Something happened to Hannah's roommate. Something bad. Now, Hannah is in a psych ward "until this is all straightened out," the lawyer says. Which shSomething happened to Hannah's roommate. Something bad. Now, Hannah is in a psych ward "until this is all straightened out," the lawyer says. Which shouldn't be long! She just has to sit tight and befriend her new roommate, and wait for the evidence to exonerate her.
I do love an unreliable narrator, and one in a psych ward is generally a good starting place. I had questions and suspicions by the midway point, but it wasn't immediately obvious....more
A layover on a less-desirable planet turns into a prolonged visit for several travelers, each hoping for a swift passage through the wormhole. UnfortuA layover on a less-desirable planet turns into a prolonged visit for several travelers, each hoping for a swift passage through the wormhole. Unfortunately, the explosion doesn't care what plans anyone has, and has grounded all ships. The Aeluon on her way to a secret rendezvous with her long-time lover. Speaker, the Akarak trader eager to return to her sister hovering in their ship above the planet. The Quelin Roveg, who is hoping to make an appointment that will allow him to return to his home and reunite with his son. And Ouloo and Tupo, the Laru mother and son determined to be good hosts and help the stranded travellers. Some form unlikely bonds, while other pairings are far more strained, but they manage to work together when it matters....more
What do you do when you've agreed to nanny an old friend's stepkids for a summer, and then find out that they burst into flame when agitated? With nowWhat do you do when you've agreed to nanny an old friend's stepkids for a summer, and then find out that they burst into flame when agitated? With nowhere else to go, you gulp and teach the kids about meditation, keeping one's temper, and being loved for who they are, even when your dad is a senator and acknowledging your existence wut be political suicide for him.
Lillian really needs this--needs a way out of her dead-end town--a town she had a ticket from, years ago, before she got expelled for a crime that wasn't hers. She also needs to learn about managing emotions and loving and being loved.
This was a quick read, with a lot of humor and depth. A couple of the characters were thinly drawn (looking at you, Senator), but others show unexpected depth (hi Mom)....more
Famous horror movie director is attacked in his home, so his teen daughter is sent to stay with her maternal grandmother in the town where her mother Famous horror movie director is attacked in his home, so his teen daughter is sent to stay with her maternal grandmother in the town where her mother grew up--and where her father set his most famous movie. Right from the beginning there's something weird in town--a ghost, or a demon-creature, in the abandoned mines, or just a creepy vibe in the whole town seemingly stuck in the past when the mine collapsed. With no internet or cell service, Lola is stuck piecing together past events from scant clues....more
More Stevie Bell! This time they're at a summer camp, investigating the murders that happened decades earlier and the strange goings-on in the currentMore Stevie Bell! This time they're at a summer camp, investigating the murders that happened decades earlier and the strange goings-on in the current day. Familiar characters, witty writing, and a well-plotted mystery....more
Really promising premise regarding a housemate the family doesn't realize they have, as they're all absorbed in their own issues. But ultimately, the Really promising premise regarding a housemate the family doesn't realize they have, as they're all absorbed in their own issues. But ultimately, the book lived up to its premise in the tedium of sleeping through the days in a crawl-space under the house....more
A mother who knows she does not love her child, and her concerns that this is the reason for his crime. We know from the start that Kevin murdered sevA mother who knows she does not love her child, and her concerns that this is the reason for his crime. We know from the start that Kevin murdered several classmates; the bulk of the story is exploring how it happened, tracing the path from Kevin's birth through the inevitable trajectory. ...more
Boarding school, new friends and love interest, Jack the Ripper copycat. I don't really have anything else to say (except Give Me Book 2).Boarding school, new friends and love interest, Jack the Ripper copycat. I don't really have anything else to say (except Give Me Book 2)....more
It's been a few years since Ivy, Cal, and Mateo hung out regularly, so their impromptu cut day together surprised everyone--especially since there's aIt's been a few years since Ivy, Cal, and Mateo hung out regularly, so their impromptu cut day together surprised everyone--especially since there's another student out, and he's found dead by mid-morning. But they saw him go into a building and saw him dead a few minutes later, and each of them had a reason to privately celebrate that.
As usual for McManus, there are a number of twists, turns, and red herrings leading to a conclusion that you couldn't predict but is obvious in retrospect....more
Has a bit of a techno-thriller feel, like William Gibson's Pattern Recognition, only with the added element of everyone immediately forgetting about HHas a bit of a techno-thriller feel, like William Gibson's Pattern Recognition, only with the added element of everyone immediately forgetting about Hope when they don't see her....more
ARC via Netgalley, but a paper copy in my house now and I'll be buying a copy for my school library in September. This comic is self-referential and dARC via Netgalley, but a paper copy in my house now and I'll be buying a copy for my school library in September. This comic is self-referential and demented and absolutely hilarious. You can't go wrong....more
I stumbled on this at the library and have zero regrets. A would-be bank robber attempted to rob a cashless bank, and in escaping, accidentally walks I stumbled on this at the library and have zero regrets. A would-be bank robber attempted to rob a cashless bank, and in escaping, accidentally walks into an apartment showing. Everyone present has their own baggage, and the bank robber is no exception.
Similar to Britt-Marie Was Here, Backman shows great character growth among realistic people--the characters are who they are, warts and all, and each is treated with compassion. Also this book is very, very funny....more
Is there a way to discuss one of NRS's books without massive spoilers?
A girl leaves her abusive home situation and moves to a boarding house in NYC--tIs there a way to discuss one of NRS's books without massive spoilers?
A girl leaves her abusive home situation and moves to a boarding house in NYC--the same boarding house her mom stayed in when she was a teen. But now that she's there, there's something weird going on. Why is there a curfew? Why does the portrait of the house's founder appear to move? What's the deal with the tiny door behind the bed?
I called (part of) the ending, but that's bc I'm an adult who has read other books. Still a compelling, recommended read....more
Narrator goes back home to her remote Alaskan town for her best friend's funeral. Friend has died by suicide while Narrator was away at boarding schooNarrator goes back home to her remote Alaskan town for her best friend's funeral. Friend has died by suicide while Narrator was away at boarding school. Narrator is left struggling to understand what happened: Friend was an outcast, avoided and sort of feared due to bipolar disorder, but now that she's dead the townspeople are talking about how loved she was and how much they miss her.
I never got the visceral sense of Place that I have with other books, but I did get the claustrophobia of a small, isolated town in which everyone knows everyone else's business. Narrator must come to terms with what's changed in her absence and what's changed due to her absence, while also grieving.
I have plenty of students who will love this book, and assuming I get a budget next year, I'll be adding it to my school library....more
Marjorie's been acting strangely, and her family has noticed. Her 8-year-old sister Merry tells the story of her sister's descent into either schizophMarjorie's been acting strangely, and her family has noticed. Her 8-year-old sister Merry tells the story of her sister's descent into either schizophrenia or demonic possession, and the reality show that was made about them. Present-day, adult-Merry narrates the story to a reporter who is writing a book about the family. But in some places, the memories don't line up with the filmed evidence, and we are left wondering what really happened vs what Merry believes happened vs what 8yo Merry believed happened.
I had expected this to be a suspenseful thriller, and it did keep me turning pages, but it was mostly sad to see a family in crisis, virtually powerless to stop it....more
In The Martian, my biggest complaint was that Mark Watney could do anything, and this narrator is more of the same. He's on his spaceship, coming out In The Martian, my biggest complaint was that Mark Watney could do anything, and this narrator is more of the same. He's on his spaceship, coming out of a coma after a lengthy trip into far space, when he discovers the rest of his crew is dead. As his memories slowly return, the enormity of his task comes into focus: finding and neutralizing tiny organisms that are literally eating the sun.
But he's not alone out there. There's another scientist, another ship. Another being whose crew died on the journey. The two can't exist in the same atmosphere, but they manage to communicate and collaborate.
There's almost nothing this team can't do, which eliminates some of the tension, but the book still speeds along, its focus more on the buddy-movie relationship than the looming apocalypse....more
