A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918

A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918 is by Joseph Loconte. A magnificent nonfiction look at arguably the two most influential writers of the 20th century. Loconte covers the experiences of both Tolkien and Lewis in WWI, as well as their education and personal lives before and after the war. There are numerous quotes from writings by both, as well as poetry and other quotes from major figures of the day. The book also looks at the tide of despair, discontent, fascism, communism, socialism, and humanism that arose in the aftermath of WWI. This book is a must read for all fans of Tolkien and Lewis, as well as those who seek to understand why they are so loved and so important. A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

Ratings: 10th grade - 10 out of 10. 

Finlay Donovan is Killing It

Finlay Donovan is Killing It is by Elle Cosimano. A cute realistic fiction story that is the first of the Finlay Donovan series. Finlay Donovan is a single mom; her husband divorced her to become engaged to a real estate agent. She is stressed and broke. Her editor is demanding she finish the book she has contracted to write, but she is too tired to write. At a meeting with her editor in Panera, Finlay is slipped a note by a woman at a nearby table. The note offers her $50,000 to kill the woman's husband. At first Finlay laughs it off, then decides to look the man over at a local bar - then hijinks ensure. The story stretches the bounds of credulity, but is a fun read. 

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

Do What You Believe: Or You Won't Be Free to Believe It Much Longer

Do What You Believe: Or You Won't Be Free to Believe It Much Longer is by Steve Deace. A heartbreaking, yet uplifting nonfiction look at what faces "what's left of America" today. This book is the answer to the question one hears so often, "what can I do?". Deace is clear and forthright in explaining where we are, and where we go from here. The "answer is us." 

Ratings: 10th grade - 8 out of 10. 

The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter is by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The classic historical fiction tale of Puritan New England. Hester Prynne has committed adultery and borne a child, Pearl, out of wedlock. She refuses to name Pearl's father and is condemned to wear a scarlet "A" on her breast for the rest of her life. The novel takes us through the next seven years, following Hester, Pearl, and other members of the community. Finally the truth is tragically revealed. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 7 out of 10. 

A Gathering of Old Men

A Gathering of Old Men is by Ernest J Gaines. A classic historical fiction masterpiece which paints an amazing portrait of racism in the South. A local sheriff in Louisiana is called to a sugar cane plantation to discover a young white woman, her boyfriend, about 18 elderly black men, and a dead Cajun farmer. All of the black men claim to have shot Beau Boutan, son of the notoriously racist Fix Boutan. Candy, the white woman, also claims to have shot Beau. Everyone claims it was self-defense. The sheriff has until sundown to arrest someone before Fix and his "crew" show up to settle things their way. It appears all of the old men are determined to die fighting off Fix and his friends. The novel is tense, yet humorous. Who did kill Beau and what is everyone else willing to do to protect him? A Reader's Corner Highly Recommended Read. 

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

A Master of Djinn

A Master of Djinn is by P. Djeli Clark. The third installment, the first novel, in the Dead Djinn series. It's 1912 in Cairo, magic has been around for awhile in most countries. Fatma el-Sha'arawi is the youngest woman working for the Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities. Fatma is called to the home of a rich white man to investigate the murder of a secret brotherhood dedicated to finding artifacts belonging to Al-Jahiz, who opened the door between the magical and mundane realms forty years ago. Fatma is faced with a mysterious figure claiming to be Al-Jahiz returned. Is this person really Al-Jahiz, or are they a fake? What is their purpose for stirring up dissent in Cairo just at the time an important international conference is being held at the palace? Fatma, her new partner, and a friend from the past must discover the answers, but can they do so in time? Fans of the world will thoroughly enjoy this book. 

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

Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis

Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis is by Michael Ward. A wonderful nonfiction examination of Medieval Cosmology in the Narniad by Lewis. He posits the theory that each book of the series relates to one of the seven planets from Medieval Cosmology. He doesn't insist he is correct, but his case is compelling. This book is a must read for all fans of Lewis and the Narniad. 

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10.