Saturday, August 31, 2013

Dear Life Stories

Dear Life Stories is by Alice Munro. A collection of short stories about life in various small Canadian towns. The stories focus on moments in a person's life when everything changes: a chance encounter, an action or decision not to act, or a simple twist of fate.

Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).

Definitely Dead

Definitely Dead is by Charlaine Harris. The sixth installment in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Sookie is trying to settle her dead cousin Hadley's affairs. Someone doesn't want her looking into Hadley's life, and they are trying to kill her, the list ranges from weres to the vampire queen of Louisiana herself. She's also trying to date a were-tiger and avoid both Eric and Bill. Another exciting installment in this series.

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Dead as a Doornail

Dead as a Doornail is by Charlaine Harris. The fifth book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Someone is shooting Shifters, including Sam, and Sookie is worried that Jason might be blamed. While she is trying to discover who the shooter is her house is set on fire and she winds up involved in a Shifter power struggle after the death of Colonel Flood. Fans of the series won't be disappointed.

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC ( mature thematic content).

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Easy Math

Easy Math is by Lauren Shapiro. A prize winning volume of poetry that is a must read for those who love poems. Shapiro's verse is charming, funny, and poignant - sometimes all at once.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - MP (mild profanity).

Cold Days

Cold Days is by Jim Butcher. The 15th installment of the beloved Dresden Files series. Harry is now the Winter Knight and subject to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness. Her word is law and her first command is to kill another immortal. As Harry struggles to remain himself and keep from turning into Mab's evil creature, he discovers he must reluctantly gather his former friends and allies to prevent an upcoming disaster that could destroy both the mortal world and the Nevernever. Maybe death wasn't really so bad after all! One of the best books in the series. Extremely fast-paced and action-packed. I feared killing Harry and bringing him back might be a jump-the-shark moment. I've never been so happy to be wrong.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).

Juliet

Juliet is by Anne Fortier. When Julie's beloved aunt dies she discovers the family fortune has been left to her twin sister. All she has been left is a secret family treasure that was supposedly left for her by her mother in Siena, Italy. Julie heads for Italy where she discovers her real name is Giulietta and she is descended from the original Giulietta upon whom Shakespeare based his famous play. As she searches for information about her inheritance and the family she has never known, she discovers the original family feuds are still very much alive and well. Finding the treasure may well cost Julie her life. Will she find her Romeo? Will she end up dead like her famous ancestor? A charming tale of mystery and romance.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (some violence).

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea is by Greg Mortenson. Greg Mortenson, a former climber, feels called to build schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is the story of his struggle to build schools and a thriving charity. A well written story of caring and the hard work, if it was true which it appears it is not based on recent revelations.

Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

The City of Fallen Angels

The City of Fallen Angels is by Cassandra Clare. The fourth book in The Mortal Instruments series. Clary is back in New York and training to be a Shadowhunter. Her mother is about to marry the werewolf she loves. Jace is helping her train so you would think things are going well, but they're not. Jace is acting strangely and Clary is beginning to wonder if he really cares for her. Simon is approached by an old vampire who wants his aid and is being followed by track-suited thugs who are trying to kill him. Something is obviously going on behind the scenes, but what? Fans of this series will not be disappointed and you won't be able to wait for the next installment. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (some mature thematic content) - MP (mild profanity).

The Round House

The Round House is by Louise Erdrich. A touching tale of a young native American boy coming of age after the violent rape of his mother. The effect the attack has on his parents, family, and community is extremely moving, as the arrest and prosecution of the offender are complicated by jurisdictional issues. Some have called this work the Native American To Kill a Mockingbird, I would concur.

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).