Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
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Title: Migrations Author: Charlotte McConaghy Review: Exciting, unexpected, suspenseful, an amazing book. Such a powerful book in so many ways. Not for the lighthearted, but I do highly recommend it. I also recommend Once there Were Wolves by the same author. Review by: Jan |
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
Back to the Bright Before by Katherin Nolte
Going Zero by Anthony McCarten
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Title: Going Zero Author: Anthony McCarten Review: Evade capture for 30 days to win 3 million dollars. Seems doable? Not when the Fusion Initiative, a new piece of spyware created by tech genius Cy Baxter, is the thing hunting you. This tech thriller is full of twists & turns! Review by: Jannelle |
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
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Title: Ariadne Author: Jennifer Saint Review: Ariadne and Phaedra, princesses of Crete, have lived under the shame of their family's worst mistake for most of their lives: Their brother, the Minotaur. When Theseus, Prince of Athens, comes to kill the Minotaur, both girls leap at the chance to help end their family's curse. But will it guarantee a happy ending for them both? This is such a great retelling of Greek Mythology that follows two very different sisters. Review by: Bethany |
Homeland by R.A. Salvatore
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Title: Homeland Author: R.A. Salvatore Review: Drizzt’s story is a classic, and it’s always a good idea to start at the beginning! Following Drizzt’s childhood experiences and training in the Underdark, his struggles with morality, and, finally, his escape from House Do’Urden, Homeland is an essential for those who enjoy the ‘swords and sorcery’ style of fantasy— or just those who love the Forgotten Realms setting in general! Review by: Jo |
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
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Title: Beartown Review: Because I have never been into the sport of ice hockey, I thought this book and the rest of the series would not be for me. I was so wrong. I loved Beartown! The storytelling, the characters, all of it - fabulous. I cannot wait to read the next two in the series. Review by: Jan |
Knowing What We Know by Simon Winchester
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Title: Knowing What We Know Author: Simon Winchester Review: How did knowledge make its way from ancient times up to the present day? How do we transfer what we know now to each succeeding generation? From records imprinted on clay tablets to modern day electronics, this book is a wide ranging account of how we got here. Review by: Ben |
Leonardo Da Vinci by Walter Isaacson
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Title: Leonardo Da Vinci Author: Walter Isaacson Review: Attempting to fit all of the details of one person’s life story into one book is a difficult task in its own right— but Isaacson did a wonderful job of it here! Forging connections between the body of Da Vinci’s scientific work, his art, and his complicated personal life, the final result is one worthy of a five-star rating! This was an insightful and thought-provoking read, and even those who might not have a great deal of interest in the Italian Renaissance will undoubtedly find it worthy of their attention. Review by: Jo |
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
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Title: House of Hollow Author: Krystal Sutherland Review: As children, Iris Hollow and her two sisters vanished into thin air, reappearing one month later with no memories, their hair turning white, their eyes darkening to black, and the sudden ability to manipulate anyone with their beauty. Years later, Iris's oldest sister disappears once more, triggering a chain of events that lead to the answer that Iris has been too scared to face: what happened to them all those years ago? I absolutely loved the eerie vibe of this book! Review by: Bethany |
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
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Title: Once There Were Wolves Author: Charlotte McConaghy Review: Anyone with an interest (or fascination!) in wolves will love this book. Once I started it, I could not put it down. I loved the writing. I loved/was saddened by the story. (I also highly recommend Migrations by the same author.)
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Boy in a White Room by Karl Olsberg
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Title: Boy in a White Room Author: Karl Olsberg Review: He wakes up in a white room with no memories of who he is or how he got there. His only contact with the outside world is Alice, a computer generated voice. As his story slowly unfolds, he will begin to question what it means to be human and the nature of reality itself. Review by: Jannelle |
The Watchmaker's Daughter by Larry Loftis
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Title: The Watchmaker's Daughter Author: Larry Loftis Review: This is the amazing story of Corrie Ten boom, who was one of the first female Dutch watchmakers, who during World War II, sheltered Jews and refugees from the Nazies. The story describes her and her family’s courage and how they would face down the evil of the Nazis. She was a triumph with her faith and her courage. Could not put this book down!! |
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
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Title: Great Expectations Author: Charles Dickens Review: This is, in my humble opinion, the greatest coming of age story ever written. A bittersweet, heartwarming tale with classic Dickensian characters, this sweeping tale of the orphan Pip is worth the dense but poetic language. The themes of love, rejection, poverty, and redemption will surely immerse you! Review by: Layne |
Culinary Artistry by Andrew Dornenburg
Sundial by Catriona Ward
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Title: Sundial Author: Catriona Ward Review: A spooky, suspenseful, slow burn. A mother sees remnants of her long buried past in her eldest daughter, who begins to exhibit disturbing behavior with animals. Mother and daughter thus return to the family ranch in the Mojave desert to reconcile some long buried family secrets, and it gets more creepy from there. I found the Mojave desert setting a refreshing twist to the typical "cabin in the woods" trope of many horror novels. Be warned: this book is a creeper and not for the faint of heart. Review by: Layne |
Homecoming by Kate Morton
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Title: Homecoming Author: Kate Morton Review: Christmas Eve 1959, a mother and her children die mysteriously while picnicking in their small town of Tambilla, Australia. Years later, Jess returns home to help her grandmother Nora recover from a fall. She discovers a book that connects her grandmother and estranged mother to the Turner Family Tragedy. What role did her family play in these tragic deaths? Murder mystery and historical fiction blend beautifully in this novel! Review by: Jannelle |
Wild Beyond the Witchlight
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Title: Wild Beyond the Witchlight, A Feywild Adventure by Wizards of the Coast Review: This Dungeons and Dragons module is a great way to introduce new players to the world of D&D. It is also a great tool for new game masters to use to learn the ropes of how to run a game without having to build your own world. It is an easy to understand guide while still giving you your own space to change or create your own game. Review by: Kiana |
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
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Title: The Marriage Portrait Author: Maggie O'Farrell Review: If you are looking for a beautifully written, descriptive, historical novel, The Marriage Portrait is for you. Set in Florence, Italy in the 1500's, full of romance, beauty and drama. Enjoy! Review by: Jan |
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
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Title: Gideon the Ninth Author: Tamsyn Muir Review: Gideon the Ninth is absolutely the science fiction title to end all science fiction. It’s the perfect blend of intensity, humor, and well-written characters that make the story feel alive— and the plot itself is glorious! Necromancers, romance, mystery, and dramatic political struggles all have their place in this story— and you definitely don’t want to miss out on it! Review by: Jo |