Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir

Save Me the Plums: My Gourmet Memoir is by Ruth Reichl. A charming nonfiction memoir by the former editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine - at one time America's premier food magazine. Reichl went from the New York Times to Gourmet at a time when Conde Nast ruled the magazine world. This memoir follows her life from the time she was hired until Gourmet went under. This book provides a window into the world of New York restaurants, food writing, and the magazine business. Her chapter covering 9/11 is worth the price of of book.

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Lies of Locke Lamora

The Lies of Locke Lamora is by Scott Lynch. The first book in the fantasy Gentleman Bastards series. Set in an amazingly well drawn world where ancient technology, magic, and alchemy combine, this action-packed fast paced novel will not fail to please. Locke Lamora is an orphan and a thief. Sold to the blind priest of the Thirteenth God, Locke joins the camaraderie of the Gentlemen Bastards, the fellowship of thieves who inhabit the temple of Perelandro. Locke grows to become a brilliant conman, who specializes in stealing from the rich of Camorr. But there is a mysterious figure lurking in the shadows who is more ambitious and deadly than anything Locke has ever faced. This book is filled with everything a fantasy lover could want: swords, magic, strange creatures, the fabulously rich set against the devastatingly poor. Fantasy lovers will race through this book to get to the next one. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

Network Effect

Network Effect is by Martha Wells. The fifth installment and first full length novel in the science fiction Murderbot series. Fans of the novellas have eagerly awaited this book and they won't be disappointed. When his human friends are kidnapped and another "friend" from his past is involved, Murderbot steps in and saves the day - again. This novel contains everything you loved in the novellas, only more. Murderbot is the perfect antihero: he's sarcastic, unwilling to get involved, and yet loyal to those he cares about - even if he won't admit it. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Making of Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album

The Making of Rumours: The Inside Story of the Classic Fleetwood Mac Album is by Ken Caillat. "Rumours" has long been one of my favorite albums and this nonfiction memoir by the album's co-producer shed a great deal of light on the turbulence, pain, and wonder that went into this incredible record. Caillat is honest and is obviously not trying to "dish dirt." The story is a music fans joy from beginning to end. 

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

The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star

The Strange Disappearance of a Bollywood Star is by Vaseem Khan. The third book in the Baby Ganesh realistic fiction mystery series. When the famous Bollywood star, and playboy, Vikram Verma disappears, Chopra is hired by the star's mother to locate him. The search will take Chopra and Ganesh into the heart of Bollywood, and will unearth secrets someone is desperate to keep hidden. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment as well. 

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

The Satapur Moonstone

The Satapur Moonstone is by Sujata Massey. The second book in the historical fiction Perveen Mistry mystery series. Set in 1922 India, Perveen is called on to negotiate a dispute between two Maharanis over the education of the new Maharaja who is only a child. As the Maharaja's grandmother and mother fight over his future, Perveen suspects the death of the previous Maharaja might not have been a hunting accident after all. Can she negotiate the desires of the two Maharanis and the British government and discover the truth of the former Maharaja's death? Fans of the first book will love this installment and long for the next book in this series. 

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

Convenience Store Woman

Convenience Store Woman is by Sayaka Murata. This is a multicultural realistic fiction gem of a novella. Keiko has spent her entire life working part time at a convenience store in Japan. Her family and co-workers are pressuring her to get married and start a family, but she is happy as she is. Can she live life her way and still satisfy everyone else's expectations, or should she even care what others think. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.  

The Fear Institute

The Fear Institute is by Jonathan L. Howard. The third book in the fantasy Johannes Cabal series. Johannes is approached by the Fear Institute to lead their expedition to the Dreamlands to seek the "Phobis Animus" the source of all fear. However, everything about the expedition is not as it seems and Johannes might not make it back from this little trip. Fans of the series will love this book.

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

Ninth House

Ninth House is by Leigh Bardugo. The first book in the fantasy Alex Stern series. Alex is the only survivor of a mass murder in a drug house. In the hospital she is approached by a man who offers her a scholarship to Yale. The catch, she is to become a part of one of the secret societies at the college, Lethe, which polices the magic practiced by the other societies to make sure they obey all the rules and keep their practices under wraps. Then her mentor disappears and a girl is murdered and Alex must discover if any of the societies are involved. You won't be able to wait for the next book in this series, and if you're planning on going to Yale - beware. :)

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

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires is by Grady Hendrix. Another fantasy horror masterpiece by Hendrix. A group of upper middle class white Southern women form a book club to read true crime novels. When African American children begin to die, the women suspect one of their neighbors is a vampire. Their husbands, however, don't believe them and they must decide if they can kill a vampire without aid. This book is creepy and wonderfully Southern at the same time. If you love horror, this is your book.

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

The Raven

The Raven is by Patrick Carman. The fourth book in the fantasy Skeleton Creek series. Ryan and Sarah are still following the trail of clues left by the Apostle. But the ghost of Old Joe Bush is still out there, and the Raven is still stalking Ryan. Can Ryan and Sarah solve the mystery before it's too late. Fans of the series will enjoy the book and the videos created to go along with the story. 

Ratings: 5th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Last Wish

The Last Wish is by Andrzej Sapkowski. The beginning of the fantasy Witcher series is a collection of short adventures which pre-date the first book of the series. Geralt is a Witcher, a person whose sole purpose is the hunt and kill the monsters who plague humanity. But is every being who is ugly evil? Fans of the video game will love the books.

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

Whispers Under Ground

Whispers Under Ground is by Ben Aaronovitch. The third book in the fantasy Rivers of London series. When a dead body is found in the underground station at Baker Street, stabbed with a piece of pottery which has a magical aura, Constable Peter Grant is called in to solve the case. To do so, he must head into the haunted depths of the largest subway system in the world. Fans of the series will love this installment. 

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