Under the Whispering Door

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

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

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

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

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.