The Lost Story

The Lost Story is by Meg Shaffer. A unique fantasy novel. Jeremey and Rafe vanished in a West Virginia state forest only to reappear six months later. Jeremy is now a finder of lost girls and Rafe is a reclusive artist. When Jeremy is approached by Emilie to find her sister who was lost in the same park as Jeremy and Rafe, the two men must reunite and return to the forest to solve the mystery of their own disappearance, as well as to find Emilie's sister. 

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

Ordeal by Innocence

Ordeal by Innocence is by Agatha Christie. A historical fiction mystery by the Queen of Mystery. Although Christie is the best, this is not one of her most wonderful mysteries. A mother of five siblings is killed and one of the sons is convicted and dies in prison, even though he says he has an alibi. Two years after his death, a doctor returns and asserts he was the young man's alibi. He goes to visit the family to assure them their brother did not kill their mother, but if he didn't who did? 

Ratings: 9th grade - 6 out of 10. 

Land of Hope

Land of Hope is by Wilfred M. McClay. A magnificent scholarly work on the history of the United States. This book makes sure to cover the goodness of America without overlooking its warts. This book should be read by every American patriot and taught in every school. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Lord Emsworth and Others

Lord Emsworth and Others is by P. G. Wodehouse. A historical fiction short story collection, the sixth book in the Blandings series, by the master of comedic fiction. These stories are about the residents of Blandings Castle and other tangential characters. Wodehouse fans will enjoy these stories, even if they are not as charming as the full length novels. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Blandings Castle and Elsewhere

Blandings Castle and Elsewhere is by P. G. Wodehouse. A historical fiction short story collection by the master of comedic fiction. These stories are about the residents of Blandings Castle and other tangential characters. Wodehouse fans will enjoy these stories, even if they are not as charming as the full length novels. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Into Thin Air

Into Thin Air is by Jon Krakauer. A memoir of the author's Everest ascent. In 1996, Krakauer was part of a group of commercial climbers taking on Mount Everest. The climb was a disaster and several climbers and sherpas were killed. Krakauer describes his memories of the disaster and mistakes that might have caused it. 

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

The Law

The Law is by Jim Butcher. The fantasy novella in between books 17 & 18 in the Harry Dresden series. Harry attempts to assist a tutor who is being extorted by an ex-con. Seems like a simple easy case, until it isn't anymore. Fans of the series will enjoy this novella. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Heavy Weather

Heavy Weather is by P.G. Wodehouse. The fourth book in the historical fiction tales of Blandings Castle. Galahad Threepwood has decided not to publish his salacious memoir and his editor Lord Tilbury heads to Blandings Castle to steal the manuscript and publish it anyway. Lord Tilbury is not the only one trying to get their hands on the infamous manuscript. Typical Blandings hijinks ensue. Fans of Wodehouse will love the Blandings novels as much as those about Jeeves. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.

Viper's Tangle

Viper's Tangle is by Francois Mauriac. A classic historical fiction family drama. A bitter old patriarch tries to wrest his fortune from his conniving family. As the story is told the reader begins to discover the the narrator is less than reliable and all is not as it seems. Louis is battling against his family, his self, and his love of money setting up a series of spiritual and psychological battles. This novel is dark and depressing, but does include glimmers of hope and love. Lovers of French literature, of which I am not one no matter how hard I try, will enjoy this novel. 

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

Murder in an Italian Castle

Murder in an Italian Castle is by Benedict Brown. The first in the Lord Edgington Abroad historical fiction mystery series. Lord Edgington and Chris go to Italy to visit a friend of Lord Edgington's at his Italian castle. Upon arrival, their host is thrown from a tower and is murdered in front of them. Now the two detectives must wade through a strange assortment of suspects to find the killer. Fans of this series will be tickled with this new offshoot series. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Moriarty

Moriarty is by Anthony Horowitz. The second in the Sherlock Holmes series Horowitz began with The House of Silk. Moriarty is dead at the bottom of the Reichenbach Falls. Scotland Yard's Athelney Jones and a Pinkerton man from America team up to catch the American gangster whose taken over Moriarty's London rackets. The first installment in this series was much better than this one. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 out of 10 - (Violence). 

This is Happiness

This is Happiness is by Niall Williams. A charming and wonderful historical fiction work set in Ireland. When Noel comes to the small Irish village of Faha to live with his grandparents he discovers a whole new world. Electricity is about to come to Faha and one of the men who will be arranging for the electric poles to be installed comes to live with Noel's grandparents. He and Christy become close and thus begins a series of adventures which help Noel reevaluate his life, his grandparents, their odd neighbors, Fala itself, and the meaning of happiness.  A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

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

The Paris Apartment

The Paris Apartment is by Lucy Foley. Another realistic fiction thriller from an acknowledged master. Jess arrives in Paris to stay with her brother after finding herself in trouble in England. When she arrives at her brother's ritzy apartment, she finds he has disappeared. All of the other tenants seem reluctant to give her any information about her brother, yet she continues to hunt for him. She believes he might have been attacked and killed right before she arrived. As she begins to connect the dots between the other tenants, she finds herself in danger. 

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

The Book Club for Troublesome Women

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick. A creative historical fiction novel centered around a group of suburban housewives who form a book club. Margaret Ryan has the "perfect life" or does she? She decides to form book club with some women in the neighborhood and the first book they decide to read is The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. As the women grow closer and their lives become more intertwined, their lives begin to change in exciting and freeing ways. 

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

Walking with Sam

Walking with Sam is by Andrew McCarthy. A charming memoir by the famous teen actor. McCarthy and his 19-year-old son head to Spain to walk the famous Camino de Santiago. This is a wonderfully insightful look at father-son dynamics and also a great journal of the famous Camino 500 mile walk. In parts moving and in others funny. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

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

Gales of November

The Gales of November is by John U. Bacon. A marvelous nonfiction book! This book tells the story of the S. S. Edmund Fitzgerald and the 29 men who went down with her on the Great Lakes in 1975. The tale of the ship was immortalized in the song by Gordon Lightfoot. This is a moving look at Great Lakes shipping, but especially the men who served on the "Fitz" and their families. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 9 out of 10. 

Homeschooled

Homeschooled is by Stefan Merrill Block. A crazy memoir! Stefan was nine when his mother pulls him from school to homeschool him. This book is really not about homeschooling at all, but the relationship between Stefan and his mother, not to mention his father and brother. This was a sad and disturbing read. 

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

Someplace to be Flying

Someplace to be Flying is by Charles de Lint. A strange work of fantasy by a master of the genre. Lily is a journalist in search of "animal people." When she is attacked and saved by two "crow girls," she and the cab driver, Hank, who stopped to help are drawn into a world of ancient beings. Native Americans call them the First People and they are engaged in a war that could destroy the world. A really weird story, but worth the read. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 7 put of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content). 

Desiring God

Desiring God is by John Piper. A classic work of religious nonfiction. Piper's classic work on Christian hedonism - the joy of knowing and living in the joy of the Lord. A must read for all Christians. 

Ratings: Adult - 9 out of 10. 

Death in the Spires

Death in the Spires is by K. J. Charles. A charming work of historical mystery fiction. Jem's old university friend was brutally murdered. Ten years later his employer receives an anonymous letter accusing Jem of the murder. After he loses his job, he decides to solve the mystery of Toby's death. He begins to hunt down the rest of Toby's friends, but will stirring the old pot result in his own death? A thoroughly enjoyable read. 

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

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

The Bridge of San Luis Rey is by Thornton Wilder. A classic work of historical fiction. When the bridge of San Luis Rey collapses one day, it takes a number of hapless people with it. A priest decides to search out the history of these individuals to see if he can find the reason God decided they were to die on the bridge. This is a wonderful little book. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

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

I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom

I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom is by Jason Pargin. A weird realistic fiction novel that will make you want to avoid the internet forever. In LA, a driver is offered $200,000 to drive a girl in green sunglasses and a mysterious black box across the country to Washington, D.C.; only he can't look in the box, he must leave all trackable devices behind, and he can't tell anyone. Rumors begin to spread on social media that the box contains a weapon of mass destruction that will go off in Washington on July 4th. The box is being tracked by an ex-FBI agent and a killer. This is the strangest book I have read in a long time - while some may find it entertaining, it gave me a headache and made me hate social media more than I already do - which I must admit is a masterful feat. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 5 out of 10 - P (profanity) - AC (mature thematic content). 

The Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping

The Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping is by Sangu Mandanna. Another cozy fantasy from this author. Sera Swan is a witch, she lives in an inn that can only be found by people who really need to find it. She was one of the most powerful young witches of her day, until she cast a spell that resurrected her dead aunt and lost almost all of her power. Now she tries to keep the inn going and looks for a way to get her power back. A charming fantasy that will leave you feeling good. 

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

Knowing God

Knowing God is by J. I. Packer. The classic Christian work on what it means to truly "know" God. Packer's classic is a must read for all Christians and for anyone interested in understanding more about God and the Christian faith. This timeless work encourages us to explore the profound joy of personally knowing God through a relationship with His Son. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read.

Ratings: Adult - 10 out of 10. 

He Who Whispers

He Who Whispers is by John Dickson Carr. The 16th book in the Golden Age historical fiction Gideon Fell series. Miles Hammond is invited by Gideon Fell to a meeting of the fabulous Murder Club. The guest lecturer at this meeting is a Frenchman who is going to tell them about a murder he believes was committed by a vampire. On arriving at the designated restaurant, Miles finds the rest of the Murder Club is not present: only the lecturer and a another female guest. The lecturer tells them the story and suddenly Miles finds himself involved in the mystery with Gideon Fell. Fans of Golden Age mysteries will enjoy this one. 

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

The Book That Wouldn't Burn

The Book That Wouldn't Burn is by Mark Lawrence. The first book in the fantasy Library series. A young girl is rescued by a band of soldiers when enemies destroy her settlement and kidnap her along with several other children. Taken to the city, she is apprenticed to The Library - the main source of knowledge for this society. A young boy has been trapped in an unknown section of The Library his entire life. When these two meet, things come to light that will change everything they know. This is a strange book. I liked it, but honestly not enough to continue the series. 

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

The Republic

The Republic is by Plato. The classic philosophical treatise that is a must read. It is challenging and requires time and thought, but what you glean from the struggle is well worth it. This translation is one of the best. 

Ratings: 12th grade - 9 out of 10.