Tag: #booksuggestions

The Mask of Merryvale Manor

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Pete Sherlock

The Mask of Merryvale Manor is an entertaining and sometimes unsettling mystery. The novel begins on a dark and sultry evening at Natasha Merryvales’s wedding. Natasha and Ben have escaped the wedding party in an attempt to spend time alone together…the only problem is that Ben isn’t the groom; in fact, he is Natasha’s cousin. If this doesn’t complicate matters enough, whilst walking along the bank of the lake, they stumble upon a corpse, half buried in the water. Not only is this discovery shocking to all, but a few family members coincidentally recognise the shoe. They can, therefore, identify the corpse. But there is a dark secret surrounding the dead woman that someone in the family is privy to, and it is so condemning that it could lead someone to murder.

The plot of this novel is engaging enough, although a few segments are rather slow. Ben’s character is also quite interesting. Still, the story is written from his perspective. It is a first-person narrative, so the reader is left wondering exactly how reliable he is. 

I really appreciate the author’s writing skills and story ideas. Still, I did figure out the “guilty party(ies)” (no spoilers) well before the end of the novel.

It’s definitely worth a recommendation.

…plus I think the cover is cool!

Thank you to Fairlight Books and Netgalley for the copy!

Shred Sisters

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By Betsy Lerner

I come from a family of sisters, so naturally, at times, I gravitate towards novels that present a sister dynamic. Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner is one such novel.

Sisters Olivia and Amy are polar opposites of one another. Olivia is magnetic and confident, whereas Amy is inconspicuous and awkward. When they are younger, there is no love lost between the sisters because Olivia isn’t the most loving of older sisters; on top of often mercilessly bullying Amy, she makes high-risk decisions which result in behaviour and consequences that threaten to rip the family apart.

I liked this novel well enough. When Olivia and Amy were younger, I could feel empathy for both, each dealing with the reality of their lives and not being happy with it. However, once the women got older, I lost a bit of empathy for Amy as she began to make decisions that aren’t “high risk” to her physical well-being but rather, well, for lack of a better term, stupid and selfish. My allegiance to each sister changes.

This novel successfully presents how mental illness can affect a family. How heartbreaking it can be to consider disowning a loved one because their destructive behaviour potentially creates an undue hardship on you, especially in a time and place where the support system for mental illness is severely lacking. Can you love a sister enough to keep her in your life even though she damages your success, happiness and mental well-being? Or do you love yourself enough to let her go?

Thank you to Netgalley and Grove Press for the copy,

I Died on A Tuesday

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Jane Corry

Have you read this book? I picked this one up at the airport. It is a good “light” read (light as in style and prose, not necessity the subject matter; I mean, it is, after all, about death).

The story is set in the aftermath of a horrific hit-and-run and delves into the consequences and repercussions for everyone involved. 

Twenty years ago, on a quiet seaside road, Janie was riding her bike early in the morning when she was suddenly struck by a white van. But Janie did not die ( now, this isn’t a spoiler because the VERY first chapter is written in italics from Janie’s point of view). Horrifically, Janie remains in a comma, alone with only her thoughts and memories of the life she had led thus far. 

The story is also about Robbie, a famous singer-songwriter and musician. Now Robbie is linked to Janie. You see, he was a passenger in the van that hit her all though years ago, and he is riddled with guilt, not just because he was riding in the vehicle involved in a hit and run, but because he knows who was driving and divulging that truth would put his and his family’s lives at risk. 

The novel is written from alternating points of view: Janie, Robbie and a middle-aged woman named Vanessa. Now, Vanessa’s link to Janie is that her husband was one of the detectives assigned to find the person responsible for Janie’s injuries. Vanesa also serves as a victim’s advocate in court.

There is also a smattering of other characters with chapters written from their points of view, newspaper clippings of the case, diary entries and song lyrics. 

This novel is a perfect vacation novel. It possesses simple themes of guilt, redemption, forgiveness and resilience. Short chapters, varying points of view and a plot filled with twists and turns and connections that, for the most part, the reader can’t see coming. 

Sweet Fury

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by Sarah Bischoff

I REALLY enjoyed this book. It was the soap-operatic suspenseful novel I needed to get me out of a minor reading slump. Told from various points of view, the reader soon realizes they cannot trust any narrator.

Lila Crayne is beautiful and brilliant. She is THE most sought-after actress of the moment. She has everything she could have ever wished for: beauty, fame, a handsome famous actor as a fiance and now the role of a lifetime. Lila and her husband are producing a feminist version of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Tender is the Night” (a rendition I would love to read in real life). For Lila to fully envelope her character, she seeks therapy under the care of Johna Gabriel, who coincidentally has an infatuation with F. Scott Fitzgerald. The story is told in the third person narrative with chapters in first person under the guise of Jonah’s private patient notes on Lila and Lila’s journal. Soon, forbidden attractions occur, secrets are revealed, and half-truths are believed, culminating in a shocking act of violence. 

I enjoyed this novel’s pace, plot, and finding very few characters with redeeming characteristics. Now, I want to go out and read Fitzgerald’s Tender is the Night.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the free copy

A Sorceress Coes To Call

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by T Kingfisher

I immediately knew I would love this book because Kingfisher is a tried and true author. A Sorceress Comes to Call is a take on the fairytale The Goose Girl. So, If you’re a fan of Kingfisher and fairytale retelling, this book is perfect for you. 

14-year-old Corderlia’s mother, Evangeline, takes cohesive control to a new level. You see, Evangeline is secretly a sorceress whose “gift”, if you could call it that, is to place an “obedience” spell on anyone she chooses. This spell causes a person to do Evangeline’s bidding while being conscious that what they are saying and how they are acting is not of their doing…like being a marionette on a string. When Evangeline’s “benefactor” cuts off all monetary support, she sets off to town to find a wealthy suitor who will support the life she desires. 

Meanwhile, a woman by the name of Hester wakes up one morning with a sense of dread. She knows some ill fate is about to settle on her house, and sure enough, she is right when “doom” arrives in the form of a beautiful woman bent on seducing Hester’s brother Samuel. Even though Hester is focused on figuring out Evangeline’s motives, she is empathetic towards Cordelia, and it soon becomes evident that Cordelia is terrified of her mother, fueling Hester’s premonition. 

I REALLY enjoyed this book. It’s an entertaining fantasy with just the right amount of suspense and violence. I especially liked Hester’s character; her practicality, humour, and sense of sarcasm made her my favourite.

Thank you to Tor Publishing and Netgalley for the copy.

My Darling Dreadful Thing

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by Johanna Van Veen

What a wonderfully gothic tragic love story! I may have found a new favourite author to add to my list. Johanna Van Veen is a master at creating atmosphere. Creepy, sad and at times ominous. Our protagonist, Roos, has had a tragic life. Roos has been made to participate in her abusive mother’s seances since she was a child and showed a connection to the spirit world. She would have likely continued this life if it hadn’t been for a beautiful young widow, Agnes, who participated in a seance one evening. Agnes and Roos quickly find a connection to each other because they share one extraordinary thing in common…they both possess spirit companions. Agnes invites Roos to come and live with her in the decrepit, haunting estate left to her by her husband. Shortly after her arrival,  Roos realized there is more to the estate than first meets the eye. Her spirit companion can feel it too, and soon, strange noises and smells make Roos curious to find what or who else lurks in the hallways of her new home. What she finds is more than disturbing to both her and us, the reader.

The Puzzle Box

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by Danielle Trussoni

The first Trussoni book I read was Angelology…if you haven’t read it, you should. Since then, Trussoni has written a number of books, one of which was The Puzzle Master, where our protagonist is Mike Brink, a fascinating character with ‘acquired savant syndrome. You see since Mike suffered a traumatic brain injury whilst playing football, he’s been able to create and solve intricate puzzles. He sees and, at times, feels patterns and solutions to the most complex and compelling puzzles. In the novel The Puzzle Box, Mike is challenged by Japan’s Imperial Family to open the infamous Dragon Box. But solving this puzzle is more than problematic. It’s deadly. Scores of individuals have died attempting. 

This novel is great fun. I find the character of Mike Brink fascinating; he is brilliant, socially awkward, and silently lonely, and it is hard for someone to understand him and his gift. The premise and plot of this book are highly engaging, and you will have read it in its entirety in a day.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the free copy.

The Bookseller’s Wife

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

Book 1 of Chiswell Street Series
by Jane Davis


Dorcus Turton comes from a family whose name historically holds power and respect. However, as the only surviving heir, her life has been challenging. Upon the death of her mother, her father started a downward struggle of alcoholism and gambling debt. Dorcus runs a girls’ school out of their home and takes up some seamstress tasks, but she can still not stave off the debt collectors, so she resorts to taking in renters. James Lackington and his wife turn out to be more than just renters; they are a wonderful addition to Dorcus’s life, with their kindness and generosity and their tremendous love of reading and books, something with which Dorcus strongly identifies. The Lackington’s dream is to become booksellers, and with the help of Dorcus and her father, their dream soon comes to fruition. Of course, tragedy strikes in the form of sickness, death and heartbreak, and Dorcus’s life drastically changes, but will it be for the better?
I really liked this book….up until the last third. The author went from a wonderful exploration of a resilient woman’s life during Georgian London to a focus on the politics of the time. The political atmosphere of the time is, of course, essential to character choice and the advancement of the plot. I just wished it was more woven into the plot instead of reading like a textbook. I was also a little disappointed in the book’s ending; it seemed rather abrupt, but then I realized that this book is the first in a series. So now I know that this isn’t the end of Dorcus’s story.

Thank you to Rossdale Print Productions and Netgalley for the free copy.

Where I End

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by Sophie White

Did it like this book? It was enthralling, highly atmospheric and deeply, deeply disturbing. 
I like books that jar me out of complacency.
This novel is rife with trigger warnings. While I’m not particularly fond of body horror, its inclusion in this book was not gratuitous. Instead, the descriptions served to enhance the theme, atmosphere, and characterization.
So, what is this gothic horror novel about?
Aoileann is a teenage girl who is trapped. She’s trapped on a remote island with her catatonic mother and her abusive grandmother. Aoileann’s entire life centres around the care of her mother, and this obligation has turned to hatred (often referring to her mother as “the bed thing”. 
The hatred is caused, in part, by a family secret…what caused her mother’s state? Both her father and her grandmother refuse to give answers.
Desperate for love, familial or otherwise, Aoileann is drawn to a newcomer, Rachel, a young mother who has arrived as an artist in residence. Aoileann’s desperation for love and companionship drives her to do almost anything for attention. Soon, she begins to resent the time and attention Rachrel has towards her newborn. 
Written in the first person, the reader is privy to an uncensored reading of Aoileann’s true thoughts, making her a very creepy, unsympathetic character. 
This is in no way a happy book. I needed to go hug a puppy after reading it. 
The author, in her forward, shares her inspiration for this story. 
So, did I like this book? I have been thinking about it on and off since I read it, a sure sign that I found it impactful. 
This novel lends itself to high school discussion on genre, theme, definitely atmosphere and the impact of first person point of view.
Thank you to Erewhon Books and Netgalley for the copy.

I Am Wind: An Autobiography

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written by Rachel Poliquin illustrated by Rachel Wada

This book is BEAUTIFUL. Poetry, science, culture, folklore, history artwork. This book is a perfect example of how to use a multitude of genres to teach a concept.  A quintessential hybrid text. 

First of all, Wind is personified. It is the main character of the text. Wind tells us their story through poetry:” I Am Wind/I whistle. I howl/I’ll steal your hat, your house, your kitten, your kite/ I whisper whisper whisper secrets in the leaves…I am the Great Rushing in All Directions” (Poliquin). Wind is portrayed as a beautiful, gentle friend and destructive enemy. 

Wind also tells us their story through history with little “Wind Chronicles,” which describe types of winds in various cultures and record historical events of destruction and peril caused by tornados and storms.

Wind also charmingly tells of its characteristics directly (as if in an extended character sketch): how it is created, the types of wind forces, how man has harnessed Wind for its own uses (sailing, wind farms), how it is perceived in mythology, and its multitude of names in various cultures.

Throughout all of this wonderful poetry, prose, and information are the most beautiful paintings in the most vibrant colours. A multitude of lessons could be created from the artwork alone.

For educators and families with young children, I am Wind: An Autobiography is a delightful addition to your library. It’s not just informative; it’s engaging and absolutely beautiful. This book will captivate your little ones, making learning a fun and interactive experience.

…oh and the book creators live in British Columbia so we’ve got some Canadian content AND indigenous content (this always makes me happy).
I will be recommending this book to every teacher I know!

I will definitely be recommending this book to every teacher I know!!

You will be able to own this book November 5, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the free copy.

Lake of Souls

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Ann Leckie

Ann Leckie is a brilliant author. Science Fiction isn’t usually my genre of choice; however, some of my favourite books are Sci-Fic, so I’m not sure why I don’t choose it more often. Maybe because I didn’t have access to ANYTHING sci-fi as a child???. In this particular anthology, there are newer stories Leckie has written and stories set in the world of The Raven Tower novel. I have chosen to comment on a few of the stories that sit outside the world of the Raven Tower. The Novela Lake of Souls is one of these. As a narrative, it has SO many layers: world-building, exciting development, and a variety of deep themes of identity through place and family adventure, imagination, and curiosity, all of which would instigate and feed thought and discussion. 

The anthology features a diverse range of stories. Another Word for World explores the importance of communication, especially in power dynamics and across generations. The Justified serves as a mentor text for political sci-fi with dystopian elements. The VERY short tale, Footprints , is a creepy atmospheric tale about a potentially human little girl and her malevolent ‘toy’ bear (great for teaching atmosphere and indeterminant ending).Each story offers a unique reading experience, showcasing Leckie’s versatility as an author.

This anthology of Ann Leckie’s works is not just a collection of entertaining stories that can be used as a suitable resource for study in a high school English class. Leckie’s mastery of storytelling and her beautiful gift of prose makes her works engaging. Moreover, her skill as a world-builder, particularly in science fiction, adds an educational dimension to her stories, making them credible for academic study. 

Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for the free copy.

The Poppy War

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by R.F Kuang

I love the Poppy War. It is intense. It is heavy. It is magical. It is heartbreaking. I thought about the characters and their choices long after I read it. 

When I first encountered Kuang’s work in Babel, I was struck by her distinctive writing style. It’s a style that I envy, one that I wish I could emulate. Her sentences are not just words on a page, but lyrical, concise, impactful expressions that brim with imagery and emotion. 

When you start reading The Poppy War, you’ll want to gulp the plot down as quickly as possible, but you will choke on its intensity and detail. No. You have to sip. There is SO much information regarding plot character and world building in each and every sentence.

Rin, our tragic hero, is a war orphan fostered in the Rooster province. She’s faced with a future dictated by her fate, one that she refuses to accept. Instead, she sets her sights on a different path, one that leads to the Kejee, the Empire-wide exam . Passing this exam would grant her entry into the most prestigious military school in the Empire, a chance to shape her own destiny. 

While at school, Rin uncovers her heritage, a revelation that sheds light on her unusually powerful gifts. This aspect of the story not only adds depth to Rin’s character but also enriches the world-building, as it reveals a hidden layer of the book’s supernatural realm.

Having yet to graduate, Rin and the rest of her fellow schoolmates are thrown into a war where they have to put to use the skills and strategies they have learned in real-life and death battles.

The Poppy War is not just a novel, it’s a rich tapestry of themes. It delves into the ethics of war, exploring concepts like genocide and the means justifying the end. It grapples with identity, power, and responsibility. And it celebrates the bonds of friendship. These themes are not just surface-level musings, but wonderfully complex and beautifully developed, with more to come in the second and third books of the trilogy. 

The world-building is enthralling. The political systems, cultures, supernatural realm, military, and educational systems are beautifully detailed, and all contribute successfully to the progression of the plot, the development of characters, and the strengthening of themes. 

The Poppy War has become one of my favourite books of the year. I am in the process of reading the second book the in the trilogy, and it’s starting off as just as wonderful as the first.

The Foxglove King and the Hemlock Queen

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books 1 and 2 of the Nightshade Crown by Hannah Witten

The Foxglove King

Who doesn’t like a novel about a young woman who has escaped from a cult using only her wits and her ability to wield Death Magic. Unfortunately her wits and her ability aren’t enough for her to escape her entrapment by the Presque Mort (yay for Warrior Monks). Lore is forced by the Presque Mort to work for the king, using her gift to find out what is behind the death of entire villages in the realm (these deaths are being blamed on an enemy country thus causing political tension). What a fabulous premise for great action. 

During this time, Lore becomes entangled in two complicated relationships; one to Gabrial, himself a warrior monk (so yes I’m partial to Gabrial) and the other to Prince Basitan the “pot stirring” heir to the throne.

The Foxglove King is an easy, enjoyable read with a likable heroine and a plot sprinkled with politics, the supernatural and glimmers of romance that is bound to develop in subsequent books.

A perfect series to start this summer!

The Hemlock Queen

So I had to take the time to read the first of Nightshade Crown Series before I could start The Hemlock Queen. Maybe I needed a palate cleanser of a different genre before I read the second in this series because I found the plot a bit plodding and therefore didn’t enjoy it as much as the first.

One of my favourite characters from the series is Gabriel but we didn’t see him as much and therefore was only mildly involved in the plot and in Lore’s character development.

Although I was bored at times, I still enjoyed being immersed in the world building and I still love Lore as our heroine so I will more than likely continue to visit the Sainted King’s Court.