Review:The Outliers by Kimberly McCreight is an intense mystery that doesn't completely unravel. Wylie has lost her mother in an accident and she can't seem to overcome her loss. On top of this stress, her best friend Cassie is missing. Cassie's boyfriend, Jasper, comes to Wylie's house and shows her the texts he's received from Cassie begging him to help her. Wylie and Jasper go on a treasure hunt of sorts looking for Cassie as they receive small clues a little at a time. They finally reach Cassie and... Read more

Review:This book takes place in an alternate Manhattan. There was an explosion, where mystics were blamed and now the polar ice caps have melted. This leads to flooding in Manhattan and a clear division of people. The rich and mobsters running everything live in the upper reaches of the city, called the Aeries. The poor and mystics are forced to live in the lower, flooded areas. The mystics are also kept on a tight leash. They need to register and are kept drained of their powers so they don't cause an... Read more

Review:5 stars - IF I was under 18yrs old, terrific, easy, science fiction book. But being an older adult, the story lacked more historical background of Rook's fairy world. It felt there wasn't enough story time w/ Isobel's family, & the town, Whimsy. And w/ Rook's, we barely know his background & the history of the Alder King & how it all came about really. This was a very, simple read, but not enough depth for me. Read more

Review:Lazlo Strange grew up as a foundling in the monastery with only stories of a far off wonderful land for friends. The land is called Weep, though Lazlo is sure that isn't its real name. He remembers the day clearly when the name changed, it's the one time he's sure he's experienced magic, but he can't remember what it used to be. As Lazlo grows and moves to the library to work there, the stories of Weep are still his companions. In his free time, he hunts down more references to the far off land ... Read more

Review:The ending of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy leaves the reader craving for more of the story. This new book does not disappoint.

"La Belle Sauvage" tells the tale of how Lyra came to Jordan College at Oxford, and how a certain important object came into the hands of her caretakers there. Yet, the story is only incidentally about Lyra as an infant, focusing on those whose purpose is to keep her safe and deliver her to sanctuary, and those others who try to prevent that outcome. Pullman's... Read more

Review:What a creative story line with great characters with just the right amount of tension and conflict. I will certainly read the next installment. I can't wait to find out what happens to the two civilizations. Read more

Review:This was a good book with very likeable, human characters. I had a harder time losing myself in the story because it is set in the UK, which I would forget until there was some jarring reference to it. (I'm from the US.) I'm also not into fashion, so the references to the main character's work in the fashion industry weren't interesting to me. Both just personal preference, however. This was a good book, and I enjoyed it, but I probably won't read it again. Read more

Review:My only exposure to Mr. Perretti was in his novel, "The Oath," which I found to be an exciting and entertaining blend of "horror" and "spirituality." It did not feel like I was reading a book by an author of Christian literature. Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with Christian literature; I love good literature, and embrace a novel that can open my eyes and make me think about my own beliefs and/or doubts.
"The Visitation" succeeds on that level, as it explores the many doubts and questions... Read more

Review:After reading other reviewers, I am amused and not a bit surprised. Sherman Alexie can't get a break - sure he is successful by many standards, but the critiques I read were watery. Useless, in fact. This book was a departure from Alexie's shorter stories - any why not? His short stories were a departure from his poems. His films have been departures in a sense, both from his texts, and also one from the other. His poetry bouts and comedy are also departures. What that says to me is you can't ca... Read more

Review:Sherman Alexie fearlessly confronts the problems faced by the Native Americans of Spokane, Washington. With his sense of hilarity and deep berevity, Alexie points to such problems as alcoholism, broken families, drug abuse, poverty, loss of culture, loss of community, and loss of pride. While it may appear as though Alexies' musings are all "fun-and-games," it will not be difficult for the reader to discern that there is something deeply troubling about most of the characters in Alexies' writing... Read more