A SURREY STATE OF AFFAIRS / by Ceri Radford / 273 Pages

A Surrey State of Affairs is a debut novel and the story is written as a year's worth of blog entries by Constance Harding, a woman in her early 40’s.  She is a devoted (possibly overly so) wife and mother to husband Jeffrey, adult son Rupert, and 18-year old daughter, Sophie.  Unfortunately for Constance, she has absolutely NO CLUE what is really going on with the members of her family.  Each day she blogs about her experiences in a very naive but often, quite hilarious fashion.  

Constance is also very British – she is ever so polite and never curses.  But if she does post a (spur-of-the-moment!) reaction to something upsetting, she will apologize profusely in her next post and ask her readers to please, PLEASE forgive her outburst!  Radford's novel is for those who enjoy Women's Fiction and humorous novels about a woman learning to live with changes in her life and family.

Appeal factors: Funny, Light, Fast-paced

Cold Cereal / Adam Rex / 421 pages

Cold Cereal is the first in a proposed trilogy that tells the story of the evil GoodCo Cereal company that is experimenting with chemicals and fairy folk that will put a little bit of magic into every box of cereal.  Their end game is to have parents buy more of their cereal because it will make their children smarter but in reality, it will help the cereal company to control the world.  Who can foil their terrible plot?  Sixth Graders Scottish Play Doe, his brilliant friends Emily & Erno Utz, and a menagerie of fantastic beings including a leprechaun, rabbit-headed man, and Bigfoot nanny/butler (another unfortunate victim of GoodCo experimentation).  Rex does a fantastic job of weaving together a complex plot, adding a healthy dose of humor, keeping the action going, making sly references, incorporating Arthurian legend, offering up believable fantastic elements, and creating illustrations that make the book even more enjoyable.  This one seems to be pretty popular with the kids. Recommended for grades 4-7.

Souless vol 1/ Gail Carriger/ 228 pages

This is a graphic novel that I think I will give another volume before I decide how much I like it.  But, the next volume is not out yet.  It takes place in Victorian London and is the story of werewolves and vampires and the very unique Soulless, which is the main character--Alexia.  She just happens to have a fliration going with the Alpa werewolf of a local tribe. But, they are trying to figure out who is stealing vampires and werewolves and why.  The B.U.R. is leading the investigation, but what annoyed me is that I didn't get a sense for what the B.U.R. does, nor do I know what it stands for.  Maybe it told me once, but I couldn't find it again.  That might bother me more than necessary, but overall it was interesting and I am hoping the next ones are even better now that the set up is done.

Adam Canfield, Watch Your Back / 329 pages

This second Adam Canfield book finds Adam and Jennifer investigating supporting and opposing forces in the naming of a street for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the proposed demolition of a 300 year old tree, bullies, and science fair projects that are done by parents.  Although at first he, Jennifer, and Feebee believe the new principal, Mrs. Quigley, to be far better than the last principal, will she, too, bow to the pressure exerted by the wealthy Mrs. Boland?

212 / Alafair Burke / 362 pages

Detective Ellie Hatcher and her partner, Rogan, are called to investigate a murder at a prestigious 212 Lafayette Avenue, New York address.  The bodyguard of the owner was shot multiple times.  Robbery could have been a motive, or a home invasion based on a drug bust could have gone bad.  Ellie is convinced that the owner, Sparks, is intimately involved.  She eventually uncovers a dirty retired cop, a judge who abused and then cared for his son's nanny's teenage daughter.  Several call murders lead her to an exciting conclusion.

Star Trek Countdown / JJ Abrams / 104 pages

This was a great graphic novel representation of the prequel of the Star Trek movie that was released in 2009. It gives a lot of background information so that the movie makes more sense. Great book, interesting, and well-designed.

Divine Evil/Nora Roberts/501 pgs

As a child, Clare Kimball witnesses a satanic rite but she only remembers it now in her dreams.  Also she discovers her father body after he supposely jumped from the third floor window of their home.  Now 10 years later, she has made a name for herself in the art world and lives in New York.  But she is haunted by her nightmares and her memories and decides to return home for rest and to recharge.  The new sheriff of Emmitsboro, Cameron Rafferty has loved Clare since high school. Now that she's back, they re connect and find that the attraction is stronger then ever. But something evil is happening in Emmitsboro and Clare may be connected to it.  Book contains a lot of satanic references and is slow at times and a little predictable but still a good story.

Wicked Business/Janet Evanovich/299 pgs

This is the second title in the Lizzy & Diesel series.  
 When a Harvard University English professor is thrown off his fourth-floor balcony, Lizzy and Diesel find out that he was also searching for the Luxuria Stone, an ancient relic believed to be infused with the power of lust. Also searching for the stone are Wulf, Diesel's not so nice cousin and a woman known as Anarchy, who is really not nice.  Good story - but still not sure that the series is as good as Stephanie Plum.

Night Circus / Erin Morgenstern 387 p. ALA Rusa Reading List - Best Adult Genre Fiction Award

“The circus arrives without warning.

No announcements precede it, no paper notices on downtown posts and billboards, no mentions or advertisements in local newspapers. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.

The towering tents are striped in white and black, no golds and crimsons to be seen. No color at all, save for the neighboring trees and the grass of the surrounding fields. Black-and-white stripes on grey sky; countless tents of varying shapes and sizes, with an elaborate wrought-iron fence encasing them in a colorless world. Even what little ground is visible from outside is black or white, painted or powdered, or treated with some other circus trick.

But it is not open for business. Not just yet.”So the reader is pulled into the magical world of Le Cirque des Rêves. Set in the Victorian era, a love story emerges between two competitors in a game of illusions. Each is fabulous at creating magical images. The competition turns to collaboration as each builds on the other’s work—and the circus expands. Great delightful tents appear—an ice garden that never melts, a living carousel, as each seeks to pleasure the other. The wonderful spell-bounding concoctions of Celia and Marco grow and grow. But like a garden, need their attention to stay and bloom. The dark secret is not revealed to Marco or Celia that the game ends when only one person is left standing. What will happen to the two lovers?

Many other characters emerge—Bailey, a Massachusetts farm boy who chums with the clairvoyant twins, Frederick Thiessen, clock maker extraordinaire, and Chandresh Christophe Lêfevre, the organizer behind the circus.

Slowly, practically imperceptibly, the world changes, pieces fall, the fanciful places begin to fail. The lives of everyone are at stake.

The reader is immerged in such lush and lavish descriptions that swirl around that one may miss important details. This work would benefit from being read a second time just to see how all the parts intertwine.

This feels somewhat like Harry Potter in that the author creates another world where perhaps things in the circus tents are not are they seem-- paper birds that fly, charms, and magic. The magicians work to make the illusions explainable in the Victorian world where it takes place. So that when the magician conjures impossible things, the circus audience willing accepts the show as being an illusion.


2012 ALA Best Adult Genre Fiction

Love Is Murder/Sandra Brown et al/583 pgs.

29 short stories incorporating love, murder, suspense--what more can you ask for? I normally am not a short story reader, but this appealed to me because it included authors I have heard of, but have not read. It gave me a taste of their writing styles, and as a result, I have discovered new authors to read. The author biographies at the end of the book are very helpful--especially if the author pens a series. Highly recommended.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer/John Grisham/265 pages

Theodore's parents are both lawyers. His mom is a divorce attorney who only represents women. His dad is a real estate lawyer specializing in boring paper work. Theodore wants to be a lawyer, but his passion lies in the courtroom and with criminal proceedings. Thus,  he spends a lot of time at the courthouse. The biggest case in the history of his town has just started. Mr. Duffy is on trial for murdering his wife. The case against him is all circumstantial. During the trial, someone comes to Theodore with information about the case but swears him to secrecy. How can Theodore keep his promise but also be sure that justice is served?

Grisham does a fine job writing an interesting mystery for the juvenile set. His characters are believable, and he throws in other plot lines (homelessness and illegal immigrants) that hot topics for today. He's cultivating a new generation for his other books. 

Ashfall/ Mike Mullen/ 460 pages

If you liked Hunger Games, you will like Ashfall.  This is the story of what it might be like if a supervolcano erupted in Yellowstone.  Alex must learn to survive on his own as he searches for his parents.  Ash is covering the land choking out the sunlight, people are turning on each other, and no one has much food.  This is also very reminiscent of "Life as We Knew It".  It's a great survival story.  And the sequel is due to come out this fall.

Between Shades of Gray/ Ruta Sepetys/ 344 pages

Ah, yes, the other "Shades of Gray" -- this one is about 800 times better than the one that is getting all the press.  This is the story of Lina and her family.  They were deported to Siberia from Lithuania during WWII by Stalin.  It is heartbreaking to read some of the things these people suffered through.  And then when they were finally release from these prisons/camps they had to remain silent for fear of death.  But, Sepetys has given a voice to these people.  This Shades of Gray should be read by everyone.

At the Mountains of Madness/ H.P. Lovecraft (adapted by Culbard)/ 124 pages

This is a graphic novel adaptation of Lovecraft's story.  It started slow, but then became interesting.  It's the story of the discover of pre-historic aliens on Antarctica.  And why not?  If we have prehistoric things discovered on earth and dinosaurs, then why wouldn't there have also have been aliens millions and millions of years ago.  I think it's a fascinating concept, but I wonder if the actual written story gives you more of a background?  I don't know.  Worth picking up.

Loving Frank/ Nancy Horan/ 359 pages

This is the story of Mamah Borthwick and her affair with Frank Lloyd Wright.  It takes place during his Prairie school years, starting in Oak Park, where he designed a home for Mamah and her husband.  At first I had little sympathy for Mamah as she abandons her children to carry on this affair.  I am looking forward to the discussion with my book club.  I had no idea how this book was going to end.  Someone who knows more about the history of Frank LW might have had a clue, but I was taken by surprise.

My Friend Dahmer/ Derf Backderf/ 224 pages

This is a graphic novel by one of Dahmer's high school "friends".  It tells of Dahmer's life in high school.  He was an outcast with a troubled home life and disturbing hobbies.  It begs the question that the author asks--where were the adults looking out for Dahmer during those formative years and could he have been stopped.  A truly sad and terrible story, which does make you sympathetic towards the high school outcast, but it does not excuse the adult he turned into.  I think there are lots of kids with troubled lives in high school, but they do not turn into serial killers.

Night Circus / Erin Morgenstern / 387 pages

This book is truly magical in many ways....rich, sensual language, intriguing characters, good vs evil, dreams and illusion.  Two ancient magicians set up a magical challenge between two of their proteges...a challenge to the death but the story is not violent; instead each magician creates more and more illusions until they can barely manage the strain of keeping the illusions viable.  The venue for the competition is a mysterious monochromatic circus that appears only at night in various cities all around the world and draws people like moths to flame.  The story, set in the late 19th century and early 20th century, centers on the two magicians who complicate matters when they fall in love and also the widely varied cast of characters involved with the circus.  It really is mesmerizing and brings into question the power of story, love, illusion, reality and dreams.  What is real?  It's a book that will stick in your head for days, and weeks and months.  The book itself is like magic, with one fantastic scene following another.  Read it and let me know what you think!

The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service/Beth Kendrick/321 pgs

Lara Madigan can help you find your soulmate--your canine soul mate.  But unfortunately she doesn't seem to have the same ability for herself - her fiance just told her he is not a dog person.  So she finds herself homeless with her dogs and moves in with her mother.  Her mother is the total opposite of her - wealthy and lives in a home straight out of a design magazine.  Soon though Lara is getting demands for her services.  But will she find her own soul mate of the two legged variety??  Good romance.

Monster Calls / Patrick Ness 205 p.

Patrick Ness writes this tale about a young boy and a monster from the final story of idea Siobhan Dowd. A monster takes the form of a giant yew tree and comes walking at 12:07 a.m. to tell three ambiguous tales to Connor and gives the command that Connor is tell the fourth tale and that is one that that “will tell me your truth”. Thirteen Connor’s beloved mom is running out of treatment options for her breast cancer. Connor is being bullied at school. He has alienated his friend. His father lives in the U.S. with a new wife and baby. What he most dearly wants is his mother to survive. Ness captures Connor’s emotional rollercoaster ride as he learns to accept his mother’s death. A memorable story.

2012 Notable Children's Books

Double Man / William S. Cohen and Gary Hart 190 p.

Two U.S. Senators, William S. Cohen and Gary Hart, draw upon their insider’s knowledge of Washington, DC to tell a gripping thriller of Senator Thomas Chandler’s search for the person responsible for the assignation of the Secretary of State's family. U.S. has a highly placed mole Russia is intent on protecting. A high ranking KGB officer in charge of counterintelligence has the power to instigate his own secret agenda of terrorism. Chandler undercovers possible links to the Mafia, JFK's assignation, CIA wrongdoings and more. As Chandler makes connections, he becomes a target.