Ashe County Reading Challenge 2025: Books Read in 2025 (26-50)

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This fun beach read is a great promotion for Nantucket Island, the home of the author. The story focuses on the restoration and reopening of a historic hotel on the island. The absentee multi-billionaire owner is very anxious that the hotel earn a five-key rating from an online reviewer who has never rated any hotel over four. There are a variety of characters in the book including hotel staff, guests, and townsfolk. Not surprisingly, several characters have secrets that eventually come out. Some of the story is told through "The Cobblestone Telegraph" (the local grapevine). Other parts are told from the viewpoint of the resident ghost. Other parts are from an unknown narrator. The book's strongest characteristic is its sense of place. The author's familiarity with the island is clear. Some of the characters and situations are more believable than others. At the end of the book is a mini travel guide about the island. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: There is a lot of weird stuff in this book -- odd and quirky characters, an orphanage out in the middle of nowhere that seems to have no real outside oversight, unsettling images.....it's kind of a lot, and I mostly loved it! I thought the story of Homer, one of the orphans, was interesting, and when I had to stop reading for some reason, I couldn't wait to get back to it and find out what was going to happen next. Some parts of it were a little graphic, so I just skimmed over those paragraphs. It made me think about what it means to be/have a family and about both sides of the issue of abortion. This has been on my TBR for a good while, and I'm glad that I read it! Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The novel begins with seventeen year old, seven months pregnant Novalee Nation is abandoned at a Walmart in Oklahoma by her boyfriend Willy Jack who plans to go to California to be a singer/song writer. Novalee is a very determined young lady who strives heartily to rebuild her life while caring for her daughter. The book demonstrates the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This book was a slow starter and jumped between times and character POVs which made it a little hard for me to stay with in the beginning. The themes around censorship, marginalization of minorities and religions, and good people staying quiet while bad things happen struck me as timely and on point. I was struck by a line in the book that apparently came from Mein Kampf - that someone only should read a book to support their pre existing ideas and dismiss the rest. Its a terrifying idea that hasn't gone away. Rating and Review by Robyn

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: A collection of short stories set over several continents and several decades. Detailed and realistic character development and settings make the stories believable. Rating and Review by Beth

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I always enjoy Wanda Brunstetter's novels. This one is a collection of short stories penned with her daughter-in-law and granddaughter. They include little lessons to help the Amish and us (English) to conquer/face problems of faith/life by practicing our simple faith and sharing kindness with others. I would recommend this collection as an enriching and enjoyable read. Rating and Review by Shirley

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "All Melina Green wanted in life was to have one of her plays performed on stage. She finally found her muse in a distant relative, Emilia Basson. Emilia was the first woman to have her poems published in England during the 1590's and could very well have been the real creator of Shakespeare's plays. Melina wants to enter a theatrical contest, but fears she will be declined since she is a female. Her room mate secretly submits the play anyway using the name Mel Green and Melina is selected the winner. Now she needs to either confess or keep up the ruse.

This story contains many poems, letters, and play excerpts from real life characters, Emilia and Shakespeare, as well as the works of Melina. The story goes back and forth between present day and life in England during the 1500's. The book is 500 pages long and the many passages and poems were hard for me to grasp as the wording is very flowery." Rating and Review by Michele H

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I hesitate to rate this book at all as I have never been terribly found of poetry. I read the entire short book and only came across one poem that moved me, and move me it did. It was titled "Hands" and was definitely worth reading the entire book to get to this one. I will think about it often, for sure. Rating and Review by Michelle C.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I really liked this collection and felt like I learned a lot from it. Most of the women featured I hadn't heard of, so it was definitely an interesting read. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The title reflects the content of this book. They are really good poems. These poems seem very down to earth and express good visualization of solemn moments which I feel are the best parts of a good poem. These poems were read by Garrison Keillor on the "Writer's Almanac" at 7:00am in the morning. It is an experience I missed (1993-2017)... but there are podcasts according to the Internet. I have always been a fan of his work since discovering him on the radio in college with his Prairie Home Companion show. This book does not disappoint. Rating and Review by Shirley

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I'm not that fond of poems but several spoke to me. Rating and Review by Mary M.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Besides “The Raven” Poe published essays and other love poems. Some hard to follow and repetitious. Rating and Review by Beth

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Interesting but at times too much drama. Rating and Review by Mary J

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Fantastic perspective of WWII. Mother Rōźa and her 5 year old daughter Shira, a musical prodigy, escape their town after Rōźa's parents are taken and husband is killed. They hide in a barn until it becomes dangerous. Shira is sent to a convent and anglicized. She is given violin lessons. Rōźa finds a Jewish camp. They both defy odds and survive but are not reunited until Rōźa hears Shira play a concent 20+ years later. Rating and Review by Angela

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Generally, I am not a fan of Danielle Steele, but this novel set in World War II contained a lot of factual history regarding the hiding of Jews by nuns, etc. My biggest gripe about Steele as an author is that she uses such simplistic language that her books are on a juvenile reading level, perhaps 6th grade I think this book would be a very good one for readers in middle school, as it accurately portrays the dilemma of ordinary German citizens during the war, the people who did not agree with Hitler's horrific policies, and also shows how subtle and insidious Hitler's takeover was in the 1930's. Yes, there is the usual somewhat implausible Steel romance, but overall, I think it is one of her better books. Four stars for historical content, but only 3 for writing. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This is the story told by the youngest of two children in a miliatary family. Jody is around 10 years old. Her family is based at Pearl Harbor near the naval yard, recently transferred to Pearl in 1940. The aerial attacks come and bombard the naval yard while Jody's dad rounds up his family and moves them to a safer place - for a while. The situation worsens and the family has to move to San Francisco to be safe while Dad stays and serves as a naval officer. Jody's mom becomes severely depressed, sleeping all the time, unable most days to take care of herself or her family. Peggy, only a few years older than Jody, does not seem to be able to help Mom or Jody very much. Jody takes the lead in taking care of her mom and sister while avoiding the social worker who would take the girls from their mom, manages to continue her school work, buys groceries, and looks for a better apartment in a safer neighborhood. Her dog Happy is really her only support and together they work to make life as comfortable as possible. A very likeable book written for the early part of WWII from a sharp and smart little girl's point of view. Rating and Review by Karen

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This nonfiction book is about the Great American Dust Bowl of the Depression era and about the people who survived it, not by fleeing the area, but by staying there throughout. Their resilience, determination, sheer stubbornness, and desperate attachment to the land is remarkable, and it is told by concentrating on telling the stories of the real families who lived through it. The book also gives an in-depth accounting of the causes of the dust storms and left me with a better understanding of how important conservation-based agricultural practices are to the survival of the planet. This book won the 2006 National Book Award for Nonfiction and is by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I listened to the audio book narrated by the author, which is always my favorite way to listen. It was very well written and kept the reader/listener engaged and wanting to find out "what's next?" I liked the balance the author found between admitting she brought her problems on herself while honestly explaining the challenges and "catch 22s" of jail and probation. I found this book to be a real eye opener. Rating and Review by Jeannie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The book was excellent. It kept my interest and I was fascinated how this young woman was able to survive on a barren isolated island for two years. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Sadly, this story is based on real events. In his memoir, David Crow shares his trials and his endurance to overcome great barriers in his life. His father is a violent man who kills people and tries to kill David’s mentally unstable mother and David also. David often sees through his father’s many lies. David doesn’t get any relief when he goes to school as the students bully him since he says he is Cherokee even though he has light skin. He is also dyslexic, can’t hear well and cannot see well. His father forces him to take part in some of his illegal activities and constantly tells his ways are what it takes to be a man. Throughout the memoir, he is very protective of his three younger siblings even into their adulthood. As a result of his grit and resilience, he manages to survive his abusive childhood, graduates from college, and builds a successful lobbying firm in Washington, DC. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I actually enjoyed this sequel better than the first book (that doesn’t happen often)! I really enjoyed some of the themes, such as, “what goes around, comes around” and “justice is served.” It was wonderful and invigorating to see the growth and development of Daphne and Daisy Ann. Despite the hardships they underwent, these two amazing women came out on top and held onto character traits that we should aspire to have: honesty, strength, resilience, gracefulness, a true friend. Rating and Review by Thea

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Annie, a young soon-to-be mother, finds herself in the midst of a catastrophic earthquake in an IKEA store while shopping for a crib for her soon-to be born baby. Without her phone, her car and on foot, Annie is presented like a typical millennial who seems very self centered at first. Her journey to find her husband after the quake seems to change her. She becomes more caring of those around her and seems determined to care for her child no matter what. Her resilience shines as she travels on foot and finally home to have her child... Rating and Review by Shirley

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The heroine of this book, Samantha, has just been dumped by her husband and is left alone with their 11 year old son. The story follows Samantha as she attempts to build a new life much different from the one she was living. Though working temporary jobs, opening her home to roommates of varied ages and backgrounds, and dipping her toe into the dating pool, she does manage to start building a new life which quite possibly is better than the one she was living. It was a short read that kept me interested throughout. Rating and Review by Michelle C.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Anthony and Florence were only 17 when they were kidnapped from their villages and forced to join the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda. Anthony became a radio expert and was promoted to work next to The Great Leader, Joseph Kony. Florence had planned on going to nursing school and her job was to work in the field hospitals helping wounded soldiers. Both faced unmentionable cruelty and were forced to fight wars with Uganda and Sudan soldiers. Everyday was a fight for survival as they had little to eat, could be killed by the LRA for any small infraction, or could die by an enemy bullet. They met, fell in love and were allowed to marry and have children. Finally, after many years Florence and her two small sons managed to escape back to her home town. The LRA kept a very close eye on Anthony for the next three years until he was able to make his escape.

It is estimated that the LRA has kidnapped 67,000 people, 30,000 of them children. They have slain thousands of innocent civilians. They are still active today.

This historical fiction is based on the true stories of both Anthony and Florence. Some parts were to painful for me to read. I don't think I would have finished the book but for the fact it was part of Vicki's book club. Rating and Review by Michele H.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW:"All the Glimmering Stars" is historical fiction at its best. Taking place in Uganda and Sudan during the 1990's to mid-2000's, two bright, honest, loving children are raised by poverty stricken families in atmospheres of love and happiness. When 12 year old Anthony and later younger Florence are kidnapped by Joseph Kony and his Lord's Resistance Army, they grow up in the most barbaric, inhumane, brutal conditions one could image. If they tried to flee they were killed, likewise if they refuted their leader in anyway or lost their issued guns. Wounded 4 times, Anthony becomes a radio operator for Kony himself. Florence takes care of children, prepares food, and lives the life of a foot soldier. What they witness during their childhoods and teen years - living in fear, forced to watch murder and violence - while missing their families and realizing their former lives are erased - is incredible. An unexpected incident brings the 2 together and love follows. Eventually marrying, they must endure more years of separation before their plots to flee the LRA can be achieved. Their methods of resilience are remarkable. In afterwords, interviews with both Anthony and Florence shed more light on their lives and include information on how this book happened to be written. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: In 1865, a free black man and his family leave Kentucky for Texas with plans to be a freighter. After Indians kill his eldest son and kidnap his wife and 2 younger children, he sets out to find them. A detailed description of life in the wild west for Indians as well as those to try to conquer them with “civilization”. Violent scenes of atrocities along with beautiful descriptions of the landscape. Rating and Review by Beth

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The Language of Flowers is the story of Victoria, a foster child, who is aging out of the foster care system as the story opens. The chapters of the book alternate back and forth between her life as a child moving between foster care placements and her life as she begins to navigate on her own outside of that system. Much of the story centers around her knowledge of flowers and the meanings that traditionally were associated with various flowers. Victoria faced many challenges in her life as a foster child, and in her adult life, those challenges continue, and her resilience (along with the support of some people along the way), help her find her path in life. I enjoyed this book very much and couldn't wait to find out what happened! Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This series is a delight and this book was not a disappointment. Once again the indomitable Mrs. Pollifax is sent on what seems like a routine assignment for the CIA. She is to join a photo safari in Africa and take pictures of all the other participants. It is suspected that one of those on the trip is an assassin meeting with someone who plans to hire him. Of course, nothing goes as planned. Her attempt to contact an old friend from the first book sets off a dangerous string of events. No one is who they seem to be. But Mrs. Pollifax makes some very good friends, one of whom falls head-over-heels in love with her. Rating and Review by Judy M

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: At first I thought this book seemed kind of weird and unrealistic especially when Grady kept thinking he was hearing his wife's voice while on the island he was visiting. As the book progressed it became weirder by the moment and ended up with a cliff hanger ending and something you would never anticipate. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The series is really good. I found the first book by accident and it was part of me expanding my reading into sci fi and fantasy. Who doesn't love dragons? But the endings will be the death of me - Rebecca Yarros is the master of the cliffhanger. Rating and Review by Robyn

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is the second book in a trilogy and I felt like it was a fantastic second book. I think the magic system is really interesting, I love the descriptions of the school building itself, the characters have depth. I can't wait to read the third book and to then continue with more of Novik's books! Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is the fifth book in the Cork O’Connor series. Sheriff Cork O'Connor is lured to the nearby Ojibwe reservation on what appears to be a routine call—only to become the target of sniper fire. Soon after, he's called to investigate a mutilated body found above the raging waters of Mercy Falls.
While trying to solve the murder, his own life is in jeopardy. The book leaves you hanging at the end as all the pieces of the puzzle have not yet come together. I was very anxious to read the next one in the series, Copper River. It is as suspenseful as Mercy Falls. Great series. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Great read! Each person had committed a crime that they were never held accountable for. The murders followed verses from a poem Ten Little Soldiers. Rating and Review by Sue

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Tris and Fours journey continues as they must decide whether or not to join forces with the factionless to overcome the Erudite leaders that are attempting to control the remaining factions and weed out the Divergent. Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: After stumbling across cash from a drug deal gone wrong in the desert, Llewellyn is on the run. Not only is he perused by drug dealers, but also their henchmen and a sheriff. Concerned for his wife Llewellyn convinces her to leave home while he goes on the run. A flip of a coin determines her fate. Rating and Review by Beth

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The cover of the book has the tag line "Who is the hunter and who is the prey?" What a good summary of this story. I had no idea until the very end! This book was fabulous! Every time I thought I had it figured out, I was totally wrong. So many twists and turns. The author made sure to have fleshed out characters that I felt like I got to know, which really helped me stay involved in the story. Such a well-written book. I will be looking for more from this author. Rating and Review by Melissa

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I listened to the audio version, which was a delight. It is a short book with a lot going on. I grew up Catholic, so it was easy to relate to the many Irish Catholic references in the book, even though there were certainly some irreputable Catholic characters. The book has a lot of heart and leaves the reader thinking about "what's the right thing to do?" Rating and Review by Jeannie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This sweet little book of short stories caught my attention at the library resale tables. It's written by a French male author who clearly thinks about people, mostly women, in all stages of life and the challenges they face and portrays those people with a depth of insight that leaves you thinking about his characters long after the story finishes. I'll definitely be looking for more from this author. Rating and Review by Michelle C

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "This is a novel based on a real event: the 1895 railway disaster in Paris, France. There are actually several photographs of the disaster, which involved a passenger/mail train with brake failure roaring into the Montparnasse station and derailing, with the engine “bursting out of the lunette [a giant window] . . . like a dagger out of an eye—the pointed tip of the engine piercing stone façade and concrete balustrade as if it were paper.” The author uses real people who were on the train, although of course she fictionalizes their thoughts, actions, conversations, and personalities, except where captured in newspaper interviews, private letters, or official testimonies; she utilizes completely fictional characters as well. The author places an anarchist with a bomb on the train, and the last several chapters become increasingly exciting as the train gets closer to the Paris station, the brakes fail, and a crash is inevitable. Will the bomb explode? I loved the characters in this book; a wonderful cross-section of Victorian era society, from rich to poor." Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: It wasn’t a book that I had trouble putting down. On the other hand, it was intriguing until the very last page because the outcome wasn’t predictable. Rating and Review by Thea

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This novel is the story of Daniel Sullivan, a man who has had a few challenges in his life (and who has made some poor choices). He, by accident, meets a former actress who has become a recluse, and the book is about their life together. Each chapter focuses on a particular character and the way that character fits into the story of Daniel’s life, and bit by bit the story gets pieced together. At times, I really didn’t like Daniel, but I definitely was cheering for him and for things to get better in his life. I loved the descriptions of the Irish countryside where he lives in much of the book, and I think this book is an excellent story very well told! Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Mysteries are typically the only books that I'm reading to actively try to guess what happened, not just reading for the vibes, so I do typically prefer books where the reader could reasonably come up with a plausible solution to the mystery. I don't feel like the Sherlock Holmes books are that (yet at least, this is only the second one and it's my first time reading them). However, it's still fun to watch everything to come together in the end. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: It’s a very good book! It is a part of a series but every works out so you don’t need to read all of the books for it to make any sense! There is great world building, and the twists are surprising but not impossible or completely out of left field just for there to be a twist! It’s written wonderfully and the switching perspectives is a wonderful touch! Rating and Review by Cameron

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Set in 1944, this historical novel chronicles the experiences of 3 wartime nurses from England. Each woman comes from a different background and each has her own reason for volunteering in a war zone. Harmless romantic story line with gripping front line scenes. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★★
REIVEW: Wonderful story of young women growing up in Berlin in the late 1930's into the 1940's. Being caught up in families moving up the ladder as loyal party members. Getting their daughters married to up and coming officers. Hannah and Klara are free thinking young women. They were sent to "The School for German Brides". A real place where befriended a seamstress who was half Jewish. They helped her and her newborn daughter get away. Rating and Review by Mary M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A young American on vacation in post-war Franco’s Spain falls in love with a hotel maid. While his father tries to make an oil deal with the government, his mother tries to re-unite with the Spain of her heritage. Daniel only wants to spend time with Ana and her family and photography the real Spain. Rating and Review by Beth

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "During WWII, many Japanese Americans where sent to internment camps including the family in this novel. At some point in 1944, the older daughter Rose is sent to live in Chicago to prepare for the eventual release of her younger sister Aki and their parents. On the eve of their reunion, Rose is killed in a subway accident. How the family copes with this tragedy while attempting to make new lives in a Japanese American neighborhood are the basis of this plot. When Aki learns that officials are calling Rose's death a suicide, Aki determines to discover the truth as she cannot believe her sister would have committed such a shocking death. This story is well written with believable character, giving the reader a look into the difficulties Japanese Americans faced during the war, and describing life in a large US city during the 1940's.
The only drawback to this novel is that it is historical fiction and though the author appears to have done much research, I wonder about the validity of some of the issues this family faced." Rating and Review by Judy T

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This is the first book in the Southern Sisters series. If you have not read this series, I highly recommend all of the books. They combine humor, mystery, and heart. The series is set in Birmingham, Alabama, and features two sisters who are as different as can be. In this story the older sister Mary Alice purchases a country western night spot on impulse, much to the chagrin of her petite younger sister Patricia Ann. Suddenly the sisters face one disaster after another, beginning with the gruesome murder of the former owner of the club. I listened to the audiobook and the reader did a great job capturing the characters. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Humans have always had a connection with nature. This book will show you how to re-connect with the forest and become part of the environment not just an observer. Rating and Review by Beth

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I’m not sure how I didn’t know about Gail Godwin until recently, but I am so glad I discovered her. Evensong is my first book by her, and I loved it! I loved the strong sense of place in a small NC mountain community, and I thought the characters were interesting. The book was written in 1999, but some of the issues that were a focus in the book are still at the forefront of our world today. I look forward to reading more by this author! Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This book is set in a dystopian future wrecked by climate change and other semi-apocalyptic events. The main characters, two siblings, have extremely different views about how to save humanity and we follow the siblings as they love each other while they're trying to kill each other. Lots of science and a bit too much violence for me. Rating and Review by Michelle C

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: At the end of eighth grade, Maggie dreams of finding a way to escape the confinement of life in the hollow. Her mother, tells her she should quit school because girls didn’t need any more education than that. Also, her mother expects Maggie to do many chores at the house, especially to help take care of her younger siblings. Her dad tells her she can continue going to school.
When she enters high school, she discovers she has a natural talent for excelling in shorthand, typing, and other business classes. While attending high school, she puts forth great effort in helping her family continue to survive despite their poverty, a less than fertile few acres, and a family history of instability.

The typical spoken language, folkways, beliefs, and religious practices are woven into this portrait of Appalachian mountain family life in the years following WWII.

Maggie struggles to maintain her dreams of a better life amidst the many trials that will test the grit of this Appalachian Daughter. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The book takes place in Blowing Rock North Carolina and is about a couple that marries to the dismay of the groom's parents who feel that his wife is not up to societal par. They are ostracized by the community. When Joshua gets orders to serve in Korea he knows his parents will not help his wife who is pregnant with their child. He asks his bestfriend to watch over her. The book is a profound examination of friendship and rivalry along with a story of unfolding deceit. It brilliantly depicts the human capacity for empathetic compassion and selfish destruction, all justified as acts of love. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I found this book which is a biography (of sorts.) It is a collection of stories by Gary Carden (a storyteller) of his life growing up in Jackson County, NC. It is an area I had lived in for more than 30 years and heard many of its' stories. It was very entertaining at certain points and even reminded me of my step father who often told stories of his own. Rating and Review by Shirley

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: After being gone for years Codi returns to her childhood Arizona home to care for her ailing father. She gets involved with local politics, learns many Native legends and traditions and starts a relationship with a Native man. Rating and Review by Beth

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: In 1849 when many were dying of consumption (tuberculosis) Lucas’ entire family finally died. He left home and started working for Doc Beecher. Many families out of desperation tried a macabre ‘cure’. Lucas had to learn the difference between scientific reasoning and superstition Rating and Review by Elaine

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The book is about a ten year old boy, Auggie, with severe facial deformities which have kept him from attending school until he enters middle school in the fifth grade. It is told by Auggie and the different people involved in Auggie’s life. Auggie is delightful; he has a positive attitude, is able to poke fun at himself, and is incredibly smart. The other characters provide an interesting look at how everyone around him is affected by either being related to him or choosing to be his friend.This story left me hopeful, it was engaging and inspiring. Rating and Review by Michelle C.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I enjoyed this book more than the first one. The characters were more interesting and well developed and dealt with the desperation caused by loss in a way that was interesting to read. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is a story of a orphan (Anne Shirley) who is mistakenly brought to Green Gables farm on Prince Edward Island. An older brother and sister requested a boy to help on their farm and received a very talkative and red-headed Anne. She found life and fascination in things that they had come to take for granted. At first, the older siblings thought to return her; but she became a part of their family and enriched their lives and the community's as well. A very enjoyable read. Rating and Review by Shirley

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The book focuses on 13 year old Matthew who is stuck during COVID living with his mother and 100 year old great grandmother. His Dad is abroad indefinitely as a journalist. Matthew finds a tattered black and white photograph in his great grandmother's belongings. This leads to a hidden chapter in her past and a life shattering secret. Set in alternating timelines that connect the present day to the 1930's and the US to the USSR. Her novel sheds fresh light on the Holodomor the horrific famine that killed millions of Ukrainians which the Soviet government covered up for decades. The book was inspired by the author's own family history. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The book felt like a retelling of Mulan a bit - or perhaps that is just a VERY popular trope. A daughter left home to join the Engineers Guild to find her father's killer and to get more knowledge of her father's work at the Engineer's Guild. There are twists and turns, the killer is found and potentially an opening for a sequel. Rating and Review by Robyn

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The author used her experiences living in Saigon at the age of 10 during the Vietnam war to write this novel. She wrote it in verses as each verse is titled and shared based on her true experiences without adding any theatrics or details that writers sometimes do to entertain the reader. She shared her story of what she experienced living in her home, fleeing on a ship to America, and living in Alabama with a “cowboy” I enjoyed reading her story and encourage us all to write or tell our story just as you remember it especially during a time period that you were coming of age and history was happening. The character Ha shares 1 year of her life through the verses and you will chuckle when she shares learning English and having a hot dog and a bucket of chicken served to her. We see experiences different as an adolescent and I fell in love with Ha’s character. Vietnam war was definitely experienced differently for me when I was also 10 watching family members in America interact while telling me I am not to talk about it or ask questions. Tell your story, I will listen. Rating and Review by Karen H.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A delightful adventure in Narnia and beyond. I read this with my 2nd grader and we couldn't wait to continue to the next chapter every night. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Another side of presidential tales. The author is a former Secret Service agent. He along with current (as of the 2009 publish date) agents share their interactions with recent presidents, their families, heads of state, and others. Anecdotes about Nixon, Reagan, Clinton, Obama, Ford and a couple of others were interesting. The writing was all right but waiting to read more of the nitty-gritted anecdotes kept me going. Some surprising protocols and procedures, affable and not-so-affable presidents and their families (anyone surprised that Amy Carter was one of the worst protectee?), and more. This is a good book for bedtime reading. Rating and Review by Karen M.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: Inspired by true events, this novel tells the story of Ella May Wiggins, an instrumental figure in the labor movement and union organizing among mill workers in North Carolina. While I wouldn't rate this as one of Cash's best novels, it is nonetheless an inspiring and heartbreaking novel. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Great read!! The “Aftermath” at the end updates you on where everyone is now and what happened to them. Rating and Review by Sue

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This historical fiction is part adventure story, part travel story, and part coming of age story (including a bit of romance). Along with a zookeeper, a young man with a troubled past finds himself driving a rig with a cargo of two giraffes from New York to San Diego. Along the way, they encounter crowds who are so excited to see the giraffes, and they face danger, and we learn about the young man’s past that he is running from. I liked the characters and enjoyed the story very much! Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This historical novel is closely based on the factual sinking of the steamship Pulaski in 1838 and its actual discovery in the ocean off the coast of NC almost 200 years later. The two timelines are easy to follow, and I found the book both and enjoyable and interesting read. I also liked that the author presented philosophical and theological questions without pushing any answers on the reader. Rating and Review by Jeannie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "In 1838, 200 people boarded the new steamship, the Pulaski, for a short two day trip from Savannah to Baltimore. The ship sunk after a worker threw cold water into an empty boiler and caused an explosion. 180 years later the wreckage was found off the N.C. coast.

Everly is a history professor and is asked to guest curate a new museum collection that focused on the artifacts recovered from the ocean floor. Her research focused on a Savannah family who boarded the ship together, but did not all survive.

I enjoyed the book. I learned a lot about Savannah and life during the 1800's." Rating and Review by Michele H

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Excellent book and well written. The book was shocking, moving, desperate and ultimately triumphant. I cannot believe what these two teenagers went through and the atrocities they witnessed and lived through. Parts of the book were very difficult to read due to the horrible descriptions of what they endured and stayed with you long after finishing the book. I would highly recommend. The group they were abducted to serve in, was a Christian Extremist organization whose leader Joseph Kony, a total sociopath, Their primary goal was to overthrow the Ugandan government and establish a government with the Ten Commandments as their Constitution. Frightening!!!!!! Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Sometime in the near future in London, the British government accidentally discovers a time-travel portal, and a ministry is quickly assembled to exploit this new tool. The plan is to retrieve people from various past eras and to bring them into the present. Each person retrieved must be about to die in their own time, in order not to muck about with the historical timeline. Each time-traveler is assigned a bridge, a glorified governess who helps the time-immigrant assimilate. When the story follows just the plot of these assimilations, this novel is witty and entertaining. As the plot unfolds, we learn that something more sinister is afoot, and several characters are not who or what they claim to be, and the reading experience turns darker.

Read if you like to contemplate the idea of changing the past to change the future or the idea of time as linear or nonlinear. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This novel begins when a U.S. biowarfare project called Tabula Rasa goes deadly wrong and causes a worldwide epidemic. Before it reaches this stage, a few highly regarded scientists are called in to stop the project. Not wanting the entire world's population to be eliminated, scientists plan to place genetically engineered children inside the cocoons of large-scaled robots to be incubated, birthed and raised by these machines. Intelligence is programmed into each robot mother, each being given a Mother Code. Part 1 of the novel involves the men and women whose responsibility it is to design this program and the machines that will run it. Part 2 involves the children who are born to these mother machines and what happens to them as the epidemic begins to disseminate populations worldwide, including the scientists working on this project. "The Mother Code" is an unusual story, well written, and fascinating to the last page. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The author was Prince Charles (now King) valet for 12 yrs, up until shortly after his marriage to Diane. It is a fascinating peek through the keyhole of royal households, for sure. Barry is generous in his praise of Charles and slides over some important tidbits, like his relationship with Camilla! Since Barry admits to knowing all of Charles' comings and goings, he would surely have known about their relationship. Hence, my choosing category #36. Nevertheless, it is altogether readable and great gossipy fun. Rating and Review by Sandy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book was FABULOUS! Kept me hanging on and I had no idea what the result would be. I wasn't sure whether to like or dislike the protagonist - whether to believe her or not. And ironically, she felt the same way about herself. The author's note at the end really drives it home - as women, we are usually so accustomed to feeling guilt and assuming things are our fault. The protagonist herself wasn't sure of her own guilt - she doubted herself because that's what we do as women. Brilliant storyline and underlying message. I couldn't get enough of this story. Rating and Review by Melissa

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I picked up this book because of how interesting the cover was, and it was not what I expected but it did not disappoint. Rating and Review by Olivia

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I'm not sure why I enjoyed this book as much as I did. It was a easy read but one whose story took an unexpected turn many times throughout while still remaining believable. It focuses on a highly dysfunctional family and many characters to sort out. It took some time before I was able to make all the connections, but it finished with a satisfyingly horrifying conclusion! Rating and Review by Michelle C

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "Flowers for Algernon the story of a 32-year-old intellectually disabled man named Charlie Gordon, who is very pleasant and works hard at his job at the bakery. He has an IQ of 70. He wants to be smart and able to read and write. He undergoes a surgery to improve his intelligence. The story is told through a series of Charlie's first-person progress reports. Evidence of his progress is revealed in these reports.
Emotionally moving book. " Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: I didn't find this a particularly thrilling thriller. It felt a bit slow to me and I never really got the heart-beating "what's going on" feeling I like out of a thriller. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This was such a fun book with more serious themes all throughout. It's an easy read and a really interesting writing style, and I would definitely recommend. Rating and Review by Olivia

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This is a short story and a very quick read with some espionage. The characters were also fully developed. The author succeeded in surprising me as the story developed and I truly enjoyed reading it. Rating and Review by JoAnn

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This audiobook focuses on a series of killings in a Midwest community. Constant Marlowe, a former female boxer and outside investigator, takes over the case from the local sheriff. The story is full of twists and turns! The ending is not totally conclusive, but there is enough information to allow the reader to reasonably assume what happens. Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Each section of this book followed a different character and their relationship with the building everything revolved around. Some of the sections were better than others, some were spookier than others, but overall I thought the book was interesting and a good read. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Federal agents have to stop a nuke from being detonated over earth. Rating and Review Sue

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book is the stories of five people who are all affected in various ways by a revolutionary DNA test they take to help them locate their ideal partner. But “ideal” isn't always how the characters experience what happens. Relationships are shattered, secrets are revealed, and, eventually, blood is spilled. It was a good read that kept me thinking about the characters back every time I put it down. Rating and Review by Michelle C.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: The killer killed his victims according to the pattern of the children’s nursery rhyme “Ten Little Indians”. There were no survivors, just 10 bodies.
Christie pulls the reader into the story right from the very beginning. It was fast paced and hard to put down. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A perimenopausal mother plans to take a car trip alone across the country but only makes it about 30 minutes from her home before she goes down a rabbit hole of self-expression and self-actualization. I liked the theme of hiding out and escaping from your life. Who hasn't wanted to do that? I also liked the the installation / performance art of the motel room remodel. I enjoyed the narrator’s raw honesty and willingness to grow and change and to embrace new ideas and the eventual discovery of how to be truly honest in an intimate relationship. But what a weird reading experience. First, the book is weird in a kind-of all-over-the-place absurdist way Second, I usually hate sex scenes, and this book is obsessively about sex, but I liked this book. Maybe what I usually hate is the cloying conflating of sex and romance in most novels, not that those two things are always mutually exclusive, but they are also not always mutually inclusive. Possibly the sex scenes in this novel were not offensive to me because they were women-centric and lacking patriarchal overtones and descriptors. I found the book entertaining and very thought-provoking, but I honestly don't know anyone I would recommend it to because of the massive amount of graphic sex. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Stevenson set out to reform the criminal justice system especially for the youth and poor. He saved many from death row, kept children from being tried as adults and successfully argued that life without parole was unconstitutional for children under 17 and much more. Hats off and hearts open to Bryan Stevenson. Rating and Review by Elaine

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "Empire of Pain" was an engrossing true story of 3 generations of the Sackler Family who owned the pharmaceutical giant Purdue maker of Oxy-Contin. The story began with the three Sackler brothers, all doctors, and the eldest, Arthur, who had a gift for marketing and conducting ground-breaking drug treatments. He marketed Valium and made a fortune doing so. Eventually, Arthur bought a small drug manufacturing plant for his brothers called Purdue. Again, with Arthur's genius this company made and still makes billions through many deceptive marketing ideas. From there, Oxy-Contin was developed and marketed in many shocking ways. Through it all you meet the children and grandchildren who live lives in unbelievable splendor along with the league of attorneys who are constantly attempting to keep the Sackler name innocent. Though Purdue is forced to pay billions to the people who inadvertantly suffered and still suffer from these drugs, the Safflers maintain their innocence through it all. This is an unbelievably shocking true story that is still taking place today. Rating and Review by Judy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The book keeps you interested till the end! Rating and Review by LeeAnn

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: A quick read, good lesson and life and reminds you of all the people who were tortured/killed/uncared/ignored. Rating and Review by LeeAnn

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: In this nonfiction book, the author explores the 1963 murder of a woman in Belmont, a neighborhood of Boston, at the time of the rash of killings by the Boston Strangler. Junger was an infant at the time of the Belmont rape/murder of Bessie Goldberg; Goldberg was killed in the same manner that the other Strangler victims were, but a black man named Roy Smith, who had done some handyman work for the victim on the day she was killed, was the man arrested. It was quickly determined that Smith could not have committed the other murders, but Smith was tried, convicted, and sent to prison for life for Goldberg’s murder, always professing his innocence. Meanwhile, a man named Albert DeSalvo confessed to being the Boston Strangler. Junger became interested in the murder of Bessie Goldberg because Albert DeSalvo was doing construction work on his parents’ house in the weeks prior and the day of Goldberg’s death, just a few blocks from where his mother spent the day with Junger’s infant self and DeSalvo. Junger tries to discover if DeSalvo was the real killer of Goldberg and if Smith was innocent. I am a fan of Junger’s writing, but this book is not written as well as his other works, nor was the final editing well done, as there are several grammatical errors. Disappointing writing, but an interesting tale that convinced me that a terrible injustice had been done. Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I will read anything that Barbara Kingsolver writes, and I thought this book was fantastic! I felt very invested as I read about Demon, the main character, whose life is marked by family dysfunction and challenge from the outset. Demon's time in the foster care system highlights the injustices of that system that allow children to be placed in situations that are unsafe and toxic by caseworkers who are overwhelmed, underpaid, and sometimes just don't care. The novel is a commentary on the opioid crisis that was fueled in part by a greedy pharmaceutical industry that preyed on poor and disadvantaged people in very rural Appalachia. Demon is independent, resourceful, and hardworking, and these qualities enable him to persevere through the difficulties of his life (I saw that someone else in this challenge used this book to fulfill the category of a novel about resilience, and it totally fits there)! Great read -- highly recommend! Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Once again Joe Pickett is in deep trouble. Two well-paid and armed EPA agents are sent to his county to serve papers to the owner of a lot who has been accused of damaging a "wetland" when he starts moving earth to prepare for building on his lot in a mountain development a year after being told to stop. The land does not adjoin any body of water and has no stream. When the agents turn up dead, Joe's good friend is suspected of their murders. The regional director of the EPA is out for blood. Refusing to let the local authorities investigate, he brings in a large team to find the accused man, offers a hefty reward, and sends up drones to find and kill him--even though he has not been actually charged. Joe is befuddled by the aggressiveness of the search, but goes along to try to keep his friend alive. The book makes several references to Sackett vs. the EPA, a real case with some similarities to this situation. I did not remember that case, but read about it to better understand the premise of the book. Rating and Review by Judy M

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Set in the early 19th century, the book tells the story of Sarah, a wealthy white girl, and Handful, a slave gifted to Sarah on her 11th birthday. This thought provoking novel delves into the enduring bond between the two women as they strive for independence. The novel portrays the abolitionist movement along with women’s fight for equality in a society built on oppression. The book challenges the reader to reconsider their preconceived notions about race, gender, and the pursuit of justice. Sadly enough, race and gender inequalities are still issues today.
Some parts were emotionally difficult to read. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: It was good! It got a touch preachy at times, somewhat accusatory both towards specific individuals and the reader, which I found unnecessary, but it was still interesting! Rating and Review by Cameron

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Picked up this book in the library “new books” section on a whim and was unexpectedly plunged into thinking about things I never had before. In the future, when elephants are extinct, Moscow resurrects mammoths. After being raised in captivity and released into the wild, they don't know how to survive. So scientists insert the digitized consciousness of the last known and now deceased human elephant protector/expert into the matriarch to teach the herd how to be mammoths. When poachers kill some of the herd, this matriarch responds in a manner that you wish all animals hunted simply for pleasure could. This book was well written with great character development and a fast-paced plot. Ray Nayler packed so much into this 150 page book! I'm looking forward to reading his other books. Rating and Review by Michelle

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: This book was interesting for an avid reader as it was loaded with book references. One of the main characters was a librarian with many of the surrounding characters tied to her through books. Unfortunately, it was a bit pedantic and trite, with a predictable plot line. Wouldn't recommend it. Rating and Review by Michelle C

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Louise is a divorced mom who meets a handsome man, David, in a bar one evening and sparks fly. The next morning she finds out he is her new boss and is married to gorgeous Adele. Louise and David begin an affair. One morning after dropping her son off at school, Louise literally runs into Adele on the sidewalk. They start up a friendship and Adele asks Louise not to tell her boss that they are friends. It takes a while, but Louise finally realizes that Adele has known about the affair the whole time and is a psychopath just waiting to take her revenge. Rating and Review by Michele H

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I read an uncorrected proof of this book, which I won as a prize for the 2024 Challenge. It has an eye-catching cover! When I started reading it, I was not sure I would like it. Helen, one of the main characters, is an art therapist at West Park, a mental health facility in the 60s. She has made some dubious life choices. But as the story progresses, the character of William is introduced when he and his aunt are admitted to West Park. The story progresses through different viewpoints and switches back and forth between time periods. As more information is revealed the story becomes more interesting. I ended up enjoying the story! It also gives the reader a lot to think about in terms of what constitutes mental illness and how it can best be treated. At the end of the book, an author's note reveals that the story is very loosely inspired by a real life event. Rating and Review by Judy M

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: The author in 2021 checks herself into a psychiatric hospital for two weeks after having suffered following year of crippling anxiety, major depression and self harm. Her two weeks in the hospital are described in detail as she undergoes multiple psychological testing, group therapy sessions connected with fellow patients and extensive outpatient therapy after discharge. She also describes her life before and after hospitalizations and much of that time is involved with her life impacted by men. There is unrequited love, relationships with much much older men, the frustration of dating men in her thirties and the decision to freeze her eggs as her friends were all having families. Through treatment she does have many insightful breakthroughs and is able to feel hopeful about her future. Having been a therapist I was struck by how important those relationships were for her in her recovery, both the positive ones and negative ones. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: It is a well known novel by Charles Dickens that tells a story with a clear narrative arc,developed characters, And a strong moral message. Rating and Review by Lesley

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This collection of short stories had 10 stories by on of my favorite local authors. My favorites were *69 (What happens when your answering machine unintentionally records a violent crime?) Serial ( Ever hitchhike and wonder if your ride is a serial killer? Or perhaps you are the serial killer in the car? But what is the chance that BOTH of you are...?) and Perfect Little Town (What looks perfect on the surface can be deceiving!) It was entertaining and light. Rating and Review by Michelle C.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I'm usually not a Christmas person, but I did really enjoy this book. Some of the stories were more interesting than others, a couple were spookier than I was expecting, but overall enjoyed it more than I was expecting. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: In the second book of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Belly is struggling to mourn the loss of a family friend and mother figure when she is called upon to help Jeremiah find Conrad after he disappears from college. Drama ensues as miscommunications, assumptions and the past come into play. The ending brings it all together but this sequel wasn't quite as good as the first book in the series. Rating and Review by Kirsten

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: CIA Assassin Fortune Redding has to go off the grid because of a leak at the CIA . One of the world’s largest arms dealer has a price on her head. The CIA sets her up in a very bayou town, Sinful, Louisiana where she lands in the middle of a murder investigation because a human bone was dug up on the property where she is residing under the pretense of being the niece of her recently deceased aunt. She tries to keep her head down as the investigation ensues. She joins forces with a couple of seemingly little old southern ladies who, while working under the radar of the town, are actually very knowledgeable and capable of getting things done in the town of Sinful. This book is not a thriller mystery, but one with some suspense and lots of hilarity. Rating and Review by Ashley Weaver

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Joy, joy, can you believe it? I am giving a book a FIVE! This book is 4th in the Electra McDonnell series of WWII novels about a most unusual heroine. She's a crook, a safecracker, which is in fact, the family business! But . . . she is also a patriot, spying for the British gov't. and setting aside (mostly) her criminal endeavors. This series has great characters, intriguing plots and sad to say, the next in the series (not yet written) is supposed to be the last. Loved this book from beginning to cliffhanger ending! Well written and historically accurate. Yeah...there is romance, too! If you read this series, be sure to start with book one. Rating and Review by Judy M

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book was recommended by my sister. We have been working together to improve our health journeys together. We have a similar Autoimmune condition and this book applies insight as to the whys of them happening and the hows to try and help us fix ourselves. We are to each follow steps toward a goal for better health. In these steps, we are able to find what is preventing us from our goal to optimal health. I have not finished finding that "something" just yet. But after passing through the elimination diet part of the process, I am finding that I have more energy and am feeling more alert. I would definitely recommend this to anyone suffering with an Autoimmune condition. Rating and Review by Shirley

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: A young girl’s sister was kidnapped. She hunted for her 24 years and found someone who said she was her sister as the book ended. Not interesting enough to read the 2nd book. Rating and Review by Elaine

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Interesting read on how different illnesses and ailments can actually be linked to suppressed emotions and situations you may have neglected to deal with properly Rating and Review by Teresa

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Several law enforcement detectives and a medical examiner have to thwart a terrorist attack. Rating and Review by Sue

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book follows a young man, Tommy, as he builds resilience and remains positive despite the universe being stacked against him. Every year on Tommy’s birthday, he is erased from the world. Every single person he knows forgets him. All of his possessions vanish. He wakes up a stranger to everyone. He calls it the reset. He has the same best friend he has to "meet" over and over. One year, he falls in love with a girl and sets out to make a permanent relationship happen despite his limitations. There are so many avenues in this one. From foster homes and schools and jobs. It really is an interesting story. My only disappointment was the ending, it felt rushed and not very resolved. Rating and Review by Michelle C.

RATING: ★★
REVIEW: I found this book mostly slow and kind of boring. There were certainly bits that were exciting, but I don't think they were expounded upon enough. The most interesting bit was right near the end and we were left with the characters looking upon a future adventure that would likely be far more interesting than what the book was about, which was definitely disappointing. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This science fiction novel tells the story of an alien who is sent to Earth to erase any trace of a mathematical discovery by taking over the body of a human math professor. The alien, unfamiliar with human customs and behaviour, describes his exploration of the human condition from an outsider's perspective. THis observations about humans, their habits, and their society are both hilarious and thought-provoking. I loved how it got me to think about who we are and what we do from a different perspective. Rating and Review by Michelle C.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Nora has lost her job and her cat has died and she sees no reason to carry on. She decides to end it all. As her life hangs in the balance, her spirit is transported to a library where there are 1,000's of books. Each book contains a different life, a possible world in which she made different choices that played out in an infinite number of ways, affecting everyone she knew as well as many people she never met. This was a quick read and had me thinking of my own life choices. Rating and Review by Michele H.

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This was a good book, but maybe not what I expected. It reads more as a memoir than the practical advice about how times of rest can help us weather times of difficulty (ie, winters). There were some good examples of how nature has woven periods of rest into the life cycles of plants and animals, and the writing in the book is really beautiful and descriptive. I liked it..I just didn’t love it the way I expected to! Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I really like this series. This book is set in fall & has a good story. I really like the characters & the happy ending.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I bought this book because I have one helluva time getting through the cold Winters and often cannot wait until they are over especially this year after the hurricane. The author, a psychologist is a winter expert who shows how mindset can help readers embrace winter as a season to be enjoyed not endured and in turn powerful lessons that can impact our mental health and well-bring thought the year. She studied 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle in Tromso Norway during the Polar Night which lasts from November to late January. The sun does not rise at all. She suggested strategies that the Norwegians use and actually love Winter such as being out in nature, looking at Winter as a time to relax and retreat and ways to cope with darkness. I did follow some of her suggestions and got out everyday and took pictures of the season, knitted, etc.but still found the winter long and cumbersome. I tried!!!! Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Loved this book. Can't wait to read the second one in the series. Perfect beach read, although I read it in the spring, this cute romance is set in a small beach town and the plot focuses the lives of three teenagers and a tentative love triangle. Cute read! There is some foul language, teen drinking and references to partying but no "spice". Rating and Review by Kirsten

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "Silent Spring" copyrighted in 1961 is a classic that began the environmental movement in the United States. From childhood, Rachel Carson was fascinated with nature - plants, insects, water, air, soil. She worked for what eventually would become the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Her career matched her 2 passions: writing and science. Carson's book is written for the lay person. Each chapter is devoted to one aspect of our environment - soil, air, rivers, birds, etc. with many stories exemplifying the environmental damage we were causing using DDT and other chemicals. At that time, few realized how all living things are a part of a large intertwining network. Most people then (and likely now) do not realize that when spraying to kill insects, you are also killing the frog that eats the insect, the bird that eats the frog and so on. These stories told throughout the book made it clear of the damages we were doing to the environment and the costs both economically and to the future of our planet. "Silent Spring" was a fascinating, serious and well-written book, amazing to think Ms. Carson recognized all the detrimental impacts we were having on our planet as early as the 1950's. This book is as relevant today as it was when published and should be required reading for all. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I have been enjoying listening to audiobooks in the Joe Pickett series featuring a Wyoming game warden. This one was a little different. Usually Pickett finds strength and stability from his family. But in this book he is temporarily assigned to the Jackson office after the suicide of the game warden posted there. There is a little bit about what is happening back home with his wife and daughters, but they are separated for most of the book and unable to lean on and support each other. This puts a strain on everyone. Marybeth is facing challenges at home and Joe is quickly embroiled in multiple dangerous situations in Jackson. Communication is difficult due to conflicting schedules, poor cell service at times, and the destruction of Joe's phone in a fire. It was hard to stop listening to find out what would happen next. Rating and Review by Judy M

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Such a difficult book to read, and yet, I loved it! The book follows the lives of two children who are abducted and forced to become child soldiers. Based on a true story, we get a glimpse into the brutality of war and of children forced to fight. We also get to see what it means to try to be a "good human" during an almost impossible situation. The book is about so many terrible things, but it is also about hope and love and family. When I started this one, I was afraid I might not be able to finish it; now, I think it is a book that will stay with me for a very long time! Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This definitely would've been a five star read for me if I had liked the ending more. It was never a realistic situation/plot, but some things that happened in the end just pushed it too far over the line for me and it was hard to not roll my eyes several times. It also ended in one of those "if you'd waited 30 seconds before doing that awful thing, everything would've been fine" which I often find particularly frustrating in media. But overall I still enjoyed the series and I liked (most of) this one more than the first two, but a little less than the third one. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I loved this beautiful book about human relationships. I love these characters that I have come to know reading all of Strout's books, as well as the setting in small-town Maine. Even though this is the 5th in a series, in my opinion, it is one of the best in the series and can be read without having read the other books. Be warned though: if your taste in literature is anything like mine, you will want to go back and read and reread all her other books. If you need something to heal your heart a little, read this book. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book resonated with me more than other titles by the same author because the main character is a female, daughter of a wealthy state politician that served in Vietnam in the army. She enlisted before she was 21 to be a nurse because the army didn’t require experience unlike the marines or navy. At first I thought the story of the main character was going to be cliche until almost midway through the book. Additional characters were introduced and their experiences as a “women” during and after the Vietnam War were shared. Part Two kept me turning the pages. A white woman from a prosperous family, a daughter of a farmer and an African American women that each experienced Vietnam and their homecoming. A story that needs to be heard. Glad Kristen Hannah wrote the women story. Rating and Review by Karen

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I really liked this book - I couldn't seem to put it down. I was a little unhappy with the ending - complicated not neat. The history and character stories were so written so well and really kept me tied into the book overall. Rating and Review by Robyn

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: First, I would like to recommend that you not read this book when the temperatures are in the teens or lower. It is set in Alaska and Kristin is excellent in describing the brutality of the cold. It is about a troubled family that "escaped the world" by moving to Alaska. The move seemed the wrong choice for the family but they stuck it out and survived their first winter. The father was fighting his many problems/addictions and how they affected the family's structure (his wife and daughter.) It was a great story of the Alaskan lifestyles and spirit. Rating and Review by Shirley

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Trigger Warning for anyone planning to read this- it contains graphic descriptions of domestic violence. The Great Alone is about family, fear, the damages of war, and the fight for survival and follows the tragic life of teenager Leni and her family as they live on the fringes of society on the Kenia Peninsula. In addition to creating dynamic characters and a gripping plot, Kristin Hannah brings the Alaskan wilderness to life as the setting becomes one of the characters. Good read. Rating and Review by Kirsten

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book was absolutely amazing! Kristin Hannah never disappoints me! This story follows Lenora “Leni” through her teenage years and into adulthood. Her childhood is marked by violence at the hands of her father (former POW during the Vietnam War). The small family never stayed in one place long enough to make a home until they moved to The Great Alone (Alaska) where they are immediately welcomed by the small community. Leni finally has made a friend, Matthew. This story shows love, loss, courage, life, and strength. Wonderful read! Rating and Review by Thea

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: The book was published in 2002. I have read many of Kristin Hannah's books. I frankly feel like her earlier books are not as well written as her later ones. I found this book to be on the schmaltzy side and the plot was too predictable. It definitely was not one of my favorites. It would not be one of hers I would tend to recommend. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: An absolutely incredible epic set during the Dust Bowl. The novel follows Elsa Martinelli from childhood to death. You won't be able to put this book down. Rating and Review by Chrissie

RATING:
REVIEW: Micah has always been out-of-step with the rest of the world. He likes to make lists, has a strict chore schedule and enjoys his solitude. He is completely opposite from his loud and messy family. When his girlfriend, Cass, mentions she will need a new place to live after her landlord discovers she has a forbidden cat, Micah does not take the hint. Cass breaks off their relationship and Micah is relieved at first, but then he starts to miss her. The final line of the book will give away the ending, "They are walking so close together that they're stumbling over each other's feet, and he begins to feel happy." Rating and Review by Michele H.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Of course it was mostly in Ireland but there was a secret in the U.S. It was a lost and found love, hope, and a very special young man who was very Kind to all. He had a great wisdom and used it. Rating and Review by Mary

RATING: ★★★
REVIEW: This is the 2nd book I've read by Elmore Leonard, after watching a documentary on his life. Over his lifetime he has written scores of novels, both westerns and mystery detective stories, many of which became famous movies. To me, the most interesting feature of Leonard's writing is his use of non-stop dialogue by all his characters. In this novel, a U.S. marshal is on the prowl to find a missing friend. He becomes involved with 3 dangerous men who have kidnapped the friend and plan to blackmail him for millions of dollars. Along the way, Raylen, the marshall is helped and sometimes thwarted by a young woman who holds seances, read palms and tells fortunes. As the story progresses, each man becomes a target by the others making the reader wonders who, if any, will live to succeed in the kidnapping. This was a fast paced novel which I recommend. Rating and Review by Judy T

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Children can be taken so quickly. Ellie was not the first teen to be snatched from this little town but was the only one that returned. Everyone deals with tragedy in different ways. Especially if you know you are being watched by your captors. Rating and Review by Elaine

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This novel tells the story of a family's annual summer holiday vacation on Cape Cod. The narrator, Rocky, is a 54 year old mother who is thrilled to be enjoying a week with her kids who are now both in their 20s and have left home for lives of their own. So much of what Rocky recounts of her feelings about where she finds herself in life really resonated with me. Much of what she says is funny because it is so true. Secrets are revealed and explored, as the members of the family realize how limited their knowledge of each other has been. As a mother just now getting to know her kids as adults, I begin to realize how much of me and my past they do not know. This funny, heart-warming, well-written story is one of my favorite books of the year so far. Rating and Review by Amy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: This book is a Russian classic and would have worked for the challenged book category as well. It has very strange content including a talking cat and is about the devil visiting Moscow and havoc that he unleashes. It is a political allegory and was written during Stalin's reign in communist Russia. It is believed that the Devil represents Stalin and there is a story within the story, with Pontius Pilate as the main character. The author wasn't able to publish it during his lifetime. It was first published 20 years after he died and then with certain controversial parts removed. Years later it was published in full. The book I read is an earlier copy with some parts omitted. But I still found it outlandish and bold and it kept me engaged. I was surprised how it flowed. The characters were a bit difficult to keep straight because their names were similar and foreign. I just came across the copy at a used book sale in Blowing Rock and had heard of it. I'm glad I picked it up. It is very pertinent to the times we are living in now in the US and the road we seem to be going down. It's a good time for it to be rediscovered. I enjoyed a youtube review about it after reading it. Something like hard core literature book club. The guy goes through difficult classics and explains them in the historical context of their times. He does deep readings. I just watched his overview and read through the book quickly, not deeply. It feels a bit like Alice in Wonderland and I felt I had been down the rabbit hole when I finally finished. It took quite a bit out of me but I am glad I read it. It is very bizarre though, not for the faint of heart. Rating and Review by Jennifer

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Winner of the National Jewish Book Award and NY Times Bestseller. It is the Young Adult Edition of The Choice. The book is about a teenager who is a skilled gymnast and talented dancer. The book takes place in Hungary where she is living with her parents and two sisters. It is the story of Edie's family which is sent to Auschwitz which is horrifying beyond belief. Edie somehow survives and has written her memoir which gives young readers a gift of hope and strength. Rating and Review by Mary Lee

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: A truly chilling story of nature versus nurture. Following three generations of mothers exploring the idea that all women aren’t made to be mothers.I think every mother will be able to relate to some extent to the main character as she welcomes both a daughter and a son. Motherhood is such a momentous change in a woman's life and scarily different from what you learn in books and classes. I was gripped from beginning to end but the ending left me shocked and horrified. Definitely worth a read, it will keep your interest right up to the final line! Rating and Review Michelle C.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: I found and bought this book at the 2024 Literary Festival. As a PTSD victim, I am sometimes fascinated by the difficult circumstances others have gone through. It helps me see some meaning in those situations. From the first page, I understood much about the families, the town, and the times. I also grew up in a small community in the mid-fifties, but I would have been one of the families out on a farm. Mr. Minick did an incredible job relaying the realities, heartbreak, aftermath, and triumphs of the survivors of the worst tornado in Kansas' history. Sometimes, it was hard to continue reading, but the chapter that tore me up was near the end. I was in my small high school band and identified personally with Chapter 15, Marching On. But after reading the last sentence about moving forward, I was mesmerized by the last thirty pages: the Epilogue, Appendix, Acknowledgments, and the Bibliographic Essay. Rating and Review by Dawn

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Sweet Bean Paste is a short, easy read with a lovely message. The writing is spare but evokes beautiful images of spring in Japan as it tells the story of a young man who has had some trouble in his life and is just getting by. His life changes when he meets an older woman who also has a challenging past and a teenage girl with her own troubles. The book begins and ends in spring, so it covers one year in the life of the main character. I didn't know very much about this book at all when I started reading it, but I thought it was just lovely. Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "The book is written in dual time, during 1838 when Pulaski exploded and sank and present day when the ship’s wreckage is found 30 miles off the coast of Wilmington, North Carolina. Two of the main characters, Everly and Oliver, are still mourning the loss of their dear friend Mora. They are brought together when Oliver, who is a museum director, asks Everly to set up a display area with artifacts found in the Pulaski wreckage. As she delves into the stories of the passengers, she continues to struggle with the hit and run death of her best friend, Mora.
The anuthor alternates between the modern-day story about Everly and her search for the clues and information about the Pulaski and the Longstreet family, and the 1838 story, featuring Augusta and Lilly. Both Augusta and Lilly are women of their times, dependent on their family, especially the males, but their struggles at sea after the boiler explosion reveal courage and determination to survive. Learning about their struggles to overcome, Everly works through mourning for her friend and has the desire, once again, to live, to survive. " Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: Though the description I read prior to reading The Round House described it as a coming-of-age novel, it is that and so much more. It's about Native American culture, mistreatment, tribal lore, community and family. Really spectacular writing with a heart wrenching plot though the ending was too abrupt for me. Rating and Review by Michelle C.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I try to read at least a few nonfiction books a year because I do enjoy learning new things, but I also usually really struggle with nonfiction books because I find them slow. This one definitely fell into that feeling like it's slow, but I still enjoyed it. It was really interesting to read about this specific pub as well as just how pubs functioned and have changed throughout the centuries in general. It was a fun way to learn some England history. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: This book follows Ellie and Homa, two Iranian girls who become friends in early elementary school. They have big dreams for their futures, but life intervenes and the girls are separated for a number of years before reuniting and then being apart again. The book explores what it looks like to be a true friend and the challenges of being friends when people come from very different backgrounds. I loved the theme of feminism that carried throughout the book and the story provided an interesting look at the history of Iran from the 1950s up until modern time, especially with regard to women’s rights (and the loss of those rights) in Iran. This was a great read—I loved it. Side note—this author also wrote The Stationery Shop, which I read and loved several years ago! Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Willa Doon has had a crush on Jackson since she was in high school ten years ago. She often meets up with four old high school friends who are aware of her ongoing feelings for Jackson. Her friends often tease her about it; however, one of them is more understanding and supportive. He is a bartender at a local bar and is quite a ladies’ man. One night, he gets drunk on tequila, and as he was walking home, he sees her sitting on a swing on a school playground that was beside her house. They talked awhile before he headed on home, but just before leaving, he took her in his arms and kissed her. She had never been kissed before. The next day, he remembers nothing about seeing her. She was very hurt when she realizes he did not remember. As time goes on her friends continue to tease her about her day dreams of him.
Jackson and Thea, his best friend from childhood, own the bar together. Thea and Jackson grew up more like brother and sister than just friends. They were a big part of each other’s lives. Thea helps him identify this beautiful blonde from one of her drawings. He searches until he finds her, but he cannot figure out why she seems to dislike him so much. She continues to reject his flirting as he continues trying to convince her to go out with him. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Crossing to Safety is the lovely story of two young couples and their friendship over the years. It is a quiet book, meant for introspection and reflection as it explores themes of friendship and marriage. The main characters are well developed (it is very much character, rather than plot, driven), and the reader is invited to witness their relationships for better or for worse. A particularly difficult circumstance shows one couple enduring gracefully, and the interactions of one couple often made me cringe, even while I could see how their relationship was working for them. Rating and Review by Joanie

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I've seen every screen adaptation of this book ever made, so I really wasn't expecting to discover anything new about the story. Luckily, though, I was pleasantly surprised! This book may have been written over a century ago, but I think that the topics it covers are still widely relevant (and her humorous writing still makes me laugh). I had to read this book for a class, but I couldn't help but read ahead. It's just too much fun! Rating and Review by Josie

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: After listening to Sense and Sensibility earlier this year, I had to revisit Pride and Prejudice again. I don't know how many times I've read or listened to Pride and Prejudice, but it always delights and entertains. I definitely enjoyed at least one cup of tea (cinnamon plum tea) while listening to it this go around. Rating and Review by Kirsten

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: Small English villages, the cleaning lady, secrets, a murder, and teenagers in love. Tea was the common denominator. Rating and Review by Mary M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "This author writes multiple interconnected series that take place in Texas. They are considered humorous romantic suspense. The book was a little more suspenseful than most and was a little darker. Despite that I enjoyed the dynamic between the characters and the story line. I felt the explanation of the serial killer was a little weak and I hope this is not a sign that she is writing too quickly.
In the past her book mostly made sense even though the ""good guys"" do not follow all the rules and sometimes just solve the problem in the most expeditious manner i.e. death. Her characters kill lots of people. Her books are not always realistic, but you can follow the story. I felt that this book, did not explain the motives and methods of the serial killer completely. But I did enjoy the book." Rating and Review by JoAnn

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: "Three Girls from Bronzeville" is Dawn Turner's memoir of her life in Bronzeville, a predominately black area on Chicago's near South Side. Many famous black people have called this historic area home. The 3 girls in the title include Turner, her younger sister Kim, and Turner's best friend, Debra who are all third-generation daughters of the Great Migration. Their working class parents are eager to watch their children benefit from the suffering, hard work and resilience they and their ancestors endured which now give these girls opportunities, rights and freedoms they never had. However, Dawn, Kim and Debra, living in the l970's, have their own minds and desires which their families can't change. The novel follows the girls as they choose paths quite different from one another. Dawn Turner becomes an accomplished journalist who writes a moving, thoughtful, engrossing novel from first page to last. I cried at the ending in part because it was set in my home town of Chicago and brought back memories. This novel was also a sad story of the lives of these three fascinating women. Rating and Review by Judy T.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: I really enjoyed this advanced reader's copy and would give it a 4+, though it did not quite rise to a 5. I actually picked it for another category, but since I found tears in my eyes more than once, I am categorizing it here. The story takes place in Australia so some of the words used were unfamiliar to me and I had to look them up. (I like learning new words! ) The main character Lenny (short for Helena) is an uptight teacher who lives by a strict routine she imposes on herself. She is lonely, but has difficulty forming friendships. She usually spends her evenings streaming old episodes of Friends, playing Scrabble with her imaginary housemate Monica, or reading one of her 36 copies of The Hobbit. (It would have helped me as a reader if I were more familiar with Friends.) Lenny shows a kind and forgiving heart, but takes blame on herself too easily and is always apologizing for something. As the book progresses, Lenny begins to step outside of her routine to try new things. She begins to remember repressed memories from her past and finds courage she never knew she had. I found the book very hard to put down! Rating and Review by Judy M.

RATING: ★★★★
REVIEW: A very unusual piece of fiction, about a 17 year old girl who is killed on her bicycle in a hit-and-run accident. 7 years later, she is consciously riding her bike home with no awareness that she has been killed. She has no memory of an afterlife. Arriving home, she appears before her family and completely stuns them; she, too, is stunned to learn that she is dead. None of them know why she has returned. Over the next few days it becomes clear that only a couple of people outside the family can see her or talk to her. The book has numerous narrative voices and skips back and forth in time from before Amber’s death, to just afterwards, and to the present (7 years after her death), and explores how family members, friends, and people in the community reacted to and coped (or didn’t) with her death. The last couple of chapters made me cry. Rating and Review by Nanci

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: My only real complaint about this book is I would've loved for it to be longer. I thought it was a really cute, touching story and I loved the art style. Rating and Review by Hannah E.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: In a bizarre case of mistaken identity, Fredrick Fife is mistaken for Bernard Greer who is a resident at the Wattle River Nursing Home. He tries to tell them he is not Bernard, but as Bernard was recently diagnosed with dementia so they think it is a symptom of the disease. With no where else to go, he decides to borrow Bernard’s life for a while. Rating and Review by Bendy

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: "The End of Men" follows a pandemic that originates in Scotland, only affects men and becomes a global disaster. Just 1 in 10 men survive the virus, decimating almost all families world wide. The story is told from various points of view in many different cultues by the women who are left behind. Some we meet just once, while others we hear from as the virus progresses and society changes both during and after the illnesses.

It really made me think about how much we depend on men's skill sets in our bifurcated society. I'm speaking of electricians, surgeons, Carpenters, plumbers, government leaders, truck drivers, etc. Tthe book terrified me but I enjoyed it because it made me think! Definitely worth a read. Rating and Review by Michelle C.

RATING: ★★★★★
REVIEW: A story of a young man who rescued people from accidents, fires, bad relationships. He was a contractor building or always fixing things for people. He couldn't fix himself until he faced his 9 year old self. Rating and Review by Mary M.