Out of the Abyss by Dungeons & Dragons
Title: Out of the Abyss
Review: Out of the Abyss is absolutely my favorite 5e module! Outside of the fact that the book is a fascinating read on its own, there are so many different adventures available! While I’d recommend this adventure for groups who already have experience with tabletop role-playing games of this style, the mechanics and complete story make for a well put-together campaign set in the Underdark, which isn’t always highlighted in the Forgotten Realms setting! This is one adventure that players and Dungeon Masters alike won’t want to miss!
Review by: Jo
The Searcher by Tana French
Title: The Searcher
Author: Tana French
Review: Wonderfully written. Not your fast beat, knock-em-down mystery. More of a beautiful story with intrigue, unexpected twists and intrigue. I loved this book and cannot wait to read the sequel, The Hunter, which is out now and is a bestseller.
Review by: Jan
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Title: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Author: Mark Haddon
Review: Think The Catcher in the Rye meets neighborhood murder mystery, yet the victim is the neighbor's dog and the detective is a fifteen year old boy with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Viciously funny, tender, and observant, Christopher, the protagonist, has difficulty with emotion and yet so beautifully shows us the human condition. This book is laugh out loud funny, heart tugging, and wise, all at once.
Review by: Layne
Murder at the Mission by Blaine Harden
Title: Murder at the Mission Author: Blaine Harden
Review: Following the story of the Whitman massacre that occurred here in the valley in the mid-nineteenth century, Blaine Harden dismantles the myths surrounding the lives of the Whitmans and their accomplishments, providing an important, but sobering account of how this one event was later tied to doctrines of Manifest Destiny and the taking of the American West. This title is a must-read; especially for those who live in the area and want to learn more about the real history of the Pacific Northwest.
Review by: Jo
The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians
Title: The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians
Author: James Patterson
Review: This is the book I would have written if I were to have written a book...only it's better because it's by THE James Patterson. What a fun book! Find out our secrets. You will love them!
Review by: Jan
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis
Title: Till We Have Faces
Author: C.S. Lewis
Review: Orual, a princess of Glome, has always struggled with jealousy and bitterness towards her younger sister, Psyche— who has even managed to draw the attention of Cupid, god of love. In this story, Lewis delves into matters such as the sacred versus the profane, what the wisdom of the gods really means, and the power of self-sacrifice. This is my favorite title by C.S. Lewis, and it’s well worth the read!
Review by: Jo
The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski
Title: The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County
Author: Claire Swinarski
Review: This a charming book about a small town group of little old ladies and their casseroles. Plus an amazing cherry pie that they serve at funerals at their local church. This story is about how they pulled together to touch everybody’s life. Definitely a feel good and sad book that I enjoyed thoroughly.
Review by: Julie
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom
Title: The Little Liar
Author: Mitch Albom
Review: Another beautiful Mitch Album book. Prepare to be educated, entertained, saddened and filled with love. Tough read and worth every word.
Review by: Jan
Cinema Speculation by Quentin Tarantino
Title: Cinema Speculation
Author: Quentin Tarantino
Review: An insightful journey through films of the 1970’s that fascinated and inspired filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, this book is part autobiographical, part film enthusiasm at its most candid. Even if you aren’t familiar with the films discussed, you feel as if you’re an expert by the end. Tarantino’s obsessive zeal for cinema is contagious.
Review by: Layne
Some Things I Still Can't Tell You by Misha Collins
Title: Some Things I Still Can't Tell You
Author: Misha Collins
Review: Misha Collins, best known as the actor who played Castiel in the show Supernatural, has written a poetry book! Full of somber moments, relatably insignificant incidences, and plenty of wry humor, this collection of poetry is enchanting.
Review by: Bethany
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Title: Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries
Author: Heather Fawcett
Review: Emily Wilde is living her dreams. She is a scholar and research professor from Cambridge. Dive into this world of Fairies and all the lore with Emily, as she is on the hunt for the “Hidden ones.” Great romp through the countryside of England!
Review by: Julie
Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway
Title: Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization
Author: Ed Conway
Review: Take a journey through the worlds of sand, iron, salt, oil, copper and lithium. The key materials that make our modern world possible. I was astonished at the complexity of the processes needed to extract these from the earth.
Review by: Ben
Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller
Title: Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder
Author: C.L. Miller
What could be worse? Having to sell your house because of a horrible ex husband or finding out a lifelong friend and mentor, yet estranged, has died? Well both happened to Freya Lockwood. Freya goes back to her once home town English village to console her Aunt who was best friends with Arthur . Turns out that Arthur died under suspicious circumstances, Moreso he has left a trail of Clues for Freya to follow to find his killer these clues lead her down the trail into her old world and Arthur's world of Antique's the good the bad and the black market! She and her Aunt need to stay alive to find Arthur’s killer and to clear up what really happened, plus figure out what really happened twenty years before, that broke her's and Arthur's friendship. Fun book which dives into all sorts of mystery and who done it.
Review by: Julie
Yellowstone by Gabriel Guilbeau
Title: Yellowstone
Author: Gabriel Guilbeau
Review: What fun! If you are a Yellowstone TV series fan, you will love this “cookbook”. Fabulous, down-home recipes, great photographs, and hello Rip fans! He’s here for YOU!
Review by: Jan
The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
Title: The Berry Pickers Author: Amanda Peters
Review: A little girl goes missing from the Maine blueberry fields, sending her family into despair. The story defies expectations by introducing a clear answer to its mystery from the beginning, so the reader is left to question "why" instead of "how." However, this leaves you to realize it's not so much about the mystery, but the strength of familial bonds and cultural difficulties faced by indigenous people.
Review by: Layne
The Creative ACT: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Title: The Creative ACT: A Way of Being
Author: Rick Rubin
Review: Known for his work as a record producer, Rubin writes a book that will be useful for anyone that is interested in the creative process and how to make it happen, no matter what medium of art.
Review by: Ben
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Title: Babel Author: R.F. Kuang
Review: Set at Oxford in the 1830s, the story follows Robin Swift, an orphan from Canton who has just recently become a first-year student at the esteemed university. The magic system based off of silver-working and translation is truly imaginative, and the meticulous manner in which Kuang dissects and critiques the structures of power and inequality at the time is absolutely astounding. If you’ve ever enjoyed titles such as The Secret History or Piranesi before, Babel should be the next book on your to-be-read list!
Review by: Jo
Watercolor Is For Everyone by Kateri Ewing
Title: Watercolor Is For Everyone
Author: Kateri Ewing
Review: This is such a great book to help you gain confidence while learning to use watercolors! With simple, calming lessons that are fun for beginners and experts alike, I highly recommend!
Review by: Bethany
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
|
Title: Lord of the Flies Author: William Golding Review: During wartime, a group of schoolboys crash land on an island with no surviving adults. In order to survive, they must try to create order among the chaos of a hostile environment. The story that unfolds is one that reveals the stark contrast between morality and the dark side of human nature. |
Emma by Jane Austen
|
Title: Emma Author: Jane Austen Review: Emma is one of my favorite of Jane Austen’s. It is definitely much more lighthearted and whimsical. It’s about Emma and her matchmaking abilities or really lacking. It’s a snapshot of her privileged yet lonely life, and all of her friends and the comings and goings of that era. What happens when you meddle when you shouldn’t? The choices are always the individuals. Great classic read. Review by: Julie |