The Adventure of the Cheap Flat is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. When one of Hasting's friends manages to rent an expensive flat for a very cheap price, Poirot smells a rat. Why was this couple allowed to rent the flat when so many others had been turned away? Why was the price so cheap? Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Million Dollar Bond Robbery is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. A young woman approaches Poirot to help her fiancé who was carrying bonds to America and was robbed in transit. Can Poirot prove the young man is innocent and didn't steal the bonds himself? Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Kidnapped Prime Minister is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. The Prime Minister is kidnapped on the eve of a very important conference. Approached by the government, Poirot has 24 hours to locate him and get him to the conference. Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 7 out of 10.
The Tragedy at Marsden Manor is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. Poirot is tasked by an insurance company to investigate the death of a man who had just taken out a large insurance policy. Upon arriving at Marden Manor, Poirot begins to suspect the dead man was murdered. Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.
Death From High Places is by Benedict Brown. A short historical fiction novella that comes after the first book in the Lord Edgington mystery series. Lord Edgington wants to skydive from a hot air balloon, and wants Christopher to join him in his adventure. He invites Christopher's brother and his four friends to Cranley Hall to enjoy the event. When one of the guests attempts the skydive and his parachute does not open; he falls to his death. Lord Edgington discovers that the parachute had been tampered with and that the death was murder. Now he must find the killer before the police arrive. Fans of the series will enjoy this brief novella.
Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Affair at the Victory Ball is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. Lord Cronshaw is murdered at a masked Victory Ball and his fiancé is found dead the next morning of a cocaine overdose. Poirot realizes the costumes worn by the party hold the key to the killer's identity. Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. Poirot and Hastings are vacationing at the Grand Metropolitan Hotel when they meet the Opalsen's. Mrs. Opalsen owns an amazing string of pearls and offers to show them to Poirot, but when she goes to get them they have been stolen from a room in which the maid never left. Poirot must recover the necklace. Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Adventures of the King of Clubs is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. A prince arrives to request that Poirot assist in clearing his actress fiancé of a possible charge of murder. She stumbled in on a family playing bridge crying murder, but is she really the suspect? Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. A banker walks out of his home and disappears. Japp challenges Poirot to solve the mystery without leaving his flat using just the information provided by Japp, gleaned from the papers and the "little grey cells." Poirot, of course, takes the bet. Where is Mr. Davenheim? Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Plymouth Express Affair is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. The daughter of a wealthy American is found murdered on the Plymouth Express. Her jewelry case is missing. Japp suspects her husband, but is there another man in the picture, or is the murderer someone else entirely? Only the "little grey cells" will tell. Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 8th grade - 8 out of 10.
The Adventure of the Western Star is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction short story mystery by the master of Golden Age Detective fiction. A famous movie star visits Poirot because she has received notes threatening the theft of her famous diamond "The Western Star." Afterwards, the owner of the "The Eastern Star" comes to request Poirot's assistance as she also has received threats of theft. Then both diamonds are stolen, under Poirot's nose, and he must find the truth and restore what was stolen. Christie fans will not be disappointed.
Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.
A Canticle for Leibowitz is by Walter M. Miller, Jr. A classic dystopian science fiction novel. The novel spans multiple centuries and follows an order of monks whose order is dedicated to Saint Leibowitz. The monks are tasked with saving books relics, and other information from the past civilization. As the survivors try to rebuild, we follow the monks as mankind repeats the same mistakes over and over again. This tale is tragic, sad, and at times amusing. It is also a look at mankind, the way history is seen, and religion. A must read for science fiction fans.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - P ({profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Diary of a Country Priest is by Georges Bernanos. A quaint and moving historical fiction novel, supposedly the diary of a young French priest. The young priest has his faith tested as he struggles to minister to the members of his parish, who do not have his faith. A poignant novel, if slow moving. There are many wonderful commonplace quotes in this novel and the last words of the priest are words we should all remember.
Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10.
Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory is by Martha Wells. A science fiction short story in the Murderbot series that takes place directly after book four. A very short story that looks at Dr. Mensah's struggle with PTSD after the events in Exit Strategy. The story also gives you better insight into the relationship between Mensah and Sec Unit. A must read for fans of this series - and who is not a fan of this series?
Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.
New Hampshire is by Robert Frost. A collection of Frost's poetry that contains several of his most famous poems. A must read for fans of American poets and poetry in general.
Ratings: 7th grade - 8 out of 10.
The World Set Free is by H.G. Wells. A tedious work of political philosophy disguised (barely) as science fiction. Supposedly a tale of the destruction of the world in a war where atomic bombs were used, Wells' politics comes through in the set up of a utopian new world rising from the ashes of the old. Wells evidences no real understanding of human nature, which allows him to believe that his utopian fantasies would actually be possible without his new world becoming dystopian. It is no surprise this is probably the least well known or read of Wells' corpus.
Ratings: 11th grade - 2 out of 10.
The Reading Life: The Joy of Seeing New Worlds Through Others' Eyes is by C.S. Lewis. A collection of snippets from other nonfiction works and letters by Lewis that cover his love of reading and the importance of being a reader. A simple, yet profound, little book.
Ratings: 7th grade - 9 out of 10.
When the Sleeper Wakes is by H.G. Wells. A strange science fiction tale with almost a Rip Van Winkle tinge to it. A man goes into a trance in the 1800s and awakes over 200 years later to discover he owns almost half the world. He must now discover the changes two centuries have wrought on society and what his place should be in this new world, and how to use the power and wealth he has evidently amassed while sleeping.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
Winter Hours is by Mary Oliver. A collection of prose, prose poems, and poetry by Oliver. This collection is different from Oliver's stunning nature poetry. It is almost like reading selections from a diary. She talks of building a house, finding turtle eggs, and some of her own favorite poets including Frost, Poe, and Whitman.
Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10.
Blue Horses is by Mary Oliver. A collection of nature poetry which is truly a joy to read and contemplate. Mary Oliver brings nature to life in her own way.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
The Republic of Thieves is by Scott Lynch. The third book in the fantasy Gentleman Bastard series. Locke and Jean find themselves in the grasp of the Bonds Magi, who promise to save Locke from death after his poisoning. All they ask is for Jean and Locke to assist them in a little competition to see which faction wins the local election. They will be pitted against Locke's long lost love, Sabetha, who wishes nothing more than to destroy Locke forever - or does she? The Bonds Magi however, never reveal everything and their real plan could be the end for Locke and Jean. Fans of the series will enjoy this installment.
Ratings: 12th grade - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Rediscovering Americanism and the Tyranny of Progressivism is by Mark Levin. A brilliant work of political nonfiction. Levin takes on a journey though the philosophy of the Founders and those whose thought influenced them. He then shows us the philosophy on which current conservative and liberal/progressive ideology is founded and contrasts the two differing schools of thought with insight and well researched and documented facts. A must read for those who would understand politics today.
Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10.
A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles is by Thomas Sowell. Sowell is brilliant! His nonfiction work looks at the patterns found throughout history and describes the two competing visions of the world that define our social and political struggles. The constrained" vision which views human nature as fallen and self focused, and the "unconstrained" vision which see human nature as changeable and moving towards perfection. Sowell's writing is challenging, and yet understandable. A magnificent read.
Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10.
The House of Love and Death is by Andrew Klavan. The third installment in the realistic fiction Cameron Winter mystery series. Three members of a family and their live-in nanny are shot and then their house is set on fire, only a young boy manages to escape - lowered to the ground by the nanny. The police seem happy to blame the daughter's Hispanic boyfriend from the "wrong side of the tracks," but this doesn't sit right with Cameron. When he decides to check things out he finds himself opposed by those who knew the victims, but the lead detective does not seem to care about finding the truth - Cameron, however, does. Fans of the this series will love this book and be unable to wait for the next one.
Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
System Collapse is by Martha Wells. The seventh in the science fiction Murderbot series. Murderbot is still recovering from his infection by alien technology and isn't up to par. Is he just broken? ART and the rest of his team are trying to rescue the newly freed colonists from slavery to an evil corporation, but the colonists are not sure who to trust. The corporation is tired of negotiating and it's up to Murderbot and ART to save not only the colonists, but their own humans. Fans of this series - and who isn't a fan of this series - will love their next hit of Murderbot - let's hope it lasts until the next installment comes out.
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10 - P (profanity).
Death On a Summer's Day is by Benedict Brown. The third installment of the historical fiction Lord Edgington mystery series. Lord Edgington and Christopher are going on a summer holiday. His grandfather has decided to meet with a group of friends from his own childhood for a reunion; a reunion to discover the truth about the death of one of their group 57 years before. When another of the group is murdered, Lord Edgington (and Christopher) are determined to solve the mystery. Fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy this book as well.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
Body of Proof: The Seven Best Reasons to Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus - and Why It Matters Today is by Jeremiah J. Johnston. A must read for all Christians, Johnston discusses the proof of the resurrection of Christ - the foundation of Christianity. The book is thought provoking, inspirational, and easy for average Christian readers to understand. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.
Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.
Project Hail Mary is by Andy Weir. A gripping science fiction read from the author of The Martian and Artemis. Ryland Grace wakes from a coma to find himself on a space ship, the rest of the crew dead, and no memory of why he is there. The story follows Grace's discovery of his mission, to save Earth, and his first encounter with alien life. Fans of Weir's other books will love this one as well.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity).
Silver Nitrate is by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. A horror fantasy set in Mexico. Monserrat works as a sound editor in Mexico City. Her friend Tristan is a soap opera star, whose star has faded since the death of his former co-star and girlfriend. When Tristan moves into a new apartment, he discovers he lives below a famous director of classic horror films. Tristan brings Monserrat to meet the director and they find themselves involved in a mystery involving an unfinished film and a cult built around a dead sorcerer.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
A Strange Habit of Mind is by Andrew Klavan. The second book in the realistic fiction Cameron Winter mystery series. When one of his former students commits suicide directly after texting him for help, Cameron finds himself involved with a Big Tech guru and his mercenary bodyguard. Cameron must seek out his old mentor to help him bring Gerald Byrne to justice. I loved When Christmas Comes so much! This book was much darker and I found it hard to read, but I believe it's because it was so "ripped from the news." I look around and see Gerald Byrne's in the world around me: in Big Tech, in government, in monster corporations and I believe that's what really made this book hard for me to read. There is no Cameron Winter in the real world to bring our Byrne's to justice.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Bloody Rose is by Nicholas Eames. The second in the fantasy The Band series. Tam works in a bar serving drinks to the mercenary bands who come through town on their tours. She desperately wants out. When the band Fable rolls into town, headed by the famous Bloody Rose herself, Tam sees her chance. When she is chosen as Fable's new bard, she sets out on an adventure that will change her life forever. This book seemed much more violent that the last one - and that's saying something. It was also much darker, but I still enjoyed it and fans of the first book will like this one as well.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Kings of the Wyld is by Nicholas Eames. The first book in the fantasy The Band series. Clay Cooper and his former band, Saga, were the most famous and feared band of mercenaries this side of the Heartwyld. You name the monster, they killed it. But that was years ago, Saga has disbanded and its members retired. When former band member, Golden Gabe, shows up at his door and begs Clay to help him save his daughter, Clay decides it's time to get the band back together. This is a charming, if scary and very violent, world - but one you can't help but fall in love with.
Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is by Becky Chambers. The second novella in the science fiction Monk and Robot series. Dex and Mosscap (the robot) have been touring the rural areas of the moon Panga so the people can meet Mosscap and he can learn more about humans. Both are hoping to find the answers they seek in new friendships and in the study of both humans and nature. A charming, and hopeful, little book. Fans of the first book will love this one as well.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
A Body at a Boarding School is by Benedict Brown. The second in the historical fiction Lord Edgington mystery series. It's parent day at the Oakton Academy for Distinguished Young Gentlemen. Christopher's mother has brought his grandfather, Lord Edgington, down for the ceremony. When the head master is murdered, Christopher must help his grandfather solve another murder. They discover that all is not well at the school and no one is who they seem. Fans of the series will love this installment.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
Murder at the Spring Ball is by Benedict Brown. The first in the historical fiction Lord Edgington mystery series. Lord Edgington, a former detective with Scotland Yard, decides to throw a party to celebrate his 75th birthday at his home, Cranley Hall. He invites all of his scheming relatives. When someone starts murdering them, he enlists the aid of his teenage grandson, Christopher, to help him solve the murders. A charming series set in 1920s England. The stories have a distinct Agatha Christie feel, but Christopher adds a dash of humor which is utterly charming.
Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.
Bookshops and Bonedust is by Travis Baldree. The prequel to the fantasy Legends and Lattes. Viv finds herself in a small village as she recovers from an injury incurred hunting down an evil necromancer. She discovers a wonderful bakery and a small struggling bookshop. She befriends the bookshop owner, but the appearance of a strange customer brings trouble to the entire town. Fans of the first book will thoroughly enjoy this prequel. The new characters are fun and charming and the ending links this book with Legends and Lattes.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings is by Philip and Carol Zaleski. An in-depth nonfiction work about the lives of the four most famous Inklings. This book covers the lives and careers of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, and Charles Williams. These authors don't seem to have a great love of these men, but the book is for the most part a fair minded look at their lives. Although fans of the Inklings, like me, will find things to quibble with.
Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10.
The Mind of the Maker is by Dorothy L. Sayers. The classic nonfiction work by one of the masters of Christian apologetics and thought. A commentary on art in relation to Christianity. This book is a challenging read, but it is well worth the effort and time.
Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.
Blood of Elves is by Andrzej Sapkowski. The first full book in the Witcher series. Geralt of Rivia is a Witcher. He travels the land killing monsters. He is also waiting for the child of destiny to appear. This child has the power to change the world, for good or evil. Now he has found her and must protect her from those who hunt her and wish to destroy them all. Violent, but a fun read.
Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Sword of Destiny is by Andrzej Sapkowski. A prequel to the fantasy Witcher series. A collection of short stories set in the Witcher universe. Follow Geralt and his friends through perilous adventures fighting monsters of both the human and nonhuman variety.
Ratings: Adult - 7 out of 10 - V (violence).
A Death in Door County is by Annelise Ryan. The first book in the realistic fiction Monster Hunters mystery series. Morgan Carter owns a book store in Door County, Wisconsin. She is also a cryptid hunter in her spare time. When a body is found on the shores of Lake Michigan with what appear to be teeth marks on it, the local Sherriff asks Morgan to find out if there is a monster in the lake.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
The Mimicking of Known Successes is by Malka Older. The first in the Mossa and Pleiti science fiction mystery series. A science fiction Holmes and Watson set up. Humanity has destroyed the Earth and has created a home on the rings of Jupiter to wait until the Earth can be resettled. Mossa is a investigator and is sent to investigate a possible suicide. She believes it might be a murder, but she needs help from the scientists and researchers at Valdegeld University. Only her ex-lover Pleiti, who is a scientist there can help her. The two find themselves caught up in a conspiracy that could change their world and ruin their chance of ever returning to Earth. A quick and enjoyable read.
Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
Red Seas Under Red Skies is by Scott Lynch. The second installment of the fantasy Gentleman Bastard series. After the epic battle at the end of the first book, Locke Lamora and his trusted friend Jean arrive in Tal Verrar with a complicated plan to rob the Sinspire, the most exclusive and tightly guarded gambling house on the island. At the moment their plan is coming to fruition someone learns their true identities and blackmails them into passing themselves off as pirates to start a rebellion. But Locke and Jean have their own plans to complete their original plan and to get revenge on their blackmailer. Fans of the first book will not be disappointed - this plot is every bit as convoluted as the first book. Twists within twists within twists.
Ratings: 12th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence).
Sounds Like Titanic is by Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman. The most bizarre memoir I have ever read. A young Appalachian woman wants to be a violinist, but doesn't have the talent. She responds to an advertisement for a violinist and finds herself working for a composer who uses fake musicians to sell his CDs. These "musicians" pretend to play while pre-recorded music plays. This memoir was almost unbelievable, except for the part where she ends up teaching creative writing at a college - having experienced the cesspool that is the English Department at most colleges today, I found that very easy to believe. This book was a finalist for the National Book Award - sad.
Ratings: 11th grade - 2 out of 10 - P (profanity).
The Cloisters is by Katy Hays. A twisted realistic fiction novel set in a museum. Ann gets a job at The Cloisters in New York and believes she has finally found her dream job. Tasked to assist an eclectic group of researchers studying the history of divination, she is caught up in the search for a very special deck of Tarot cards. Then the lead researcher is murdered and she is drawn into a strange web of lies, deceit, and murder. The story draws you in and the tarot card mystery is interesting, but none of the characters are likable at all, and this is a problem for me. Reminds me too much of the "book that shall not be named."
Ratings: Adult - 4 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
