Tag: #reading

The First Bright Thing

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by J. R. Dawson

Full disclosure: it took me a couple of tries to get into this book, and by “tries,” I mean I only gave it a couple of pages before dismissing it for something else (and then something else and something else…I was in a bit of a slump with no patience and unrealistic expectations for amusement) but once I did het into it, I absolutely LOVED it.
Imagine, if you will, a selection of the population possessive of particular gifts or “sparks” as they are called in the narrative. Now, these sparks are anything from time jumping, location jumping, healing, and the power of persuasion, just to name a few. Some people choose to use their spark for good, and others, well, others use their power selfishly to manipulate the world around them to suit their desires.
The story centres around a circus, a circus made up of Sparks. The circus offers a safe haven for people who need to escape the trauma created by World War One and the anxiety brewing in the world with the murmurings of World War Two. Our main character is the Ringmaster herself, Rin, who, with her Spark family of circus performers, travel the country in their circus train, pitching their tent in locations where they are needed most. But the circus environment is less than ideal; even though the government (made up of non-sparks) tolerates them, Sparks are viewed as suspicious and are often victims of harassment and violence and referred to as freaks. Not only does the Ringmaster, Rin, have the responsibility of keeping her circus Sparks safe, but she is also running from her own nightmare, her abuser, the Circus Master.
On top of the fantastic plot and the intriguing characters, this book can also be considered a political narrative. If you had the power to change the past to alter the future with the intent to prevent a war, would you? To what extent would you get involved with the revelation of fate, or would you command destiny yourself? To what extent would you involve those you love in your commandeering of the future? Would you do so for their sake? Or for yours?
About midway through, I did have the ending figured out. Still, the writing was so engaging I didn’t mind the predictability.
This novel would be perfect for mentor text to teach foreshadowing, flashback, theme, characterization, and atmosphere. I would absolutely recommend this novel to high school students.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the free copy.

None of This is True

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by Lisa Jewell

This book ruined my plans for the day. Once I started it, I could not do anything else until I was finished. It was creeeeeeeeepy!!! A perfectly paced plot that created a crazy sense of suspense. In fact, he plot immediately sucks you in, and you can’t escape until you reach the “wtf” conclusion.

The story is about Alix Summers and Josie Fair. Two women, strangers to each other, who just happen to be “birthday twins”. But having the same day of birth is the only thing these two women have in common. They meet by chance at a restaurant whilst celebrating their birthdays! Alix is a beautiful, vibrant woman with a podcast celebrating the accomplishments of women who have overcome adversity. Josie is an unassuming part-time seamstress who is in want of a life different from her own. When Josie discovers who Alix is, she approaches her with a proposition; to tell the story of her life, a life she is determined to change.

However, Josie’s life has been anything but normal. Soon Alix uncovers uncomfortable truths about this birthday twin of hers (little objects are beginning to disappear from her house, and Josie is spotted on her home’s security camera rifling through recycling). Is Josie a victim? Or is she a psychopath?

Loved this novel. Perfect if you are looking for a quick-absorbing read.
Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the free copy.

The Spider

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by Lars Kepler

Lars Kepler scared the crap out of me over ten years ago when I first read The Hypnotist. Since then, Kepler has published several Nordic murder mystery novels with detective Joona Linna as the central investigator. In The Spider, however, our focus is on another investigator Saga Bauer who has been on leave from the department with PTSD. Saga has been receiving little figurines of people, people who have a resemblance to people she knows. The killer has sent her a note saying that she will receive 9 figures, meaning 9 deaths, and it is up to Saga to find the murderer before the subsequent killing. Upon receiving a figurine, the person it represents is murdered in an incredibly gruesome manner. Kepler writes from various viewpoints, Joona, Saga, and the victims. It is by putting us in the shoes of the victims that creates an incredible sense of dread in the reader. A fast-paced, incredibly creepy crime novel that will keep you awake at night. A perfect summer or weekend read.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin House Canada for the free copy.

When Women Were Dragons

~ Lisa Helm ~ 1 Comment

by Kelly Barnhill

On April 25, 1955, thousands of women spontaneously morphed into dragons. Some flew off without incident, but others left a trail of death and destruction behind them. What would cause these women to do such a thing? After all, they should have been perfectly happy and content in their socially suitable lives. But to change into something fierce and beautiful and utterly independent! What a horrible tragedy. And all hoped it would never happen again….but it did.
This novel follows young Alexandra (or Alex as she prefers to be called) from childhood to young adulthood as she navigates a world where female role models struggle to figure out their identities. Alex’s aunt Marla is a dynamic woman who flew aircraft in the war, works in a garage and has never married. Alex’s mother was a gifted mathematician who built a name for herself in banking and investment but chose to become a wife and mother and leave her mathematical aspirations behind. And seeing how the story takes place in the 1950s and 60s, this struggle for identity is divisive both in society and the family dynamic. To make matters worse (or better), it seems that those women breaking from the societal norm of how “womanhood” is defined spontaneously turn into dragons. Alex must first decide how she views herself in a society defined chiefly by men and then decide what path she will take to live as her authentic self. Will that include turning into a dragon? Read the novel to find out.

This Is How You Lose the Time War

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by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone

This novel is worthy of discussion. In fact, I feel like I need to write a paper on its theme and style. It is definitely not a “light” summer read, but worthy of time and attention nonetheless. One must sip it slowly to fully appreciate the beauty of its story.
This is How You Lose the Time War is a novel primarily written in letters. Red and Blue are two women on opposite sides of a “time war”. Red is from a side that supports and serves the advancement of technology, and Blue belongs to the side that supports the environment and a more “natural” side of evolution. Their jobs are to influence the future with actions that best serve their agenda. They meet from afar at certain times in history and eventually fall in love. Unfortunately, their only means of communicating this love is a series of letters they leave to one another. Their love story, of course, is forbidden because they are, after all, sworn enemies.
I really liked this book. The evolution of Red and Blue’s relationship is beautifully written.
Buy this book. Read this book. In fact, find someone to read it with you. Then talk about it.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

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by Sarah Maas

Well, this was a perfect summer read for me.

Easy to read ( like gulping a lemonade or a Corona on a hot summer day), escapist (who doesn’t like faerie realms?), romantic (who doesn’t like a bad boy…or two?), and a kick-ass female protagonist who does more saving than being saved herself.
A fast-paced, spicy fantasy. I will undoubtedly be reading the rest of the series.

Citadel

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by C. M. Alongi

First of all, the cover of this novel is gorgeous. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but in this case, it’s perfectly safe to do so. There is so much to say about this book. Our main character is Olivia, a beautiful silver-haired young woman called a “freak” by her peers. In fact, when she was young, some adults suggested she be thrown in the rising water because she would be a “burden” for her family and for the Citadel in general.
The Citadel is a city encircled by a wall to protect it from the demons that lurk in the woods beyond.
It is a fascinating place, primarily medieval in its beliefs, be it religion, politics, or societal norms, especially when viewing someone who doesn’t fit in with what is deemed “normal”, which Oliva is not. Olivia is non-verbal autistic but also brilliant, artistic and intuitive. When she comes face to face with a demon on an expedition outside the walls of the Citadel (while she is foraging for medicinal plants), she realizes that demons are just as misunderstood as she is.
The world-building in this novel is impressive. Immersive and intriguing. I also loved the secondary story that weaves along with Olivia, the story of Riley, Olivia’s best friend, trying to forge his own path in a society that is suffocating his individuality.
Citadel is a story about identity, acceptance, friendship, family, and, most of all, having the strength to pursue the truth.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley for the free copy.

Bad Cree

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Jessica Johns

I am fascinated by movies and books that use elements of horror as symbols of grief. The film Babadook is a perfect example of this; the Babadook monster is grief itself (and I’m NOT usually a horror fan). Bad Cree does something similar. Our protagonist is a young Cree woman named Mackenzie who is LITERALLY haunted by the unexpected deaths of her Kokum and sister. She has terrifying dreams of drowning and being stalked by crows, dreams that are beginning to cross into her real world. She wakes up drenched after dreaming of drowning, and another morning she wakes up clutching a bloody head of a crow after dreaming of aggressive crows.
The only people who understand what Mackenzie is experiencing are the only people who can save her; her family. Mackenzie heads home to High Prairie, Alberta, where she literally has to battle her grief “monsters” with the help of her powerful women relatives.
This book is an amazing story of resilience, grief, identity, and the importance of family. It is also beautifully written. Johns is a master of description and detail; I felt I was standing beside Mackenzie through everything she was going through…a place where, at times, was an extremely uncomfortable place to be.

I would definitely have a couple of copies of this novel in my classroom for an independent novel study, or as a book club option.

One Giant Leap

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by Ben Gartner

Well, I enjoyed this book immensely. The tone (and obviously the subject matter) reminded me of the conversational, funny tone of “The Martian” but this time our protagonist is only 12. Finn Scott has been chosen to be one of the first kids to travel to the International Space Station by The StellerKids Project. Needless to say, he is very excited for a number of reasons: not only because he loves space and science, but also because he could use a break from his parents. Fin’s mother was tragically injured in a plane crash, and although she survived she has been undergoing immense rehabilitation in the hospital Naturally Fin’s dad has been consumed with caring for his wife leaving Fin to navigate some of life on his own. Although Fin does have his uncle D to accompany him on his space training, Fin feels as if he is facing not only “normal” twelve-year-old issues on his own, but now he may have to face the more adult “interstellar” issues that may come his way. 

During training, Fin and the rest of the crew begin to suspect someone does not want kids in space. Why else would the safety mechanism on the subterfuge be disabled? Who messed with the flight simulator to ensure participant failure? All of these “mishaps” may not seem important during training, but when the crew embarks upon their real journey into space, there can be no room for error, let alone premeditated, purposeful sabotage. But tragedy does happen, and  Fin and the rest of the “Stellerkids” find themselves on a mission to save the adults after a catastrophic event. 

A perfect book for middle-grade students who are interested in STEM however the engaging tone of our narrator will make it an engaging read for all students. This novel will also make THE perfect read aloud for grades 5-8. 

Thank you to Crescent Vista Press and Netgalley for the free copy.

Death at the Party

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by Amy Stuart

The story starts with our protagonist watching a man die. She pulls her phone out a couple of times, tempted to call 911 but pauses.

No, it would be better if he were dead.

We then flashback to that morning. Nadine Walsh, daughter, wife, mother, is making the final preparations for her mother’s birthday party that evening. Throughout the day we meet various people who will be attending the party. We are introduced to these potential partygoers (one of which is our victim)  through the critical lens of Nadine herself, so some of them we like, and the others,

well, we don’t like quite as much.

Is this because we are influenced by Nadine herself?

And just to make our reading a bit more uncomfortable, Nadine isn’t exactly the most sympathetic of characters until… well, I won’t spoil it for you.

I loved this book. It was perfect for a weekend read on my balcony sipping a cosmopolitan. A perfect addition to your summer reading list.

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

No Two Persons

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by Erica Bauemeister

No Two Persons is an amazing story about the power of books. In this novel we trace the impact one story can have on numerous people.
The story starts with the author Alice who has always known she would be a “magician”and create new worlds using words. At first Alice doubts her ability to write. She is consumed by heartbreak after the loss of the one person who believed in her gift and who loved her unconditionally. However it is because of this heartbreak that she manifests her novel Theo. Bauermeister writes of Alice’s inspiration in such a beautiful way it has become one of my favourite parts of the book.Theo eventually becomes published and then the rest of the book is filled with individual chapters that tell the stories of varied individuals and their spiritual encounter with Alice’s novel. Each character’s story shows us that one book can weave its magic in everyone whether it be a famous movie star, a homeless teenager, or a middle aged caretaker. The power of story knows no bounds. I was also so grateful that such a beautiful story possessed a satisfying conclusion.
I would definitely reccomend this book to my High School Students. It would also be suitable for critical analysis, and for studying symbol, theme, character, and style. A highly reccomended mentor text.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for the free copy.

The Sound of Gravel

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by Ruth Wariner

I just finished watching “Shiny Happy People’ on Prime and found it fascinating! So I was looking for an audiobook similar in its subject matter. I did a bit of digging and found the memoir “The Sound of Gravel”, downloaded it and started listening to it on one of my runs. I got lost in the story and ran 3km longer than I intended. I returned home and continued to listen to the book until it was finished. It was SO good. I listened to it all day.
Ruth Wariner writes of her childhood growing up in a polygamist family where the ONLY way for a woman to enter heaven was to have as many children as possible, even if there was no nourishing food, running water, and heat to raise them. I was so angry at Ruth’s mother when I was listening to this story for a number of reasons that I won’t list here for fear of spoiling the narrative. Although I was angry and frustrated for most of it, Ruth’s intellect, resilience, and courage made it indeed a story of heroism, the heroism of a child.

Ever Since

~ Lisa Helm ~ Leave a comment

by Alena Bruzas

The novel is a real and raw story centered around the dynamics between a group of friends the summer of their freshman year. It is about their friendships, their fallout, loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness.
The novel deals with really weighty subjects: sex, sexual abuse, date rape, alcohol abuse, and emotional abuse.
The characters are diverse in ethnicity and gender identity.
Again, it is REAL.
If you’ve got a teenager in your life, this novel would offer AMAZING points of discussion around sexuality, friendship, victimization, healing, and empowerment.

Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley for the free copy.