The River Why

The River Why is by David James Duncan. A beautifully written realistic fiction novel centered around fly fishing, nature, and family. Gus Orivston leaves his fishing-crazed family and takes a cabin in the Pacific Northwest to fish and, unbeknownst to him, find himself. The novel is laugh-out-loud funny in places and poignantly beautiful in others. The descriptions of nature are magnificently written and the sections on one man's search for happiness profound. The characters are real and really funny. A must read for fisherman and nature lovers, and anyone who wants to feel in touch with other people and nature. 

Ratings: Adult - 8 out of 10. 

One Rainy Day in May

One Rainy Day in May is by Mark Z. Danielewski. The first in the cyper-punk series called The Familiar. I would love to tell you what this book is about, but I'm not quite sure. It is written in a very experimental way and covers a strange variety of characters, from gang members to scientists to recovering addicts to game designers and therapists. It seems to center around a young girl named Xanther, whose father takes her out to buy a dog but instead rescues and brings home something else. This book is a challenging read, but worth the try if for nothing but the novelty.

Ratings: Adult - 6 out of 10 - P (profanity) - V (violence). 

Beartown

Beartown is by Fredrik Backman. The first in the realistic fiction Beartown duology. Beartown is a small town in the middle of the forest; a community that is slowing dying as its residents have to leave to find jobs. The only hope they have of saving their town is their junior ice hockey team. As the team prepares to complete in the national semifinals, everyone in Beartown is depending on the Bears for the future of the town. The team centers around Kevin, a talent the team's general manager, Peter, is depending on to secure a victory for the team. One night, and one horrible series of decisions, could bring the team and the town to its knees. A magnificent look at what people will do when driven to protect the people, town, and sport they love. A fantastic novel!!

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

Beastly Bones

Beastly Bones is by William Ritter. The second in the fantasy Jackaby series. Abigail and her employer Jackaby are called in to investigate two suspicious murders surrounding an archaeological dig near New Fiddleham that has uncovered the bones of a massive creature, possibly a dinosaur. But nothing surrounding Jackaby is straightforward, and they soon find themselves fighting for their lives. An enjoyable continuation of a fun series. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10 - V (violence). 

The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt's Masterpiece: Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer

The Lady in Gold: The Extraordinary Tale of Gustav Klimt's Masterpiece: Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer is by Anne Marie O'Connor. A magnificent nonfiction look at the history of Klimt's masterpiece and the people involved in its creation, theft, and recovery. When the Bloch-Bauer's fled Austria after the country welcomed the Nazi's, all Jewish property was looted and stolen. Klimt's portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer survived the war, but was not returned by the Austrian government. O'Connor walks us through every step of battle to return the painting to the Bloch-Bauer heirs, one of the most famous in the ongoing battle to return art stolen by the Nazi's to its rightful owners. 

Ratings: 11th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Lost in a Good Book

Lost in a Good Book is by Jasper Fforde. The second book in the charming Thursday Next fantasy series. Thursday Next is a renowned agent in the SpecOps literary crimes unit. After her adventure in the Eyre Affair, Thursday hopes to settle down with her husband and prepare for the birth of their first child. Then she is recruited to be a Prose Resource Operative, her time traveling father informs her the world is about to end, and Goliath Corporation eradicates her husband from her current timeline. Thursday must retrieve a vanquished enemy from Poe's "The Raven," save the world from certain destruction, complete her apprenticeship with Miss Havisham, avoid capture by both her own agency and Goliath, and fulfill all of her publicity tour obligations. It's just another day in the life of a literary detective. This series is a total delight, especially for bibliophiles. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 8 out of 10. 

Binti: The Night Masquerade

Binti: The Night Masquerade is by Nnedi Okorafor. The final installment in the science fiction Binti trilogy. Binti and Okwu have returned to Earth to Binti's home. Unfortunately, the ancient Meduse/Khoush conflict has followed her home. While she is away from her village the Khoush attack her family and attempt to kill Okwu. Believing her family to be dead, Binti and her friend Mwinyi hurry back to her village to try and stop the ancient war once and for all. But the attempt will cost Binti more than she ever imagined. A fantastic ending to a wonderful series. 

Ratings: 9th grade - 9 out of 10.