Lost and Found by Orson Scott Card

 Teen Fiction. What if many of us had actual powers--not super powers, but micro powers. Things we may seem to think are insignificant, but that other people cannot do. 

Ezekiel finds things, actually lost things find him and he returns them to their owners. Sounds like a great micropower, but it has gotten him into trouble with the police so he mostly ignores this power of his. Until he meets a girl who helps him see and understand his power in a different light. 

This was published last year and I listened to the audio version, which was wonderful. I liked it so much I wanted to read it out loud to my kids. It's a little wordy, but after being patient for the first part of the book they really became interested and enjoyed the story. It does deal with violent crime for a good part of the book, but the author (he and I grew up in the same neighborhood) inserts enough light hearted banter that it doesn't become too heavy. 

Recommend: Yes

The King of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

 Teen Fantasy. This is number 3 in the Queen's Thief series. I couldn't stop listening to just the first two books. The twists and turns in the plot make me smile more so this second time through the book. The subtleties of the intrigue of the Kingdom of Attolia are missed the first time through. Eugenides (Gen) is a genius and a fool depending on how you look at him, but in my opinion, he is completely enjoyable to read about. 

Recommend: Yes. 

The Dream by Agatha Christie

 Mystery short story. I have always loved Agatha Christie and especially her books with Hercule Poirot as the detective. I listened to the audio version which was narrated by the actor that portrays Captain Hastings in the BBC productions of the Hercule Poirot mystery series. As always, this story was filled with all the things I love about her mysteries--impossible scenarios that turn out to be very logical when viewed from the impressive viewpoint of Hercule Poirot. 

Recommend: Yes.

The Queen of Attolia by Megan Whalen Turner

 Teen Fantasy Fiction. This is the 2nd book in the Queen's Thief series, it follows The Thief. I listened to the audio version which was well done. After rereading The Thief and remembering all the things I loved about this series I immediately downloaded this book. As much as I love The Thief, this second book is equally, if not a little, better in my eyes. It has some shocking plot twists and keeps the reader guessing until the end, but the main reason I love it is the character development of the wonderful people I met in the first book. Megan Turner does a masterful job of rounding out her characters with nuances that lend me to think I would recognize them if I met them on the street. 

Gen is again doing what he does best, stealing things. This time he may have gone too far as he progresses from stealing things to stealing people. Things don't go as smoothly for him as they have in the past and he finds himself at the center of a war between not two, not three, but perhaps four countries. 

Recommend: Yes!

The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner

 Teen Fantasy Fiction. This is one of the most enjoyable books I've ever read. I first read it years ago and gave it as a gift to my son a few Christmases ago. He finally picked it up and read it and his comments to me about it motivated me to read it again. I listened to the audio version this time and it was lovely. This book was a runner-up to the Newbery Medal in 1997. 

Gen is a thief. He gets caught only to be freed to steal something for the king. That makes the plot seem simple, but it has wonderful twists and turns and surprises that are delightful. 

Recommend: YES!

The Johnstown Flood by David McCullough

 Non-Fiction. This is the first book by David McCullough that I have read. (I actually listened to the audio version.)  I listened to a speech he gave at BYU years ago and my interest in his books peaked. I put a number of them on hold and this was the first one that became available. 

Prior to this I had zero knowledge of the most disastrous flood this country has known. Over 2000 people died on May 31, 1889 in Pennsylvania as a result of the breaking of the dam. McCullough is a master at retelling of the facts of not only that infamous day, but of the atmosphere before and after the dam broke. He quotes many eye witnesses to the flood and the descriptions are not for the faint of heart. It was hard to listen to the amount of suffering and destruction, but I'm glad I finished it. Not the happiest of books I've read, but worth the read. 

Recommend: Yes