The Case of the Defunct Adjunct

 

Title: The Case of the Defunct Adjunct

Author: Frankie Bow

Publisher: Hawaiian Heritage Press

 
ISBN: 9781943476008

 

Thoughts:  A solid mystery, but a little too much tangential elements.

 

Rating: 3/5

Less

 

Title: Less

Author: Andrew Sean Greer

Publisher: Lee Boudreaux Books

 
ISBN: 9780316529015

 

Thoughts:  I found this novel to be a tad melancholy, despite reviews to the contrary.

 

Rating: 3/5

If We Were Villians

 

Title: If We Were Villians

Author: M. L. Rio

Publisher: Flatiron Books

 
ISBN: 9781250095282

 

Thoughts:  As a theatre major in late 90s/early 00s, I absolutely loved this book, but it definitely is not for everyone.

 

Rating: 4/5

Miracle's Boys

 

Title: Miracle's Boys

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Publisher: Listening Library

 
ISBN: n/a

 

Thoughts:  Very moving story for middle graders about brothers and grief

 

Rating: 4/5

Blush

 

Title: Blush

Author: Jamie Brenner

Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio

 
ISBN: 9780593408698

 

Thoughts:  Perfect pick for a summer read with a little more weight.

 

Rating: 4/5

Selected Poems of Langton Hughes

 

Title: Selected Poems of Langston Hughes

Author: Langston Hughes

Publisher: Vintage

 
ISBN: 9780697928184

 

Thoughts:  Hughes's poetry is real and relatable with a wonderful rhythm.

 

Rating: 5/5

Stacking the Shelves: 11/13-11/19

Won:

Dirt Creek by Hayley Scrivenor

Best of Friends

 

Title: Best of Friends

Author: Kamila Shamsie

Publisher: Riverhead Books

 
ISBN: 9780593421826

 

Thoughts:  Shamsie really pulled me into this story about a friendship during the teen years and then in middle age.

 

Rating: 4/5

No Matter the Price

 

Title: No Matter the Price

Author: Daniel Pare

Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio

 
ISBN: 9781684338221

 

Thoughts:  Some very heartfelt moments, but the whole premise seemed more hurtful than helpful, and I had a visceral reaction to Karen making it hard to stay in the story.

 

Rating: 3/5

Lessons in Chemistry

 

Title: Lessons in Chemistry

Author: Bonnie Garmus

Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio

 
ISBN: 9780593507544

 

Thoughts:  Very rich, fun characters make this a book unforgettable.

 

Rating: 5/5

Stacking the Shelves: 10/30-11/12

Bought on Amazon:

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

 

Won:

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

You Don't Know Us Negros

 

Title: You Don't Know Us Negros and Other Essays

Author: Zora Neale Hurston

Publisher: Amistad Press

 
ISBN: 9780063043855

 

Thoughts:  Very interesting to read Hurston's non-fiction work and I did appreciate how it was organized by topic, but some felt (and a few were) unfinished.

 

Rating: 3/5

Zombie Daze

 

Title: Zombie Daze

Author: K.E. O'Connor

Publisher: self

 
ISBN: n/a

 

Thoughts:  Fun cozy with a zombie twist and a likeable main character, even if the mystery elements where not fleshed out enough.

 

Rating: 3/5

Three Lords and Three Ladies of London

 

Title: Three Lords and Three Ladies of London

Author: Anna Faktorovich

Publisher: Anaphora Literary Press

 
ISBN: 9798750094424

 

Thoughts:  Confusing Renaissance allegorical comedy by William Percy that did benefit from Faktorovich's "translation" (aka summary), even if that portion was very long and dry with theories that seemed far-fetched based on the evidence presented in the form of the play.

 

Rating: 2/5

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

 

Title: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

Author: Shea Ernshaw

Publisher: Disney Press

 
ISBN: 9781368069601

 

Thoughts:  What could have been a very cool exploration of the other towns (even the new one) was hindered by very flat writing with a very morose main character whose motives seem directionless.

 

Rating: 2/5

Nebula Awards Showcase 2009

 

Title: Nebula Awards Showcase 2009

Author: Ellen Datlow, ed

Publisher: Roc

 
ISBN: 9780451462558

 

Thoughts: Wonderful collection of outstanding sci-fi and speculative fiction work - some standouts are "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" by Ted Chiang and "Pol Pot's Beautiful Daughter (Fantasy)" by Geoff Ryman.

 

Rating: 4/5

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

 

Title: The Many Daughters of Afong Moy

Author: Jamie Ford

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

 
ISBN: n/a

 

Thoughts:  Unique yet confusing concept that felt more like a standard family saga with too many characters and time periods to keep straight.

 

Rating: 2/5

The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream

 

Title: The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream

Author: Jeannie Zusy

Publisher: Atria

 
ISBN: 9781982185381

 

Thoughts:  A delightful tale of family navigating through middle age.

 

Rating: 4/5