Robert Ludlum's The Janus Reprisal by Jamie Freveletti

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Middle East terrorists, American financier.  Story involves stolen hundreds of million dollars and biological attack on the United States.

Audio:  11 hrs. 20 min.
Print:  480 pages

Ensnared by A.G. Howard

Ensnared by A.G. Howard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Category/Genre: YA Fantasy

Ensnared is book 3 in the Splintered series, which is a dark, fractured retelling of Alice in Wonderland. This book marks the end of the series, which is disappointing, only because I was wrapped up in the gorgeous, twisted world. The series has excellent world building, and the characters show a lot of growth throughout. I will remain hopeful for a companion series that takes place in the distant future. 

I recommend this series on audiobook, as the reader is excellent. 

Unabridged Audiobook

• Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel
• Length: 13 hrs and 28 mins
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Paperback Length: 416 pages

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert is an eye-opening look at the impact humans have had and continue to have on Earth. The 2015 Pulitzer Prize winner for nonfiction, The Sixth Extinction begins by chronicling a history of the world in which five prior mass extinctions have occurred, either by climate change or by catastrophe. Notable scientists she discusses include Georges Cuvier and Charles Darwin. The sixth extinction, occurring in the current day, may turn out to be one of the more devastating to Earth's organisms, and it is the discussion of this that makes up the greater part of this text. Traveling around the globe, Kolbert visited several locations and spoke with dozens of scientists over the course of a few years while compiling the information for this book. Each scientist she spoke to gave evidence for a mass extinction as something already in progress. Exploring everything from worldwide amphibian endangerment to coral reefs to non-human apes, Kolbert builds the case and questions what will become of humans in the end. Meant to be a wake-up call to all homo sapiens, The Sixth Extinction is sobering in nature, yet shows the hard work and dedication of those of us who do work to preserve what is left of the endangered species of all Earthly organisms. A very necessary read for any homo sapien. 319 pp.

"Time and Tide" by E.M. Lindsey

This lovely story starts in 1897 when William Owens returns to Maryland after graduating from Oxford to find himself engaged to a woman he's never met.  His overbearing mother has arranged it, and he doesn't have the courage to say no.  However, he soon meets a blind, French writer, Theodore Renard, who changes Will's life in drastic ways.  But with a pregnant and miserable wife and a job he hates, Will must stand up to his mother and be his true self in order to be happy. 

This is the first book that I have read by this author and found it to flow very well with two very strong and empathetic main characters.  I can't explain more about the story without giving away major plot points, but I'll just say that I really liked the writing and the characters of Theo and Will.  203 pages (Kindle edition).

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ignite Me is the third and final book in the Shatter Me series. It was a well-done and satisfying conclusion to the series. Juliette finally connects her inner strength and resolve with her supernatural ability in a gratifying way. She is a flawed heroine, but she learns from her mistakes. Warner's character grows into one of the most memorable and exciting YA book heroes that I've read in a long time. He isn't a carbon copy of most YA protagonists, which is refreshing. 

I didn't want the book or the series to end, but I suppose all good things must come to an end. I'm looking forward to more books by Tahereh Mafi.

408 pages

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me picks up right at the end of Shatter Me, and Juliette and Adam find themselves in a precarious situation. The tone of the books switch in this second installment, to more of a Hunger Games-type underground revolution story. Juliette finally learns more about her "curse" and that she might actually be able to do some good with it. 

I enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to see what happens next in Ignite Me!

(I don't know why the title image won't work for this book).

461 pages

The Crossing by Michael Connelly

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Detective Harry Bosch helps defense attorney Mickey Haller catch crooked policemen and save an innocent they are accusing of murder.

Audio:  9 hrs. 26 min.
Print:  400 pages

Unhinged by A.G. Howard

Unhinged by A.G. Howard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This YA fantasy novel is part of the Splintered series, which is a dark and twisted retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Since Unhinged is the second book in the series, I won’t discuss any specifics, to avoid spoilers for book one.

However, it was fantastic, and I have become a bit obsessed with the world and characters. I look forward to reading book 3, especially since book 2 ends on a cliff-hanger. These stories are really creative, and Rebecca Gibel is an excellent reader.

Audiobook: Unabridged
Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel
Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins

Print Length: 416 pages (paperback)


View all my reviews

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Beloved by Toni Morrison was actually a reread for me, but I hadn't read it in about 10 years, so there were a lot of things I had forgotten.

A Pulitzer Prize winner from 1988, there is much to praise in this book. The storytelling is superb and the imagery and description are really well done. I did have a problem with the author changing voice in the second part of the novel. This happens abruptly and in the middle of a chapter. This is something I tell my writing students to avoid, and I am not certain what Morrison's goal was in doing this. Apparently, if she did have a motive it went right over my head, which is not something an author ever really wants. She stays in first person through several episodes before returning to third person after an episode break.

The story is of an ex-slave, Sethe, and her love of her children in spite of warnings from Paul D. to never love anything too much. The story takes place primarily in the 1870s with flashbacks to the pre-Civil War era. Sethe was on a farm in Kentucky, ironically called Sweet Home, along with 5 other slaves, all male. Sweet Home was unique in its treatment of slaves in that they were treated more humanely than other places. However, no matter how humane the treatment, Morrison is quick to point out that slavery is still slavery and there is nothing good that can come from it.

During the course of a story, a strange young woman appears on the trunk of an old tree one evening outside of Sethe's house. The story follows this young woman and the inhabitants of the house as they unravel her mysterious origins. Her name, Beloved, is the only information she gives them when she first enters the house.

The flashbacks Morrison employs are virtually seamless and flow really well with the rest of the story. Morrison paints a bleak picture of what post-Civil War life was like for freed and escaped slaves alike. 324 pp.

The promise by Robert Crais

Elvis Cole is back on the case with his silent partner Joe Pike, and his military contractor friend Jon Stone.  This time out, Elvis is asked to find Amy Breslyn, an explosives engineer who has been behaving strangely since the death of her son in a terrorist attack. Elvis starts his investigation by checking out a house in Echo Park.  He walks into the middle of a police pursuit and almost gets shot.  The police officer who doesn't shoot him is Scott James, the hero of Crais's earlier book Suspect. Officer James decides to help Elvis find Amy after the real suspect tries to poison James's K-9 partner Maggie. Sound complicated? It is! This book starts off fast and the action keeps on rolling.  A great suspense read and anyone who's been to LA or Pasadena will love all the references to places like Union Station, Vroman's Bookstore, Bellefontaine Street, Glendale, Silver Lake, Encino, and the freeways!  402 pages.

Splintered by A.G. Howard

Splintered by A.G. Howard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This rich, imagery-filled YA Fantasy novel is a fractured version of the Alice In Wonderland tale, set in modern times but with a magical underland. It is full of action, adventure, and character growth, both internal and external in this case.

Typically, I don’t love to read a ton of setting or description, unless it’s well done, but in this story, it’s excellent and crucial to the world building. Howard brings a dark, magical underland to life with vivid settings, bizarre creatures, and outlandish clothing. It is imaginative, bright, and bold, despite the creepy undertones.

I listened on audiobook, which I highly recommend. The reader is excellent, and there is something about this story that sounds so gorgeous. The words and scenes flow beautifully, even when things have gone terribly awry.

If you love Alice in Wonderland, you will enjoy the imaginative twists and turns. If you hate Alice In Wonderland, then rest assured this is a very different story with a very clever plot.

Audiobook: Unabridged
Narrated by: Rebecca Gibel
Length: 12 hrs and 46 mins

Print Length: 400 pages (paperback)

Louisiana Power & Light by John Dufresne

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Billy Wayne Fontana comes from a long line of eccentrics and a town where everything and everybody seems to be dysfunctional.

Audio:  8 hrs. 37 min.

Print:  320 pages

Tricky Twenty-Two by Janet Evanovich

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

He is developing a plague on the college campus, kidnapping people. When the case is solved, the words to remember are:  never mistrust maternal rage.

Audio:  6 hrs. 30 min.

Print:  304 pages

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Summary: "Ostracized or incarcerated her whole life, seventeen-year-old Juliette is freed on the condition that she use her horrific abilities in support of The Reestablishment, a post-apocalyptic dictatorship, but Adam, the only person ever to show her affection, offers hope of a better future."

I had heard and seen a lot about this series, but it wasn't quite what I expected. The writing style is quite different, as it frequently includes crossed out lines like: 

"I know my parents never bothered to say good bye. I know I didn't cry as I was taken away. I know the sky falls down every day." 

The rules of punctuation and paragraphs are fast and loose, which might be confusing or disconcerting in some instances. 

Juliette is incredibly powerful, but she doesn't know the extent of her power. I enjoyed the Juliette's inner-thoughts and the story overall. I look forward to reading the next books! 

338 pages

Tricky Twenty Two by Janet Evanovich

Summary: "Something big is brewing in Trenton, N.J., and it could blow at any minute. Stephanie Plum might not be the world's greatest bounty hunter, but she knows when she's being played. Ken Globovic (aka Gobbles), hailed as the Supreme Exalted Zookeeper of the animal house known as Zeta fraternity, has been arrested for beating up the dean of students at Kiltman College. Gobbles has missed his court date and gone into hiding. People have seen him on campus, but no one will talk. Things just aren't adding up, and Stephanie can't shake the feeling that something funny is going on at the college--and it's not just Zeta fraternity pranks."

I loved this installment of the Stephanie Plum series! It had all the best qualities from the other books, but it could have used a little more Grandma Mazur! Lula was hilarious as usual; she is one of the best book characters of all time. Stephanie continues to be a funny, imperfect, brave and haphazard heroine. 

292 pages

"The Healing Touch: The Proven Massage Program for Dogs and Cats" by Dr. Michael W. Fox

I read this book to learn the correct techniques for massaging my cats.  In addition to being a veterinarian, the author is a trained masseur and transferred what he learned for humans onto our feline and canine companions.  Dr. Fox goes through simplified explanations of the skeletal systems, internal organs, major muscles, and major lymph gland locations, and some of the diagnostic pain points of cats and dogs.  He describes different types of massage, when they should be used, and where.  I've tried some of the techniques on my own cats while they are sitting on my lap to various degrees of success (and failure).  Overall, pet parents will find the book helpful and easy to understand.  151 pages.

Make Me by Lee Child

(Posted for Paul Mathews)

Out in the middle of an Oklahoma wheat field is a train stop.  The train did not bring the man she was looking for, but Jack Reacher did get off the train.  They are being observed by people who want to know why they are out there.

Print:  432 pages

Audio:  14 hrs. 5 min.

Hospice voices: lessons for living at the end of life by Eric Lindner

Anyone who has experienced the hospice care of a loved one knows it is an unforgettable experience.  I picked up this book hoping to get a glimpse of other folks' experiences.  Eric Lindner volunteered to be a hospice companion and then wrote about his experiences with several patient families. The first problem I had with the book was its organization.  I imagine Mr. Lindner struggled with how to tell his story in a meaningful way.  He decided to write a chapter about  the lesson he learned from each patient.  I found this structure confusing because he was often volunteering with several patients simultaneously.  For example, Bob Zimmerman, his first patient, passes away at the end of the second chapter but Lindner mentions him, as still living,  in later chapters.  I think the book might have worked better for me if it had been arranged chronologically rather than thematically.  I did like that he included photos of his patients that captured the essence of their personalities.  The photos helped me to see that his patients were not just deaths-in-waiting but vital personages who had lived full lives. 211 pages.