In our second week in the Libraries Rock Adult Summer Teading program we had 17 reviews submitted by seven readers. The winner of last week's drawing submitted another five reviews - she is obviously a voracious reader! Thanks to everyone who submitted reviews this week. The winner of the drawing will be notified. Our first winner selected the Lenox "Sunflower" vase as her prize. Check out the selection in the showcase just inside the front door.
There were a few readers who just submitted titles - some with a numeric rating indicated by circling musical notes on the form. The books they have read and their ratings if they were included are: Once Upon a Time There was You by Elizabeth Berg (4 notes); Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (5 notes); Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah and The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende (4 notes). We also had a reader who submitted Quick and Easy Quilts by Lynne Goldsworthy. I know she is a quilter and this is one of our newer books on machine quilting. Born a Crime was the book that was discussed at the Wednesday Coffee and Conversation Book Group this week and it sounded like it was an interesting and surprisingly funny true story about a mixed-race young man growing up in a land and time, South Africa during apartheid, when it was a crime for his parents to be together and have a child.
There were also a few reviews of mystery or detective thrillers:
Crash and Burn by Lisa Gardener - "When a thrice-concussed woman begins to recover fragmented memories from her traumatic past, a police detective and a private investigator team up to unravel mysteries past and present, real and imagined. Excellent suspense with well-developed characters and intriguing plot; just when you think you have a handle on the situation, another revelation throws your theory right out the window. Highly recommended. Five notes."
Dark Summer by Iris Johansen - "When a devoted vet treats a wounded search and rescue dog, she unwittingly becomes a target in a deadly international race for a mystic panacea with unlimited potential. Strong characters and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing who should be trusted. Four notes."
And there were some noteworthy non-fiction and biographical titles:
Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher - "Sad, funny, truthful - refreshing honesty about mental illness. Four notes."
Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher - "Funny and easy to read. As a Star Wars fan, I really enjoyed it. Five notes."
Brain Maker by David Perlmutter - "Scary eye-opening book everyone should read to learn how to eat in a way to assist our brains and overall health."
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer - "I did not love this book. We will never know why the protagonist Chris McCandless died and this book is all about the speculation as to why. I feel the book glorifies this foolish young man. Four notes."
Last week's winner submitted a few more titles in the juvenile and young adult science fiction series she reads. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani (juvenile) is "another wonderful addition to the new trend of books re-imagining fairy tales. The first in the story of Sophie and Agatha, this book shows how the concepts of Good and Evil are not necessarily as black and white as one might think. There are wise lessons that children (and adults) can learn from the many themes of this book. Looking forward to see what happens to Sophie and Agatha in the subsequent books. Four notes." Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo (young adult): "While a nice wrap-up to the duology begun in Six of Crows, there are parts where the action stagnates and the story slows to make it tougher to get through. It was nice to see character perspectives not utilized in the previous book, and the reader is left wondering what will happen to the characters in the future. A great addition to Bardugo's books already set in the fictional Grishaverse. Four notes." Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (young adult) (first book in the six book Throne of Glass series) - "Who can find fault with a story about a female assassin? This first of several tales set in a science fiction locale will entrance readers with fast-paced action and a solidly plotted story. The biggest fault is that the assassin has two boys who develop feelings for her way to early in the saga; waiting a book or two for romance would have given time to show how the lead could be a strong, independent woman without the need for a 'princely' foil. Five notes."
The same reviewer also read: Summer at the Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan (series started with Little Beach Street Bakery) - "Colgan's continuation of Polly's story hits the mark for good plotting and continued character development. Polly still struggles to find the 'happily ever after' all humans yearn for. Best part is that we get to join the next adventures of Neil the Puffin. Four notes." And The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson (part of the Medieval Fairy Tale Series) - "A charming story set in the 1300's in what will become today's Germany. While predictable for the most part, the fun is learning how Odette and Jorgan overcome the many obstacles to their future happiness. Three notes."
All adults are welcome to submit a form for every book read. The entry form can be printed from the library website page for summer reading at https://www.sbpl.info/adults/summer-read-adults/ or copies can be picked up in the library. There should be plenty of copies available next to the drop boxes at the Information Desk and at the Check-out Desk.
Good luck and happy reading!
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