Sunday, October 16, 2016

Mister Pip

Mister Pip is by Lloyd Jones. A masterpiece of historical fiction that everyone should read. This is the story of how literature can change a life. On an island in the Pacific overcome by war an eccentric man takes over a village school when all the other whites have fled to safety. Mr. Watts knows nothing about teaching, so he decides to read the children Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. Thirteen-year-old Matilda and her classmates are swept away from their terror of their lives on the island and into Dickensian England where they share the adventures of an orphan boy named Pip. Unfortunately reality does not allow itself to be ignored forever.

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

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Madly Ever After

Madly Ever After is by Skottie Young. The first volume in the I Hate Fairyland graphic novel series. Gertrude was a six year old girl who was sucked into Fairyland for a magical adventure that should have lasted a day or two. It's been nearly thirty years however, and Gert is still trying to get out. She is a middle aged woman in the body of a six-year-old. This experience has had some unfortunate side effects for Gert - she's psychotic. She is literally cutting a swath through Fairyland, so much so that Queen Cloudia wants Gert disposed of, but that's not going to be all that easy. A hilariously violent take on fairytales for older readers, definitely not a series to hand younger consumers. I will admit, I loved it, but I have a sick sense of humor.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (Violence) - AC (some mature content).

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge

Last Call at the Nightshade Lounge is by Paul Krueger. An interesting take on urban fantasy. Bailey Chen has completed college and is living with her parents while she looks for a job. An old friend she hooked up with in high school offers her a job as a bar back in his uncle's bar. Once there she discovers that Zane and his friends are really demon hunters. They seek out and kill tremens, creatures who like to prey on drunk humans. Bailey also learns that certain drinks give you super powers which bartenders use to fight the tremens. But, of course, everything is not that simple; Zane's uncle may be trying to create a magical Long Island Iced Tea which will make him immortal so he can take over the world; there's always someone who wants to take over the world. A quick and fun read and the drink recipes are fun to try - if you're over 21 of course.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence) - MP (mild profanity).

Career of Evil

Career of Evil is by Robert Galbraith. The third book in the Cormoran Strike series. Robin is about to get married; when a package is delivered to her at the office she thinks it's something she ordered for her wedding - not so much - it's a severed human leg. Cormoran has several crazies in his past who might have sent a leg to him. He is also worried that the leg was addressed to Robin and afraid she will be targeted to get to him. This book is creepier than the first two. Fans of the series will love this installment. In case you didn't know, Robert Galbraith is really J.K. Rowling, but these books are no Harry Potter.

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

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Milk and Honey

Milk and Honey is by Rupi Kaur. A book of poetry that has become a best seller. It is free verse poetry divided into four sections: the hurting, the loving, the breaking, the healing. The poems walk us through Kaur's life in a way that most women can read this book and find something they can relate to and something to think about.

Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature content).