Platform Decay is by Martha Wells. The eighth book in the science fiction Murderbot series. Murderbot volunteers for a rescue operation on a hostile space ring. But now it must spend extended amounts of time interacting with, and trying to save, young humans. ICK! Another wonderful installment in a great series. Fans of the series will love this story. Murderbot is the best!!!
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
Vigil is by George Saunders. A strange fantasy novel by one of my few favorite modern authors. Jill is sent to earth to guide a dying soul to the afterlife. But K. J. Boone is unlike any charge she has ever encountered. He doesn't want to be consoled as he has nothing to regret - or does he? "Visitors" began to appear seeking a reckoning, birds swam the dying man's room, two cronies from the past arrive with their own agenda. This is not an easy read, but it is charming in its own way, as it looks at dying, good and evil, and what faces us in the afterlife.
Ratings: 12th grade - 7 out of 10 - (Profanity) - AC (mature thematic content).
A Natural Man is by Gary Soto. A work of modern poetry by the famous Hispanic poet. A short collection of Soto's poetry. Easy to read and understand. Fans of Soto will enjoy this collection.
Ratings: 10th grade - 7 out of 10 - AC (mature thematic content).
The Library of Amorlin is by Kayln Josephson. The first in the fantasy Age of Beasts series. Kasira is a con artist who has been arrested and is forced to pose as the new assistant librarian in the magical Library of Amorlin. She is to assume the post of librarian and turn the library's secrets over to the kingdom of Kalthos who wish to use its powers for evil. But when she arrives, she discovers the librarian is not at all what she believed him to be. Can she save the library and herself or will she have to choose? An interesting magical world filled with political intrigue as well.
Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence) - AC (mature thematic content).
Cocktail Time is by P.G. Wodehouse. The third Uncle Fred installment in Wodehouse's charming historical fiction series. When Uncle Fred shoots the hat off of a stuffy relative with a Brazil nut, it inspires the relative to write a scandalous novel about the younger generation. As he contemplates political office, he enlists Uncle Fred's help to keep his authorship secret - and of course, hijinks ensue. I love Uncle Fred almost as much as the Blandings stories. Fans of Wodehouse will enjoy this series as well. I wish I had an Uncle Fred!
Ratings: 9th grade - 10 out of 10.
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 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.
