What I Read in July: Brief Thoughts

July was a super reading month for me. I read or listened to 13 books and almost all of them were winners. Here are my brief (sometimes very brief) thoughts (also posted on GoodReads).

All titles are currently available unless otherwise noted. Thanks to the publishers and/or Libro.fm for review copies (digital, print, and/or audio).

Across the Airless Wilds: The Lunar Rover and the Triumph of the Final Moon Landings by Earl Swift (Custom House): Interesting history of the development of the lunar rovers. Swift introduces us to the people and technology and explains the importance of the rovers for furthering our understanding of the moon. Memorable moments include the various proposed designs, the testing of the rovers, and the accounts of the rovers in use on the moon. The audiobook was nicely performed by Adam Verner, who kept my attention throughout. Note that the audiobook does not come with a PDF of the photos, which is too bad--the visuals in the book really help bring the text to life.

Exit Strategy, Network Effect, & Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (Tor.Com): I continue to love this series about a (mostly) IA security unit who has essentially become his own boss. His thoughts on other types of units and on humans makes me smile. Good action, too.

People Love Dead Jews by Dara Horn (Norton -- out in September): Dara Horn speaks the truth. I swear I underlined or highlighted most of this book. For many people, what she writes about the history of antisemitism, current violence against Jews in America, historical violence against Jews around the world, memorial museums around the world, and the general arc of the vast majority of World War II novels will be eye-opening. This is an important book that deserves great attention and discussion.

The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All by Josh Ritter (Hanover Square Press -- out in September): Set in Idaho at the very end of the true lumberjacking era and during Prohibition, this is a coming-of-age story, a snapshot of the past, and the story of a family. I loved Ritter's writing with its vivid descriptions, fully developed characters, great balance between action and reflection. This is going on my top ten of the year list. Loved this so much, I preordered a finished copy for my permanent collection. Also, if you're into audiobooks, note that Ritter is the narrator and he does a fabulous job with expression and pacing. And the audiobook contains a bonus song (which has ties to the plot).

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (Flatiron -- out tomorrow): On the surface, it's the story of a woman who moves to northern Scotland to head a team of scientists attempting to reintroduce wolves to the area. There are conflicts with the local farmers. On the deeper levels, it's a story of sisters (twins) and domestic violence against women. I love McConaghy's style and her ability to create a mood and take me inside the heads of her characters. This is a powerful book that will stick with me for a long time. Audiobook fans: Saskia Maarleveld does a fine job with the narration, though her accents could have been stronger and more distinct.

The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam (Scribner): This was only meh for me, but I wanted to like it because I liked the premise. A brilliant coder (female) and an alternative spiritual consultant (male) marry in haste and together with their best friend (male) start a social media app that helps users create rituals to celebrate or honor the important moments of their lives and connect to like-minded others. How does success affect their relationship and what issues does Asha (the main character) face? Unfortunately, the outcome was heavily signaled and, in the long run, I couldn't quite tell if Asha ended up being a feminist or if her ultimate rise in business was actually the result of her husband “giving” it to her. My reaction to the book may also be influenced by the narrator, Tanha Dil, whose delivery was choppy and somewhat flat. My full audiobook thoughts will be available through AudioFile Magazine.

Appleseed by Matt Bell (Custom House): I really enjoyed this book which takes place in three time periods: late 1700s North America/United States, the not-so-distant future, and the far future. The three stories are told in rotating chapters and seem to have a uniting theme of humans' interaction with the environment. But as you read, further connections are revealed -- not in big twists or information dumps, but subtly and in a way that allows each reader to draw conclusions in their own time. Very nicely done. Lots of things to think about here in terms of climate change and technology. I suspect this will be one of those polarizing books -- you'll either love it or not at all. Audiobook: Mark Bramhall is the narrator. He's one of my favs, and he didn't let me down here.

Made in Korea by Sarah Suk (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers): Note that I didn't finish this. I liked the premise of this rom-com and the teenage characters, most of whom are Korean Americans, but I got distracted and never came back. I hope to pick this up again soon, as this is a light, fun read. I listened to the audiobook read by Raymond J. Lee and Joy Osmanski, both of whom are engaging and pick up on their character's personality.

Midnight, Water City by Chris McKinney (Soho Crime): Set in the future when Earth is pretty much destroyed by climate change, but technology has managed to keep people alive. A veteran police detective is invited to visit one of his best friends and erst-while boss--when he arrives at her underwater "penthouse," he discovers she's been murdered. This woman is famous, often considered the savior of the planet because she was the only person who figured out how to divert the path of an asteroid headed straight to Earth. The main character has a couple of unique traits (which I'll leave for you to discover) that make his investigation especially interesting. Lots of side themes of friendship, power, technology, politics, climate change, and families. I'm so glad this is the start of a trilogy -- I want more! Audiobook fans: Richard Ferrone is the narrator, and he really nails the noir, first-person style of the book.

Maiden Voyages: Magnificent Ocean Liners and the Women Who Traveled and Worked Aboard Them by Siân Evans (St. Martins Press -- out next week): In this book, Evans explores the ways transatlantic sea voyages changed women's lives --from Victorian times through to the age of air travel. The book introduces us to a variety of women (some we meet in more detail than others) and explains how their lives were affected by their time onboard. Some women went to sea for work, others sailed to help with various war efforts, some were immigrants, others were traveling for pleasure or business. Some were rich; others were poor. Some were seeking independence; others were looking for blackmail targets, husbands, or adventure. All the stories are tied into feminist or women's issues and concerns, and while most are about everyday life, some are connected to major moments in history. I listened to the audiobook read by Jilly Bond, who did an okay job. She was slightly over the top when reading quoted material, but otherwise I liked her performance. I wish the audiobook came with a PDF, because the print book contains photos, which I think would have really enhanced the listening experience.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (Tor.Com): I'm not sure how I missed this series, but if the other books are as good as this first one, I'm in for the ride. This is a unique portal fantasy, in which the characters have each found a doorway into an alternative world. Each child enters his or her own world (for the most part, tho there can be some overlap) and stays for what feels like years, but in Earth terms they've been gone only a short time (days, weeks). The children's parents think their kids were kidnapped or that they ran away and have been traumatized. The lucky kids catch the attention of the head mistress of a special boarding school, which is supposed to help these "wayward" children. In reality it's a place where the kids can finish high school while living with others who have also walked through a magical door. This first book involves a mystery (not sure if the others do too), introduces us to the school, and to a group of characters that we may or may not see again. The characters seem to be diverse and are very relatable. Now to get a hold of book 2!

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4 Books for Middle Grade (and Older) Readers

Wait! Stop! Don't click away. I know what you're thinking: you don't have kids and you don't read kids' books. What you might not know is that today's juvenile fiction often addresses real-life tough issues, like homelessness, disabilities, gender identity, loneliness, and family problems. Of course, you'll also find plenty of fantasy, historical fiction, and action-adventure too.

I like middle grade fiction because it's devoid of the angst and love triangles that are so common in young adult fiction. I also like to stay in touch with the topics that might be on young people's minds. Plus some of the world's most beloved stories were written for young readers (think Harry Potter, Little House on the Prairie, and Narnia). Finally, it's always fun to be able to recommend books to readers of all ages.

Here are four middle grade novels that are on my list for March.

Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy (illustrated by George Ermos) (Norton Books YR, March 17) is a steampunk action-adventure story starring 12-year-old twins. When their father, a world-renown explorer, is reported dead along with his crew while exploring South Polaris, Arthur and Maudie are suddenly homeless. To make matters worse, there are rumors that their father didn't always play fair. The two find a place on a sky-ship and set off to clear their family name and uncover the truth about their father's doomed expedition.

• Themes: disability, family, self-confidence, learning about others who are different from yourself
• Extras: great illustrations throughout; a map
• Reviews: much praise for good world building, lots of action, appealing characters
• First line: The heavy chug of a sky-ship firing its engines rumbled through Lontown.

The Great Upending by Beth Kephart (Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, March 31) is set on a Pennsylvania farm in contemporary times. As a drought threatens to bankrupt their family, 12-year-old Sara and her brother, Hawk, come up with a scheme that will solve all the family's money problems. Complicating matters are the mysterious man who has rented an apartment on their farm and Sara's ever-growing need for heart surgery. Oh and did I mention their plan involves breaking one of their mother's hard-and-fast rules?

• Themes: family, secrets, troubled times, plans gone wrong (or maybe right)
• Extras: some short chapters are set and read like free verse
• Reviews: praise for Kephart's signature beautiful language and ability to convey strong emotions
• First line: "Moon's in bloom," Hawk says. "Just hanging there. No strings."

City Spies by James Ponti (Aladdin, March 10) has a global setting and features computer-whiz 12-year-old Sara who is given an offer she can't refuse. No, she's not held up by the mafia, but after getting in trouble with the law for hacking a computer to expose her foster parents' wrongdoings, she is given a chance to leave New York to get special training with a secret British youth spy agency. This start of a new STEM action-adventure series sets up the premise and sends Sara and her fellow spies on their first mission: they travel to Paris where they are to catch the bad guy threatening to undermine an environmental summit.

• Themes: working as a team, contemporary issues, using STEM skills, friendship, diversity
• Extras: fun dossiers of the kid spies
• Reviews: good action, diverse cast, relevant to environmental activism
• First line: Sara looked at the water stain on the wall and imagined it was an island.

Blue Skies by Anne Bustard (Simon & Schuster Books YR, March 17) is set in post-World War II small-town Texas and tells the story of 10-year-old Glory Bea, who refuses to give up hope that her father, missing in action since D-Day will still come home. When a good friend of her dad's comes to visit and then to stay after getting to know Mama, Glory Bea isn't happy. She tries to keep the adults apart, despite her grandmother's reputation for being a terrific matchmaker. When she learns a Merci Train will stop in their town, she's even more convinced her father will find his way home. He just has to be on the train filled with gifts from the French people who want to say thank you to America for coming to their rescue.

• Themes: family, grief, relationships, hope
• Extras: introduces readers to the real-life Merci (Thank You) Trains; an author's note gives the history behind the story; includes a bibliography for further reading
• Reviews: good period details, well-developed characters, nicely linked to contemporary issues
• First line: Miracles happen in Gladiola, Texas, population 3,421.

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6 Coming-of-Age Stories to Read in July

I have a soft spot for coming-of-age stories (don’t we all?). They tend to tease out those strong emotions, as our protagonist comes hard against the end of childhood (or new adult) innocence. As I was looking through my eReader for my next book, I spotted a half dozen novels coming out this month classified as coming-of-age. I’m not completely sure which one I’ll read first, but here are my choices.

I was attracted to Lara Williams’s Supper Club (Putnam, July 9) because it’s the coming-of-age story of a twenty-something woman who is facing body image issues, loneliness, and a love of cooking and eating food. When Roberta meets her new best friend—who’s as outgoing as Roberta is introverted—they start an after-hours, eat-till-you-drop, women-only club in which members are encouraged to lose themselves in their passions. It’s wild, it’s fun . . . until, for Roberta, it isn’t. What happens when she truly faces herself? Set in contemporary London, the novel tackles eating, bodies, indulgence, women’s friendship, and (of course) hunger.

I like the way Bianca Marais focuses on tough, real-life issues in her novels. Her newest book, If You Want to Make God Laugh (Putnam, July 16), is about three very different women looking for healing and redemption in post-Apartheid South Africa. Two middle-aged white sisters—one an ex-nun, one an ex-free spirit—reunite on their failed family farm, each running from her past. Meanwhile in a camp for the homeless, a black teenager is trying to find a way out of her pregnancy. When a dark-skinned baby boy is left on the sisters’ doorstep and the girl later shows up seeking a job, the women’s complex emotions surrounding motherhood, choices, the future, and race converge.

I could not resist Alexi Zentner’s Copperhead (Viking; July 9) because it combines two of my favorite fiction elements: how life can change in the second it takes to make a decision and a coming-of-age experience for a teen. Jessup, a high school senior and star football player, has one dream: accept a football scholarship and escape his small-town, white-trash life. Even though his brother is in jail for killing two black men and his stepfather is being released from jail for the same crime, he has hope for his future, until he’s in a car accident and turns to his family’s white supremacist church for help. Just how much can the liberal teen take and can he be pushed far enough to stand up for himself and his own mistakes? Set in upstate New York.

Shatter the Sky by Rebecca Kim Wells (Simon & Schuster BYR, July 30) takes a different tack. In this new epic fantasy, a quiet young girl must find the strength and wherewithal to rescue her kidnapped girlfriend. Although she’s never seen herself as a fighter, Maren comes up with a scheme to steal one of the emperor’s dragons, but first she must apprentice herself to the dragon trainer. Mixed with familiar fantasy elements (dragons, prophecies, rebellion) are themes of love, growing up, and facing our demons. Set in a fictional world with LGBTQ+ characters. This novel is an Indie Next pick for July, though not every reviewer was enthusiastic.

I love the cover of Goodnight Stranger by Miciah Bay Gault (Park Row, July 30), but that’s not the only reason I want to read this book. This is another novel that mixes some of my favorite themes: family story, thriller, and coming-of-age. A brother and sister live a fairly isolated life in their beach-side home on a fictional island off the coast of Massachusetts. Their parents are gone and a brother died in infancy, but the pair is doing okay, even if ultra-shy Lucas seems incapable of taking care of himself. When a stranger arrives on the island who seems to know way too much about the siblings and their family, twenty-something Lydia has questions: Who is this man, what does want, and can he be trusted? His presence forces Lydia to reassess the past, risk her relationship with Lucas, face her long-held fears, and confront the stranger with what she learns before it's too late to save herself and her brother.

Now for something a little more traditional in a coming-of-age story, take a look at Sarah Elaine Smith’s Marilou Is Everywhere (Riverhead, July 30).  Cindy and her brothers have, once again, been abandoned by their mother. Although the boys keep half an eye on her, Cindy's mostly on her own. So when her brother’s middle-class girlfriend goes missing, Cindy slips into her place, tending to the girlfriend's ailing and delusional mother, who mistakes Cindy for her own daughter. At first, the teen loves having a stable home, feeling a mother’s love, and discovering how the other half lives. But even at only fourteen, Cindy soon realizes she must take stock of what she’s doing and assess the pull and meaning of her birth family. Set in rural Pennsylvania, this is the story of a neglected girl who finds a home, but at what cost?

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 4 Good Books and a Story

Good morning. If you're in the United States, I hope you're adjusting to the time change. I actually do better with the spring forward than I do with the fall back. Maybe that's because I love the idea that I can now take an outdoor walk after work. Yay for evening daylight.

I had a decent reading week, but that might be because most of the books I read were short and didn't require a lot of thought. Always a good choice after editing all day.

We haven't watched anything in particular on television. We're not huge basketball fans, so we're escaping March Madness. The most interesting show that comes to mind is the new season of True Detective on HBO. At first I didn't like the multiple time periods, but after I got to know the characters, I really liked the set up and the mystery.

The Tornado Scientist by Mary Kay Carson with photography by Tom Uhlman (HMH Books for Young Readers, March 19). You've heard it from me before, but it's true: I can't say enough good things about HMH's Scientists in the Field series. In this installment (out next week), we meet Robin Tanamachi, who is not only a research meteorologist but a storm chaser who is interested in learning as much as she can about tornadoes in an effort to help protect people who live in areas prone to these destructive winds. I grew up in tornado country in northern Ohio long before we had the sophisticated technology that weather scientists now depend on. It was really interesting to see how Robin's van was set up as a mini research and weather station and to learn how a storm transforms from a bout of heavy rain and winds into a twister. The amazing photographs of funnel clouds and the mind-numbing scenes of the after-storm destruction drives home the power of tornadoes; easy-to-interpret graphics illustrate the physics. Robin's stories of chasing storms and collecting data give young readers (and adults) a clear picture of what it's really like to be a tornado specialist. The book ends with an overview of how the field data are used and a look at the newest weather probes and other equipment. Recommended for readers of all ages. (review copy provided by the publisher)

Death in Provence by Serena Kent (Harper, Feb. 19). I always love it when I can get into a series on the ground floor. This cozy mystery is set in St. Merlot, France, and features a middle-aged woman who is looking for a new start after a divorce and early retirement. Penelope Kite isn't your ordinary British ex-pat who buys a house in Provence and then gets embroiled in a murder mystery, though. She used to work in the forensics lab of the Home Office. Although she doesn't have a professional degree, she has much experience interpreting crime scene data, so when she doubts the local police chief's assessment that the man floating in her swimming pool died of accidental drowning, she knows what she's talking about. The only problem is that she's not sure whom she can trust in her new town. This first in series was a lot of fun. Penny isn't stupid, but she makes classic outsider mistakes, is unaware of long-term family feuds, and is no where near as stylish as her real estate agent cum new BFF. Among the locals are a cute mayor, a cranky neighbor, a wonderful baker, and a charming electrician. It's France, so expect good wine and lots of good food. The mystery itself was well set up and kept me guessing all the way to the end. I may have had an extra glass or two of wine along the way. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Harper Audio, 10 hr, 17 min) read by Antonia Beamish, whose accents and characterizations were delightful. For more, see AudioFile magazine. (review copy provided by the publisher; audio for assignment)

The Time Museum by Matthew Loux (First Second, Feb. 2017). I picked up this middle grade speculative fiction (science fiction?) graphic novel because I noticed that the second book in the series is coming out in a couple of months. A small group of young teens are given a chance to win a prestigious internship at a natural history museum, but these aren't just any kids and this isn't your ordinary museum. The Time Museum is in fact a portal to all of earth's history, from its earliest habitable days and into the distant future; within its walls are exhibits representing the plants and animals of all these times. The kids are smart and capable, each with unique skills and each from a different time period--Ice Age to the 5000s. Delia (from our time) is given a chance to win the internship because her uncle helps runs the museum, but she must still earn her place by passing three time-traveling tests. This was a fun graphic novel about curious, smart kids who learn to balance friendship and cooperation with competition. The story has plenty of action, including a time-traveling bad guy, mixed with some laugh-out-loud humor and a twist at the end. All the children have white skin, but despite the lack of diversity, I really liked the book and am looking forward to the second installment. The artwork was colorful and the scenery and creatures from the past and future gave me a lot to look at. The action and emotions were well rendered. (copy borrowed from the library)

Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza (Flatiron, March 12). Marlowe Jensen was born with a congenital heart defect that guaranteed her a short life unless she received a heart transplant. When she's about 16 and on death's door, Marlowe's life is saved: the heart of a teenage boy is suddenly available, and she spends the next year (which would have been her senior year in high school), in and out the hospital in rehabilitation, regaining her strength, building her immunity system, and getting used to the anti-rejection drugs. Her mother, owner of a vegan, organic wellness store, is naturally a little overprotective of Marlowe but supports her daughter's decision to return to high school instead being home schooled. Meanwhile, her mother opens a new store right next to an established family butcher shop and immediately goes into ultra-liberal protesting against meat eaters, and her younger brother dresses up in a new creative (gender-bending and genre-mashing) costume every day. So this is Marlowe's outward reality: zany but lovable family, medical issues, and a return to school where she's not only older than everyone else but is thought of as the Heart Transplant Girl. This book explores a slice of contemporary life that we rarely read about: life after an organ transplant. Marlowe contends with bullying, trying to make friends, and her first true crush all while trying to find the confidence to live outside her mother's careful control and coming to terms with having someone else's heart in her chest. I was quickly caught up in Marlowe's story, cheering her on as she tried to find some sort of normality. She makes blunders and is a little socially awkward, but she's also smart and holds her own when pushed. Keep the tissues handy, Marlowe's journey isn't always easy. (finished copy provided by the publisher)

Other Books and a Story

• Soulkeeper by David Dalglish (Orbit, March 19). I have mixed feelings about this first in a new epic fantasy series. The basic premise is that creatures and magic from the world's earliest days are reawakening and human life is forever altered. While I liked the action and interesting world-building, there was way too much going on in this book (zombies, talking mountains, assassins, soulless beings, fairies, fire spirits, wizards, healers . . .) and the plot lines didn't really coalesce until the end. The unabridged audiobook (Hachette Audio; 19 hr) was read by Nicholas Tecosky. His performance was only okay. I would have liked to have heard a little more drama or emotion in his delivery. (audio review copy provided by the publisher)
• The Size of Truth by Andrew Smith (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March 26). I was interested in this middle grade book because it featured a boy who wanted to be a chef even though his parents thought he should be a scientist. The story fluctuates between Sam in eighth grade and Sam at four years old when he was trapped in a well for three days before rescuers dug him out. Smith's writing style was a mismatch for me and the well sections were too much like The Girl in the Well Is Me (which I loved). I ended up skimming the eighth grade sections just to see what happened. There are some good lessons, but you could safely skip this. (digital copy provided by the publisher)
• "Crocodile Shoes" by Jo Jo Moyes from Paris for One and Other Stories (Pamela Dorman, Oct. 2016). I really liked this story about a woman who picks up the wrong bag at the gym and is forced to wear someone else's high heels for the day with unexpected consequences. A fun contemporary story. (finished copy provided by the publisher)

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Stacked-Up Book Thoughts: 5 Books, 2 Settings

It's is soooo weird but many of the books I read in late October and early November had connections to the Caribbean and involve people who are not exactly who they appear to be on the surface.

The crossovers have been totally coincidental--I had no idea of the setting of some of them before I started reading--and this has led to some confusing moments. As in, "Wait! What island am I on? What year?"

For example, Trinity (which I reviewed earlier this month), has a section that takes place at Oppenheimer's Virgin Island home, and Winter in Paradise has a scene in which the characters are in a boat and motor on by Oppenheimer's beach.

The unnamed young wife in The Winters grew up in the Caymans, is comfortable on boats, and is an orphan; one of the main characters in Winter in Paradise is around the same age, is also an orphan, and is also comfortable on boats, though she lives in St. John. A novel I edited in October takes place in Nassau in the past, and the last audiobook I reviewed for Audio File magazine takes place in Nassau in the present.

You would think that after those books I'd race for new and different settings, wouldn't you? Well, yes I did, but the next two books I read both took place in Paris! I think I've broken the cycle though because the book I'm currently listening to is a collection of science fiction short stories: very few real-life settings here. Phew!

The Winters by Lisa Gabriele (Viking, October 16): I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this retelling of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. I loved the reimagining of the characters and situation in a modern setting and thought it was clever to change Dani from creepy maid to bratty, unstable teenager. The isolated estate, called Asherley, is located on an a small island off the Hamptons, and instead of a forbidden boathouse, we have a forbidden greenhouse. The dead Rebecca is, of course, perfect and beautiful and loved by everyone. Max is a New York state senator, so his duties often call him away from home, leaving his young (unnamed) fiancee alone. The soon to be second Mrs. Winters was raised in the Caymens and is now orphaned, so she has no one to turn to when she begins to feel uncomfortable--and the tension and sense of foreboding are definitely there. Even though I pretty much knew where the story was going (because this is, after all, a retelling of the classic), there were still some surprises, and I was completely engrossed, especially at the end, wanting to know how the new twists were going to play out. I think you can safely read and enjoy Gabriele's contemporary story, even if you haven't read the classic, but being familiar with the original will add depth. (review copy provided by the publisher)

Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand (Little, Brown, October 9): In a departure from Hilderbrand's normal books, there is only one brief passing mention of her beloved Nantucket. The book starts in the Midwest but takes place mostly in St. John, where a mother and her two grown sons reunite just after the new year. Each of them is in the middle of a personal crisis, but before they can talk about their own problems, they're hit hard by a devastating family tragedy: Irene's husband and the boys' father died in a helicopter accident over the ocean. That would be horrible all in and of itself, but Russell hadn't told his family that he was going to be in the Caribbean; he was supposed to be on a boring business trip. Thus the family trip to the island is not for pleasure, and as they piece together the puzzles and surprises Russell left behind, the family discovers they didn't know him at all. Meanwhile, the brothers meet a beautiful young woman (a rivalry ensues), and Irene meets a a man who offers her kindness and understanding. I can always count on Hiderbrand to give me great characters, a tight plot, and a good mystery. This is the start of new series, and I really like the characters and St. John setting. I think I kind of know where the story is going, so the ending, which sets up the next installment, was not altogether unexpected. I wasn't a fan of the abrupt ending, but I'm looking forward to the second book. I listened to the unabridged audiobook edition of Winter in Paradise (Hachette Audio; 10 hr, 11 min), read by Erin Bennett, who has narrated almost all of Hilderbrand books. Bennett is always a pleasure to listen to, and I enjoy her characterizations and the way she captures the essence of Hilderbrand's writing. (audiobook review copy provided by the publisher)

Learning to Breathe by Janice Lynn Mather (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, June 2018): The only thing I knew about this debut novel before I started it was that it had won a number of awards and dealt with real-life issues. Sixteen-year-old Indira was raised by her loving, but strict grandmother in the Bahamas. She has spent most of her life trying to prove that she is nothing like her mother, who is known for her drug addition and loose reputation. Granny believes in Indy and wants to give her a better life and chance to climb out of poverty, so she sends her to live with her son's family in Nassau and attend a private high school. What Indy finds in the city is an aunt who thinks she's poor trash, an older male cousin who disrespects her and abuses her, and a distant uncle. She is teased at school, and her same-age female cousin runs hot and cold. This is an all-too-real and heartbreaking story of a young girl who tries her best to be good but who is thwarted and divested of power at every turn. After a chance meeting of the owners of a yoga retreat, Indy slowly learns to trust but finds it hard to overcome her self-shame until she realizes only she can save herself and others from the fate of her mother. My heart went out to Indy, and I loved her voice. Mather presents Indy's situation with honesty and respect, and I'm pretty sure this book will have a place on my top-ten of the year list. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Dreamscape Media, 9 hr, 18 min), read by Chrystal Bethell. This is my first time with Bethell, but I'm looking forward to more of her work. Her sensitive narration captured Indy's pain, and her accents were believable, while avoiding stereotypes. Indy's internal dialogue sometimes verges on free verse, which Bethell delivered with aplomb. Read or listen, but don't miss this book. (review copy for a freelance assignment)

Love a la Mode by Stephanie Kate Strohm (Disney-Hyperion; November 27): After so many heavy books, I needed a palate cleanser, which I found in this delightful novel, perfect for food lovers. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Henry Yi and Rosie Radeke, both of whom were accepted into a young chef's academy in Paris. Henry grew up in the kitchen of his father's Chicago restaurant, whereas Rosie is a home baker from Ohio. Their backgrounds, talents, and ethnicities are very different, but they share the dream of becoming professionals in the culinary world. This contemporary young adult rom-com is so much fun. We meet the other (diverse) teen students and the demanding chef teacher. We enter the kitchens and feel for the teens' struggle to perfect their cooking and baking techniques while also meeting their academic requirements. There is romance drama, mean girl drama, and kitchen drama. Love a la Mode was the perfect escape novel for me, combining humor, a love story, cooking, and Paris in one package. There's nothing high-brow here, but I enjoyed meeting Rosie, Henry, and their friends. I listened to the unabridged audiobook (Listening Library; 9 hr, 35 min) read by the author. You know how I usually feel about author-read audiobooks, but Strohm was great. Her French pronunciations seemed fine to me, and she (as one would hope) captured the personalities of her characters beautifully. This audiobook would be the perfect accompaniment to your holiday cooking. Too much fun to miss. (audiobook review copy provided by the publisher)

The Rain Watcher by Tatiana de Rosnay (St. Martin's Press; October 30): I had high hopes for de Rosnay's latest novel, which promised a dysfunctional family and a Paris setting. The novel does indeed provide both and was particularly interesting in light of last winter's flooding of the city. Most of the book is told from the viewpoint of Linden Malegarde, a world-famous photographer who returns to his native France to attend his father's 70th birthday celebration. His mother, American by birth, decided to hold the gathering in Paris with just the original family; no in-laws or grandchildren are invited. Paul, the patriarch, is a renown arborist, who seems to like his trees better than people, but his wife hopes the gathering will be a success. The party weekend coincides with the worst flooding of the Seine in a century, and the events that follow (including family illnesses) are complicated by the rising water. While I enjoy de Rosnay's writing style, I didn't think this was her strongest novel. The flow of Linden's story is interrupted by sections from Paul's diary, in which he describes a traumatic event of his own childhood. That story is, indeed, disturbing, but it's never really tied into the main narrative, and I ended up wondering why it was included in the novel. I also found the number of big things this family faced to be slightly over the top: one or more of them were dealing with LGBTQ issues, alcoholism, bad marriage, affairs, suicide, unrequited love, distant parents, self-doubt, PTSD, bullying, rape, and medical problems. While I know that many of us are juggling several significant simultaneous problems, it seemed unbelievable in The Rain Watcher. I think de Rosnay had several good ideas here, including thoughts on the changing environment, but she didn't quite pull them off in the novel. I am, however, looking forward to her next book. (review copy provided by the publisher)

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Giveaway: Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi

Mary H. K. Choi's Emergency Contact (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, March 27) is getting a lot of buzz. Early reviews have me thinking: rom-com with depth.

The basic premise is the developing (unlikely) relationship between Penny and Sam. Penny, a Korean American, is a freshman in college who dreams of becoming a writer. Sam is a twenty-one-year-old cafe worker who dreams of becoming a filmmaker. What could the two young people possible have in common? As it turns out, a lot.

Here's more from the publisher's summary:

When Sam and Penny cross paths it’s less meet-cute and more a collision of unbearable awkwardness. Still, they swap numbers and stay in touch—via text—and soon become digitally inseparable, sharing their deepest anxieties and secret dreams without the humiliating weirdness of having to see each other.

What I've learned about Emergency Contact through reviews:

• Themes and issues involve dysfunctional mothers, alcohol, racism, self-esteem, anxiety, and loneliness.
• This is a character-driven story rather than an action-packed adventure.
• Sam is not your typical male romantic figure.
• There may be trigger scenes for some readers.
• The dialogue is fun, with good banter and humor.
• Publisher's Weekly and School Library Journal gave the novel starred reviews, though Kirkus was less impressed. It looks like this is a love it or hate it book, with the loves soundly beating out the hates.
• Goodreads reviewers give the book a 4.12 rating.
• The novel will help you meet your diversity goals.

Giveaway: Thanks to the nice people at Simon Teen, I have a finished copy of Mary H. K. Choi's Emergency Contact to give to one of my readers. All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is to have a USA mailing address and to fill out the following form. Because I want to make sure the winner will have time to read the book before the March 27 release date, I'm making this a quick contest. I'll pick a winner via a random number generator on March 8. Once the winner has been confirmed, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck!

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