NoveList calls The Book of Strange New Things "leisurely paced and lush." A husband and wife face huge challenges in this speculative novel. Hired by USIC, Peter is a Christian missionary who offers to bring the Christian faith to the planet's inhabitants. Their former pastor, Kurzberg, has mysteriously gone missing. While most of the company … Continue reading The Book of Strange New Things by
The Lost Carousel of Provence by Juliet Blackwell
by Chantal W. This narrative switches back and forth from the point of view of Cady, a contemporary woman from San Francisco who finds herself drawn to Provence; Maelle, a young woman from Bretagne who wants to carve carousel figures; and Patrice Clement, a young man from Paris whose family owns Chateau Clement. The stories … Continue reading The Lost Carousel of Provence by Juliet Blackwell
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Daisy is that girl for whom everything comes easily. She has natural beauty, vibrant vocals, and a gift for song writing. Even with all this going for her, she self-destructs in the usual way--drugs and alcohol. Billy who strives to stay on the straight and narrow calls her dangerous and an "impossible woman." Even if … Continue reading Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
NoveList
Have you used NoveList yet? NoveList recommends these books (listed below) that are bittersweet and hopeful. You can find books on NoveList by "appeal" factors. For instance, find books that have a "strong sense of place" or books that are "funny and banter-filled." Come up with your own combinations in the appeal mixer. To use … Continue reading NoveList
Book Review: Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase
When a couple chooses an ancient mansion, Pencraw Hall (aka Black Rabbit Hall) as their wedding venue, strange things come to light. Neither knows the history of the house--the Altons' story--yet Lorna remembers going to the house once while they were on holiday. For an unexplained reason, Lorna is drawn back to this house. In … Continue reading Book Review: Black Rabbit Hall by Eve Chase
Book Review: Evergreen by Rebecca Rasmussen
Evergreen by Rebecca Rasmussen In one of the best novels of 2014, Rebecca Rasmussen describes both the joy and the loneliness of the Minnesota wilderness. Eveline, joins her German husband, Emil, in a hardscrabble existence in Evergreen. Unbeknownst to her, Emil doesn't own the cabin they relocate to. When his father becomes sick, Emil goes to Germany, leaving … Continue reading Book Review: Evergreen by Rebecca Rasmussen
Book Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black.
In a town called Fairfolk, which lies close to the woods, mysterious things always happened. Things get even stranger after someone breaks into a glass coffin that holds a strange, horned boy. For years, townspeople have told stories about this local legend. Local teens, Hazel and Ben, have repeated those stories and even created some of their … Continue reading Book Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black.
Book Review: What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan
Rachel deeply regrets letting her eight-year-old run ahead of her while walking in the woods. Ben Finch disappears, leaving almost no clues except his clothing, which was found near a pond. Britain's CID know this case is serious after a detective finds the child's clothing. Macmillan details the police procedure expertly and poignantly sifts the mother's sorrow. Jim, … Continue reading Book Review: What She Knew by Gilly Macmillan
Book Review: The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman
World War II-era fiction is popular right now but what makes this debut different is that it portrays an ordinary German family. The incidents were inspired by the author's own family. The story is centered around Christine and her desire to protect her family and her boyfriend who is Jewish. The Plum Tree is about longing, … Continue reading Book Review: The Plum Tree by Ellen Marie Wiseman
Book Review: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire.
The premise of Every Heart a Doorway is that the universe extends an invitation to certain children: a door to a new world. This new world, whether it be called Confection, or Prism, or Halls of the Dead is a magical place where the individual feels completely at home. Some of these children are never seen again. … Continue reading Book Review: Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire.