A Deadly Shade of Gold : A Travis Mc Gee Novel by John D. MacDonald

In this Travis McGee mystery, his old friend Sam Taggart enlists his help to reunite him with the woman he left in Fort Lauderdale to seek his fortune in Mexico. But Nora, his girl, and Travis find Sam dead in his motel room, and set out to salvage the money Sam would have gotten had he sold the golden idol he found there.

418 pages

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis

In 1923, fifteen-year-old Hattie Shepherd and her husband Arthur leave Georgia for Philadelphia, hoping for a chance at a better life. She watches helplessly as her firstborn twins succumb to an illness a few pennies could have prevented. She gives birth to nine more children.

Arthur is a disappointment to her, as he works at a series of menial jobs; she was raised to believe she was better than that, and deserved more. As she becomes more and more distant, Arthur turns to other women, and Hattie herself has an affair with another man.

Each chapter of the book follows the life of one of the children, with the dysfunctional family life threads running through it.

322 pages

Audible Escape Strikes Again

So this is Nicole's fault, because she restarted our Audible Escape subscription as a Prime Day special, for 3 months for $9. Now, I feel compelled to read as many Audible romances as I can in 3 months, because obviously that's what you have to do when you get a good deal. . .

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The Foxe & the Hound

by R.S. Grey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an adorable story about opposites, with a lot of charm, a vet, and an enormous dog. So 4 stars for the overall story and an extra star for all the funny dog moments.

Pages: 330

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Imperfect Match

by Corinne Michaels

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is funny and adorable. I liked the first half better than the second half, which is pretty predictable and a bit less funny. Overall, though, it's a cute concept.

Pages: 255

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Timing by Mary Calmes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Holy hawt cowboy book! The only thing I wanted from this story was more length and a bit more depth. Otherwise, it was a great read. I enjoyed the characters and contrasts.

Pages: 232

The Last Runaway: a novel by Tracy Chevalier

Honor Bright, having been jilted by her fiancée, accompanies her sister to America, where she is to be married. It was a difficult voyage; she was ill for the entire trip, and knows she can never go back to England again. Her sister catches yellow fever and dies before they reach Ohio, where she is to be married. Honor stays with her sister's fiancée until she meets and marries Jack Haymaker.

This being 1850, and Honor being a Quaker, she becomes involved in helping runaway slaves, despite her husband's (and his family's) objections. They order her to stop hiding slaves, even threatening to take her baby away and disown her. Yet Honor must remain true to her "inner light".


353 pages

Educated : a memior by Tara Westover

Tara Westover was raised by Mormon survivalist parents at the base of a mountain in Idaho, one of seven children. The older children went to school, but as her father became more and more convinced that the government (and the medical establishment; and pretty much everyone else) was out to get them, they were no longer allowed to attend, and the younger children never went at all.

The family lived a precarious and sometimes dangerous existence, isolated from society at large. Tara was particularly close to one of her older brothers, who decided he wanted to go to college over his father's objections. When Tara was 15, he convinced her that she should also go to college. Having had very little education of any kind, she had to study on her own to pass the entrance exams, but having decided to do it, she doggedly pursued her goal, until she managed to get admitted to Brigham Young University.

As she worked, and got scholarships and got her undergraduate degree, then her Master's, and eventually a PhD, she became increasingly alienated from her family, until they no longer allowed her to come home.


336 pages

Transportation Librarianship Lit

Well, I won't be winning any awards for most exciting and adventurous reads this month, but nothing in the rules says the lovely textbooks (more or less) I've been reading don't count. So let's get that page count up!

 Using the Engineering Literature by Bonnie A. Osif

A guide to the array of resources available in the engineering field.

600 pages of unadulterated fun.

Soul Screamers Series

My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not a bad little novella to provide some backstory on the challenges of being a young banshee, though it's not really providing anything new (in terms of the storyline) if you have already read book one, other than a first hand look at some past events that were referenced in the first book.

If you like book one, and/or the MC, then you would probably be interested in at least trying this.

Pages: 61

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My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This may be more of a 3 or 3.5 star book for me, especially in terms of the overall character development of the side characters. However, the concept is unique, and the story held my attention throughout, which means I bumped it up another star. I'm going to go ahead and give book 2 a try, to see if it further grows the world or has something new to offer.

Pages: 279

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

Torn Away by Jennifer Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my second time through this book, and this time, I was reading the book with a committee hat on and a set of criteria in mind. But I still enjoyed it just as much as the first time through. It's a good Missouri story about family and overcoming tragedy, written by a Missouri author, which is a double win in my book.

Pages: 288

PREVIOUS REVIEW:

The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman

The Gollywhopper Games
by Jody Feldman

308 pages

Gil Goodson's future happiness depends on winning the Golly Toy & Game Company's ultimate competition. If Gil wins, his dad has promised that the family can move away from all the gossip, false friends, and bad press that have plagued them ever since "The Incident". Inside the toy company's fantastic headquarters, Gil will have to master trivia, solve puzzles, and complete physical stunts—and he'll have to do better than all of the other kids competing.

Oh, and did we mention that Gil's every step—and every mistake—will be broadcast on national television? Hold on tight, because the ride of his life is about to begin!

The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman

Summary: "Twelve-year-old Gil Goodson competes against thousands of other children at extraordinary puzzles, stunts, and more in hopes of a fresh start for his family, which has been ostracized since his father was falsely accused of embezzling from Golly Toy and Game Company."

The Gollywhopper Games is just pure fun! I would love to compete in such an event.

Gil is a smart, brave and endearing main character. I enjoyed his story, and it left me wanting more.

308 pages

MOBIUS | goodreads

-submitted by Laura

The Montgomerys and Armstrongs Series

Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm a sucker for Scottish historical romance. Probably it's all the accents and kilts and warring clans. This one is particularly fascinating, because the lead female is deaf, only nobody knows it. Her own family thinks she is "daft," following a head injury and illness. That brings a unique element to the story.

Pages: 373

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Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am really enjoying this series! The characters have depth, and there's a good balance of action/warfare/drama versus romance. Plus, if you listen to the Audible versions, you get delightful accents.

Pages:352

Night Terror (Supernatural #9) by John Passarella

Night Terror (Supernatural #9)
by John Passarella 

3.5/5

381 pages

Alerted to strange happenings in Clayton Falls, Colorado, Bobby sends the boys to check it out. A speeding car with no driver, a homeless man pursued by a massive Gila monster, a little boy chased by uprooted trees — it all sounds like the stuff of nightmares. The boys fight to survive a series of terrifying nighttimes, realizing that sometimes the nightmares don’t go away — even when you’re awake...

Overall, not bad.  I'm always wary of tie-in novels, especially the ones for Supernatural.  It's hard enough to write good horror fiction, but add in the pressure of using a well-loved, well-established world, and well - it's usually crappy.  This one was better than the others I've tried.  The horror element was strong and the story held my attention.  My main complaint is the extreme gore (I had to skip ahead a couple of times) and the amount of time it took S&D to figure out the problem - longer than is true to their characters. 

The show will have its last season this year, so I'm excited these novels are out there. 

Lex Martin and Leslie McAdam Books

Surprise, Baby! by Lex Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

BE AWARE: This is not book one. Goodreads doesn't have it labeled as a series, but it effectively is, IMHO. So basically, I read this book first, not knowing that, and it frequently references a previous couple and their story---which if you hate spoilers (like I do) will kind of take some of the fun out of reading the other book.

My recommendation is that you treat it like a series and start with ALL ABOUT THE D. Yes, each book could technically stand alone, but since the guys in each story play a big role as friends and side characters in each other's lives, it's better read in order,  especially if you are neurotic about hating spoilers, like I am.

Beyond that, this story is fun and funny and includes a lot of fun romance tropes, that I won't list here, due to spoilers. In my opinion, Lex Martin always delivers. As for Leslie McAdam, I don't know much about her, but I may have to check out some of her other books.

Pages: 359

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All About the D by Lex Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story has an amusing concept that you think would be a bit crass but somehow manages to be completely charming. I liked that. It was a nice change of pace for the romance world.

Pages: 383

Homesick by Kate Klise

Homesick by Kate Klise
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Nope. Could have been a great story, but it just isn't. Last 1/4 of the book is ridiculous.

I do love the MC, Benny, and some of the side characters are equally charming. Most of my frustrations lie with how mental health issues were handled throughout, and I extremely dislike the selfish, delusional, and neglectful mother who behaves like a small child having a tantrum right up until the end of the story and nobody ever does anything to call her out on it.

What I really wanted was for social services to remove Benny from the reach of his incapable and neglectful parents.

I don't have the energy to rehash everything else that frustrated me about this story, so it's just a no on this.

Pages: 192

Homesick by Kate Klise

Summary: "Benny's parents are getting divorced, his mom left and his father has become a hoarder, to make matters worse his hometown has been entered into a contest, and now the pressure is on to get the house cleaned up."

A short and interesting story set in Missouri in 1983. Benny is a great main character, but deserves better treatment from his parents!

180 pages

MOBIUS | goodreads

-submitted by Laura

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a good, solid read, and honestly, if I hadn't previously read and loved A MAN CALLED OVE, then I possibly would have given this book 5 stars. It's just that in comparison, the other story is a much stronger character study than this is, which makes this book feel almost like an imitation or copy.

Overall, I did enjoy both reads in their own way. The story of Ove has a lot more humor and charm, and the story of Truluv leans more towards the sentimental side of things. It would be interesting for people to read them back to back and compare, though I do think if I had done that, then it might have led to a lower score for Truluv. However, it would have made for interesting discussion, since there are so many similarities between the two stories.

If you're thinking about reading both, I recommend you start with this, then follow up with A MAN CALLED OVE. Then you can just appreciate this for what it is and the charm that it has, without having to compare the two, as once compared, I feel Ove comes out on top.

Pages: 240

Timeless (Parasol Protectorate #5) by Gail Carriger

Timeless (Parasol Protectorate #5)
by Gail Carriger

5/5

407 pages

Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a dampener on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?

What an excellent conclusion to this series.  I'm so sad it's over!  Thankfully, there is a series after this one which features her daughter.  Onward!

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Under a Painted Sky
by Stacey Lee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Still fantastic!

PREVIOUS REVIEW:

Homesick by Kate Klise

Homesick
by Kate Klise

192 pages

Benny's parents are splitting up. His mom leaves home after a fight about a mysterious splinter that is rumored to be part of an important relic. Benny's dad has always liked clutter, but now, he begins hoarding everything from pizza boxes to old motorcycle parts.

As his house grows more cluttered and his father grows more distant, Benny tries to sort out whether he can change anything at all. Meanwhile, a local teacher enters their quiet Missouri town in America's Most Charming Small Town contest, and the pressure is on to clean up the area, especially Benny's ramshackle of a house, before the out-of-town guests arrive.

Mascot by Antony John

Summary: "Noah Savino has been stuck in a wheelchair for months. He hates the way people treat him like he's helpless now. He's sick of going to physical therapy, where he isn't making any progress. He's tired of not having control over his own body. And he misses playing baseball--but not as much as he misses his dad, who died in the car accident that paralyzed Noah. Noah is scared he'll never feel like his old self again. He doesn't want people to think of him as different for the rest of his life. With the help of family and friends, he'll have to throw off the mask he's been hiding behind and face the fears that have kept him on the sidelines if he ever wants to move forward."

I adored this book! The story is sweet, sentimental, emotional, funny, relatable and just all the things! 

The St. Louis setting comes across as real and authentic. The plot is emotional without being over-the-top. The family dynamics are heartfelt and diverse. The cast of characters are real, dynamic and deep. 

330 pages

MOBIUS | goodreads

submitted by Laura

A Good American by Alex George

A Good American by Alex George
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is another Missouri read by a Missouri author. It had a captivating start and then quickly went downhill for me. From what I can tell, it’s a polarizing read. People seem to either love it or hate it. Unfortunately, I lean more towards the hate it side of things.

First 1/4 = 4 stars
Comments:
Good start. Frederick and Jetta charmed me. The voice is strong, and the writing is solid. I thought this was going to be a fascinating read.

Second 1/4 = 2 stars
Comments:  

Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4) by Gail Carriger

Heartless (Parasol Protectorate #4)
by Gail Carriger

4/5

374 pages

Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?

The fun continues!  Thoroughly enjoyed. 

Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well-written murder mystery that looks at both race and love as motivators for crime. A hate crime in his home state of Texas inspires a star law student to make a career shift and become a Texas Ranger. Years later he his tasked with solving two murders which appear to be racially motivated. Is it ok to let sleeping dogs lie or better to unearth the truth?

320 pages

Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen by Niki Lenz

Summary: "Bernice Buttman is tired of being labeled a 'bully,' so when her mom leaves her with her aunt, who is a nun, Bernice decides to mend her ways and become a model citizen."

Set in Kansas City and Halfway, Missouri, Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen is a fun and hilarious story. Bernice has spunk and spirit in spades. Her home life is rough, and she begins the book as a bully. However, after she moves in with her aunt in a convent, Bernice starts to turn her life around.  

Bernice loves cheese balls, and rightly so!

228 pages

MOBIUS | goodreads

Submitted by Laura

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

The Story of Arthur Truluv
by Elizabeth Berg

240 pages

A moving novel about three people who find their way back from loss and loneliness to a different kind of happiness. Arthur, a widow, meets Maddy, a troubled teenage girl who is avoiding school by hiding out at the cemetery, where Arthur goes every day for lunch to have imaginary conversations with his late wife, and think about the lives of others. The two strike up a friendship that draws them out of isolation. Maddy gives Arthur the name Truluv, for his loving and positive responses to every outrageous thing she says or does. With Arthur’s nosy neighbor Lucille, they create a loving and unconventional family, proving that life’s most precious moments are sweeter when shared.

Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2) by Gail Carriger

Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2)
by Gail Carriger

4/5

374 pages

Alexia Maccon, the Lady Woolsey, awakens in the wee hours of the mid-afternoon to find her husband, who should be decently asleep like any normal werewolf, yelling at the top of his lungs. Then he disappears; leaving her to deal with a regiment of supernatural soldiers encamped on her doorstep, a plethora of exorcised ghosts, and an angry Queen Victoria.

But Alexia is armed with her trusty parasol, the latest fashions, and an arsenal of biting civility. So even when her investigations take her to Scotland, the backwater of ugly waistcoats, she is prepared: upending werewolf pack dynamics as only the soulless can. She might even find time to track down her wayward husband, if she feels like it.

CHANGELESS is the second book of the Parasol Protectorate series: a comedy of manners set in Victorian London, full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking. 

Gail Carriger's books are some of my guilty pleasures.  I adore the over-the-top victorianness of it all.  It's supernatural, mysterious, and all sorts of proper.  :)

The Rose & the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh

The Rose & the Dagger by Renée Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A good finale to an interesting duology. This is a YA fantasy retelling of Arabian Nights. The setting is lush and intoxicating, and there's plenty of action, deception, drama, and suspense.

Pages: 416

PREVIOUS REVIEW:

Bettyville by George Hodgman

Bettyville by George Hodgman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating memoir with a really solid and authentic Missouri setting. I know most of the places spoken of and found the depictions to be quite accurate and well-rounded.

Pages: 279

Deacon Locke Went to Prom by Brian Katcher

Deacon Locke Went to Prom
by Brian Katcher

400 pages

Promposals are taking over Deacon Locke’s high school and there is no place left to hide. But even with graduation looming, shy and unusually tall Deacon doesn’t think he can get up the nerve to ask anyone to the dance. Especially given all the theatrics.

It isn’t until Deacon confides in his witty and outgoing best friend Jean that he realizes she could be a great person to take. Only problem is Jean isn’t your typical prom date. She’s older. A lot older. And she’s Deacon’s grandmother.

But when Deacon meets Soraya—a girl unlike any other he’s ever met—he fears he has totally squandered his chances of having a prom he’ll never forget. Deacon couldn’t be more wrong. About everything.

Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting by David Reed

Bobby Singer's Guide to Hunting
by David Reed

4.5/5

272 pages

My name is Bobby Singer. In twenty-four hours I’m gonna lose my memory. So here’s everything you need to know.

Monsters, demons, angels, vampires, the boogeyman under your bed: I’ve seen it, I’ve hunted it, I’ve killed it. I’m not the only hunter out here, but there aren’t as many as there used to be. Not near as many as there need to be. I’ve learned everything I can about every damned critter that walks, crawls, or flies, and I’m not gonna let that all be for nothing. I’m not going down without a fight. I’m not letting everything I’ve learned disappear. So that’s what you’re holding in your hands—everything I know. Anything that’d be useful for Sam, Dean, and the hunters that come after me.

It’s a guide to hunting...it’s a guide to me. My last will and testament. Ya idjits.

This was a fun read and was true to the characters.  I love the show, and Bobby is a favorite, so it was really awesome to go on another adventure and get some back story from him. 

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Painfully beautiful" (New York Times Book Review) is the perfect description of this coming of age story set in the NC lowcountry. The author, who has a PhD in zoology, reveals the laws of nature and asks the reader to consider whether these laws apply to humans as well. Readers who enjoyed The Glass Castle will enjoy this book.

368 pages