I stumbled across Detective by Elicia Hyder while looking for a mystery that was entertaining, engaging and just a little different. I certainly foundI stumbled across Detective by Elicia Hyder while looking for a mystery that was entertaining, engaging and just a little different. I certainly found it. The dialogue is crisp and up to date. Nathan is believable as a character and easy to identify with as a hero. Theses are things I look to create in my middle-grade novels. This author has me hooked. I just bought another Kindle book, the Soul Summoner. I expect it to be just as good as Detective....more
The 1940-1950 generation was a slower time, a simpler time—a time when the country was recovering from WWII. Hardpan is an authentic portrayal of a faThe 1940-1950 generation was a slower time, a simpler time—a time when the country was recovering from WWII. Hardpan is an authentic portrayal of a family, like many families during this period, which made choices that worked against them. Yet this family’s determination and principles held them together in the face of daunting obstacles. This novel captures the culture of the time, the stoicism, the secrecy within the family unit, and the personal bonding in spite of the lack of communication, so typical of this period.
This is not a page-turner, but it is a good story, a story that draws you in so that you feel you know the Glover family intimately. It’s well written with a quiet tension that takes you along with them from Oregon to Wyoming and to California. It’s an epic tale that deserves to be read. ...more
Waights Taylor Jr. takes us to Alabama, the deep South, where Joe McGrath and Sam Rucker jointly and separately do detective work. It’s circa 1948, siWaights Taylor Jr. takes us to Alabama, the deep South, where Joe McGrath and Sam Rucker jointly and separately do detective work. It’s circa 1948, sixteen years before the landmark Civil Rights Act, and racism is the norm. This is not the environment where you’d expect Joe to team up with Sam, an African American, on equal terms, but he does and, it becomes a successful case of the future meeting the past.
Joe’s father, a local attorney, was murdered. It’s a cold case, 24 years old, but not to Joe. He smells a rat and is hot on the trail when he’s warned away by a brick through his mother’s window and later the gruesome murder of an associate in his new detective agency. The storyline begins slowly, but gains momentum by the middle of the book. The hook is in and we eagerly read on.
Along the way, Taylor treats us to an authentic look at Southern culture, using personal detailed knowledge of the environs and effective use of dialect. Even the sentence structure and choice of words takes us back to the 1940s. It’s a period piece that immerses us in a time of segregation long past and hopefully behind us. ...more
If you ever wanted to know how a thirteen-year-old boy thinks, this book is a well-done primer and comprehensive example. Trevor, the protagonist, is If you ever wanted to know how a thirteen-year-old boy thinks, this book is a well-done primer and comprehensive example. Trevor, the protagonist, is the narrator and his voice is consistently age-correct. The book is also, by the way, terrific story telling. It’s a middle-grade novel, but it’s the kind of tale that will appeal to parents as well as their pre-teens.
When Trevor’s dad arranges for him to ride a bus from L.A. to his home in Napa, he expects him to arrive hours later after a boring bus ride. It doesn’t happen. Instead Trevor misses the bus and begins the kind of exciting adventure that knocks every pitch out of the park. I should mention that Taylor fills her story with appropriate kid-level metaphors, many of them about baseball, which happens to fit the plot perfectly.
The story includes Tracy, a high-energy girl that keeps Trevor on the move, Rug, her dog, King, a homeless hero of sorts, and Jesse, the mean obstacle. The book contains many life lessons for young Trevor that will apply to young readers. It’s also an introduction to homelessness an issue in our metropolitan areas that has grown out of control. What used to be a fringe issue has become a significant portion of our society, a portion that includes many children.
In my opinion this was a five-star MG novel. I loved Taylor’s excellent writing, her squeaky clean and expert use of language and (as I already said) her selection of metaphors. If there’s a fault, it’s the idealistic representation of the homeless landscape. But it’s nasty and dangerous and belongs in a Young Adult story. ...more
I’m pleased to introduce you to six women: Chris, a bookkeeper, Abby, a local mayor, Nina, a psychiatrist, Rennie, the organizer, Morgan an actress anI’m pleased to introduce you to six women: Chris, a bookkeeper, Abby, a local mayor, Nina, a psychiatrist, Rennie, the organizer, Morgan an actress and Annette, who is shrouded in mystery. All in their mid fifties, they’re drawn together after many years by a will that leaves them a beach house. No ordinary venue, this is the beach house of their youth, filled with memories from 35 years of pathos and ethos, which all comes tumbling out in the interaction of crisp, intense dialogue crafted by Reid. In addition to secrets, there are mysteries that maintain a background of tension to the last page of this novel.
The characters come alive in the first chapters and stay with you throughout the story, like a Thanksgiving family gathering. Reid manages to capture both the closeness and the separations of life-long friendship. Her fascinating plot line follows in the tradition of two notable films: The Return of the Secaucus Seven (1979) and The Big Chill (1983). Like the films, Reid is able in this novel to define relationships in terms of the transition from one age to another. She weaves the story of these six lives like a complex tapestry that includes anger, love and depression, but ultimately caring. I can recommend this book both as an enjoyable read and as a study in character development. ...more
This epic historical novel brings to life the “Troubles” that manifest themselves in Northern Ireland. The period is 1905 to 1922, which encompasses WThis epic historical novel brings to life the “Troubles” that manifest themselves in Northern Ireland. The period is 1905 to 1922, which encompasses WWI, the war to end wars. We see this period through the eyes of Eileen O’Neil, I feisty Irish lass who is about eight years old as her story begins.
Falvey does an excellent job depicting the Irish mania for battling against overwhelming odds. This warrior culture seems to thrive on fighting any one at any time for any reason. And the British oppression is the perfect trigger for irrational Irish retaliation. Eileen’s story is woven throughout this conflict as it tells of her relationship to her family and two significant men in her life.
Falvey is first a writer and second a storyteller. Her writing is lovely and it flows grandly through the lives of poor Irish families. I can’t really comment on her historical facts, but they feel authentic and she portrays events in crisp, clear scenes. With the exception of the main character, Eileen, I found the two men a bit one-dimensional. However, it’s an excellent first novel and I recommend it as an introduction to the reader’s Irish heritage. ...more
Susan Bono’s book of personal essays is an answer to its title, What Have We Here? It contains essays from her life; essays elegant in their simplicitSusan Bono’s book of personal essays is an answer to its title, What Have We Here? It contains essays from her life; essays elegant in their simplicity and profound in their insight; essays that tell the life story of a thoughtful woman who has the ability to capture her feelings on a literary canvas for us to experience; essays that have the quality of poetry.
I read each essay out loud to my wife. We are immersed with the author in the scene: on the dance floor, in the kitchen, hiking, or on a car trip as the author muses about her life, our life, all of our lives. Yes, she makes a connection to all of us using nostalgia, humor and sometimes sadness with essays as accessible as a Billy Collins poem and as homey as a Christmas tree in the front room.
I insert a bookmark and close her book. It’s quiet. There’s a residual intensity that demands our attention. Then we share with each other what has happened. Sometimes it evokes one of our own personal stories. Regardless, we feel engaged, warm and very human. So I recommend this book for your humanity. ...more
This is not a romance novel. It’s an intriguing love story. It begins with the senseless death of William’s beautiful wife, Kathy, during a conveniencThis is not a romance novel. It’s an intriguing love story. It begins with the senseless death of William’s beautiful wife, Kathy, during a convenience store holdup. Three years later the protagonist, William, is still a basket case. William’s friend, Liz, another doctor, a pediatrician, challenges him to take the vacation trip that was planned by Kathy, three years earlier. This trip is the setup for meeting Annie.
I downloaded the book to my iPad, intending to scan the first chapter and delete the book, but the story hooked me. The characters were well drawn and the plot line kept teasing me onto the next chapter. Even the dippy disappearing tour guide, Aaron Black, was interesting as a character. In addition to the well-crafted writing and the lyrical sentence structure, Miller produced a nice balance between narration and dialogue with a constant subtle sprinkle of figurative language.
The plot line languishes occasionally, but always returns to increasing tension. In the last half of the book, the plot takes a completely unexpected twist. It was an exceptional turn and past that point, I couldn’t put the book down.
My only difficulty with the book was the character William. I could not visualize him as a doctor. He was missing that edge that all doctors have whether or not they’re mourning. Liz had that edge and she leapt off the page as a doctor. William seemed to be more like a liberal arts professor. Regardless, it doesn’t spoil a very good book. ...more
Beautifully written, however reading through the extensive beginning which was heavily weighted with internal dialogue was tedious. The last third ofBeautifully written, however reading through the extensive beginning which was heavily weighted with internal dialogue was tedious. The last third of the book finally engaged me....more
Danger, intrigue and excitement roil through this compelling story as Kip and Sal team up to save Shanghai Shores, a failing apartment complex in ShanDanger, intrigue and excitement roil through this compelling story as Kip and Sal team up to save Shanghai Shores, a failing apartment complex in Shanghai. A powerful evil character, Rico, intent on sabotaging their effort, presents them with more than one challenge.
Kip is something of a business superman, albeit with a flaw, and Sal is his lifelong friend from the tough side of the tracks. These two main characters are interesting and well cast by their dialogue. The aspect of Western vs. Chinese culture and how it plays into every conflict and every negotiation adds a level of complexity and makes the plot even more interesting. Kip as well as the reader gain from the author’s personal experience. An added subplot involving two beautiful women, Angie and Heather, creates the possibility for romance.
The book is professional and cleanly edited. The author presents us with a nice balance between dialogue and description. The plot is intense and I found myself eager to read the next chapter. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a well-written fast moving story, with suspense, action and cultural depth. ...more
This was a fascinating mystery. It could be called either a fantasy or Sci-Fi. The environment (cities) is indeterminate although you gather informatiThis was a fascinating mystery. It could be called either a fantasy or Sci-Fi. The environment (cities) is indeterminate although you gather information about it as you read. It was not an easy read, the sentence structure in many places being bizarre. I found it a challenge to read, but I had to finish it to find out who was the "bad guy." ...more
From chapter one to the end, this middle grade book is a laugh fest. It’s not the story that’s a joke; it’s the characters who are all like stand-up cFrom chapter one to the end, this middle grade book is a laugh fest. It’s not the story that’s a joke; it’s the characters who are all like stand-up comedians. Their goofy adventures, glib language and mangled clichés roll through every chapter. There are lots of funny similes and off-the-wall references, some of them aimed at the parents of MG readers.
Nick, his younger bro Danny and their dad inherit a Victorian house. The new residence, new school and new friends kick off the story. Nick moves into the attic where he finds a bunch of old appliances that are not really what they seem to be, and life for Nick begins to get a little weird . . . and dangerous.
Nick gains new friends Mitch, Theo, Vince, Caitlin and Petula. Written in third person, omniscient, we get access to all their thoughts. The switches are for the most part seamless, although I missed a switch and ended up thinking I was in the wrong head a couple of times. The book is mostly dialogue, which is good, because it keeps the story moving and the action in your face. However it tends to be a bit weak in setting scene.
This is book one of the Accelerati trilogy. It’s a fun read. I recommend it. ...more
As a teen living in San Francisco, there was no better way for me to escape the humdrum of life than to escape into the fantasy of Playland at the BeaAs a teen living in San Francisco, there was no better way for me to escape the humdrum of life than to escape into the fantasy of Playland at the Beach. I could hardly contain my mounting excitement during the long streetcar ride out to the beach terminus. Once there, I immersed myself in the thrill rides, the games, the noise and energy of the place.
All of this came back to me as I thumbed through this fascinating photo-documentary of our local landmark amusement park. Jim Smith has captured the history of the place by piecing together this photo-history of its genesis as a construction project, its ever-changing arcade and its ultimate demise. I could close my eyes for a second and recall the wonderful fear of the Big Dipper as well as the shower I anticipated flying down the Chutes. It was part of our culture, growing up in The City.
As an adult, possibly even now an elder, I can now appreciate the collection of this detail for its value in understanding what creates fun. Those entrepreneurs knew what was exciting, what could launch me from San Francisco news boy into make believe astronaut, even though the word was not yet in everyday language. I also reveled in the photos of people now long gone, but then dressed up for the occasion in their finest—a much different time.
I appreciated the photos of phases of construction that revealed the skeletons beneath the rides, each an engineering feat and each the substance beneath the fantasy. Whether this book would go on your coffee table or into the history section of your library, I enthusiastically recommend it. ...more
Forever Thirteen is a fantasy, or is it para-normal, or maybe it’s non-fiction and there really is an afterlife. There certainly is in this delightfulForever Thirteen is a fantasy, or is it para-normal, or maybe it’s non-fiction and there really is an afterlife. There certainly is in this delightful novel by Crissi Langwell. Most of the characters in the story are dead, but that’s not bad. They exist just like you or me except for a few limitations: most of them can’t talk to the living and most of them can’t connect physically with our living world. Thus lies the problem for our thirteen-year-old protagonist, Joey. He’s dead and he can’t talk to his best friend, Cameron, who is alive. That’s distressing because Cameron is super depressed about losing his best friend, Joey.
The author makes this an enjoyable and exciting adventure for Joey and the reader. The afterlife construct is very much like world building. It’s kind-of-a between existence, like Limbo or Purgatory without the fire. Furthermore, being in the afterlife has the advantage of instant travel to wherever you imagine: No waiting, no TSA, no luggage carousals. Just think about a place and you’re there. Neat!
Other interesting characters include: August who is kind of Joey’s multiple generational brother, Kayla who is not who she is, and Thelma who is not quite alive and not quite dead. It’s a nicely crafted story, well written, with many lovely descriptive lines. I thought Joey’s voice was a bit too mature for thirteen, so I’d rename the book Forever Seventeen. Regardless, it was a good read and I recommend it. ...more
A 50-year-old murder leads Aimee Leduc (a female detective in France) and me, through a labyrinth of confusion. Her search touches many lives, in factA 50-year-old murder leads Aimee Leduc (a female detective in France) and me, through a labyrinth of confusion. Her search touches many lives, in fact, there were enough characters to keep me confused half the time as to who was whom. Regardless, Cara Black writing is excellent and the story winds through twists and turns, none of them expected.
I think this is a book to be read continuously and not a chapter a night. I would have enjoyed it more....more
The book took off slowly, primarily a history of Americans of note visiting France. McCullough writes such lyrical prose, that we kept going - I readThe book took off slowly, primarily a history of Americans of note visiting France. McCullough writes such lyrical prose, that we kept going - I read aloud, while my wife drove. As the facts unfolded, the book turned into a history of artists, their foibles, their passion, their achievements and, in some cases, their tragedies. Each personal adventure became an exciting journey into biography.
In the nineteenth century, Paris was the center of medical technology and of art. For Americans, it became the 'go to' place for inspiration, education and success in the art world. The characters who arrived in France reads like a list of Who's Who: James Fenimore Cooper, Samuel Morse, Louis Gottschalk, George Healy, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, Henry James, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Saint-Gaudens, Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent.
Like all of McCullough's works, I enthusiastically recommend this book....more
Nine unique vignettes, about nine gods, are connected in one book, while oddly disconnected from each other as though cast by nine different authors.Nine unique vignettes, about nine gods, are connected in one book, while oddly disconnected from each other as though cast by nine different authors. Yet themes of music, romance and sex do thread through the stories. And of course, there’s the gods and the fact that I knew there was only one author.
I found each short tale, surprisingly creative and titillating, drawing me in. Ms. Wong’s language is rich in flowing description and detailed imagery. Her characters are always interesting. Like a treasure hunt, I began each section curious about the god and how he or she would emerge, how the story would be cast to include him or her.
Each vignette was a quick read, a snapshot of character, place and event. Characteristically shorts don’t really need a dénouement, yet I finished each section feeling complete; I had met the god; discovered the treasure.
I found this book as enjoyable as it was unusual and you will, too. ...more
On the fictional island of Thisby, an annual race takes place in which men ride the capall uisce, mythical water horses. Unlike the horses that you anOn the fictional island of Thisby, an annual race takes place in which men ride the capall uisce, mythical water horses. Unlike the horses that you and I know, these are animals of great beauty, power, speed and danger; carnivores that can turn on their riders or other horses, and kill them. Such is the backdrop for the story related by seventeen-year-old Kate (Puck) Connolly.
Thisby Island is basically a rock protruding from the North Atlantic into a dystopian environment of fierce, ragged and unfriendly weather. Puck and her brothers, Gabe and Finn are orphaned and live there in abject poverty. About to be evicted, her only chance for keeping their home and remaining on the island is to ride and win the Scorpio Race, in which no female has ever been allowed. Moreover, she’d have to beat her friend and romantic interest, Sean, the current champion.
Sean is a stable hand for the wealthy Malverns, who own him and almost everything else on the island. Their son, Mutt, hates Sean, who has won the race the last four years. Since the horse he rides, Corr, is owned by the Malverns, Sean receives a pittance of the purse.
It’s Sean's special ability with the mystical horses as well as everyone’s acceptance of the capall uisce as normal that makes this story more magical realism than fantasy.
Stiefvater paints every scene with wonderful figurative language. The rural community on Thisby comes alive under her pen. Her language is a joy to read. Also, the story is crafted so that its characters develop naturally. However, as well as this is written, I found the voice of the two main characters, Sean and Puck, so similar that I often confused them and had to return to the chapter title, to know what character I was reading. Regardless, I highly recommend this as a great read for adults or young adults. ...more
In 1911 New York City, eleven-year-old Aurora Lewis arrives at her violin teacher’s studio and discovers his second-story window open, and his lifelesIn 1911 New York City, eleven-year-old Aurora Lewis arrives at her violin teacher’s studio and discovers his second-story window open, and his lifeless body on the sidewalk below. Falsely accused, Aurora with her friends, Theo, Eddie and Bill, begin a search for the truth that ultimately places her in harm’s way.
Ms. Stancic does a nice job of peppering the mystery plot with provocative clues and interesting characters. We get a good sense of the protagonist and the cultural inhibitions of a young girl’s life a century ago, even though the story, written in third person, keeps us at arm’s length.
The author’s musical involvement is evident in both the main character and the settings. It’s a coalescing theme throughout the story. Her writing is nicely crafted, clear, understandable and error free. I didn’t find a single typo.
Even though the book is labeled as young adult, I would recommend this for middle-grade girls, due to the age of the protagonist, the diction and the reading level of the text. I think boys would respond to a story with more tension, more threat to the protagonist and a situation where she has more at stake.
I found it distracting to discover young versions of two famous movie leading men, Edward G. Robinson and William Powell, in the first chapter.
Overall, it’s an engaging story. I read to learn the ending. That’s evidence of a good mystery. ...more
Corina captures the voice of adolescent boys like no author I've read. Written in the first person, from Jason’s point-of-view, we live the crazy ideaCorina captures the voice of adolescent boys like no author I've read. Written in the first person, from Jason’s point-of-view, we live the crazy ideas, crazy acts and crazy thoughts of the three protagonists as they careen through their teens. The boys do what boys do, i.e. indulge in gross stuff, living life like they’re immortal. Why else would they swim in a creek that smells and is so polluted, it’s different colors at different times of the day.
Jason seethes in a kind of constant low-level anger. Charlie is the immortal athletic beyond all reason, a veritable hulk. Cornpup is sick, glorying in his contaminated body. The fourth character in the story is the environment, nasty from the first page.
The plot doesn’t build tension to a climax in the traditional mode of storytelling. It starts out tense and stays that way until the climax, a valid characterization of the boy’s lives. It’s a tale that’s comic, sad and tragic. Evil surrounds this community in the guise of corporate necessity and profit.
As a minor comment, I was somewhat disappointed that Jason’s girlfriend, Val, had no voice in the story. Regardless, this is a book for anyone interested in saving our planet. ...more
It’s not often that I feel strongly enough to give a book five stars, but this book ranks among the best middle-grade historical fiction novels I’ve r
It’s not often that I feel strongly enough to give a book five stars, but this book ranks among the best middle-grade historical fiction novels I’ve read. One measure of a book is its engagement with readers of all ages and I was as entranced by this story as any pre-teen boy might be.
Through the eyes of two boys, the story line bounces back and forth between 2002 and the 1930s, when Middle America was turning to dust and livelihoods were blown away with the topsoil. The protagonists are teenage: Andy the grandson of Myles Vincent, and Myles at age thirteen in 1930. The juxtaposition of their two lives is only one of the factors that makes this story intriguing as well as didactic.
When Myles saves a coyote pup during a huge dust storm, the boy’s character comes to life and we join the incredibly hard times of a family scratching a living from the soil in an environment that seems personally hostile. More than seventy years later, against the background of this narrative, his grandson begins the process of learning who he is. Their stories intertwine like cords in a rope.
The most surprising voice in the story comes from Ro, the coyote pup that Myles bonds with. It’s not only novel, but informative to see the Vincent family and their neighbors through his eyes. The boy’s relationship with the coyote takes me back to Eric Knight’s Lassie and Albert Payson Terhune’s rough collies at SunnyBank.
The author has done a vast amount of research to make life in the Midwest dust bowl authentic and it shows. She also displays a command of language that makes the book a joy to read. I have been concerned about our young American boys’ disinterest in reading and the negative effect it has on their education, careers and lives. I write for those boys and clearly, this author does, too. I enthusiastically recommend this book for pre-teen boys and everyone else. ...more
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