The Cabinet of Dr. Leng

The Cabinet of Dr. Leng is by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Childs. The 21st book in the realistic fiction Pendergast series. Constance has traveled back through time to an alternate timeline save her family, and her younger self from the evil Dr. Enoch Leng. Pendergast must rally all of his wits and his friends to fix the time machine and to travel back and save her - but as usual, things don't go as planned. Pros: great series, love the characters in which you are invested after 20 installments. Cons: time travel? I'm not sure I like the hard scifi turn in the series and I HATE the cliff hanger - I HATE all cliff hangers, so no surprise there. 

Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

Legends and Lattes

Legends and Lattes is by Travis Baldree. The first book in the fantasy Legends and Lattes series. Viv, a battle-weary orc, has decided to hang up her sword. She has saved her money, found a magical stone that is supposed to bring good luck, and has arrived in the town of Thune to open - wait for it - a fantasy world version of Starbucks - that's right a shop selling a new Gnomish invention - coffee. She opens her business with the help of some new friends, but her past decides to pay a visit. This is a charming "cozy fantasy," it's a quick read and enjoyable. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Reading List

The Reading List is by Sara Nisha Adams. A charming realistic fiction novel about the power of books. A series of people in West London find a reading list in various strange places. The list is titled, "Just In Case You Need It" and lists seven books beginning with To Kill A Mockingbird. The story centers around Aleisha, a seventeen-year-old who is working, for the summer, in a small branch library in danger of being closed due to budget cuts. She is not a reader and has an overworked brother and a mother who suffers from mental illness and requires constant care. When an elderly widower named Mukesh asks her for a book recommendation, the two of them become linked through the "reading list." The story also includes others in the neighborhood who have mysteriously found the list and they are all drawn together by the power of stories to connect us all. A very enjoyable, if tragic in places, read. 

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

Shakespeare Stories

Shakespeare Stories is by Leon Garfield. A wonderful historical fiction short story collection of the Bard's plays. Garfield takes 21 of Shakespeare's plays and rewrites them for children, and adults. His renditions are faithful to the originals and a delight to read. A must read for fans, or those who want to be fans, of Shakespeare. 

Ratings: 7th grade - 10 out of 10. 

The Night Prisoner

The Night Prisoner is by Katherine Marsh. The second book in the fantasy Night Tourist series. Jack likes Cora, but she doesn't seem to notice him - well, he'll fix that. He tricks her into returning with him to New York City's mysterious underground world of the dead - because nothing can go wrong with that plan. He meets old friends, makes new ones, and must try to get Cora and himself back to the world of the living before both are trapped in the underworld. Fans of the first book will enjoy this one.

Ratings: 7th grade - 6 out of 10.