Swamplandia! - Karen Russell
Title: Swamplandia!
Author: Karen Russell
Review: This debut novel from Karen Russell is ripe with a murky, surreal Florida atmosphere as it chronicles the trials of the Bigtree family who own a declining alligator-wrestling theme park. At times darkly funny and disturbing, this is a truly unique read which began as a 2006 short story, "Ava Wrestles the Alligator."
Review by: Layne
Tree Story by Valerie Trouet
Title: Tree Story
Author: Valerie Trouet
Review: More than just counting tree rings to see a tree's age, this book expanded my understanding of dendrochronology to show how scientists are gaining insights into all kinds things like the age of old buildings and even shipwrecks.
Review by: Ben
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Title: The God of the Woods
Author: Liz Moore
Review: Deep in the woods of the Adirondack Mountains, a teenage girl has gone missing from her wealthy family’s summer camp. After her brother’s unsolved disappearance from the same camp over a decade before, and with a convicted killer on the loose, a desperate search for the truth ensues. Bouncing between both past and present cases, Moore’s book is a must-read for mystery lovers!
Review by: Bethany
The Ship Beneath the Ice by Mensun Bound
Title: The Ship Beneath the Ice
Author: Mensun Bound
Review: In terms of maritime historical narratives, I think you’d be hard-pressed to find anything more compelling than the story of Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition and his lost ship, the Endurance. This narrative covers both the details of Shackleton’s 1914 expedition and two modern attempts to locate the Endurance in the Weddell Sea. It tells a story of survival, courage, and perseverance in the face of seemingly impossible odds, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Review by: Jo
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawton
Title: The Frozen River
Author: Ariel Lawton
Review: Historical fiction at its finest. Set in 1789, Maine. The main character is a mid-wife with a large family, a wonderful husband and a sassy horse. The struggles are real. The writing is fabulous. The perspective is different and incredibly fascinating. Highly recommend.
Review by: Jan
What the Chicken Knows by Sy Montgomery
Title: What the Chicken Knows
Author: Sy Montgomery
Review: This is a wonderful and glorious book about one of my favorite feathered friends, chickens. What’s not to love about chickens?
Review by: Julie
The Champagne Letters by Kate Macintosh
Title: The Champagne Letters
Author: Kate Macintosh
Review: As the title indicates, The Champagne Letters is a book that will appeal to lovers of Champagne! It does not disappoint. I love Champagne and I loved this book! An historical fiction novel, this will educate, fascinate and entertain all at the same time. I have to say, this will be one of my favorite books to recommend for a long time to come.
Review by: Jan
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
Title: The Salt Grows Heavy
Author: Cassandra Khaw
Review: Two companions, a plague doctor and a mermaid, set out on a journey through a wood. But they certainly don’t expect to encounter a village populated entirely by a cult of cannibalistic saints and bloodthirsty children— nor the horrors that lurk within this community. This short tale is both gruesome and absolutely captivating, and it’s one that will stick with you for a long time!
Review by: Jo
A Thousand Heartbeats by Kiera Cass
Title: A Thousand Heartbeats
Author: Kiera Cass
Review: How does one know when they’ve fallen in love? Princess Annika has always dreamed of falling in love, but the closest she’s come was a brief childhood crush. On the other hand, Lennox has sworn off love of any kind so as not to distract himself from his lifelong goal: taking back his kingdom that was stolen from his family. In this PG enemies-to-lovers novel, Kiera Cass does a fantastic job of pulling the readers in to listen for the sound of a thousand heartbeats.
Review by: Bethany
In the Hour of Crows by Dana Elmendorf
Title: In the Hour of Crows
Author: Dana Elmendorf
Review: This was a couldn’t-put-down book for me! Brimming with folk magic and mystery, this Southern Gothic tale immersed me in its atmosphere. The protagonist can talk death out of the dying. What happens when her loved one is killed and she must delve deep into small town secrets to unravel her complicated past?
Review by: Layne
Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
Title: Last One at the Wedding
Author: Jason Rekulak
Review: When Frank receives a phone call from his estranged daughter, Maggie, inviting him to her wedding, he is ecstatic. Determined to mend their relationship, he soon begins to wonder if her phone call was really a call for help. As the wedding weekend unfolds, Frank begins to uncover secrets that may be best left buried.
Review by: Jannelle
Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
Title: Backyard Bird Chronicles
Author: Amy Tan
Review: I loved Tan's journey as a bird watcher and her development as an illustrator,
and how she catches the details of the little birds she draws and their personalities.
Review by: Julie
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
Title: The Wood at Midwinter
Author: Susanna Clarke
Review: A young woman sets out for a simple walk in the midwinter woods with her animal companions… but an unexpected encounter in the heart of the wood promises to change her world forever. Beautifully illustrated and slightly eerie, this delightful tale set in the world of Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell is one that you shouldn’t miss!
Review by: Jo
The Secret History of Bigfoot by John O’Connor
Title: The Secret History of Bigfoot
Author: John O’Connor
Review: This is not your typical book on the famous cryptid. It’s more a sociological exploration of belief.
The author writes as a skeptic but with a lot of warmth and interest in understanding the obsession society often has with the unexplainable.
As the book states, “It’s in the Pacific Northwest where Bigfoot’s story begins.”
Review by: Layne
Lonely Planet Hidden Libraries by DC Helmuth
Title: Lonely Planet Hidden Libraries
Author: DC Helmuth
Review: When most of of think of libraries, we have a specific image of what a library looks like. But just look at all the forms a library can take with this tour around the globe. Some of them are so creative!
Review by: Ben
All the Books by Haley Rocco
Title: All the Books
Author: Haley Rocco
Review: The most amazing children’s book I have read in a LONG time! The illustrations and the message in this book are just fabulous.
I highly recommend this book for everyone who has a child on their Santa list.
Review by: Jan
Storybook Ending by Poppy Alexander
Title: Storybook Ending
Author: Poppy Alexander
Review: A quaint little book, about a small little village and the young woman who wants to be a illustrator for children’s books who is down on her luck. She’s a widow and finds out she’s pregnant. Through it all, there are wonderful characters that help her. And of course, there is a broody Lord of the manner. What could be better than a small English village, new friends, new beginnings, and a cup of tea?
Review by: Julie
All The Colors Of The Dark by Chris Whitaker
Title: All The Colors Of The Dark
Author: Chris Whitaker
Review: A “suspense” novel in the truest sense. If you like psychological thrillers, here you go. I LOVED this book.
Review by: Jan
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
Title: What Moves the Dead
Author: T. Kingfisher
Review: This chilling tale follows Alex Easton, a retired soldier returning home after receiving an urgent request for assistance from an ailing childhood friend. But what Alex finds at the Usher Estate is something else entirely. As Alex investigates their friend’s bizarre illness, the creeping fungi surrounding the estate, and the unnerving hares inhabiting its grounds, they begin to wonder if something far more sinister is at play. …And what about the strange lake with an unearthly, pulsing glow situated beside the Usher’s home? Why are they so drawn to it?
Review by: Jo
Farewell Tour by Stephanie Clifford
Title: Farewell Tour
Author: Stephanie Clifford
Review: Set in Walla Walla, Farewell Tour follows the career of Lillian Waters, country music star. Lillian grapples with her past as she travels home for her final concert at the Walla Walla County Fair.
Review by: Jannelle