In Lupton's first novel, the death -- perhaps it was murder -- of a free-spirited woman forces her highly conventional sister to examine their relationship.
Isolation and an Alaskan winter take their toll on a marriage in this dissturbing first novel. "...gets to places other novels can't touch." (NYT review)
This is one of those stories of early European adventurers who traveled so far on sea and land through parts unknown, accomplished so much, and had so much fortune and misfortune and then lived to tell about it, that you are simply astonished. William Dampier was an English sailor who played with the line between privateer (sanctioned raider), and buccaneer (pirate). An astute naturalist as well, he inspired Darwin, and his travelogues inspired the literature of Swift and Defoe. This book is a wonderful discovery of an original man. - Kent -
A Grown-up Kind of Pretty presents a compelling tragicomedy, rich with " likeable characters, plot twists and life as seen through the eyes of three remarkable women in a Southern family."
The fine illustrations enhance a wonderful story of unexpected love found and then unexpectedly lost. I recognized my teen self in Min Green as she struggled in a relationship outside of her crowd and with the compromises needed to maintain the relationship. The interesting and sometimes quirky characters came alive for me, and I found myself cheering for Min. (This book won a Prinz Award honor)
- Sally -
Cinder is set far in the future when Cinder(ella) is a cyborg. The place is New Beijing and times are tense. An incurable disease is spreading, the beloved emperor is dying, and powerful forces from another planetary body threaten. Meyer builds a fascinating high-tech world where androids and humans mix casually. Yet, age-old passions of love, loyalty, rivalry and jealousy fuel the characters' lives. I really enjoyed this very well-written and original version of a Cinderella story. For ages 12+.
The Orphan Master's Son is harrowing and funny and touching and just unbelievably good. The episode where Jun Do -- the North Korean protagonist -- travels to Texas is hilarious. Culture clash does not even begin to describe the divide. Equally good is the chapter about his time at sea on a fishing boat, and the horrifying episode where he lands in prison. Love, love, love this book. A government that is large enough to supply everything you need is strong enough to take everything you have. - Lisa (customer) -