"Against the Wind" by Amanda Cabot

Against the Wind (Oct. 3, 2023) by Amanda Cabot.*

<This is the second novel in a series.>

Time away from Sweetwater Crossing has done wonders for Louisa Vaughn. She’s a doctor-in-training with midwifery instruction. Louisa plans to be back for a few days to help a friend, but when she finds an injured man along the roadside, she won’t abandon him. She isn’t yet a fully qualified doctor, but she’s got the skills and the passion. Josh Porter plans to win his grandfather’s challenge to win control of the family business, Porter & Sons (P&S). He’s laid up for several weeks with his broken leg in a cast without his horse, Zeus, and his saddlebags containing recipes that he believes will clinch his win. It’s a roadblock, but having to pause in Sweetwater Crossing prompts new ideas. When he puts his plan into action, with Louisa’s perceptive ideas, this reality lights a spark that he didn’t know he’d been missing. Now, if only the town would accept Louisa as a doctor (this is Texas Hill country in 1883). The disparaging comments are bad enough, but someone in the town wants her to abandon her passion for healing others. Can Louisa and Josh find the person behind the threats? Is there a future for them as a couple when neither plan to stay?

            I’d been looking forward to the second installment in the “Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing” series, hoping for reconciliation between Emily and youngest sister, Louisa. This story did not disappoint. From Louisa’s fervent determination to become a doctor to big-city Josh finding comfort and new direction in a small town, this story is sweet on forgiveness, ambition, family, friendship, faith and belonging. The challenge that Louisa faces as a woman in a “man’s field” is inspiring, as well as frustrating to me, a woman in the 21st Century, but it makes rooting for Louisa and Josh all the easier. Cabot’s characters are authentic, her writing even-keeled, including during moments of turmoil for her characters. This Christian, historical fiction romance is a delight.

            Book One: After the Shadows

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"The Sinister Booksellers of Bath" by Garth Nix

The Sinister Booksellers of Bath (Mar. 21, 2023) by Garth Nix.

<This is the second novel in a series.>

Mythical trouble isn’t exclusive to London. The focus now is Bath. The booksellers of the Small Bookshop (which isn’t actually small) who police the Old World there keep close watch on the entity that inhabits the Roman Baths, Sulis Minerva, though it’s not that entity that’s the source of the trouble. Right-handed bookseller Vivien finds a sorcerous map amongst the extensive book collection of a deceased bibliophile. When her brother, Merlin, touches a bee from the map, he’s transported into a pocket dimension that’s been taken out of time and must be rescued by his sister and Susan Arkshaw. Susan wants to live a “normal” life, meaning she’d rather not be involved in the Old World, the mythical. But saving Merlin is only the start of the spiral. They need to discover the entity belonging to the map, not for general knowledge, but because the entity has murdered 26 people. The last one, Travis Zelley, was different, for he was also tortured. The Ancient Sovereign of the Alphabet House and her monstrous living statues of Purbeck marble must be stopped before the murderous cycle begins again. Because it’s no secret that A starts the alphabet, and there’s a certain demi-mortal whose surname begins with A...

            While I don’t want to have to battle living statues of Purbeck marble (or any stone, honestly), it’s great to dive back into Nix’s immersive fantasy world in a slightly altered 1983 in Bath, England. This is a remarkable romp that’s intricately crafted with fast pacing, an impressive cast, a complex but wickedly wacky plot and an array of vintage clothes, weapons and vehicles that’s overlaid with suspense as well as snark and humor. This magical madcap adventure has an old-school feel (no cell phones here, folks) and is a clever, thoroughly engaging, pseudo-historical YA novel.

            Book One: The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

"Lost and Found" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Lost and Found (Sept. 26, 2023) by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

<This is a standalone novel, but also takes place in Stoney Ridge.>

When she sees a poem mentioning her, Trudy Yoder sees it as a sign that her friendship with Micah Weaver is ready to turn romantic. They’re both passionate about birding, and they converse with ease. Then Micah turns aloof and is short with her. He’s so distracted that it’s like the problem at Wonder Lake is no big deal! What’s worse is that he wants to leave Stoney Ridge. Bishop David Stoltzfus is considering relocating the Old Order Amish community somewhere else. Things are tense with the Beachy Amish community that has settled amongst them. Micah researches and presents to David that McNairy County, Tennessee, might be an ideal place to re-settle. He volunteers to go on the trip to gather information, but his interest lies in distraught phone messages he’s gotten from Shelley, Trudy’s older sister, who fled to the outside world to become a singer. Trudy is devastated at the possible loss of Micah, who won’t stay if the Beachy Amish build at Wonder Lake, and of the Old Order community, as her father will never uproot without Shelley. Micah is a twitcher, one skilled at finding rare birds, so if anyone can find Shelley somewhere in Tennessee, it’s Micah. Micah’s been smitten with Shelley for years, so when he drops everything to find her, he leaves Trudy with nothing but the chores on Lost Creek Farm. Micah hasn’t been straight with Trudy, leaving Stoney Ridge for her sister, whose shadow she’s always been in. There’s a good chance Trudy will no longer have time for him. And Micah will learn that what you’re looking for may not match the picture in your mind.

            Undoubtedly, this Amish fiction tale from Woods Fisher is winsome with its close-knit community theme, faith base and family connectedness. Shelley’s potential return to the fold throws a wrench into Trudy and Micah’s friendship, while the liberal Beachy Amish threaten the Old Order community’s permanence in Stoney Ridge. There is much to untangle in this story. From characters who love birding and want to protect the land to encourage bird life to tensions between communities and peoples to the cleanest love triangle tale, this story  makes one think about family, community, nature, the traditions that have always been and looking ahead to forward progress. The story’s interspersed with Trudy’s Bird-Watching Log, which is very informative, and there’s no way to forget the endearing characters, including Hank Lapp (you can’t miss him, he’s SO LOUD!).

            Favorite line: “We don’t grieve as those who have no hope…but we do grieve.” --Amos Lapp

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Last Canto of the Dead" by Daniel José Older

Last Canto of the Dead (May 16, 2023) by Daniel José Older.

<This is the sequel novel in a duology.>

One’s a brilliant pianist who sees a world made of music (Mateo Matisse Medina), the other a fierce force of nature who’s a terrific dancer but a terrible singer (Chela Hidalgo). Both are just kids, chaotic teenagers. But both are also ancient spirits in human form. Galanika the Healer (Mateo). Okanla the Destroyer and San Madrigal the Creator (Chela). They have raised the once-sunken native island of San Madrigal from the Caribbean Sea, but the problems aren’t over. Two creature armies battle for control and survival on San Madrigal (bambarúto are bad enough, but now there are zambarúto?! why?) and in Brooklyn, New York, a tight-knit community is riddled with division. People are being arrested by their own people for made-up reasons and usually for no reason at all. Cops never patrolled the streets of Little Madrigal, but they’re there now. Chela lets her tether to the risen island keep her there. She’s got Odé Kan, an antlered hunter spirit who’s fearless and ferocious. (She’s the hunter of hearts or the first hunter: “Depends on who you ask, or how I’m feeling, really.”) Meanwhile, Mateo returns to Brooklyn, dodging cops while trying to find answers for Chela. His science-minded doctor-parents have returned, too, and that relationship is tense. He avoids his dad, especially, until he can’t. Until his dad calls him, frantic, because his mom’s been arrested. Mateo and Chela may house immortal spirits, but they’re still teens. They’re trying to figure things out even as others around them look to them for leadership and a plan. Will the prophecy keep them apart for good? What will happen to their people, their newly-raised island?

            Musician. Healer. Creator. Destroyer. Older has magic of his own, for he’s able to make writing this complex story look effortless. There’s musicality, racial and ethnic diversity, community division, standout main and supporting characters, a plot continually on the move and great world-building. Older writes Mateo and Chela with authentic teen voices, making it easy for readers to become invested in the characters’ reality and want them to find the solution to save their island and their people and just be a real couple. The sequel book in the thrilling Outlaw Saints duology is a magical bildungsroman with a satisfying conclusion and is a book as strong as its predecessor.

            Book One: Ballad & Dagger

Ellie

R.I.P. Ellie (4/24/2016 – 10/02/2023)

Lisa & Ellie, Early June 2016

Ellie in July 2021

Today has been a heartbreaking day. My family and I said goodbye to Ellie. She’s my parents’ golden retriever, but in reality, she’s a family dog. She loved all of us, and we all loved her. Her love for us was truly unconditional. For all intents and purposes, she was my sister, my golden-furred, four-legged sister. And yes, my mom sometimes called me Ellie! J

She’d been feeling unwell for weeks, but none of us knew the extent of how unwell she was. We learned on Wednesday of last week that she was in complete renal failure. She’d likely been sick for awhile, but hid it from us until she just couldn’t anymore. I have a sweet photo of my nephew, Liam, hugging Ellie only a few nights ago. By last night, she couldn’t hold up her own weight. My dad had to carry her into the house. I got to say goodbye this morning, but those goodbyes are always hard.

Ellie was always sassy and full of spunk. You couldn’t brush her without her thinking it was a game, barking at the brush like it was a squirrel she’d spotted. She loved playing fetch using the Chuckit!, but she really loved tennis balls in general. She loved vanilla ice cream. She loved all of us humans, but she especially loved my dad and my nephew. The rest of us were chop suey when either of them was in the room. She didn’t give hugs on the regular, so when she did, you knew she’d missed you a great deal and noticed your absence (as my childhood friend, Kristi, can confirm). We’ll miss her excited whine and her energy and her love. Surely, Lexi has already greeted her in Heaven, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Grandpa Dick has already taken a walk with both of them. We’ll all reunite again someday.

Thank you to the veterinarian who eased Ellie peacefully out of this world with my parents by her side. She lived for all of us!

Rutabaga's Reads 2023: Part 10

This is a compilation post featuring a historical American Girl character. Here, readers get to know nine-year-old Claudie Wells. The year her stories take place is 1922.

Meet Claudie: An American Girl (Aug. 23, 2022) by Brit Bennett.

   Laura Freeman, illustrator.

<This is the first of two books in a series.>

It’s Harlem in NYC during the Roaring ‘20s. Claudie Wells is a nine-year-old girl with her feet stuck on the ground when she’d prefer to be one whose imagination soars. She and her family – Mama, a dedicated reporter; Daddy, an artistic baker and WWI veteran; and Jody, her six-year-old brother – live at Miss Amelia’s boardinghouse. She’s surrounded by talented people who are singers or musicians or artists. Her best friend, Nina, is a terrific dancer, but Claudie is not. Everyone has an obvious talent except for her! When she learns that the boardinghouse has been served with an eviction notice, she comes up with an idea that might bring in the extra funds they need. One of the boarders tells Claudie she’ll help on the condition that Claudie participates in the show. Why? “Because art is about taking risks,” Gwen says (p. 59).

            I realize that American Girl as a Mattel product has been far more commercialized in comparison to its humble beginnings, but I really wish that more people would recognize the importance of the historical characters, both the founding and the much more recently released. These stories celebrate girls. No matter a person’s color, these stories encourage resilience, confidence and kindness. They promote education, even when it’s not fun to read. After all, plenty of history is not fun to read about, but that doesn’t mean we ignore it or watch cat videos instead (though they are understandably distracting). Bennett’s writing is strong, her storytelling strengthening the illustrator’s skilled artwork.

            NOTE 1: There is a message before the story begins that informs readers there are terms used in the stories that are not appropriate today, but are included in the story as “an accurate reflection of how people would have thought and spoken during this time.”

            NOTE 2: I see that there is a third book releasing in January 2024 called “Claudie Finds Her Talent.” It’s a Step 3 Step Into Reading book, so I’m uncertain if it’s considered part of the Claudie series. I’m treating it as separate since it’s a leveled book, and it’s also releasing from a publisher that is not American Girl Publishing.

Adventures With Claudie (June 6, 2023) by Brit Bennett.

   Laura Freeman, illustrator.

<This is the second of two books in a series.>

Traveling from Harlem to Shellman, Georgia, is an adventure for Claudie, for before this trip, she’d only seen a small slice of New York City. This trip is over 1,000 miles with the Model T’s tank holding 10 gallons of gas and able to travel up to 17 miles per gallon. They travel about 30 miles an hour, and it takes Claudie, her mom (Gloria) and Cousin Sidney almost 30 hours of driving time to get there. She’s meeting Grandmother and many other relatives for the first time, including Ross and Mavis, her 11-year-old twin cousins. It will also be a first-time experience for her visiting a farm. Claudie’s looking for inspiration from her family so she can write a sketch for the variety show she’s planning. She’s trying to help the boardinghouse, where her family lives in Harlem, raise money so it can stay open. Claudie’s grandmother tells her a legend from slavery times called The People Could Fly. Is this the inspiration Claudie’s looking for? Or will she be too distracted by Mama, a dedicated newspaper reporter who “never leaves anything alone?”

            Over the decades, I have read a multitude of American Girl books featuring historical characters, and I love the research and care that each of the authors puts into their stories. Through Bennett’s words, my pulse would pound at the tense moments, and I’d feel riled at the condescension. This intensity should not deter young readers from learning of Claudie’s world. I would hope they’d read them and gain historical knowledge they may not have had before. I want readers to have a care for others from a young age, to know how to be compassionate and understanding, to see beyond the color of someone’s skin. These stories are understated, but so important. Please read them!

            P.S. For another story inspired by The People Could Fly, I highly recommend reading the fantasy adventure, middle-grade novel “Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy” by Angie Thomas.

"A Royal Christmas" by Melody Carlson

A Royal Christmas (Sept. 5, 2023) by Melody Carlson.*

<This is a standalone novella.>

Life isn’t a fairy tale, certainly not for Adelaide Katelyn Smith. Growing up was a lean time with her mother, a single parent. Her mom’s been gone three years, and Adelaide’s barely been supporting herself by working at a coffee shop for over eight years as she strives to put herself through law school. Then one day a letter arrives notifying her that she’s a direct descendant of King Maximillian Konig V, the ruler of Montovia, a small European principality. After realizing it’s not a joke or a scam, Adelaide finds herself on another continent, her guide the prime minister’s handsome nephew, Anton Balazs, and the youngest member of Montovia’s Parliament. Her royal father is battling liver cancer and losing, but he’s overjoyed to meet Adelaide, and she’s thrilled to know the father she never knew she had. Unfortunately, time is short, and she’s already managed to make an enemy of Queen Johanna Maria Egger Bohm Konig. She clearly wants to make her son, Georg, king, as he is legally King Max’s son by adoption. Prince Farcus, the king’s brother, would be next in line for the throne, but he is missing. Adelaide will be charmed by the villages and a certain youngest member of Parliament. She has a chance at a fairy tale romance and a home in Montovia, but she expects to return to the States. Can someone change her mind?

            Channeling “The Princess Diaries,” this rags-to-royalty Christmas novella is a sweet escape from the routine of life. Adelaide is hard-working, sincere and indomitable. Queen Johanna may be shrewd, but she underestimates Adelaide, who won’t be treated like a rug and walked all over. It is easy to cheer Adelaide on and know that she’ll fall for Anton. Readers know the story will have a happy ending, but I would expect nothing less from a cozy tale full of holiday spirit with a dash of mystery and trickery.

            P.S. Does anyone have an excellent, tried-and-true recipe for sacher torte?

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Throwback" by Maurene Goo

Throwback (Apr. 11, 2023) by Maurene Goo.

<This is a standalone novel.>

Time is a mother. Like, for real. Samantha Kang is a Gen Z high school senior in 2025 who’s always butted heads with her perfect mom. Priscilla is a first-generation Korean-American, a former high school cheerleader and one of the “in crowd” who graced her homecoming court. She expects Sam to embrace the same all-American nightmare. After a huge blow-up with her mom when her beloved grandma (Priscilla’s mom), her halmoni, falls into a coma, Sam is stuck finding her own way to school during a downpour. She employs Throwback Rides, and Marge picks her up. She drops her off at her high school. North Foothill High. Except it’s all slightly off. The lighting, the color of the lockers, the year. She’s been thrown back to 1995. Priscilla Jo is a gorgeous high school senior, looking like perfection at school around her mostly Caucasian classmates and working at her mom’s dry cleaners shop, as well as often caring for her little sister, Grace, and making meals for the family when their mom’s at the cleaners. Their dad has been deceased for a few years. As if being on a time crunch isn’t bad enough – she’s got to figure out how to help her mom and Halmoni in the ‘90s or risk staying trapped there – but there’s the extra trickiness of dealing with outdated tech, ‘90s microaggressions and finding the right guy in the wrong time.

            “Throwback” is a YA novel that has high drama, but a big heart with a Back to the Future vibe and a rundown, old hatchback with chipped teal paint (a far cry from the DeLorean). My first story from Goo is one I found to be delightful. I don’t much care for expletives, as I don’t ever think they move a story along, but that’s easy enough to ignore. What’s at the forefront is a sometimes snarky love story, and I’m not only referring to romantic love, but the love that binds families, too, even when that love isn’t obvious. It’s YA, so it’s teenager-drama-ridden, but it’s also an emotionally complex ride with intergenerational relationships. There’s hardheadedness and anger, but it’s tempered by compassion and connection. As someone who was a kid in the ‘90s, reading this felt nostalgic and sometimes familiar. It’s vibey, inventive and bright, and I’m glad that I spotted this book at my local library.

"Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy" by Angie Thomas

Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy (Apr. 4, 2023) by Angie Thomas.

<This is the first novel in a projected trilogy.>

<Warning: Casual spoilers included.>

In a world of Remarkables (those with the Gift) and Unremarkables (regular humans) who are typically unaware of Remarkables, Nichole (Nic) Blake is a Manifestor. Manifestors are considered the most powerful of all Remarkables. The Gift “is more powerful than magic. You see, the Gift is an innate power that lives in us Manifestors. Magic, on the other hand, is a corrupt form of the Gift. It’s hard to control and super destructive. Also, magic in real life can only be performed with a wand, and the magic in wands runs out after a while. We Manifestors don’t need wands” (p. 7). Innate though the Gift is, it requires education; one must learn how to use it. The easiest way is with “mojos and jujus,” mojos being born of good intentions and jujus with bad.

            Nic has just turned 12 and being Remarkable has its perks, like when she receives a pet hellhound pup for her birthday. What Nic really wants is to learn how to use her Gift, but her dad (Calvin/Maxwell) is wary of teaching her. When Nic sneaks out to meet up with her best friend, Joshua Paul Williams (JP), to greet their favorite author, TJ Retro, revelations come to light. Like learning that her favorite author is her dad’s best friend. What?! There are more shocking revelations. She has a frightening and unexpected first encounter with her own mother who calls her Alexis, and she bumps into an invisible boy who turns out to be, Alex, her twin brother. Calvin is accused of stealing the Msaidizi, and Nic is determined to clear his name. Together with JP and Alex, the three youth will go on a quest to find it and hopefully avoid the Manowari, the person destined to destroy the Remarkable world. Can they find it in time to save Calvin from a devastating sentence? And will Nic’s emerging abilities point to greatness of the wondrous or ruining kind?

            Pun intended, but this is a remarkable middle-grade debut from YA author Thomas. She takes African American folklore and sobering history to create a complex novel that is enthralling, numinous, inventive and funny. It confronts fantasy tropes in a fresh, intrepid way. The text is rich with this fantasy world melded into the contemporary one so seamlessly that it feels like we could exist in this Jackson, Mississippi, too. I devoured this fast-reading adventure with its standout characters and on point plot. It’s my newest favorite middle-grade series. It simply dazzles!

            P.S. Uhuru is a Remarkable city, the one Nic would’ve grown up in.

            P.P.S. Giftech is Gift-infused technology and can only be purchased in Remarkable cities.

The Positive Page-turner's Challenge: Take 17

Here’s my second Positive Page-turner’s Challenge of 2023 and my 17th overall. This photo contains 17 books. With 17 books in the photo, I will again donate $5/book. My total to donate this time around is $85. I donated it to the General Fund at my local church.

            Back in June (June 12, to be exact), a box of bar soap that I’d accumulated got sent to Iowa, where it was put on a shipping container with plentiful other donations to be sent to Haiti, including three pallets of meals packed by volunteers with Real Hope for the Hungry (that equates to around 22,000 total meals). I’ve mentioned this before and expect I will many times more, but I buy Ivory soap. However, they will not turn down bar soap donations of any kind. Please remember to package full bars and not the little hotel bars. The box I sent along was smaller. But 23.2 pounds is better than nothing at all!

            A note regarding soap: I prefer to remove the outside packaging on the soap, keeping the soap in their individual boxes/wrappers. I like to pack the soap in boxes that have plenty of space for me to write Bar Soap on multiple sides. I also use a strip of neon colored duct tape after taping up the box to note where it’s going. The soap I send typically goes to the Birthing Center, but has also been designated for the Consolation Center.

            What sorts of compassion projects do you support?