Elric of Melnibone

Elric of Melnibone is by Michael Moorcock. The first book in the classic Elric Saga fantasy series. Elric is the albino emperor of the dying kingdom of Melnibone. When Elric's cousin seizes his kingdom, Elric must set out on a quest to find his cousin, free his love, and save his kingdom. This is absolutely a classic of the Sword and Sorcery genre.  A must read for all fantasy fans. I read this many years ago and it feels a little dated, but is still a great fantasy saga and worth the read. The foreword by Neil Gaiman is a great introduction to this series. 

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

Death in the Vines

Death in the Vines is by M.L. Longworth. The third installment in the realistic fiction Verlaque and Bonnet mystery series. Women are being raped and strangled and wine has been stolen from a local winery. Verlaque and Inspector Paulik need to solve this quickly as the death count rises. Verlaque and Bonnet continue to grow their relationship. Fans of this series will not be disappointed, this one does seem grittier than previous book, but this is a well written story. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - AC (some mature thematic content) - V (violence). 

Murder in the Rue Dumas

Murder in the Rue Dumas is by M.L. Longworth. The second book in the Verlaque and Bonnet realistic fiction mystery series. When the director of the theology department is found dead before awarding a very prestigious fellowship, Verlaque comes in and has to decide which of the tiny cabal of academics he has as suspects is capable of murder. A worthy second chapter of this charming mystery series. The plot is well written, and the description of the setting makes one want to book a flight to Provence. 

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

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, & Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, & Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War is by Erik Larson. A new novel from the master of nonfiction writing. This book looks at the run up to the firing on Fort Sumter which began the Civil War. This is not my favorite Larson book, but it lives up to the expectations readers have formed from his earlier books. Well researched and well written. Larson fans will not be disappointed. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10. 

The Summer Book

The Summer Book is by Tove Jansson. A charming historical fiction slow burn classic. This novella follows a grandmother and her granddaughter on an island in the Gulf of Finland over a summer. This is not a fast paced action story; it is a quiet study of the love between the two characters and the normal life of fishermen and their families during this time and place. I loved the quiet beauty of this story. A real gem!

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries is by Heather Fawcett. The first book in the Emily Wilde fantasy series. Emily Wilde is a Cambridge professor studying "the folk." She heads for a remote village to study the local faeries; she is unexpectedly joined by fellow professor Wendell Bambleby, who has secrets of his own. When Emily is kidnapped by a faerie king, it's up to the village and Wendell to save her. A fun romp in faerie land. Fantasy fans will enjoy this new series. 

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

Death of Jezebel

Death of Jezebel is by Christianna Brand. The fourth book in the Inspector Cockrill realistic fiction mystery series. A medieval pageant featuring knights in shining armor and a damsel in distress is created as part of a grand exhibition. When several of the cast members receive death threats, and one of them dies, Inspector Cockrill must find the killer before any one else dies. A fun series for fans of mysteries set in England and Golden Age mysteries. 

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

The Great God Pan

The Great God Pan is by Arthur Machen. A classic fantasy/horror novella. A young Welsh woman's mind is destroyed by a "scientist's" attempt to enable her to see the god of nature, Pan. Years later Helen Vaughan arrives on the London social scene and disturbing events begin to occur to the men she corrupts. Who is this woman? What evil was brought into the world by Dr. Raymond's experiment? 

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

Death at Chateau Bremont

Death at Chateau Bremont is by M.L. Longworth. The first book in the realistic fiction Provencal Mystery series. Chief Magistrate Verlaque is called in when a local nobleman falls to his death from the attic of Chateau Bremont, the family estate. Verlaque suspects the death was not an accident and call in his ex-girlfriend, a local law professor, who grew up with the de Bremont family to assist. As family secrets begin to emerge, and another death occurs, Verlaque begins to be certain things are not as they appear with the de Bremont's. A charming and witty mystery that will make you want to take the next plane to Provencal. 

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

The Djinn Waits One Hundred Years

The Djinn Waits One Hundred Years is by Shubnam Khan. A historical fantasy set in South Africa. When Sana and her father move to an old mansion that has been turned into apartments, Sana discovers that the tenants are more than a little strange, as is the house. She begins to wonder about the family that built the house and as she begins to discover their history, strange things begin to happen. When the secrets of the house come to light, will the truth destroy them all? The premise is amazing, but the book was not what I thought it would be - this limited my enjoyment, maybe had I read it at a different time or not read the inside cover I might have gone in with fewer preconceptions - this might have helped. I may try the book again later. 

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

The Meaning of Shakespeare: Vol I

The Meaning of Shakespeare: Vol I is by Harold C. Goddard. A must read educational nonfiction work for all Shakespeare lovers and teachers. Goddard analyzes the plays chronologically and Vol I ends with Hamlet. Goddard's discussion of the plays is a must read for all teachers and lovers of The Bard, you will see the plays differently and will think about them differently as well. 

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10. 

This Day: Collected and New Sabbath Poems

This Day: Collected and New Sabbath Poems is by Wendell Berry. A magnificent collection of Berry's poetry. Each poems draws our attention to nature and the Sabbath. A thought-provoking work for Christians. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Word in the Wilderness: A Poem a Day for Lent and Easter

Word in the Wilderness: A Poem a Day for Lent and Easter is by Malcolm Guite. A wonderful collection of poems to walk the reader through the Lenten season and the glory that is Easter. A great read for all Christians. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Escape Velocity

Escape Velocity is by Mark Walden. The third installment in the H.I.V.E. science fiction series. Dr. Nero has been captured by enemies of H.I.V.E. and the Contessa has returned as Number One's choice to lead the school - no one is happy to see her and she obviously has a secret agenda. Otto and his friends manage to escape the school when the Contessa orders them transferred. H.I.V.E.-Mind has been deleted and can no longer help those who remain at the school or Otto - or can he? Fans of the series will enjoy this installment. 

Ratings: 6th grade - 6 out of 10. 

Tending the Heart of Virtue: How Classic Stories Awaken a Child's Moral Imagination

Tending the Heart of Virtue: How Classic Stories Awaken a Child's Moral Imagination is by Vigen Guroian. A magnificent must read explication of the importance of classic stories, novels, myths, and fairy tales in the development of a child's moral imagination. A must read for all parents and teachers. 

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10.