Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.When Finch … Continue reading Review: All the Bright Places
Wendelin Van Draanen didn't grow up wanting to be a writer, but thirty books later, she's convinced that writing saved her life. Or, at least, saved her from a life of bitterness and despair. Writing helped her sort out what she thought and felt and wanted. And digging deep into fictional characters helped her understand … Continue reading Review: Hope in the Mail
Elle Savas, a waitress at the Noel Street Diner, isn’t sure what to make of Emerson Stone when his sudden appearance creates a small stir in the town of Garland, Utah. As their lives unexpectedly entwine, Elle learns that Emerson, a decorated Vietnam POW, is not only fighting demons, but may also have the answer … Continue reading Review: Noel Street
I was searching through some blogs and came across this little bookish survey that seemed fun to fill out. I'm kind of behind with reading and reviews right now because I've been reading a lot slower than usual, mainly because one of the books I'm reading is short stories, so I don't like to read … Continue reading A-Z Bookish Survey
A shy teenager attempts to express how she really feels through the pastries she makes at her family’s pasteleria. A tourist from Montenegro desperately seeks a magic soup dumpling that can cure his fear of death. An aspiring chef realizes that butter and soul are the key ingredients to win a cooking competition that could … Continue reading Review: Hungry Hearts
Former Christian Atheist Craig Groeschel knows his subject all too well. After over a decade of successful ministry, he had to make a painful self admission: although he believed in God, he was leading his church like God didn’t exist.To Christians and non-Christians alike, to the churched and the unchurched, the journey leading up to … Continue reading Review: The Christian Atheist
Where I work I'm known as the "Young Adult Romance" expert. When patrons come in looking for a good young-adult book, they come to me. Only it's not just for romance. It's any young adult book really, but I do read more contemporary & romance than any other genre of young adult fiction. Since romance … Continue reading 10 Young-Adult Romance Recommendations
One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in … Continue reading Review: The Printed Letter Bookshop
Genie in a Novel 