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)


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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.

"Crash & Burn" by Abigail Roux

The is the ninth and final book in the "Cut & Run" series, and it finds FBI Special Agent in Charge Zane Garrett overseeing the Baltimore office while his fiance, former FBI Special Agent Ty Grady, rehabs the old building they bought into a book store.  But all hell breaks loose when Ty's best friend and fellow member of Marine Force Recon team Sidewinder shows up at their house injured and on the run.  This leads to Zane, Ty, one of their former enemies, and the rest of the Sidewinder team trying to dodge the Vega cartel and others who want them all dead.

I'm sad to see the end of this series, but Roux gives the boys an action packed send off in style.  Ty's entire family and part of Zane's make appearances, with Ty's grandpa making a memorable show of taking on the bad guys in West Virginia.  Zane and Ty's chemistry is still at full throttle with no signs of the hate part of their love/hate relationship that characterized so many of the books.  Roux has done an excellent job of wrapping up the series; I will really miss these awesome, original, and action packed stories with two of my favorite fictional characters who finally get their happy ending.  352 pages (Kindle edition).

"Widdershins" by Jordan L. Hawk

Percival Endicott Whyborne is a young philologist who speaks 13 languages (but reads more) and studies ancient texts at the Ladysmith Museum in Widdershins, MA, during the end of the 19th century.  He tries to keep to himself as he is shy and feels homely and clumsy, but when his skills are required to help an ex-Pinkerton detective with a murder investigation, he must leave his office and his comfort zone to do so.  However, this turns into a much bigger and more dangerous case involving a cult stretching back centuries.  Griffin Flaherty, the detective, must convince Whyborne to overcome his many fears to help him defeat the evil sorcerer and the monsters he has created.  Whyborne's best (and only) friend is fellow scholar Dr. Christine Putnam, a strong and likable woman who helps the men with their investigation at crucial times.

This is an exciting, original, and imaginative story with adventure, romance, action, and more.  Both Whyborne and Griffin have interesting back stories that are pertinent to the story and make them richer characters.  The descriptions of the monsters that the cult creates are effective but not overly gross or disgusting.  I really enjoyed the story and hope to read more in the "Whyborne & Griffin" series.  There is also a kitty.  226 (Kindle edition).

"My Bleeding Heart" by Melissa Graves

Vampires are real in this first book in the "Mi Corazon Sagrante" series.  Kyle is one of them.  He is nineteen but was turned involuntarily at sixteen.  After accidentally killing someone, he runs to an unnamed city where he meets Brian Preston.  Brian works at a government clinic that feeds and monitors vampires while also studying to be a doctor who specializes in vampire medicine.  They are smitten with each other but know that they will face obstacles, not only because they are gay but because Brian is human.  

This is a good story with an interesting premise, but the oddest part is that it is told in the present tense, which threw me a bit.  It ends with a build up to the next book in the series.  172 pages (Kindle edition).

"That Eighteenth Summer" by Raine O'Tierney

This is the story of Oliver Hannigan, who has just graduated from high school and plans to join the military like his older brother, Benjam, did five years earlier.  However, word comes that spring that Benjam has been killed on duty oversees; this changes Oliver's life in many ways.  His parents both go a little crazy, and his mom begs him not to follow in his brother's footsteps.  And the arrival of Benjam's best friend from the Army adds to Oliver's complications.

This was a well written coming-of-age story, which takes part in Oklahoma and Missouri.  Oliver is forced to grow up quickly after the death of his only sibling, and the author makes him credible and sympathetic.  174 pages (Kindle edition).

The Purity of Vengeance: A Department Q Novel, By Jussi Adler-Olsen

In this Department Q novel, Detective Carl Mørck is presented the case of a brothel owner, Rita, who went missing in the 1980s.  His assistants, Assad and Rose uncover evidence that several people went missing during the same weekend, which arouses Carl's interest in the case. Like peeling an onion, the uncover layer upon layer of evidence, and the case brings them closer and closer to Curt Wad, who was once a young surgeon involved in a movement to sterilize young women, and who is now leader of a political movement calling for racial purity.  It is an intriguing case that nearly costs Assad and Carl their own lives.
528 pages, translated from Danish

The Scam by Janet Evanovich with Lee Goldberg

Summary: "Nicolas Fox is a charming con man and master thief on the run. Kate O'Hare is the FBI agent who is hot on his trail. At least that's what everyone thinks. In reality, Fox and O'Hare are secretly working together to bring down super-criminals the law can't touch. Criminals like brutal casino magnate Evan Trace."

The Scam is the 4th book in the Fox and O'Hare series, and it lived up to expectations! It almost seemed too short because it moved so quickly that it was over too fast! I love the Nick and Kate dynamic more and more. However, The Scam ends on a cliffhanger, which was quite frustrating! Can't wait to find out what happens next!


286 pages

Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World, by Tony Wagner

How do we foster innovation, curiosity, and problem solving skills in our children?  In order to grow the U.S. economy, different approaches are needed to develop a generation of innovators.  To investigate how to develop these skills, Wagner identified and interviewed a variety of young people who exhibit the skills of innovators. He uses their stories to identify common themes in their backgrounds; specifically a penchant for play, which develops into pursuing a passion, and is applied with purpose. He then compares what helped these young people to develop into innovators with the typical family and academic background.  In particular, he describes how our current educational system drives the creativity out of students in favor of teaching to the test.  His interviews with the parents of these young people is particularly interesting, as the parents all realized that their children did best when they were allowed to unleash their curiosity, but they often did not do very well in school.  There are many thought-provoking concepts here, particularly for parents, educators, and librarians.  251 pages.

The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Summary: "Violet, a poor girl from the outer city, finds forbidden romance and uncovers brutal secrets when, after three years of training, she is purchased by a royal family as a surrogate mother for royal children." 

The Jewel is the first book in this series (not sure how many there will be) by Amy Ewing. The second book, The White Rose, came out on October 6, 2015. The Jewel ends with a ridiculous cliff-hanger, so definitely have both books to read at the same time! 

I enjoyed the beginning of the book a lot; it's like a combination of The Hunger Games and The Selection, and Violet proves to be a powerful and worthy heroine. The love interest leaves something to be desired, however, as he doesn't feel natural or organic to the story told up to his appearance. However, I can't wait to get my hands on the next book! 

358 pages

Moonlight Mile by Dennie LeHane

A gritty mystery featuring a husband and wife team of private investigators, Kenzie and Gennaro.  This is the sixth in a series by Lehane. The team is asked to search for Amanda McCready, a sixteen year old who has gone missing.  The twist is that Amanda had been kidnapped at age four, found by the investigators, and returned to her neglectful mother.  They take up the new search at the request of Amanda's aunt, who had kidnapped Amanda at age four to remove her from her mother's negative influence.  The search leads them into the underworld of Boston, peopled with identity thieves, meth dealers, crime bosses and the Russian mafia.  Plenty of plot twists, including a second disappearance of one of Amanda's friends, keep the plot moving to its violent conclusion.  368 pages

The Substitute by Denise Grover Swank

Summary: "Megan Vandemeer meant to tell her parents about her broken engagement, but a month and a half later she finds herself boarding a plane home to her wedding. Having stretched avoidance to its limits, it's time to come clean--a terrifying prospect since her mother is sure to blame her rather than her cheating, emotionally frigid ex. A couple of drinks and two Dramamine later, Megan finds herself spilling her sob story to the tall, dark, and handsome stranger in the seat next to her. With only one week left to save his business, Josh McMillan boards a plane to Kansas City in a last-ditch effort, leaving the details to chance. An unexpected answer is delivered in the form of the beautiful brunette beside him."

The Substitute is the first book in The Wedding Pact series, and I initially picked it up after seeing that it takes place in Kansas City, MO! Overall, I enjoyed the book, but the pacing was a bit weird. It had a ton of detail packed into the beginning of the book, but then sped through the juicy stuff at the end. I liked the characters, and I'm excited to read the next two books which focus on Megan's friends, Libby and Blair. The three girls made a pact about their weddings when they were younger, hence the name of the series. 


364 pages

The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

Summary: "While working part-time as a barista in a Chicago coffee bar, high school senior Jane dabbles in matchmaking after observing the coffee preferences of her customers."

I have a special place in my heart for baristas and coffee, so I jumped at the chance to read this little book about finding true love in a coffee shop. It's short, sweet and simple. 

184 pages