The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman

The Sparrow women have all been blessed with unusual talents- some of those talents have been more of a curse. Stella Sparrow wakes on her 13th birthday to find that she can see how a person will die. When she begs her father to prevent a murder, he winds up as the main suspect in the case. This causes Stella and her mother to return to the small Massachusetts town from which they came and to the home of the grandmother Stella has never known. The history of the Sparrow women and the small town of Unity unravel as the characters learn about love and forgiveness.

I wanted so badly to like this book. All the elements of a great story were there: a beautiful setting, a touch of history, a mystery, strong female characters, and a little bit of magic. Sadly, it just never quite clicked together. There were too many characters and not enough time to love any of them. There was no sense of drama to the story. Honestly, I really didn't see much of a point to the story at all. I've been trying to finish this book for months. I tried it in audio form and in text and I finally realized if I was going to review it I would just have to suffer through. Alice Hoffman has been praised for her beautiful writing and this is her sixteenth novel. If you want to see what the fuss is all about I would recommed trying something other than The Probable Future.

Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt

"The sun kept on with its slipping away, and I thought how many good things in the world might be resting on the shoulders of something terrible."

Carol Rifka Brunt's heart wrenching novel begins by introducing 14 year old June Elbus.  June is a self proclaimed "weird" girl who enjoys venturing into the woods behind her school and imagining that she lives in the Middle Ages.  There is only one person who really understands June and all her weirdness and that is her Uncle Finn.  Finn is a world renowned painter who is also gay.  June finds out at the beginning of the novel that Finn has AIDS and is dying.  Before he dies, Finn is determined to paint a portrait of June and her older sister which requires weekly visits to his New York apartment. 

Set in the 1980s during the AIDS epidemic, June's mother forbids her from meeting or being around Uncle Finn's "special friend."  It is not until he dies that June finds out about Finn's boyfriend, Toby. Her mother continues to forbid her from seeing Toby, but June is determined to hang on to Finn's memory and meeting with Toby is the only way she knows how to do that. While her family believes that Toby is a murderer, June seeks to learn all about Toby and the life he lived with her uncle.

My Thoughts:  
This novel was a little slow in the beginning, but once I got about a fourth of the way in, I could not put it down.  While June has a special relationship with her Uncle Finn, who is also her godfather, this novel is more about the forbidden relationship that June develops with Toby after Finn's death.  It is also about June's relationship with her mean older sister who used to be her best friend.   In a nutshell, this is a story about many different types of relationships and how they shape our lives.  While sad, Tell the Wolves I'm Home is a book you will not want to miss.  

Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schiltz

Thirteen year old Lizzie Rose and eleven year old Parsefall are two orphans who have been taken in by Grisini, an ominous master puppeteer. The story begins with Grisini and his wards performing at young Clara Wintermute's 12th birthday party.  The night of the party, Clara goes missing and Grisini is suspected to be her kidnapper. No solid evidence can be found to implicate Grisini, but Clara's father is certain he has a part in the kidnapping.  

Shortly after this initial event, Grisini goes missing. He has been summoned by Cassandra, a witch with whom he has had a longtime magical rivalry.   He leaves Lizzie Rose, Parsefall, and all of his puppets with the land lady.  While trying to make enough money to earn their keep, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall discover a new puppet in their trunk that shockingly looks exactly like Clara.  While they struggle to believe that Clara could have been transformed into a puppet, they cannot help but wonder what powers Grisini may possess.  

Lizzie Rose and Parsefall soon receive a letter from Cassandra, inviting them to visit her before she dies and possibly be left an inheritance.  With nowhere left to go, the orphans decide to visit this strange lady in hopes of finding a safe haven.  Little do they know that Grisini is staying in Cassandra's gatehouse and that they are in danger of becoming mixed up in more magic than they ever thought existed.  

My Thoughts:
In this novel, Laura Amy Schiltz does a great job of weaving multiple story lines into one final and connected story. In the beginning Clara's disappearance is the focus, but soon it seems that Clara is forgotten as Lizzie Rose and Parsefall attempt to survive on their own.  Clara soon resurfaces and becomes a main player in helping the two orphans escape the evil  magic of Grisini and Cassandra. 

This novel is technically a children's book and has just won a Newbery Honor Award.  I personally enjoy reading children's novels and thought that this was an excellent book. Pick this one up for yourself or recommend it for an upper elementary or middle grade kid that enjoys reading fantasy. 

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Alex, a seventeen year old traipsing through the wilderness as she ventures to spread her parent's remains in Lake Superior, discovers a lot more than she bargained for. Told from her point of view, Ashes tells the story of Alex and those she encounters in the Waucamaw Wilderness of Michigan.  Four days into her trip, Alex is suddenly struck with an excruciating pain which she initially believes to be caused by the brain tumor that has been slowly killing her.  She starts to believe otherwise when she discovers that those around have had the same experience and some are even dead. Her journey after the "zap" brings new discoveries as she travels with two other survivors (Tom: a war veteran and Ellie: an 8 year old whose grandfather died after the zap) and they deduce that the "zap" must have been some sort of EMP (electromagnetic pulse) explosion.  They also discover that the "zap" has caused most teenagers to turn zombie like and go on killing sprees. 

Tom, Ellie and Alex must fight for survival in a new world and the adventures only begin with these characters.  Warning:  This book is full of blood and guts and even some cannibalism.   But, it is a page turner with suspense around every corner and definitely one of the best books I have read in a while (I would rate it up there with The Hunger Games).   

What's Next: The second book in the Ashes Trilogy, Shadows, was released in Fall of 2012 and the third book, Monster, is scheduled to be released in September 2013.  

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

The shelves were packed close together, and it felt like I was standing at the border of a forest--not a friendly Californian forest either, but an old Transylvanian forest, a forest full of wolves and witches and dagger-wielding bandits all waiting just beyond moonlight's reach. There were ladders that clung to the shelves and rolled side-to-side. Usually those seem charming, but here, stretching up into the gloom, the were ominous.  They whispered rumors of accidents in the dark. 

Synopsis: 
Robin Sloan's award winning novel opens with 26-year-old Clay Jannon scouring the Help Wanted ads for a job.  Clay, an art school graduate, lost his former job as a web designer for a bagel company when the recession hit.  Having no luck with Help Wanted Ads, Clay eventually begins wandering the streets looking for a place to work.  He quickly spots a Help Wanted sign for a night clerk at Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. 

Upon entering, Clay realizes that Mr. Penumbra's bookstore is very different from most.  The narrow store has shelves that reach all the way to the ceiling and require a rolling ladder to be reached.  Mr. Penumbra is jovial, but a little weird.  Clay is offered the night clerk job only when he reveals that his favorite books are a fantasy series called The Dragon Song Chronicles.    Penumbra then gives him three employee rules that must be followed:  

1) Never be late or leave your shift early; 
2) Take detailed notes of all customer interactions;
3) Do not read the curious-looking leather bound books on the top shelves.  

Clay soon learns that the customers who frequent the bookstore are equally strange and don't actually purchase books, but instead borrow the forbidden leather bound books on the "Wayback Shelves." Clay begins to analyze customer book choices and discovers that Penumbra and his customers have some sort of secret book fellowship.  With the help of his friends, Clay sets off on a quest to decode the mysteries hidden within the shelves of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. 

My Thoughts: 
Booklovers, you will love this book!  Cyber geeks, you will also  enjoy this novel as Sloan does an amazing job of connecting the two worlds.  If you fall into both of these categories, then this book is a must read. You will smile and laugh as Sloan's witty humor comes through on almost every page.  Oh and did I mention... the book cover glows in the dark!!!! 

Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson

Arlene has a dark secret. Ten years ago she made a deal with God that if He would just help her keep it she'd never come back to Alabama again, but promises are hard to keep and the south is calling her home. Arlene and her boyfriend Burr make the long voyage to Alabama as Arlene's story unravels and her past comes back. What really happened? Is it possible that the truth can come in many different versions? Is there a chance for redemption?

You know I have a soft spot for southern literature, especially books that conjure up the thick heat of a summer day and the slow fluid movement of a small southern town. I picked Gods in Alabama for that reason, but was pleased to find the book had much more to offer. The author uses vivid and honest language to paint the story from Arlene's point of view. I will warn that Arlene can be blunt and sometimes crass.  The book is full of sexual references and seedy behavior so readers of a more timid nature may find it a little much. 

What I liked most about the book was how Joshilyn Jackson was able to craft such an unreliable narrator. It's rare in books to find that you simply aren't sure if you can trust your narrator, or even like her at times. The story is ultimately a who-dunnit wrapped up in good gossip. As you read you won't be sure who you're rooting for, but it's a good ride all the way to the end.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Any Downton Abbey fans out there?  I began watching Downton Abbey about a year ago and have been hooked since.  After finishing Season 3, I went into a bit of withdrawal and longed for another story set in a similar time period.  I read Jane Eyre about 5 years ago when I joined my very first book club.  I am forever grateful to the leader of this book club because she picked great books that I probably wouldn't have picked on my own.  Jane Eyre was one of those.  It took me about 1/4 of the book to actually get into it, but I eventually fell in love with the story.  To help with my Downton withdrawal, I decided to read it again and hopefully encourage you  to read it as well! 

Synopsis:  
Charlotte Bronte's tale begins with a 10 year old Jane Eyre.  Jane's parents died when she was just a baby and she was sent to live at Gateshead.  Gateshead belonged to her Uncle Reed who died soon after Jane went to reside there.  Resentful of Mr. Reed's fondness of Jane, Mrs. Reed and her children treat Jane with contempt.  After much abuse from the Reed family, Jane is sent to Lowood School where she lives until she is 18.  Despite being called a liar by the headmaster in front of the entire school, Jane soon proves herself otherwise and is quite successful during her time there.  She gains favor with the school's superintendent, Miss Temple, learns French, and even teaches at Lowood for a short time after her graduation.  With a desire to seek new adventures, Jane posts an advertisement and soon accepts a position at Thornfield Hall as a governess.  Jane becomes responsible for the education of a little French girl, Adele.  Jane eventually learns that Adele is the ward of Thornfield's master, Mr. Rochester.  Mr. Rochester and Jane soon become very fond of one another and eventually fall in love.  Mr. Rochester proposes to Jane and they plan to be married only to have their plans thwarted by mysterious happenings at Thornfield Hall. 

My Thoughts: 
Reading Jane Eyre for the second time caused me fall in love with the story all over again.  Jane, even though she is a very plain girl, is full of life and very strong willed.  She holds true to her values despite many troubles that come her way and refuses to live a life of sadness and remorse.  This timeless story is definitely one that all lovers of fiction should read at some point in their lives. 

Note: The most recent film adaptation of Jane Eyre is great.  Be sure to check it out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1229822/. 

Legend by Marie Lu

In the first installment of Marie Lu's dystopian series, we are introduced to a plague infected post-apocalyptic world.  While the rich are protected from the plague by vaccines, the poor are most effected and are dying quickly.  The United States no longer exists and the new governments, the Republic and the Colonies, are constantly at war.

June, who has been brought up in the wealthy sectors of the Republic, is known as a prodigy because she scored a perfect 1500 on her military trials.  Day, who was raised in the slums, is the Republic's most wanted criminal.  When June's brother is murdered during a hospital break in, Day becomes the most likely suspect.  June immediately goes on a Republic sponsored hunt to find Day and she will stop at nothing until she has captured her brother's killer. Undercover in the slums, June meets Day and discovers that he is not the person she thought he was and begins to question everything she has been taught by her beloved Republic.

My Thoughts:  
Anyone out there looking for another Hunger Games like adventure?  If so, Marie Lu's Legend will not disappoint.  Since reading The Hunger Games, I have stumbled across many dystopians, some worth my time and others not so much.  I was at first reluctant to pick up Legend because I am already in the middle of so many trilogies.  I actually met Marie Lu last summer at the American Library Association conference and received Legend and an advance copy of the second book in the series, Prodigy.  They have both been sitting on my shelf since then and I was finally convinced by a fellow literary friend to move them to the top of my book list.  I quickly finished them both and am now anxiously awaiting the third book.  The setting, characters, and plot are excellently crafted and make for another thrilling futuristic adventure. 

Note:  The second book, Prodigy, was released today (January 29th, 2013)!

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

"There were no surprises in Gatlin County. We were pretty much the epicenter of the middle of nowhere. At least that's what I thought. Turns out, I couldn't have been more wrong.  There was a curse. There was a girl. And in the end, there was a grave."

Ethan Wate plans to escape his small southern town as soon as possible. That is until the girl he has been dreaming of (literally) walks into his school. Lena Duchannes is dark and mysterious and Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her. To make matters worse, she lives in the creepy mansion at the edge of town with her recluse uncle that no one has seen for years.

Ethan soon learns that Lena comes from a family of "casters," more commonly known as witches, and Lena may be the most powerful of them all.  But danger looms just days away. On her 16th birthday  Lena will be claimed light or dark and the choice is not hers to make.

I really enjoyed the blend of a dark Gothic supernatural world with a simple southern town. As a lover of southern literature, I really appreciated the nod to the history and magic of the south. Beautiful Creatures is a young adult book that can be enjoyed by all ages. The themes of light and dark, old and new, and the power of both magic and love resonates with readers. I have to admit, in the current trend of turning every book into at least a trilogy, part of me wished this was a stand alone book but the characters are interesting enough to carry it through a few more stories.  Readers will see the book take to the big screen in 2013 in what is sure to be a vivid and beautifully crafted film version of the story. 

A Secret Rage by Charlaine Harris

I must begin by stating that Charlaine Harris is one of my favorite authors.  I first began reading her books after I read the Twilight series.  I was on a bit of a vampire kick, so I picked up the first book in her Sookie Stackhouse series (the series True Blood is based on).  I quickly read through all of the Sookie books that had been released.  She now has 12 Sookie books and the 13th and final book in the series will be released in May.  As I tried to wait patiently for each Sookie book release, I decided to start reading the books in her other series:  Lily Bard, Harper Connelly, and Aurora Teagarden.  I also flew through these in no time.  While the Sookie series is by far my favorite of her 4 series, the Aurora Teagarden books come in at a close second.  I was working on my library science degree at the time and I loved that Aurora is a mystery solving librarian.  

I finally had the chance to meet Charlaine Harris when I went with some friends to the National Book Fest in Washington D.C.  After hearing her talk about all of her books, I decided that I wanted to also read her two standalone books:  A Secret Rage and Sweet and Deadly.  

Synopsis:  
Nicki Callahan is a former New York City model, who has just been informed by her agent that her  services are no longer needed.  Nicki is crushed  that her modeling career has ended at the young age of 27.  She decides to move back home to Knolls, Tennessee to live with her best childhood friend, Mimi, and to finish getting her college degree. As Nicki settles back into life in Knolls, she reconnects with many former acquaintances, including Mimi's brother Cully, her childhood crush. 

Nicki soon discovers that Knolls is not the quiet little town that it use to be when a serial rapist begins attacking the women around town, Nicki included.  The whole town attempts to discover who the rapist is, as the police on the case have determined it is most likely someone they know.  

My thoughts:  
This novel was definitely different from most of the other Charlaine Harris novels I have read.  There are no vampires, werewolves, or supernatural elements.  A Secret Rage is a mystery, but it also deals with the very difficult subject of rape. After reading this book, I discovered that Charlaine Harris is herself a victim of rape.  I imagine this must have been a very difficult subject for her to write about.  While this mystery was a little more difficult for me to read than her others because of the heavy subject, Charlaine handles it very well.  If you are a Charlaine Harris fan, you should definitely add this to your book list.