April reads

 Goblin Secrets by William Alexander

Listened to on the Libby App

Released in 2012

Junior fantasy, goblins, witches, orphans, theater

2012 Winner of the National Book Award for Young People

Recommend: Yes

This was a short 5 hour audiobook that caught my eye as I was browsing Libby. It follows an orphan, Rownie, as he tries to escape from a fairy tale Mother Gothel like creature called Graba. He and his fellow orphans or grubs as Graba calls them, are treated poorly and controlled by the witch. Rownie decides to run away and join a goblin troupe of actors. In the fictional city of Zombay where they live, theater is outlawed and the goblins fly under the radar by using magic and masks as they perform. They take Rownie in and help him find his missing older brother and save the city from a coming flood along the way.  

This is a well developed story with good characters, but I just didn't love it. As I listened I didn't feel drawn into the story or the characters. I don't have anything bad to say about the story, it is well written and full of adventure and I would recommend it to young readers who like fairy tale adventures with characters who get into precarious situations. There is a sequel which takes place in the same town of Zombay called Ghoulish Song.

March reads

 The Antique Hunter's Death on the Red Sea by C.L. Miller, #2 in the series.

Checked out at local library

Published in 2025

Mystery, murder, antiques, cruise ship, middle east

Recommend: Yes

I enjoyed the first installment of this series and the author just came out with the second book, which my daughter had on hold at the library, read it first, then loaned it to me. Freya is again on the hunt for antiques with her Aunt Carole and some of the other characters from the first book. This time she is on a cruise ship as an antiques expert and lecturer. She finds much more than just curious cruisers, however, and soon is up to her neck in intrigue in the antiques underworld. 

I really like how this story developed and especially how she wrapped everything up. I look forward to reading more of Freya's adventures. 

Saints, Volume 4, Sounded in Every Ear, 1955-2020

Listened and read on the Gospel Library App

Published in 2024

Non-fiction, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Gospel of Jesus Christ

Recommed: Yes

This latest installment of The Saints series is my favorite so far. I loved reading about faithful people all over the world embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ amidst difficulties, opposition, and not knowing how things would work out. I felt myself rejoicing with the African saints as missionaries arrived in their homelands and as temples were built. I loved learning about the first converts in Hong Kong and the faithful saints in the German Democratic Republic before the wall of Communism came down. I especially loved seeing the hand of the God in people's lives no matter where they lived. It has increased my love for my Father in Heaven and for all people around me and motivated me to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ and member of His church.