Karen

This was a good mix of the real and fantastical. I liked the way Val finds the strength in herself to help her new friends, both human and other. I also liked how Black interspersed faery folk among the buildings and parks of Manhattan and New Jersey. I look forward to reading the first book in the series, Tithe.

While this rather strange and quirky book made me chuckle at times, I felt that it could have used some trimming here and there. In particular, some types of jokes, while funny, were overused from time to time. Still, I liked the story of the put-upon Porrig learning about other worlds and creatures and finding the courage to save this world.

This was a good mystery featuring detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles. I liked how they teamed together to solve the murders as well as learning more about their personal lives.

I still think about this book from time to time, as that's how good it was. Ingrid Hill skillfully weaves together the stories of Ursula's very disparate ancestors who faced difficulties and challenges with courage, humor and sometimes sheer luck.

I wasn't sure what to think about this book when I finished. While it was beautifully written, the plot was sometimes hard to understand. Yet, weeks later as I think about it, I appreciate more the intricate story of the twins Rahel and Estha, and what happened when their cousin Sophie Mol visited one summer.

Instead of the typical alternate history of a different victor in a war, or a prevention of an assassination, these stories highlighted gradual and subtle changes in history. I especially liked the stories “Shikari in Galveston” featuring an alternate America still within the British Empire and “German Freddy Rides Again” featuring Nietzche at the OK Corral. Finally, I liked the afterwords to each story which explained how history really happened.

This book was a good police procedural with an emphasis on the wide spectrum of autism behaviors. I liked how the point of view switched from former patient Jeffery Clifford who has developed ways of coping with the world to detective Emily Folkestone who learns about how autistic people behave.

Great collection of short stories! I especially liked “All the Sounds of Fear” (provocative look at method acting), “The Sky is Burning,” (dying aliens in the sky) and “Rain, Rain, Go Away” (what happens when the “other day” arrives).

This was a powerfully moving book about the ambiguousness of family relationships. At times, I wished to hear Kevin's point of view, but Eva's honest and searing account held my interest throughout.

Seen through the eyes of Alfred Wegener, this book about his life mixed both poetry and science. I liked learning about Wegener's expeditions in Greenland and about his trying to convince the scientific community about continental drift.

This book is a very informative look at a single year in American history. I liked learning about the British and Loyalist point of view as well as the problems Washington had in keeping the army together. The portraits, letters and the maps also add to the experience.

This was a funny and poignant book about visiting the past. I liked how Sam taught his younger self about bravery and doing the right thing. I also liked meeting characters when they were younger such as Dibbler and Vetinari.

This was a good suspenseful mystery as Lindsay and her friends try to figure out who the murderer is before the next victim dies. I liked the characters and the plot and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, 4th of July.

Although some of the scenes and dialogue in “The Attraction” were clichéd, I liked the overall story of teenagers lost in the desert confronting an ancient monster. I also liked the second story, “Necromancer,” especially how the narrator discovers the truth about his twin's death.

I liked these stories of fantasy and discovery. I especially liked the stories of Lily and her search for her voice and Erana who learns where her true home is.

This was a quiet, contemplative mystery regarding a missing parrot who may know some secret information. While the mystery itself was not that engaging, I did enjoy reading about Sherlock Holmes in his retirement years and how taking care of bees became a solace to him after years of detection.

While this book was sometimes difficult to read, it was a fascinating look at identity and society - what makes you “you” - if one's in a different body, is one a different person? Robin/Reeve and friends discover the truth about the “Glasshouse” in very interesting ways.

It's days later, and I'm still thinking about this book. Choices people make, even with the best intentions, don't always work in the long run. This book is a compelling look at how an epidemic during wartime affects a small town in early 20th century America in ways both large and small.

I enjoyed this bittersweet book about memory, family, friends, life and death and how just knowing people - even from a distance - makes a difference. I also liked the alternating chapters between the events in the City and Laura Byrd's struggles in Antarctica.

I enjoyed this anthology of fantasy and science fiction stories. I especially liked “Nightmare Mountain” (myths of Eros and Psyche combined with an eccentric Californian), “Merry Christmas from Navarro Lodge, 1928” (changing the future from the past), and “Pueblo, Colorado Has the Answers” (alien manifestations and a time bubble).

This book had a good attention to detail as I learned a lot about Baltimore and Paris in the late 1840s-1850s. I did find that the plot sometimes dragged a bit as Quentin's personal fate overshadowed the mystery of Poe's death, but it was nicely wrapped up at the end. I also liked Pearl's notes at the end as he explains how he used actual newspaper quotes and letters throughout the narrative.

I enjoyed this thriller set off the coast of Maine. It had pirate lore, secret codes, booby traps - and a sense of impending doom as both the weather and the dangers of the pit's contents become more dangerous by the day.

This was a good mix of paranormal mystery and romance. At times I worried that Riley's urges would hinder her, but she was able to use them to her advantage or resist them when she needed to. I also liked many of the characters, specifically Riley, Quinn, Rhoan, Jack and Liander. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Kissing Sin.

A beautifully written book that's both moving and bittersweet. Hosseini shows the reader how the Soviet occupation, the tribal conflicts and the Taliban rule of Afghanistan affected the people on a daily level through the lives of Mariam and Laila.

This was a good mix of historical fiction and fantasy set in the late 19th century. I liked the characters Sophie, Toby and Ky-Lin. The only downside was that I sometimes got annoyed at Sophie when she seemed to forget about the magic she learned and would think that she was dreaming. Now, to find the first three books of the Pigs Don't Fly series: The Unlikely Ones, Pigs Don't Fly and Master of Many Treasures.