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Title: Elementary She Read (Book 1 – Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series)
Author: Vicki Delany
Mystery
After finding what she thinks could be a very rare magazine hidden on one of her store bookshelves, Gemma Doyle and her friend Jayne attempt to locate the owner. They make their way to the hotel the woman is staying at, only to find that she's been murdered. For reasons unknown to Gemma, she becomes the prime suspect in the case (at least for one of the detectives) and recognizes that she'll need to conduct her own investigation in order to stay out of prison.
Days later, Gemma and Jayne travel into Boston hoping to speak with someone that might be able to help them, but they end up discovering another murder victim instead. Considering their current predicament, the two friends flee the scene and make an anonymous report to the local police. When word of the latest murder gets out, Gemma knows she'll need all the help she can get to prove their innocence and track down a killer.
Title: Just SNOW Already!
Author/Illustrator: Howard McWilliam
Picture Book
If you love a good snowstorm and all things snow related (maybe minus shoveling and bad drivers!), then you'll love the little boy in this book. His dad tells him that it might snow soon, and all the boy can think about is looking out the window at the sky. While doing so, he's missing out on all the action happening in his neighborhood - a woman's cat has climbed a tree and needs to be rescued; a mail carrier has dropped her bag and there are letters all over the sidewalk; and a man falls off a ladder while painting his house!
After checking repeatedly, the boy finally gives up on the possibility of snow and goes to have a snack. But his mother encourages him to take one more peek outside. Can you guess what he saw?
Title: The Echo of Old Books
Author/Illustrator: Barbara Davis
Fiction
When Ashlyn Greer was younger, the bookstore that she now owns was her safe haven from family discord. It was during that time that Ashlyn discovered she had the ability to feel "vibes," or echoes, from the books, a phenomenon known as psychometry. After a friend invites her to look through some donations he received, she ends up with two books that go together, one being written in response to the other.
Ashlyn detects powerful echoes of betrayal and bitterness, which leads her to look further into who these authors are and the events that led to the end of their relationship. During the process of searching for answers, Ashlyn tries to overcome her own painful past, much like the mystery authors attempted to do decades earlier. In spite of her fear of failure, she forges ahead, determined to piece their story together, and perhaps even rewrite her own?
JEN
Title: The Venice Sketchbook
Author: Rhys Bowen
Fiction
A wonderful sad and touching story of lost love and lost lives during the turmoil of WWII painting a picture of the people and places in Venice, Italy and intertwining storylines of the past and present, but amid such sadness there is also happiness.
Title: Me Before You (all books in the Trilogy)
Author: Jojo Moyes
Fiction
This trilogy of romantic titles (Me Before You; After You; and Still Me) follow the story of Louisa Clark through love, heartbreak, and life-changing decisions as she comes to discover "who" she really is.
MARCIA
Title: The Great Race Story of the Chinese Zodiac
Author: Ling and Eric Lee
Illustrator: Rachel Foo
Juvenile Folktale
Celebrate Lunar New Year and discover the story behind the 12 animal years of the Chinese Zodiac with this beautifully illustrated retelling of the ancient folk tale.
Long ago in ancient China, the Jade Emperor realized that he did not know how old he was, or when his birthday occurred. There was no way of measuring time!
So he invited all the animals in his kingdom to participate in a race - the first twelve animals crossing the river would have a year named after them.
This retelling is concise and interesting, with just the right amount of detail for children aged preschool through grade 2. The colorful illustrations fill the pages and will hold the interest of even the youngest viewer/listener. Pair this with YEAR OF THE CAT by Richard Ho to find out what happens next!
Title: The Wrong Book
Author: Drew Daywalt
Illustrator: Alex Willmore
Picture Book
This is a new, hilarious Picture Book by the author of the bestselling series, THE DAY THE CRAYONS QUIT. It is reminiscent of THE BOOK WITH NO PICTURES (by B. J. Novak), where the reader has to say all sorts of silly sounding words and even sing a song about eating ants for breakfast.
The narrator has to tell hilarious, incorrect, WRONG facts culminating in a super funny tongue-twisting finale that will challenge any adult reading to a child. It also has a surprising, twisty ending that you don't see coming. Enjoy and have fun using different voices!
Title: I Do NOT Eat Children
Author/Illustrator: Marcus Cutler
Picture Book
The purpose of a Picture Book is to use illustrations to illuminate and move the story forward, so children understand what they are reading. In this title, the words and pictures DISAGREE! A goofy-looking big, orange creature is in the middle of a diverse group of children playing with different toys. He is standing with one hand over his heart and the other raised while saying, "I do not eat children. I would never eat a child."
As the story progresses, one child is missing in each double-page spread and only their plaything remains until there is only one little girl with her book and the "monster." She tells him, "I do eat liars" and on the next page you see...! Silly, with just the right amount of tension, and a poetic justice ending. You'll get plenty of "Read it again!"
Title: Chester Van Chime Who Forgot How to Rhyme
Author: Avery Monson
Illustrator: Abby Hanlon
In honor of National Poetry Month in April, I read the silly story of a little boy who woke up one morning and forgot how to rhyme! His friends present him with dozens of drawings and objects that are easy rhymes, but Chester uses much harder phrases to describe these objects.
He worries about his loss of rhyming words until he realizes that word play should be FUN - as he walks home with a big smile his rhyming comes back! Sun, run. Guppy, puppy. Pig, wig.
MEL
Title: Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (Audiobook)
Author: Benjamin Stevenson
Mystery
In the midst of his immediate family, “steps,” and in-laws, Ern (Ernest Cunningham) becomes an unexpected sleuth during what is supposed to be a family reunion. This gathering, highly anticipated by some and dreaded by others, begins with a summons by the family planner to meet at the retreat destination – a ski resort “down under” - in the dead of winter. Not to spoil the story, but the cast of characters slowly diminishes in number as the tale unfolds. It’s definitely NOT your cozy mystery, but has a very intimate and friendly feel despite the ongoing tragedies.
All I can say is that Ern – as narrator - captures your attention from the get go when he says: “Everyone in my family has killed someone. Some of us, the high achievers, have killed more than once. I’m not trying to be dramatic, but it is the truth. Some of us are good, others are bad, and some just unfortunate.”
I chose to enjoy this as an audiobook and the Australian-accented narrator had me from the first line. Had so much fun with this book that I immediately checked out “Ernest Cunningham’s” book – Everyone on This Train Is a Suspect!
Title: For the Wolf (Book 1, Wilderwood series)
Author: Hannah Whitten
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
A dark, dangerous spin on the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, Whitten weaves an intricate storyline following twin sisters fated for very different roles – one as queen, the other as sacrifice. However, sacrifice doesn’t necessarily mean death.
Follow Red as she uncovers her destiny, her magic, and her fate as entwined with the Wolf’s in a battle against the Wilderwood and the gods themselves. An unusually twisty tale of both political and religious maneuverings in a land on the brink of unexpected collapse. A wonderful journey of self-discovery and triumph in the face of adversity, it reinforces the idea that “monsters” exist in more than the woods and love hides in many different guises.
Title: Make Meatballs Sing: The Life & Art of Corita Kent
Author: Matthew Burgess
Illustrator: Kara Kramer
Picture Book Biography
A remarkably illustrated work celebrating the remarkable life of Corita Kent – nun, activist, artist, and educator! Corita was the artist who designed The Rainbow Swash, the 140’ Boston Gas tank visible from the Southeast Expressway as you enter Boston, and then later created a smaller rainbow featured on the USPS LOVE stamp.
Not only is this story inspiring and engaging, but the illustrations capture the BOLDNESS, ENERGY, and POWER of the life Corita led. Having never heard of Corita (yes, I must have been living under a rock…), I found myself completely swept away by the story and the message of love and empowerment of staying true to oneself and one’s ideals. As a visually-stimulated individual, this was eye-opening to me on so many levels and I would encourage both children and adults to take the time to open this book.
PHAEDRE
Title: The Thursday Murder Club
Author: Richard Osman
Mystery
This book is about four retirees solving murders – they meet in the Jigsaw room every Thursday evening to discuss unsolved crimes. While reading this descriptive story you come to know every character well without the book becoming an overbearing read. Spoiler alert: these is more than one death in this book!
Title: Yoga for Stiff Birds: An Illustrated Approach to Positions, Poses, and Meditations
Author: Marion Deuchars
Non-Fiction (Self-Help)
This book makes practicing Yoga easy with illustration from the basic, starting poses. Clear instructions with great drawings.