Whitewavedarling is in for another year...

Well, I just BARELY made it to 100 last year--I think I squeaked by at 101 because I finished up the year with a few short reads, but I'm trying again this year :)

To start things off... a fun one :)

1. Immortally Yours by Angie Fox

Something like a combination of MASH and the writing of Laurell K. Hamilton, this book is simply a lot of fun, and a great escape for readers of paranormal stories. From her entertaining characters to the fast-moving plot and an unavoidable romance between a mortal and a demi-god, Fox's work ends up being difficult to put down. Quickly as it moves, there's plenty of depth to the story and the characters, and the humor of everything made it a wonderful escape.

All told, I'm looking forward to the next in the series, and plan to pick it up sooner than later.

2. This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee

In the beginning, I found this all but intoxicating. Lee's version of Shelley's world had such a wonderful and dreamlike quality that the book was nearly impossible to put down, and I loved the seeming depth of even the simplest of her characterizations. From moment to moment, I was hooked into the world and anxious for the next turn.

Yet, as the pacing picked up, and as the action surged forward, I lost the feeling for some of what had so pulled me into the book. There were fewer quiet moments between characters that offered connection and magic, and things became a bit more predictable, and felt a bit too rushed. I still didn't want to stop reading... but the last fourth or so of the book just lost some of the inertia and magic that the earlier portions had had, and it was missed.

I should say... I'm struggling with the question of how different readers will react, based on whether they have or haven't read Shelley's original Frankenstein. I have read the book, more than once, and adore it; in fact, it's what drew me to this work, and it's actually impossible for me to attempt to figure out what readers who aren't familiar with it will think of Lee's work. For me, there was such an intimate and undeniable connection that I'm just not sure, and I'll be curious to read reviews from readers who haven't read Frankenstein. But with this caveat in mind...

For me, it was absolutely worth diving into. Much as I wanted the end of the book to live up to the beginning, perhaps that wasn't possible, given the world-building involved and the fact that the point This Monstrous Thing built to, for readers of Shelley's work, was bound to be somewhat predicted. Regardless, I'd certainly recommend it.

I'm intrigued by your review of This Monstrous Thing! I hadn't heard of it, but adding to the list. It's always fascinating to see how new authors deal with the boundaries between alive/not alive and human/not human.

>3 SouthernBluestocking:, You'll definitely enjoy this then. It takes place in Shelley's world, and although it looks at Frankenstein from the sideview of a steampunk system, it's really interesting how the author pulled things together and brought in questions of life & prejudice. I'll be curious to hear your thoughts :)

<2 Will read this, thanks for the review !

>5 bryanoz: glad to hear it :)

You might be interested in The Stress of her Regard by Tim Powers--Powers does such an good job of inserting fantasy into what is factually known about Shelley and Keats at that time.

>7 ronincats:, Thanks, I'll look it up. I have to admit, I'm a bit more interested in the legend of Frankenstein and her written fiction than I am in her own life, but since I love the work of both of them, it will be worth checking into :)

3. The Savage: A Novel by Angel Berry

It's hard to know how to feel about this novel. On one hand, the story and the characters at the heart of the novel are engaging, and beautifully depicted. Yet, the structure of the book is also extremely distracting, and that combined with countless comma errors make it pretty clear that the book desperately needed a good editor. The writing is also pretty uneven--in some cases being lush and engaging, and in others offering too many cliches or coming across as rushed--which again suggests that a good editor could have taken this book to a whole different level.

The biggest distraction for me is that much of the book is presented by other characters as if it's a diary--as if it was written by one of the present-time character's parents. The problem? It's not in diary form, but in narrative form, and covers more than one life. Thus, this central premise of the book just doesn't really make sense as it's presented. There are ways that this could have been avoided, but really, I'm not sure the idea of it being a diary at all particularly works. The author may have come at the story from this direction to make it stand out, but in the end... well, as it stood, it only drew attention to the fact that this was a novel and constructed.

So, all told, I'm not sure what to make of this. I'd read more of the author's work if it weren't self-published, certainly, because there was a lot of promise here, but given how distracted I was by both language errors and plot/structure issues here, I'm not sure that I'd take a look otherwise.

4. Medicine Quest: In Search of Nature's Healing Secrets by Mark J. Plotkin

Plotkin's exploration of the natural world as a source of modern medicine is a fascinating look at the ways in which we (and other species) have incorporated even the most surprising elements of nature into healing practices. From sought discoveries to surprising happenstance, the plants, animals, substances, and chemicals that have led to serious medical breakthroughs are fascinating, and Plotkin's discussion works to incorporate an understanding of history and unfolding discoveries so that readers aren't just allowed a glance into such a world, but a real view into the importance of the natural world and what may seem to be the most insignificant species that can have drastic effects on (human) health.

From beginning to end, the book offers an implicit (and yes, sometimes explicit) argument that the natural world and biodiversity are at the heart of our survival, and likely at the heart of the still elusive cures for the various diseases which most haunt are species and our best researchers. With humor, detail, and heart, his readable exploration is a journey into various far reaches of the globe, and one which is worth any reader's time.

Absolutely, I'd recommend it.

5. The 8th Circle by Sarah Cain

Dark and careful, this book is the best crime thriller I've read in ages.

Cain's characters are brilliantly drawn, both flawed and engaging, and the book is almost impossible to put down once it gets started. It won't be for everyone--the plot is dark the and violence is graphic, and there are moments of reality that you almost hate because they're so hard, even if they make it more real--but for readers who like dark crime thrillers or suspense novels that draw in everything from journalism to politics to sex and drugs, and all of the details in between... this is a book not to be missed.

I can't wait to read the next book in Cain's Danny Ryan series, honestly.

If you like your crime and suspense books to be dark, thrilling, and dripping danger that's just a bit too realistic to allow you to be comfortable... then yes, I absolutely recommend this one.

6. The Road to Enchantment by Kaya McLaren

Although this book got better as it went along, I'm afraid that, in my opinion, that's not saying a whole lot.

I had high expectations for this book, but the truth is that the blurb on the back makes it sound quite a bit more entertaining and magical than it actually is. From the beginning, I just had a hard time engaging with it. I'd expected a somewhat predictable plot based on what I'd read, but the hints of magic and eccentricities I'd read in the blurb made it sound like it would be something different, and at the very least, something rich and enjoyable. Instead, I found that there wasn't much more to the book than what was predicted on the back cover, and that the main character was really hard to like. From beginning to end, she came across as selfish, and as constantly whining. I never could bring myself to actually care about her, even at the end of the book when I'd spent 342 pages with her.

There was a point towards the middle of the book where the plot picked up for a while, and where some of that magic that had been hinted at seemed destined to arrive... but then it arrived full force. Instead of the little bits of magic that can make a book wonder-full and enchanting, the magic here was all coincidence and unbelievable plot points that, unbelievable as they were, were predictable. After all, the character's life needed to turn around, so it had to, right? Right...

By the time I got to the last fifty pages of the book, which were filled with everything going over-the-moon perfectly, all loose ends being tied up with sparkly bows and our woe-is-me protagonist still not getting over herself or her anxiety, I was just ready to be done.

The writing was lovely, but the story and the characters were far less than anything I'd want to recommend.

7. Torn From You by Nashoda Rose

I have incredibly mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, the relationship and the characters are believable, and the writing is impressively steamy... on the other hand, there are some problems.

I read the prequel and really enjoyed it, to the extent that I was anxious to read this first full installment in the series. My main complaint with the prequel was editing (which was thankfully cleared up here), but the prequel also left me wishing that things had been given a bit more time and depth. But, it was a novella, and so I figured that would all come with the full book... Unfortunately, this left me still wanting more depth. There was depth of emotion here, and angst, but when it came to depth of plot and to careful pacing, a lot was left to be desired. I flew through the first third of the book, and wish that that section of the story had been given more time (as it was, by far, the most plotted and interesting, and the least predictable) and more slowly developed--in fact, I would have been fine if that had been the whole book. The middle third left me wishing to be done; it was all angst, and felt incredibly repetitive--not to mention predictable. The last sixty pages or so of the book really picked up again, but by then I'd gotten rather tired of the main characters who, at this point, had grown less and less likeable--what with the angst, the repetition, and the occasional lack of reason/maturity. I suppose, I'm left disappointed because it seems like more development and focus could have made a big difference here, and in the end, although it was a nice enough escape for the most part, I'm sure it won't stick with me. And, honestly, I'm rather glad to be done with characters. It sounds like the second book is even more angst, which leads me to think it will be even more repetitive, so I doubt I'll pick it up (it is focused on different characters, but not ones I'm particularly curious about). I won't write off trying more of this author's writing, but I think I probably am done with this series.

8. Two and Two: Poems by Denise Duhamel

There's no question that the star of this collection is Duhamel's long 9-11 poem, "Love Which Took Its Symmetry for Granted". From start to finish, this 25-page poem is powerful and seemingly effortless, juxtaposing the personal against the media against the political, and bringing separate voices together in a way that makes the poem literally ring from the page. This poem, honestly, made the collection worth reading.

But, this said... there weren't many poems here that I enjoyed besides this hallmark piece. Too many of them felt more like unedited exercises or wandering rants, and while most all of them had some interesting language moments, there just wasn't enough for me to enjoy reading them on any level.

If you're a poetry lover, I'd absolutely recommend looking up the long poem here--especially if you're interested in long poems (although, the sections in this one are so short that it doesn't read like the average long poem), though I'm afraid I can't recommend the collection as a whole.

9. Never Go Back by Lee Child

Although I've really enjoyed Jack Reacher novels in the past, this one didn't stand up to the precedent set by those past reads. Besides having a really slow and repetitive start, the book just seemed... well, easy. Everything just fell together easily and perfectly, almost as if Reacher was just standing by and watching things unfold, and responding to a few fights when they found him. It was just... sort of easy--more intrigue than plot, in a way. On top of this, the dialogue was really hard to read. I don't know when I've read such fragmented and awkward dialogue that just didn't ring true, and the effect got worse as the book went forward. Based off of this, I wouldn't read more Jack Reacher novels; as is, since I've enjoyed earlier ones, I don't know if I'll pick up another one or not, but this certainly isn't one I'd recommend.

10. The Republic of Therapy: Triage and Sovereignty in West Africa's Time of AIDS by Vinh-Kim Nguyen

Nguyen's work tackles a difficult history, and questions which are hard to accept. When most of us think of the concept of triage, we think about emergency cases being briefly examined and weighted for priority, but we think of patients who will, one way or another, receive treatment. And who would argue that such choices have to be made, when a gunshot is clearly more urgent than a broken wrist, and a heart attack more urgent than a stomach virus? But this manuscript is a painful reminder that triage can mean quite a bit more, and reference situations where it's not a matter of deciding what order treatment takes, but of who deciding who receives any treatment at all, or whether some treatment for many is better than complete treatment for a few.

Examining the HIV/AIDS epidemic in West Africa, Nguyen's work offers case studies and analysis of what occurred when treatment was nowhere near available for all of those patients who needed it, and where triage meant deciding who lived and who died. Beyond these difficult discussions, though, the most powerful parts of the book take on questions of how community organizers and victims of HIV acted on behalf of particular stories, narratives, and victims, working to affect choices of triage and so benefit not just particular people, but specific organizations and funding opportunities. The fact that being able to speak one's story, and offer testimony of one's being affected by HIV/AIDS, was itself a factor in whether or not one might be treated at all is a hard fact to accept, much as it might make sense in the larger scheme of things. But even beyond this point, there's then the fact that such divisions had direct bearing on relationships. Where funding, treatment, and resources are limited, those who receive any of the above are set apart from their peers, so that triage affecting treatment in fact affects a great deal more than who lives and who dies, painful even as that fact alone may be.

Although Nguyen's work is extremely academic in nature, and not an easy read, it does tackle difficult territory and questions, and offer in-depth discussions related to choices of triage and treatment in the history of HIV/AIDS in West Africa. It's no an easy read, and not particularly readable in all truth, but it is an important discussion with a direct view, and well-researched. The tone and the style do get in the way of a reader's easy engagement with the text, but readers who are interested in the subject will still find the book to be worth their time.

11. The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston

Preston's exploration of Smallpox and its potential threat as a weapon of bio-terrorism is powerful, and still timely (having been published originally in 2002). Through a narrative that reads as smoothly as fiction, and with just enough detail when it comes to history and explanation, he makes a clear case for the fact that smallpox is far more frightening than many threats we hear of more regularly, allowing his book to be all the more powerful because he sets his main focus up against the anthrax scares that were so present in the public mind upon this book's first publication. The message: 'You're afraid of anthrax, but you're worrying about the wrong thing." Of course, this isn't a book built for the scientists who are choosing where to focus their grants or funding. This is a book meant for the average person who can't help wondering what bioterrorism could mean, how it could show up, how we can fight it when it does, and whether smallpox is really a thing of the past.

The difficult thing about this book, truthfully, is remembering while reading that Preston is presenting history and fact, because it is so easy to read, and the characters are so well-drawn and clear that this doesn't feel like a book of facts, names, and potentialities--it feels like a story. And, of course, it is, albeit a true one.

There's no doubt that this book has the potential to give readers nightmares if they stop at the wrong moment or allow it to sink into their brains too close to bedtime, but it's worth reading for anyone who wants some insight into the subjects at hand, and it's certainly a book I'd recommend. I'll be looking up more of Preston's work, no doubt.

12. 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill

Hill's collection of short stories if a phenomenal and varied collection. With a combination of eeriness, supernatural turns, and characters or plots which are simply dark (and all too believable), the collection moves from moment to moment like a beautifully twisted roller coaster. Hill's writing brings each of them to life in turn, and it's difficult to put down the collection at any point. Unlike so many collections where themes and characters seem to be repeated in different settings or times, Hill's work is so varied that each story seems to present its own universe, and Hill's talent is undeniable in each one.

Absolutely recommended.

13. Faithful by Alice Hoffman

I adore Hoffman's writing, and generally find such a magic in her plots and characters that I can't stand to put them down. This one had moments like that, where I was intoxicated with every moment.... but it also didn't quite stand up to what I've come to expect from her books, and left me wanting a bit more.

Part of the problem here is that the book constantly seems to promise the presence of a bit of magic, and readers of Hoffman's work will recognize that a bit of magic--her brand of magical realism, if you will--often slips into her works. Here, the book seemed to promise that, as did the book's blurb... and yet, while the book offered a lovely story with interesting characters, that promised magic was always out of reach, and never materialized. There were moments where the story almost made up for it, too, but some of the depth of her other works was just absent here--maybe because it moved too quickly, I'm not sure.

All told, I'm just left wanting more, and a little bit disappointed. I'd still recommend Hoffman's work in a moment--and I think readers who are new to Hoffman will adore this book--I'm just not sure that long-time readers of her work will be quite so satisfied with this one and they'd expect.

14. Vital Signs: Essential AIDS Fiction edited by Richard Canning

Canning has put together a powerful collection here--there's a good range of both styles and focus (with the theme in mind), and although one or two of the stories left me less than interested, the vast majority of the works here are beautifully written and tightly woven. Even within the theme, in fact, there's so much range of story subject and character that the collection never seems repetitive, which can too often be the case with collections like this. All told, this presented me with a few authors whose works I'm going to look up in the future, and was a striking and enjoyable read.

Certainly, I'd recommend it for interested short story readers.

>18 whitewavedarling: Oh, I've got 20th Century Ghosts on my shelves! I must read it.

Good luck with your 2017 goals!

>21 wookiebender:, absolutely :) That's my favorite read of 2017 so far, and I can't wait to read more of Hill's work. Thanks for the well-wishes, and good luck to you, too!

15. My New Romanian Life by Joseph Vitale

I was looking forward to this book, but there's not a whole lot of good that I can say about it, unfortunately.

First, I have to say that Vitale really would have benefited from a good editor--even beyond minor grammatical issues/typos, it's clear that he's a talented enough writer that he simply needed a second set of eyes and critique to take this book to another level, getting rid of some of those problems which I'll note below. I think this book could have been wonderful--instead, it was hard to finish.

The biggest problem is the self-important, too good and honorable to be true, know-it-all narrator. From the beginning, she's pretty insufferable, and it makes it hard to enjoy the whole of the book. It may be that she's meant to be a mouthpiece for the spirit of the Romanian people--in fact, I hope she is, given that that's the best defense for her being so unbelievable and unengaging--but the simple fact is that reading her perspective is tiring. For me, her voice ruined the book.

All told, it's hard to know what to make of it. It does read as a memoir (though it's not), but it just doesn't hold together all that well, and doesn't have much of a conclusion. It's also incredibly predictable as far as the track of the main character goes, which doesn't help matters. It's clear that Vitale has some writing talent, but the story itself needed a good editor, and as things stand, I'm not sure I could bring myself to read more of his long work in novel-form.

I finished this book only because it was a GoodReads Giveaway which I felt I should finish.

16. Starflight by Melissa Landers

This felt like it was somewhat stuck between being young adult and adult sci-fi, and I think it suffered for being young adult. The characters would have been more believable if they'd been in their 20s, which also would have offered more of a chance for the depth that so often seemed to be missing from the work. I did enjoy the intricacies of the main characters' relationship, and the psychology of the progressions, but when it came right down to it, that was what carried the book. Everything else felt overly simplified, overly easy, and lacking in real depth.

All told, I probably won't pick up the sequel or more work by the author. There wasn't anything wrong with this book, but there also weren't really any surprises, or anything to bring me back to the world or the characters. If she writes an adult book at some point, I might consider it, but for now... enh?

17. When Germs Travel by Howard Markel

Markel's work here is not just about what the title proclaims--and in fact, I imagine that's led to some disappointed readers--instead, it is as much about history, immigration into America, and fear as it is about disease, science, or epidemics. Yet, in bringing all of these topics together, it's a powerful look into the subjects and into the way populations have come to understand a variety of diseases which we're still working against today.

By splitting the book into six different chapters to match up with six separate diseases, Markel works to first explain a disease and where it actually may have begun (or sometimes, where it definitely didn't begin, despite popular thought), and then to dissect the understanding that culture came to about the same -- often, the understandings don't match up with history or truth, of course. And through case studies and discussions of how truth has been twisted or scarred in relation to each disease, many things become clearer, from why the popular understanding might have been shaped to allow for (or even promote) xenophobia and prejudice, on to what contemporary readers might best understand and fear about a disease, as opposed to what popular history or culture might suggest.

If there is a failing here, it's that Markel doesn't attempt (in more than an occasional sentence) to address whether America is like other nations (any or all) in its propensity to blame epidemics on immigrants, or whether this is a uniquely American pattern of thought. In some chapters, there are discussions of other nations/peoples blaming a given disease on another group, but the topic isn't addressed as a whole. In some ways, this is forgivable simply because Markel is admittedly an American historian, and may have felt this topic to be a far reach, but it does feel like something of a missing discussion. Also, the title and subtitle are, as suggested above, a bit misleading.

This book is as much about immigration and prejudice as it is about disease, and it is as much about the making of America as it is about epidemics. Some readers will come to this book for particular insights, based on the title, and perhaps be disappointed. Readers looking for a wider scope of understanding, though, may end up being more than pleased.

Absolutely, I'd recommend it.

>25 whitewavedarling: When Germs Travel sounds fascinating

>26 jfetting:, it really was--I actually ended up flying through it once I started!

When Germs Travel is a book bullet for me after your review, Jennifer.

>28 ronincats:, I'm glad to hear it :)

18. Haunted Tree by Scott Robert Scheller

Although I'd say that the title is misleading, the fantasy Scheller has created here is a beautifully drawn world which blends magic and religion in a seamless fashion, in a story that's somewhat reminiscent of Le Guin's Wizard of Earthsea, but with a focus on family and some romance added into the mix. For me, the story felt somewhat tame and it took me some time to get engaged, but I do think that's due in large part to the title, as I was expecting something darker, perhaps even verging on a ghost story or horror.

All told, I really enjoyed this, and it's also nice to read a series beginning that does have some closure at the end, but where the questions left for the next book aren't so large as to take away the satisfaction that can come with a solid ending. I will say that the last portion of the book was somewhat predictable, but because the characters were so engaging and there were some unexpected details/twists, I never lost interest.

Certainly, I'll probably end up looking up the follow-up, and I'd recommend this one to interested readers.

19. Primitive Mood by David Moolten

Moolten's poems are sometimes elegant, sometimes striking. While the personal ones in the collection (many of them coming towards the end, by the way) are the most powerful in my eyes, along with some of the ones in the beginning which come across as sort of contemporary takes on legends or fables, the collection as a whole has a great deal to offer. With language that blends lyricism with a sort of prose sensibility, the poems come together into an eclectic mix of images and meanings which should offer enjoyment to any poetry reader. And although I won't likely revisit the collection in whole, there are some poems here that I'll want to return to again and again.

Recommended.

20. Native Believer by Ali Eteraz

It's hard for me to know what to say about this book. Although the writing is entertaining, as are the characters, the truth is that I just didn't enjoy it.. at all. On its face, I was excited to read it--the book presents the story of a man who, though raised as a Muslim, simply doesn't practice any belief system. When his boss fires him in an apparent reaction to his assumed religion, though, his wife and everyone around him seem to be pushing him to re-build his identity in direct relation to his being a Muslim, though he didn't even consider himself one to begin with. There's a lot of nuance to the psychology of what's presented here actually, and it's a story that ought to be told and discussed... and yet. Stylistically, and in terms of tone, there's not really anything about this book that I enjoyed, beyond the broadest possible look at the subject.

In some ways, I'd compare it to American Psycho, but with a cynical look at belief and love integrated where the other takes a look at consumerism and sex and violence. Another relevant comparison might be the works of Flannery O'Connor, because of this author's juxtaposition of cynical belief, or lack thereof, with characters who are as much grotesques as full-bodied presentations, entertaining as they are. And yet... neither comparison really gets at the work, though each pulls at a piece of what bothers me about it.

Simply, I suppose I just felt that everything was a little bit overdone, a little bit extreme. And maybe that's the point--I wouldn't be surprised if it is. But nevertheless, I'm afraid it made the book a struggle for me to get through.

21. The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman

As fascinating as this book sounded, I can't say that I really enjoyed it. The book as a whole just felt... well, rather passive. There was a lot of telling, a fair amount of summary, and it seemed like most of the action of the story happened outside of the story, either in the background or before the novel's start. On the whole, I liked the ideas, and I wanted to know more about the characters, but there just wasn't a whole lot to engage with -- as if the author gave us the broad strokes of the story, and rather rushed through the parts that involved more than the character sitting and thinking, or talking to others. As a kid, I would have gotten bored and wandered away; as an adult, I found my way to the finish... but more out of determination than interest, I'm afraid.

I doubt I'll read the second one, though it's already on my shelf.

22. Godless by Pete Hautman

This is one of those books which, as an adult, I can really appreciate... but which I'm fairly sure I would have quickly grown bored with when I was actually a teen, who this book is (theoretically) meant for. There's a review on the book that, to me, says a lot: "Anyone who ha questioned his or her religion, especially as a teenager, will respond to Jason's struggles with belief." The review is from Booklist, and now that I've read the book and come back to that quote on the back... well, yeah, I agree, but the fact that that quote puts the questioning in the past is important. Adults are going to see what the author has done here and be able to appreciate it, but teenagers actively involved in questioning their faith probably aren't going to be interested, or else I have a feeling they'll find it beneath them and move on to something else (this is, more than likely, how I would have felt when I was a teen who wasn't sure how to feel about religion).

So, in the end, I'm not surprised that this is an award-winning YA book, or that I've heard other adults rave about it. There's a lot to admire here. Is it a book I'd pass on to young readers, though? Probably not, though I might pass it on to adults who read YA.

23. And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich

Kurtagich has a talent for writing creepy passages, which makes for a fast and interesting read when paired with the stylized and somewhat frantic design of this book. It is somewhat heavy-handed and predictable, but it's also sort of wonderfully haunting when absorbed in huge chunks; essentially, it reads like a book which is meant to be absorbed and taken in through images and impressions, more than a single narrative or even a number of narratives.

I have a feeling that, had I really slowed down and tried to understand and take in every piece of this, passage by passage, I wouldn't have enjoyed it. There's a lot of confusion that gets in the way of particular moments, as well as a fair bit of repetition, but as a fast and wandering read... well, I found it worthwhile despite those downfalls, and I'm rather glad to have stumbled upon it.

If you want something creepy to sink into, and you don't mind a bit of heavy-handedness when it comes to structure and impression or experimentation, this might be worth your looking it up.

24. Fires in the Mirror by Anna Deavere Smith

Although this was definitely meant to be staged as opposed to read, it's still worth discovering as a reader since subtleties of character are explored (and in some cases explained or defended, in relation to the writer's choices as based on the real people who are characters are based off of). It does start off slowly. Since the beginning of the book examine the context of the play, and the deaths that set off the Crown Hill riots in the early 90s, the reader is invested in those events. The beginning of the play itself, though, after setting out the deaths, takes a step back to discover Jewish and African American life in the area, before moving forward to what the reader was expecting. The choice makes sense, in terms of power and in terms of the writer's goal, but it does make for something of a slow-down, and I have to admit that I also felt the last pieces of the play were short in comparison. That said, I have a feeling the introductions have something to do with that--they built up Smith's project and the play in such a way that I was expecting a lot, whereas I might have been more impressed with the play itself had I not read those introductions. They are worthwhile, and there's nothing to really be given away a might happen with another work's introduction, but it's worth noting for readers who are heading into this. Of course, whether or not the play would be so powerful without some of that extra understanding... well, it's a catch-22, I suppose.

Nevertheless, I'm glad to have found my way to the play, and I'd certainly recommend it to readers who are interested in the events/relations at the heart of it, or interested in documentary-type and interview-based performance pieces.

25. A Life Worth the Fleeting Suns by Leon Huet

Call it a techno-thriller or hard sci-fi, or call it a cross-over novel that incorporates a number of genres, but there's a lot to be said for this fast-paced work by Huet. Incorporating computer tech, philosophy, drama, political intrigue, suspense, and a tiny bit of romance, it brings together a lot of elements.

The highlights of the book are, without doubt, the passages regarding technology and the action sequences, both of which Huet executes flawlessly. The one downfall of the book may, if anything, that it is too fast-paced, which I could see being a direct result of the author playing to these two strengths. Now that I'm finished, I'm left... well, wanting more, I suppose. Not necessarily in terms of closure, but in terms of time. There were a lot of points where the book felt rushed--not in individual moments/passages, but in plotting/pacing overall. For readers looking for hard sci-fi or focused on the techno-thriller label, this might not be a weakness at all, but for me, I just wanted more time with the characters, and to really feel like I understood the intricacies of motivations and relationships, which wasn't always the case.

All told, though, I did really enjoy this, and I'd certainly pick up more of Huet's work. So if the book's subject or genre appeals to you, yes, I'd absolutely recommend it. I just hope the writer goes a bit more slowly with the next book...

26. Tweaky Village by Kevin Killian

There are moments in this book which are sort of fun, quirky, and clever, and there are a few poems that stand out as being not just clever or entertaining, but really striking. Unfortunately... they're few, they're early, and they're still a bit over-run by language that feels to be trying too hard.

All told, the over-the-top descriptions, the biting sarcasm, the cleverness that's trying a bit too hard, and the repetitive wandering through the same subjects just didn't add up to an enjoyable read for me. I'm not sure when I found it such a struggle to finish a poetry collection, but with this one...

Well, obviously, I couldn't recommend it.

27. Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez

As a memoir, this is an enjoyable read--Rodriguez's voice is entertaining and utterly readable, and there's humor to go around. Reading about her experiences is engrossing--especially in the beginning when readers are first getting accustomed to her voice and wanderings--and there's a lot to be said for her attention to detail relating to what it took her time to get used to in Kabul, what shocked her, and the details of day-to-day life (though, it would have been nice to see more along these lines).

But, at the same time, readers who want a real view into the culture, and into the women whose lives were involved with Rodriguez, might end up disappointed. As is so often the case with memoirs, and rightfully so perhaps, Rodriguez is at the center of this work, and her concerns about the school and the girl are paramount. But there's a sort of self-concern which is almost uncomfortable as a reader gets further into the work---a sort of day-to-day focus on the now and on what comes next for Rodriguez herself that forgets to consider very real consequences and context.

So, yes, I have mixed feelings about this. I wanted more, but I was glad to wander through Rodriguez's experiences with her as she relived them. I'm just left wondering about the influence here, and wishing I knew more of what came next in terms of the aftermath that Rodriguez left behind for those who got close to her.

28. Dancer by Colum McCann

I really enjoyed the beginning of this work, but as the sections kept going and the stylings of different sections became more diverse, I found it harder and harder to connect with either the characters or the story of Nureyev's life. Much as I loved McCann's writing, I just couldn't get as involved in the story as I wanted to, though I found certain sections and chapters impossible to put down. Certainly, it was an interesting read... but probably not one I'll return to.

I'd recommend it to interested readers, and to readers interested in dance or in novels told in experimental or varying designs and levels.

29. Portal Arcane I -- Reversion by J. Thorn

Although it took me a few chapters to really get interested, with the early passages feeling heavier on atmosphere and mystery than a clear story, that disengagement changed quickly. And once I did get engaged... well, I couldn't stand to put it down. As the plot started to evolve and the characters had some time to pull me in, this book really began to remind me, very simply, of why I love horror so much. Yes, there's a dark story here, with suspense and terror to go around, but there's also that balance of the real and the unreal that is, so often, what I think makes a horror such a fantastic world to explore through books and movies.

Absolutely, I'd recommend this to horror readers, and I'll be picking up the next book in the series sooner than later...

30. Even in Quiet Places: Poems by William Stafford

Calm, but with a surprising depth, the poems here are some which I think can be enjoyed by any reader of poetry. Stafford's care with scene and language is wonderful, and the tension he elicits in even the simplest of exploration is wonderful to experience. For the reader who wants a relaxing and enjoyable collection, this is ideal, and there's a lot here to be wandered through and re-read, over and over again, as the mood strikes.

31. At Home in Exile: Why Diaspora is Good for the Jews by Alan Wolfe

The controversy over the Jewish Diaspora is something I've only been familiar with in passing, and yet I found that Wolfe's work was not only readable and clear, but offered with depth and insight. In some cases, I'm positive I would have gotten more out of his arguments if I'd had more background, but for the most part, I felt Wolfe did an impressive job of balancing his writing to benefit a variety of readers. Wolfe's argument that Diaspora has, in large part, been a good thing for Jews -- despite many scholars and religious leaders arguing the opposite -- is delivered thoughtfully and with real depth, and offers a lot of inspiration for further discussion and thought.

All told, I'd have to recommend this work to anyone interested in the subject, or in religion at large.

32. The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

There's something of a hypnotic quality to Hamid's prose, and it's difficult to step away from. The character he's created in Changez is both fascinating and somewhat too real, too believable, to be dismissed when stepping away from the book, and the work is all the more powerful because of it. And the moves are subtle--what is an expertly related and beautifully crafted conversation, both casual and calm, moves into a narrative where the tension builds almost despite expectations or rationale. And nearly without realizing it, the reader is pulled into something else entirely.

This is a book to be pulled into, and swept along with, and hypnotized by before you wake up, and see what became of the dream that was the book.

Absolutely recommended.

33. The Farm by Emily McKay

Everything I can say about The Farm comes back to one word: Frustrating. So, yeah, be prepared for a slight bit of a rant...

I should have liked this book. (Actually, I should have loved this book.) It had all of the right elements, and I actually held off on reading it until I knew I had the time to read this, fast, and then immediately go on to the next two books. And yet, in all honesty, I may end up giving away the other books in the series with this one, without reading them, even though I bought all three from a used book sale at the same time.

That's how frustrating this book was.

First, there's the spoiled and incredibly unlikable main character, Lily, who's nearly as unbelievable as she is annoying and inconsistent. Her sister's sections are more interesting... but also incredibly heavy-handed, as are the sections of the too-obvious love interest who is, simply put, such a stereotype that you'll recognize him on sight, let alone sound, from cover to cover. There's no other way to say it.

Editing is also a problem. There are little plot holes and inconsistencies all over the place. In some cases, I can see where an editor must have asked a question in the margin of a draft (expecting revision), to which the author hurried off an after-the-fact explanation instead. These spots are sort of frighteningly obvious in too many cases. Add to spots like this the fact that the book feels rushed, undeveloped, and built from stereotypes... and you've got a long list of problems.

At page 50, I was still trying to get interested, but the characters were holding me back. At page 100, I couldn't stand the characters, and had too many questions about the plot. By the halfway point at around page 200... I was just reading to try to finish it and figure out if it would potentially get any better. And it was a fast read... I'll give it that.

In short, this could have been a great book. Instead, it reads like a book that was rushed to publication, without enough time taken to either characterization or development, let alone the details of world-building. It needed more work, a more careful editorial eye, and another few rounds of drafting. Then, maybe, it could have been great.

So, will I go on to read Book 2 since it's already on my shelf? If it focused on Lily, the main character here, there'd be no chance. None. But... it looks like it doesn't, which is the only thing leading me to say maybe. One way or another, I'm not going to jump into it. I may, though, look at some reviews, wait a few months, and at least read the first few chapters. I was, after all, interested in some of the margin characters who had more subtlety, and were less wrapped into a bad teen romance surrounded by half-built dystopia... and it looks like those characters might be the focus going forward. So, maybe. We'll see. For now, I'm just really excited to be able to say that I'm done with this one.

34. Just Try to Stop Me by Gregg Olsen

Olsen's prose is fast, and since the characters and story here were just as engaging as the writing, I actually ended up flying through this book. I signed up for this book on something of a whim, through the Goodreads Giveaway program, and I'm glad I did--it's been a while since I enjoyed a thriller so much as I enjoyed this one, and although I wish there'd been a little bit more depth to the characters, I have a feeling I'd be totally satisfied if I'd started with the earlier books in the series. I will say that the ending felt slightly rushed... but that also might simply have been because I was enjoying the read so much, I was ready for it to keep going. Regardless, I've got no doubt I'll be picking up more of Olsen's work, starting with the other Waterman & Stark thrillers.

If you're looking for a fast-moving thriller, I'd absolutely recommend this one.

35. Dance of the Jakaranda by Peter Kimani

Although I really enjoyed Kimani's writing, I had a hard time really getting into this one. It seemed like the narrative would shift focus to a new character each time I was really getting engaged with one, so that took a lot of the momentum away as I kept reading. And although the story was interesting, it also got more and more predictable, and seemingly slower, as it progressed. All told, I imagine I might have taken weeks to finish it and kept wandering away from it, but for the fact that I'd taken it along on a weekend trip and didn't really have other choices. I do have a feeling that that would have hurt the reading, though--the number of characters and their relations were hard enough to keep track of even with having read the book over only the course of a few days, so I imagine putting it down for a week could have led to my not finishing it at all.

All that said, I did enjoy Kimani's writing, so I probably would try another one of his books. I just don't know that I could recommend this one, which kept losing steam as it progressed.

36. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

There's something about Le Guin's writing which I find hypnotic, and her characters & narrators normally pull me in almost immediately, so that I feel a story as it unfolds and can't look away. For some reason, though, I found it hard to move into this particular book. As always, the concept, writing, and world drew me in... but I just couldn't stay involved, to the extent that I kept find myself having to re-read pages because my mind had wandered away--which almost never happens when I'm reading, truth be told. About halfway through the book, I found myself more engaged and not wanting to put the book down, but it did take that long.

I've read from a few reviews that this can be one of Le Guin's slower works or take re-reads, so I may read it again one of these days. Meanwhile, though, I'd certainly recommend it to her fans, and to fans of classic sci-fi. But, for readers who haven't already fallen in love with Le Guin, I'd probably recommend them starting somewhere else.

37. Inflictions by John McIlveen

This is one of those collections that might not appeal to most readers... but those who find themselves interested will love it. The collection of horror stories here is varied and engrossing, and the beginning ones were chilling enough to make me think twice about reading them at night (which is a good thing with this type of collection, of course). At the same time, some of the stories were laugh-out-loud funny, so that the book was a bit of a roller coaster to read, and all the more fun because of it.

All told, only horror readers will appreciate a number of the stories, but this is going to most appeal to readers who like eclectic works, and who want bits of humor to come right alongside their suspense and darkness. There are also some great grotesques, as well as some really striking moments of everyday terror to make you cringe away from what you're reading, and wonder how long you can allow yourself to think about some of the questions posed.

So, all told? Yes, I absolutely recommend it, though not to the faint of heart.

38. What I Tell You in the Dark by John Samuel

From the point of view of an ambitious, if stumbling, angel, this is one of those books you'll want to sink into, consider, re-read, and pass on to other readers. Samuel's lyrical writing is so full of both heart and humor that the work is nearly impossible to put down. If there's a fault, it's that the telling and the voice are so hypnotic, and at times so poetic, that it's easy to slip along and be so swept up in many moments that the larger picture can be temporarily lost. But then, re-wandering through this angel's voice is sort of a game in itself, and a rather wonderful one.

All told, I rather fell in love with this book, and I can't wait to re-read it, and to see what Samuel comes up with next. Readers who want a bit of the supernatural or the wayward angelic in their literary fiction... find this book.

I adored it, start to finish.

39. Cane River by Lalita Tademy

Built from an exploration of her own ancestors, Tademy's Cane River is an impressive melding of historical documents and fiction, pulling together multiple generations of a single family and offering a novel which offers the best of what historical fiction can be. From generation to generation, the story unfolds with incredible attention to both daily life and character, weaving a tale which is all but impossible to put down.

Absolutely recommended to readers of historical fiction.

40. Last Words by Michael Koryta

I picked this up on a whim, but I'm glad I did--it's the first thriller I've read in some while which has not only delivered on depth and engaging characters, but kept me guessing straight on until the very end. There's a depth of character here that I haven't often seen in suspense/thrillers like this, and in all honesty, that's going to ensure that I read the next book in the series. Add to all of this the fact that the book is atmospheric, creepy, and page-turning... and I have to say it was one heck of a read.

Absolutely recommended.

41. Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Predictable as it was, this did get better as it kept going, but I'm not sure that's saying all that much. Really, I just wanted more... depth? Thought? Something? Maybe partly because it was a re-imagining, the book was just so focused on the main plot that there wasn't a lot of depth to anything but the main theme. Especially the main character felt too easy, and too silly at various points, to be really engaging (and yes, I would have felt this way if I'd been a teen reading it, also). And, for a book that had a lot of conversations between girls... well, it would have been nice if they'd at Some point talked about something other than boys and sex. Main point aside, the telescope focus of it gave the impression that boys and sex were the only things that mattered, which grew stale pretty quickly.

So, if you're looking for a contemporary re-telling of Lysistrata, I guess I'd have to recommend reading this, but otherwise, I probably wouldn't. I certainly wouldn't recommend it to teens--if anything, it just reinforces the idea that sex and relationships are all-important in high school. Honestly, that just got more annoying than anything.

So, yeah... this one was a bit of a disappointment.

42. How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days by Kerrelyn Sparks

Although I probably wouldn't have picked this up if I hadn't won it in a giveaway, I actually ended up really enjoying it. The characters are engaging and the plotting has enough little twists and details to keep things interesting. There were some things that drove me crazy and pushed too far into comedy for me--the title being one, and the main character's name (when paired with his power) being another that constantly made me think of Thundercats from when I was a kid--but while some things were heavy-handed, I'm glad to have stumbled onto this one, and it was a nice, fast escape. I expect I'll pick up the next in the series, particularly in hopes that it will focus on some of the minor characters here who I found just as interesting (and in some ways even more interesting) than the main ones.

If you like light, fantasy romances with some comedy thrown in, you should enjoy this one.

43. Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enriquez

These are dark stories, built from poverty, fear, heartbreak, and in some cases the supernatural. And yet, they are also built from beauty. For all of the darkness and violence built into the hearts of these stories of Argentinian struggle and poverty, the voice of the author is flawless and careful, and the characters are far too believable to be easily left behind or forgotten.

This won't be a collection for everyone--the stories are located closer to horror than to general fiction if we're talking about genre. But they are also smart, beautifully written, and worth of reading, and re-reading.

If you don't mind the dark side of literary, you should find them.

Recommended.

44. Terminate (Retribution) by Natasha Deen

This is a fast read, but to be honest, it's also a disappointing one. And it's the definition of rushed--every bit of it, from start to finish, is rushed through. So although the premise and the characters really interested me, and I was excited to pick the book up, it's lacking depth to such an extent that, really, it reads as more of a bare bones exploration than a finished novel, YA or otherwise.

The characters do have some hints of depth, but not enough to come across as more than figureheads that are too familiar. It's easy to see how more time with them would have made a huge difference, but as is, they're not real enough and we don't have enough time with them to invest in and care about them. The plot is more of a problem--it moves so quickly, and is so easy at every step, that there's not really any intrigue or suspense, let alone time to become worried for the characters or really invested. And then, once it gets interesting? It's immediately ended. And I don't mean it's over--it's simply ended in a way that isn't remotely satisfying.

So, would I read another from this series, or another from this author? The answer is no. Honestly, this was so rushed and lacking, I'm not sure I'd read another from the publisher.

45. Time and Materials by Robert Hass

Hass' poems offer something for every reader of poetry--varying between the lyrical and the immediate simple statement of a friend, between locations, and between abstracts and concrete pieces of culture & nature, the poems here wander from moment to moment with a fluid attention to detail that is both fascinating and worth exploring, and re-exploring.

Absolutely, I'd recommend Hass' work to any poetry reader, and to any poet.

46. Spark by Casey Renee Kiser and Wren Verlaine

There are some great and clever lines here, but I'm afraid the fact is that this appears to have been self-published for a reason. Most of the poems are very simple, and angsty in a way that suggests they're more emotion and sound than meaning or depth. Abstract feelings are constant, and concrete images are pretty rare. They remind me of the poems I wrote when I first started writing poetry, before I'd read a lot of contemporary poetry or worked with any other writers to improve my craft, and while this sounds pretty harsh, it's a simple fact that most readers who love poetry aren't going to find much here to enjoy or remember. At their best, there are short sections that remind me of Nine Inch Nails and that sort of language, and maybe some of the images and poems here would be better if played with and set to music, short as they are.

As is, though, I'm afraid I can't recommend them, much as I adore reading poetry and passing it on.

47. The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly

I actually read the sequel to The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose, when it first came out, and fell in love with everything about it. And so I bought this book way back then, but planned to stick it on a shelf and try to forget about it until I'd forgotten what I'd learned about the characters in the sequel, and could read this one fresh. I'm glad I did, and yet, I'm also a little glad it wasn't my introduction to Donnelly's work...

The truth is, the first part of this book is heartbreaking in that way where you're not even sure why you're reading after a certain point, or whether you want to keep going. I think I was about 120 pages in when I asked my husband to hand me the book as he passed by, and his response was: "This? The book that keeps making you cry? Nope." True, I'd been sobbing over it when he came home from work the night before. But, of course, I got up to retrieve the book myself.

Of course, some books make you cry for no reason, and just keep doing so. This isn't one of those. I adored this book. The character, the heartbreak, the humor, the spirit... I don't read historical fiction that often, but I adored this. I can't wait to read its sequel again, with fresh eyes and having read this.

If you read historical fiction, yes, read this. The beginning has sadness along with every other emotion, but the level of it doesn't continue.

Absolutely, recommended.

48. The Forbidden Garden by Ellen Herrick

Although I enjoyed the story and the writing, I have to admit that this book left me wanting quite a bit more. Maybe I would have felt some extra depth if I'd read the author's earlier work that involved this character (though I doubt it, given that this seemed fully stand-alone and mostly revolved around another place & set of characters), but as it was, I felt distanced from the characters and the story. As if they weren't quite real, and were more pictures or acting creations than real, thinking, feeling people. As a result, I never did really get emotionally involved in the story, and although the characters seemed to be feeling pressure and reacting to a high stakes situation... the read remained very casual, for me.

What more did I want? Well, more connection, and more depth. As it was, it simply felt too easy, too delicate... too formed, maybe.

All in all, I didn't dislike the read, but I'm rather glad to be moving on to something else, and I'm not sure I'd pick up another book by this author--certainly, I won't pick up another book featuring any of the Sparrows or the characters focused upon here. They were nice enough... but not quite real or interesting enough.

49. Lick & Play by Kylie Scott

Simply put, these books are fast-moving and a lot of fun. I don't read all that much romance, but stumbled onto this one somehow and fell in love with Scott's characters. And while, yes, the genre itself makes them a bit predictable, it was still easy to get lost in them, engaging as the characters are and fast-moving as the story is. No doubt, I'll be reading the other two books in the series.

If you like romance, absolutely, I'd recommend them as fun escapes.

50. Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape by Jessica Luther

As powerful as it is necessary, Luther's discussion of sexual assault and college football covers a tangled landscape of surrounding culture and attitudes--from politics, to fandoms, to tradition, to expectations, and on to identity. As difficult as the examinations in this book are, there's also a great deal of love and objectivity here; in fact, I suspect that only someone who Does love football could have written this work in this manner, where it is not only serious and piercing, but respectful and, on some level, even understanding of the reasons we've reached this point in history and culture, without excusing any of it.

And yes, this is far more than a catalog of players and nights gone horribly wrong, and far more than a listing of victims and villains. Systematically, Luther presents evidence of a culture and systems that not only perpetuate behavior that leads to assault and victimization, but then cover up such behavior with what might look like ignorance, but is actually self-sustaining promotion of the status-quo. And, what's more, she presents paths for change, and signs of change that are already struggling to make a difference, while making it terrifyingly clear that even as these changes are happening, much is being done to undermine them.

If I could, I'd ask every college instructor and student to read this. I'd drop off barrels of the book in the locker rooms and even at high schools, and I'd make my students read sections, if not the whole of it, if I still taught in a college town. I'd drop it off in high schools and ask the coaches to read it, and I'd pass it to my friends. And even beyond coaches and athletes, it should be read by fans. There might be an argument to be made that fans need this book as much as anyone, in fact.

In an approachable and careful way, this is an important book, and deals thoughtfully with an issue that should not be ignored, but too often is.

Absolutely, I'd recommend it.

51. Suicide Forest by Jeremy Bates

I love the concept that Jeremy Bates has taken up for this series--placing novels in the world's scariest places, but not as further evidence that they're scary (at least not in this case). These characters know what they're walking into, and they go partly because of the area's reputation... and yet, they don't find at all what they might have expected.

I wasn't sure that this would be surprising, or have the capacity for twists and surprises to keep it interesting, given the concept, but this was a consistently surprising read (in a good way), and had a great balance of character, atmosphere, and plot. Each time I picked up the book, I didn't want to put it down, and it gave me everything I want in a good horror novel.

I will admit that, especially in the first portion of the book, there were moments when I wished there'd been a better copy-editor to catch little mistakes, but either those mistakes were less present as the book went on, or I was too wrapped up to notice (which is rare, but could have been the case here). Either way, there weren't enough little editing issues to make me regret picking the book up (which, yes, has happened) or put me off from reading more of Bates' work.

All told, I'd recommend this to any horror readers (and not to anyone else...).

52. Trust by Terry Towers

Simply put, this just needed more time and depth. There wasn't any substance to the characters beyond the immediate situation, and they read as stereotypes of Exactly the two main characters you'd expect to feature in the book once you heard its plot. As in, exactly--nothing more to them. As might be expected from this problem, this book featured the worst case of insta-love I've ever seen in a published work, self-published or otherwise. The characters had had virtually no time together, and suddenly... love.

Essentially, the book just suffered from a lack of depth. The characters' motivations weren't believable because the only motivation seen or referenced was that unbelievable, perfect love that came out of nowhere, and there wasn't enough detail to any aspect of the work to make the plot carry it along, it was so predictable.

In a way, it was a stereotype of the whole genre of dark romance, with no depth or detail to be had.

Honestly, I've read a lot of self-published books that were outstanding--probably more good ones than bad, in fact, since I try to be picky about the ones I pick up. But this? Well, this is one of those books that makes you understand why some readers swear off self-publishing authors entirely.

Obviously, I wouldn't recommend it.

53. Past Crimes by Glen Erik Hamilton

Fast-paced and twisting, this is one of those mystery/suspense novels that's hard to put down. The characters at the center of the book--and especially the main character, Van Shaw--are believable and engaging, and Hamilton's use of atmosphere is masterful. The more I read of this work, the more I didn't want it to stop.

All told, I'll keep reading the Van Shaw series and any other works to come from Glen Erik Hamilton; the depth and believability of character here were incredibly refreshing for a work like this, and I'd recommend it in a moment.

54. A Friend of the Earth by T.C. Boyle

Here's the truth: I HATE the cover of this book. As in, HATE, to the point where it was tempting to tear it off and throw it away, and I rather wish I had, but for the fact that that would have made the book difficult to give away. And I don't always pay attention to covers. I've never hated one, certainly. But this one? Yeah--I hate it. Maybe that shouldn't matter--it probably shouldn't, I suppose--but it does. This book literally sat on my shelf, traveling with me for five or six moves over the course of about a decade because, as much as it sounded like something that I would love... I kept on putting it back on the shelf when I thought about the prospect of seeing its cover, day in and day out, for however long I'd be reading it. And while reading it, over the past week and a half, I did my best to keep it facing down so that I could do my best to ignore the cover One way or another, it influences me, and seeing it in the corner of the page as I write this review makes it impossible to ignore.

So, does that edge down my review? It might. Did that make me skeptical or set my sights higher as I entered the book? Maybe so. Probably so. But the book was a gift, and the person who gave it to me was right in thinking I'd enjoy the story. If it were up to me, the cover would have kept me from buying it.

Why am I harping on this? Well, because it colors how I feel about the book, unavoidably.

I did enjoy Boyle's writing here, and I enjoyed the story, once I got into it (which took quite a while, I have to admit). The jumping from past to present, and back again, is effective, even if it doesn't necessarily add suspense. I'm anxious to read more of his work, truth be told. But at the same time, there's a really certain cynicism here that turned me off, and the cover is just a sign of it. The main character's voice is so cynical, in fact, that I found it almost impossible to engage with him--I was interested, on some level, but more out of curiosity than sympathy. And this was a character that, truly, I should have loved and been heartbroken by. But I wasn't. And the pessimism compelling the book forward, soaking the paragraphs, made it a less than enjoyable read. As a result, I'm not actually sure who I'd recommend this to, short of English students or academics looking for a particular type of read. Even now, I'm not really sure how I feel about it. And I probably could have walked away from it for weeks on end... if I hadn't been desperate to finish it so that I could never look at the cover again.

All told, I'm anxious to read more of Boyle's work. I'm not sure that reading this one, though, was worth dealing with the cover.

55. Legacy of Kings by Eleanor Herman

I've got incredibly mixed feelings about Legacy of Kings, but I am looking forward to reading the next in the series, which itself means quite a bit, I suppose. As it stands, my instinct is simply to say that Herman might have been aiming to do too much in this first book of the series.

In a lot of spots, I felt like I wanted and needed more depth in order to see a subplot or a character as something more than either derivative or a stereotype. As a result, interested as I was, I didn't feel really and truly engaged with the book until toward the end. I should say, perhaps, that I did really love the first few chapters... but for the vast majority of the book, I was left wanting more. I wanted things to be more unique and less predictable, but that I think a lot of the problem here came from there just being so much going on--and so many focus characters--that the depth and detail that might have alleviated other problems just never had a chance.

Herman's writing is lovely, and there is a lot to admire here, but I think it's the second book that will tell me how to really feel about this one. In many ways, no matter what, I have to think this might have been more powerful if it were split into a few books that focused on the separate characters, especially since there's one character who has no interaction with the others, and easily could have been separated in order to give more focus to this one.

If the idea of historical fantasy centered around magic and Alexander the Great (in his youth) appeals to you, then I'd recommend this. Otherwise, as I said, a lot will depend on the second book...

56. A Bride of Narrow Escape by Paulann Peterson

Quiet and intimate, this is one of those poetry collections that is ripe for wandering through, piece by piece, when there's plenty of time for re-reading and savoring. It's not that the poems are so difficult as to require the re-reads, but that they're so full and textured with lovely images and lines that bleed into one another, gracefully and guiding, so that they're easy to slip through and then slip back through, rediscovering them.

Some of these poems, I'll come back to again and again, and I imagine I'll at some point re-read the collection in full. Absolutely, I'd recommend this to poetry lovers.

57. The Wasting of Borneo: Dispatches from a Vanishing World by Alex Shoumatoff

This is a striking work, chronicling one man's journey toward connecting to the natural world and his attempts to not just understand vanishing cultures and worlds, but help to document and save them. From the stories of his first connecting to animals and the forests around his childhood home, on to experiences in Borneo, Shoumatoff paints the natural world and its inhabitants with careful and elegant strokes, offering attention to details that few people might have noticed. As a whole, the book is a call to arms for cultural and biological diversity, and a lovesong to Borneo that echoes provocatively, if sadly, from its pages.

If the book has a downfall, it's that the title and the jacket suggest that the whole of the work is focused on Borneo, whereas only the last two thirds of the book is really centered there. As a reader, I found myself anxious to get to that portion of the book, having not expected the slow and more personal build-up; by the time I was really enjoying the beginning, in fact, the book was moving on to Borneo. As a result, I almost wish this had been a few separate works, or that I'd better known what I was walking into. Perhaps even that the second portion of the book had been quite a bit longer, and more lingering. Now that I've finished, this last impulse may be the strongest--moments were given such depth, and I think I might have liked more depth to the larger picture, or a more sustained idea of his journey in Borneo, instead of the narrative given here which so often felt fragmented, and outside of time or linear progression.

Still, for readers interested in vanishing cultures or in careful memoirs and narratives that focus on appreciation for the natural world, I'd certainly recommend Shoumatoff's work. It had moments where it was slow, but on the whole, it was a gorgeous glimpse into places I've never visited and given too little thought to. I look forward to reading more of Shoumatoff's work, and to looking up some of those works he mentioned in the writing of this one.

58. Twenty One by Clarissa Wild

Another book this year that's left me with a mix of feelings about it, but although I plan on reading at least one more work by this author, I have to admit that the over-riding reaction I'm feeling here is disappointment. Because the thing is, pretty simply, that this book just unraveled. Not in terms of plot, but in terms of promise and excitement.

In the beginning, this book had me interested and engaged--there was intrigue, a premise I was interested in, mystery, chemistry, and two main characters worth being interested in. Add to that a good pace and the promise of more intrigue, and I devoured the first hundred pages or so. The problem? Each twist was a disappointment.

Somehow, each twist that came seemed to simplify things, and instead of getting me more interested, each revelation left me disappointed and less interested, as the book slowly seemed to be getting more predictable, and less engaging. About fifty pages from the end, the central matter of mystery/intrigue was revealed, and while I won't give it away, I will say that it was insanely disappointing. My thought? "That? That's what we've been working up to all this time? Seriously?" And that's about the point when the main characters' actions and emotions began making a bit less sense, also, compounding the final unraveling.

So, over the course of the book, it went from a five star read... to a four star read... to a three star read... to a two star read.

I actually rather wish the book had been predictable. If I'd expected what was coming, at least I wouldn't have been disappointed as it grew simpler and simpler, all of the intrigue disappearing into the mundane. As is... well, I'm left disappointed and annoyed.

Obviously, it's not something I'd recommend. Even now, reading the back of the book again, I can't help thinking that this book promised so much in terms of suspense, darkness, and intrigue, but in the end? Well, it was all about as simple as could be, and while the premise offered a lot to be interested in, it just didn't deliver.

59. Empire of Dust by Eleanor Herman

There's a full review written, but suffice it to say that the second book in the series wasn't quite what I'd hoped for. If anything, it just built on the problems in the first book :(

60. The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis by Jose Saramago

Saramago's writing is ever beautiful, his stories complex and careful. True to form, The Year of the Death of Ricardo Reis is a quiet book with layers upon layers of wonder, meaning, and humanity--Ricardo Reis is a poet/doctor whose distinctive voice and character are both quiet and demanding, drawing in readers and pulling them forward through what unfolds to be a graceful and entrancing story. Stylistically and in terms of story, this is far from being Saramago's most accessible work, but it is worth every moment of reading for those readers who'll venture into it and become lost in its world.

Recommended.

I loved Ricardo Reis. I love all of Saramago, tbh, but I thought this was a particularly good one.

>73 jfetting:, I do think it's one of the best I've read, though Blindness is still my favorite, dark as it may be.

61. Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

Admittedly, I might have enjoyed this more if there'd been a little bit more depth, but I loved the concept and characters, and it was a fast escapist read that I enjoyed for what it was. I do plan on reading more of the series, and while I hope the writing grows a bit and things get filled out a bit more in future books, I'm glad to have discovered the series. I'd certainly recommend it to readers wanting to dip a toe into paranormal romance that straddles the cross-genre territory.

62. The Tenth Justice by Brad Meltzer

I really did enjoy this, but it was pretty clearly one of Meltzer's earlier works. I've read some of his more recent works and found them impossible to put down--this one started out that way, and ended that way, but there was a good chunk in the middle where I was sort of wandering along and enjoying it, but not finding it to be so compulsively readable as I might have liked. As always, though, his characters were great, and the plot was full of twists and turns. I think I am glad that it wasn't the first of his works which I wandered into, but I'd certainly recommend it to readers who enjoy legal thrillers or works of suspense.

63. Escape from Paradise by Gwendolyn Field

This was a fast, dark read with some great characters, but it also left quite a bit to be desired. Writing-wise, there were far too many cliches, and the story itself was a fair bit too predictable--to the extent that nothing really came as a surprise, even in the most dramatic moments. The romance also felt too automatic, and too much like insta-love. It would have been nice to see the feelings develop on her side as well as his, in a way where readers could actually believe in the romance/love by the end, rather than feel like it is too situational/automatic. I guess, overall, I just wanted a bit more depth of something other than emotion/angst, and more detail when it came to the two protagonists interacting with each other. I never felt particularly attached to either, and that became more and more of a problem as the book became more predictable. I don't think any of these weaknesses are necessarily damning problems, but when there's no one thing which is outstanding (writing, characterization, plotting...), they start to amount to a book which just isn't as engaging as it should be.

I'm not sure whether I'd read another work by this author or not--it was a fast read, so I might, but probably only if it weren't self-published.

64. Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Novik creates such a magical world in this book, and such wonderful characters, that the book is nearly impossible to walk away from. It has its own sort of wonderful, building inertia, complicating things and filling them out beautifully. Once I began it, I never wanted to put it down, and felt sure that I'd be horrified to see it end... And, in a way, I was. But at the same time, the last portion of the book disappointed me. I was so sure this would be a five-star read for me, and yet, some of the most wonderful mysteries from the beginning (so far as I was concerned) were never answered well enough, if at all, so far as I was concerned. Similarly, the wonderful detail and attention paid to characterization early on sort of slipped away; all of a sudden, it seemed that Agnieszka was grown, mature and capable, while the Dragon was suddenly less strong and less capable. And for the convenience of the story, and full-circle growth, this made sense... but the character arcs themselves weren't explained, to the point where I was actually annoyed with how suddenly and easily they seemed to have switched places.

What it all comes down to? Part of the reason I so quickly fell into this work, growing so enraptured with it, was the detail and complexity, and a lot of that was brushed away in the last fourth, where things began rushing too quickly. Perhaps this needed to be two books, or even three? I'm not sure, but some of the magic got lost for me at the end of this, much as I enjoyed the book as a whole.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, and this review may be too harsh... but it's colored by how disappointed I am as things have wrapped up, knowing how in love with the work I was until I got toward the last 75 pages or so.

So, yes, I do have to recommend it, and I think I'll read more by Novik... but I'm also left a little disillusioned with it, while feeling like that's the last way I should be feeling after finishing this work.

I also enjoyed Uprooted whitewavedarling, didnt have a problem with the ending but I am not a very discerning reader !?

>79 bryanoz:, I think most of my problem came from my having loved everything that came before it so much, I wanted the end to measure up to everything else, and it didn't quite do it for me. I'll revisit it some time and see if I was being too picky lol.

65. Ill Will by Dan Chaon

This is such a fascinating patchwork of a novel--from the moment I picked it up, I had a hard time putting it down, and the central characters were so believable, and so real, that the book itself sometimes felt too real. The combination of genres did sometimes give me pause--there was a heavier element of familial drama and literary fiction than what I'd really been in the mood for when I picked up the book, as opposed to mystery & suspense--but nevertheless, I couldn't walk away from the book. I also found Chaon's style to be sort of wonderfully and weirdly unique, while still easy to take in (though it did take a bit of getting used to), and although this isn't a short book, I was still sorry to see it end.

All that said... I wanted to care more. I'm not sure if it was the characters themselves, or the style of the story, but I simply wanted to care more and be more engaged with the characters; real as they were, they didn't affect me quite as much as I felt they should have, and it left me having mixed feelings about the book as a whole by the time I reached the end, engaged as I was in the story.

So, in the end... I have to recommend it, and I'm looking forward to reading more of Chaon's work. I may even return to this one...

66. Hard Cold Winter by Glen Erik Hamilton

This was such a fast read, and in some ways, it absolutely lived up to the first book in the series, which I adored. In some other ways, I was hoping for more, I admit.

Hamilton created such a great character in Van Shaw--he drew me into the first book from page 1, and kept me hooked. Although he was part of what kept me involved with this second installment, though, I guess I wanted more development, and instead he felt pretty unchanged. I don't want to say he was flat, because he felt real and complex, but I guess I wanted to see him more affected, or at least at some point struggling on more than a superficial level. As with the first book, I loved the glimpses back into his past, and when it came to character, those were the best parts of the book.

But all that said, the plotting and the storyline were great here, as before, and they kept me engaged. If anything, there might have been one twist too many because it moved so incredibly quickly, but it was an action-packed ride that I couldn't put down, so I really can't complain on this front.

All told, there's no doubt that I'll continue with the series, and absolutely recommend it to others.

67. The Underworld: A Novel by Kevin Canty

This book snuck up on me. I can't remember how or why I picked it up, but nearly as soon as it began, I was sucked into Canty's characters and prose, pulled along through every passage and every heartbreak, every wondering. The patchwork effect he creates by weaving together the short chapters focused on characters who are so different, and yet so alike, is brilliant, and through simple prose that sifts through the tragedy of a mining disaster, the outcome is masterful. As fiction, it reads almost as something which is too real and too close, in his focus on the most irreverent details right alongside the most poignant emotions that manages to make it feel as if you're watching a video back through time, to something which happened--from living room, to church, to tunnel, to bar, to the driver's seat of a car where the reader seems to be riding shotgun with a confused driver, just like they're so often riding shotgun for intimate moments that feel too real, too close.

All told, I'm left wondering why I've never heard of Canty in the past, and anxious to pick up more of his work. In fact, I'm thinking about re-reading this one already.

Absolutely recommended.

68. The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter

I actually devoured the first book in this series--I simply couldn't put it down, and was ready to pick up this installment in the series immediately. This one, though, didn't sweep me up quite so quickly. I had more trouble connecting to the characters (Anya, especially, who I never really fully engaged with, I have to admit), and just wasn't pulled along as I had been. This did change in the second half of the book, where I suddenly had a lot of trouble putting it down, but I am glad this was the second one in the series. With the memory of the first book still fresh, I'm still anxious to get to the third book, and hoping that it will be just so entrancing as the first book was. That said, I did end up enjoying this one, and the writing moved the second half of it along at such a pace that, once again, I never wanted to put it down.

So, yes, I'd certainly recommend the series. I do definitely think this is one of those series you'd want to read in order, however.

69. Red Nexus by Benoit Chartier

This was an indiefab finalist, but the truth is that I'm having a hard time knowing what to say about it. Chartier's world-building here is impressive and complete, but the novel as a whole felt something less than complete--as if the story-telling (as opposed to the world-building) was a bit rushed, just pulled together as a mechanism for exploring the universe and ideas. From the beginning, I had a hard time engaging with the characters or feeling them to be more than superficial, and as things went on, it seemed like the points where conflict was at its highest were just rushed through. By the time I was catching up to the story and the emotion, it was already moving on.

All told, I just felt as if it was rushed, and lacking depth of character, though the ideas were there. It just needed to be slowed down--truth be told, this probably could have been a full series and been more engaging, as opposed to a single, relatively short book.

I'd read more from the author if it weren't self-published, but I can't help feeling that this would have benefited from more time and development, prior to publication.

70. Reign of Serpents by Eleanor Herman

All told, I was expecting more. In previous books in the series, the chapters at least seemed to be well-timed to coincide with what the reader needed and wanted to see from the story. Here, it too often felt like the first parts of chapters were devoted to summing up the high points of what the reader missed, much of which would have been of interest. In other words, the characters go through so much while outside of the reader's view, because of all of the divergent chapters, that there's a constant need to play catch-up--and with the focus seeming to have turned to love and emotion, what's most often shown is focused there, as opposed to on action or anything that could really develop character and plot.

Simply enough, as you'd expect from this review, I wouldn't recommend the series, and I don't see myself reading the next installment or reading anything more by Herman. I think, probably, that she simply tried to cram too much into too few books, and that this could have been a wonderful series if given more time and focus, but as is, it's just too rushed and wandering to have the impact it should.

71. Hunters in the Dark by Lawrence Osborne

This has all of the atmosphere and style of an old (good) movie from the 1950s or '60s, packed as it is with lush and playful conversations, mysterious characters, and gorgeous settings. From page to page, it builds layers and complexity, and showcases the sort of noir-Hitchcock feel it embraces with a wink a every corner. All told, it's a haunting and compulsive read, spiraling on itself in a way that makes for a wonderfully fun read that's gorgeously written and beautifully imagined.

Absolutely, I'd recommend this, and without a doubt I'll be looking up more of Osborne's work sooner than later.

72. The Game Don't Change by Mazaradi Fox

I've come to expect a lot from Akashic books, to the extent that I've tried some books of theirs that I never might have tried if not for the publisher they were attached to, and I've never been disappointed... until now.

I have to think that this book was picked up because of the situation--the author grew up with 50 Cent, lived the life of a player and drug dealer, and wrote this book while in jail; it was published posthumously. Now, I've read a number of great books that were written from the inside of a jail cell. This one, though, unfortunately, just isn't a great one. It reads like the overblown fantasies and stories of someone thinking about the life of a drug dealer and player as lived out in rap songs and music videos--lots of sex and glamour and fun with a fair bit of violence, but not much reality, explanation, development, or consequences. You can almost hear the voice of an older teenager bragging about his exploits in relation to having sex and making money in a circle of other guys who are doing the same... "Oh, man, and then there was this one time..."

You string all those stories together and place them with one character, and you have this book.

All told, it just doesn't offer much. It needed further editing, further development in nearly every sense, slowing down.

Not something I'd recommend, obviously. I'll keep searching out Akashic books, but not from this imprint of the publisher.

73. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Adams' sense of humor is infectious--from beginning to end, this book is twisty, fun to read, and told with sideways winks in every direction. Adams' attention to detail and to the tiniest of quirks, all allowed the strangest of answers, make this a striking read that, even now, seems rather timeless.

Absolutely recommended, of course.

74. D.C. Poets Against the War edited by Sarah Browning

The varied voices in this collection come together to form a patchwork of protest that still rings as engaging, worthwhile, and striking. Though the moment in history that prompted the collection has passed--though perhaps it could be argued that it's been reinvented more recently--the majority of the poems only work from that moment, focusing instead on larger questions of war and piece, silence and witness, and privilege. The essays at the beginning and the end of the book are fairly dated, but shouldn't be taken as a signal to what's in the poetry. All in all, the collection as a whole is powerful and accessible, and worth not just reading, but sharing.

Absolutely recommended.

75. The Dark Ones by Rachel Van Dyken

This book took some time to grow on me, but around halfway through, I suddenly didn't want to put it down--and ended up finishing the last two thirds of it in one sitting.

On one hand, I still have mixed feelings about it--the characters felt somewhat too easy and expected, developed as they were, and at times it also felt like the author was holding back on some of the darker themes that had drawn me to the book to begin with. Rather, as if she was forcing an R-rated storyline to fit awkwardly into a PG style story. This was what put me off early on, and it wasn't quite such a distraction as the last portion of the book began moving more and more quickly, but at the same time... I feel like this could have been a much better book, had the horror genre been embraced just as much as the romance was, or at least a bit more than it was.

Still, all in all, this was a fast and easy read that, for what it was, was pretty good. I doubt I'll read widely among Van Dyken's other works, but I may very well read more in this series with Book 2, and potentially if she continues on.

76. Comfort Food by Kitty Thomas

This was a short and fast read, but also a smart and striking one. It is a dark read, but readers interested in the narrative will, I think, be drawn in quickly and impressed. Thomas' attention to the details of psychology made a huge difference in how the characters came across, and from beginning to end, the subtlety of each choice made for a powerful, character-driven read. Although I almost wish it had been longer, and perhaps slower, I'm already looking forward to reading more of Thomas' work.

Recommended only for those interested in dark romance.

77. One by One: A Danny Ryan Mystery by Sarah Cain

The first Danny Ryan mystery by Sarah Cain had me hooked nearly from page one--the plot was intricate, the writing strong, and the characters believable. I was excited to jump into this second book in the series, too, but I have to admit that it just didn't have the same punch as the first one. The plot felt overly intricate--maybe partly because there were a few too many characters that seemed to require depth, but weren't given much beyond backstory and what you'd expect in the present--and although it pulled together by the end, it just didn't have the same feel of inertia or import that the plot of the first book held. And as for the characters... well, Danny Ryan was the same, but I was left wanting more. Too often, it felt like he was primarily reacting instead of acting, as if the plot and chance were pulling the strings more than anything.

So, did I enjoy it? It was a nice escape, and I'm glad I read it. Will I read the next Danny Ryan book? I honestly have no idea. I wanted more character here, and a bit more depth, so whether or not I read the third may just depend on whether I happen across it, much as I hate to say it. It's not going to be something I wait on the edge of my seat for, I'm afraid.

78. A Beautiful Prison by Jenika Snow

Readers of erotic dark romance will find a lot to enjoy this book, and I have to admit that I really did enjoy it, for what it was. The characters are spot-on, and the writing is intense and smart. At the same time, the book's one downfall is that it's a bit rushed. The scenes themselves are given plenty of time and attention to detail, with great progressions at each moment, but the plotting as a whole would really have benefitted from being slowed down quite a bit. As it was, I almost feel that what I get was the highlight scenes from a story, the bare bones, instead of all of the smaller moments that would have made things feel more real and given the book more impact. Simply, in almost every way, I just wanted a bit more. As the book went on and this effect seemed to be even more pronounced, part of the problem was also with Gavin's POV--he was too expected, too exactly what would be expected of the situation, nothing more and nothing less; I'm not sure when I've read a book where one of the main characters began feeling Less real as a book progressed, but that seemed to be the case here...

So, I suppose I have mixed feelings. I enjoyed the story and the characters and Snow's writing, but it was all over so quickly that I was left feeling like the book didn't come close to meeting its potential. I was also, I admit, sometimes distracted by little language errors that slipped through, pointing to the need for a better proofreader.

79. All the Wrong Places: Adrift in the Politics of the Pacific Rim by James Fenton

I fell in love with Fenton's voice and attention to detail way back when I was in high school and stumbled across a volume of his poetry (which is, incidentally, still one of my favorite poetry collections of all time), so this has been on my reading list for quite some time--I'm glad I finally got around to it.

Each of the essays here details Fenton's wanderings and adventures through revolutions, giving detailed pictures into rarely seen moments along the Pacific Rim--back and forth across enemy lines in Korea, Saigon just after its official fall, etc. Some of the moments are heartbreaking, and more of them than you'd expect are humorous, but Fenton's wry care with people and with expectations makes each piece a striking commentary on not just unfolding events, but humanity, politics, and journalism.

I'd absolutely recommend this to anyone interested in world events or history, or in revolution or journalism. Although it's true that the pieces are located in specific times and moments, it's terrifying how relevant some of them are to just this moment in time, and sort of wonderful to read about them in a way that is not just carefully observant and honest, as if one were reading Fenton's journal rather than essays, but also told with both intelligence and a tempered optimism that, one way or another, things keep going on, and people survive.

Absolutely recommended.

80. The Prodigal Spy by Joseph Kanon

I adore Kanon's story-telling, but I have to admit that this is my least favorite of those I've read by him, much as I enjoyed some aspects of it. While the characters and story were just as compelling as always, the problem was that I saw one of the twists coming... from the very beginning. So while the characters were, for much of the story, focused on solving one huge question, I was trying to figure out if it was so obvious as I thought it was and they were being idiots, or if the answer was something else entirely. Well, needless to say... I'm afraid I guessed whodunit from the start, even if I didn't wholly know the crime at that point. And, it was frustrating. It is true that there were a number of other twists that came at the end, and that I still enjoyed the story, but at least for me, there's a fair bit of frustration in a reader seeing something pretty clearly when all of the intelligent characters are blind to it--and that somewhat ruined the story for me.

So, would I recommend this? Well, maybe, with that caveat that it's a bit predictable in some respects, though the characters and story-telling are as engrossing as they are in Kanon's other work. Just don't start by reading this by him. His other work is better, simply put.

81. Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

I was really excited to read this work, but in the end, I'm afraid it's just going to be remembered as one of my more disappointing reads.

While this sounds like a fascinating story, and while I love the concepts behind everything and even the characters, I never really got into this book. More often than not, I was either slightly bored or slightly confused. Most of the depth of this came into play in the world-building and the background, but too often, it felt like the author's attention was more on being clever than telling a story. And, truly, there were some beautiful moments in terms of both writing and story--some that left me laughing out loud or feeling something immediate. But, generally, I was trying to find reason to care about the characters and the story, and reading just to read.

So as excited as I was by the blurb and the concepts and what I knew of the story... I can't say I enjoyed this. I should have... but the style of all of this put me off, and I needed more depth in some areas, and less in others. I'm afraid I can't recommend this. I'm sure it's someone's cup of tea, but not mine

82. Descended from Dragons by Tricia Owens

This was a fast and easy read, and rather fun for what it was, but it was also just too light for me. Everything was a bit too... flippant? Perfect? Cutesy, maybe? Probably the last.

There's no doubt that this will be right up the alley of a lot of readers who want easy fantasy reads that have fast-paced plotting, and just as much humor as danger or drama. In fact, it might be just the read for a lazy summer afternoon, as there's no doubt it could be devoured in a single pool-side sitting. But, for me, I just wanted more. More depth, and a bit more of everything, so that it didn't feel as if I was being rushed along from one scene and emotion to the next, with just a breath spared for that perfect (too perfect) moment of flirting and another perfect (too perfect) moment of humor.

So, no, it wasn't for me, but I'm sure it will be perfect for some readers.

83. Long Black Veil by Jenifer Finney Boylan

I'll admit that I had a hard time getting into this, but once I did... well, everything Boylan weaved in came together beautifully, and her depictions of complicated identities, secrets, and friends hurt by both, will stay with me for some time.

In the beginning, the jumps between present and past couple with a wide cast of characters to make for difficult reading--in fact, having finished the book now, I'm tempted to go back and just re-read the first fifty pages sooner than later, and I may well do so. But once the reader can get a feel for the characters and their separate secrets, and how they fit together, the book pulls together a study of what it means to be a friend, a man or a woman, and what grief and love can both look like. There are moments in the end where things pull together a trifle too easily--with someone in the right place at just the right time, for instance--but on the whole, the little faults are overwhelmed by Boylan's masterful writing and the characters that a reader can't help but fall in love with and engage with, faulted as they might be.

All told, this won't be for every reader, and I'm sure that more than one reader will be frustrated by the jumps in the beginning (as I was), but this is well worth picking up.

84. Smoking Hopes by Victoria N. Alexander

A wandering read, this is a sort of quiet book with a meandering plot, and characters and story to match. There are moments when the characters are vibrant and unique enough that they sort of transcend the story itself, and those are the parts where the writing itself shines--where the book almost devolves into character study or dissection. At others, things are just a bit too easy, too wandering. Only in the end does the plotting seem to pick up and be more focused, but that focus comes with a rushing that takes away a lot of the beauty that the first half of the book found its way toward.

So, I suppose I have to say this was a nice enough escape, and something to wander through on a quiet day, but probably not something that will stick with me. Little things about the book also bothered me--seemingly forgotten details that would have better been mentioned later in the book or remembered, mostly--which made it feel like the book could have used more time and more editing prior to publication.

Probably, this isn't something I'd recommend, though the writing itself makes it easy enough for me to think of trying something more by the same author.

85. Bloodline by Ernest J. Gaines

Gaines' fiction is, as ever, worth reading and re-reading. His works practically vibrate with the power of voice, and with subtle discussions of race, power, poverty, and history--and the stories in this collection are no different. The title story, "Bloodline" might be the most striking of the ones included here, but then again, they're all intoxicating and worthwhile, and "A Long Day in November" is one that will stay with me for a long time.

All told, I can't recommend his work highly enough--whether you've already appreciated his novels or not, whether this would be your first taste of his work or not, this collection is worth wandering through, and the stories included are varied enough (and offered in enough depth) that you won't be bored if you decide to read the collection straight through.

Absolutely recommended.

86. Neuromancer by William Gibson

There's something about this book. Something odd and a little other-worldly way that feels both surreal and prescient, even now, even still, so long after it was written. And part of it is the reality of this world, and Gibson's willingness to make his readers WORK for it. This isn't an easy read to let float by, and there were some times when I put it down, unsure how I even felt about it... but then I'd pick it back up, and find myself unable to just read a single chapter, or even two; instead, I read it in maybe five sittings, in spurts of 70 pages or so after that first day I picked it up, and read just enough to get a taste.

Whatever reason brings you to it--whether you want to know what got the ball rolling with cyberpunk and changed sci-fi, or how this was written when it was, or love sci-fi or have simply heard it's a classic--I think you'll find something here. The characters feel so real as to be able to step out of the page, and there are moments when Gibson's writing is simply perfect, rough and beautiful and everything it needs to be. In a really odd way, this reminded me of how I felt when I first read Jesus' Son, and when I first read Crime and Punishment. All such different books... all incredibly powerful, and driven by authors with exacting sensibilities that pushed readers to see differently, and maybe even learn differently.

I can't wait to read it again.

87. No Ordinary Heroes by Demaree Inglese

It took me a while to read this because I ended up putting it down for some time--at first because of the news about Hurricane Harvey, and then because I was myself preparing for (and then evacuating) because of Irma; obviously, my timing of picking this up couldn't have been better or worse, depending on how you look at it.

In the end, I've got mixed feelings about it. It's a fascinating account in a lot of ways, and an inside look into a very specific and dangerous aftermath that could only be told by someone who was so directly involved as the author. On the other hand, I agree with the reviewers who've said that it felt like the melodrama was amped up to make it read, in many ways, more like an action/adventure than a memoir--I would have preferred it move more slowly, and offered more clarity and detail. Essentially, as powerful as it was, I think it would have been all the more powerful if it had gone a bit more slowly.

I also admit that I was frustrated with the fast wrap-up, and with some loose ends left undone. The author went to pains to talk about the dogs/pets who belonged to his colleagues, but though he'd mentioned that civilians weren't leaving the jail without the pets at a couple of points, he never came back to them. Perhaps he didn't want to write that people were abandoned (though we got the impression everyone was evacuated) or that pets were abandoned, but even if that's the heartbreaking case, I'm incredibly annoyed that that was a loose end which got left behind. Maybe this wouldn't bother a non-pet-owner or non-animal-person so much, but it's left a real black mark on the book for me, I have to be honest.

So, in the end, I have mixed feelings about this. I'm glad I read it, but at the same time... I don't know. It feels almost like the editors or the second author attempted to make this into a Hollywood-ized version of what really happened, thinking that the real story wasn't fast or dramatic enough as it might have been told with more detail, and with that added to a few loose ends, I'm left less impressed than I was as I read the first half of it or so, now that I've finished.

88. The Quarry by Damon Galgut

Written in a minimalist style that's somewhat reminiscent of Hemingway, this is a quiet tale that, at the same time, carries with it an urgency and a weight. Even now, I'm finding it hard to know what to say about it. On one hand, I feel unfinished--though the story is done and the ending chapter was gorgeous, and finishing, I still want to know more of what the characters were thinking, feeling, experiencing, and where they'd come from. I want to know what was going on between the lines, between the chapters, and more of what drove the inertia that seemed so inevitable, and so incredibly simple, though it was anything but the last. At the same time, much of the beauty of this small book comes in Galgut's paring down of a world to moments and to small decisions and interactions, and in his careful language, simple and straightforward and minimalist as it is.

I'll read more by Galgut. I may re-read this one, even.

89. Darkest Before Dawn by Stevie J. Cole

As fast as this read was, I had some annoyances with the first half that are hard to describe. In some ways, this felt like it was written by someone who wanted to make a dark romance as light and acceptable as possible, even while over and over again screaming at the reader, "I'm dark, and I'm about dark characters!" That may be a bit much, but not by a lot. The psychology and the background and the plotting was there in a lot of ways, though--it was the characters feeling too easy, too aware, that sort of drove the problem. Max, bad as we were told he was, didn't seem that bad--as in, the way he acted, it was hard to imagine he'd Ever been that bad. And as far as Ava went... well, she was sort of just too much the perfect stereotype of what would be wanted to fit into the plot. Add to those problems what felt like insta-love (much as it was over and over again dissected in terms of psychology), and there were a lot of points where the book just didn't really 'go there' in terms of embracing what it supposedly was and wanted to be.

The one part I'll say surprised me was the end, and I'm still not sure if it was in a good way or a bad way. Part of me thinks that this was the author's way of putting her own spin on dark romance, and applauds it--because, oddly enough, it's both the darkest and the lightest piece of the book--but part of me also wonders if the way the ending is built is going to ring oddly to readers who want dark romance and enjoy the genre, as opposed to readers who like romance and have just decided for the moment that they want a dark read. I wish I could be more specific, but there's no way to make that happen without giving things away, so I'll leave it at that.

All told, I will read more works by Cole, because this was a fast and easy escape (though the editing/proofreading could have used a more professional eye, I will say). I'm curious what she'd do with another dark romance, and if it would end up with a similar twist, and I'd also like to see what her books look like when she's not trying too hard to be dark, because here it felt like she was fighting herself every step of the way.

90. Terrorist by John Updike

I had a hard time putting this book down for the first fifty pages and then the last fifty pages--first in getting to know the characters and then in seeing how everything would play out--but I admit that much of the middle of the book was far easier for me to walk away from. I think part of this comes from the fact that the set-up almost tells you where the book will end, and it's just a question of discovering the details of resolution, more so even than how the characters will turn out. And I may, admittedly, have also wanted more from the characters... it felt like Updike was almost playing with stereotypes in order to make them more real, and overcome their stereotypes, but at the same time... at base, they were stereotypes. And with a plot that was, for the most part, predictable and easy to see coming, if sometimes a bit contrived, this was one of those books that I suppose I'm glad to have read, but it was also easier to digest in small doses, and I'm not entirely sure I'd recommend it except for in very specific cases.

91. Spirits in the Trees by Morgan Hannah MacDonald

I'm afraid there are just a lot of problems with this book, and so although I was looking forward to reading it, I can't say that I really ever got swept up into it--it wouldn't have been finished, let alone read so quickly, if not for the incredibly large print and the fact that my other current books were a bit more stressful or difficult than what I wanted to be reading at night. I actually picked it up because I wanted a good scary read after being dismayed by my journey to see a horror movie (the new It) in the theaters, and not having been scared. This one had atmosphere... but not much beyond that.

Part of the problem was that there was just a bit too much of everything--too much chaos to the hauntings, too much obsessed romance, too much melodrama, etc. The phrase 'everything and the kitchen sink got thrown in' comes to mind, and also because of the other problem--clichés. So many clichés. In characters, in the writing, in the situations... and going along with them, contrived moments and coincidences.

Add to all this that the book needed better editing at the most basic level (proofing), and that the end was so quickly wrapped up that it seemed far too easy, and the end conclusion is that, over all, this book just needed more work before getting published. So, much as I'm probably the target audience for something like this, I can't say I'd recommend it, and I don't think I could pick up another of the author's books if it were again self-published. Some self-published books are beyond ready for readers, and are great--this one just wasn't there yet.

92. A Loyal Character Dancer by Qiu Xiaolong

This is the second in Xiaolong's Detective Chen series, and you can see the difference--this second installment is much more balanced, so that the few things which got on my nerves in the first book, much as I loved it, have been dialed back in favor of a more involved mystery. It also builds on the characters, of course, in a way that makes me thinks it is a good idea to read this series in order more than might be necessary with some mystery/suspense series built around a detective. It did get more complicated than the first, to the extent that I almost wanted it to be a bit simpler, but I have a feeling that had more to do with my own distractions this week, and less to do with the book itself. All in all, I'm excited to read the next in the series, and wouldn't certainly recommend these books.

93. The Tower of the Antilles by Achy Obejas

This is such a strange and fast collection of short stories, I ended up reading it in one sitting. There are flavors of writers like Marquez and Borjes here, as well as contemporaries like Gaiman and Link. And each story, given the depth that it has, could easily be imagined as a far longer tale, complete as it is in the short form. I'm not sure how I feel about the framing stories--the first and the last--but beyond these short ones, each one is a sort of world of its own, and strange enough to keep a reader enthralled, entertained, and sometimes shocked or delighted. All told, there are a few stories here I already plan to read again, and a few I feel I need to, but I look forward to reading more of Obejas' work.

94. Base Nation: How U.S. Military Bases Overseas Harm America and the World by David Vine

This is an impressive book, and although Vine's perspective is clear, there's also a careful and constant effort to show the issues objectively and with an eye to what needs to be considered when talking about closing or expanding bases, changing policy, or maintaining the status quo.

First, it's important to note that the research isn't just extensive, but presented clearly and without bias; Vine is open about the things which can't be known for sure, and about the biases felt on various sides of the issue. Where interviews are presented, there's an effort to read between the lines while being true to the nature of each interviewee's response, and attention paid to context and background. Importantly, there are interviews with military officials, American and foreign officials/politicians, average military men and women, and also non-military citizens of foreign countries who live around and work in American bases. At all moments, Vine goes out of his way to show multiple sides of a particular corner of the debate about American bases, and although the statistics and titles are sometimes overwhelming as a reader attempts to take them in (because the numbers and stats are, truly, astounding), everything is presented in such a way that a reader feels as if they're being shown the facts and offered a choice, rather than told what to think.

In truth, the greatest failing of the book may be its title, which gives the impression that the book is far more biased and argumentative than it actually is.

For me, many moments in the book were gut-wrenching, to where I literally felt sick to my stomach--and I'm not sure I can say that this happened to such an extent for any book I've read in the past. Much as I've read about history and politics, and despite the fact that have a graduate degree, much of the history surrounding American bases was new to me, and Vine presents the history in such a plain and straightforward fashion that I had a hard time not being horrified, over and over again. Certainly, other readers won't find as much to surprise them. My husband, who was a history major, was rarely even surprised by some of the things I felt a need to repeat to him; yet, I feel fairly sure that a lot of Americans know about what I did about this issue and the debate surrounding American bases, if not less. Personally, I wish every American would read this book; I'm sure not everyone would come out on the same side of the issue, which is a testament to Vine's careful work here, but the book has such import that it's hard to believe it hasn't gotten more attention, so far as I'm concerned.

If you have an interest in America's bases and/or well-being, or in America's foreign policy or domestic progress, I have to think that you'd find the book worth reading. Obviously, I absolutely recommend it.

95. Whenever I'm With You by Lydia Sharp

This is a fast-paced contemporary YA read filled with adventure, romance, and life lessons, and the pacing and writing are all on-point... but at the same time, I have to think maybe it was all a bit too much and a bit too little in different ways. It tries to pack a ton into a small book, but probably because of that, the larger and more serious 'life lessons' and issues feel like they get glossed over, and offered somewhat too easily. The fact is, it's the emotion (of the romance, specifically) and the adventure that carry the book, whereas the larger issues that are meant to drive it actually serve to weigh it down--and to the extent that, in many ways, I'm not even sure I can say I really enjoyed the book. For such a fast and easy read, it was heavy... heavier than I'd like.

The other issue, I admit, was character. I didn't really like the narrator. I couldn't particularly engage with her, and I could feel every moment when the author was trying to make her likeable... and for me, it just didn't work. I actually think the book could have been a lot stronger if it had been shared between the viewpoints of the two main characters, or maybe even just left to Kai's, since he felt both more believable and more interesting than the narrator, Gabi, who... well, honestly, I just didn't really like her, or care much about her, and that's a problem in a book like this.

So, can I recommend it? I don't know. I think it suffers for being written to appeal to both adults and teenagers, and for trying to take on too much. Maybe I'd recommend it to someone trying to balance all of these areas in one book, but it's hard to tell; I'm afraid I'll forget it pretty quickly, much as I hate to say that about a book that really wasn't bad. All that said, would I read more by the author? I'm pretty sure I would if it weren't first person. If it were first person, and balancing all of the genres that came into play here... well, probably not.

96. Flight of the Intruder by Stephen Coontz

Fast-paced and authentically styled, readers who go into this wanting a book that reads like Top Gun, but with less of an eye to romance, will enjoy this. It's meant to give a view into a fighter's cockpit and travel with a military swagger, and it does so. From chapter to chapter, it's hard to put down, and the characters come across the page as real, careful and flawed and cocky as pilots must be. I haven't seen the movie, though now it's more on my radar than it was before, but I'm looking forward to getting to this book's sequel.

For readers who want what this promises, I'd absolutely recommend it.

97. Join by Steve Toutonghi

The concept of this work is fascinating, and there's no doubt that this is what sucks readers in and pushes them forward beyond some of the beginning's confusion--because, really, there is a fair bit of a learning curve involved in jumping into this world and getting comfortable with it, to the extent that one can. But that said, the ideas and the interplay between characters is more than enough of a pay-off for that confusion, and in the end, I have to say I'm really glad to have stumbled onto this book. I think the only disappointment I have here is that the book really started to gain inertia once I got past the confusion and became more comfortable with the things worked and who the characters were, but not long after that, such levels of intrigue got introduced that, once again, it wasn't easy to try to keep track of what was going on--and really, I'm not sure I did at all times. Without doubt, this is one of those books that nearly demands a re-read.

The other caveat here is that a reader has to work a bit to follow everything--ideally, this is probably one of those books that's best read in 2-4 long sittings, rather than a few chapters per day. Though the chapters are often very short, and may give the impression at a glance that this could be read in bits and pieces, I'm not sure a reader has any chance of keeping track of the characters without reading it quickly and in large chunks.

All in all, the concept and promise of this book were well-delivered on, and I'll absolutely be looking to see what else Toutonghi puts out. I have a suspicion that this book could easily have been two books, and been a bit stronger and less confusing, so I'm hoping that his next book will be a bit less rushed. Regardless, I feel sure it will be worth the time. As to whether or not I'll re-read this one, I'm not sure. I'd like to have a firmer feel of the world and the way things played out, but without more connection to the characters, I'm not sure I'll be drawn to. Perhaps if there's a sequel?

For now, I can certainly recommend this to readers who want high-concept sci-fi. It's worth the effort.

98. Clubwhore by Kim Jones

The cover of this one put me off, as did the title in all truth, but after reading some reviews and seeing it compared to other books I enjoyed, I finally picked it up--and I'm glad I did.

The cover gives a hint to the book's darkness, but the fact is that the seriousness and darkness come more from the sub-plotting and psychology at work in the novel than the romance or relationship at the heart of the book. The blurb on the cover calls it 'unexpectedly poignant', and much as that description is totally at odds with the cover, there's a lot to be said for that description. This isn't a dark romance, but it is a romance that centers on a woman with a lot of darkness and abuse in her world; what makes the book work, in fact, is that it doesn't sugarcoat her life leading up to the romance, and the romance itself builds on and in the same way counteracts that darkness, allowing it to be a lot more believable than the romances I've seen that try to tackle similar territory.

Absolutely, it's not a romance for everyone (or even Most romance readers), but if you read the blurb and it at all appeals to you, I'd recommend it. I'll be reading more books by Kim Jones, certainly.

99. The Zoo on the Road to Nablus by Amelia Thomas

First of all, let's be clear about one thing: This is not the story of a zoo. It is the story of Dr. Sami of the Qalqilya Zoo, who prioritizes his job, his reputation, and his unrealistic dreams over the welfare of the animals who he's paid to care for. It is the story of a man who focuses much of his time on expanding two museums (and at the end desires three), one of Natural History and one of Agriculture, and on bringing in more animals, rather than on caring for and ensuring the welfare of those he has.

You might read this and think it's harsh, or think I'm exaggerating. I'm not. Some of the anecdotes included in the book show him taking bottles full of grass snakes from boys who bring them to him in the hopes of some reward--they're local snakes, accustomed to living in the local environment. He admits that, under his care, these snakes never survive long because they don't seem to like the food the zoo offers them. Does he let them go back into the nearby bushes where they would thrive? No, he puts them in aquariums, not expecting them to survive. There's a conversation between him and another man where it's suggested that one or two of their bears be sent to another zoo where they can live in better habitats, in a zoo which is better equipped to care for them and which has the room and the proper facilities. He laughs, thinking the idea absurd. Similarly, it was suggested that his giraffe be sent elsewhere to breed, and he scoffed at the proposition, though the other zoo clearly had better facilities--even temporarily, it was out of the question. His giraffe, lonely and alone, eventually died after having ingested some cleaner. This is a zoo where a snake was killed by the cold because a keeper forgot to turn on a heater, and where patrons through rocks at the bears, and where even the veterinarian who likely does care more for the animals than anyone else on the premises, admits that the facilities are not satisfactory. And yeah, he asks for more. This is His story, not the zoo's.

Now, here's the thing: I can admire a love of animals, and the desire to have an international zoo. I love visiting zoos, truth be told, and I admire all they do for conservation and for education--that is, I admire the good ones. It's true that a small zoo has to be built up to become an international one, a truly great one, but this isn't the way that happens. I can admire, in some ways, that Dr. Sami seems to have good intentions, if unreasonable ones. That's not enough.

As an animal lover, I have to compare the man at the center of this narrative--and those who support him--to a woman who loves dogs, and wants to take home a lot of them, but she has a very small apartment in a city, and doesn't have the money to pay for adequate food or veterinary care. But, because she wants to help dogs in the shelter and because she loves dogs, she adopts twenty of them, not understanding that she's truly ill-equipped to care for them, and that they'd be better off taking their chances at a shelter, rather than in a too small space without room or resources for even basic health and contentment. Every time Dr. Sami, in this book, asked for more animals, the truth is that I shuddered at the thought of him getting them. By the end of the book, I'd just as soon he be eaten by a lion.

Now, you want me to get back to the book. Sorry for the rant. Here's the other problem, though: I'm not even sure the writer of this book cares about animals or understands the cruelty element involved in some of what's being reported. The author, like Dr. Sami, is ever condescending, ever wry, and real compassion for the animals rarely comes through. In my humble opinion, I rather believe that this was a book about animals written for people who don't particularly like or care for animals.

Simply, I had a hard time reading this book. I was disgusted by what I read, and even in relation to the people at the center of the book working in and around the zoo. I've read other books about the survival of zoos, about people struggling to maintain the status quo in regard to a zoo, and the health and welfare of its animals, even in the middle east. This isn't a book like that. This is a book that suggests that a badly run zoo, which is ill equipped and ill staffed, is far, far, far worse than no zoo at all.

So, no, I don't recommend this book--the best thing about it is the cover, which breaks my heart now when I look at it.

100. Nomads by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

Creepy and atmospheric, this is one of those horror reads that can sound silly, and even feel pedestrian at first, until it begins sneaking up on you as you're reading, sticking with you after you put it down, and distracting you as you drive down the street. Maybe it's a bit dated, but it's also fun, and has a bit of everything you'll want if you're a horror fan.

I do wish, perhaps, that it had been a bit longer and more complex, but considering that this is a novelization based off of a movie, I actually wasn't expecting to enjoy it nearly as much as I did. No doubt, I'll be seeking out more of Yarbro's work.

101. Stranded with the Navy Seal by Susan Cliff

The beginning of this one really put me off simply because of the emotions involved. It wasn't insta-love, but it was such strong insta-lust that it felt really heavy-handed, and not particularly engaging. This, followed by rushed action, just started the book off on a bad note for me.

It did get better as the author slowed things down, and the characters and their emotions became more believable and more developed, but with the characters being pretty simple and with the action that did come up being incredibly rushed, I didn't engage with this as much as I would have liked to. It was handled with more finesse than the other few books I've read where a couple has been stuck on an island, but that primarily came across in the detail put into food and survival aspects. As a fast escape of a read, it wasn't bad, but I would have liked there to be a bit more to it.

On the whole, I'm not sorry to have stumbled across it, but I probably won't continue with the series.

102. Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

A man sees an ad in the personal section: "Teacher seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person." And what follows is something as filled with heartbreak and humor as it is with ideas and magic.

File this under philosophical fiction or environmental fiction or weird fiction, or none of the above, but this is a smart and wonderful book--one of those rare ones which I'd say everyone ought to have read, and passed on to more readers, and perhaps read again. I'm thankful I stumbled upon it, and somewhat heartbroken that I Had to stumble upon it, when really I feel like someone should have thrust it upon me even back when I was in high school, demanding that I sit down and start reading, or perhaps once I got to college, at least. This is the sort of book that helps you see the world and yourself in a slightly different manner, and makes you want to be better, and push others to be better. It's the sort that makes me want to write, and keep writing, and discover whatever comes tomorrow in a more careful and clever manner than I saw today. It's also the sort of book that should simply be read, and absorbed, and appreciated, just so much as possible.

In any case, if you haven't read it by now, you should. Really, you should.

103. Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Marillier's beginning to the Sevenwaters Trilogy is both haunting and sweet, and expertly told. From the beginning, it's nearly impossible not to be wrapped up in the tale of Sorcha and her brothers and her father, and then her twisted journey forward. As magical as the book is, it also has such a ring of reality that it feels less so--more a history remembered than a fable invented--and the characters themselves are so believable that it's difficult to see the book come to an end.

Simply, it's one of those fantasies that draws you in and seems unassuming at first, before it becomes much more.

Absolutely recommended. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

104. The Lost Eleven: The Forgotten Story of Black American Soldiers Brutally Massacred in World War II by Denise George and Robert Child

A powerful and carefully researched book, this begins as an almost deceptively easy read--short chapters focused as much on character, highlights, and snapshot moment make it read quickly, more like fiction in some ways, and push the reader forward from the beginning of the soldiers' stories on to the end which is foretold even in the title. As the book moves forward, it gets heavier and gains weight, both with history and violence--almost forcing a reader to slow down, and the end is as brutal and surprising as, probably, it should be in a book such as this, to mirror the truth of what happened.

I can only applaud the efforts that went into this book's creation, and the careful research. I will admit, I wished for more from the endnotes--over and over again when I was first reading, I'd look to the back of the book to get more information on a particular bit of information, person, or moment in history, only to find that the endnote was nothing more than a citation for what I'd already read in the text. But that said, the authors have done an admirable job of including the appendices which bring some closure to the book, to the extent that it is possible, and to show how the story of these men finally came fully to light, to be re-told in this book.

For those interested, I'd recommend it, with the caveat that I had tears streaming down my face as I read the final chapters, and even the first appendix.

105. XVI by Julia Karr

The concept and the blurb drew me in, and I was excited to read this, but in all honesty... it was just something of a let-down, and definitely not enough to pull me into reading the next book in the series.

All-told, the only character who had any depth was the narrator--and even she was a bit too much of EXACTLY what you'd expect from a narrator of a YA dystopian book centered on a 15/16-year-old girl. With the other characters being either stereotypes or just, simply, very flat, the work really needed to be able to depend on outstanding plotting and/or writing, and it just couldn't. The world's details were interesting, for what they were, but a lot more vague than I'd expect from a book like this, and far too predictable. The foreshadowing and the various ideas (again, the ideas being exactly what you'd expect from a YA dystopian) were also so heavy-handed that the book went back and forth between feeling contrived and being predictable, to the point where I never felt any real suspense about what was coming, and the ending ended up being incredibly anti-climactic.

I do think the author had a lot of good ideas, but perhaps felt like it being a YA book was an excuse to get lazy on the details(?) and focus instead on a lot of angst, but with characters who just weren't that strong or developed, there just wasn't enough here to give the book real substance.

So, could I recommend it? Nope, I'm afraid not. I probably won't be picking up more work by Karr, either, since the concept here struck me, but the execution just wasn't up to what it needed to be.

106. Serpent's Toot by Faye Kellerman

One of the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus novels, this is one of those procedurals that has so many characters, and so many twists and turns, that it's most easily read in long bursts. But, as ever, Kellerman's characters are so clear that the book's inertia carries it along.

I'm not sure I enjoyed this one as much as others in the series--it felt like there were a few too many layers, to the point where so much was going on that some of the power of any one subplot almost had to be buried. Having been away from the series for a while, it was also hard at first to drop back into the old relationships and characters here, so that I imagine I would have enjoyed it more if I'd been reading the books more recently.

Still, it was an enjoyable escape and an easy read, with more than enough twists and seeming dead-ends to keep it interesting.

I'd recommend the series, though I'd probably recommend starting with the earlier books.

107. Forgotten Sins by Rebecca Zanetti

This was a good escape book--an easy read with plenty of romance and plenty of action. I might have liked a little bit more detail for some of the plot points, but all in all, there was just enough to hold everything together and keep the story moving quickly. There was a little bit of the insta-love element, but in this case it made sense because it's a husband and wife re-uniting after a mysterious absence and a bout of amnesia. Convenient, yes, but also believable enough in the way it was presented. I'm anxious to see how Zanetti will handle the (slow?) build of a romance in the next book in the series, but as a start to the series, this was a good book and a good way to jump in.

So, yes, if fast action and steamy romance and intrigue appeal, I'd recommend this one!

108. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

This is a strange and magical and wonderful book--I imagine that, if I'd happened onto this as a child, I might have simply read it over and over again, and never then ventured beyond to fantasy. It's that good, that special, with Funke's writing telling the story that makes it feel as if you're being read to, told something that maybe perhaps happened once upon a time, or may happen tomorrow somewhere else that you could almost barely reach, in a dangerous and wonderful fashion.

It is violent and dark, but then, lots of children like dark things, as did I. I can see, though, how some parents would shudder at reading this aloud to their children or worry about nightmares, and I'm sure it's given more than one child nightmares since the violence of it surprised me over and over again.

But, still, it is wonderful, and if you read fantasy or middle grade fiction at all, ever, I recommend it. My only regret is that the bookstores nearby are closed, and I've neglected to buy the sequel yet. I shall, tomorrow.

109. Frostbite (Touch of Frost Volume 1) by Lynn Rush

This was an easy, fast read that got better as it went on, but I'll also admit that, for the first ten pages or so, I really thought about just putting it down and forgetting about, the voice was so over-the-top and things, in generally, so silly. As I said, it did get better, but it continued throughout to feel a little too light and cheesy, and a fair bit too contrived, for me to really enjoy it. By the time I got halfway through, I was engaged and even amused by it, but never to the point where I even considered reading the next book in the series.

If you want a light and fluffy X-Men type tale about a teen girl and her friends/family, then you might enjoy this, but in general, I wouldn't recommend it.

110. The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker

For readers of horror, this is a must-read. The basis of Hell Raiser, this is one of those short Barker novels that packs so much into each line that the book seems to come alive, and brings together separate types of horror, felt by different individuals, in a way that makes it all too real. The effect is one of falling into a story that one can too easily imagine happening just next door, if they allow themselves to believe, for even a moment, in the supernatural element at the heart of the book.

Without doubt, this is a more gruesome book than some readers will want to take up, but it's also striking and masterfully written--dare I say fun, as well, for horror lovers.

Recommended.

111. Brick Lane by Monica Ali

Full review written (for some reason it's not letting me paste it here), but the short conclusions is that, no, I wouldn't recommend it. Definitely not one of the year's favorites.

112. Flight of the Silvers by Daniel Price

Almost from the moment I picked this book up and read the first chapter, I couldn't put it down. It was fun, striking, and memorable, and such a ride that I never wanted it to end. I devoured the first 300 pages in about 36 hours--despite the fact that I was traveling and mostly reading when I should have been in bed--and finished it tonight, loosely 4 days after I picked up the 600 page book. I have no doubt that, had I been reading at home instead of traveling, it would have been a three day read, at most. Now, I'm only cursing the fact that I'm still in a hotel, hours from home, instead of standing beside my desk... where the sequel is already sitting, waiting for me to pick it up, which I'll do as soon as I get home.

So, what's so wonderful here? This is a blend of suspense, science fiction, and character-driven drama that pulls you in from the first pages and maintains an inertia all its own, from start to finish. Price has done a marvelous job here of creating characters that seem drawn from both real life and comics--flawed, detailed characters with depth who readers can't help but care about, even in their worst moments. In blends of humor and action and suspense, he's managed the tangle of characters wonderfully--in fact, I can't remember when I last read a book with six main characters where each, to a person, was handled with care and depth, but without the action falling prey to chapters that read more tediously. Simply, that didn't happen here--throughout the book, I felt like I was on a roller coaster of fascinating wonder, and I loved nearly every minute.

I will admit, there were maybe one or two moments when I was anxious to get past a certain chapter/section so I could get back to the main characters of the book, but for the most part, I only ever wanted to keep reading, and reading, and reading, but in the hope that the book would last. In fact, I got to page 594, realized I was at the end and that the last pages of the book were promotional, and turned to my husband to say with a pout, 'It ended early!' Not because the ending wasn't satisfying... but simply because I wanted to keep reading.

For readers who want character-driven suspense melded with their science fiction, or who love X-Men or dystopian books or apocalyptic fiction, you'll want to read this; Flight of the Silvers is all of this, none of it, and more.

Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely: I recommend it.

113. Junk Raft: An Ocean Voyage and a Rising Tide of Activism to Fight Plastic Pollution by Marcus Eriksen

Full review written--for those interested, this was well worth the read.

114. The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury

This is a fun book with a rhythm of language that adds to the haunting quality of the story, building tension upon what at first seemed somewhat harmless becomes more and more striking, more and more lasting in its effects and fear. Bradbury's style lends itself to making the story feel as if it ought to be read aloud, night after night by a campfire or a fireplace--near to Halloween and after dark--and while that style makes it in the beginning feel almost dated, almost old fashioned, it also allows the story to become something more, sort of timeless in intensity and theme.