The Best American Essays of the Century is edited by Joyce Carol Oates. A collection of essays from 1901-1997 by such authors as Mark Twain, W.E.B. DuBois, T.S. Eliot, John Muir, Ernest Hemingway, Zora Neale Hurston, and many others. Well worth the time it will take to read through the entire collection.
Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - P (profanity).
The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C. S. Lewis is by Alan Jacobs. A must read biography for all fans of C.S. Lewis. The story of Lewis' life and his writing covered in an easy to read and interesting fashion. Jacobs presents his information in a way that doesn't gloss over Lewis' flaws or blow them out of proportion. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10.
Marion Lane and the Midnight Murder is by T.A. Willberg. The first in the realistic historical fiction Marion Lane mystery series. Marion has been apprenticed to a secret detective agency in the tunnels below the streets of London. They solve cases that have baffled Scotland Yard, or that the regular police don't have the time or resources to take on. When one of the employees of the agency is murdered inside the agency, Marion and her friends find themselves embroiled in a case more dangerous than anything they ever imagined - one that might being down the entire agency and everyone in it.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
Ten Plays is by Euripides. A must read collection of classic Greek drama by one of its most famous playwrights. This collection contains all of the most well known of Euripides' plays including: "The Bacchae", "The Trojan Women", "Hippolytus", and seven more. A wonderful look at ancient Greek drama.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
The Fantastic Imagination is by George MacDonald. A must read essay on fairy tales and their importance to the human imagination. Short by brilliantly written.
Ratings: 8th grade - 10 out of 10.
A Elderly Lady Must Not Be Crossed is by Helene Tursten. A charming book of short stories that is a sequel to An Elderly Lady is Up to No Good. These stories pick up after the stories in the first book. Maud is being hassled by the police, who suspect she killed an antique dealer found in her apartment in the first book. Now Maud decides to take a long trip to South Africa. This installment tells us about her trip and also gives a few stories that provide insight into her past, and possibly her future. Fans of the first book will be thrilled with this second one.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions is by Arthur Bennett. A wonderful work of Puritan prayers and devotions. A must read for all believers! The Puritans really knew how to pray.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918 is by Joseph Loconte. A magnificent nonfiction look at arguably the two most influential writers of the 20th century. Loconte covers the experiences of both Tolkien and Lewis in WWI, as well as their education and personal lives before and after the war. There are numerous quotes from writings by both, as well as poetry and other quotes from major figures of the day. The book also looks at the tide of despair, discontent, fascism, communism, socialism, and humanism that arose in the aftermath of WWI. This book is a must read for all fans of Tolkien and Lewis, as well as those who seek to understand why they are so loved and so important. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
Finlay Donovan is Killing It is by Elle Cosimano. A cute realistic fiction story that is the first of the Finlay Donovan series. Finlay Donovan is a single mom; her husband divorced her to become engaged to a real estate agent. She is stressed and broke. Her editor is demanding she finish the book she has contracted to write, but she is too tired to write. At a meeting with her editor in Panera, Finlay is slipped a note by a woman at a nearby table. The note offers her $50,000 to kill the woman's husband. At first Finlay laughs it off, then decides to look the man over at a local bar - then hijinks ensure. The story stretches the bounds of credulity, but is a fun read.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Do What You Believe: Or You Won't Be Free to Believe It Much Longer is by Steve Deace. A heartbreaking, yet uplifting nonfiction look at what faces "what's left of America" today. This book is the answer to the question one hears so often, "what can I do?". Deace is clear and forthright in explaining where we are, and where we go from here. The "answer is us."
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Scarlet Letter is by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The classic historical fiction tale of Puritan New England. Hester Prynne has committed adultery and borne a child, Pearl, out of wedlock. She refuses to name Pearl's father and is condemned to wear a scarlet "A" on her breast for the rest of her life. The novel takes us through the next seven years, following Hester, Pearl, and other members of the community. Finally the truth is tragically revealed.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.
A Gathering of Old Men is by Ernest J Gaines. A classic historical fiction masterpiece which paints an amazing portrait of racism in the South. A local sheriff in Louisiana is called to a sugar cane plantation to discover a young white woman, her boyfriend, about 18 elderly black men, and a dead Cajun farmer. All of the black men claim to have shot Beau Boutan, son of the notoriously racist Fix Boutan. Candy, the white woman, also claims to have shot Beau. Everyone claims it was self-defense. The sheriff has until sundown to arrest someone before Fix and his "crew" show up to settle things their way. It appears all of the old men are determined to die fighting off Fix and his friends. The novel is tense, yet humorous. Who did kill Beau and what is everyone else willing to do to protect him? A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
A Master of Djinn is by P. Djeli Clark. The third installment, the first novel, in the Dead Djinn series. It's 1912 in Cairo, magic has been around for awhile in most countries. Fatma el-Sha'arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities. Fatma is called to the home of a rich white man to investigate the murder of a secret brotherhood dedicated to finding artifacts belonging to Al-Jahiz, who opened the door between the magical and mundane realms forty years ago. Fatma is faced with a mysterious figure claiming to be Al-Jahiz returned. Is this person really Al-Jahiz, or are they a fake? What is their purpose for stirring up dissent in Cairo just at the time an important international conference is being held at the palace? Fatma, her new partner, and a friend from the past must discover the answers, but can they do so in time? Fans of the world will thoroughly enjoy this book.
Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis is by Michael Ward. A wonderful nonfiction examination of Medieval Cosmology in the Narniad by Lewis. He posits the theory that each book of the series relates to one of the seven planets from Medieval Cosmology. He doesn't insist he is correct, but his case is compelling. This book is a must read for all fans of Lewis and the Narniad.
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10.
Under the Whispering Door is by T.J. Klune. The new fantasy novel by the author of The House in the Cerulean Sea. This book is much darker than Cerulean Sea, so beware. When Wallace, a Scrooge-like lawyer, has a heart attack and dies, he finds himself at his own funeral. He is approached by a reaper who takes him to a tea shop run by Hugo, and Wallace begins to realize that he is really dead. Hugo is a ferryman, who helps the dead move on through the door. As he interacts with the cast of characters at the tea shop, Wallace realizes he has never really lived and isn't anxious to move on. Then the Manager gives him an ultimatum, and Wallace has one week to tie up his loose ends. I did not love this book the way I did Cerulean Sea, it was too dark for me - even with several hilarious moments.
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC {mature thematic content).
The Guncle is by Steven Rowley. An amusing realistic fiction novel. Gay Uncle Patrick, GUP for short, is contacted by his brother when his sister-in-law dies. Sarah was Patrick's best friend before she married his brother Greg; they drifted apart when Patrick moved to California and became the star of a television series. After the series ended, Patrick bought a house in Palm Springs and became a loner; his lover was killed in a car accident and he is struggling with his grief. Greg is going to a rehab center for his opioid addiction and needs Patrick to keep his two children, ages 6 and 9, for ninety days. Patrick agrees and discovers that helping them through their grief might just be what he needs to get through his own.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Cost of Discipleship is by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. The classic work on Christian discipleship by Bonhoeffer, who died in a Nazi concentration camp for attempting to assassinate Hitler. Bonhoeffer was a Lutheran pastor, theologian, author, and founding member of the Confessing Church. This is one of his seminal works on being a Christian disciple. The book walks through passages of Scripture and breaks them down in Bonhoeffer's thorough way. A must read for all Christians.
Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.
The James Bond Dossier is by Kingsley Amis. A charming nonfiction essay that takes apart the entire James Bond series. Amis seems to take his dissection of Bond lore seriously, but it is in fact quite entertaining. Fans of the Ian Fleming novels and the Bond movies will thoroughly enjoy this book.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
Reflections on the Psalms is by C.S. Lewis. The nonfiction classic in which Lewis reflects on the Book of Psalms. Lewis examines the Psalms and what they tell us about God, the Bible, and faith. He reminds us of the great significance the Psalms have for our lives.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Haunted Hotel is by Wilkie Collins. A classic historical fiction mystery tale by one of the masters of the genre. Agnes Lockwood is devastated when her fiancée, Lord Montbarry, marries Countess Narona. The new couple leaves England for Venice and takes up residence in an old palace. When Agnes receives word that Lord Montbarry has died, she mourns the death of the man she loved. But did he really die of bronchitis as the doctor says, or was his death caused by something more sinister? Another classic from Collins that mystery loves will enjoy.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval & Renaissance Literature is by C.S. Lewis. A classic nonfiction work on Medieval Cosmology and its relation to literature. Fans of Shakespeare especially, will find it helpful.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10.
Mansfield Park is by Jane Austen. The classic historical fiction romance by the mistress of the form. Fanny Price is given up by her mother, who married poorly and has numerous children, to go live with her Aunt and Uncle at Mansfield Park. Shy by nature, and made to feel her inferiority by her cousins and Aunt, the unbelievable wretched Mrs. Norris, she finds her cousin Edward her only ally. When the Crawford's come down from London, their appearance threatens to destroy the happiness Fanny has found in a family she loves. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.
Mythos is by Stephen Fry. The first in a charming collection of Greek myths and stories. Fry takes us through Greek mythology with wit and humor. His footnotes are informative, and his enjoyment in the myths is obvious throughout. Whether or not you are familiar with, or even enjoy, Greek mythology this book is a delight.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Taming of the Shrew is by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction drama about a rich man, his two daughters and the men who wish to marry them. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
Arsene Lupin is by Maurice Leblanc. The first in a series of historical fiction mysteries about a gentleman thief in 19th century France. When a rich gentleman receives a note from the famous thief, Arsene Lupin, telling him his priceless paintings and jewelry are about to be stolen, he turns to the police and his daughter's fiancée for help. But can anyone stop the great Arsene Lupin? A charming, if dated, tale of crime, love, with a sprinkling of irony and humor throughout.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Book of the Dun Cow is by Walter Wangerin, Jr. A classic allegorical fantasy/fable, the first in a series of books about the mythical Dun Cow. This is the story of Chauntecleer the Rooster who finds himself in the unenviable position of leading his animal friends against the ultimate evil - Wyrm and his general, the equally evil Cockatrice. This story reminds one of the Christian themes seen in Lewis's Narnia series, although Medieval cosmology plays a large part in the tale. This is a Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
George MacDonald Fantasy Classics Collection is by George MacDonald. A classic set of fantasy tales by a wonderful author. The set includes: Phantastes, The Light Princess, The Princess and the Goblin, and Lilith. The middle two stories are fun reads for children, while the other two are definitely for adults. MacDonald weaves Christian themes into his writing. These classic tales are Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Reads.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
Twelfth Night is by William Shakespeare. The classic comedy drama of disguise and disorder. Viola is shipwrecked and disguises herself as a boy and gets a job as a page to Orsino. She falls in love with him, but Orsino is "in love" with Olivia who does not love him. Orsino sends Viola, in disguise, to take a message to her and Olivia falls "in love" with Viola - who is really a girl. The play is loaded with zaniness and humor.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
Fordlandia is by Greg Grandin. A nonfiction book which covers the history of Henry Ford's attempted settlement of the Amazon. Ford tried to set up quintessential American towns in the Amazon; with the intent of growing rubber and creating an Americanized social and business structure in the middle of the rain forest. Drags a little at times, not the most exciting read, but still interesting.
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Rose Code is by Kate Quinn. A wonderful historical fiction novel set in Bletchley Park during WWII. Three women find themselves recruited to work at the famous code breaking estate at Bletchley Park. They find love and friendship in the midst of war; they also find heartbreak, pain, and treason. WWII lovers, as well as historical fiction fans, will love this book.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Screwtape Letters is by C.S. Lewis. This classic fantasy is a must read for all Christians. The book is a series of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew Wormwood. Wormwood is trying to tempt a human and Screwtape is giving him advice on how to do so. Lewis does a masterful job of laying bare Satan's devices and strategies and how easily we can fall for them. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
The Trojan Women is by Euripides. The classic drama by Greek playwright Euripides. The play is set at the end of the Trojan War, where the women of Troy are being left to face the consequences of their defeat. Although the play is short, it is powerful and emotional and should be a must read. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
The Early Cases of Hercule Poirot is by Agatha Christie. A wonderful classic short story collection of mysteries. These 25 short stories were published in The Sketch magazine in 1923. They represent many classic Poirot mysteries that fans of Christie and David Suchet's Poirot will surely be familiar with.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
Sir Gawain & the Green Knight, Pearl, and Sir Orfeo is by J.R.R. Tolkien. Three 13th-century British poems translated by Tolkien. "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" tells the story of King Arthur's knights of the Round Table and an adventure that comes their way. "Pearl" is story of a man who is mourning the loss of his young daughter, when he falls asleep and dreams he sees her. "Sir Orfeo" is a re-telling of the myth of Orpheus. Fans of Arthurian legends and Tolkien will be charmed.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Adventures of Tom Bombadil is by J. R. R. Tolkien. Charming fantasy book of short stories and poems from the world of Middle Earth. Fans of Tolkien will enjoy reading these tales, some of which are unpublished, and some of which are longer versions of poems hinted at in The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.
Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10.
Letters from Father Christmas is by J.R.R. Tolkien. Wonderful Christmas fantasy classic! Why couldn't Tolkien have been my Dad? These are letters Tolkien wrote to his children pretending to be Father Christmas. The letters are utterly charming and the drawings are beautiful. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 6th grade - 10 out of 10.
Time After Time is by Lisa Grunwald. A charming historical fiction fantasy novel. It's December 1937, Joe Reynolds works at Grand Central Station. On this morning, he runs into a mysterious woman who disappears. A year later he meets her again and when she disappears a second time, discovers she was killed in a train crash at the station in 1925. How can she be a ghost and yet he can touch her? Joe and Nora's love story carries us through the thirties, WWII, and it's aftermath. This is a beautiful love story with a unique premise. Fans of historical fiction and love stories will enjoy this one.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity).
The Great Divorce is by C.S. Lewis. The classic allegorical fantasy by the creator of Narnia. The story begins with the narrator joining a queue for a bus. Once the bus arrives at its destination, the narrator, through a series of meetings discovers he was on a bus from Hell to Purgatory. The riders were destined to meet beings who attempt to lead them on to the mountains (Heaven). The bus riders and those they meet are clever allegories for many types of humans and the sins which keep them from God. It is a wonderfully convicting and important book that needs to be read by all believers.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
Leaf by Niggle is by J.R.R. Tolkien. The classic fantasy short story of the painter whose art is interrupted by life. The story is semi-autobiographical and tells of Tolkien's struggle between his desire to write stories and his duties. Niggle fails to plan for the "journey;" spending as much time as possible on his painting and the rest on helping his neighbor Parish. A classic tale for all readers.
Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10.
Perestroika in Paris is by Jane Smiley. A charming fantasy novel! Perestroika is a race horse. One day after winning her race she is left alone for a moment and discovers her stall is open. She wanders out into Paris to see what she can discover; meets a dog, a raven, two ducks, two rats, and a young boy and has the adventure of a lifetime.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
Cold Beer and Crocodiles: A Bicycle Journey into Australia is by Roff Smith. A fascinating and fast paced autobiographical memoir. Smith is an American who has spent years working as a journalist in Australia. He decides to quit his job, buy a bicycle, and cycle around the whole continent - a journey that lasts months and covers over 9,000 miles.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity).
Lost in the Never Woods is by Aiden Thomas. A creepy fantasy retelling of "Peter Pan." Five years ago, Wendy Darling and her two brothers: John and Michael, went missing in the woods near their home. Only Wendy was found and she can't remember anything that happened. She keeps drawing a mysterious tree and the face of a boy she used to tell her brothers stories about: Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up and lives in Neverland. Then one night she discovers a boy lying the middle of a dark road and he tells her he is Peter Pan; he is real; and she must help him save the lost children, including her brothers. This fairy tale retelling is intense and creepy - so readers beware - this is no Disney version of "Peter Pan."
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
On the Shortness of Life is by Seneca. The classic treatise by the great Roman Stoic philosopher. Here he contemplates the brevity of life and how we waste the time we are given. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended read for everyone!
Ratings: 10 out of 10.
The Searcher is by Tana French. An interesting realistic fiction crime/mystery novel. Cal Hooper used to be a Chicago cop. After he retires from the force and his wife divorces him, he buys a fixer-upper in a small Irish village and decides to settle down in the quiet life. Only things don't go as planned. A young boy begins showing up at his house and finally tells Cal his brother has disappeared and he wants Cal to find out what happened to him. Cal decides to do what he can for the boy and kicks over the local ant hill. Secrets and mysteries abound, even in the Irish countryside. Fans of Tana French and crime/mystery lovers in general will enjoy this story.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Something New is by P.G. Wodehouse. The first book in the classic historical fiction Blandings' Castle series. Two Americans pose as servants to infiltrate a house party at an English country house to recover a stolen scarab. A charming novel, especially for lovers of Wodehouse.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day is by Winifred Watson. A totally delightful historical fiction classic rom com. Miss Pettigrew is a middle age, out of work governess. She reports to her agency and is sent to apply for a position with Miss LaFosse. When she arrives, a string of strange events is set in motion that will change her life forever. This is a charming story and a must read classic for fans of romantic comedy.
Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10.
Dial A for Aunties is by Jesse Q. Sutanto. A hilarious realistic fiction multi-cultural novel. Meddelin Chan works for the family wedding business with her Indonesian mother and three aunties. Her mother sets her up on a blind date the day before the biggest wedding the family has ever worked, one that could make or break the family business. When Meddy accidentally kills her date, the aunties decide to help her get rid of the body. The "Weekend at Bernies" type scenario that follows is wildly unrealistic, but still charming. A fun read and enjoyable rom-com.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Transcendent Kingdom is by Yaa Gyasi. A masterful work of multi cultural realistic fiction about an immigrant family struggling with life in America. Gifty's family immigrated from Ghana before she was born. Her father left the family and returned to Ghana. Gifty, her mother, and her brother Nana are struggling to make ends meet in Alabama. Her mother makes the family attend a Pentecostal church, and Gifty and Nana struggle with what they hear from the pulpit and what they experience outside church. When Nana dies of a heroin overdose and Gifty's mother begins to struggle with depression, Gifty, now a PhD candidate at Stanford, tries to reconcile the two halves of her life.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Egg Drop Dead is by Vivian Chien. The fifth book in the realistic fiction Noodle Shop mystery series. Lana and her crew from the Noodle Shop are catering a birthday party for Donna Feng. Donna has a secret history only she and Lana know about, or is there someone else who knows? When Donna's nanny is murdered and a thumb drive with all of her secrets is left in her bathroom, she begs Lana to clear her of suspicion in the nanny's murder without revealing her secrets. Can Lana accomplish this without getting herself killed? Fans of the series will love this installment.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Much Ado About Nothing is by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction play about two sets of lovers who struggle to find happiness. Claudio wants to marry Hero, but Don John, the bastard brother of Don Pedro, sets out to trick Claudio into believing Hero has been unfaithful. Hero's friend Beatrice and Claudio's friend Benedick pretend to hate each other, but do they "protesteth too much." Shakespeare's classic comedy is a must read for everyone.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
A Separate Peace is by John Knowles. The classic historical fiction tale of two friends at a boarding school during the waning years of WWII. Gene is a lonely intellectual and his roommate Phineas is an athletic daredevil. When Gene causes Phineas to fall from a tree and break his leg, he must deal with his guilt from causing an injury to his friend.
Ratings: 9th grade - 6 out of 10.
The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep is by Allan Wolf. A magnificent fiction in verse historical fiction look at the ill-fated Donner Party. The Donner Party heads to California and decides to take a little known "short cut" and ends up stuck in the mountains, unable to cross the pass due to early winter snows. Of the 89 members of the party who started out only 49 survived and at least 19 of the deceased were eaten by the survivors. Wolf's book is well researched and a fascinating read.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content - cannibalism).
The Bombay Prince is by Sujata Massey. The third book in the historical fiction Perveen Mistry mystery series. When Crown Prince Edward visits India, not everyone is supportive of British rule. As Bombay's streets erupt with violence, a young female college student is found dead. Perveen decides it is up to her to find out the truth about her murder. Fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy this well written mystery.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10.
Hamlet is by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction drama about problems in the state of Denmark. Hamlet is the son of the King of Denmark. He returns home to find his father dead and his uncle married to his recently widowed mother. He sees his father's ghost who tells him he was murdered by his uncle and demands that Hamlet get revenge for him. One of the finest of all Shakespeare's plays. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10.
The Romanovs: 1613-1918 is by Simon Sebag Montefiore. A very long nonfiction look at the history of the Romanovs. It is a slow read, but it is well researched and minutely documented. The history of Russia's longest ruling family is filled with sex, mental illness, a desire for power, and heroic displays by both the men and women of the family. It is worth the effort to read if you are at all interested in Russian history.
Ratings 6 out of 10 - Adult - AC (mature thematic content).
The Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor is by Flannery O'Connor. The complete historical fiction short stories of the most famous Catholic southern writer of the modern era. This work contains all of O'Connor's short stories in chronological order. These stories are magnificent and beautiful reflections on life in the South. O'Connor's religious beliefs shine through in every story. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 11th grade - V (violence).
King Lear is by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction drama of a king's madness and the evil of his two of his three daughters. What would you do or say for power? How can a king be driven mad by his own hubris? A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
Troubled Blood is by Robert Galbraith. The fifth installment of the realistic fiction Cormoran Strike mystery series. Cormoran and Robin are feeling the pressure. They have several time intensive cases at work and are also dealing with personal problems. Cormoran's beloved Aunt Joan is dying of cancer; he's getting suicidal texts from his ex-girlfriend Charlotte; and his half-siblings are trying to arrange a reunion with their famous father. Robin is in the middle of a contentious divorce from Matthew; trying to adjust to single life; and trying to fend off the advances of an obnoxious employee that the agency can't afford to lose at the moment. Then they are hired by a young woman to find her mother who has been missing for forty years and was believed to be the victim of a serial killer, yet her body has never been found. This case is the strangest of all the books so far, and we really get a good look into Strike's and Robin's relationship issues. Fans of the series will LOVE this installment.
Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers is by Mary Roach. A creepy, but interesting, nonfiction look at what happens to human cadavers. It looks at various uses to which they are put and different means of disposing of them. Roach has a morbid sense of humor that works well with the subject of this book.
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10.
A Companion for Owls: Being the Commonplace Book of D. Boone Long Hunter, Back Woodsman, Etc. is by Maurice Manning. This wonderful book of poetry is written from the perspective of Daniel Boone. It combines historical facts with the beauty of poetry.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Woman in White is by Wilkie Collins. The classic historical fiction mystery tale by the author of The Moonstone. When Walter Hartright, a young drawing master, is enroute to his new post with a family named Fairlie, he is approached on the road by a mysterious woman in white who asks for his aid. Once he discovers the woman's connection to the Fairlie's, he must uncover her secret. A secret which will change his life forever in ways he can't even imagine at the time. Count Fosco is one of the classic villains of all time. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. A must read for lovers of classics and mystery lovers everywhere.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Moonstone is by Wilkie Collins. The classic historical fiction mystery novel by the author of The Woman in White. When the fabulous Moonstone gem is stolen from an English manor house, a famous detective sets out to solve the mystery, but finds the owner of the gem doesn't seem to want it found. Told in sections by the different characters involved in the story, this is a gem of a classic for mystery lovers everywhere. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Gospel in Dickens is by Charles Dickens and Gina Dalfonzo. Dalfonzo prints selections from famous works of Dickens and uses them to show various aspects of the Gospel in his writing. Topics include Sin and Its Victims, Repentance and Grace, and The Righteous Life. Fans of Dickens, and those who are not familiar with his work, should read this book. It is especially interesting if you have a knowledge of, or are of, the Christian faith.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
Railsplitter is by Maurice Manning. A wonderful book of poetry written, supposedly, by the deceased Abraham Lincoln. Charming and moving work. A must read for poetry lovers. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
The Trail of the Serpent is by Mary Elizabeth Braddon. A historical fiction detective mystery, one of the first of its kind. When young Richard Marwood is accused of brutally killing his uncle, only a detective who can't speak believes he is innocent. The book informs readers early on who the murderer is, and then becomes a quest to prove Richard innocent and convict the guilty party. A fascinating look at the early detective novel.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
Macbeth is by William Shakespeare. The classic historical fiction drama by the greatest author ever to write in the English language. Macbeth and his friend come across three witches after a battle who give Macbeth three prophecies. In this brilliant examination of fate vs free will and the wages of sin, Shakespeare's shortest play is one of his finest. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
The Leavenworth Case is by Anna Katherine Green. The first in the Mr. Gryce historical fiction detective series. The story opens when a lawyer is informed that a rich client has been murdered and is summoned to the house to assist the family with the police inquiry. Mr. Leavenworth has two adopted nieces both of whom are beautiful and ultimately fall under suspicion for the crime. Mr. Raymond, the lawyer, is determined to prove that neither niece is guilty and joins with Detective Gryce to solve the murder. I challenge anyone to say they saw the ending coming. This is a wonderful story, actually published nine years before the first of the Sherlock Holmes stories. It is again proof that America, not England, is the home of the detective novel.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10.
Fugitive Telemetry is by Martha Wells. The sixth book in the science fiction Murderbot series. The events in this book take place before those in Network Effect. When a dead body is found on Preservation Station, Murderbot checks it out to make sure no one is trying to assassinate Dr. Mensah again. Then it is asked, horror or horrors, to assist the human investigators to discover the identity of the corpse and find the murderer - and to do this it will have to talk to humans! This series is a must read for everyone. Where can I get a Secunit of my own?
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
And After All is by Rina P. Espaillat. A charming book of poetry by a poet who is sure to be a classic. A must read for poetry lovers.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity).
Idiot Psalms is by Scott Cairns. A wonderful collection of beautiful poetry. Modern poetry that isn't intimidating.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is by Jules Verne. The classic science fiction tale of undersea adventure. When Professor Aronnax, his servant, and whaler Ned Land are "rescued" by the infamous Captain Nemo and taken aboard his submarine The Nautilus, they are in for the adventure of their lives. They are forced to travel around the world with the mysterious Captain and his crew. Will they be captives forever, or will Ned Land finally lead a successful escape attempt? A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.
Gaudy Night is by Dorothy L. Sayers. The tenth book in the historical fiction Lord Peter Wimsey series. Harriet Vane has returned to Oxford to attend a reunion, while there she is asked to assist in solving the mystery of some nasty and bizarre messages being left around the college. She then discovers she may need Lord Peter's help after all. A series all mystery loves need to read at least once in their lives.
Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10.
An Experiment in Criticism is by C.S. Lewis. The classic essay by Lewis discussing what makes a good book and a good reader and how to define a bad book and a bad reader. A must read for all avid readers.
Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10.
Are Women Human?: Astute and Witty Essays on the Role of Women in Society is by Dorothy L. Sayers. A book of classic essays on the role of women by the wonderful Dorothy Sayers. Brilliantly written and marvelously relevant and thought provoking.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10 .
The Secret Adversary is by Agatha Christie. The first in the historical fiction Tommy and Tuppence mystery series. Two friends decide to form an "adventurers club," and find themselves caught up in a race to save the British government from disaster. Tommy and Tuppence are delightful characters, and the identity of the criminal keeps you guessing right up until the end. Fans of Christie will love this series.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Murder on the Links is by Agatha Christie. The second in the classic historical fiction Hercule Poirot mystery series. Hercule Poirot is summoned to France to protect a millionaire who fears for his life, but is murdered on the very night before Poirot arrives. Poirot must put his skills against a famous French detective to solve the murderer. Who will come out on top?
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles is by Agatha Christie. The first in the classic historical fiction Hercule Poirot mystery series. When Arthur Hastings is invited to stay with old friends at Styles, he is expecting a restful vacation. Then the lady of the house is poisoned and her new husband is suspected of the murder. Hastings turns to his old friend, the Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot for help.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
Why Poetry is by Matthew Zapruder. A nonfiction look at the study of poetry. The author makes poetry seem within the understanding of normal people.
Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10.
Faucian Bargain: The Most Powerful & Dangerous Bureaucrat in American History is by Steve Deace and Todd Erzen. A masterpiece of nonfiction. The documented and unvarnished truth about COVID-19 and the lies we've been told. Everyone should read this book, but prepare to be pissed off.
Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.
Sharks in the Time of Saviors is by Kawai Strong Washburn. A realistic fiction debut with a touch of magical realism. This is the story of a Hawaiian family and their struggles. The older brother Dean is accepted to play college basketball and is caught up with his desire for wealth and fame. The youngest, Kaui, decides on a career in engineering and is determined to achieve success though her academic abilities. The middle child, Nainoa, experienced a miraculous salvation when he was a child. He fell off a boat on a family vacation into shark infested waters and a shark carries him to the boat in its mouth. His parents consider this a sign that he is touched by the gods and consider him blessed. When he begins to exhibit some extraordinary powers, the belief seems justified. Can Nainoa, who is now working as a paramedic, live up to his parent's belief in him; will those beliefs tear the family apart?
Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. A fine Hercule Poirot mystery by the queen of realistic crime fiction. Poirot must hurry back to London from the Middle East and finds himself on board the famous Orient Express with his friend who is a director of the line. When a man is found murdered when the train is trapped by an avalanche, Poirot is asked to solve the mystery before the Yugoslavian police arrive on the scene. But is everyone guilty...
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.
Gilead is by Marilynne Robinson. The classic realistic fiction epistolary novel. It's 1956 and Reverend John Ames is 76 and has a serious heart condition. He realizes his wife, who is much younger than he is, will have to raise their seven-year-old son on her own. He decides to write his son a series of letters so that he will learn about the father he never really had the chance to know. This work is a masterpiece of Christian worldview. A must read for Christians and readers of all kinds.
Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10.
Brideshead Revisited is by Evelyn Waugh. A classic work of historical fiction. This classic must read tells the story of the waning days of the British aristocracy as seen through the eyes of Charles Ryder and his involvement with the rich Catholic Flyte family. The book examines the devastation WWI caused in Europe and looks at the disenchantment it brought. The novel is told in flashbacks from the dark days of WWII; Charles remembers the Flyte's and the impact they had on his life.
Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
Ready Player Two is by Ernest Cline. The sequel to the science fiction hit, Ready Player One. Barley weeks have passed since Wade and his friends won Halliday's contest and became his heirs. Then Wade discovers another secret in Halliday's vaults, a piece of technology that will change the world forever. He and his friends set off on another of Halliday's tests, the search for the Seven Shards of the Siren's Soul. The consequences of this contest could cost the four friends everything they've gained, their lives, and possibly determine the fate of mankind. Fans of the first book will enjoy this one as well.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity).
The Nightingale is by Kristin Hannah. A brilliant work of historical fiction. It's 1939 in France, in the small town of Carriveau, Vianne lives with her husband and daughter. Her husband heads for the front and is taken prisoner. Vianne is left to survive with a German officer billeted in her home. Her eighteen-year-old sister Isabelle decides to join the French resistance. The story follows the heart breaking story of two sisters trying to survive WWII as best they can, yet fight the Nazis in their own way.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Mothers is by Brit Bennett. A wonderfully written work of multi-cultural realistic fiction. Nadia Turner was looking forward to college and a chance to live her own life finally. Then towards the end of her time in high school, she finds herself pregnant; the father is the son of her church pastor. Luke pays for the abortion, even though he really wants the baby. Nadia and Luke part ways, but the secret they carry shapes the rest of their lives. The story is told by a "Greek chorus" of church ladies, and is a brilliant debut novel.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
The Classic Hundred Poems is edited by William Harmon. A wonderful compilation of the most published hundred poems with information about each poet and Harmon's thoughts on each poem. A must read for poetry lovers or those who would like to be.
Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Great Alone is by Kristin Hannah. Realistic fiction that will move you. Ernt Albright is a former POW, he suffers from severe PTSD and his wife and young daughter follow him through numerous moves as he tries to fit back into society. When a fellow POW leaves him some land in Alaska, Ernt and his family head north. They are totally unprepared for the harsh Alaskan wilderness, yet they find friends among others who have made the wilderness their home. Yet, as the endless night of Alaska's winter closes in, Leni and her mother realize that the darkness of the wilderness is mirrored by that in Ernt. This novel is a poignant look at abusive relationships and the tragedy they leave in their wake.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
River of Teeth is by Sarah Gailey. The first in the American Hippo alternate history science fiction series. This is the story of an America that might have been. The American government imported hippos to the swamps of the South to lessen the meat shortage. However, this was a bad plan. Hippos are savage and fierce, and are now feral infesting the swamps and bayous. Winslow Houndstooth and his gang of hippo wranglers set out on a mission for the government to get rid of the feral hippos, and if he can avenge an old wrong in the process, so much the better. A completely entrancing novella.
Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Tenant is by Katrine Engberg. The first book in the realistic fiction Korner & Werner mystery series. When a young woman is found murdered in her apartment with a strange design carved into her face, Korner & Werner are called in to investigate. These Copenhagen detectives quickly discover a link between the victim and the murder mystery novel her landlady is writing. Is the landlady the killer or is she simply another victim of a puppet master? Fans of Scandinavian crime novels, or crime novels in general, will enjoy this book.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Interview with the Vampire is by Anne Rice. The first book in the fantasy Vampire Chronicles series. A young reporter interviews a vampire. The vampire tells the young man of his history, how he became a vampire, and the horrors and sorrows he has experienced.
Ratings: 11th grade - 5 out of 10 - V (violence).
A Murder in Time is by Julie McElwain. The first book in the historical fiction science fiction Kendra Donovan mystery series. After her team is betrayed and caught in an ambush in which she is nearly killed, F.B.I. agent Kendra Donovan goes rogue to seek revenge. Following her target to an old English castle she stumbles into a secret passage and finds herself transported to 19th century England. As she struggles to come to terms with the reality of time travel, a girl's body is found and Kendra realizes that a serial killer is hunting young women. Can she find a way to catch the madman in a time when women are to be seen and not heard?
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Moonflower Murders is by Anthony Horowitz. The second book in the realistic mystery Magpie Murders series. Retired editor, Susan Ryeland, has abandoned her former life and moved on from her experiences with Alan Conway and his detective novels that almost got her killed. She has moved to Crete and is running a hotel with her boyfriend Andreas. The hotel is sucking their savings dry and when the Trehearne's arrive from England and offer her a lot of money for her help, she agrees. Conway based a novel on a murder at their hotel and when Cecily, their daughter, reads the novel she announces that the police arrested the wrong man. Now she has disappeared, and the Trehearne's believe that Susan can use Conway's novel to help them find Cecily and learn the truth about the murder. Horowitz, again, writes two books-in-one in this installment just like he did in Magpie Murders. Fans of the series will love this book as well.
Ratings: 12th grade - 9 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Shadow of Night is by Deborah Harkness. The second book in the fantasy Discovery of Witches series. Diana and Matthew travel through time to the England of the 1590s to hunt for Ashmole 782 and to find a witch to help Diana develop her powers. Fans of the series will enjoy the book, but it would have been a better read with some more editing. It was longer than was necessary to move the story along.
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
Battle Ground is by Jim Butcher. The seventeenth book in the fantasy Dresden Files series. The battle is on, the last Titan is coming with an army to destroy Chicago. All that stands in her way is Harry, a semi-united band of supernatural creatures, the White Council, and John Marcone, the boss of Chicago. Will Harry make it out of this one alive? Fans of the series will love this installment, it is everything readers love about the series in one book.
Ratings: 11th grade - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Russian Fairy Tales by Alexander Afanasyev. A fantastic book of fairy tales from Russia. A classic re-telling of five fairy tales, beautifully illustrated.
Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.
Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude is by Ross Gay. A National Book Award Finalist for poetry. An interesting book of poetry for lovers of the modern.
Ratings: 11th grade - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity).
Charles Perrault: The Complete Fairy Tales is by Charles Perrault. A complete collection of all of his famous fairy tales.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales is by Bruno Bettelheim. An awesome nonfiction look at how to analyze fairy tales. A must read for teachers and parents who read fairy tales to their kids.
Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10 - AC (some mature content).
