Read Your Way Homewood

If you're looking for a fantasy read that also takes history and science into account, I recommend this title by Deborah Harkness. Part of Harkness' All Souls Trilogy , the book includes witches, vampires, and daemons, all of which are also known as creatures. A Discovery of Witches introduces us to Diana Bishop, the last witch from one of the oldest and most powerful magical families. After her parents' untimely and gruesome death, Diana has rejected her heritage in favor of scholarship. While doing research at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, Diana comes across a magical and long-lost tome that attracts all manner of creatures. The book is said to contain the origins of all creatures. One Matthew Clairmont, vampire and renowned scientist, is particularly attracted to the book and Diana's ability to open it. I really enjoyed this title because it has great world-building, but it's also really grounded in science and history. There's mention of major hist...

I really shouldn’t do this to you.  And by “this” I mean review the second book in a series without reviewing the first.  I read the first book, Seraphina , when it came out a few years ago.  It became incredibly clear to me when I started reading the sequel, Shadow Scale , that I didn’t remember much of what I had read the first time.  But, I dove in anyway.  It has been an epic ride. Shadow Scale picks up almost exactly where Seraphina left off, as half dragon Seraphina struggles with a country on the brink of war.  There is a love interest, although that bit is rather minor, family issues, a young queen who is also a friend, and dragons.  Lots of dragons.  The crux of the story centers around Seraphina searching for the other ityassari (half dragons) like herself.  There is a theory that they can link their minds together in order to create a sort of net to ward of the attacks on humans by full dragons.  The world is expanded...

In the heart of New York City, a group of artistic friends struggles with society's standards of beauty. At the center are Barb and Lily, two women at opposite ends of the beauty spectrum, but with the same problem: each fears she will never find a love that can overcome her looks. Barb, a stunningly beautiful costume designer, makes herself ugly in hopes of finding true love. Meanwhile, her friend Lily, a brilliantly talented but plain-looking musician, goes to fantastic lengths to attract the man who has rejected her--with results that are as touching as they are transformative. To complicate matters, Barb and Lily discover they may have a murderer in their midst, that Barb's calm disposition is more dangerously provocative than her beauty ever was, and that Lily's musical talents are more powerful than anyone could have imagined. Part literary whodunit, part surrealist farce,  The Unfortunate Importance of Beauty  serves as a smart, moder...

Title: One Day Author: David Nicholls Summary: Over twenty years, snapshots of an unlikely relationship are revealed on the same day --July 15th--of each year. Dex Mayhew and Em Morley face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself. Also a major motion picture from Focus Features/ Random House Films. Review: Slower pace, but true to life. An emotional, moving read. Add it to your list.

Title: Assassination Vacation Author: Sarah Vowell Summary:   Sarah Vowell exposes the glorious conundrums of American history and culture with wit, probity, and an irreverent sense of humor. With Assassination Vacation,   she takes us on a road trip like no other -- a journey to the pit stops of American political murder and through the myriad ways they have been used for fun and profit, for political and cultural advantage. Review: If you enjoy Sarah Vowell's contribution to This American Life , be sure to check out her books!  I think this was my favorite so far.

When You Reach Me by   Rebecca Stead " I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own.  I must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter." In the 1980s, as her mother prepares to be a contestant on a television game show, Miranda tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes received from an anonymous source that seems to defy the laws of time and space.  This was a really nice, subtle sort of book. Miranda's strained relationship with her best friend, the lovely relationship with her mom and the mom's boyfriend, and the burgeoning relationships at school are all very nice support for what can only be described as magical realism.  The mystery of the letters and where they come from was spooky, but not scary, which gave it a really nice tone. If you have read A Wrinkle in Time, you will really enjoy the references, but if you haven't it won't take away from the story.  Aimed at middle graders, this story was noneth...

Title: A Small Indiscretion Author: Jan Ellison Pages: 338 Summary:  At nineteen, Annie Black abandons California for a London winter of drinking to oblivion and looking for love in the wrong places. Twenty years later, she is a happily married mother of three living in San Francisco. Then one morning, a photograph arrives in her mailbox, and an old obsession is awakened.   After a return trip to London, Annie’s marriage falters, her store floods, and her son, Robbie, takes a night-time ride that nearly costs him his life. Now Annie must fight to save her family by untangling the mysteries of that reckless winter in Europe that drew an invisible map of her future.   With the brilliant pacing and emotional precision that won Jan Ellison an O. Henry Prize for her first published story,  A Small Indiscretion  announces a major new voice in suspense fiction as it unfolds a story of denial, obsession, love, forgiveness—and one woman’s rec...

Title: Charms and Chocolate Chips Author: Bailey Cates Pages: 336 Katie Lightfoot is back again! She's finally made a decision in her romantic life and her bakery is a success. She's gotten involved volunteering with Georgia Wild, a group based in Savannah that tries to save local habitats from being destroyed by big business. On her way to fulfill her volunteer schedule, she sees a car flying out of the parking lot. When she enters the establishment, the energy in the building is off but she's not sure why until her co-worker Wren comes out to announce that Autumn, their boss, is deceased. Now Katie is charged with the task of solving Autumn's murder before she or Wren is next on the killer's list.

Title: Bewitched, Bothered and Biscotti (Book 2) Author: Bailey Cates Series Name: A Magical Bakery Mystery Summary: Our favorite new hedge witch has returned. Katie Lightfoot is on a "non-romantic" picnic with Declan when she stumbles over a body.  After being encouraged by her coven, she begins to investigate this new homicide and uncovers a druid society in Savannah. With the aid of her coven, her intuition, and her familiar Katie Lightfoot is more than able to handle the danger of solving this murder mystery but not for the surprises she uncovers by being a witch. This is a fun series with recipes and a love triangle. I recommend it!!!

Unputdownable.  That’s a word, right? I was a little disappointed when I checked this book out.  I had heard good things about another book by this author, but it wasn’t available so I settled for this.  I had a long day of waiting rooms ahead of me and needed reading material.  I am no longer disappointed. Chris Pavone spins a tale not unlike a Dan Brown novel.  This novel revolves around book publishing, the C.I.A. (sort of), and the ability to ruin numerous lives and multinational corporations with the stroke of a pen.  Yes, sometimes the pen is mightier than the sword.  The events in this novel take place over the course of a mere 24 hours, aided by numerous flashbacks to various unsavory moments in the past. Multiple characters are followed, brought in, killed, chased, and teased.  Keeping characters, and their relationship to one another, straight is perhaps the most challenging portion of this book.  Aside from tha...