When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn

When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved McDunn's book about the special bond between a brother and sister. Bex and Davey love exploring the salt marsh every summer; when they find a hand of a sculpture sticking out of the water mystery abounds as this duo deal with the drought, the purchase of their beloved marsh, and how each strengthens the other. I loved each and every word in this middle grade stunner. Characters were real, the setting--gorgeous even though there is a drought and the plot so strong, magical, beautiful and sad. A must read for all!

View all my reviews

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Casey Ciocca for lending me this book! It is also going to be our Albright College Zoom Book Club for April. This debut is a must read! The book starts with a huge mystery that is uncovered very slowly, rocking Bennie & Byron's world and everything they knew and believed. This book awesomely covers many years, many different characters, and many different plots yet Wilkerson weaves them seamlessly. The mysteries and betrayals as they are uncovered are mind altering---what will happen to Benny & Byron plus all the other characters that will be affected by the truth----too long in coming. Will Byron & Benny survive the audiotape their mother dictated before her death. A must read!


View all my reviews

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by a very capable cast- Clare Corbett , Daphne Kouma , Julia Winwood , Sope Dirisu , Sofia Zervudachi , Charlie Anson I was gripped chapter by chapter as Jess arrives in Paris to stay with her brother Ben and he is not there after leaving her a message he will be there to let her in. Then the suspense, uncertainty, and horror begin! I loved Jess, she was a mess yet strong, with good instincts yet a life that was anything but easy. Now she doesn't know where her brother is and all the occupants in the Paris apartment are strange, mysterious and scary---warning her away, locking her in rooms, and being very uncooperative. I loved the sinister way the story progressed and never expected how Jess would stumble upon the truth---with no money, no one to trust, and just a single minded belief she must find her brother! Loved this latest mystery from Lucy Foley!


View all my reviews

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthis Hand

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have so enjoyed listening to Cynthia Hand's Lady Janes series!!! Boy was this book sad, devastating, but redemptive as Lex suffers heart stopping grief after her younger brother shoots himself. She breaks up with her boyfriend (and they really worked as a couple), she does not hang out with her girlfriends anymore, and she She sees a therapist who also asks her to write about it and then gift it to someone to read. Since their father left, her brother has never forgiven him for leaving. As Lexie sinks further into her depression, the reader will root for her to finds answers in the many ways she tries---an old friend reappearing, the ghost of Ty visiting her, and getting into MIT---and I wish Lexie forgives herself, moves forward with her brother's blessing, and chooses life over grief. A must read for its authentic, stunning portrayal of the effects of suicide on family, friends and society.

View all my reviews

Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations, #1 by B.B. Alston

Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This author debut was compulsively readable and I read it for the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge. Amari is a 13-year-old, devastated by the loss of her missing brother, and being bullied at school. Amari is determined to try to find her brother, especially when law enforcement has no leads and thinks Quinton has succumb to the dangerous life of their rundown urban neighborhood. Quinton has always been Amari’s best friend and his reputation for excellence in every facet of his life propels Amari to join Quinton’s summer leadership camp; but what a surprise awaits when Amari finds out this camp is supernatural. Alston’s worldbuilding is awesome with the different aspects of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs; departments, illusions, faeries, werewolves, yetis, snakes and the magical sides of the kids. I rooted for Amari as she is maligned because her magic is considered “black” and many do not want to give her a chance. She learns more about her magic from her partner, Dylan, and roommate Elsie. Readers will be turning the pages with the illusions, magic, creatures, and tests, as Amari and her competitors fight for their place as Junior Agents. I enjoyed the action driven plot, authentic characters, good vs evil and Amari’s growth, resilience, and honesty. I can’t wait for the 2nd book in the series! Highly recommended.

View all my reviews

Damage Control by Robert Dugoni

Damage Control by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Christopher Lane, this Robert Dugoni stand alone delved into breast cancer, spousal abuse, and grief. Dugoni's mysteries always keep me turning the pages and this book did not disappoint with Dana whose twin brother is murdered, her marriage is falling apart, who just gets better and better as the book evolves. She becomes a kick ass heroine who is not afraid to find out who killed her brother. And I loved just as much, Michael Logan who is the smart detective investigating Dana's brother's murder. Logan is a good, honest detective who is able to talk Dana into being a hero without getting herself killed. I could not stop listening to this awesome audiobook!

View all my reviews

Sol Invictus (The Eye of Ra, #2) by Ben Gartner

Sol Invictus by Ben Gartner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kudos to the awesomeness of this 2nd book in The Eye of Ra series, written by Ben Gartner. The pulse pounding momentum of John and Sarah's adventures continue with the siblings landing in ancient Rome given the daunting task of bringing enemies together and saving the world. Readers will love the Roman gladiators in the ring, fighting with swords and spears. John still wears the pendant of Ra around his neck but others want that pendant and try to steal it. Gartner's new characters comprise the many peoples of ancient Rome; slaves, gods, venatores, gladiators, soldiers, barbarians, kings and princesses. A young boy, Crocus, saves them from becoming slaves of the Emperor Constantius and then oh do the adventures begin! I loved this second book so much and will be waiting in suspense to see where Joan and Sarah's travels take them!

View all my reviews

Mockingbird by Katherine Erskine

Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caitlin has Asperger's Syndrome, has lost her brother, and her father can't seem to understand or help her now that Devon is gone. I liked the way Erskine showed Caitlin's side of things, like trying to find closure, dealing with the bully Josh and then his befriending of her little friend, Michael. I liked the school counselor so much and the way she worked hard but honestly with Caitlin. This is the kind of book students, teachers and counselors need to read; it is not one size fits all, it is an honest, messy look at a girl trying to figure things out (she sees black and white in things) and realizing she can do it!

View all my reviews

The Wild Path by Sarah R. Baughman

The Wild Path by Sarah R. Baughman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to @sarahrbaughman, #BookJunkies, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for allowing me to be an early reader of The Wild Path by awesome author, Sarah Baughman, in exchange for an honest review. Oh, did I love this book! I read this sad, ultimately hopeful middle grade novel in one day which crushed me and pulled me back to a positive place; I could not put it down! Readers will love Claire; how she deals with the loss of her brother, Andy, the angst of the support meetings she must attend, her quest to find out more about twelve-year-old Jack Hamilton and his horses, and her resolve to win first place in her History Project to save her beloved horses. Claire is truthful, introspective, and doing her best to weather a storm. With parents who care but are dealing with their fear for their son and their inability to pay bills, Claire understands but fears life without her beloved horses, Sunny and Sam. Sarah Baughman’s detail to plot and characters dealing with challenges, the depth of these characters, the beauty of nature, tackling drug addiction and family dynamics, proves this is an authentic book. Claire’s epic struggles with family issues, how she deals with her grief and pain while her brother is in rehab, the imminent loss of her beloved horses and finding an old box containing mysteries, and maybe answers, make this a must-read book!

View all my reviews

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook was awesomely narrated by Polly Stone! My heart ached for Christina and her brother, Al but they loved their home, family, and each other during a life that gave her happiness, physical pain with her arms and legs, and her friendship with Betsy and Andrew Wyeth. Andy was quirky, shy, quiet but driven to paint and paint he did---he literally takes over the upper rooms of Christina and Andy's home and prodigiously paints their farm, Christina and Andy in their normal routine. I loved this foursome, Andrew Wyeth and bubbly Betsy his friendly, outspoken, kind wife and Christina and Al who the reader sees grow up with a taciturn father and cold mother, assorted brothers, relatives, and the people of their shore town in Maine. With a view of history, a small farming community, and the life and personalities of Christina and her brother, Kline moved this reader with her words, characters, history of the times, and how the beauty of art rescues Christina and her world.

View all my reviews

Jackpot by Nic Stone

Jackpot by Nic Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again, Nic Stone has crafted 2 protagonists I won't ever forget. Rico (love that name!!!) is a mixed race teen who holds a job, watches her brother, Jax, after school and has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Why? Her single mom, has them living above their means, won't apply for any kind of assistance or insurance, and she has health issues too so whenever she gets sick, Rico has to double up on making money. Why? Because Rico and her mom are responsible for the bills and rent. My heart broke for Rico but she is one tough girl. When she sells a lottery ticket to an old woman who shares 1 with Rico and then the winning ticket is purchased at this Gas n Go, Rico makes a decision. She is going to find that woman and share in the lottery proceeds. But to do this involves Rico from going invisible at her high school to asking for help from Zander, popular, crushworthy and rich. What follows kept me turning the pages; because as Rico keeps to herself her crushing on Zan; Zan is totally into following Rico on her schemes to find the old woman. I loved how Zan and Rico get to know each other, confide things to each other they have never confided to others, and realize maybe they have things in common. Nic Stone has written a must read about family issues, poverty, choices, and stereotypes. Loved this book, these characters and their world so much!

View all my reviews

Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn

Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a beautiful book! So many of my librarian friends recommended this book; and now I see why; it is so special, absorbing, and important reading. Chicken and his sister, Cat held me captive; their author mother is so busy after the death of her husband and Cat and Chicken's father; she misses that she has heaped even more responsibility on Cat, watching her brother, fearing for his safety and getting in trouble with her mother and giving up many opportunities to be a kid. That changes when a summer trip must be cancelled due to a family emergency; Chicken and Cat will spend three with their grandparents--who they have never met. The beauty of the island, figuring out her grandparents, making friends, and learning so may new things, like fishing are embraced by Cat and Chicken, forever changing them both. This is a MUST READ!

View all my reviews

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved listening to Tom Hanks superlative narration of The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. I live very close to Elkins Park, and my best friend in high school lived in Jenkintown; so any mention of places in and around this area brought back fond memories. And since my father was in real estate, I understood intimately how Danny's Dad made his living. I really loved the story but I despised Danny and Maeve's Dad for his distant role in their lives. I could not fathom why a house (that particular house) would chase away their mother. She left a husband, 2 children, and a house filled with staff because she hated the house and even worse wanted to go help people in the world---I did not once ever think she was a saint (I was on Danny's side). Maeve almost dies when her mother leaves, she misses her so much she goes into a deep depression. I loved the way brave, brash Maeve took over the role of mother to Danny. It was the insinuation of Andrea and later her marriage (and her 2 children) to their father that really rocks their world. When their father dies tragically ---Andrea boots them out of the house (also the staff) and Maeve once again becomes Danny's mother/guardian. The adversarial relationship between Maeve and Celeste was just awful; and so difficult for Danny. It was very difficult to read how much their past life affected their future, Patchett's writing was stark and unflinching; themes of family, grief, what is home, memory, and conflict permeate as we see//listen to both Danny and Maeve's perspective. This book kept me rooted from beginning to end; an uncomfortable spine tingler---I wanted so much more for Danny and Maeve.

View all my reviews