Book Reviews by Title

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A

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

After being dumped by a Katherine for the nineteenth time, Colin takes a road trip with his best friend. Miles from home, the washed-up child prodigy tries to create a formula to predict how and when a relationship will end.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

A team of scientists and their Company supplied Security Unit, a droid that has hacked its governor module and refers to itself internally as ‘Murberbot’, find trouble when they travel to check on a neighboring mission.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

When siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert decide to adopt a boy to help on their farm, a young girl named Anne is sent to them instead. Enthusiastic and bright, Anne finds her place on the farm and in the community.

Artemis by Andy Weir

Jazz is a smuggler on the moon. When she gets offered a large sum to commit a crime, she gets involved in a lot more trouble and corruption than she anticipated.

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells

Murderbot, with the help of a transport vessel named ART, heads to the mining facility where it killed a number of humans, in hopes of learning what caused the massacre.

Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Fitz is a royal bastard with a magic that connects him with animals. Abandoned at the castle, he is raised in the stable and trained to serve the king as an assassin.

B

The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson

After their first summer apart, Nina returns home from a college program and a new romance to find her two best friends, Avery and Mel, have started a romance of their own together.

Bloodbones by Jonathan Green

Part of the Fighting Fantasy series, this interactive fantasy book has you playing the hero as you seek revenge on the evil pirate Cinnabar after he killed your family.

The Bone Orchard by Sara A. Mueller

Charm is the madam of Orchard House, a prisoner of war, and the Emperor’s mistress. When she is summoned to the Emperor’s deathbed, he tasks her with uncovering his murderer and selecting his successor in exchange for her freedom.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

In Nazi Germany, Death takes an interest in young Liesel, who becomes fascinated with books following her brother’s death, as her foster family hides a Jew in their basement.

The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

Ten years after the end of The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, Oree Shoth, a blind artist who can only see magic, takes in a stranger. When someone begins murdering godlings in the city, Oree sets out to find out who the stranger living in her house really is and who is behind the murders.

Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates

Katie Lightfoot came to Savannah to help her aunt Lucy and uncle Ben open a bakery. When Ben is suspected of murdering a customer, Katie and Lucy work their magic to find the real killer.

C

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Scarlett Dragna just wants to escape her father and the island that they live on. A week away from her arranged wedding, her sister, Tella, and a sailor take her away to play in Caraval, the annual performance fueled by audience participation and magic.

Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones

Abdullah is a carpet dealer who dreams of being a prince and marrying a princess. His simple life is changed when a stranger offers to sell him a magic carpet.

The Chaos of Standing Still by Jessica Brody

Ryn has one unread text message on her phone. The last thing her best friend Lottie said to her before she died. As the anniversary of Lottie’s death is approaching, Ryn finds herself stranded at an airport accidentally swapping phones with a stranger named Xander.

Christmas Carol Murder by Leslie Meier

After the local mortgage company’s owner, Marlowe, is murdered and his business partner, Scribner, is visited by his ghost, Lucy tries to solve the case before the killer comes for the other owner.

A Christmas Escape by Anne Perry

Charles Latterly escapes to an island hotel to brighten his holiday season. Unfortunately, the other guests are unpleasant, the island is an active volcano, and there may be a killer among them.

A Christmas Legacy by Anne Perry

Gracie, a former maid, fills in for a distressed Millie when things go missing in her employer’s home. In an effort to uncover what is happening in the home, Gracie returns to life as a maid to find out the truth.

Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher

Three criminals and a respected scholar are sent on a suicide mission to uncover a way to stop the neighboring kingdom’s Clockwork Boys from destroying their own kingdom.

The Crime is Murder by Helen Nielsen

Everyone assumes Lisa Bancroft came to Bellville to write her next book about local legend Martin Cornish, but Bancroft becomes interested in the rumored curse that follows his daughter Marta.

Crossroads of Twilight by Robert Jordan

Perrin continues trying to find Faile, Mat continues to court Tuon and escape Seanchan territory, Egwene leads the rebel Aes Sedai to the White Tower, Rand works on a truce with the Seanchan.

A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan

Rand pursues the Forsaken Sammael, Elayne, Nynaeve, and Mat search for the Bowl of the Winds, and Egwene works with Siuan Sanche to challenge Elaida.

D

Dark Run by Mike Brooks

The crew of the Keiko never talk about their pasts, until Captain Ichabod Drift’s catches up to him when he’s blackmailed into making a secret delivery to Earth.

Debris by Kurtis Wiebe and Riley Rossmo

In a ruined Earth, the remaining humans are attacked by Colossals and left without water. In an effort to save them, Maya sets out in search of a new water source.

Descender, volume 1 by Jeff Lemire

A robot boy wakes up to find the humans of the mining colony dead. While he’s trying to figure out what happened, he’s being tracked as the supposed link to the robots that attacked humanity years ago.

Descender, volume 3 by Jeff Lemire

The backstories of the main characters are revealed in this volume. Not my favorite of the series so far, but still interesting to learn more about everyone and have some things explained.

Down the River Road by Mabel O’Donnell

Part of a series designed to teach children how to read, this book is intended for second graders. The stories follow a boy named Jack as he befriends a donkey, goes fishing, and buys a baseball suit

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

The second book in The Raven Boys Series. Ronan has revealed that he can take things from his dreams and learns that he is not the only one as his families secrets come out.

Dune by Frank Herbert

Paul Atreides and his family are sent to rule the desert planet Arrakis, the source of spice, where they are betrayed.

E

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Ender Wiggin is offered a place in Battle School when he is six. There, he is isolated and trained in war simulations to assist in the war against an alien race.

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

After their village is attacked by Trollocs in search of the Dragon Reborn, five villagers depart on a dangerous journey to uncover their powers and stop the Dark One.

F

Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah

The memoir of an unwanted Chinese daughter, Adeline Yen Mah recounts growing up in an emotionally abusive home and her undying desire for love and acceptance as she finds success as an adult.

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

Rand battles the Shaido Aiel as he pursues the Forsaken Rahvin, Nynaeve and Elayne deal with the Forsaken Moghedien, and a new Amyrlin Seat is raised.

For the Wolf by Hannah Whitten

As the second daughter, Red must serve as a sacrifice to the Wolf in the Wood in hopes of ending a curse. But the Wolf is a man, and the curse isn’t what she thinks.

G

Giant Days: Extra Credit by John Allison

A collection of stories including the hypothetical tale of what could have happened if the girls were not friends, their trip to London to visit Esther’s friend, and a few other shorts.

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi

Harriet Lee has a long history with gingerbread that began in the possibly fictional land of her youth, Druhástrana. She recounts those day when her teenage daughter Perdita attempts to find Harriet’s childhood friend Gretel.

H

Half a King by Joe Abercrombie

Not suited for life as a warrior and instead prepared for life in the Ministry, Prince Yarvi must unexpectedly take the throne and defend his new title and life against both enemies and former allies.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer

The story of the Queen of Hearts before she becomes the queen, and the reason she is so horrible by the time Alice gets to Wonderland.

The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

The hobbit Bilbo Baggins lives a quiet, peaceful, indulgent life, until the wizard Gandalf adds him to a group of 13 dwarves about to set out on a journey to reclaim their lost kingdom and riches from the dragon Smaug.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Linus Baker, a case worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, is tasked with evaluating the possible risk of six dangerous children residing at the Marsyas Island Orphanage.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

Yeine is unexpectedly named heiress to the king after her disowned mother’s untimely death. At the palace, she is caught in the middle of a power struggle with the two other potential heirs along with the many gods imprisoned there.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The 12 districts of Panem must offer up a boy and a girl every year to enter the Hunger Games and fight to the death until only 1 survives while everyone watches the televised event.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn

The intertwined lives of Nina Markova, a former pilot with the Soviet Night Witches, Ian Graham, a Nazi hunter on the trail of the elusive and dangerous woman known as the Huntress, and Jordan McBride, a Boston teenager learning to accept her German step-mother.

I

I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusack

Ed Kennedy is an underage cab driver living an ordinary life with his dog, the Doorman, until he stops a bank robbery and starts getting playing cards in the mail leading him to people who need his help.

J

Jhereg by Steven Brust

Vlad Taltos, an assassin in the House of the Jhereg, is offered a hefty pay for work that ends up being rather complicated.

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

An astonishing technique for recovering and cloning dinosaur DNA has been discovered. Now humankind’s most thrilling fantasies have come true. Creatures extinct for eons roam Jurassic Park with their awesome presence and profound mystery, and all the world can visit them—for a price. Until something goes wrong. . . .

K

King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo

Nikolai Lantsov, now king of Ravka, is trying to rebuild and protect his fragile country all while hiding his own dark secret.

The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson

On the day of her arranged marriage, princess Lia leaves with her servant to a small town, unaware that the prince she stood up followed her, and so did an assassin sent to kill her.

Knife of Dreams by Robert Jordan

Perrin is still trying to save Faile, Mat makes unexpected progress with Tuon, Elayne takes the throne for real, Egwene is a prisoner within the White Tower, Rand gets into some trouble

L

The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu

Ropa dropped out of school to become a ghostalker, and the ghosts start telling her someone’s bewitching children. As the recipient of this message, Ropa decides to investigate.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

The Gentlemen Bastards regularly break the Secret Peace by stealing from nobility and guards, and getting away with it. Locke Lamora became known as The Thorn of Camorr through these cons, and a number of rumors not spread by himself, and eventually finds himself in the eyes of the underworld’s vying leaders.

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

In historic London, a secret apothecary who sells poisons faces the consequences of a mistake. In present day, a woman visits London for her wedding anniversary alone where she attempts to uncover the fate of that apothecary.

M

Manhunt by James Patterson

Michael Bennett has a close call with his family when someone attacks the Thanksgiving Day Parade that sparks a hunt for whoever is responsible.

The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton

When 18 year old Nella moves in with her new merchant husband and his sister and two servants, she is given little more from him than a miniature replica of their home. Nella begin receiving items for the miniature house from a miniaturist, along with some unsolicited miniatures.

Minor Mage by T. Kingfisher

Oliver, a young mage who only knows three unimpressive spells, is forced by his town to make the dangerous journey to the Rainblades with only his armadillo familiar and end the drought.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

Kelsier escapes from the Lord Ruler’s prison and gathers a crew to take down the empire. Vin, a young Mistborn, becomes an integral member as she learns to use her great power.

N

Nettle and Bone by T. Kingfisher

When Marra realizes she may soon lose another sister to an abusive prince, she goes to a gravewitch who will only help her if she can complete three impossible tasks. With a strong will, a fairy godmother, and a knight, Marra will do whatever it takes to save her family.

Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend

Morrigan Crow is cursed. On the day that should bring her death, a man named Jupiter saves her from her fate by nominating her to compete in a series of trials for a place in the Wundrous Society.

New Spring by Robert Jordan

At the time of the Dragon Reborn’s birth, Moiraine is an Accepted preparing to become Aes Sedai and Lan is a soldier in battle. Their separate lives will soon bring them together and lead them to join in the search as a team.

Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins

Phil Collin’s memoir covers his entire music career, from his first drum set to becoming front man in a band. He talks about his career going solo, putting together a big band, and writing for Disney.

O

P

The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan

The Bowl of the Winds has been found, Elayne claims her throne, Egwene continues to take control of the rebel Aes Sedai, Perrin pursues the Prophet of the Dragon, and Rand leads his Asha’man against the Seanchan.

Peril at End House by Agatha Christie

Detective Hercule Poirot meets a young woman, Nick Buckley, who has recently survived a number of ‘accidents’. Poirot realizes someone is trying to kill Buckley, and works to find the murderer before they make their next attempt at her life.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

One of five daughters, Elizabeth Bennet explores her marriage options along with her sisters and learns how wrong her first impression of someone can be as she gets to know Mr. Darcy.

Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence

After three years on the road, committing violent raids with his fellow outlaws, Prince Honorous Jorg Ancrath returns to his father’s castle to reclaim his right as heir.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

When Ryland Grace, a middle school science teachers, awakes alone in space with amnesia, he needs to find a way to remember his mission and complete it.

Q

R

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Blue grew up in a house full of psychics, with no psychic powers of her own. Then she meets Gansy, Ronan, and Adam, and joins them on their search for the Welsh king Glendower.

Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson

When Fred Fredericks takes his first trip to the moon to install a communication device, he becomes witness to a murder and goes into hiding with the revolutionary Chan Qi.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Those with Silver blood have power, those with Red blood serve them. Until it’s discovered that Mare, a Red, has powers too.

Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch

Two years after Locke and Jean leave Camorr, they’re cheating their way to the vault at the Sinspire, until someone in Tel Verrar finds out their true identities and forces the pair to change their plans.

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence

Saved from the noose by an abbess, Nona Grey is taken to the Convent of Sweet Mercy to train among the nuns in their martial and magical ways. There, she must learn to accept her prophesied future as she tries to hide from her bloodstained past.

Renegades by Marissa Meyer

The renegades run the city, having restores peace when society fell apart. But the villains are still out there, and they’re looking for revenge.

Replica by Lauren Oliver

Lyra lives at Haven. Gemma finds out her father has ties to Haven and goes looking for answers. Their stories are connected, but told separately. They can be read one after another, or together by alternating chapters.

The Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch

Locke and Jean are hired by a faction of the Bondsmagi to rig an election in exchange for Locke’s life. In Karthain, they discover Locke’s former love interest, Sabetha, is working to rig the election the other way.

The Rift Uprising by Amy S. Foster

Sexually frustrated teen super soldier starts to question what her organization is really doing when she meets a boy from another dimension who might be able to disable her implant so she can finally get laid.

Rooms by Lauren Oliver

After Richard Walker dies, his ex-wife and two children return to his house to sort through his things. The house has ghosts.

Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb

Fitz returns to Buckkeep to a wasting king, increased threats from the Raiders, and Regal’s plots to replace Verity as king-in-waiting.

S

Serenity, volume 2 by Joss Whedon

Four short stories. The crew gets rich, River earns her place among the crew and knows Shepherd Book’s secret, and Wash’s friends share a toast to him.

Serenity, volume 4 by Zack Whedon

The follow-up to the movie. Everyone now knows what the Alliance has done, and Mal and his crew are force to come out of hiding to rescue one of their own and uncover more secrets.

Serenity, volume 5 by Chris Roberson

Over a year after the events in the previous issue, Mal and his crew set out on a rescue mission when a friend is in trouble and they find themselves between the Alliance and an extreme resistance group,

Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Shiori’s brothers are transformed into cranes while she is banished and unable to speak, for every sound she makes will kill one of her brothers. Alone, Shiori must silently find a way to break the curse.

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

When Eelyn sees her brother, who she thought to be dead, on the battlefield, she loses her focus and is captured and forced to live with her enemies until she can return home.

Spear by Nicola Griffith

Leaving her isolated life with her mother behind, Peretur sets out for Caer Leon to serve the king Artos.

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

Carrie has the chance to write more serious columns for the newspaper, on the condition that she first tracks down and interviews reclusive author Finn Dalton.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

After the Epics takes over the city, lead by Steelheart. David knows Steelheart has a weakness, and he joins The Reckoners to stop him.

T

Teckla by Steven Brust

Vlad finds himself involved in the middle of a dispute between a Jhereg boss and an Easterner revolutionary.

They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

Death-Cast calls Mateo and Rufus to tell them that they are going to die today. Starting out as strangers, they find each other through an app and live their last day together.

This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel

Kit has committed to a six-month stay at the private island retreat Wisewood, cut off from the outside world. Her sister, Natalie, arrives at Wisewood after receiving an e-mail threatening to reveal her secret to Kit.

To Be or Not To Be by Ryan North

Much like the Romeo and Juliet choose-you-own-adventure book I read last month, this it the Hamlet version. In a silly adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, you get to read as Hamlet, Ophelia, or King Hamlet, (but mostly as his ghost because he dies right at the beginning).

Toothpaste for Dinner by Drew

Toothpaste for Dinner, the webcomic, has updated daily with single panel comics since 2002. This book collects 200 of those comics.

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Safiya is a Truthwitch, able to tell truth from lies. Her best friend Iseult is a Threadwitch, able to see the threads that tie people to the world around them and reveal their emotions. As a truce between nations is coming to an end, Safiya’s power is no longer a secret, and many nations will…

U

Unseen by Chad Allen

‘Unseen is an audio comic created by Chad Allen. Written by a blind person, with a blind heroine, for blind (and sighted) audiences. Unseen is the story of Afsana, a blind assassin living in a chaotic world in which she is invisible to society. Discounting her abilities is her enemies’ gravest mistake’

V

W

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

Marin moves across the country to start college, leaving everything and everyone from her life behind. Then her best friend visits during winter break, forcing her to face the truth of the tragedy she ran away from.

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

Zafira is the Hunter, tasked with finding an ancient artifact to restore magic and save her people. Nasir is the assassin tasked with finding that same artifact and killing the Hunter.

What If? by Randall Munroe

One time I figured out how much the moon would weigh if it were on Earth instead of in orbit. This is like that but if all of the consequences of putting the moon on Earth were taken into account and the calculations were done by someone who actually, probably, knows what they’re doing.

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

After the death of Cullen Witter’s cousin, his small town become obsessed with finding an extinct species of woodpecker, and his brother suddenly disappears. Elsewhere, a a young missionary struggles to find purpose.

Where We Were by Kellie Sheridan

Reece, Rhiannon, Reagan, and Reilly are identical quadruplets whose parents have decided to relocate their family from the city they grew up in to the small town they were born in.

The Wonder Engine by T. Kingfisher

Now in Anuket City, Slate, Caliban, Brenner, and Learned Edmund must find allies and uncover the mystery of the Clockwork Boys before their pasts catch up with them first.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

When Lockwood takes shelter for a night in the home of his landlord, Heathcliff, he learns the complicated past of the man, the former resident, Catherine, and the troubles of their heirs.

X

Y

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Amy Poehler’s memoir covers the highlights of her career, personal anecdotes, and lessons she’s learned along the way.

Z