And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

 Mystery. Fulfill Best Seller Fiction Display category in the Pioneer Book Challenge

I've always been a mystery fan and especially and Agathe Christie lover. I normally read her mysteries that feature Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple and I love to watch the different adaptions on the large and small screens. This stand alone novel of hers is pretty dark, but I guess since each of her books usually has at least one murder in the story that could be said of all of them. This one seemed more sinister than others I have read. Perhaps it was because the detectives in her other books bring a bit of light into the stories. 

For those who have never read this I won't give any spoilers, but there are multiple murders committed and discussed throughout the book. And the absence of a detective as part of the story is not Christie's usual style. I would still recommend this book to those mystery lovers, but perhaps not to a first time mystery reader. 

Recommend: Perhaps

Wedding Bell Blues by Lynn Cahoon

 Mystery. Happily I noticed that another installment in the Tourist Trap mystery series had come out in February. I immediately downloaded it to my kindle and read it over a few days as I was on a plane with my daughter, Audrey, and her adorable son Ollie. (In between making sure Ollie didn't escape our row and run down the aisle of the plane.) It did not disappoint. I did see that Lynn Cahoon will be releasing her final book, #14, this fall. Sigh. I'll have to find another guilty pleasure!

Recommend: If you're me, YES!

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

 Junior Realistic Fiction. This is a wonderful story of a feisty family of two parents and five children. They live in New York City and have lived in their brownstone apartment as long as the children can remember until now. Their landlord is a grump and has decided to not renew their lease. As the parents accept this and plan for their move the children take matters into their own hands. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the Vanderbeekers. They reminded me of similar fictitious families, i.e Jeanne Birdsall's Penderwicks, Elizabeth Enright's Melendy children, and all of Edward Eager's families in his tales of magic. They disagree, argue, stand up for each other, and are fiercely loyal. They work together and play together and laugh together. They frustrate each other and love each other. In other words they are a family. I was happy to discover that this is the first in a series about the Vanderbeekers. I will be visiting them again soon!

Recommend: Yes. 

Down Size by Ted Spiker

 Non-Fiction. Fulfills Sports category in the Pioneer Book Challenge

I grabbed this book along with a few others to read on my lunch hour a couple weeks ago. I rarely read non-fiction and this one caught and held my attention. It reads more like a memoir than a weight loss book and the author's insights into his health journey resonated with me. It may be a bit of a stretch to put this in the Sports category for the book challenge I'm doing, but he does talk about several sports that have helped him in his quest for good health. 

This helped me narrow down why I have not had consistent success in keeping the weight off that I lost last year. Once I identified the real problems I've been able to come up with a better plan, not a diet, that I feel I can do throughout my life and not just to get into a certain size. One of my favorite things I took from this book was to create an If Then list. IF there are cookies delivered to my house by kind friends...THEN I will eat a carrot first. I've typed this list up and put it in my bathroom so I can be reminded of it everyday. 

Here's to a healthier body and mind!

Recommend: Yes. 

Anybody Here Seen Frenchie? by Leslie Connor

 Junior Realistic Fiction. Fulfills Set Somewhere You Want to Visit category in the Pioneer Book Challenge. 

I love books that leave me with a smile on my face and this one surely did. It takes place in Maine in a small town where Aurora is in 6th grade. She is loud and energetic and loves to say whatever comes into her head. Frenchie has been her friend since his family moved next to them in 3rd grade. He is a 100% non-verbal, but is being mainstreamed into the local elementary school. Aurora has a bond with him and understands him like no one else. She can read his body language and seems to know what he is thinking and feeling. When he wanders off and goes missing the entire town turns out to find this amazing boy. 

The best thing about this book is the portrayals of family. The patience Aurora's family has for her annoying spontaneity is evident in their pure love for her. Frenchie's mother is kind and caring with her special son.  Even when things get tense they show tenderness and love for each other. Truly a lovely book. 

Recommend: Yes. 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling

 Junior Fantasy Fiction. I've read all the Harry Potter books but have never picked up this book that is actually written in play format. It did not disappoint, I enjoyed reading about the next generation of Potter's and Weasley's.  Just because the "big" problem of Voldemort is conquered doesn't mean his influence is banished and Harry has to deal with him yet one more time. 

Recommend: Yes. 

Half Magic by Edward Eager

 Junior Fantasy Fiction. I recently needed to pick a few favorite books to share with others at a meeting I was going to attend. Whenever I think of my go to fav books this one always pops up as an all time favorite. Edward Eager is an author that I have enjoyed for years and years and I never tire of reading his books. 

His books take place in the 1920s and mix magic with normal everyday life. The children range in age from small to early teens and are usually on a holiday or summer break with nothing to do. They wish there was something magical in their life and low and behold there is. I love their family relationships which shows the ups and downs of growing up with siblings and the bond that is there despite their disagreements. There are a few illustrations in his books by illustrator N.M. Bodecker which adds to the whimsical feeling. 

Recommend: Highly!