The Positive Page-turner's Challenge: Take 20

The Positive Page-turner’s Challenge: Take 20
This should’ve been a post in December, but I had church offering that needed to go to other causes (e.g. Toys for Tots donations) and so pushed this off into the new year. On the plus side, I feel confident that I will achieve one more Positive Page-turner’s Challenge this year.
            As I’ve done for awhile now, I will be donating $5/book in this picture. 17 books seems to be my magic number. I will be donating $85 to my home church’s Sunday School Fund. It will go in as a gift by The Reading Rutabaga in February.
            Especially after the holidays, most of our financial belts feel stretched thin, but I still encourage any readers to contribute what you can. If not with money, then volunteer time. If time is stretched thin, too, consider saying a kind word at the checkout or help someone reach something on a shelf if you’re able. For instance, I’m no help getting things off the top shelf (unless I climb it), but if you need someone to squat down and grab that can off the bottom shelf, I’m your person! Let’s make humanity look good in ways big and small. Be kind to one another! <3

"Wrath of the Triple Goddess" by Rick Riordan

Wrath of the Triple Goddess (Sept. 24, 2024) by Rick Riordan.

<This is the second novel in a sub-series.>

<This is the seventh novel in a series.>

To earn his next letter of recommendation for New Rome University, all Percy Jackson has to do is pet-sit Hecate’s babies. (She’s the Greek goddess of magic, crossroads and necromancy and also ghosts, nighttime and manipulating the Mist.) Those not-actual-babies include a hellhound called Hecuba, a gassy polecat named Gale and four mischievous eels dubbed Larry, Fortunato, Bigwig and Janet. Percy, Annabeth Chase and Grover Underwood get to know the terrifying animals and set themselves up at The Manse, Gramercy Park West. There are bathrooms that don’t make sense (one’s toilet is on the ceiling, but the shower works normally, and in another, the shower sprays sideways at the toilet), conflicting door knockers (“Wait! We work fine! PORK RINDS!”) and a strawberry-flavored potion in Hecate’s lab that Grover can’t resist despite its being off-limits. Chaos ensues. The mansion is in shambles, Hecuba and Gale are missing, and they’ve forgotten to cancel the Halloween party that they invited their Camp Half-Blood friends to (they’re in a mansion, after all, how could they not throw a massive Halloween party?). They must retrieve Hecate’s fur babies and restore the mansion by Saturday, lest they be incinerated by the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone). They’re going to need all of their demigod craftiness, luck, friends and reluctant ghosts to set things to rights.

            Chaos tornado. That is so often Percy Jackson’s life. All he needs are two more recommendation letters. Surely Hermes would help him out? (He would’ve, actually.) This newest from Riordan is full of rip-roaring adventure, glass-always-full action and the over-the-top drama that we so readily expect from gods, goddesses and anything associated with them. The seventh novel in the Percy Jackson series and the second in The Senior Year Adventures sub-series will have readers laughing aloud with its humor and cheering for our heroes.  Like all of Riordan’s stories, this one is highly entertaining and is an excellent reminder of the importance of friendship.

            Percy Jackson: Books 1-5

            Book 6 / The Senior Year Adventures Book 1: The Chalice of the Gods

"Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell

Impossible Creatures (Sept. 10, 2024/US edition) by Katherine Rundell.

<This is the first novel in a trilogy.>

The day that Christopher Forrester saves a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lochan (lake) near his grandfather’s property changes his life forever. That his grandfather doesn’t bat an eye when Christopher rushes in with a baby griffin is telling. Christopher learns of the Archipelago, a cluster of unmapped islands (though there is a map and a bestiary of magical creatures in the book) where magical, mythological creatures live, sometimes on their own islands and sometimes amongst other humans. Christopher is from the Otherworld (actually, the UK), his grandfather is a guardian and Malum (Mal) Arvorian is not. Christopher’s about to be attacked by a kludde (it has fire for ears) and would be eaten face-first if not for Mal’s shout. She’s just come through the waybetween (like a portal) and needs Christopher’s help. They meet Fidens Nighthand (“You may call me Nighthand: I don’t answer to Fidens.”) the Berserker, Ratwin the ratatoska and Irian Guinne, a marine scientist stationed at the University of Alquon in the west of Antiok, who’s part-nereid (though she doesn’t advertise this fact). They consult sphinxes, negotiate with a small dragon and battle krakens, karkadanns and manticores. Mal is desperate to save the Archipelago. The magical creatures are dying. Gelifen, the baby griffin, is thought to be the last griffin. The glimourie (or magic) is fading. The truth is dark, and somewhere in the Archipelago is an Immortal who has no idea he or she is the Immortal.

            I first saw the UK version advertised one-and-a-half years ago when I was in the UK and knew it’d be a book I’d love. Fast-forward a year later when the US edition was planned to release, and I was first on the list to read my local library’s copy. As soon as I read the first page, I ordered my own personal copy and returned the library copy, so it could move onto the next patron!

            And I was right, I DO LOVE this story where there is a portal into fantasy, magic and mythology. Rundell’s middle-grade trilogy starter is wildly imaginative, the writing fresh, and the characters are well-developed, showcasing courage, hope and strength, but vulnerability, too. For the most sensitive of readers, a beloved character does die, and it caught me so off guard that I teared up. The story sizzles with energy, roars with adventure and blazes with fireworks of creativity. It is thoughtful and takes kids seriously. It is unforgettable and epic; it is easily a new classic.

            P.S. Gelifen is my favorite. Jacques the jaculus (the smallest dragon) is my spirit animal: small, extremely fierce and breathes fire enough to overcome a giant manticore!

            P.P.S. I could really use the tooth of a sphinx.

Happy 2025!

Happy New Year! Whether the previous year ended on a high note, a low note or somewhere in-between, 2024 is done. You got through it. Box it all up, brush your hands off and store it away, because you’ve got to make room for new memories. 2025, here we are! What does the top of the new year look like to you? What are your plans/goals/dreams? I wish for you a prosperous, safe and healthy new year. Knowledge is power, so keep learning every day. Do something outside of your comfort zone; you only live once. Take care of yourself, because you are worth it!!

Sending love and sparkles,

Lisa

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 14

I’m back with more middle-grade novels in this third compilation of 2024. In here, you’ll find Wonderland, Korean mythology and mischievous magpies.

Beyond the Isle of the Lost (May 7, 2024) by Melissa de la Cruz.

<This is the fifth novel in a series.>

You are unwelcome to Wonderland, where the Queen of Hearts hosts the un-parties of the year, and despite the scrumptious-looking sweets, no one can ever eat them. Treats are discouraged, especially cupcakes, and having fun is unacceptable. Birthdays remain illegal. There are so many ridiculous rules, and Red of Hearts, the Queen’s daughter, loathes the idea of following in her mom’s red-heeled footsteps. She’s heard that, in faraway Auradon, they get to do things like sing and laugh and run “around willy-nilly like little white rabbits.” Red is ready to perform the ultimate rebellion: throw an actual party! She’s gained two new friends in Chester and Ace, and they’re on-board with planning this rebellious party. What Red doesn’t know is that this party will set off a chain of un-events that will have unforeseen consequences.

            Falling down the rabbit hole to the land of Wonderland is madcap and enchanting in thrilling, equal measure. It has the fun, adventure, heart and humor that readers recognize throughout the entire Disney’s Descendants series with a new protagonist, new friendships and a familiar antagonist (“Off with their heads!”). It’s been five years since we’ve had a Descendants novel, and it’s an entertaining treat to read. It’s sweet fuel for my soul, as stylish as any dessert from Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs, with the tastefully dark vibes of Gideon’s Bakehouse.

            Book One: Isle of the Lost

            Book Two: Return to the Isle of the Lost

            Book Three: Rise of the Isle of the Lost

            Book Four: Escape from the Isle of the Lost

Fox Snare (Oct. 17, 2023) by Yoon Ha Lee.

<This is the final novel in a trilogy.>

Being the bearer of the Dragon Pearl carries duty and weight, which is how Min the fox spirit finds herself involved in a mission to cement peace between the Thousand Worlds (of which she’s a part of, growing up on Jinju) and the Sun Clans with her ghost brother, Jun, Sebin the tiger spirit and Haneul the dragon spirit. Min is surprised to meet Yang Miho, the Thousand Worlds assistant minister, as she is a fox spirit with a high-ranking title in a realm that doesn’t think highly of fox spirits. Despite wanting to feel a natural camaraderie with another fox spirit (and a nine-tailed one, at that!), she withholds her own fox heritage. After an explosion finds Min, Jun, Sebin and Haneul in an escape pod, they crash-land on Jasujeong, a planet claimed by both the Thousand Worlds and the Sun Clans. It’s also said to be the resting place of the Sejong-Dehwang, a dreadnought with superweapon capabilities that doesn’t exist on any current or recent battle cruisers, guarded by its ghosts. The planet is home to plants and creatures unfamiliar to the group, and Min carries the power to terraform Jasujeong with the Pearl. But journeying across Jasujeong is tricky, especially when Haneul falls ill. Someone else has landed on the planet, too, but the character’s goals might not actually align with Min’s, and that could prove dangerous, not just for her and the others stranded with her, but for the two nations.

            It turns out that Korean mythology melded with space opera science fiction is a brew that I never knew I’d enjoy until I read it, and I’ve now read the full trilogy. Lee’s world-building contains rich detail, dynamic characters and high-octane adventure that leads to a satisfying conclusion. The story alternates between Min’s and Sebin’s perspectives. The centuries-long conflict between the Thousand Worlds and the Sun Clans references the historical struggle between Korea and Japan in a boldly subtle way. It’s in the smart way that Lee blends science fiction with Korean culture and folklore that gives this cohesive trilogy complexity and, I hope, wide appeal amongst teens and sci-fi-loving adults.

            Book One: Dragon Pearl

            Book Two: Tiger Honor

Winston Chu vs. the Wingmeisters (Feb. 6, 2024) by Stacey Lee.

<This is the second novel in a duology.>

Thanks to Winston Chu, his older sister Philippa and his friends (Mav, Cassa, Bijal and Monroe), San Francisco has been saved from magpie-turned-human Mr. Pang. They should brush off their hands and enjoy teenager-hood. Right? Wrong. Now they’ve got to face an even bigger problem and not only because he’s the front-runner to be San Francisco’s next mayor. He’s magpie-turned-human Mr. Gu, and he’s Mr. Pang’s brother. Behind Mr. Gu’s sunny laugh and loudly-colored tropical shirts, he’s hiding something in the eerily-timed fog around Treasure Island, an island long-abandoned ... or so everyone thinks. There’s a mysterious flocking of exotic birds to San Fran that has no obvious explanation. It might have something to do with the CHUs (Community Hi-tech Units), but could they really be taking humans and turning them into Birdbrains? There is definitely something fowl going on. The mischievous mustache is back (when it wants to be), Philippa convinces Sir Huxbury, the suit of armor, to talk, there are magical Kaleido Beans, a Destiny Racket, a Mirth Ball and a Banana Mike (yes, that’s correct), and it turns out that they’re going to need Mr. Pang’s help to best his own brother.

            Lee wraps up her debut middle-grade duology with an action-packed novel that is part bildungsroman, part chaos-adventure, part magic, and all entertaining, inspired by Chinese mythology and featuring a racially diverse cast. Winston’s got a lot of big feelings – pride, anger and jealousy – and he needs to determine what type of son/brother/friend he wants to be, as the group tries to save San Francisco again. Those sorcerous magpies sure are troublemakers! This duology-closer is fun and fantastical, but readers will want to be familiar with the events of the Whimsies before diving into the Wingmeisters.

            Book One: Winston Chu vs. the Whimsies

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 13

Here comes the next compilation of picture books! I thought I’d have more than two picture book compilations this year, but alas, no.

The Bakery Dragon (Oct. 1, 2024) by Devin Elle Kurtz.

As a dragon, Ember wants to bring home spoils and hoard gold like the other dragons do, but he’s little and only produces a very small flame. Ember flies into a nearby town and gets caught in a fierce storm. A nice baker allows Ember to ride out the rainstorm in her bakery and teaches him to help her bake. “Ember watched, full of wonder, as the gooey blobs of dough transformed like magic into ... shining gold.” She gives him a tray of “baker’s gold.” It’s the most glorious thing he’s tasted, and when he returns home, its delectable aroma draws the other dragons. The baker isn’t thrilled when Ember returns with the other dragons, because they’ve done “an awful lot of stealing.” But, as they all learn, “...baking gold is better than taking it. And sharing it is best of all.”

            This story is *chef’s kiss* with its sweet storyline and warm illustrations that are so engaging that readers can smell the wafting deliciousness of fresh-baked bread and feel the decadent warmth of bread straight from the oven. The author-illustrator’s stunning pictures are as golden as the gold dragons want to hoard. This cheerful picture book is friendly and has a good message about sharing and generosity. I absolutely ate up this radiant picture book!

The Barnabus Project (Sept. 1, 2020) by Terry Fan, Eric Fan and Devin Fan (The Fan Brothers).

In a world created for Perfect Pets, half mouse, half elephant Barnabus is a Failed Project. His friend, Pip the cockroach, tells him stories about things like a sparkling silver lake and “mountains that reached all the way to the sky, lit with their own stars.” Barnabus believes that nothing is impossible, and on the day that the Failed Projects receive a “strange red stamp” (it says FAIL), Barnabus decides they all need to escape. Barnabus doesn’t want to be “recycled” and come out fluffier and cuter. He likes himself just the way he is. But how can Barnabus and his fellow Failed Project friends escape their confines in the hidden lab deep underground and avoid the Green Rubber Suits?

            The Fan brothers create an epic adventure of escape, rebellion and suspense that is moving and magical with detailed worldbuilding (the two-page illustration of the lab is fairly meticulous). It’s easy to root for Barnabus and his friends who want freedom and who accept each other just as they are. This picture book is stunning as it showcases bravery and diversity in a unique way. Fun and tender with beautiful imagination and glorious illustrations besides. The adventure is ambitious, it is perilous, and it has such heart.

Cozy in Love (Nov. 8, 2022) by Jan Brett.

In this second story featuring Cozy the musk ox, Cozy is downhearted after losing a test of strength with another in his herd. He wonders how he’ll gain the admiration of lovely Lofti, but he doesn’t wonder long, because one of his puffin friends alerts him to an emergency. Bella, their young beluga whale friend has played too long in Teardrop Inlet, and its entrance to the Bering Sea has frozen. If the entire inlet freezes over, she’ll lose access to air. Cozy devises a plan to use “simple science” and his own ox strength to help Bella over the ice wall. Little does Cozy know that someone is witnessing the entire scene and is admiring his strong, smart, bighearted self.

            With her signature storytelling, gorgeous illustrations and artwork vignettes, which also accompany the storytelling, Brett gives readers another quintessential Jan Brett picture book. The kindness and quick-thinking at the book’s heart reminds us that it’s always in-style to help friends in need. Brett’s rich artwork lends stunning beauty to a frigid Alaska backdrop and reminds us to care for all of the creatures of the world. This book is essential for any Brett fans and all libraries who carry her stories. It is a sweet, enchanting story.

The Goblin Twins (Sept. 5, 2023) by Frances Cha.

   Jaime Kim, illustrator.

Meet the goblin twins (Korean: dokkaebi). Doki likes conjuring gifts of gold or silver with his magic club (bangmangi) instead of scaring people. He also loves reading one of his three abandoned books. Kebi likes scaring people too much and gets in trouble for it with the elder dokkaebi. He loves exploring. The twins are young, only 601 years old! When they have to move out of their abandoned house, most move to a graveyard, but Doki and Kebi move from Seoul to a strange land called New York City. Trying to find the perfect place to live, they spot houses that are too cheerful or too new or already occupied by “New York monsters” (people) who aren’t very friendly. When they find the perfect house, what will they think of trick-or-treaters?

            As soon as I read the goblins’ names, my mind automatically thought of dokkaebi. This not-so-scary Halloween picture book is an entertaining treat. In other versions of Korean mythology, dokkaebi are to be avoided at all costs, for they cause dreamers to dream their worst fears, and then the dokkaebi feed on those fears. Yeah, not so nice. But even with Kebi being the mischievous of the two and the darkly bold, yet colorful, illustrations, this is overall a friendly tale. It’s not a fright, but a delight. It’s mythology, but cartoonish. It is adorable, and my nephew enjoyed it, too. I’d totally want to adopt book-loving Doki, but I’d watch out for Kebi’s shenanigans!

We Are Definitely Human (Aug. 6, 2024) by X. Fang.

It’s midnight when three strangers (aliens) crash-land outside Mr. and Mrs. Li’s house. The strangers’ “shape was very hard to describe,” and “their skin was very blue,” but they inform Mr. Li (Mrs. Li’s a very sound sleeper) that, “We are DEFINITELY human.” They are “…from…Europe.” Their “car” (UFO) has broken down and needs repair, but with the stores being closed for the night, Mr. Li, being a kind human, invites them into their home for the night and offers to help them repair their car. While Mrs. Li is surprised to see houseguests the following morning, she takes it all in stride, and asks what they do in Europe. They “make business,” “play sportsball” and “wear hat.” Fixing their car becomes a community event, and when they leave, Mr. Li declares, “Yep, they are DEFINITELY not from Europe.”

            While this story is fantastical with its not-remotely-human-looking aliens, their vehicle a.k.a. UFO and interplanetary interactions, it’s a story of kindness. Kindness radiates through the story, first with Mr. Li and then with the townsfolk, who, like Mr. and Mrs. Li “were all kind humans.” It’s a sweet, feel-good story with a message of kindness, yes, but of acceptance, too. The author/illustrator’s illustrations are fun but not over-the-top. It is pleasantly wise, pleasingly diverse (the Lis cue as Asian, the townsfolk vary in skin tone, and the visitors vary in size and height) and perfect for earthlings of any age.

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 12

Because all of these books are short and follow the level and genre theme of the first Hodgepodge post of 2024, I decided to complete a second Hodgepodge compilation. I love that there are books for all reading levels. Don’t knock them because they’re geared for youth. All readers must start at the beginning. I had to. You had to. We all have to!

All the Books (Oct. 1, 2024) by Hayley Rocco.

   John Rocco, illustrator.

Children’s picture book.

Chipmunk Piper Waterstone loves books so much that she takes hers everywhere she goes. She never leaves home without them. She also never shares them, not even with her friend Gregory, a raccoon. He decides to visit the library instead, which Piper does not understand the value of, as she’s never stepped foot in a library. Until her worst day, when her personal collection gets soaked by the rain. The local librarian, a kindly mole, invites her in out of the rain, and Piper is in awe of all the books the library holds. He explains that the books are hers, but also everyone’s. Having a library card only works if everyone is willing to share the library’s books. Is Piper ready for a library card?

             “All the Books” is an adorable ode to reading, libraries, librarians and sharing. Reading as Piper’s worst day becomes her best day is a delight with Hayley’s writing and John’s rich, warm illustrations. The anthropomorphized animals look to exist in a charming town with a honeyed, old-fashioned air. There are no iPhones in this story. The problem-solving is the warm-fuzzy type, but since this story is geared for four-to-eight-year-olds, that is not a detriment to this sweet tale.

The Mystery of the Snow Puppy (Jan. 1, 2022) by Fran Manushkin.

   Tammie Lyon, illustrator.

Early-Reader fiction chapter book.

<This is part of an unnumbered series.>

Kids everywhere dream of having their own pet, and Katie Woo is no exception. Katie has a new puppy named Koko, but the little white puppy is lost. Along with Pedro, the two best friends investigate. Many times the pair think they’re hot on Koko’s trail, but the clues don’t lead to her. Like any seasoned detectives, they don’t give up. “Burgers for supper!” might be a clue to solving this mystery.

            This Early-Reader (E-R) mystery is the perfect length for emergent readers wanting to read on their own and for those readers who like to solve mysteries along with the book’s characters. The text is simple with complementing, unfussy illustrations. The endpages include a Glossary, tips regarding mysteries, story questions and a guide on how to survey animal tracks.

Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever! (Oct. 1, 2024) by Stephen Shaskan.

Junior fiction graphic novel.

<This is the eighth graphic novel in a series.>

For best friends Pizza and Taco (and for us, too, not coincidentally), Christmastime is approaching, and their lists detail everything that they expect Santa Slaw to bring them. They will spend the next few months being good children. They’ll even be pleasant toward Cheeseburger! When Pizza is disappointed that he didn’t receive everything on his Christmas list, and Taco mentions that he didn’t, either, they manage to turn their disappointment into positivity and festivity.

            This is my first Pizza and Taco graphic novel, and it’s a simple delight. Shaskan’s dialogue is unfussy, the story’s structure is uncomplicated, and his digital collage Photoshop illustrations are unpretentious. Fans will be reading this, especially as Christmas soon approaches, and beginning readers will be able to do much of the reading on their own. For those who are looking for a religious story, this is not it. It has a secular focus on Christmas festivities and gifts with a smidge of showing goodwill toward others.

The Quest of Danger (Nov. 7, 2023) by Stuart Gibbs.

   Stacy Curtis, illustrator.

Middle-grade illustrated fantasy fiction.

<This is the fourth book in a series.>

<Alert: Spoilers for those who haven’t read the previous stories.>

The peasant-turned-knight, Tim, and his ragtag crew of friends, Belinda the peasant-also-turned-knight-by-pretending-to-be-a-boy, Ferkle the highly intelligent village idiot (it’s the family business), Princess Grace of Merryland and Rover the fr-dog, have been rescued from certain death by Princess Piscina, a Kingdom of Merland princess. In return for rescuing them, her father, King Neptuna, obligates them to retrieve his stolen trident. They will journey to the magnificent city of Atlantis, which is the safest city on Earth and should never do anything like sink. Along the way, there will be krakens, plus a Cyclops with “no depth perception” and who’s “probably myopic.” When they reach Atlantis, they’ll have to confront their nemesis, Prince Ruprecht, and his evil, so-called-wizard adviser, Nerlim. Prince Ruprecht is scheming, which everyone knows is always sure to end in disaster. How will the group retrieve the trident and all of the other stolen treasures, while also overcoming a scheming prince, his nefarious wizard, traitorous knights and a band of pirates?

            To read the fourth story in the Once Upon a Tim series is to set sail on a seafaring quest where are encountered monsters of lore (with horribly sharp teeth) and an ancient city famously known to be lost. IQ Boosters return in this story to improve young readers’ vocabulary and surely impress parents, teachers and random passersby alike. Like the others, this book cascades with hijinks and hilarity. Yes, Prince Ruprecht is mired in his own cesspool of underhandedness and greed, and he keeps trying to kill Tim and his friends, but the danger never truly feels treacherous. Laughs come easily throughout the story.

            Book 1: Once Upon a Tim

            Book 2: The Labyrinth of Doom

            Book 3: The Sea of Terror

Where Is Yellowstone? (Nov. 5, 2024) by Sarah Fabiny.

   Stephen Marchesi, illustrator.

Early-Reader nonfiction chapter book.

<This is an official Who HQ book.>

Most people know that Yellowstone National Park is home to Old Faithful, the most famous geyser in the world, but did you also know that most of the world’s geysers reside in only five countries (the United States, Iceland, Russia, New Zealand and Chile) and that half of the world’s roughly 1,000 geysers are in Yellowstone alone? The Who HQ books, while slim, pack a lot of information into them. Readers discover how Yellowstone came to be, not only the United States’ first national park, but the world’s first national park. They’ll learn how many bison roam and even read a special segment on the Gray Wolf Project. Where is Yellowstone? It has land in three different states: Idaho, Wyoming and Montana.

            If you look back at my first “Hodgepodge” post of 2024, you’ll notice that I had read my first Who HQ book. I’d say my interest in the series is going strong, as I have now read over 80 of them and hope to read a couple more before this year ends. I have only visited Yellowstone once, when I was 12. Reading this E-R book has me wanting to plan a trip out west to visit it again through an adult lens. I love how detailed these books are, and they don’t gloss things over. For example, they are straightforward in saying the government originally told lies about the native tribes, so that visitors would think Native Americans had never lived there (they’d actually lived there a long time). This is a perfect book for explorers both young and young-at-heart. Please be respectful of the park, and all of its inhabitants. Remember, it may be fluffy and friend-shaped, but it can be very dangerous. Maintain a safe distance at all times. Happy exploring!

            P.S. Did you know that Yellowstone National Park is home to three plants unique to this area? They are: Ross’s bentgrass, Yellowstone sand verbena and Yellowstone sulfur wild buckwheat.

"Unforgotten" by Shelley Shepard Gray

Unforgotten (Nov. 5, 2024) by Shelley Shepard Gray.*

<This is the second book in a series.>

Seven years after an attempted assault and the accidental death of attacker Peter Miller, Bethanne Hostetler is taking steps forward. She’s no longer hiding in her room, and she’s leaving her parents’ home on her own. She watches as her Englischer cousin, Candace Evans, is crowned Miss Crittenden County and pops up unexpectedly at Jay Byler’s workplace. Jay was once Peter’s best friend, and Bethanne avoids him because of that connection, though it’s Jay who has always adored Bethanne and feels guilty that he didn’t know what Peter was capable of. Bethanne is slowly opening up her heart to his kindness and gentle caring, but when Candace reveals that she has a stalker, old fears come rushing in.

            Officer Ryan Mulaney is new to Marion and Crittenden County, Kentucky. A Northerner from Connecticut, his position on the police force isn’t permanent. While it seems like grunt work to be assigned to accompany Candace to her appearances around the county, Ryan finds that he would loathe any other officer accompanying her, though he tries to maintain professionalism. When Candace’s stalker endangers both Candace and Bethanne, Ryan, Jay, local law enforcement and both families race against time to save them.

            This Christian, contemporary, romantic suspense novel is also part Amish fiction. It’s a story of learning to trust and love after past trauma and holding onto faith when despair wants to set in. It’s a clean love story. It is easy to root for sweet Bethanne and considerate Jay, as Bethanne gets back on her feet, for they’ve known each other since they were kids. I did not connect with Candace’s and Ryan’s whirlwind spin to falling in love. I believe that kind of love can happen, but the way it’s written felt rushed and not genuine. The plot is fairly propulsive, and fans of the author’s work won’t want to miss this one. For me, though, it’s a 3.5/5.

            Book 1: Unforgiven

* 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.”

"Hunted" by Bella Higgin

Hunted (Apr. 16, 2024) by Bella Higgin.

<This is the third novel in a tetralogy.>

The battle for Belle Morte has been fought and won, but at a steep price. Deaths amongst vampires, staff and donors have occurred, and the fight isn’t over. Vampirekind is facing a tenuous future with enemy vampires on the run. Ludovic de Vauban volunteers to go beyond the mansion’s walls to track down the Five, but he can’t go it alone. Reclusive and without any idea of the modern world, he needs a street-savvy human. Enter donor Roux Hayes. With makeup, she’ll not only make him look human, she’ll help him navigate a world that’s long since left him stuck in the past. Together with Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Ray Walsh, who loathes vampires, finding the Five becomes graver still when it turns out the missing children in the area are linked to a vampire using another name. Roux is determined to preserve the future for her vampire and human friends, and she’ll also admit (at least to herself) that she’d enjoy seeing Ludovic ... without clothes. Ludovic will find that Roux awakens a passion in him that he thought long diffused. If the renegades can’t be neutralized, not only will the vampires of Belle Morte be affected, but vampirekind worldwide, and their newfound love will be snuffed out.

These vampires don’t sparkle, but they are gorgeous, as are their human donors (most of whom have been sent home since what transpired in the second installment). I can see that Higgin added in the missing children plot to up the ante and make the search all the more urgent, but I also thought it added too much. With one rogue vampire abducting children, two more trying to leave, two clueless as to the vampire they’re really standing by, a human group who hates vampires, and then, of all things, four other vampires totally unaccounted for, the storylines are sometimes all over the place. I read this novel because I’ve read the first two, and I’m sure I’ll read the final one, but honestly, it’s a vampire story in a vampire series. Unless you’re a vampire super fan, I wouldn’t recommend it. Additionally, there are intimate scenes, so to the parents out there, no young/younger teenagers should be reading this, no matter how worldly they are (or think they are).

            Book 1: Belle Morte

            Book 2: Revelations

Rutabaga's Reads 2024: Part 11

We’re getting close to 2024’s end, and it’s finally nonfiction’s turn in the spotlight. As you’ll see if you peruse this post, there’s a variety of nonfiction here. If you’re a nonfiction reader, please share what sorts of nonfiction books you gravitate toward.

Kitty Language: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Your Cat (June 13, 2023) by Lili Chin.

            Your cat is staring straight at you without blinking or moving. Is she staring deep into your soul? Possibly, but more likely she’s focused on some movement or noise that’s alerted her. If you’ve ever questioned what that tail swish meant, wondered over your cat’s ear flicks or slow-blinked back at your cat, this fun-size guide is here to be an educated visual reference. With language typically short and simple and illustrations informative and vivid, this book vetted by cat behavior consultants and scientists is delightful as well as reputable and factual.

            This practically-pocket-sized nonfiction book is plumb full of playful, animated and informative illustrations by author and illustrator Chin. It’s a fun guide and a quick read into the world of feline behaviors, postures and movements – look at the entire body! – with clear-cut writing and expressive illustrations featuring cats of varying species. The information isn’t groundbreaking, and anyone who’s a cat person – like me! – will already recognize the behaviors and body language from the cats in their own lives. This charming book is an excellent guide for families welcoming their first cat and is an overall good choice for cat lovers and the cat-curious, alike.

Outofshapeworthlessloser (Feb. 6, 2024) by Gracie Gold.

There are three selves to Olympic figure skater Gracie Gold: (1) There’s Grace Elizabeth, her private self, the daughter of an anesthesiologist dad and an ER nurse mom, who likes baggy sweatpants and oversized sweatshirts. (2) Then there’s Gracie Gold, her public persona, the blond, classically pretty, Olympic-level skater. (3) And there’s Outofshapeworthlessloser, her secret self, shaped over years of depression, family troubles, trauma and self-destructive tendencies. Outwardly, Gracie has it all with well-to-do parents who can afford skating lessons and ice time, sparkly costumes and skates. She was the face of the 2014 Sochi Olympics and baked cookies with Taylor Swift. Her public star was as golden as her name, but her private life was crumbling. Food became the one thing she felt she could control, and anorexia and bulimia entered the chat. She even became obsessively dependent on laxatives. Too many years spent with demanding coaches, parents who expected nothing less than gold, the trauma of sexual assault and her own debilitating perfectionism took its toll. She made the choice to enter treatment for an eating disorder and anxiety, certainly, but also for depression and suicidal ideation. All that glitters is not gold, and Gracie Gold holds nothing back.

            I have always loved figure skating. My all-time favorites are Kristi Yamaguchi and Michelle Kwan. For anyone who idolizes figure skating, this isn’t the book for you. Or maybe it is exactly what you should read, especially if you, or someone close to you, is a competitive figure skater. Gold is boldly candid, unflinchingly personal and unreservedly defiant. Her memoir is stunning in its talk on the topic of mental health, which is, unfortunately, still too often seen as a taboo subject, and U.S. Figure Skating’s lack of care for its athletes. Gold’s memoir also tried my patience. While I can acknowledge that we only truly know our own experiences, Gold can come across as selfish. She is not the only person on this planet with big feelings and big emotions. She’s not the only person who’s experienced trauma, but sometimes her writing makes it seem like she is. Through thick and thin, though, she has picked herself up again and again and again, and hopefully she is always the coach that skaters need her to be!

Weird But True! Disney (Sept. 26, 2023) by National Geographic Kids.

In this edition of the bestselling Weird But True! series, the focus is Disney. Hardcore fans may know plenty of facts about the history of Disney, the theme parks, the cruise ships, etc., but for the casual fan, this book shares “300 wonderful facts to celebrate the magic of Disney.” There are fun facts and surprising secrets behind everything from Disney films, park attractions, Walt Disney and more. For example, did you know that the 82-foot-tall fireplace in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge mimics the layers of the Grand Canyon, which represent 1.6 billion years of geologic history? Or that the lighthouse built for Pete’s Dragon (1977) was so authentic that the film crew had to get permission from the United States Coast Guard to use it? Discover how many Swarovski diamonds were sewn into just one pair of costume pants for Broadway’s Aladdin. Or how many balloons it would actually take to lift Carl’s house in Up (2009) in real life!

            I’m one of those casual Disney fans. You know the ones. The ones who typically visit Walt Disney World (WDW) Resort every other year, when, in reality, they wish they could visit every other month! It’s thanks to a Mother-Daughter WDW trip two months ago that I realized this book existed. I saw it advertised in multiple Disney Transport buses that we rode on. All Disney fans of all ages should own this book. Even if hardcore fans happen to know all 300 facts before reading this, it contains accompanying pictures in full color. It’s on brand with Nat Geo Kids’ excellence in nonfiction aimed at younger readers. For Disney adults like me, it’s got whimsy, nostalgia and magic. And I’m wishing I was right back at WDW!