The Ghostly Grounds: Murder and Breakfast by Sophie Love

 

Genre: Adult, Mystery
Source: Purchased

Marie Fortune is nothing like her name.  In just a few short hours, she quit her job, got rid of her two-timing boyfriend and received a call from police that they had found your great-aunt June dead in her house. Fortune had nothing to do with her day.  June packs a bag and head up to Point Bliss. Her one hope at that time is that whoever ends up with her aunt’s house will let her have one last walk through. At her great-aunt’s funeral a lawyer approaches her. He hands her three envelopes. The first one informs her that she is the new oner of her aunt’s house. The second one informs her that her aunt left her a surprise. The surprise ends up being a dog named Boo. The third envelop contains the keys to the house. 

After spending a night in the house Marie decided to make her childhood dream a reality. She will turn her grandmother’s house into a bed and breakfast. The first customer she has booked arrives only to realize they booked the wrong place. The second call she gets is someone looking for a place in the area because of a job he has.  Brendan Peck is a paranormal investigator. He is investigating a nearby  lighthouse.  On a tour of the bed and breakfast he is videotaping a couple of areas and finds what seems to be a ghostly appearance. Overly eager, he posts the video to Twitter and it goes viral.  The calls start pouring in. This includes a call from Alfred Ryker. He is known around the world for debunking paranormal activities. After filming all night he comes down and informs Marie he has proof to debunk the ghost in her place.  Later that day he is murdered. Who would kill him and why?

This book was absolutely awesome. So much so I bought the rest of the series to read. It was a great murder mystery. There were some ghostly elements along the way. I loved her dog Boo. He has an important role in this book.  It kept me guessing all the way through. I literally sat and read in in three hours.  So good. I love when I find a new to me author and can recommend them to others.

Student Saturday: Captured: An American Prisoner of War in North Vietnam by Alvin Townley

 

Genre: Young Adult, Biography
Student Reviewer: Anna H.

“Captured” by Alvin Townley is a taste of reality that most people do not ever experience. The book is an account of an American prisoner of war, Jeremiah (Jerry) Denton, in North Vietnam during the Vietnamese war. Jerry Denton was a commander and a husband to a women named Jane as well as a father to seven children. Denton and his bombardier-navigator, Bill Tschudy, had boarded the aircraft called Independence in June,1965.Soon after takeoff, the ship had crashed in a river in North Vietnam where the Vietnamese Soldiers took them away to a prison which the American soldiers called Hanoi Hilton. Jerry and many other soldiers at the prison began finding ways to communicate using a secret code for letters. They would use a communication method of tapping through the walls and sending messages through the latrine. This went on for some time and then the Vietnamese soldiers wanted the POWs (prisoners of war) to give them as much information as possible. The Americans refused and were only allowed to give their name, rank, service number, and date of birth, as the code of conduct had permitted them to say. The Vietnamese soldiers did not respect their answers and went against the Geneva Convention, an agreement between Vietnam and America that does not allow for cruel, inhumane punishment. They tortured the American soldiers until they couldn't take anymore and forced them to write biographies or give information about America’s army to them. This went on for about six years. During that time the most uncooperative American men, including Jerry and 10 others, were sent to an isolation camp with extremely small cells yet they still found ways to communicate. Back home their wives founded a National league of POW-MIA families which got them out of solitary confinement and closer to returning home. They were no longer tortured and were given a proper amount of food. In February 1973 the war ended, and the American soldiers finally went home to their families after eight long years of misery. Most men made it out alive and with honor because of Jerry Denton's leadership and commanding order. He was a legend to America. 

“Captured” explains the eight hard years that Jeremiah Denton and other Americans experienced while being cut off from the world because of the love for their country and the fight in them. The Biography is a piece of what it is really like to fight for your country even when you must sacrifice time. Some American Soldiers missed the chance to watch their kids grow up and miss important events during the eight years they spent in prison. When I read “Captured” I made a connection with the many families there are in today's world who have loved ones in the army that they may not see often or at all. I am not one for biographies but this one was very good and made me see that we should never take our loved ones for granted. I recommend this book to anyone from ages 13-100. 

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor coerr

Genre: Middle Grade, Biography

Source: Purchased

It has been over thirty years since I read this book. I decided to purchase and reread it again today.  This is the story of a young girl who was an infant when the United States dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshima. So many people died. Worse yet were those who developed leukemia years later. Sadako was one of them. She loved to run. She had a dream of making the running team when she got to Junior High. Instead of running, she found herself in the hospital battling leukemia. Her best friend brought her a golden origami crane. She had made it based on the story they had been told about a person making a thousand paper cranes, then they will get well.  

I am sixty-six at this reading. I was so touched at the message in this book. It is a message of hope and never giving up. It is a message of reaching for your dreams.  The author was inspired to write this story for the kids in America. She based it on the biography  of Sadako's life written by her classmates and published. I enjoyed rereading this book so much that I will make sure that I have a copy on my shelves at school. I want to reintroduce one of the most inspirational books I have ever read to a new generation of students.

 

The Forest of Hands and Teeth By Carrie Ryan

Genre: Young Adult, Horror
Source: Purchased

This is actually a reread for me. I read this book the first time in 2009. However, it has remained one of my favorites all these years. Yesterday I reviewed three short stories that are all like prequels to this book. This book at its very basic is about hope. Hope that things will get better in a society filled with the “unconsecrated”, or what we know as Zombies. There is no real telling of how whatever happened began. What was it that started turning people into zombies? One thing is for sure. If bitten by one you have two choices. You can ask to be killed or wait and be turned into a zombie as well.

Mary is one of the main characters in the story. She is in love with a boy named Travis. Henry is Travis’ brother and is in love with Mary. He is helping her one day as she goes to the river to wash her family’s clothes. The alarms begin to go off. Since Henry’s dad is in charge of the alarms and there was not a drill scheduled, they know it is serious. Mary realizes her mother has gotten too close to the fence looking for her husband and she has been bitten. She is isolated until she dies and Mary is held in a cell for a week to make sure she isn’t infected. The next time they hear the alarm go off it is because the infected have managed to break through the fences. Mary, her brother and his wife and Travis and Henry all escape into the woods. However, things don’t go the way they want. All Mary wants is to see if what her mother told her is true, that there is really is an ocean out there somewhere.

This is a book about hope, love, survival and reaching for your dreams. It is one I am glad I reread. I still have these books on my shelves at school ready for me to recommend to all of my students this next year.

Three Short Stories by Carrie Ryan

Genre: Young Adult Horror
Source: Purchased

I first read The Forest of Hands and Teeth in 2009.  I loved it then and decided to reread it. As I was pulling it up I came across three short stories the author had written as part of the series. I decided to read these three short ones before I delve back into the series.

 

Hare Moon was published in 2011.

Tabitha feels there is so much more in the world than what is tucked away in her little village. She sees the unconsecrated outside the fence, she hears them at night. One day she can’t stand it anymore and she sneaks out into the forest. It is here she meets Patrick and learns there are other villages outside the fence. Why would the sisterhood lie to everyone.  When she is caught she realizes her life is changed forever. She knows that no one will ever marry her. She is doomed to a life in the sisterhood. But what about what lies outside the fences.  This was a quick short read that gives us an idea of why the sisterhood exists and the reason for many lies.  I definitely recommend this.

 

Scenic Route was published in 2013.

Margie and Sally are on their own. They have been that way since their parents were killed.  They have found a secluded cabin up in the mountains. Margie is always on alert. She know that there is no such thing as total safety. For some reason she has felt that there is someone out there watching them. She has perimeter alarms. They live life as normal as possible. She and Sally spend time with maps and tour books planning the next route they will take. Then the book they were looking at the night before goes missing. The next day Margie sees boot prints on the porch. Pretending nothing is wrong she checks the perimeters and then sits and waits. What she finds will change lives forever. I really enjoyed this short story. We have a story of two young survivors after the return. This one is told from the perspective of dealing with the other undesirables in the world. Those who are survivors like themselves with their own type of evil inside.

 

What Once We Feared was published in 2023

For me this was strange, yet beautiful. After the “infection” began, the government told people that they shouldn’t panic. They had everything under control including the infection. They were told to go about their normal lives. That is why a group of high school kids found themselves on a field trip when their world went haywire. They are standing outside of a building when bodies begin to fall. They see the chaos in the streets and decide to head across town to the most fortified apartment building. It is the building where Nicky’s father has an apartment. The story goes on to tell about their hopeless survival as the world turns upside down. It is told from one person’s point of view. It is his perspective on the events and their chances of survival and how the world will end.  This was quite an intriguing read.

Ocean’s Justice by Demelza Carlton

 

Genre: Adult Romance
Source:Purchased

A ship finds a woman naked and floating on a raft. How did she get there? Who is she?  The one love of her life is dead, and now she is aboard another ship. She can't speak their language. She is able to tell them her name is Maria.  Some consider it unlucky to have a woman on board. Some want something more from her.

This story follows along as the men all lust after her, and one falls in love with her, and she with him. This is a story that builds and builds. It is full of learning, love, and catastrophe.

The world building is great. The time period is wonderful. The only problem I have is the explanation of the sexual act. I am a grown woman and really have no desire to read the details of a sex act. The storyline was wonderful, even with this one unnecessary scene.

Anchored by Bridget E. Baker

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Source: I purchased a copy

Alora and Jessie have been on the run for several years. They survived the car accident that took their parents’ lives. Sent to live with their aunt, and then to a group home, live went from bad to worse. Every night when Alora, who goes by the name Alice, goes to sleep she is transported to Terra. It is a world where men are healers and lifters. Unlike other girls, she can do what others cannot. No girl has ever been a lifter. Her mother in the world of Terra has hidden her with a performing troupe. Not that her mother is gone, they protect her. One slip of her ability is all it took to get the wrong people after her. She leaves the troupe to protect them. When events in her life on Earth and events in Terra begin to cross over, she needs to figure out who, and or what she truly is.

The two worlds the author has created are awesome. We have two girls hiding from a case worker who wants to do them harm, in the Earth realm. As they try to form relationships in this world things get tougher. At the same time the world the author has created, where there are two main groups of people; the Amun and the Isis is just as delicious. Add to it a prophecy and the young girl who seems to be fulfilling it and you have one ripping adventure after another. This is a wonderful book. It is the first in the Anchored series and I can’t wait to read the rest of them.

Student Saturday: This Made Me Think of You by Emily Bird

 

Genre: Adult, Poetry

Student Reviewer:  Sophia T

"This Made Me Think of You" by Emily Bird is a poetry book about love. I enjoyed reading this poetry book because it had deep meaning. This poem describes love with words using a double meaning, creating a more interesting word choice. I believe this book was significant to express the connotation of love. I would recommend this book to people who like poems and/or love genre.

Cursed by Casey Odell

Genre: Adult, Fantasy
Source: I received a copy from BookBub. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Claire lives a fairly boring life. Her mother owns a Tavern. Her job is simple; stay behind the bar, wash the dishes and clean up.  One night after Claire has gone to bed she is awoken by her mother. Her mother helps her dress quickly and ushers her out of their house. Their town is ablaze. Then the real terror begins. Clare sees the Centaurs who are determined to destroy the people of her town. Her mother runs with her through the fields. She gives her a dagger and tells her to run into the forbidden forest, known as the Cursed Forest. This is where her journey begins. Found by an Elf, she had no idea existed she is taken to the palace and presented to the King.  She discovers a mark on her hand and arm that begins to glow blue. From here she is forced into a mission With two Elves, Aeron and Farron. What do they want with her and where are they going?

This book was full of twists and turns. Claire doesn’t know who to trust and it seems her companions don’t either.  The world building is awesome. Each city they visit is described in a way that you can imagine it in your mind. The hint of magic that runs throughout the story lends an element that keeps you reading.  The ending was one I had not seen coming.  I can’t wait to read the other three books in this series. 

I Love My God-Given New Baby Sibling: How to Be A Big Sister by Lamb Library Press

Genre:  Children's Picture Book

Source:  I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

A young girl grows up having so much fun. Then one day she realizes it would be a lot more fun if she had a brother or sister to play with.  She tells her parents she wants a sibling. Eventually her mom has another baby and the little girl is thrilled. This is where real life sets in. The baby cries a lot and needs a lot of time and attention from the mother. The little girl feels left out. Mom sits her down and explains that her sibling is a gift from God. From that point on the girl takes special care of God’s gift.  A wonderful way to let children know how special they are, and that all children are a gift from God.