The Sittaford Mystery

by Agatha Christie

Libby audiobook 2 hours

Read by: full cast (dramatized)

Published: 1931 (as "The Murder at Hazelmoor"), this version 2010

Genre: murder mystery

I usually really like Agatha Christie AND full cast adaptations. This one didn't work for me, though. Not sure if it was because of the role of the seance or that I thought the killer's motive was too much of a stretch, or I wasn't in the mood for this story. Perhaps I wasn't listening very carefully because I turned to Wikipedia to figure out the story line. 

As usual in a Christie mystery, there were LOTS of characters and things going on. The seance, the family that rented a house in an out-of-the-way part of the country, a huge snowstorm, a sudden death, an escaped convict . . . and the young fiancee of the accused killer is the one who solves the mystery. Oh. And the reporter working with her to uncover the truth (for a scoop, of course) declares his love for her and expects her to run off with him.

Not the best Christie story I've ever encountered.

 

City Spies

by James Ponti

Maud Hart Lovelace 2022-23 award nominee

Libby eBook (pages depends on device and size of font!)

Published: 2020

Genre: YA spy fiction

 

This was a delightful read. Sara Martinez is in family court because her plan to expose her foster parents' fraud has backfired on her. She is rescued by "Mother," the man who leads the special spy group of kids as part of MI6. Each kid is renamed based on their city of origin, so Sara becomes Brooklyn. She joins Paris, Rio, Sydney, and Kat (Kathmandu).  

 

Not sure which chapter, but I highlighted this:

"'You're amazing, Kat,' Paris said. 'Absolutely amazing.'

'Maths is amazing, ' Kat said. 'I just know how to use it.'"

The book is lively, action-oriented, and like most kid spy stories, completely unrealistic! But it is a delightful story of talented youngsters working together and appreciating one another's strengths. Also, the back story of Mother trying to find his children after being double-crossed by his wife . . . that is a very interesting story that will certainly need to be revisited in future books. I love that she is the one who came to the rescue at a critical juncture. 

In chapter 34, I highlighted an inconsequential line because it made me smile. "He loved to bake, and his specialty was a type of fruit pastry called a kolach, which he made from a recipe passed down from his grandmother."

Kolache! I remember my first few experiences with them. And the delicious ones Gretchen Anderson made for me from her grandmother's recipe! And I had never heard of them before I started working in New Prague.

Not sure when I'll get around to reading the other books in the series, but this was fun.

Hummingbird

by Natalie Lloyd

Libby audiobook 8 hours

Read by: the author

Published: 2022

Genre: YA - realistic and fantasy . . . 

The realistic part - brittle bone disease, adolescence, middle school relationships, family, . . . 

The fantasy - magic is woven throughout the book

There were times the author's voice was irritating and times it was perfect for the characters.

There were places that Olive was incredibly mature and places where she was a very typical tween. 

This was an engaging story and the ending actually surprised me a bit. The characters were mostly delightful (I think Olive's dad Jupiter and her new friend Grace were my favorites).

Emily Dickinson, homeschooler goes to Macklemore Middle School, a banjo playing old lady, a fantastical library, a magic hummingbird that appears very sporadically (like every 30-60 years) and grants wishes, Hatch Malone turning out to be a very different person than Olive anticipated, . . . 

But I just can't see a librarian being okay with dozens of "support animals" like opossums, llama, birds, etc. being loose in a library! Birds can't really control their sphincter area . . . yuk.

(Two weeks after initial post, I found a scrap of paper with notes. Also, I had used the word "immature" instead of "mature." I really should proofread these before posting!)

Miss Pigeon is *awful*! (So were a few other adults at the school.)

"Fact: I like theatre people." - Olive

Me, too, Olive. Me too.

Mr. Watson :-) Wonderful character. Too bad he was almost exclusively in Olive's first day of school scene and then . . . background.

"joy kabooms" - I love this way of describing the feeling from a wonderful experience.

The "Maddies" - Maddy 1, Maddy 2, and Maddy 3 (who would prefer to be called Madeline).

Birds in the library? No!

The Missing Piece of Charlie O'Reilly

Maud Hart Lovelace award nominee 2022-23

by Rebecca K.S. Ansari

Libby eBook

Published: 2019

Genre: YA fantasy, mystery

I confess that I did not enjoy this book. In fact, I had to force myself to read it.

 

Charlie has been insisting that his little brother Liam is missing for a year. Everyone else has forgotten that Liam ever existed. Charlie's friend Ana doesn't remember Liam, but she tries to help Charlie figure out what happened.

 

Strange dreams of a woman named Brona and a house fire in Ireland. Charlie's mom struggling with depression. Baseball assistant coach Jonathan. The mysterious wreck of the old orphanage that burned down.

 

This book was hard for me to get through. Ironically, I had marked some passages but returned the book before making note of them. I think the author tried too hard to make this profound. It didn't work for me, but I'm sure there are readers who will love it. Especially if they've ever thought they wished they'd never been born or think the world would be better without them in it.

 

Add in charmed necklaces that cannot be removed, creepy salt mines with undead 18-year-olds, and a theme of regrets tying you to your own past . . . and you have this book.

 

I think what I liked was the idea that this "utopia" that Brona tried to create meant that injuries faded away, food had no taste, etc. In trying to protect the children from unpleasantness, she made a meaningless "home."

 

Ansari is a first-time author with this book.

 

Wretched Waterpark

The Sinister Summer Series (#1)

By: Kiersten White

Libby audiobook 4.5 hours

Read by: Keylor Leigh

Published: 2022

Genre: YA mystery

 

From Goodreads:

 "From New York Times bestselling author Kiersten White comes her middle grade series debut! Part Scooby Doo, part A Series of Unfortunate Events, and entirely genius! Meet the Sinister-Winterbottom twins, who solve mysteries at increasingly bizarre summer vacation destinations in the hopes of being reunited with their parents—or at the very least finally finding a good churro.

Twelve-year-old twins Theodora and Alexander and their older sister Wilhelmina Sinister-Winterbottom don’t know how they ended up with their Aunt Saffronia for an entire summer. She’s not exactly well equipped to handle children. The twins are determined to make it a good vacation, though, so when Aunt Saffronia suggests a waterpark, they hastily agree.

But Fathoms of Fun is not your typical waterpark. Instead of cabanas, guests rent mausoleums. The waterslides are gray tongues extending from horrible gargoyle faces. The few people they encounter are very, very odd. And the owner disappeared under bizarre circumstances, lost to the Cold, Unknowable Sea—the wave pool.

When Wil goes missing, rule following, cautious Alexander and competitive, brave Theo will have to work together to solve the mystery of Fathoms of Fun. But are they out of their depth?"

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this odd book! It was very engaging, weird and funny. I will definitely read the next one!

 

I am super curious about Aunt Saffronia . . . what is her deal? 

 

 

96 Miles

2022-23 Maud Hart Lovelace nominee

by J.L. Esplin

Libby 245 pages (tablet) 457 pages (phone)

Published: 2020

Genre: realistic suspense, survival

 

Wow! This book was so good! Set in the near future, the protagonist's father has gone out of town for work. When the power goes out (everywhere), John and his brother Stew are well prepared. Their father is a strong believer in preparedness and self-reliance. But when thieves come and steal their water, food, generator, and everything else of value, the two boys must find a way to survive.  

I'm too distracted to blog well, but this is Esplin's first novel. I look forward to reading more of her work! The epilog, author's note, and acknowledgements just made this book all the more rewarding. I love the themes of siblings, survival, what would you do? and more. 

I confess that I would love to know more about HOW the power went out. Was it world-wide? What's the bigger geopolitical story? But for your average middle schooler, there's enough here to keep one turning pages!

Laika

by Nick Abadzis

Scott County Library paperback 200 pages

Published: 2007

Genre: graphic novel 

Based on the true story of Laika, the Russian dog who was the first living being in orbit around Earth, this book is fictionalized and made more touching by giving her a back story.

I think I've read this book in the past, but I didn't find a blog entry. Reading it made me sad, not just because Laika was sent into space without hope of return, but for the Cold War posturing, the "training" the dogs went through, and the poignancy of the humans getting emotionally attached to animals who were being used this way.

I don't care for Abadzis' art style, but I do appreciate his storytelling ability. I got this after listening to the audiobook I had checked out to share with Joshua. He's not ready for this graphic novel, though!

When God Winks: How the Power of Coincidence Guides Your Life

by SQuire Rushnell

Scott County Library hardcover 164 pages

Published: 2001

Genre: Christian . . . theology?

 

When I read my first "God Winks" book three years ago, I remember thinking that it was pretty cheesy, but also very impactful to hear stories of God working in people's lives in unexpected ways. I've since seen a few clips on YouTube of Rushnell sharing "GodWink" stories. I wasn't super impressed, but curious.

 

Then I got this book and finally read it. It's just too gimmicky to me. It's as though he's trying to help people try to get as much out of God as possible by looking for his activity in their lives. It just felt wrong to me. The "power of  coincidence" is his shtick and glorifying God (or actually seeking out God's will for one's life) seem to fall by the wayside. 

 

I had considered buying the first book because the stories truly were impacting. Now I think I'm done with SQuire Rushnell . . . though I am a bit curious about why he capitalizes the Q in his name. 

Betsy-Tacy

by Maud Hart Lovelace

Libby audiobook 2 hours

Read by Sutton Foster

Published: 1940 (this version 2007)

Genre: children's realistic fiction

I realized while listening to this that I typically use "YA (Young Adult)" for things that are actually intended for younger children. This is most definitely a children's book! I have read it before, but not for a long time.

Betsy is five years old and over the moon excited when a new family moves into the neighborhood with a little girl her age. After an initial misunderstanding, Betsy and Tacy become best of friends. They use their imaginations and play games. At the end of the story, they meet Tib.

My favorite part is when Tacy leaves the playground on the first day of school and Betsy follows her. They end up on the shopkeeper's doorstep, crying. They are afraid of getting in trouble and not being allowed back in school. 

The scene where Betsy comforts Tacy after her baby sister dies is sensitive.

The Rent Collector

by Camron Wright

*Young Readers Edition*

Libby audiobook 7 hours

Read by: Emily Woo Zeller

Published: 2012 (this version 2022)

Genre: realistic fiction (Based on a true story!)

 

Oh my! Too bad this was an audiobook, because there were many, many, many places that I would have put down post-it notes if it were print! This book is amazing and definitely worth a re-read.

 

Sang Ly, her husband, and their ill toddler live in the garbage dump called Stung Meachey in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Right away, it reminded me of the YA book Trash by Andy Mulligan.  Sometimes I need to get out of my comfort zone. People around the globe live in garbage dumps because they need to!

This entry will be short, because I didn't jot notes while I drove. The themes of literacy, hope, kindness, community . . . there's so much here! 

One note I jotted is that "Hope died at the dump." It struck me that hope is more crucial for life than food or shelter. Hope makes all the difference!

Oh! The Khmer Rouge and the cultural revolution . . . there are too many parts of human history that I need to learn more about. This book is amazing.

<The above was written on 10.5.22. I just finished reading the print book on 2.22.23 . . . and when I checked my blog, I realized I had already read the print book in 2015! And blogged about it then.>

Furthermore, I was going to highly recommend this book to Ann for her book club. Funny! When I read it in 2015, it was a book had obtained from the library FOR Ann for her book club. I really, really, really like this book. I thought about putting it on my wish list so I could own a copy, but I'm working hard at decreasing my possessions, so that doesn't really make sense.

I put sixteen different post-it notes in the book this time around. Based on what I just read in that 2015 blog entry, I may work on being a bit more concise. 

Page 3 - "'Remember, Sang Ly. When you find your purpose - and you will find your purpose - never let go. Peace is a product of both patience and persistence.'"

Grandfather is a huge part of Sang Ly's life and thought processes. I liked this line.

Page 47 - "In Cambodia, when parents get old, they move in with their children, who offer shelter, food, and happy grandchildren. It's the perfect retirement plan - as long as your children don't live at the city's municipal dump."

As I think about retirement and options, I sincerely hope to not be a burden to our children. It's interesting that in other cultures, it's an expectation that younger generations will care for their elders. I don't know what the future will bring, but I hope that my children don't have to take care of me.

Page 53 - The scene where Sang Ly is looking for letters on wrappers and such at the dump, then sounds out her first word ("samnang" = "luck") makes me smile. Her triumphant joy at realizing she has read her first word all by herself is exhilarating.

Page 67 - This is where Sang Ly hears her cousin Narin's recitation of the night time poem her mother used to say to her. Beautiful. And I love when Narin asks her to write down a copy that she can keep, even though she cannot read. So sweet!

Page 78 - "As the boy's words sink in, I comprehend the trembling, the fear, the child's tears. This stunningly innocent and beautiful girl of no more than twelve is going to be taken by her brother to the city's red-light district and be sold to a brothel as a child prostitute."

The fact that this is fiction, but also painfully true bothers me. I live in a world where young girls are sold and bought for sex. For some men, the younger the better. That disgusts me. And it makes me so sad for the girls whose lives are permanently affected by the greed and lust of others. I'm so glad that in this story, Maly is rescued by Lucky Fat, Sang Ly, her mother Lena, Sopeap Sin, and others.

Page 93 - "'Education is almost always good, especially when it brings us to an understanding of our place in the world."

Sopeap Sin is a very good teacher, even if there were some rough spots in their relationship.

Page 107 - "Words provide a voice to our deepest feelings. I tell you, words have started and stopped wars. Words have built and lost fortunes. Words have saved and taken lives. Words have won and lost great kingdoms."

Yes! Words are powerful. There are some great Scriptures about that, too.

Page 125 - As in my 2015 blog entry, I noted the variety of Cinderella story versions throughout the world. I love this! It fascinates me to see the similarities and differences in these stories. The story of Sarann is told in chapter 15 (pages 110-124 for the actual story). Sang Ly and Sopeap Sin talk about hope and the meaning of the story. "I believe the message of the story that we have just read anchors deeper than our doubts." Sopeap responds when Sang Ly asks if she still has hope. Their conversation after this gets even deeper. On page 127, Sopeap says, "We all want to be Sarann, to have hope for our future. While I also want to have my story end happily, there's a problem that keeps getting in my way - I wake up most days to find I'm just another ugly stepsister."

Page 130 - The leech. This whole scene. I'm 100% with Sang Ly on the reaction to a leech that she cannot pull off her ankle. I, too, would have freaked out and screamed bloody murder. She makes the observation, "In this life we all have our own phobias and fears." Yep. Spiders don't really bother me. But leeches? Cringe!

Page 161 - "'Besides,' she adds, 'I can't die yet. I'm just starting to like you.'" 

Even though it's sad, it made me laugh. The transformation of Sopeap Sin and her occasional humor are delightful aspects of this story!

 

Page 174 - "Because I distance myself from heaven and then complain that heaven is distant."

 

Most people who are contradictory do not seem to recognize this, but Sopeap Sin is perfectly aware of what is holding her back. Sang Ly has asked her about what will happen when she dies and if she believes the ancestors are waiting for her.

 

Chapter 25 includes "The Epilogue" by Sopeap Sin. This tells her story during the revolution and how she became Sopeap Sin. It is beautiful and painful and powerful.

 

Page 220 - "Only later would I realize that there are no words harsh enough, no paragraphs wide enough, no books deep enough to convey the weight of true human sorrow."

 

I know I quoted this in my 2015 entry, but those words carry so much impact. For those of us who love words, to acknowledge that something is beyond expression is saying a lot. She mentions the horrors of the Holocaust and genocide during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, but her experiences during the Khmer Rouge brought home the horrors of suffering personally.

 

Page 260 - "As I near the base of the steps, adjacent to the front door, I find Ki asleep in a chair, still waiting. Of all the stories I have read about heroes, and all that I could ever read, of one thing I'm now certain - he is mine."

 

I love that she sees him as her hero! I love that she worked through her thoughts about Moby Dick, good and evil, right and wrong, throughout the story.

 

I enjoyed this story so much (again!) that I'm requesting other Camron Wright books from the library. Amazing author!