Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys
I loved Sepetys's first novel and devoured in two days, but it took me longer to read her second book. Set in 1950s New Orleans, Josie Moraine is the daughter of a prostitute who gets mixed up the dark underworld of the French Quarter, though she's desperately trying to escape from her past and the city to make a fresh start elsewhere. Out of the Easy is a story of grit and determination,
Canary by Duane Swierczynski
My friend Julie recommended Canary to me last summer, but I didn't get my hands on it until recently. I started this after reading Out of the Easy and was immediately struck by the similarities, though the books are set decades apart. The heroines of both novels are smart 17-year old "good girls" who get mixed up with criminals through no fault of their own. In Canary, Sarie Holland thinks she's helping a friend but is picked up during a drug bust and becomes a confidential informant for the Philly PD to avoid an arrest and protect her friend. This book was so different from what I normally read but I loved it!
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
I love reading memoirs, and this one by geobiologist Hope Jahren is beautifully written. The chapters alternate between Jahren's journey as a female scientist and stories of plants and trees. Funny, engrossing, beautiful.
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
I loved this novel about acclaimed chef Eva Thorvald. Each chapter, told from a different character's perspective, focuses on a particular food that becomes an integral part of Eva's life. Moving out in concentric circles from Eva's core story, each chapter could almost stand alone, which I found intriguing. It is a fascinating read and I devoured it (pun intended!).
Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton
This middle-grade novel is told in verse and reminded me of Brown Girl Dreaming. Mimi Oliver moves to Vermont in 1969 and dreams of becoming an astronaut. The problem is that no one in the town can see past her appearance (Mimi is half black, half Japanese). A lovely story about holding on tight to your dreams.
Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship by Isabel Vincent
What a lovely memoir! When Isabel first meets 90-year-old Edward, he has just lost his wife and isn't sure he wants to live without her, and Isabel's marriage is falling apart. Over the next four years, the two meet for dinners, carefully prepared by Edward, and their friendship deepens as they both deal with loss and change. A quick read that will appeal to anyone who loves food.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I had the hardest time getting into this young adult novel, but after about page 60, I was hooked. This tale is set during World War II and follows two female friends, a pilot and a spy. The plot if full of unexpected twists and turns as Verity is captured by the Nazis. A beautiful story of the power of friendship.
House Arrest by K. A. Holt
House Arrest is another children's novel told in verse, and Will and I are both suckers for a good novel-in-verse. Timothy steals a wallet in order to help pay for his sick brother's medicine and is sentenced to a year of house arrest, which includes keeping a journal. Heartbreaking and tender, this was a quick read and beautiful story.
The Terrible Two by Marc Barnett
This middle-grade novel is a Bluebonnet nominee for 2016-2017. Henry loved the story about two prank-playing youngsters, and demanded I read it immediately! Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate.
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
War-torn Chechnya in 2004 is a country with limited electricity, guarded checkpoints, and informers willing to turn in neighbors' names to keep themselves alive. The novel begins with eight-year-old Havaa watching as the Russians come in the night and take away her father. Rescued by her neighbor Akhmed and taken to a hospital in a nearby city, the connections between the three main characters unfold as the novel progresses. A beautiful story about the power of love and dignity during war.
What's on your bookshelf?
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
I love reading memoirs, and this one by geobiologist Hope Jahren is beautifully written. The chapters alternate between Jahren's journey as a female scientist and stories of plants and trees. Funny, engrossing, beautiful.
Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal
I loved this novel about acclaimed chef Eva Thorvald. Each chapter, told from a different character's perspective, focuses on a particular food that becomes an integral part of Eva's life. Moving out in concentric circles from Eva's core story, each chapter could almost stand alone, which I found intriguing. It is a fascinating read and I devoured it (pun intended!).
Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton
This middle-grade novel is told in verse and reminded me of Brown Girl Dreaming. Mimi Oliver moves to Vermont in 1969 and dreams of becoming an astronaut. The problem is that no one in the town can see past her appearance (Mimi is half black, half Japanese). A lovely story about holding on tight to your dreams.
Dinner with Edward: A Story of an Unexpected Friendship by Isabel Vincent
What a lovely memoir! When Isabel first meets 90-year-old Edward, he has just lost his wife and isn't sure he wants to live without her, and Isabel's marriage is falling apart. Over the next four years, the two meet for dinners, carefully prepared by Edward, and their friendship deepens as they both deal with loss and change. A quick read that will appeal to anyone who loves food.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
I had the hardest time getting into this young adult novel, but after about page 60, I was hooked. This tale is set during World War II and follows two female friends, a pilot and a spy. The plot if full of unexpected twists and turns as Verity is captured by the Nazis. A beautiful story of the power of friendship.
House Arrest by K. A. Holt
House Arrest is another children's novel told in verse, and Will and I are both suckers for a good novel-in-verse. Timothy steals a wallet in order to help pay for his sick brother's medicine and is sentenced to a year of house arrest, which includes keeping a journal. Heartbreaking and tender, this was a quick read and beautiful story.
The Terrible Two by Marc Barnett
This middle-grade novel is a Bluebonnet nominee for 2016-2017. Henry loved the story about two prank-playing youngsters, and demanded I read it immediately! Perfect for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Big Nate.
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra
War-torn Chechnya in 2004 is a country with limited electricity, guarded checkpoints, and informers willing to turn in neighbors' names to keep themselves alive. The novel begins with eight-year-old Havaa watching as the Russians come in the night and take away her father. Rescued by her neighbor Akhmed and taken to a hospital in a nearby city, the connections between the three main characters unfold as the novel progresses. A beautiful story about the power of love and dignity during war.
What's on your bookshelf?
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