Holy Disorders

Holy Disorders is by Edmund Crispin. The second in the historical fiction Gervase Fen mystery series. Geoffrey is a composer. He is summoned, by his friend Gervase Fen, to the remote town of Tolnbridge to cover for a church organist who has been attacked in the church. He is attacked along the way, and when he arrives discovers the former organist has been murdered. He and Gervase must now discover who is behind the murder and a possible coven of witches, and a group of German spies. Fans of the series will love this installment. Gervase rocks!

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek

The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek is by Kim Michele Richardson. A moving historical fiction novel about life in Kentucky. Cussy Mary is a bookwoman, a traveling librarian hired by the WPA to deliver books into the back woods of Kentucky. She is also a "blue," having a rare genetic disorder that makes her skin blue. She fights prejudice and poverty to do her job and deliver her books - and to find love. This book is sad, and unfortunately all to historically accurate. 

Ratings: 12th grade - AC (mature thematic content) - P (profanity). 

The End of the Tether

The End of the Tether is by Joseph Conrad. A classic tale of love and hatred set in Africa. This is the story of Captain Whalley. He owns a sailing ship and has made a name for himself in the cargo trade, but his wife has died and steam is now taking over for sailing ships. When he receives a letter from his daughter asking for financial assistance, he sells his beloved ship and becomes a partner with Massy who owns the Sofala. Massy is dishonest and a gambler. He does not reveal the true state of the ship, and Whalley does not tell him that the money he has invested is all he has. As the term of their agreement approaches its end, Whalley intends to get his share back and go to live with his daughter. Massy, now broke, hopes for more money from Whalley, not knowing he has no more. A tragic tale of two men on a collision course for disaster. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Essays Presented to Charles Williams

Essays Presented to Charles Williams is edited by C.S. Lewis. A collection of essays intended to be presented to Charles Williams, but he died before they could be given to him. A magnificent collection of essays by Lewis, Tolkien, Sayers, Barfield, Mathew, and "Warnie" Lewis. A must read for all lovers of the Inklings. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Hope of the Gospel

The Hope of the Gospel is by George MacDonald. A must read work of Christian apologetics. MacDonald writes about the gospel as one who has truly spent his life trying to understand it. The final chapter on animals is thought provoking and interesting. Even if you don't agree with all of MacDonald's theology, this book is a classic all Christians should read. 

Ratings: 9 out of 10. 

Til We Have Faces

Til We Have Faces is by C.S. Lewis. A wonderful classic retelling by the author of the Narniad. Lewis retells the myth of Cupid and Psyche from the point of view of Psyche's older sister. The story takes on love, jealousy, loss, revenge, belief in the gods, and redemption and salvation. His last novel is one of his most powerful. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. Wonderful for fans of Lewis, as well as lovers of Greek myth. 

Ratings: 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic contents). 

Tremendous Trifles

Tremendous Trifles is by G. K. Chesterton. A wonderful collection of columns from Chesterton's career as a journalist for the Daily News. Chesterton is a brilliant writer; he takes a seemingly common topic and makes it profound. His brilliance, wit, and humor color the entire collection. A classic well worth reading. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent Traditions With Handel's Messiah

Hallelujah: Cultivating Advent Traditions With Handel's Messiah is by Cindy Rollins. A wonderful nonfiction look at advent traditions, why they are important, and the beauty of using Handel's Messiah to celebrate the season. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Black Dahlia, Red Rose

Black Dahlia Red Rose: The Crime Corruption, and Cover-Up of America's Greatest Unsolved Murder is by Piu Eatwell. A fantastic nonfiction dive into the infamous Black Dahlia murder and who might have committed it and why they were never caught. 

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

The Moving Toyshop

The Moving Toyshop is by Edmund Crispin. The third installment of the historical fiction Gervase Fen Mysteries. Richard Cadogan is on his way to Oxford to visit an old friend. He steps into a toy store and discovers the body of a dead woman. When he returns with the police, the toy shop has turned into a grocery and there is no dead body. The police think Richard is nuts, so he turns to his friend. Gervase Fen, to help him solve the mystery - and hijinks ensure. Fans of the eclectic series will love this addition to the series. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Case of the Gilded Fly

The Case of the Gilded Fly is by Edmund Crispin. The first in the historical fiction Gervase Fen mystery series. Gervase Fen is a Professor of Literature at Oxford, he also dabbles in solving crimes. When a repertory company comes to Oxford to produce a play, Fen plans to enjoy a meeting with an old friend who is a poet and see the play. Then one of the actors is found dead, the police say suicide, but Fen says murder. Who is right? A charming cozy mystery complete with references to literature throughout. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Boomers: The Men and Women Who Promised Freedom and Delivered Disaster

Boomers: The Men and Women Who Promised Freedom and Delivered Disaster is by Helen Andrews. An interesting nonfiction look at six Boomers, who meant to influence the world for good and yet left disaster in their wake. Andrews covers these individuals fairly, citing both the good and the bad, yet her disdain for the problems the Boomers have caused for the rest of society is clear. A very insightful read. 

Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10. 

The Dead Season

The Dead Season is by Tessa Wegert. The second in the realistic fiction Shana Merchant mystery series. Shana is still on suspension from her last case as she continues her counseling. When human bones are discovered in her home town and turn out to be her uncle long thought gone, she goes home to support her family. Then a child is kidnapped from an island on a school field trip. Shana realizes that the two crimes, one old and one new, are related and the serial killer she escaped wants her to solve the first murder to uncover the location of the child. Shana realizes she must finally come clean to her new partner if she ever hopes to wade through the family morass she is now involved in. 

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

Death in the Family

Death in the Family is by Tessa Wegert. The first book in the Shana Merchant series of realistic fiction mysteries. Shana was a detective in New York City until she was kidnapped by a serial killer. She has moved to a small town in upstate New York, to work on her PTSD and still work as a detective in a town where little happens. When she and her new partner are called to an island owned by the wealthy Sinclair family on a missing person case, they discover it's really a murder. When a storm strands them all on the island, Shana must discover who is the killer and fight off her own demons. 

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

The Invention of Nature: Alexander Von Humboldt's New World

The Invention of Nature: Alexander Von Humboldt's New World is by Andrea Wulf. A wonderful biography of the famous German explorer, ploymath, and environmentalist. Wulf creates a readable biography that not only covers Von Humboldt's life, but the lives of other people he shaped like John Muir, Charles Darwin, and Henry David Thoreau. A book that will make you want to order all of Von Humboldt's books and read them yourself. 

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10. 

Killer Kung Pao

Killer Kung Pao is by Vivien Chien. The sixth book in the realistic fiction Noodle Shop Mysteries. Lana's mother wants her to redecorate the restaurant, Ian wants her to take charge of Asian Village's sidewalk sale, and her sister's got a secretive new boyfriend at work. Lana's plate is full; and then she witnesses a collision in the parking lot. The two women involved are next seen in the salon where Lana is getting her hair dyed and then one of them is electrocuted in the foot spa - and it's not an accident. Now Lana must figure out who is responsible and all of the suspects are her friends. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Essays of Sir Francis Bacon

The Essays of Sir Francis Bacon are by Sir Francis Bacon. Bacon's fifty-nine classic essays on a wide range of topics. A must read for all lovers of classics. These essays are thought provoking and extremely well written. Be sure to get a version that translates the Latin words and phrases. 

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10. 

Medusa

Medusa is by Jessie Burton. A fantasy retelling of the myth of Medusa. This version is retold from Medusa's point of view. She and her sisters are living on a deserted island when a young man named Perseus arrives on a mission. 

Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Ghosts of Rose Hill

The Ghosts of Rose Hill is by R.M. Romero. A wonderful fantasy fiction in verse novel. Ilana is a Jewish Latina teen from American, who is sent to Prague to spend the summer with her aunt. While restoring an abandoned Jewish cemetery she meets a ghost boy and a man with no shadow. To save the boy she loves, and herself, she must defeat an ancient evil. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Let's Pretend This Never Happened

Let's Pretend This Never Happened is by Jenny Lawson. A charming memoir by The Bloggess. Jenny Lawson is nuts, and she admits it. A hilariously funny memoir that will have you laughing out loud even as you feel horrible for laughing. 

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

The Cask

The Cask is by Freeman Wills Crofts. The classic historical fiction mystery from one of the members of the famous Golden Age Detective Club. When a man is sent a cask with a dead body in it, the police try to prove him guilty of murder. His lawyer hire a famous detective to prove him innocent - and the game's afoot. A wonderful Golden Age mystery. Fans of Sayers and Christie will love this one as well. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Back to the Garden

Back to the Garden is by Laurie R. King. A realistic fiction crime thriller, but not one that is bloody - just creepy. The Gardener Estate is a California mansion people come from all over to see. It was built by the Gardener family, in the 1960s headed by a tyrannical despot with two sons who refuse to toe the line. After his death, he leaves everything to the youngest of the two who is now living in a hippie commune in Oregon. Rob comes home and brings the commune with him - at least for four years. Fifty years later, as a stature by a famous artist is being moved, a skeleton is found under the base of the statue. Inspector Raquel Laing believes it might be another victim of a serial killer cold case she is working on. Raquel must discover the identity of the victim before her serial killer suspect dies of cancer and before another body turns up on the Gardener Estate. 

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

On the Shoulders of Hobbits: The Road to Virtue with Tolkien and Lewis

On the Shoulders of Hobbits: The Road to Virtue with Tolkien and Lewis is by Louis Markos. A wonderful nonfiction examination of Christian virtues through the lens of Middle-Earth and Narnia. A must read book for all Christians, especially lovers of Lewis and Tolkien. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

A Month in the Country

A Month in the Country is by J.L. Carr. A classic historical fiction character study, most people have never heard of, but should read. A quiet beautifully written novella of a WWI veteran who is hired to restore a medieval mural found in a small English countryside church. As Tom Birkin uncovers the painting, he also discovers himself and learns to understand and appreciate the people in the Yorkshire village of Oxgodby. There is little in the way of plot, but the novella is insightful and the writing is lyrical. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

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

C.S. Lewis: A Biography of Friendship

C.S. Lewis: A Biography of Friendship is by Colin Duriez. A wonderful biography of Jack Lewis, by the imminently readable Duriez. Anything by Duriez is well worth the read. His work is always well-researched and easy to read for academics and non-academics alike. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Grimm's Fairy Tales

Grimm's Fairy Tales is by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. This is the classic book of fairy tales edited by Barnes and Noble. It contains virtually every fairy tale collected by the magnificent Grimm Brothers. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. Caution: These are the original versions and not all are fit for children. 

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

Undine: A Fairy Tale Novella

Undine: A Fairy Tale Novella is by Friedrich da la Motte Fouque. A classic fairy tale fantasy about a knight who stumbles on a poor farmer's household after wandering through a haunted forest. There he meets the farmer's adopted daughter, Undine, who has some strange qualities. The two fall in love and are married. The fairy tale then follows the tragic consequences of that marriage. A wonderful story, the ballet is wonderful as well. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Once and Future King

The Once and Future King is by T.H. White. White's classic retelling of the legend of King Arthur and his Knights. These retellings are funny, charming, poignant, and thoroughly enjoyable. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. Great for children and adults alike, this is one of the best books ever written and you should definitely experience it before you pass. You really feel like you know and understand all the characters in these tales much better after reading this book. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Children's Shakespeare

The Children's Shakespeare is by E. Nesbit. The classic historical fiction retelling of 11 of the Bard's plays. The book is written for children, to acquaint them early on with these timeless works. The stories include famous plays like "Romeo and Juliet and "Hamlet;" as well as lesser known works like "Pericles," "The Winter's Tale," and "Cymbeline." A must have book for parents who want to start their children off on the right reading track. 

Ratings: 4th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Oxford Inklings: Lewis, Tolkien, and Their Circle

The Oxford Inklings: Lewis, Tolkien, and Their Circle is by Colin Duriez. Another magnificent nonfiction book by Duriez. In this work, he discussed the founding of the Inklings and provides biographies and insights into all of the essential members. Some of this material is covered in J.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend, but it does not seem redundant even if you have read the Tolkien biography. All of Duriez's works are well researched and thoroughly readable. Highly recommended for all fans of Tolkien, Lewis, Barfield, and Williams. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend is by Colin Duriez. A masterful biography of Tolkien. Duriez writes in a readable and interesting way. He takes you into Tolkien's life and writings in a seamless fashion. A must read for all Tolkien fans. Actually, anything written by Duriez should be a must read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Troy

Troy is by Stephen Fry. The third in his trilogy of books on Greek Mythology. The wonderful mythological tale of the Trojan war told by a master storyteller. Fry relates the entire history of the Trojan War, in all its horror and glory, in his own inimitable way. 

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

Northrop Frye on Shakespeare

Northrop Frye on Shakespeare is by Northrop Frye. Frye's classic nonfiction literary criticism of nine of Shakespeare's plays. A must read for all teachers of Shakespeare or readers who love Shakespeare. 

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10. 

Hard Times

Hard Times is by Charles Dickens. The classic historical fiction tale of the Head vs the Heart. Mr. Gradgrind runs the school in Coketown; he believes in Facts and bans Fancy from the minds of his children and his pupils. Mr. Bounderby is a the local businessman, a man of "boundless humility" who "pulled himself up by his own bootstraps;" he marries Louise, Gradgrind's daughter and employs his son Tom at his bank. Their lives become entwined with those of Sissy Jupe (a girl abandoned by her father in Gradgrind's care), Stephen Blackpool (a weaver at the local mill), James Harthouse (a lazy interloper), and Mrs. Sparsit (the local busybody). As things move from bad to worse, Mr. Gradgrind must face the value of the human heart in a world of materialism and "progress." Dickens is at his darkest in this book; at times his tone is sarcastic and almost vitriolic. A must read for fans of Dickens. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Dorothy L. Sayers: A Biography: Death, Dante, and Lord Peter Wimsey

Dorothy L. Sayers: A Biography: Death, Dante, and Lord Peter Wimsey is by Colin Duriez. As a lover of Sayers, I am always on the lookout for a good biography and this one is excellent. It is imminently readable and delves into Sayer's life and writings in a way that connects all aspects of her life. This biography is a must read for fans of Sayers. Duriez is such an excellent author and scholar, that I would recommend all of his biographies.

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

The Big Bow Mystery

The Big Bow Mystery is by Israel Zangwill. A Golden Age historical fiction mystery by an author not named Christie or Sayers. This story is regarded as the first full length locked room mystery. When a young political organizer is found in his locked room with his throat slit and no way anyone could have gotten in or out, retired Inspector Grodman is called in to solve the case before his rival in Scotland Yard does. Very funny in places, if you are a fan of dry British humor. This book has a very surprise ending. A must read for fans of Golden Age mysteries. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Uncanny Collateral

Uncanny Collateral is by Brian McClellan. The fist in the fantasy Valkyrie Collections series. Alex Fitz is a reaper for Valkyrie Collections; he is also half troll. He tracks down debtors and solves problems for clients as diverse as vampires, Lords of Hell, goblins, and other exotic clients. When he is asked to discover who is stealing souls from hell, he finds himself in more trouble than he bargains for, with enemies who are part of his own past. An interesting premise and a fun read. 

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

Prince of Thorns

Prince of Thorns is by Mark Lawrence. The first in the dark fantasy Broken Empire series. When he was nine, Prince Jorg watched his mother and brother brutally murdered in front of him. By thirteen, he had left the palace and joined a band of brutal robbers to seek his revenge. But are his decisions his own, or is Jorg being guided by magic of a sinister kind? This is a very dark fantasy, but if you can handle the violence, it is really good. It is a good example of what happens to us when we are consumed by revenge and can't let go of the past and heal. You admire Jorg's ruthlessness, but you can't like him.

Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

The Truth and Beauty: How the Lives and Works of England's Greatest Poets Point the Way to a Deeper Understanding of the Words of Jesus

The Truth and Beauty: How the Lives and Works of England's Greatest Poets Point the Way to a Deeper Understanding of the Words of Jesus is by Andrew Klavan. A study of England's Romantic poets and Mary Shelley. Klavan looks at the words of Jesus through the poems of Keats, Wordsworth, Coleridge and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. This book is a thought provoking and interesting read. I would recommend this to all Christians, especially those who love poetry. While you may disagree with some of Klavan's conclusions, this book is well worth the mental exercise of analyzing his points. 

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10. 

The Christie Affair

The Christie Affair is by Nina de Gramont. The historical fiction novel about the Queen of Mysteries. When Agatha Christie mysteriously disappeared for 11 days, the whole world was transfixed. This is de Gramont's retelling of the those 11 days from the point of view of Nan O'Dea, Archie Christie's mistress and future wife. A tantalizing read, this novel covers not only Christie's life, but Nan's past as well. Bleak in places, but an thoroughly enjoyable read. 

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

Heroes

Heroes is by Stephen Fry. The second book in his recitation of classical Greek myths. This is a charmingly funny and informative look at the heroes of Greek myth and legend. It includes sections on Heracles, Jason, Perseus, and others. A must read for mythology fans. 

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

Shady Hollow

Shady Hollow is by Juneau Black. The first book in the fantasy Shady Hollow Mystery series. Shady Hollow is a quiet little town run by various animals, instead of humans. When the local curmudgeonly toad is found murdered in the pond, the town is rocked by fear and suspicion. The Deputy Orville Braun, a brown bear, and Vera Vixen, a fox and star reported for the local paper, must solve the crime before someone else dies. Perhaps Shady Hollow is not as idyllic as they have always thought. This is a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery series. I can't wait to read the next installment. 

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

The Golden Age of Murder

The Golden Age of Murder is by Martin Edwards. A wonderful nonfiction look at the Golden Age of Mysteries and the members of the famous Detection Club who wrote them. This book does serious damage to a mystery lover's "to be read list," so beware. The biographies of the members of the Detection Club are as fascinating as the mysteries they wrote. A must read for all fans of mysteries old or new. 

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10. 

Trent's Last Case

Trent's Last Case is by E.C. Bentley. The first in the classic Philip Trent mystery series. When a scheming capitalist mogul is found dead in his English garden, amateur detective Philip Trent sets out to solve the crime. This classic tale is a masterpiece of false clues and a twisted ending. A must read for all mystery lovers, especially those fond of Golden Age mysteries. 

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

The Tea Leaf

The Tea Leaf is by Robert Eustace and Edgar Jepsen. The classic short story that was the forerunner of the locked room mystery. Two former friends, who now hate each other, meet in a Turkish bath. One exits and goes to the shampoo room and the other is found dead. No weapon is found, the living man is charged with murder and it takes the genius of the victim's daughter to prove him innocent. 

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

Plays, Prose Writings, and Poems

Plays, Prose Writings, and Poems is by Oscar Wilde. A classic collection of Wilde's drama, poems, historical fiction, and nonfiction writings. These include "De Profundis," "Lady Windemere's Fan," "The Importance of Being Earnest," and "The Picture of Dorian Gray." A Reader's Corner Must Read. 

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

The Lilac Fairy Book

The Lilac Fairy Book is by Andrew Lang. The classic fantasy collection of fairy tales, the 12th in the series. A wonderful collection of tales from various countries. A Reader's Corner Must Read. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Crimson Fairy Book

The Crimson Fairy Book is by Andrew Lang. The classic fantasy collection of fairy tales, the 8th in the series. A wonderful collection of tales from varied countries. A Reader's Corner Must Read.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Under Lock and Skeleton Key

Under Lock and Skeleton Key is by Gigi Pandian. The first installment in the realistic fiction Secret Staircase series. Tempest Raj is, was, a headlining magician until her assistant destroyed her show and almost killed her. Now, broke and unemployed, she is back home with her family. When her father's construction company finds a dead body hidden in the wall of a house the company is remodeling, Tempest discovers that her troubles may have followed her home. A fun and interesting new mystery series. 

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

The Violet Fairy Book

The Violet Fairy Book is by Andrew Lang. The classic fantasy collection of fairy tales, the 7th in the series. A wonderful collection of tales from varied countries. A Reader's Corner Must Read.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Orange Fairy Book

The Orange Fairy Book is by Andrew Lang. The classic fantasy collection of fairy tales, the 10th in the series. A wonderful collection of tales from varied countries. A Reader's Corner Must Read.

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Brown Fairy Book

The Brown Fairy Book is by Andrew Lang. The classic fantasy collection of fairy tales, the 9th in the series. A wonderful collection of tales from varied countries. A Reader's Corner Must Read. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Tess of the D'Ubervilles

Tess of the D'Urbervilles is by Thomas Hardy. The classic romantic historical fiction tragedy of a young farm girl who is seduced by a wealthy landowner and the horrible circumstances which follow. Tess's passivity is so noticeable in this novel and this can be off-putting to modern readers. The true question is who is the real villain: Angel or Alec? A Reader's Corner Must Read!

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

The Olive Fairy Book

The Olive Fairy Book is by Andrew Lange. The 11th book in the classic collection of fairy tales edited by Lange. A must read for lovers of fairy tales of all ages. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 of 10. 

Into the Deep: A Memoir from the Man Who Found Titanic

Into the Deep: A Memoir from the Man Who Found Titanic is by Robert D. Ballard. A fantastic autobiographical memoir of the man who discovered the Titanic. Ballard's story of his life and career is inspiring and amazing. He almost makes me want to go to sea and explore. A great book by a great scientist. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity). 

Selected Poems of Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Selected Poems of Samuel Taylor Coleridge is by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. A wonderful collection of his most famous poems. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Howl's Moving Castle

Howl's Moving Castle is by Diana Wynne Jones. The first in the classic fantasy Howl's Castle series. Sophie is the oldest of three daughters; she inherits the hat making shop from her mother. When she is turned into an old woman by an evil witch, she leaves the shop and finds herself in the moving castle of the Wizard Howl, but has she jumped out of the frying pan into the fire? 

Ratings: 6th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Gray Fairy Book

The Gray Fairy Book is by Andrew Lange. The sixth book in his collection of fantasy fairy tales. Another masterpiece collection from Lange. A must read for lovers of classic fairy tales. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Pink Fairy Book

The Pink Fairy Book is by Andrew Lange. The fifth book in his collection of fantasy fairy tales. Another masterpiece collection from Lange. A must read for lovers of classic fairy tales. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Maid

The Maid is by Nita Prose. A entertaining realistic fiction read. Molly is a maid at a high class hotel. She is somewhere on the autism spectrum, but loves her job. She takes people at face value and totally misreads their actions and intent. After her grandmother dies, she has no one to assist her in interpreting other people. When she discovers a dead guest at the hotel, she finds herself involved in, not only murder, but a drug ring being run out of the hotel. The story is amusing and heart-breaking at the same time. 

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

The Cartographers

The Cartographers is by Peng Shepherd. A wonderful fantasy revolving around the New York Public Library and maps. Nell has always wanted to be a cartographer like her famous father, Daniel Young. Then he fired her and ruined her career over a cheap gas station folding map from the 1930s. She hasn't spoken to him in years. When he is found dead at his desk, she discovers the old map that had been the source of all her heartache stuck in a secret drawer of her desk. The search for the truth of her father's death will reunite a group of her parent's friends, known as the Cartographers and bring to light the truth of her mother's death and a town that doesn't exist - or does it? 

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

The First Whisper of "The Wind in the Willows"

The First Whisper of "The Wind in the Willows" is by Elspeth Grahame. A classic nonfiction look at the writing of Kenneth Grahame's classic The Wind in the Willows. Ms. Grahame puts together an introduction to Grahame, his life, his family, and his career; then she provides a selection of letters Grahame sent to their son which are the genesis of the famous tales of Ratty, Mole, Badger, and the ever-fabulous Toad. A wonderful little book, perfect for lovers of The Wind in the Willows. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Yellow Fairy Book

The Yellow Fairy Book is by Andrew Lang. The fourth book in Lang's classic fairy tale collection. A must read collection of classic fairy tales. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Essay on Man and Other Poems

Essay on Man and Other Poems is by Alexander Pope. A classic work of criticism and philosophy written in poetic form. Pope is brilliant in his wit and writing style and this small book is worth the effort to read slowly and absorb. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Green Fairy Book

The Green Fairy Book is by Andrew Lang. The third book in Lang's classic collection of fairy tales. A must read for all lovers of fantasy. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 10 out of 10.  

A Psalm for the Wild Built

A Psalm for the Wild Built is by Becky Chambers. The first in the science fiction Monk & Robot series. Centuries ago the robots of Panga gained self awareness and decided to separate themselves from humans. They went away into the wilderness and were never seen again. Then one day a restless tea monk decides to head into the wilderness to visit the ruins of an ancient library to search for meaning. Once in the wilderness the monk meets a robot, who agrees to join the monk and travel to the monastery, as it has been sent by its fellow robots to return to humanity to answer the questions "what do people need. Will the monk and the robot find what they seek? A charming thought-provoking novella. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Red Fairy Book

The Red Fairy Book is by Andrew Lang. The second in his classic collection of fantasy stories and fairy tales. All of the "Fairy Books" should be read to every child. They are magnificently translated, from a wide variety of cultures, and wonderful for kids of all ages. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Educated Imagination

The Educated Imagination is by Northrop Frye. A wonderful nonfiction collection of his lectures on the importance of reading to "educate" the imagination. Makes you think about the way you read and the way you teach reading if you are a teacher. 

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10. 

On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books

On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life Through Great Books is by Karen Swallow Prior. A wonderful nonfiction book that looks at Biblical virtues and the classic books that embody them. A book all Christian readers should read. 

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10. 

The Babylon Bee Guide to Wokeness

The Babylon Bee Guide to Wokeness is by the Babylon Bee Staff. One of the funniest satire sites out there. The Bee takes on Wokeness and hoists it on it's own petard. 

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

Who is Maud Dixon?

Who is Maud Dixon? is by Alexandra Andrews. Modern realistic fiction which has won several award nominations. Florence Darrow works for a publishing firm in New York; she wants to be a writer, but can't seem to get a break. After she is fired from her firm for sleeping with her married boss, she goes to work for the mysterious Maud Dixon - the pseudonym used by the author of a best selling book. No one knows who Maud Dixon is and now Florence is going to work for her. But things don't turn out as Florence hopes. The book was going fine until the end; then both Florence and Helen become vile and completely unlikable. The ending ruined the book for me. 

Ratings: Adult - 4 out of 10 - P (Profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

When Christmas Comes

When Christmas Comes is by Andrew Klavan. A very good realistic fiction mystery. Sweet Haven is a town populated by ex-military and their spouses, especially elite Army Rangers. When one of their own confesses to murdering, dismembering, and disposing of the body of his girlfriend - the beloved school librarian, his attorney smells something off. She calls in her sleuthing English teacher ex, Cameron Winter. As Winter sets out to find out the truth, we discover that he is much more than just an English professor. This is a very well told story, even though the ending can be guessed at. 

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

Old Hungarian Fairy Tales

Old Hungarian Fairy Tales is by Baroness Orczy. A selection of classic fairy tales from the author of The Scarlet Pimpernel. This is a wonderful selection of fairy tales from Hungary. One can't, however, miss the similarities to other more familiar tales. It is interesting how similar stories seem to pop up in so many various cultures. 

Ratings: 5th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Enchanted April

The Enchanted April is by Elizabeth von Arnim. A wonderful historical fiction classic. Four very different women, brought together by an advertisement, decide to rent an Italian villa for a month to get out of dreary London. All of them began to "bloom" in the Italian sun. This book is marvelous!!! It is sad, romantic, funny, and thought-provoking. A story women everywhere will love. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Beheading Hydra: A Radical Plan for Christians in an Atheistic Age

Beheading Hydra: A Radical Plan for Christians in an Atheistic Age is by Fr. Dwight Longenecker. A magnificent nonfiction read for all Christians. Fr. Longenecker walks us through all the "isms" that have taken over our culture and why they are so destructive. Then he gives us some practical advice on how to defeat them. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. All I can say is "Amen! Father" and I'm not even Catholic. 

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10. 

Charlotte Mason: The Teacher Who Revealed Worlds of Wonder

Charlotte Mason: The Teacher Who Revealed Worlds of Wonder is by Lanaya Gore. A wonderful children's biography of homeschool icon Charlotte Mason. The illustrations are beautiful and the story is simply and magnificently told. 

Ratings: 5th grade - 10 out of 10. 

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is by Betty Smith. A classic historical fiction tale of growing up poor in America. The story opens as 11-year-old Francie Nolan learns about growing up in Brooklyn. The story follows the highs and lows of the Nolan family as they struggle for the life they want in the America of the early 1900s. A book that will make you laugh and cry and remember what it was like to be young. A truly American story. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

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

The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis

The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis is by Jason M. Baxter. A magnificent nonfiction work, a must-read for all fans of C.S. Lewis. Baxter takes us through the works that so influenced Lewis himself and helps get a glimpse into the mind of the most well-read man of his time, or perhaps any other. You will definitely add to your TBR list as you read this book. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10. 

Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing

Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing is by Les Edgerton. A nonfiction book for aspiring writers. Edgerton helps authors or authors-in-waiting to find their own narrative voice. 

Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity). 

The Complete Takes of Peter Rabbit

The Complete Tales of Peter Rabbit is by Beatrix Potter. The classic children's fantasy book. All of Peter Rabbit's stories in one beautifully illustrated volume. A masterpiece and must read for all children, and the young at heart. 

Ratings: 5th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Characters of Shakespeare's Plays

Characters of Shakespeare's Plays is by William Hazlitt. A classic must read for all Shakespeare lovers and teachers. Hazlitt walks us through all of Shakespeare's plays and reviews what he considers the high and low points of all of them. While I don't agree with everything he presents, his ideas are educational and thought-provoking. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Gift from the Sea

Gift from the Sea is by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. A classic thought-provoking memoir by the wife of Charles Lindbergh. This book was written while Anne was on a week's vacation in Florida. She took some time in a small remote cabin to use her surroundings, namely sea shells, to reflect on her life. This book is a must read for all women of all ages. It is insightful and brilliantly written. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Blue Fairy Book

The Blue Fairy Book is by Andrew Lang. The first book in the classic fantasy collections of myths, legends and fairy tales Lang began collecting in the 1800s. This volume contains such gems as "The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods," "Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Master-Maid," "The Brave Little Tailor," and "Prince Darling." A must-read classic for children, and everyone else. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 9 out of 10. 

As I Lay Dying

As I Lay Dying is by William Faulkner. A classic historical fiction tale by the master of modernist writing. This is the tale of a poor rural family. Their mother is dying and the father has promised to bury her in her home town in a neighboring county. The various chapters are told from a wide variety of points of view and is challenging to read. It's not just the dialect, it's the stream-of-consciousness writing that can be very difficult to follow. The writing is beautiful and the characters are heart-breaking and disturbing. While I understand the artistry of the book, it is just not in my personal wheelhouse, although I am very glad to have read it. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Christina Rossetti: Selected Poems

Christina Rossetti: Selected Poems is by Christina Rossetti. A superb collection of poems by this magnificent poet. A must read for poetry lovers. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.  

You Sexy Thing

You Sexy Thing is by Cat Rambo. The first in the science fiction You Sexy Thing series. A motely crew of ex-soldiers now running a restaurant on a space station are forced to flee when an unknown alien race destroys the space station. They find themselves on board a sentient bio-ship headed toward a pirate haven where an enemy from the past waits. Sad, funny, horrifying - this is an interesting book. Fans of space opera will enjoy it. 

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

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts

Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts is by Kate Racculia. A strange fantasy tale of ghosts, murder, and a fantastic game. Tuesday Mooney researches the rich who might be possible donors to the hospital she works for - and she is good at her job. When a rich donor dies suddenly at a fundraiser, Tuesday finds herself involved in a strange ghostly game that has very real world consequences. 

Ratings: 11th grade - AC (mature thematic content) - P (profanity) - V (violence)

The Age of Innocence

The Age of Innocence is by Edith Wharton. A historical fiction classic of Old New York Society. Newland Archer is engaged to society heiress May Welland, only to find himself in love with her cousin, the Countess Ellen Olenska, who has run away from her husband and fled to live with her family in New York. Her situation is disgraceful, but Newland finds her enchanting and much more like himself than his fiancée. Now he must chose between the woman he loves and the society he has grown up in. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Some Mythical Elements in English Literature

Sone Mythical Elements in English Literature is by E.M.W. Tillyard. The Clark Lectures from 1959-60, on mythical elements in English Literature. The lectures include topics such as: Myth and Literature, the Harrowing of Hell, Retirement, and two Tudor myths. Fascinating and very helpful for students of literature. 

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10. 

The Metaphysicals and Milton

The Metaphysicals and Milton is by E.M.W. Tillyard. Tillyard's nonfiction lectures at the University of Washington in 1955-1956 regarding Milton's relationship to the Metaphysical poets. A must read for fans of the Milton and the Metaphysical poets in general. 

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10. 

Shakespeare's Problem Plays

Shakespeare's Problem Plays is by E.M.W. Tillyard. Tillyard examines Shakespeare's so-called "problem plays" which include: "Hamlet," "Troilus and Cressida," "All's Well That Ends Well," and "Measure for Measure." He walks us through the problems with these plays and what makes them good plays even so. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 10 out of 10.  

The English Epic Tradition

The English Epic Tradition is by E.M.W. Tillyard. A brilliant nonfiction look at the epic tradition in English poetry and literature. This book is a transcribed version of the lecture Tillyard gave in 1936. Another fantastic discussion of literature from Tillyard. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Shakespeare's Last Plays

Shakespeare's Last Plays is by E.M.W. Tillyard. A nonfiction critical look at the last plays written by Shakespeare. The book covers: "Cymbeline," "The Winter's Tale," and "The Tempest." A marvelous insight into these plays, and what they can tell us about Shakespeare. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Japanese Fairy Tales

Japanese Fairy Tales is by Yei Theodora Ozaki. A charming book of fairy tales from Japan. A great read for those interested in fairy tales of all types, but especially those from other cultures. They provide insight into Japanese culture. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Empress of Salt and Fortune

The Empress of Salt and Fortune is by Nghi Vo. The first book in the fantasy Singing Hills Cycle. Series in a land resembling ancient China, a young cleric is on the way to the capitol city and stops to see a deserted imperial house near a lake. There they meets an old woman, who unlocks for them the true history of the kingdom they live in and the empress who rules it. There are gender fluid characters in this book, but that is not the primary plot of the story. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Abolition of Man

The Abolition of Man is by C.S. Lewis. The classic nonfiction lecture on the importance of universal values. Lewis is a master of reasoned thought and explication. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Elizabethan World Picture

The Elizabethan World Picture is by E.M.W. Tillyard. A classic nonfiction philosophical discussion of Elizabethan worldview and cosmology. A must read for readers of Shakespeare, Milton, Spencer, and other Elizabethan authors. The evidence provided helps readers understand the way Elizabethan's thought and makes much that was confusing about their writings clearer. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Chemistry

Chemistry is by Weike Wang. A strange realistic fiction work. It is the story of a Chinese American woman working on a Ph.D. in chemistry and trying to keep a relationship going with her live-in boyfriend, who is also a chemist. He has received his degree and wants to teach in another state. When she finds she can't continue with her schooling, her life begins to take strange turns. This book was just not in my wheelhouse. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 3 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC mature thematic content). 

The Nature of Comedy and Shakespeare

The Nature of Comedy and Shakespeare is by E.M.W. Tillyard. A nonfiction classic Shakespeare critique. Based on a lecture gave in 1958, it discusses Shakespeare and the nature of his comedies. A must read for Shakespeare lovers and scholars. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A Midsummer Night's Dream is by William Shakespeare. The classic romantic drama by the greatest writer in the English language. Set in Athens two pairs of lovers become lost in the forest, where the King of the fairies Oberon and his bride Titania hold sway. Also in the forest a company of working men are rehearsing a play to be performed at the marriage of Theseus to Hippolyta. Craziness ensues before the hilarious happy ending. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is by Anne Bronte. The classic historical fiction novel by the least known of the Bronte sisters. When the widow Helen Graham moves into run-down Wildfell Hall everyone in the neighborhood is intrigued. She is a widow with a young son and no one knows anything about where she came from or who her family might be. Gilbert Markham finds himself increasingly drawn to her, yet her behavior at once attracts and bewilders. It isn't until she allows him to read her diary that the entire truth is revealed. While I agree Jane Eyre (Charlotte) is the best Bronte novel, I find I like this one better than Wuthering Heights (Emily). 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Little Women

Little Women is by Louisa May Alcott. This classic historical fiction novel is set during and after the Civil War. It centers around the March family, especially the four daughters: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. They wait impatiently for their father to return from the war and try to get along as best they can, as they are not rich. This is one of the best loved classics of all time, yet I must admit it has never been a favorite of mine. It is just not in my wheelhouse. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 5 out of 10. 

The Princess Bride: S Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure

The Princess Bride: S Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure is by William Goldman. The classic fantasy tale of Westley and Buttercup and their fight for true love. When Buttercup agrees to marry the evil Prince Humperdinck, she is kidnapped by three mercenaries and then followed by a "man in black" who turns out to be Westley her lost love. The two lovers must conquer evil and death to be together. Truthfully, the movie is better - never thought you'd hear me say that did you? 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Bloodless

Bloodless is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. The 20th book in the realistic fiction, crime Pendergast series. When bloodless bodies began to turn up in Savannah, Pendergast, Coldmoon and Constance are called in to find the killer. Only this killer is like nothing they have ever experienced before. You'll have to suspend a lot of disbelief for this one. 

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

The Voyage of Saint Brendan: In a Modern English Version

The Voyage of Saint Brendan: In a Modern English Version is by Simon Webb. The classic mythological story of the sea voyage of Saint Brendan retold in modern English. A must read for all lovers of Anglo-Saxon classics. 

Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Exotics: A Translation of the Spiritual Songs of Novalis, The Hymn-book of Luther, & Other Poems from the German & Italian

Exotics: A Translation of the Spiritual Songs of Novalis, The Hymn-book of Luther, & Other Poems from the German & Italian is by George MacDonald. A classic collection of translated hymns and poetry by authors like Novalis, Martin Luther, Schiller, Petrarch, Claudius, Heine, Goethe, Uhland, and Milton. A must read for poetry lovers, Christians, and fans of Macdonald. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.