The Farthest Shore

The Farthest Shore is by Ursula K. Le Guin. The third installment in the fantasy Earthsea Trilogy. Rumors of a strange soul sickness reach Ged, now the Archmage, in Roke. Together with Arren, the young prince of Enlad, Ged must travel to the ends of Earthsea to fight this evil. A fitting conclusion to a classic fantasy trilogy. Fans will not be disappointed.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh

The Complete Tales and Poems of Winnie-the-Pooh is by A.A. Milne. A must read children's classic fantasy that is sure to make you smile, even if you are a jaded adult. Winnie-the-Pooh was introduced to the world in 1926 and has been delighting children and adults ever since. Here in one beautiful collection are the two books of stories and two books of poems that comprise the Pooh cannon. Everyone should spend some time wandering through the 100-Acre Wood with Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Roo, Christopher Robin, and of course Pooh - "Silly old Bear." A Readers Corner Highly Recommended Read!

Ratings: 5th grade - 10 out of 10. 

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos is by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson. A MUST read nonfiction book of philosophy by the famous teacher, psychologist, speaker, and podcaster. Dr. Peterson sets down in this book 12 things we can do to make our lives, and the lives of others, better. The book is easy to read and gives easy to understand examples. Dr. Peterson takes science and makes it easy for the layman to understand and apply. EVERYONE should read this book. A Readers Corner Highly Recommended Read!

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna

Auntie Poldi and the Vineyards of Etna is by Mario Giordano. The second in the realistic fiction mystery Auntie Poldi series. Auntie Poldi is ready to settle down and enjoy the company of the handsome Chief Inspector Montana, but then her water is cut off and her neighbor's dog is killed and Auntie Poldi must find the killer. Then she finds a body in a vineyard and signs that a certain family organization is involved and Auntie Poldi is off and running. This is such a fun series. You will laugh as you follow the amazing Auntie Poldi and wish you had her for your own auntie.

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

Brave New World

Brave New World is by Aldous Huxley. The classic science fiction dystopian novel that everyone should read. To create a utopian society people are genetically bred, assigned certain tasks and created to fulfill only those tasks, conditioned to be consumers, and reliant on soma for mood control. The world is ruled by a powerful oligarchy and everyone else serves their needs. But "life will not be denied" and human nature is not that easy to stamp out. What happens to those who refuse to abide by societies' rules? A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read!

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

Heap House

Heap House is by Edward Carey. The first installment in the fantasy Iremonger Trilogy. The Iremongers live in Heap House, a mansion in the middle of heaps of garbage and items that have been thrown away. Each Iremonger at birth is given a "birth object" that they must keep with them at all times. Clod Iremonger is unique in that he can hear these objects talking. Lucy is an orphan brought to Heap House, who begins to uncover dark secrets about the family. This is a strange story, but younger readers may enjoy it.

Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10. 

Midnight Riot

Midnight Riot is by Ben Aaronovitch. The first book in the fantasy Rivers of London series. Peter Grant is a Probationary Constable in the London police force. He is about to be assigned to a permanent division; then he discovers he can talk to ghosts. He is then assigned to work with Detective Chief Inspector Thomas Nightingale whose unit investigates cases with a supernatural bent. Now a bizarre series of vicious murders are sweeping London and Peter finds himself involved with gods, goddesses, and all manor of strangeness. There is humor in this series as well as violence. 

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

Murder Lo Mein

Murder Lo Mein is by Vivien Chien. The third in the realistic fiction Noodle Shop Mystery series. Lana is now the official manager of her family restaurant, and is preparing for the Cleveland Best Noodle Contest. Things are going well until one of the judges is murdered. Despite her boyfriend's, Detective Adam Trudeau's, warnings Lana can't help but get involved - again. Fans of this cozy mystery series will not be disappointed. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Woman Without A Past

Woman Without a Past is by Phyllis A. Whitney. Another realistic fiction novel by the mistress of romantic suspense mysteries. When mystery writer Molly Hunt discovers she was kidnapped as an infant and that she has a twin sister in Charleston, South Carolina, she decides to try and discover the truth of her past and her real family. But the Mountfort family has secrets they don't want revealed and Molly's presence is threatening to bring the past into the light. I love Whitney's novels; I think I read every one of them in my teens and twenties. When she passed away at the age of 104 in 2008, I actually cried. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Tombs of Atuan

The Tombs of Atuan is by Ursula K. LeGuin. The second installment in the classic fantasy Wizard of Earthsea trilogy. Tenar is taken from her family at the age of five to be the new high priestess of the Nameless Ones in the Tombs of Atuan. She becomes Arha, the Eaten One. One day, as she wanders the underground labyrinth, she discovers Ged. The young wizard has come to the Tombs to find the other half of the Ring of Erreth-Akbe, a magical talisman which will bring peace to Earthsea. Now the priestess must choose if she wants to be Arha or Tenar. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence). 

Daisy Jones & the Six

Daisy Jones and the Six is by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Wow! A great realistic fiction novel about the rise and fall of an iconic rock band. The novel follows the founding, meteoric rise, and fall of a 1970s rock band and their haunting lead singer. If you know anything about 1970s rock, the relationship issues, the drug abuse, and the moving lyrics which document them can't help but remind you of Fleetwood Mac and the Rumours album; which by the way is the 8th best selling album in history. The novel is written in an interview format, and as you read you have to keep reminding yourself that this is fiction. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Ten Thousand Doors of January

The Ten Thousand Doors of January is by Alix E. Harrow. A magnificent fantasy debut. January Scaller lives in a mansion with Mr. Locke, the rich benefactor who employs her father. January's father travels the world collecting "artifacts" for Mr. Locke's collection. January discovers that she can find and open doors that lead to other worlds. However, doors work both ways and while you can go there, people/creatures there can come here. She then finds a book that tells her about others who have seen these doors, and the knowledge changes her life. A magnificent debut.

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence).

The Arthurian Book of Days: The Greatest Legend in the World Retold Throughout the Year

The Arthurian Book of Days: The Greatest Legend in the World Retold Throughout the Year is by Caitlin & John Matthews. A beautifully done book retelling the Arthurian legends. The tales are broken into short segments and spaced out throughout the calendar year. They can be read by day or following the glossary in the back read in an order that completes the stories all at once. The pictures in this book are gorgeous as are the pages themselves. Anyone fond of the tales of King Arthur and his knights will love this book.

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.

The Dog Stars

The Dog Stars is by Peter Heller. A fantastic dystopian science fiction novel. A viral epidemic has wiped out most of the population of the planet. Small groups of survivors try to exist in a world gone mad. Hig has managed to survive and is living on a small airstrip with his dog and an old survivalist named Bangley. While flying his plane on recon missions, he hears a transmission from the Grand Junction airport and decides to set out to see who else might be alive. He finds both less and more than he ever expected. A must read for lovers of dystopian fiction.

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

The Power of Six

The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore. The second book in the science fiction I Am Number Four series. Four, Six, and Sam are on the run. They continue to train for the battle with the Mogadorians, but they are not alone. Seven has been hiding in Spain, but she has also been found by the enemy. It's time for all the Loriens to join together to fight. Fans of the series will enjoy the next installment. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Keeper of Lost Things

The Keeper of Lost Things is by Ruth Hogan. A charming realistic fiction novel with more than a hint of magical realism. Andrew Peardew is an author who also collects lost things. When he dies he leaves his riches and estate to Laura, his assistant. The catch - she must find a way to reunite all the lost things Andrew collected with their rightful owners. This is a fun debut novel. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Buying of Lot 37

The Buying of Lot 37 is by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. The third season of scripts from the science fiction podcast Welcome to Night Vale. This podcast is absolutely absurdly wonderful fun. If you have not tried it out, you need to do so now - wherever you get your podcasts. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Great Glowing Coils of the Universe

The Great Glowing Coils of the Universe is by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. The second season of scripts from the science fiction podcast Welcome to Night Vale. This podcast is absolutely absurdly wonderful fun. If you have not tried it out, you need to do so now - wherever you get your podcasts. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us

This Body's Not Big Enough for Both of Us is by Edgar Cantero. A romping science fiction ride from the author of Meddling Kids. This time Cantero takes on every noir detective story or film ever, in his crazy style. The Kimrean twins are both private eyes; they also share the same body. As chimeric twins they are each distinct persons sharing the same body, and they can't stand each other - like most siblings. Zooey is female and all right brain (emotions) and Adrian is male and all left brain (logic). Law enforcement agencies are trying to take down several cartels; they have had a cop undercover with one of them for 18 months. When the kingpin's youngest son is murdered and a gang war looms, they reach out to the Kimrean twins to stop the war and help them bring down the cartels. This book is an action-packed hilarious thrill ride. 

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

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is by Stephen Chbosky. The ultimate epistolary realistic fiction work for young adults. Charlie is a freshman, his sister is a senior and his older brother is playing for the Penn State football team. His mother and father love their family, but have their own issues. Charlie has a history of mental illness and this makes friendship difficult for him. Through a series of letters, all addressed to "Dear friend," we follow Charlie through the ups and downs of his freshman year. His search for friends, and the troubles that come with having friends. A charming work that will warm your heart at the same time it breaks it. 

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

Dim Sum of All Fears

Dim Sum of All Fears is by Vivien Chien. The second installment in the realistic cozy Noodle Shop Mysteries. As Lana prepares for an important job interview, her parents announce they are going to Taiwan to care for her grandmother and that she is being left in charge of the family restaurant. As she takes over her new responsibilities, the couple who owns the souvenir shop next door are found murdered and Lana decides to discover who killed them. This series is so much fun.

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10.

A Wizard of Earthsea

A Wizard of Earthsea is by Ursula K. Le Guin. A classic fantasy novel which is the first in the Earthsea trilogy. Sparrowhawk is a young wizard on a remote island in Earthsea. After his naming, he is sent to a school for wizards, where in his hunger for power and knowledge, he releases an evil shadow from the world of the dead. Now, Ged must destroy the shadow before it destroys him and all of Earthsea. A classic fantasy masterpiece.

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Ghost Bride

The Ghost Bride is by Yangsze Choo. A brilliant fantasy novel set in colonial Malaya. Li Lan is the daughter of a bankrupt gentleman merchant; a friend offers to pay off his debts if Li Lan becomes a ghost bride to his recently deceased son. Li Lan is appalled, but is terrified when the dead man begins to visit her in her dreams. She must pass into the world of the dead to discover who murdered her fiancee, so that she can release his spirit and marry the man she really loves. This is a beautifully written and fascinating work, even if you don't know anything about Far Eastern religious beliefs and practices. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content). 

Books That Cook: The Making of a Literary Meal

Books That Cook: The Making of a Literary Meal is edited by Jennifer Cognard-Black and Melissa Goldthwaite. A collection of essays and poems on food from various cookbooks and other authors. Recipes are also included. The book focuses on the importance of food in our lives. A fun read.

Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity).

United We Spy

United We Spy is by Ally Carter. The final book in the realistic fiction Gallagher Girl series. Cammie has lost her father and her memory, and must now prevent the Circle from starting WWIII. Cammie and her friends discover moles within the agencies and must flee the Academy to destroy the Circle and save the world. A fast paced race to the end of this cool series. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence). 

Out of Sight, Out of Time

Out of Sight, Out of Time is by Ally Carter. The fifth installment of the realistic fiction Gallagher Girls series. Cammie regains consciousness in a convent in the Alps, remembering nothing at all about her summer. She returns to the Gallagher Academy and must work out what happened to her over the summer and why she can't remember anything. As the memories begin to resurface, Cammie and her friends, must re-trace her steps to discover the answers they seek. This series gets darker as it proceeds, but it is a thrill ride all the way.

Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence).