Monthly Archives: March 2014
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry – Gabrielle Zevin
The brief summary could be: The life and loves of a bookseller on a small Massachusetts island. The expanded summary includes the tragic death of his beloved wife that plunges him into lethargy and depression followed by the adoption of … Continue reading
The Here and Now – Ann Brashares
A future devastated with pollution and widespread epidemics leads a group to time travel to the past to carve out a better life. They assimilate somewhat into the community but must follow strict rules to avoid damaging the time line. … Continue reading
Noggin – John Corey Whaley
The body of 16-year-old Travis Coates lost a grueling battle with cancer, but Travis’s head, his brain, is still going strong after a groundbreaking cryogenic experiment. Travis opens his eyes after what seems like a quick nap, but everything is … Continue reading
By Its Cover: A Commissario Guido Brunetti Mystery – Donna Leon
This time it’s all about the books. Rare books, valuable books, are missing from the Biblioteca Merula, the Venetian library for rare books. And some have been stripped of their illustrations and maps. It is of course a serious offense, … Continue reading
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender – Lesley Walton
Ava Lavender is born with wings. Ava tells her story by recounting the series of tragedies that befell her relatives beginning with her French great-grandparents’ immigration to the tenements of New York. Tragic events fueled by broken hearts are written … Continue reading
The Ring and the Crown – Melissa de la Cruz
Princess Marie-Victoria of the Franco-British Empire must marry Leopold, the Prussian prince to secure peace between their nations. The story is told from several points-of-view that reiterates the plight of women throughout history when they must sell themselves to the … Continue reading
Salvage – Alexandra Duncan
Many generations into the future, there are “tribes” that live on space ships. Ava is the eldest daughter of the leader of the Parastrata ship and a repressive society where women are seen as useful in breeding stock only. Other … Continue reading
Elusion – Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam
Regan’s father devoted his life to developing Elusion, a computer program that enables people to mentally escape from their polluted world to a pristine virtual world free of worries. His partner was boy genius, Patrick, who is Regan’s best friend. … Continue reading
Side Effects May Vary – Julie Murphy
Alice was prepared to die. Months of treatments for leukemia drained the strength from her, forcing her to quit high school and ballet. Believing she is in her final months, Alice is determined get revenge against the people she feels … Continue reading
Bracelet of Bones – Kevin Crossley-Holland
Vikings! The year is 1036. After defeat in battle, Halfdan decides to follow his leader, Harald Sigurdsson, east to Kiev then south to the Black Sea. He intends to join the Varangian guard, a troop of Vikings that serves the … Continue reading
Death Sworn – Leah Cypess
Centuries before, an evil Empire gained control of the lands through the use of dark magic. Two groups formed an alliance of sorts, a sorcerer-based society, the Renegai, and a group of assassins training within a complex system of caves. … Continue reading
Citadel – Kate Mosse
Sandrine is eighteen and is coping with the hardships of living under the occupation of the Germans, trying to keep life as normal as possible. Her early morning bicycle rides are a special pleasure. No one is stirring, and the … Continue reading
Liberty 1784: The Second War for Independence – Robert Conroy
The defeat of the British relief fleet off Yorktown led to Cornwallis’ surrender and the successful end to the American Revolution. But what if Washington had not been so lucky and the fleet had arrived on time? What if Washington … Continue reading
YA Lit Ramblings 
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