Iron Widow

Iron Widow is by Xiran Jay Zhao. The first book in the science fiction Iron Widow series. Aliens have invaded the world, and the boys of Huaxia must pair with female concubines to channel enough xi to power the mechanized robots that are used to protect the provinces. When Zetian offers herself as a concubine to avenge the murder of her sister, she makes a startling discover about her own powers. She is paired with the most powerful pilot in the land, who is also accused of murdering his own family. Together they must learn to work together to defend the land, each other, and to change the way their country is run. But can then manage this before they are killed by their own government or by the alien robots? What they will learn about the truth and each other will change everything. 

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

Murder By Other Means

Murder by Other Means is by John Scalzi. The second in The Dispatcher science fiction series. When Dispatcher Tony Valdez takes a job for a lawyer that skirts legality, he finds himself on a hit list. As he tries to figure out who wants him dead and why, he has to battle not only his enemies, but the police who were once his friends. Fans of the first book will thoroughly enjoy this one as well. 

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

River of Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile

River of Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile is by Candace Millard. A fascinating nonfiction look at the men who set forth to find the source of the Nile. Millard is a wonderful nonfiction writer and her books always read like adventure stories. The things these men suffered to explore the unknown are beyond my understanding. 

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

The Ice Princess

The Ice Princess is by Camilla Lackberg. The first in the realistic fiction Patrik Hedstrom mystery series. Erica Falck returns to her hometown after her parents die to settle family affairs. When she discovers the body of her childhood best friend dead in a bathtub, supposedly a suicide, she finds herself working with policeman Patrik Hedstrom to solve the mystery of Alex's death. The investigation brings to light long held secrets within the community. 

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

We Never Met in Real Life: Essays

We Never Met in Real Life: Essays is by Samantha Irby. A nonfiction collection of autobiographical essays. I realize many people find Samantha Irby funny; I am just not one of those people. This type of content is just not to my taste. 

Ratings: Adult - 2 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (very mature content). 

The Haunting of Tram Car 015

The Haunting of Tram Car 015 is by P. Djeli Clark. The second book in the fantasy alternate history Dead Djinn series. Agents Nasr and Youssef are called in to exorcise a djinn from a haunted tram car. However, the spirit is not a djinn and the job is much tougher than expected. 

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

A Dead Djinn in Cairo

A Dead Djinn in Cairo is by P. Djeli Clark. The first installment in a fantasy alternate history series. This novella is set in an alternate 1912 Cairo, where magical creatures are the norm. Special Agent Fatma el-Sha'arawi is called in to investigate a dead djinn. When she discovers the death might be a suicide, not a murder, she finds herself involved in an end-of-the-world situation. A fantastic series about a world you will want to spend time in. 

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

Richard II

Richard II is by William Shakespeare. The first in Shakespeare's classic tetralogy of history plays covering the reigns of Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V. The story follows the dethroning of Richard II by Henry Bolingbroke. A wonderful play and well worth the effort to read. The magnificent John of Gaunt speech about England in Act II is worth the price of admission. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10. 

13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear

13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear is by Walter Moers. The first book in the charming fantasy Zamonia series. A blue bear, named Bluebear, tells the story of his very action-packed life in the land of Zamonia. A blue bear has 27 lives and 13 1/2 of them are related here. This book is fast paced and fun to read. It is filled with lots of strange characters and is absolutely enchanting. It's an adventure story, an epic fantasy, and a biting satire all at the same time. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 9 out of 10. 

The Feast

The Feast is by Margaret Kennedy. A classic historical fiction novel set in 1947 Cornwall, England. A small hotel is demolished by a landslide. As the funerals for the dead approach, a flashback tells the stories of the owners, workers, and guests of the hotel - both those who survived and those who did not. This book is a character study; there is not much "action," but it is still intense and thought-provoking. Each character's soul is revealed in this amazing novel. 

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

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels, and Crooks

Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels, and Crooks is by Patrick Radden Keefe. An interesting set of nonfiction essays. These essays cover a variety of unsavory characters doing unsavory things, as well as characters like Anthony Bourdain, who are famous and interesting. These can easily be read one at a time or in any order you like. Don't expect Empire of Pain however. 

Ratings: 6 out of 10 - 11th grade - AC (some adult thematic content). 

Matrix

Matrix is by Lauren Groff. An interesting historical fiction novel. Marie de France was seventeen when she was sent to a poor mismanaged convent by Eleanor of Aquitaine. At first shocked by her new life, she realizes her need for a family and vows to care for her new sisters. She becomes the new head of the convent and begins to implement a new course for the women under her care. This is a fictionalized version that the devout may take issue with, but it is a powerful story. 

Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content). 

When Ghosts Come Home

When Ghosts Come Home is by Wiley Cash. A realistic fiction crime novel. When Sherriff Winston Barnes, who is running for re-election, decides to drive out to the local airfield in the middle of the night to check out a low flying plant that work him up, he is not prepared for what he finds. The son of the local school principal dead on the runway next to the abandoned, and empty, plane. The FBI arrive and believe the plane was carrying drugs, but Winston can't believe the dead man was involved with drug running. A complicated investigation that involves everyone in the community ensues. I enjoyed the novel until the ending, which I hated very much! 

Ratings: Adult - 3 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle

The Crimes of Clearwell Castle is by Benedict Brown. The seventh installment in the Lord Edgington historical fiction mystery series. Lord Edgington and Christopher decide to visit some distant relatives in the Forest of Dean, but when they arrive they discover two towns embroiled in the fall out of an ancient curse and a castle full of really strange relatives. Then a local bar owner is murdered and the death seems to be linked to a previous death and the local curse. Lord Edgington and Christopher must wade through a gothic mystery, complete with ghost, to solve the case. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts

The Curious Case of the Templeton-Swifts is by Benedict Brown. The sixth book in the Lord Edgington historical fiction mystery series. When Lord Edington receives a letter from a rich man who believes he is being poisoned, he and Christopher head off to prevent the murder. When Hugo Templeton-Swift is actually murdered, the pair must solve the murder they failed to prevent. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Tangled Treasure Trail

The Tangled Treasure Trail is by Benedict Brown. The fifth installment in the Lord Edgington historical fiction mystery series. After reading of a death in a strange treasure hunt, Lord Edgington and Christopher head for London to participate themselves. Then another participant is shot and the case becomes entwined with secrets from WWI. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10.