short and perfectly tell in just a few short lines childhood stories. Switching the poems in reverse throughs a fabulous twist into them. Thoroughly enjoyed - this is perfect for children and adults!! Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★
REVIEW: "This book is awful; it contains some of the worst “poems” I’ve ever read. The book reads more like rhetoric, a ranting speech about the decimation of nature. I love poetry and I care about the destruction of the natural world, so this book was very disappointing. However, the illustrations are gorgeous; by Patricia Beaver, a watercolorist. The only poem I liked was called My Old Green Pick Up Truck, with a perfect watercolor of it." Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Set in the South during the time that Colored, Asian and other minorities had no rights. Jo, a young Asian American girl, raised by her grandfather and homeless, lives in the basement under a print shop, undetected for years. She sets out to bring the problems to the attention of others, by writing anonymous letters to the newspaper upstairs, signed by Miss Sweetie. This book shines a light on so many problems from the past, that we today do not realize. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "True Biz (adj./exclamation; American Sign Language): really, seriously, definitely, real-talk.
This is a unique novel of 3 characters - Charlotte, 'Charlie', deaf since birth who's never met a deaf person; Austin, also deaf since birth but who has grown up with generations of deaf family members; and February, the headmistress of the residential school for the deaf where these characters meet. Threaded throughout the novel are pen and ink drawings of ASL - American sign language, and very interesting and often surprising facts of deaf laws, people, devices, language. Did you know that BASL stands for Black American sign language which differs from ASL for whites? A series of personal and political crises among Charlie, Austin and February make this novel a page-turner, a very unusual story of deafness in a world of sound. I highly recommend!" Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The first time a cookbook ever made me cry. This is so good. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book is an absolute delight. I found it to have all the imagination and writing style of John Green's best works paired with the societal insight of Hank Green's two books. It's a story of two friends who create video games, but keep in mind that you do not have to know or care about video games to enjoy this story of friendship, love, loss, and the creative process. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is a fast read and a lot of fun! It is set during the last years of Queen Victoria's reign. Isabella Waverly, and impoverished gentrywoman, is forced into service by her alcoholic father. She discovers a passion and talent for cooking. An unexpected event gives her the opportunity to work in the queen's kitchen where her skills blossom. You'll find yourself rooting for her as she faces hard decisions, challenges, and threats. This is a great choice for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with strong women characters. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A gripping, contemporary mystery of a possible serial murderer in a small village in the Shetland Islands - a setting where everyone knows practically everything about everyone else, and many are suspect. Riveting to the very end. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: It was multi-generations, a little hard to follow. It took me awhile to figure out who Adelaide was because of nick names. I thought she was Bootsie for a while. But she was Bootsie's mother. It had it all betrayal, murders (many), revenge, mystery, love, mistakes, lots of drinking in the prohibition, bootlegging, the KKK, the Mob, you name it it had it. There was this thought that the women in the family all left their children chasing ghosts. There was drugs and Alzheimer's, divorce, and lots of pain. When a huge tree was uprooted in the family yard and a young woman's body is found all the generations come together and they understand the past and why the women seem to leave their children behind. Now those left can build a future. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: It takes a while to get to the point where the reader can discern the connections between the three characters. There were times, a date written at the beginning of the chapter would have been helpful especially with Ben/Leo and Clare’s stories as there were repeated jumps back and forth in time. As I read the book, I often found myself rereading sections to try to keep the story/stories straight in my mind. I came across the following review that I feel accurately sums up The Possible World. Washington Book Review stated, “Schwarz weaves three … stories into one … story, showing how our pasts shape our present, and how some human bonds can help us overcome our emotional and psychological pain. The Possible World is a … moving story about human struggle with identity and loneliness.” After I read the book, I decided to listen to the audio version, I enjoyed it immensely! I think having read it first, I had already worked through the sections that were not clear to me while reading it.

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: Joe becomes obsessed with Beck after she visits the book store where he works. He stalks her, steals her phone and makes her boyfriend and best friend disappear. And that is only the beginning. I found this book hard to read and do not recommend it. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: "This is a post-apocalyptic novel recommended by David Joy. The main characters are a father and daughter; the mother dies shortly after birthing the child. The two appear to be the last survivors of the world-wide catastrophe. The man and wife both had parents who initially survived the holocaust, and there were perhaps a few others who lived, but it appears that the others died before the girl was born. Many animals survived, however including bears, who play an important and interactive role in the book. How do I feel about the book? I am not sure. I like the forest and descriptions of other areas of the ecology; I liked the relationship between father and child. When elements of fantasy started turning up I was at first disappointed, [I typically do not like fantasy] however, I found that fantasy as it is used in this book worked for me." Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: Book 2 in the vampire Chronicles tells the story of Lestat and his early adventures as his response to Louis sharing the story of Interview with the Vampire. To me this book is more fast paced and interesting than it's prequel. Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING:★★★★
REVIEW: When Cindy goes for a short vacation in Hawaii, she just plans to relax and enjoy herself. When she accidentally discovers the body of restaurant owner, who has been murdered, all her plans are disrupted as she realizes she may be the next victim. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: The second mystery in the series by Louise Penny was another page turner. The familiar characters in the small town of Three Pines are like old friends! The story of family, dysfunctionality, and deception all wind together for an intriguing tale of friendship and forgiveness. Rating and Review by Jane

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: There are several lines to this story. Neat facts about the Grand Canyon that I didn't know. There's adventure and intrigue. Different agencies and governments were involved. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I was able to check out this book as an audio book using the Libby app from the library, and I really enjoyed it. It takes place in the Scottish highlands, a place I would love to visit. I enjoyed hearing the different accents and voices used by the reader. This book is part of a series that I have not previously sampled. No doubt it would be helpful to read the earlier books, but it was not essential to enjoying the story. The story is about the murder of an attractive young nurse, which is followed by several other murders. The author is the creator of the Agatha Raisin series, which has been televised. I would categorize this as a cozy mystery, with likeable-though flawed-characters, nice doses of humor, and lots of red herrings along the way. I am likely to read or listen to more books by this author. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I had watched all of the Twilight movies but never read the books- I decided to read them and the first one did not disappoint! Rating and Review by Abigail

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Ava Wong should be happy. After all, she has a law degree from Stanford, a husband who is an acclaimed transplant surgeon, and a very rambunctious 2 year old; however, she is disheartened by it all. When Winnie, an old college roommate from China calls to reconnect, Ava is perplexed but curious. She finds that Winnie has morphed from a shy, awkward girl into a beautiful, confident high fashion woman with expensive tastes down to her designer shoes and handbags. The secret to Winnie's success is, in part, a counterfeit scheme importing near look-alike luxury handbags and she needs someone with a US passport to help manage her business. After some trepidation, Ava agrees to asist and the two Asian American women develop a lucrative though illegal business. Of course, it can't last forever and Ava finds herself jet-setting around the world, planning and carrying out shady deals, and lying to friends and family as her world becomes more and more complex. A great story with a surprising ending! Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: A place I would like to visit would be the ability to walk around in the mind of Neil Gaiman. Not a completely physical place, but boy oh boy, what a fascinating journey it would be! From this book alone, Gaiman’s stories jump from the nursey rhyme of Humpty Dumpty turned into a murder mystery to a jack-in-the-box that is hidden in an attic for a very creepy reason. What clicks in his mind to see normal things turned into places most of our minds would never have the imagination to go? I don’t think even an in depth conversation with him or a biography could answer all my questions. Only a walk-about though his thoughts could satisfy me. Call me weird, but then so is Gaiman. Rating and Review by Em

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The book is historical fiction which takes place during the Great Irish Famine of 1846, one of the nastiest times for Ireland. Poverty, hunger, disease, violence and death are rampant. During this time a couple meets and falls in love and marries. Although I have known somewhat of the Great Famine, I knew little about it. Workhouses were too full to take people in, exploitation of starving people became second nature, if not acceptable. It is not a book for light reading and is a story of utter desperation. These were real people and the author has done an amazing job of bring them to life. The book takes place in County Mayo which is a beautiful area of Ireland I would love to revisit. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book was a really cool exploration of feminism in witchcraft set in a fast paced adventure. As a heads up, the audiobook narrator's accent, while delightful, took a lot more concentration than my usual listens. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A very interesting historical fiction of WWII France about people in a small southern village (Free France) who hid Jewish children from the Nazis, forged new identities for them in order to aid their escape, and assisted them in escaping into Switzerland. Though the characters are fictitious, their innovative and meticulous methods for forging various forms of identification are based on real events and reflect the tireless, high-risk efforts of ordinary French citizens to fight in their own way to save Jewish children from the oppression/annihilation of Jews by the Nazis. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This nonfiction book details the story of the author's life and nursing duties to the people of the Scottish Hebrides. "Call the Nurse" covers the life of Mary J., her family, and her patients. Having grown up in London, Mary J. found the peace and quite of this remote spot in Scotland while on vacation. She and her family soon moved to this special place and settled in where her husband found work and she became the "nurse in residence" who was called on to check on her neighbors who were also her patients. Think James Herriot, veterinarian, and Mary J. is his equivalent. Loved this book and think it shows the country people, land, and Mary J.'s life. Rating and Review by Karen

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: How did I ever miss reading this book? I rarely give a five, but this one earns it! The year is 1864 and Sherman is marching to the sea, causing destruction and havoc in his wake. The characters are varied -- a slave girl, two Confederate con men/soldiers, a strange Union doctor, generals, privates, Southern ladies, etc. The writing style is fascinating -- scenes change instantly, reflecting the chaos of war. A darned good book. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Barry Laverty, MD has a new degree and little else. He jumps at the chance to be an assistant in a small rural practice in Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland. The older physician, O’Reilly, has some very questionable methods in dealing with his patients. With compassion and a bit of blarney, Barry finds out more about life and love than he ever imagined in medical school. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Theodosia is attending the unveiling of an antique Chinese teahouse at the museum her boyfriend, Max, works for. She slips into the photo booth and discovers one of the museum donors dead from a stab to the brain. Theodosia is an amateur sleuth and soon has a list of suspects which includes the dead man's wife, his mistress, the museum director, an antique collector that handled the sale of the teahouse and Max. This was a fun read and it concluded with recipes from Theodosia's restaurant. the Indigo Tea Shop. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "This book was SUCH a breath of fresh air after reading Julie & Julia by Julie Powell. My Life in France was such a fascinating read, I found it hard to put down at times. Paul and Julia lived such interesting lives and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about it. I feel like there was a really good balance between reading about their day-to-day lives & then about Julia learning to cook and everything that flowed from that. I picked up this book because I wanted more of the backstory behind Julia learning French cooking & how she wrote MtAoFC & everything that came after that. I feel like I got everything I was wanting out of this book & that is just very satisfying. I’m looking forward to reading Prud’homme’s second book, “The French Chef in America: Julia Child’s Second Act”, although I’m slightly worried it won’t be quite the same since that one was written all on his own, without the collaboration with Julia." Rating and Review by Baylee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A really interesting look at the areas of the world deemed "blue zones" which tend to have the healthiest, longest-living people on the planet. The author provides advice for how to eat and live healthier lifestyles. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "This book is the first in the Sam Blackman detective series. Blackman is a veteran amputee just out of the VA who gets together with the sister of a murder victim to solve the murder. The murder ties in to the murder of a black man 85 years before. This novel takes place mostly in Asheville, including the Biltmore estate. The author does a great job of portraying the Jim Crow South, the history of the Biltmore, and the emotions of recent amputees. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series. " Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I loved this story of women saving themselves so much I bought a copy for my daughter for Christmas. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Humorous and introspective, this novella follows 2 Harvard scholars to rural Albania where they attempt to trace the Homeric roots of local epic poetry. The local government thinks they're spies and has them followed. It's funny, it's tragic, it's thoughtful. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is a great short story that reminds me of my childhood. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Although this Newberry winner is intended for tweens, I found it enjoyable to read and compare to the version of Cinderella that I had read as a child. It was enjoyable to discover that the characters had more dimension and that the central female figure was not portrayed in such a grim, submissive, subordinate light, waiting to be rescued. The character Ella was intelligent, witty, assertive, and opinionated - all characteristics that are needed for young girls to grow into strong, independent women. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Based on the story of Beauty and the Beast, I didn't think I would like this book. It started out boring, but after awhile it became more interesting and I actually enjoyed it. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Interesting twist using Afro-Latinx characters in modern day times. I was somewhat confused while reading the story not realizing until the end that it was based on Orpheus and Eurydice. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This twist on Cinderella is set in The Netherlands. It is told mainly from the viewpoint of Iris, the younger stepsister, Iris. In many ways the book reminds me of The Girl with the Pearl Earring. It is set in the same general time period, and both books have a strong emphasis on the art world. I found the story intriguing and it was a quick read. Even those who don't usually enjoy fairy tales may enjoy this book, which is more of a family drama in a historical setting. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A diverse group of YA writers weaves familiar works and fairy tales with unexpected reimagining. Each of fifteen fairy tales is reimagined and at the end of the book each fairy tale is given in its original form. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Louise Penny has written another page turning novel! Couldn't put this one down! The characters in Three Pines continue to grow and develop and as a new mystery unfolds in this small village, secrets are reveled. Fables, stories, poetry, stolen artwork, carvings, and a strong cast of characters all come together to make for a unique reading experience. Rating and Review by Jane

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is a MUST READ. This retelling of the Baba Yaga split in a multiple POV with timelines in modern day and during the pogroms in Germany was insightful, thoughtful, and deeply interesting. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This was an interesting book. This community did so much to help as many people as they could. The book talks about the people all over the valley and how they managed to do all that they did. There were so many names that it did confuse me from time to time, but I was still able to follow. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: "This Lauren's life story. She was quite a woman and worked very hard. She really loved once, Humphey Bogart. She had 3 children the 1st two with Humphey and the 3rd by Jason Robards, her 2nd husband. She and I share the ability to see someone with qualities they don't have; that how it was with Jason. She tells of her early years and struggles and goes onto her 70's and new career challenges. It was very interesting and a life well lived." Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: Investigated cold cases for 30 some years. He was good at his job but so obsessed with it that it ruined his life. Personally thought he was a little too sure of himself. Rating and Review by Elaine

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "American Sirens" is the story of the history of the U.S ambulance service, its paramedics, and the men and women who made this happen. Until the late 1960's-early 1970's, ambulance services included a driver with no medical experience and a vehicle with no medical equipment. All that changed when an inspiring Dr. Peter Safer, innovator of CPR, realized the need for equipped ambulances with trained medics. Despite many challenges, Safer and a group of Black men from Freedom House, an organization helping Black men learn skills and find jobs, located in crime ridden Pittsburg's Hill District set about to make this happen. Against all odds, these men undertook 9 months of stressful, strenuous study to become Americans first paramedics. The story is seen through the eyes of a poor Black man with a tragic background who becomes one of this group. A woman doctor who takes over the program wrote the first text book for medic training, a text that is in its 8th printing and used today. There are many incredible stories laced through this story of these men and their experiences. Fierce opposition from white conservatives, politicians, police and fire fighters play a strong role. This was an amazing story filled with courage, hope and, ultimately, paramedics and equipped ambulances serving the nation. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The author uses biblical scripture to teach about rewards based on faithful service to God. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: As a forest chemist and later as an ecology professor, British Columbia native Suzanne Simard spent years in field experiments testing her theories about the symbiotic relationship of certain species of trees to fungi and one species of trees to another. She eventually concluded that various plants/trees in the forest play an integral role in the survivability of the whole. Especially interesting is her premise that the ancient trees, the Mother Trees, nurture and pass along their essence to those left behind when they are no longer there - through wholistic communication, nurturing, and tradeoff of life-sustaining needs - all observations that humans must consider when clear-cutting forests of these grand trees, when using pesticides/herbicides, when making sweeping decisions that could have a widespread effect on the natural environment. While her studies were interesting and ecologically relevant today, I found her writing difficult to follow - at times very detailed, like a technical report, then suddenly shifting to personal conversations about childhood/personal experiences - without any clear explanation of the sudden diversion or the relevance of the shift. While the subject matter is one of importance to me, her writing doesn't lend itself well to the non-scientist, and I doubt she would be a go-to author for me in the future. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book is available from the library as an audio book, and that seems the perfect way to enjoy it. The author is a television producer most known for documentaries. The audio book is narrated by many well-known personalities, including Meryl Streep, Martha Stewart, Glenn Close, Lily Tomlin, and many more. It is divided into short segments on different topics, making it easy to listen to bits and pieces as you have time. I think the stories would appeal most to women of a certain age, who can empathize with the challenges faced by the author and her friends as working women. The vignettes cover a range of emotions and situations. While the reader/listener may question some of the author's choices, learning her story is often thought-provoking. Many parts are humorous, but others can be gut-wrenchingly painful. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "Manny Lawton was a WWII soldier who survived not only the Bataan Death March, but more than three years as a POW of the Japanese in the Philippines. Fifty-seven percent of the prisoners died, some also died in the last days of the war when they were herded onto prison ships headed for Japan and were bombed because they had no identifying marks as POW ships. Seering first hand memoir, very very sad." Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Surprisingly all true stories this is a collection of short stories and plays that are spine tingling ghost tales - most of them seem to be set in the 1800s. Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The true story of a young enslaved couple who set our on a journey from Georgia for self-emancipation. They traveled openly by rail, coach, and steamship to Philadelphia, Pa. Ellen disguised herself as a wealthy disabled male, who passed as white. William was her slave. They were in danger in Philadelphia and fled farther north to Boston. They joined the abolitionists lecture circuit along with Frederick Douglas and William Well Brown. The passage of a stricter version of the Fugitive Slave Law in 1850 put them at risk once again and forced them to flee and leave the US for England where they lived for several years. Te book is full of suspense, drama, and historical rigor. It is a love story - one that challenged the nation's core precepts of life, liberty and justice for all - and challenges us even now. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Letters written by pen-pals starting in High School in the 1940's from a rural NC girl and an English boy; this is true writing and feelings at its best covering a variety of subjects including war rations, racism, love won and lost plus many other subjects. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Wonderful anecdotal account of the years Mary and her family experienced as she did her duties as the district nurse. Filled with a sundry of emotional relationships and experiences - funny, sad, moving and tragic. Overall, a delightful book. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I have loved David Quammen's books since I read Spillover in 2015. He just keeps getting better. This book was recommended on one of my favorite podcast, This Week in Virology. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: An interesting look at common ailments and potential herbal / natural remedies. I plan to start a small medicinal garden during the next planting season and was doing a bit of research to prepare. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: While I am extremely interested in the content this collection of essays intended to address, I was disappointed to find them relatively surface level and repetitive. However, the essay on Mothman made the whole book worthwhile! Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "I enjoyed this book and learned much about the early colonization of America, the problem of the Anglocentrism of many historians of the founding of the USA, and of the unique culture and laws of the 16th and 17th century Dutch empire that allowed tolerance of multi-racial and multi-religious groups. So little has been known of the Dutch contribution to America because many records were destroyed by fire, war, etc., and what remained was mostly untranslated from Middle Dutch. Also, many records were discovered in the 20th century and didn’t begin to be translated until 1974. Those translation efforts continue to this day. This is one of the best history books I've read, so if you are a history buff, I highly recommend it." Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: "I had a very hard time getting through this book. I wanted to read it because I watched the documentary of this story, and I was interested to see that one of the people involved had written a book about it. I am glad I saw the documentary first. It gave me a fuller picture of what was actually happening.
The subject of the book is about a group of college students who are taken in by the father of a friend who is "helping" them. They actually are entering a cult that lasted up to ten years for some of them. This book is the author's story. The documentary "Stolen Youth" covers much more of the story about the others involved." Rating and Review by Nancy G.

RATING: ★
REVIEW: I don't really like graphic novels so this wasn't my favorite, but it was ok. My son used to watch this on TV as a kid. Rating and Review by Misty

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Not a type book I care for. Cinnamon I'll is a puppy that likes cinnamon rolls. He also has long ears and can fly. He and friends from Cafe Cinnamon are in competition with pups from Black Cafe. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The book depicts a Jewish survivor of Hitler's Europe and his cartoonist son who tries to come to terms with his father's terrifying story. The cartoons (Nazis are cats and Jews are mice) shock us out of any lingering sense of familiarity with the events described. The book tells two powerful stories. The first is Spiegelman's father's account of how he and his wife survived Hitler's Europe and the second is the author's tortured relationship with his elderly father. They try to lead a normal life of minor arguments and passing visits against a backdrop of history too large to pacify. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This is my first time reading a graphic novel. I tend to think of graphic novels as the comic books I read when I was younger. It surprised me that a book in this format dealt some very emotionally charged issues about real issues for those living with and providing care of a very sick child. The author used the traditional Day of the Dead celebration to help the kids understand more about death. My granddaughter saw it on the living room table and started reading it right away. Her father has a Hispanic heritage and therefore she was very familiar with the traditions and foods. Furthermore, her brother, who had chronic health issues since birth, died 6 years ago at age 10. She was only 5 years old at the time. Henry, her brother, had to frequently be given breathing treatments and he had a feeding tube. However, he was never able to walk or use his hands and arms with control. He also had only about 15 words that people closest to him could understand. But, his eyes, and that marvelous smile, and precious laugh said volumes. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The Runaway's Diary gives a good perpsective on the struggles that homeless and runaway people have. It's a good book to introduce an older child into that world, but if you problems with LGBTQ+ you should avoid this particular title, because the main character's friend is gay.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I wasn't even quite sure what a graphic novel was until I went to the Challenger Book Club last week. Going to the adult section upstairs, I picked this one from the small assortment available. I am sort of ambivalent about it. I like words much better than cartoons. These science cartoons are sometimes funny, sometimes lame, sometimes too complex for me to understand. Perhaps I should consult my elder son who teaches chemistry! Well, it was at least a new experience for me and I can say that I tried. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Hollywood detective Petra Conner takes lead in a case in a hunt for a teenager runaway is stalked by a vengeful murderer. Rating and Review by Debra

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: I didn't like the artwork. It was confusing but I got the story, not sure what the wager was about. Characters were ugly except Mrs. Aouda. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Full honesty, I didn't know this book was a graphic novel when I picked it up, and I don't typically read graphic novels, but this book does what it aims to do really well. The story is sweet and endearing, the plot is cozy, and the premise is really delightful. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Truly incredible! The graphic novel is framed by John Lewis preparing to attend Obama's inauguration while he reflects on his long fight for social and racial justice. I got it, thinking it would be a quick read and I'd be done. I now feel compelled to read the second 2 graphic novels in the series. Highly recommend! Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Though not a format I'm that familiar with, I enjoyed the book, particularly for the way it presented the conflicted feelings of the young black teen who has found himself, thanks to a scholarship, at a special school, in the midst of primarily white, privileged students. Lots of attention on stereotypes, not just of blacks, but of hispanics, females, etc., and all the pressures young people feel/encounter at that age, when being acknowledged in terms of those stereotypes. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I have read several of the Odd Thomas books, so when I saw there were some graphic novel prequels to the series I chose this one for the challenge. It was a quick read. It was interesting to see how the artist portrayed the characters. There were notes at the end about her process that added to my enjoyment. The full length novels are better, but this was a fun read. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book does a great job telling about Dietrich's life. He has a battle within himself about helping to plot a murder and his Christian beliefs. I like how he so often repeats "other's first". That was his thought in what he was doing. It was also something taught to him from a church in America. As a Christian you are to put others first - not being selfish and only thinking of yourself. That was Dietrich did until the very end. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie have been best friends for years. They are both nominated to become the new Pumpkin King of Halloween Town. Before a winner is chosen they must complete three competitions. Will their friendship survive? Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This is a sci-fi murder mystery combining 12 issues of a novel into 1 book. The story takes place in a a city of twenty billion people living on the edge of the universe where 3 races have lived in peace for 500 years. When a murder takes place, rookie Green Lantern Sojourner "Jo" Mullein is called on to solve the crime. The colorful graphics and varied type fonts add lots of interest and energy to the story. I found that I needed to reread this novel to fully understand the entire plot. This also provided the opportunity to revisit the amazing graphics which added so much vitality to the story. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is the most hygge of stories. It’s lovely. Rating and Review by Laurie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: It's been several months since I read this one, but I remember enjoying it and thinking it was one of the better ones in the series. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "A Man Called Ove" tells the story of a Swedish man who is orphaned while still is his teens. He learns to fend for himself, has a strong work ethic, is very responsible and friendless. When Ove falls in love, it is to Sonja whose personality is all bright and beautiful colors to Ove's black and white. When she dies of cancer, Ove becomes very introverted but through his neighbors and a stray cat he slowly breaks out of his isolation. This is a remarkable story with an array of characters who break through Ove's solitude. The plot is rich with marvelous dialogue and man heartwarming scenes. Truly a beautiful story. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: 22 year old Alice is heartbroken. Her boyfriend broke up with her and she lost her job at the library. Having no idea what to do next, she travels to Kentucky to deliver 5 boxes of donated books to the library of a small coal mining town of Acorn. She only planned to stay for two weeks, but her stay turns into several months after the librarian in Acorn gets shot. She finds herself in the middle of a family feud, a murder plot and a double-dealing coal mining company. Her life becomes more exciting than any book she has read. I found this to be an easy read with some surprises and twists. Rating and Review by Michele

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This was about a young singer - songwriter determined to do whatever it takes to run away from her past while struggling to be a rising star. Rose says, “Every song tells a story.” Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The third and final book in the graphic novel series about John Lewis and his heroic efforts at fighting for the right for the Black vote.Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Not sure what my niece loved about the book. It was wacky with odd characters. It was about having a dream going for it. Two women encouraging each other. Very opposite women, but they came to love each other, and so much more than either though they could. Miss Benson ended up raising Mrs. Pretty's (much wanted) daughter and they continued the search of beetles after Mrs. Pretty was killed. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This is a memoir from pioneering American Dancer/Choreographer Ted Shawn, regarding his extraordinary career, much of it in partnership with his famous wife Ruth St. Denis, including their Denishawn Dancers and Denishawn Schools of Dance, their year-round touring throughout the U.S. and the world that lasted decades, his founding of Jacob’s Pillow, and his students and troupe members that included Jack Cole, Martha Graham, and other famous dancers/choreographers who helped shape American theater and dance. Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: As usual, an excellent book from John Grisham, fast and easy reading, holds the reader's attention from start to finish. Rating and Review by Donna

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book will have you crying and wanting to just hug him tight. Will leave you wondering what happened to him and have to read the second book. Rating and Review by Nichole

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I loved this book! It is the author's first novel and has been so sensational that it has been translated into over thirty different languages. I think the book's success can be attributed to universal themes. It's the story of finding strength and resilience that we don't know we have until we have to bear the unbearable. It's about place, displacement, prejudice and where to turn in the face of loss. Set in Colorado's wild beauty, it is a heartbreaking coming of age story of a resilient young woman whose life is changed forever by one chance encounter. The book explores what it means to lead your life as if it were a river - gathering and flowing, finding a way forward, even when a river is dammed. I would highly recommend. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This was an enjoyable read of a young American woman who did not quite fit the stereotype for women of the late nineteenth century. Typical of many such stories of that era, this one was full of high adventure and had lots of swash and buckle, a little too much for my taste but fitting for the genre. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book is like the Princess Bride but with a better Buttercup. Tress is what I've always wished Buttercup could be; smart and brave, but still sweet and kind. I absolutely loved it and would definitely recommend.

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: Tells of one southern families struggle after the war between the states. They have to try to start all over after losing almost everything including family members. Some of the family accept the freedom of their slaves and work with them, while others want to keep them as they were. A very good book. Rating and Review by Anna

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I checked this out from the library as an audio book and I would highly recommend enjoying it in that format. The author reads it himself and his voice is as warm as Southern sunshine and as sweet as sorghum molasses. Like me, Mr. Bragg grew up in the foothills of the Appalachians in northern Alabama. His stories ring with honesty and range from laugh-out-loud funny to contemplative to tragic. Because it is a series of stories, it was great for listening to off an on as I did chores or exercised. It would also be great to listen to on a car trip. I know my mother would have loved it. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "The Wish Book Christmas" by Lynn Austin is the first book of hers I've read and I'm so glad it was this one. It's a sweet story of two young women who lost their husbands and other family members in England during WWII. They've moved to America and share a house with their two young sons. Christmas is coming up and with limited funds, the mothers are struggling to find money to buy a few Christmas gifts from Santa.

The eight-year-old boys found the Wish Book (reminiscent of the Sears Christmas Wish Book) and are picking out almost every toy to ask Santa for. The moms are concerned about the greediness (something almost all children experience at this young age) and want to begin to share the real meaning of the holiday. In doing so, the boys, little by little, come to realize how giving to others also gives them much pleasure as well.

The moms are also dealing with the loss of their husbands, settling into a new country, financial woes, and becoming acquainted with their husbands' families and their neighbors.

This is a sweet story of many different layers. It's not preachy but does share the story of the meaning of Christmas. It's very much a warm and fuzzy book but one that will make the reader think of their own childhoods and more. " Rating and Review by Karen

RATING:★★★★★
REVIEW: I stayed up until 2:30am so i could finish this book. What an absolute delight! The weaving of chemistry, food and cooking, life lessons, love, the inequities of life for females in the 60's, and a cast of great characters made for a very endearing book. And a dog who understands words! What can I say but WOW! Loved every minute of this book. Rating and Review by Jane

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book is an obvious 5/5 stars. The characters are so well developed and interesting, and while easy to follow, the plot continued to pleasantly surprise me. Additionally, I love the depiction of the main character as assertive and direct, but not bossy. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The book jacket made this sound fabulous. I was really looking forward to reading about Evelyn's marriages, her cattiness and why she wanted Monique to tell her story. Unfortunately, the cover does not mention a major part of the plot. Left me wanting what the cover said. I only read it to find out about Monique. Rating and Review by Erin

RATING:★★
REVIEW: This is a well-regarded book with good reviews from journals and many readers. But I did not really enjoy it. At its core, its a murder mystery, but it also explores mental health, magical religious practices, alcohol dependence, issues of culture and race, and more. While some of the writing is poetic prose, I found the language of other parts offensive, and was sickened by some of the actions of the main character. Fans of Stephen King may appreciate the elements of supernatural horror. Part of the book is set in Houston and doesn't seem to be well-researched. For example, bluebonnets are blooming in November, and they actually bloom in the spring. It is currently part of the Together We Read program and can be checked out as an ebook or an audio book without waiting from March 1-15. There is an online discussion group. I chose the audio book, but I think the ebook might have been a better choice as it is easier to go back and reread portions that you want to revisit. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The book for me was bewildering and tried to cover way too many subjects from planets, science fiction, climate change, politics and mental health issues. I could not keep up with all the jumping from one thing to another. I became impatient with the father in the book who I felt did not realize the severity of his son's mental issues and waited much too long to get him the help that he needed. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: It was just all over the place, some things I did like, like when the father told his son camping etc. The treatments tried sounded interesting but it just left me bewildered, what had I just read. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The book’s arrangement was confusing, based on the author’s reflections on such topics as unexpected friends, male friends, supreme friends, friends in joy, etc. Consequently, the author jumped back/forth with time/events, making it difficult for the reader to develop any real sense of the relationships discussed. As for RBG, there wasn’t much that had not already been covered in The Notorious RBG. And while book reviews characterized the author's discussions of these friendships as genial, discreet, and not overly extensive, I didn’t find them personal enough or revealing enough to convince me that the relationships were all that profound or about more than just the DC social scene (dinner parties, the occasional opera/movie, dining out). I wasn’t expecting Totenberg to bare her soul or provide sordid/sensational gossip, but to share enough about personal relationships to actually convince me that folks like RBG, Cokie Roberts, and other NPR and Supreme Court colleagues were truly friends. Rating and Review by Joan

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: This book fell really flat for me. It was pretty long and I just never felt like much happened. There's a training sequence about midway through the book that finally picked up the pace and immediately stopped. The cover of this book and marketing of it were phenomenal, but unfortunately, for me, that's about all that worked. Rating and Review by Hannah

RATING: ★
REVIEW: A defense lawyer witnesses a small plane crash. The pilot of the plane throws a box out the window at the lawyer, who uses the box's contents to unravel a mystery. The plot was a bit too outrageous and the main character was a "tough broad" but very evidently written by a man. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "Well, I cannot explain this! I have thought much about this challenge over the past few months. The only book I could honestly say this was true for was Where the Crawdads Sing. I decided I would reread it, and I was dreading it. I was totally amazed. I enjoyed it immensely. I looked forward to every opportunity to read more of it. I don’t know why I would not have liked this before. I must have been very distracted when I read it the first time as I was still working and was dealing with some major issues. As a matter of a fact, I even gave it a second hurried reread, mostly skimming, and I still didn’t like it. I thank my daughter, Sarah, for repeatedly reminding me how much she liked the book making me wonder why I had not liked it. I can’t imagine why I didn’t like it before. Such a beautiful story of the love of nature, perseverance, the struggle to survive, and the desire to be loved and never left. " Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: This book was predictable from the first chapter and I found the characters flat and uninteresting. I listened to the book which may have impacted how I felt about it as I could not skim through parts I probably would have if I had been reading it. I did not enjoy this book at all.

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: "Braiding Sweetgrass" written by a Native American woman botanist, explains the relationship of plant life to humans. She believes that plants and animals are our oldest teachers and we will learn from them only if we listen. Her reasonings are based on myths and science. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I went into this one with high hopes, only to find it quite difficult to get through. Not sure why because it's definitely well-written. The plot just felt scattered and disjointed, and I wasn't able to invest in any of the characters. Definitely wasn't worth the time investment it required. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★
REVIEW: I don’t understand why people love this book or how it won a Pulitzer Prize. I simply found it boring. So much of the novel is the rumination of the 3 main characters (Virginia Woolf, a mid-century suburban housewife, and a NYC middle-aged woman planning a party for a friend dying of AIDS), thinking deep thoughts about the meaning of life; their own lives; should they live or die; blah blah blah. I just don’t think real people, even introspective deep thinkers or depressed suicidal thinkers, think constantly like that. It takes more energy than someone in that state can muster; it doesn't seem authentic. You have to get out of your head sometimes. It that why Woolf killed herself? She bored herself to death? Rating and Review by Nanci