Reading on Topic: New Fantasy / Speculative Fiction

Why is it that summer is the time for escape reading? Perhaps it's the heat or the pleasure of an afternoon relaxing poolside that requires lighter books with engaging characters and story lines. Whatever the reason, I am currently on a fantasy kick for my downtime reading.

Today I'm featuring five books in my current to-read stack. I've limited the list by three criteria: published in 2016, first in a series or standalone, and I own a print copy. Have you read any of them? Which one should I start with?

Dragons . . .

• The Waking Fire by Anthony Ryan is the first installment in a fantasy / alternate history (Europe) series that involves spies, politics, pirates, dragons, and adventure. Some reviewers have also mentioned a strong steampunk bent to the novel. I'm on the fence because I've seen the book compared to the Eragon series, which I was only meh about, but The Waking Fire has dragons and pirates and strong female characters, so I need to give it a try. (Ace Books, July)
• The Summer Dragon by Todd Lockwood is first in an epic fantasy trilogy starring a young female dragon breeder. The story includes a classic battle of good versus evil, myths, imaginative creatures, and good action. Reviewers mention the intense emotional impact of the book and the realistic, smart main character. Lockwood's beautiful black-and-white illustrations bring his fantasy world alive. (Daw, May)

. . . And Other Worlds

• Age of Myth by Michael J. Sullivan is the first in a new epic fantasy series that is set in the same universe as the author's Riyria Chronicles, although in a different time period and with new characters. The fantasy world contains several familiar creatures (elves, talking trees) and involves a struggle between two realms, one populated by the powerful bad guys and the other by the down-trodden good guys. Despite the expected plot elements, reviewers have generally given this book two thumbs up. (Del Rey, June)
• The Crown's Game by Evelyn Skye is an alternate history / fantasy story set in Imperial Russia and involving a competition to the death between two contenders for the court's head magician. The story is told from different points of view and is based on a solid historical foundation sparked with magical details. Reviewers mention the nicely complex plot, unique take on magicians, and the terrific character development. Although the prospect of a love triangle is a bit off-putting, I'm interested in this promising story. I can't tell if the novel is the first in a series or a standalone. (Balzer + Brray, May)
• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill is a middle grade (with adult cross-over) standalone fantasy with fairy tale elements. I love so much about the premise of this book: a misunderstood forest-dwelling witch makes a mistake and infuses a baby with magic. To protect the child, the witch raises her as her own. As the girl grows up and into her great power, we begin to wonder who is protecting whom from the outside world and the true evil one. I've read nothing but praise for this imaginative and beautifully written coming-of-age story. (Algonquin Books for Young Readers, August)

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6 Books for Nature Lovers: Reading on Topic

This year has been a good one for nature-loving readers. A number of excellent books have come to my attention, among them the following recommended titles, which I present in no particular order. What 2016 books would you add to this list?

• On Trails by Robert Moor: An experienced backpacker ponders the nature of foot travel and the evolution of established trails from animal traces to named byways. This worldwide exploration promises to be fascinating. Opening line: "Once, years ago, I left home looking for a grand adventure and spend five months staring at mud." (Simon & Schuster, July)
• Vitamin N by Richard Louv: Although this book is geared to getting your kids outside, it offeres great advice and encouragement to anyone who wants to reap the many benefits of spending time in nature. Louv provides a range of suggestions for all kinds of would-be adventurers. Opening line: "Is nature time absolutely necessary for a healthy, happy, fulfilling life?" (Algonquin, April)
• And Soon I heard a Roaring Wind by Bill Streever: You can't see it, but you can feel it and sometimes you can see the results of its power. Using his own sailing experiences as a foundation, Streever studies wind through the lenses of history and science. Opening line: "Aboard the sailing yacht Rocinante, the north wind shrieks through the rigging." (Little, Brown, July)

• Sixty Degrees North by Malachy Tallack: This is a gorgeously written series of essays about the author's journey around the world at the 60-degree latitude line, which crosses his Shetland home. Recommended for those of us who love the northern climes, the outdoor life, anthropology, and history. Opening line: "I can remember the day: silver skied and heavy with rain." (Pegasus, July)
• The Wander Society by Keri Smith: A fun guide to enhancing your ability to wander and observe. As useful to urban dwellers as it to wilderness adventurers. Opening line: "About two years ago, I was browsing in a favorite dusty old bookshop, one that I frequent when I am in need of a random book find." (Penguin, March)
• Under the Stars by Dan White: Most kids and many adults love going camping, and this has been the case in the United States throughout its history. Mixing personal experience with a historical and sociocultural perspective, White explores the camping movement from the nineteenth-century Transcendentalists to today's RV'ing. Opening line: "I love camping." (Henry Holt, June)

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5 Books Set in Alaska

Last week I included the novel The Alaskan Laundry in the list of books I want to read in April. That reminded me of other titles on my list that are also set in our most northern state. Here are five books that were (will be) published in 2016 that show us a variety of perspectives of life in Alaska.

Adult Picks

• All the Winters After by Seré Prince Halverson: Two strangers--a woman hiding from her husband and a man still mourning his childhood losses--find themselves occupying the same remote cabin. The story takes place over the course of a year, with the Alaskan setting playing as much of a role as the characters. Despite their deep burdens, will the pair be able to find redemption, healing, and hope? (Sourcebooks Landmark) • Queen of the Heartbreak Trail: The Life and Times of Harriet Smith Pullen, Pioneering Woman by Eleanor Phillips Brackbill: The true story of a woman who traveled west in a covered wagon, survived the hardships of pioneering, and seemingly settled down in Washington after marrying and having four children. Determined to live life on her own terms, however, Pullen left her family in the late 1800s to head north to Alaska, where she relied on her entrepreneurial spirit to gain fame and fortune and a little bit of infamy too. (Two Dots)

For a Younger Audience

• The Skeleton Tree by Iain Lawrence: Two boys are the only survivors after a sailboat sinks off the coast of Alaska. Alone and lacking supplies, food, and radio, they must overcome not only an unforgiving land and dangerous wildlife but their mutual dislike and disagreements. Action-packed and affecting. (Delacorte Books for Young Readers) • The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock: Four teens face hard choices when balancing their limited opportunities in Alaska against their dreams for the future. A coming-of-age story set in 1970s that reveals the less romantic side of growing up in an Alaskan city. (Wendy Lamb Books) • Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby Dagg: Based on true events, this novel follows a family that accepts President Roosevelt's challenge to homestead Alaska and find a new start during the Great Depression. Young Trip is inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder, but her mother will need more encouragement to feel settled into their own little house in the northern wilderness. (Nancy Paulsen Books)

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Reading on Topic: 7 Novels Rooted in the Classics

I'm endlessly attracted to books that take a new look at an old story, whether a fairy-tale retelling or a reworking of a favorite classic.

Today's Reading on Topic features seven books on my reading list that have literary roots. All but one is or soon will be available in paperback, but note that two haven't been released yet. Each one focuses on a beloved female character (or person), from the adventurous Alice to the reclusive Emily. Have you read any of these?

A Classic Pair

Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin tells the story of Alice Liddell, who was befriended by author Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll. This novel, told in a flashback by an elderly Alice, introduces us to the girl and then the woman, who was forever haunted by both her fictional self in Wonderland and her relationship with Carroll. (Bantam paperback, 2010). Ana of California by Andi Teran is a retelling of Anne of Green Gables, transplanted to the West Coast and modern times. Fresh from the Los Angeles foster care system, worldly wise Ana is determined to make a go of it on a small  farm owned by a bother and sister. Although based on the classic, Teran's novel explores issues faced by today's teens and is peppered with contemporary cultural references. (Penguin paperback, 2015).

A Poet's Life

Miss Emily by Nuala O'Connor shines the spotlight on the private life of the reclusive Emily Dickinson. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of a fictional household maid, Ada, and the poet herself. The pair form a friendship of sorts, and their opposite personalities offer an interesting contrast. (Penguin paperback, 2015). Amherst by William Nicholson takes a different path for uncovering the real Emily Dickinson. In this novel a modern-day screenwriter visits Amherst to research a project about Mabel Todd (one of Emily's champions) and her relationship with Austin, the poet's brother. We learn as much about the private Dickinson and her poems as we do about Mabel. (Simon & Schuster paperback, February 2016).

Jane Eyre Lives On

Re Jane by Patrica Park reimagines the Jane Eyre story as starring a Korean American woman struggling to start a career in finance in New York. Taking a nanny job to make ends meet, our modern Jane faces cultural and class issues, the changed atmosphere of the post-9/11 world, and an unlikely romance. (Penguin paperback, April 2016) Reader, I Married Him, edited by Tracy Chevalier, is a collection of short stories by a fabulous mix of women authors, all inspired by the famous line from the classic tale. The stories are written from a variety of perspectives and touch on a range of themes found within the novel or in the contemporary author's imagination. (William Morrow paperback, March 2016) Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye is a very different reworking of the beloved novel. In this take, our heroine will stop at nothing (including murder) to get what is hers. As Jane Steele works her con, posing as a governess, she's inspired by the book she's reading--Jane Eyre. Layers within layers set in Victorian England. (Putnam hardcover, March 2016)

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Reading on Topic: 8 Books That Transport You to Paris

Writers and readers around the world have always had a fascination with Paris--city of lights, love, food, fashion, and history. This year has been no exception, and there are dozens of ways for you to visit Paris from the comfort of your own favorite reading spot. This list of recommended titles published this year includes something for everyone: From fiction to history and thrillers to memoirs, the following books will let you see Paris through a variety of lenses.

A Fiction Trio

Nina George's The Little Paris Bookshop (Crown, June) is part adventure, part self-discovery and a whole lot of charm. Follow Jean Perdu's adventures as he unanchors his Paris barge bookstore and opens himself up to life's possibilities. The Paris Key, by Juliet Blackwell (NAL, September), is the story of how Genevieve Martin uncovers family secrets and finds her true home when she moves to Paris to take over her late uncle's locksmith shop. You never know what you'll find on the other side of a locked door. M. J. Rose's latest paranormal thriller, The Witch of Painted Sorrows (Atria, March) transports readers to the Paris underworld of the 1890s. Sandrine Salome escapes her cruel husband, seeking refuge in the City of Lights, but what she finds is the darkness of the city's occult and a fight for survival.

True Stories

Based on extensive research and firsthand accounts, Alex Kershaw's Avenue of Spies (Crown, August) introduces the world to one of the real-life heroes of the Nazi resistance in occupied Paris. American Dr. Sumner Jackson risked his life and that of his family to help Allied soldiers and French Jewish citizens escape the city, barely surviving his own forced exodus. Kate Betts lived the life that many of us can only imagine: hobnobbing with the greats of Paris fashion. In her memoir My Paris Dream (Spiegel & Grau, May), Betts talks about how she became at home in the city during her rocky transformation from a recent Ivy League graduate with no prospects to the associate bureau chief for Women's Wear Daily.

20th-Century Paris in Historical Fiction

The story of Coco Chanel's rise from a poor country girl to one of the world's most recognized Paris fashion icons is documented by C. W. Gortner in Mademoiselle Chanel (William Morrow, March). Told from Chanel's point of view, as she recalls her sacrifices, lovers, and achievements, this novel provides insight into the origins of the little black dress with pearls and the famous No. 5 perfume. Meg Waite Clayton's The Race for Paris (Harper, August) is inspired by the harrowing true experiences of women journalists who covered World War II and the liberation of France. Set in 1944, the story focuses on two American women determined to document the events unfolding in Paris as Allied troops made their way inland after the invasion of Normandy. Dana Gynther's The Woman in the Photograph (Gallery, August) takes place in Paris in the years between the wars. When New York model Lee Miller moves to the city in 1929, she struggles to keep her sense of self as she navigates the avant-garde world of artists, writers, and photographers.

Just can't get enough of Paris? Here a just a few more recently published novels that feature the City of Lights within their pages:

• 750 Years in Paris by Vincent Mahé (Nobrow, October): an illustrated history as witnessed by one building
• Wherever There Is Light by Peter Golden (Atria, November): a family saga featuring star-crossed lovers
• Murder on the Champs de Mars by Cara Black (Soho Crime, March): an exciting mystery/thriller
• It Started with Paris by Cathy Kelly (Grand Central, August): a Paris marriage proposal and its wide-ranging effects
• The Sisters of Versailles by Sally Christie (Atria, September): a luscious tale of the women in Louis XV's court
• The Marriage of Opposites by Alice Hoffman (Simon & Schuster, August): the life of the mother of Impressionist artist Pissarro
• A Paris Affair by Tatiana de Rosney (St. Martin's, July): short stories about love, marriage, and infidelity

Originally written for a September issue of Readerly magazine.

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12 Ways into Colonial Africa

I don't know why I'm endlessly fascinated with colonial Kenya and the people who left Europe to start a new life there in the early 1900s. My interest has been given a boost by this month's release of a novel about Beryl Markham, who chalked up several "first woman to" accomplishments in her life. Whether you find the actions, attitudes, and lifestyle of the British ex-pats and the Happy Valley set horrifying, fascinating, or cringe-worthy, here are a dozen ways to transport yourself to the Africa of a century ago.

Beryl Markham

Beryl Markham grew up in colonial Kenya, earning a reputation as an excellent horse trainer and as an accomplished pilot. Circling the Sun by Paula McLain (Ballantine, 2015) is a well-researched don't-miss account of Markham's life. As I wrote for Readerly, "Told from Markham’s perspective, the novel resembles a well-crafted memoir, taking readers on a roller-coaster adventure of incredible successes and deep sorrows." For Beryl Markham's story in her own words, pick up West with the Night (North Point Press, 2013). This autobiography is a very readable account of her African childhood and how she came to be the first woman to fly solo west across the Atlantic Ocean. Nonfiction fans might be more drawn to Mary S. Lovell's Straight on Till Morning (Norton, 2011), which has been proclaimed Markham's "definitive biography."

Karen Blixen & Elspeth Huxley

Most people have heard of Karen Blixen from the movie named after her memoir Out of Africa (Penguin, 2011). Although the movie has a strong focus on Blixen's romantic relationships, the author wrote about her love of the country and its people, her thoughts on white colonialism, and her struggles to make her coffee farm at "the foot of the Ngong Hills" a success. Elspeth Huxley grew up in Kenya on her family's coffee plantation. Among her memoirs are The Flame Trees of Thika (Penguin 2000), which focuses on her childhood and the difficulties British expats had in adjusting to the rigors of Africa, and Out in the Midday Sun (Vintage Digital, 2011), which is set in the years between the wars and includes her experiences as a young adult, returning to Africa after college.

The Happy Valley Crowd

Even if you're not familiar with the names of the British expats who lived in Kenya a hundred years ago, you may have heard stories of the bohemian, jazz-age lifestyle of the Happy Valley set. These are the men and woman known for their lavish parties, heavy drinking, and liberal attitudes about sex. One of the more recent entries in the colonial Kenya canon is Juliet Barnes's The Ghosts of Happy Valley (Aurum, 2013). Part travel memoir, part archaeology, and part social commentary, this is the story of Barnes's journey to find the remaining traces of the people who gave Kenya its scandalous reputation. The Bolter by Frances Osborne (Knopf, 2009) shines the spotlight on Idina Sackville, one of the free-loving ringleaders of the Happy Valley crowd. Relying on letters, diaries, and family stories, Osborne gives us an unvarnished look in to the world of her great-grandmother. In Child of Happy Valley, Juanita Carberry (Random House, 1999) gives us a darker view of life in colonial Kenya. As the adults played, their children were largely ignored, all the while bearing witness to their parents' behavior.

Colonial Days on the Screen

If you need a visual introduction to the Happy Valley lifestyle, you should start with White Mischief (1987), which is all about the infamous murder of the earl of Errol. The investigation of this case showed the world the intimate details of Happy Valley socializing. Many of the major players are portrayed in this film, including a young Juanita Carberry. Do I even need to tell you about Out of Africa (1985)? This film shows colonial Kenya from the eyes of author Karen Blixen. Beryl Markham's character is given the name Felicity in the movie. Huxley's memoir The Flame Trees of Thika (1981) was made into a 7-part miniseries and depicts the author's childhood experiences up to about World War I. The scenery alone is worth watching.

Of course many more books, movies, and television shows are available for those of us who are interested in Kenya in the early 20th century. Do you have any favorites?

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4 Companion Volumes for Fans of Series: Reading on Topic

I admit right from the start that I'm kind of cheating because the featured books don't share subject matter but instead share a genre of sorts.

Today's Reading on Topic is compendiums, encyclopedias, and annotated editions of favorite series. It's in these tomes that we discover the inspiration for and deeper history of the stories and worlds that have found a place in our hearts. Turn to such companion volumes to see familiar characters and landscapes in a new light.

Pamela Smith Hill, ed., Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Before Wilder published her famous children's books about her childhood as a pioneer on the High Plains,  she wrote an autobiography. Although never published, it formed the foundation of her later novels. In this volume, Hill supplements the details of Wilder's real-life tales with period photographs, maps, historical research, and more. This is an absolute must for all Little House fans. (South Dakota State Historical Society, 2014, ISBN: 9780984504176)

George R. R. Martin (with Elio M. Garcia Jr. and Linda Antonsson), The World of Ice & Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones. Fans of the Ice and Fire series are well aware of the complex politics and history of the land of the Seven Kingdoms. This beautifully designed and illustrated companion volume fills us in on the kings, the prominent families, the lands, and the castles of Martin's beloved series. Impress your friends by learning the names of all the major dragons and the history of the most obscure corners of Westeros. (Bantam, 2014, ISBN: 9780553805444)

Jess Nevins, Bill Willingham, and Mark Buckingham, The Fables Encyclopedia. This amply illustrated volume provides fans with all kinds of fascinating background material for the long-running Fables series. Willingham comments on specific characters and panels, and Buckingham reveals the inspiration behind some of his drawings. No matter how many times you've read the trade volumes of this popular comic, the encyclopedia is bound to give you new insight and information. Spoiler alert: You'll want to have read up to issue 121 as well as 1001 Nights of Snowfall before starting. (DC Comics, 2013, ISBN: 97814012439510)

Diana Gabaldon, The Outlandish Companion: Volume One. Newly updated, this companion volume to the first four Outlander books offers hours of escape into Claire and Jamie's dual-time-period world. You'll find synopses of the books, family trees, theories of time travel, and FAQs. I particularly loved the guides to Gaelic vocabulary and pronunciation. Even better, the new edition includes information about the making of the hit TV series based on the books, complete with behind-the-scenes photographs. (Delacorte Press, 2015, ISBN: 9781101887271)

Bonus Reads: Last year I wrote about Elizabeth Peters and Kristen Whitbread's Amelia Peabody's Egypt, which is the companion volume to the fabulously funny historical mystery series starring a world-famous family of archaeologists. Outlander lovers should be on the lookout for Diana Gabaldon's The Outlandish Companion: Volume Two. This volume is scheduled for a fall 2015 release and will cover the remaining books in the series plus the Lord John Grey books.

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6 Books for Music Lovers: Reading on Topic

You don't have to have to know how to play an instrument nor do you have to be able to carry a tune to enjoy and appreciate music. I know, because my musical abilities are pretty slim, yet music has been a big part of my life, as I'm sure it has been for you.

Today's Reading on Topic: Music takes us from pop to punk to rock n roll. We learn about the music business through fiction, memoir, biography, and sociology. There are books for teens and for adults. Crank up your speakers, loosen your vocal cords, and get ready to rock out.

The Sound Truth

• Rick Bragg conducted a number of interviews over two years to collect the foundational material for Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story (Harper, 2014, ISBN: 9780062078223). Lewis's story is more than a rags to riches to rags story of a rock star who indulged in life with abandon. Lewis was there at the start of rock and roll and saw it through to the next century, surviving despite his fall from grace, his many divorces, the death of children, too many drugs, and several car crashes. Bragg gives us insight into both an era and one of rock's greats.
• In Girl in a Band (Dey Street, 2015, ISBN: 9780062295897), Kim Gordon reflects on her life in New York during the 1980s and 1990s and her journey from childhood through art, music, and fame to marriage, motherhood, and divorce. This well-written memoir (illustrated by many photos) features Gordon's years with Sonic Youth and includes stories of other musicians, but it is also a tale of feminism and the music industry. After reading this, you'll understand why Gordon has become a role model for younger generations.
• Ben Yagoda's The B-Side (Riverhead, 2015, ISBN: 9781594488498) is based on meticulous research and dozens of interviews with twentieth-century songwriters and examines, as the subtitle says, "The Death of Tin Pan Alley and the Rebirth of the Great American Song." This very accessible study looks at music trends and how business, technology, media, and socioeconomic factors affect the making of pop music and the careers of songwriters from all genres. Music lovers shouldn't miss this easy-to-read take on the popular American music scene.

Musical Stories

• Driftwood (Skyhorse, 2014, ISBN: 9781629144993) by Elizabeth Dutton is about twenty-seven-year-old Clem Jasper, daughter of a famous rock musician who dies unexpectedly, leaving her a series of letters as part of her inheritance. The notes, which contain clues to her father's past and hint at secrets he was unable to reveal in person, lead Clem on an epic road trip through her native California. The novel addresses, grief, self-discovery, family, and the power of music.
• Ravi Howard's Driving the King (Harper, 2015, ISBN: 9780060529611) is a fictional account of the famous singer Nat King Cole's relationship with his childhood friend and driver, Nat Weary. The story, set in the postwar years, is told through Weary's eyes and spotlights issues of race, class, and the entertainment industry. Although the novel takes liberties with the facts of Cole's life, Howard accurately evokes the issues faced by southern black musicians in the mid-twentieth century.
• Written by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Cynthia Weil, I'm Glad I Did (Soho Teen, 2015, ISBN: 9781616953560) is set in 1963 Manhattan. Despite her parents' disapproval, sixteen-year-old JJ Green applies for and wins an internship with a Brill Building music publisher. Armed with talent and enthusiasm, JJ enters the dark, competitive world of the music industry. This young adult novel shows the unromantic side of the business, as JJ witnesses stiff competition, racism, and questionable ethics. Drawing on her own experiences, Weil paints a vivid picture of the underbelly of the music scene at the dawn of a new age.

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Reading on Topic: 3 Books for Dog Lovers

Although the Beth Fish Reads household is currently petless (sad face), we both grew up in families of dog lovers and have a soft spot in our hearts for four-legged companions.

All three books in today's Reading On Topic: Dogs are perfect for animal lovers. The first might turn you into an animal rights activist, and the others will make you smile and maybe even cry a little. In any case, you'll want to add all of them to your reading list.

A Matter of Breeding by Michael Brandow (Beacon Press, 2015, ISBN: 9780807033432). This is a well-crafted exposé on how kennel clubs, dog shows, and status-seeking humans have caused much pain and suffering for their dog companions--all in the name of purity of breed. Journalist turned dog-care professional, Brandow relies on a combination of research and personal experience to demonstrate how breeding for "desirable" traits has led to numerous medical problems for the dogs in question. For example, some breeds have chronic breathing problems, congenitally weak bones, and even digestive issues. Written in an easy-to-read style, A Matter of Breeding is an important book for every dog lover.

Good Dog edited by David Dibenedetto (HarperWave, 2014, ISBN: 9780062242358). Editor Dibenedetto put together a collection of beautifully written short pieces about man's best friend, all of which first appeared in the "Good Dog" column of Garden & Gun magazine. All kinds of authors--from novelist Jill McCorkle to humorist Roy Blount Jr and journalist T. Edward Nickens--contributed their recollections of working dogs, rescue dogs, and family companions. Humor, love, and respect radiate from these personal stories of people and their pets. Some of my favorites are the stories of the role dogs played in bringing couples together and the sweet recollections of favorite childhood pets. Put Good Dog on your bedside table and read these moving tales (tails?) one or two at a time.

Dog Crazy by Meg Donohue (William Morrow, 2015, ISBN: 9780062331038). Author Meg Donohue makes no secret of her love of furry friendship in her newest novel. This story is about Maggie Brennan, who works as a pet bereavement counselor and volunteers as a dog rescuer, and focuses on how important our pets are in our daily lives and how their love can heal the most troubled soul. The deep emotions surrounding the loss of a much-loved dog are lightened with humor, romance, and a mystery. I haven't yet read this novel, but the reviews of Dog Crazy assure me that despite the potential for tears, the story is ultimately uplifting. This sounds like the perfect read for a lazy Saturday afternoon, especially with a cup of tea and a beloved dog or two curled up at your side. (And I can't help but love the cover!)

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Reading on Topic: Seven Orphaned Novels

Am I the only one who has noticed the publishing industry's interest in orphans? Over the last couple of years there's been an upswing in books with the word orphan in the title and in books that feature orphans as the main characters. I'm not sure what this means, but it's a trend that caught my attention.

Today's Reading On Topic covers seven books I've shelved under the general category of orphans. They range from creepy to thoughtful to light-hearted, so I'm sure there's a title that's just right for you. They all look great to me.

A Little Bit Scary

Sophie Hannah, The Orphan Choir (Picador; ISBN: 9781250063755; 2015) Life in the city becomes unbearable for Louise Beeston after her young son leaves for boarding school and joins a famous boys' choir. It's not only that she misses her son but that she can no longer bear the noise of her neighbor's music and of the workmen who are sandblasting her house. After talking her husband into relocating to the country, Louise is distressed to discover she cannot outrun the ghostly choir that, apparently, only she can hear. As she begins a downward spiral, Louise tries to uncover the secret meanings behind the music. Recommendation: Perfectly spooky for readers who love psychological suspense.

Catherine Jinx How to Catch a Bogle (Harcourt Children's; ISBN: 9780544087088; 2013) Ten-year-old Birdie loves her job with Alfred the Bogle catcher, especially because she knows how bad it can be for an orphan in Victorian London. Birdie and Alfred's services are required whenever a village child goes missing. But when the number of disappearances gets out of hand, the pair relies on friends to help them figure out what is happening. Quirky characters, plenty of action, and a surprising dilemma for Birdie perk up this fun start to a promising middle grade trilogy. Recommendation: Perfect for anyone who likes a engaging mix of mystery, fantasy, and folklore seasoned with a little creep factor. Don't miss the book trailer.

Friends and Family

Christina Baker Kline, Orphan Train (William Morrow; ISBN: 9780061950728, 2013) In modern times, Molly, a troubled Native American teen, meets ninety-something Vivian when fulfilling a community service obligation. Eventually bonding over their shared orphan status, Vivian opens up to Molly about her experiences after being sent to the Midwest on a orphan train in the 1920s. Alternating between early-twentieth-century Minnesota and contemporary Maine, Kline takes readers on an emotional journey of survival, forgiveness, and self-acceptance. Recommendation: For readers who like stories of overcoming hardship, female friendships, and historical fiction. Based on a real policy for placing orphans in family homes.

Patry Francis, The Orphans of Race Point (Harper Perennial; ISBN: 9780061950728; 2014) From a childhood friendship that was forged over a tragedy, Gus and Hallie's feelings blossom into love, only to be shattered around the time they graduate high school. Decades later, Gus finds himself once again caught up in violence, and Hallie is drawn back into his life, hoping to prove his innocence and recapture the closeness they once felt. This emotionally deep saga follows the two motherless children over almost thirty years and explores family, friendship, domestic violence, parenthood, and redemption. Recommendation: For readers looking for a heartfelt story of friendship, love, and loyalty.

Cathleen Schine, Fin & Lady (Sarah Crichton; ISBN: 9780374154905, 2013) When eleven-year-old Fin is orphaned, he is uprooted from his mother's dairy farm to live with his much older, flighty half-sister, Lady, in Greenwich Village. Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1960s, practical Fin and the free-spirited Lady must learn to negotiate life both on their own terms and as a team. Schine brilliantly captures the inner thoughts of the young boy, from his initial adaptation to city life to his maturing reactions to Lady's sometimes questionable choices. Recommendation: For fans of family stories, coming-of-age tales, and the sociopolitical atmosphere of the 1960s.

Maybe Not So Orphaned

Jamie Ford, Songs of Willow Frost (Ballantine; ISBN: 9780345522023; 2013) Twelve-year-old William Eng has been at a Seattle orphanage for almost half his life, but after a rare trip to the movie theater he is convinced that the star of the film is really is presumed-dead mother. Accompanied by a friend, the boy scours the city in an attempt to discover the true story of the actress Willow Frost. More than a tale of a young orphan searching for family, this novel explores Depression Era economic hardships, the plight of Chinese-American women in the 1920s, family, religion, and friendship. Recommendation: For readers who love historical fiction, family stories, and emotional journeys.

Paulette Jiles, Lighthouse Island (William Morrow; ISBN: 9780062232502; 2013) We all know the future of the world looks dark, but for orphans like Nadia, life is particularly hard. Remembering her parents' parting words before they abandoned her years ago, Nadia is convinced there is a haven from the overcrowded, drought-ridden existence that passes for normal. When she sees a chance to escape government control, she leaves the city for the uncharted wilderness to chase her dreams and find her parents. Nadia's journey is fraught with danger as well as unexpected alliances. But can reality ever match our expectations? Recommendation: This tale of desperate hope is perfect for lovers of adult dystopian fiction.

Which one would you read first?

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Reading On Topic: Southern Dreaming

Snowy weather and cold temperatures mean that winter is truly here, and along with it comes the holiday rush and end-of-the year tasks. My solution to December's stress? Good escape reading that transports me to more temperate climates.

Today's Reading On Topic takes us to the American South. The adult books mix Southern charm with family drama, and the novels for younger readers are action packed.

Southern Drama

Reunion by Hannah Pittard (Grand Central Publishing, 9781455553617, 2014) Setting: Atlanta. When Kate learns her father has died, she meets her brother and sister in Atlanta to settle the estate. Complicating matters are her father's many failed marriages and her clan of half-siblings. Told from Kate's point of view, this novel explores family, self-discovery, and forgiveness. Lookaway, Lookaway by Wilton Barnhardt (St. Martin's Press, 9781250020833, 2013) Setting: Charlotte, NC. Spanning ten years in the lives of the prominent Jarvis-Johnston family, this novel focuses on the dark, hidden side of several generations of relatives. Although there seems to be no bottom to the well of family sins, this Southern Gothic story is both sympathetic and entertaining. Family dysfunction at its best.

Trouble in Florida

Skink--No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 9780375870514, 2014) Setting: Florida. When fourteen-year-old Richard's teenage cousin Malley runs off with an older guy she met online, he teams up with Skink, ex-governor of Florida, on a road-trip rescue chase across the state. This crazy adventure, with its underlying environmental message and quirky hero, is great fun for readers of all ages. On the Edge by Allison Van Diepen (HarperTeen, Hardcover, 9780062303448, 2014) Setting: Miami. On the way home from celebrating her acceptance into Florida State University, Maddie Diaz witnesses a gang-related murder of a homeless man. After being granted protection, Maddie agrees to testify, despite the very real danger. This thriller-romance features great characters and explores ethical issues, making choices, and working hard for a better future.

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Reading on Topic: These Old Houses

In the department of random publishing trends for 2014, I've found a number of novels that incorporate the theme of fixing up an old house. It can be scary thing to renovate a home--and I'm not talking about costs and sawdust. Sometimes, however, if you enter such a project with your family, you may discover some peace and happiness at the end.

Today's Reading On Topic looks at old houses. Warning: You might think twice about accepting that inheritance from your grandmother.

Family Drama behind Closed Doors

• Three Story House by Courtney Miller Santo (William Morrow; ISBN: 9780062130549; August 2014): Lizzy, Elyse, and Isobel--cousins and best friends--are reunited to save their late-grandmother's Memphis house from the wrecking ball. As the cousins learn the perils of renovation, they also learn some family secrets. In the end, will they find a future not only for the house but also for themselves? An engrossing contemporary novel told from three viewpoints.
• Rooms by Lauren Oliver (Ecco; ISBN: 9780062223197; September 2014): Caroline and her children inherit their house not from Grandma but from Caroline's ex-husband. Although they can handle cleaning out decades of junk from the old place, they don't know what to do about the ghosts who use the house itself to communicate their feelings (hissing radiators, for example). Plenty of family drama on both planes of existence as all beings hope to be freed from their pasts.
• The Hundred-Year House by Rebecca Makkai (Viking; ISBN: 9780525426684; July 2014): Although not really a renovation story, this novel is centered on an old house and includes family secrets. As the younger members of the Devohrs family uncover their home's deep history, they begin to gain perspective on their own privileged life. The novel starts in the 1990s and moves back in time, so the mysteries of the present are eventually revealed in the past. A quirky family drama with elements of suspense and hauntings.

Mysteries under the Rafters

• The Hidden Girl by Louise Millar (Atria; ISBN: 9781476760094; August 2014): Breaking the mold, Hannah and Will Riley actually buy their rundown country house and set about getting it into shape so they'll be ready to adopt a child and start the family they've always dreamed of. All goes fairly smoothly until a major Suffolk snowstorm isolates Hannah in the house while Will is in London. With no electricity and spotty cell reception, Hannah is already a bit freaked out. But when she suspects that she's no longer alone in the house, she begins to fear for her life. This is a creepy psychological thriller.
• The Qualities of Wood by Mary Vensel White (Authonomy; ISBN: 9780007523580; June 2014): When Nowell and Vivian Gardiner moved into his late-grandmother's country house, hoping to renovate it for sale, the couple was looking forward to a quiet life in a small town. What they found instead was the body of a 17-year-old girl and a whole lot of secrets. This character-driven mystery reveals its clues slowly, building the tension.
• A High-End Finish by Kate Carlisle (Signet; ISBN: 9780451469199; November 2014): Jane Hennessey inherited her California Victorian from her grandmother and hired her best friend and contractor Shannon Hammer to help transform the house into a hotel. Ruining her manicure became the least of her worries when the body of a real estate agent is found on another job site and Shannon is accused of murder. This is a fun cozy mystery with interesting characters, strong women, and maybe even a little romance.

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Reading On Topic: Death and Dying

Maybe it's the colder weather or maybe it's all the Halloween decorations that are popping up in stores and around the neighborhood, but this week my mind has taken a morbid turn.

Today's Reading: On Topic is focused on death and dying. Each of today's featured books offers a different view of death in America; one is young adult fiction and the others give us the unvarnished truth of what it's like to make death the focus of one's everyday life. I finish with two older but highly recommended books and a heads-up on another coming out early next year.

Let's look at the fiction first. Sarah Strohmeyer's The Secrets of Lily Graves is a murder mystery with a twist. Lily isn't your ordinary black-dressing teenager; she lives in a funeral home run by her mom, grandmother, and aunt. This woman-only family may deal with cold bodies, but they're warm-hearted and have each other's backs. When the most popular girl in school is found dead after having had an argument (and cat fight) with Lily over a boy, you can imagine who the prime suspects are. Can Lily figure out the truth before she or the boy in question end up in jail? This light mystery offers a glimpse inside a family-owned funeral home and is great way to kick off your Halloween reading. (HarperTeen; ISBN: 9780062259608; May 2014)

In Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, Caitlin Doughty shares not only her journey from medieval history scholar to licensed mortician but her own coming to terms with death. It's well known that Americans don't do death, and Doughty believes this attitude has had profound effects on us as individuals and on our society as a whole. With humor and great respect (and some very vivid details), she explores the rituals of death around the world and through history to offer us a way past our own fear. She notes that most of us hide from death and wonders about the current trend of trying to stay alive as long as possible, even when the quality of life is poor. Quick to realize that "Your relationship to mortality is your own," she nonetheless questions the way we (don't) care for our elderly, especially those without monetary resources. Lots to cringe at (death isn't always pretty) and lots to think about. (Norton; ISBN: 9780393240238; September 2014)

When Judy Melinek gave up surgery for pathology, she immersed herself in one of the most intense fields available to her. In Working Stiff, she relates her first two years of on-the-job training as a New York City medical examiner--a stint that began just weeks before the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the city. In her twenty-four months in the city, Melinek learned the extremes of death, from large-scale disasters to everyday crimes and accidents. But being a medical examiner is much more than microscopes and autopsies, it also involves talking with grieving families and being involved with the legal issues surrounding death. This memoir isn't your Hollywood version of the profession but covers the real-life daily business of investigating violent death, waiting for lab reports, making meticulous observations, and honoring the victims by learning their story. The book ends with an account of the overwhelming job of sorting out evidence from the wreckage of the Twin Towers. (Scribner; ISBN: 9781476727257; August 2014)

If you just can't get enough true stories of what happens after we die, here are three bonus recommendations.

The classic is Jessica Mitford's The American Way of Death. I read the original version sometime in the 1980s, but shortly before she died, Mitford revised her work, which is the edition shown here. I remember being riveted by this well-researched expose of our country's funeral business. (Vintage; ISBN: 9780679771869; 2000). I read Mary Roach's Stiff soon after it was published. As someone who used to analyze skeletons from archaeological sites, I was fascinated with this examination of what happens to our bodies once we die. (Norton; ISBN: 9780393050936; 2003). I don't know much about Kate Mayfield's The Undertaker's Daughter except what I read from the publisher's summary. Mayfield's father was a white undertaker in a small Kentucky town during the heart of the civil rights movement. She writes about how living in a funeral home meant being privy to town secrets and witnessing people at their most vulnerable. I'm looking forward to this. (Gallery Books; ISBN: 9781476757285; January 2015)

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Reading On Topic: Literary Roots

How do you organize your books? My answer: I don't.

However, I often mentally group my collection into broad topics or categories. Today I want to talk about eight books I think of as having literary roots. Some of the novels provide a different perspective on a classic, others explore real-life people who were connected with a famous book or author, and one resets a favorite story in contemporary times. Welcome to this edition of Reading On Topic.

Getting Her Say

The literary connections of this pair of novels are easy to spot. In Ruth's Journey, Donald McCaig imagines the life of Mammy from Gone with the Wind. Not only do we learn the servant's name, we discover just how she came to Tara from her native Saint-Domingue (Haiti). McCaig focuses on Ruth's relationship with Ellen O'Hara (Scarlett's mother) and imagines Scarlett's childhood up to the famous barbecue at Twelve Oaks. (Simon & Schuster / Atria; October; ISBN: 9781451643534) Juliet's Nurse, by Lois Leveen takes us inside the home of the Cappellettis, where Angelica, mourning the loss of her own daughter, is hired as Juliet's wet nurse. Through the nurse's eyes, we discover the events leading up to the moment when, fourteen years later, Juliet meets Romeo and then her tragic death. (Simon & Schuster / Atria; September; ISBN: 9781476757445)

Who Was She?

This duo imagines the lives of five women who were well-known in the book world. In Mrs. Hemingway, Naomi Wood gives voice to all four of the famous author's wives, and from their perspectives we get to know the private Hemingway. Although a work of fiction, this story of the women, their marriages, and the man they loved is based on thorough research. (Penguin paperback; May; ISBN: 9780143124610) Can you even count the number of times you've read Goodnight Moon (to yourself or to a child)? Now ask yourself what you know about author Margaret Wise Brown. Curiosity drove Sarah Jio to explore Brown's life, and the result is the novel Goodnight June. Based on fact and fleshed out by imagination, this novel brings the author of the beloved book to life. (Penguin / Plume; May; ISBN: 9780142180211)

Classics Gone Mysterious

The roots of these mysteries are found in ancient Greece and medieval England. The Furies by Natalie Haynes features an ex-actor who is mourning the death of her finance while starting a new career. Alex, now a drama therapist, teaches the Greek tragedies to a class of very troubled teens in attempt to help them face their personal issues. But what happens when the kids relate a little too closely to the stories of murder and revenge? (Macmillan / St. Martins Press; August; ISBN: 9781250048004) In A Burnable Book, Bruce Holsinger takes us back to the 1300s to solve a mystery surrounding a subversive book. Geoffrey Chaucer teams up with John Grower to find the manuscript, thereby protecting young King Richard II and saving the monarchy. Sharp period details color the action. (HarperCollins / William Morrow paperback; September; ISBN: 9780062240330)

A Retelling and a Return

Rounding out this edition of Reading On Topic are a contemporary retelling of a classic and a novel that asks, What happened next? In Sway, Kat Spears takes Cyrano de Bergerac and sets the story in a modern high school. Every student knows that Jesse is the go-to guy for whatever you want, so when football star Ken asks for help to win a date with the beautiful Bridget, Jesse assumes it will be a snap. Until, that is, he gets to know the girl and starts to fall in love. (Macmillian / St. Martin's Griffin; September; ISBN: 9781250051431) Do you remember the ending of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz? Danielle Paige wants to know what happened after Dorothy killed the Wicked Witch of the West and finally found a way home. Dorothy Must Die revisits an Oz in which Dorothy has returned to rule and has let power go to her head. Can Amy--another Kansas-native, tornado-traveling girl--undo the damage and restore Oz to its former glory? (HarperCollins / Harper Torch; April; ISBN: 9780062280671)

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