Sleeping Giants

Sleeping Giants is by Sylvain Neuvel. The first science fiction installment in The Themis Files series. A young girl named Rose rides out on her bicycle and falls into a hole. When the firefighters arrive to rescue her, they find her resting in a giant glowing hand. Seventeen years later Rose, now a physicist, is approached by a man representing, one supposes, "a vague yet menacing government agency" (Night Vale hat tip there) to head up a project to study the hand. Her team finds themselves in way over their heads. This series is combination X-Files and The Day the Earth Stood Still. It is told through journals and taped interviews with the participants and is wonderfully creepy and fascinating. 

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

Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions

Auntie Poldi and the Sicilian Lions is by Mario Giordano. The first book in the charming realistic fiction mystery series revolving around Auntie Poldi. After the death of her husband and then her parents, eccentric Auntie Poldi moves to a small town in Sicily to drink herself to death by the sea. When her handsome handyman goes missing and is then found murdered, Poldi determines to find justice. She enlists the help of her sisters and sets out to solve the mystery, sometimes with the help of (sometimes in spite of ) the handsome Commissario Montana. Truly a delightful new mystery series.

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

City of Thieves

City of Thieves is by David Benioff. A wonderful work of historical fiction set during the Nazi siege of Leningrad during WWII. A young Russian Army deserter and a teenage Jewish looter are arrested and told that to gain their freedom they must find one dozen eggs to make a wedding cake for a powerful Soviet colonel's daughter. Lev and Kolya set about this task which takes them all over the besieged city and eventually behind enemy lines. A magnificent book, funny and so very sad at the same time. 

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

Diary of an Oxygen Thief

Diary of an Oxygen Thief is by Anonymous. The writer of this short realistic fiction work can stay anonymous as far as I'm concerned. The author spends 150 pages describing his poor treatment of women and the one woman who managed to give him a taste of his own medicine. It was depressing and revolting. Fans of The Catcher in the Rye might like this one, but frankly, this makes Holden Caulfield look like someone you'd want to date your daughter and that takes some doing.

Ratings: 11th grade - 0 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Tricky Twenty-Two

Tricky Twenty-Two is by Janet Evanovich. The 22nd book in the Stephanie Plum mystery series. About as unrealistic a piece of realistic fiction as one could ever find. Morelli breaks up with Stephanie, sort of, and while trying to get over this blow she must hunt down a fraternity brother who is accused of assaulting the dean of students. When said dean turns up dead, Stephanie must find his killer. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment as well. There's plenty of Ranger, and of course Lula and Grandma Mazer are up to their usually stunts.

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (some mature thematic content).  

Somewhere in Time

Somewhere in Time is by Richard Matheson. Magnificent classic of fantasy and romance that inspired the movie with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour - which is every bit as good as the book. Richard Collier is an author with a fatal disease; on a stop at a seaside resort he sees a photo of an actress from 1896 and falls in love with her. He researches time travel and wills himself back in time so he can meet Elise McKenna - but is their love doomed from the start? A beautiful and touching love story!

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

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is by Neil deGrasse Tyson. This charming little nonfiction book is a quick look at astrophysics for those of us who stare up at the stars at night, but who are NOT astrophysicists and never will be. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

American Housewife: Stories

American Housewife: Stories is by Helen Ellis. A book of short stories guaranteed to make you laugh out loud and cringe at the same time. If you belong to a book club, "Hello! Welcome to Book Club" will make you want to resign from your club at once - you've never met ladies like these at book club. "Southern Lady Code" is perfect for those who were born in the South, and those who weren't. There are stories about haunted buildings and bra fitters, and dumpster diving. This is a hilarious collection that you can't help but enjoy. 

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

Sense and Sensibility

Sense and Sensibility is by Jane Austen. A epic historical fiction classic by the mistress of English literature. Austen's moving tale of two sisters and their trials and tribulations as they fall in and out and back into love in Victorian England. A must read for all lovers of romance and Austen!

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Daddy Long Legs

Daddy Long Legs is by Jean Webster. A classic historical fiction epistolary novel. This wonderful story follows the adventures of Judy Abbott. Raised in an orphanage with no hope of a real future, Judy is summoned to the matron's office and told that one of the trustees has offered to send her to college. The only stipulation is that she must write him regularly in care of his secretary and she can never know who he is. Judy, based on a shadowy view of the man she suspects is her benefactor, begins to call him Daddy Long Legs. The story is told through the letters Judy writes to her mysterious guardian. A must read classic for all ages!

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Wolf in White Van

Wolf in White Van is by John Darnielle. A brilliantly written piece of realistic fiction. Sean Phillips has been disfigured since he was 17. To help cope with his horrible injuries, he created a text-based role playing game called "Trace Italian." When two teenaged players die playing the game, their parents blame Sean. The book flips back forth in time from the present to Sean's childhood and his "accident." A magnificently moving story!

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

Radiance

Radiance is by Alyson Noel. The fist in the spin-off fantasy series named after the younger sister who died in the Immortals series. Riley crossed the bridge leaving her sister Ever in the mortal world, while she is now in a place called Here. She finds herself given the job of Soul Catcher and a teacher named Bodhi to help her learn her job. Their first mission is one she will never forget. 

Ratings: 7th grade - 6 out of 10. 

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride is by Cary Elwes. Fans of "The Princess Bride" must read this charming memoir by Westley himself. The rest of the cast is also represented in this book through little side bar quotations and comments. A must read for nonfiction fans and movie fans alike. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

A Piece of the World

A Piece of the World is by Christina Baker Kline. A charming historical fiction retelling centered around Christina Olson, the subject of Andrew Wyeth's famous painting. Set in Cushing, Maine, in the late 1890's through the late 1940s, it tells the fictionalized story of Christina and her family. Crippled by a childhood illness, Christina's world was her family's farm. She became friends with Andrew Wyeth when he came to visit the area and became entranced with the idea of painting Christina's house, her brother, and Christina herself. All of the relationships in this book are told in a compassionate and powerful style. A thoroughly well-researched and well-written novel. Historical fiction lovers, as well as art lovers, will enjoy this book. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

Stitches: A Memoir

Stitches: A Memoir is by David Small. A memoir in graphic novel format. It is the story of David Small whose home life leaves much to be desired. His father, a radiologist, gives him X-ray treatments to treat a sinus issue. Unbeknownst to anyone, these treatments cause David to develop cancer. When he goes into the hospital for a "routine operation," he awakens with a vocal cord removed and his throat stitched "like a bloody boot." The pictures brilliantly portray his struggle to recover, his horrible home life, his flight from home, and his pursuit of his dream to become an artist. This book is painful to read, but is beautifully written and drawn. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Bear and the Nightingale

The Bear and the Nightingale is by Katherine Arden. The first in the fantasy Winternight trilogy, set in ancient Russia. Vasilisa's father is the ruler of a distant community in the north of the territory. When her mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings back a new bride. Her stepmother is a devout Catholic and is horrified by the ancient household spirits only she and Vasilisa seem to be able to see. Vasilisa must fight the prejudice of her stepmother and the new priest and use her dangerous gifts to protect her family and people from an ancient evil; but her allies may be as dangerous as her enemies. A wonderfully creepy and delightful tale incorporating Russian culture and mythology. 

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

The Official Dictionary of Sarcasm: A Lexicon for Those of Us Who Are Better & Smarter Than the Rest of You

The Official Dictionary of Sarcasm: A Lexicon for Those of Us Who Are Better & Smarter Than the Rest of You is by James Napoli. A amusing dictionary of common people and terms written in a totally sarcastic fashion. Ex: "Meeting: A business term meaning 'officially sanctioned waste of time.'" (Napoli 199). A fun light read when you're in need of a chuckle. Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content).

The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, & the Real Count of Monte Cristo

The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, & the Real Count of Monte Cristo is by Tom Reiss. Lovers of The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers will be entranced by this wonderful biography of the father of General Alexandre Dumas, father of the famous author. The General was the son of a French nobleman and a black slave woman. Brought back to France by his father and raised and educated as befitted his class, the General became one of the most famous soldiers of his day. Many of the events in his father's life were used by Alexandre Dumas the author in his classic novels. A really interesting book and a relatively easy read for those whose wheelhouse is not nonfiction. It is slightly confusing that the noble sire, the General, the author (son), and the playwright (grandson) were all named Alexandre Dumas. This book is an interesting look at race in the world of the 19th century. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.

The Complete Sherlock Holmes

The Complete Sherlock Holmes is by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A magnificent must read classic of historical fiction, mysteries, and short stories. This 1100-page work can be read in segments, since most of the classic tales are in short story form. I also highly recommend the Audible version wonderfully read by Stephen Fry. Sherlockians everywhere will not be able to resist this collection of cases by that most magnificent of detectives. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.