Regency Romance. Fulfills Author You Share Last Name Initial With category in the Pioneer Book Challenge.
I've read several of Sarah Eden's romance novels and they are a quick enjoyable read. This is in her Jonquil Brothers series that follows the romantic interests of the Jonquil family. The characters are well developed and it's fun to see the other brothers appear in each story.
Recommend: Yes
Teen Historical Fiction. This book quickly pulled me into the French Resistance during World War II. The story alternates perspectives from 1942 and modern era Paris as Alice and her family travel to Paris to find an apartment that was owned by Alice's grandmother and that hasn't been touched since 1944. It's like walking into a time capsule and Alice is shocked to find out her grandmother had a sister that neither her or her mother knew about. Her grand-aunt Adalyn's story unfolds through her diary that Alice finds and through Adalyn's own narrative living in German occupied France.
A wonderful quick glimpse into the horrors and heroes of the people who were brave enough to be the French Resistance.
Recommend: Yes.
I've looked at and tried dozens of turkey recipes over the years and they all seemed to turn out the same-not bad, little dry, but very edible. I saw this book at the library and thought, why not look at another turkey cookbook. First of all, this book is not just a list of recipes for Thanksgiving dishes. The author, Sam Sifton, is a former restaurant critic, and food columnist for the Sunday Times Magazine. He used to do a helpline for those with "turkey emergencies" around Thanksgiving. He has seen and heard all the horror stories of ruined dinners. He has also cooked a turkey in every conceivable way-roasted, fried, grilled, deep fried, and smoked. His writing style is a joy to read as he recounts his experiences and imparts his turkey wisdom. (No garlic, no salads, and gravy is THE most important item to get right.)
I tried out a few recipes the week before Thanksgiving to see if I could get them right. I tried the butternut squash recipe and decided it was fine, but everyone preferred sweet potatoes. I tried cornbread (presumably for making my own cornbread stuffing) but decided stove top was just so much easier. In the end I followed his simple roast turkey recipe too the T and the gravy recipe as well. Both turned out incredibly and surprisingly delicious, better than I've ever done in the past. To quote Sifton, "This is my testimony: You can make a better turkey than anyone has ever served you in your life." Guess what? I did just that! Best book I've read this year! I may have to actually buy a personal copy.
Recommend: Yes!
Mystery. This is the third book in this mystery series by Horowitz with detective Daniel Hawthorne, the first two being titled, The Word is Murder and The Sentence is Death. These are unique because Horowitz puts himself in the story as the side kick to Hawthorne who has asked him to write books about him as he solves cases. Horowitz goes everywhere (almost) that Hawthorne does as the case unfolds. The reader gets a unique look into the frustrations and insights of a somewhat unobservant companion to a brilliant detective. These are highly enjoyable mysteries and I look forward to the next installment!
Recommend: Yes
Junior Historical Fiction. This may be one of my top reads for the year. It is loosely based on the author's father-in-law's experience in fleeing Afghanistan when the Soviet's took over in the 1970s. It's told from the son's point of view who is around 12 or 13 years old. The author puts this story 30 years after her father-in-law left, right before the attacks on 9/11 in 2001. She describes well the details of their harried escape and the adjustment to life in the states and the family unity that is central to who they are. It helped me get a glimpse into their life, beliefs, and values.
Recommend: Highly
Junior realistic fiction. This book opens on three friends that appear to be building a shelter to withstand the end of an epic, end of the world, natural disaster. Derrick, the main character, is obsessed with the upcoming Doomsday, even though he is only in 8th grade. As the story unfolds his neighbor, Misty, enters who wants to help him build the shelter and for some reason Derrick does not want her help. Derrick's sister and father seem to tolerate his obsession, but don't try to dissuade him.
This was a fascinating story as the reasons behind Derrick's behavior comes to light. I won't spoil the plot by revealing what he and Misty are dealing with, but it is a wonderful story that left me pondering how I deal with hard things and how others can best support those going through difficult times.
Recommend: Yes
Junior realistic fiction. Dusti Bowling may becoming one of my favorite authors. She wrote the two Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus books which I adored. Her books take place in the hot desert of Arizona and address bullying and not succumbing to peer pressure to be someone you are not, two really important subjects for young readers and for adults as well.
Nowhere is a town in Arizona that tops all the charts: highest poverty rate, lowest high school graduation rate, most likely place to die by cactus impalement among others. Gus is stuck there like most everyone in the town and sees dead ends everywhere he looks, but within a matter of 24 hours hope blossoms in a most unexpected way. Gus discovers truths about others and himself and things don't look so bleak anymore, even though they are in the middle of Nowhere.
Recommend: Yes.
