Novels Now

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Salem Brownstone: All Along the Watchtowers by John Harris Dunning. Art by Nikhil Singh
Pages: 96 pages
Ages: 15+
First Published: July 13, 2010 US ( Oct. 2009 UK)
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
There are those who love the rum and unusual, the uncanny, the macabre.
Acquired: Received a review copy from the publisher.
Reason for Reading: I was immediately taken [...]

I’m supposed to feel so blessed to be seventy-five years old. Hell, I tell people that myself, but that’s mostly to make myself feel better. [pg 1]

29: A Novel by Adena Halpern
Touchstone, 2010
Fiction; 269 pgs
Sometimes I come across an unexpected gem of a book. In this case, it’s a book I never would [...]

Countdown by Deborah Wiles
The Sixties Trilogy, Book One
Pages: 388 pages
Ages: 11+
First Published: May 1, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
I am eleven years old, and I am invisible.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Scholastic Canada.
Reason for Reading: I enjoy historical fiction but the amount of photographs and media images in the book was [...]

Manifest by Artist Arthur
Mystyx series, book 1
Pages: 248
Ages: 13+
First Published: Aug 1, 2010
Publisher: Kimani Tru
Rating: 3.5/5
First sentence:
“I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you,” I repeat, talking to myself.
Acquired: Received a review copy from the book’s publicist.
Reason for Reading: The sounds of a Paranormal YA Ghost Whisperer with an added twist plot was [...]

There are some stories no one wants to hear. Some stories, one told, won’t let you go so easily. I’m not talking about the tedious, the pointless, the disgusting: the bugs in your bag of flour; your hour on the phone with the insurance people; the unexplained blood in your urine. I’m [...]

Celtic Treasure: Unearthing the Riches of Celtic Spirituality by Liz Babbs
Pages: 80 pages
First Published: Sept 1, 2009
Publisher: Lion Hudson
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
I keep a box of ‘treasures’ in my attic.
Reason for Reading: I am Catholic and am interested in the early Church, especially the Saints.
Well, honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from this book. [...]

Dark Life by Kat Falls

Pages: 297
Ages: 11+
First Published: May 1, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:

I peered into the deep-sea canyon,hoping to spot a toppled skyscraper. Maybe even the Statue of Liberty.
Acquired: Received a review copy from Scholastic Canada.
Reason for Reading: I’ve read a couple of other books about permanent settlements on the [...]

My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira
Pages: 364 pages
First Published: May 13, 2010
Publisher: Viking
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
“Are you Mary Sutter?” Hours had passed since James Blevens had called for the midwife.
Reason for Reading: I’m very interested in this time period especially involving stories of women. The doctor angle grabbed me right [...]

She tried to summon her best composure but her expression changed like a cloud movement: flashes of red emerged in sudden streaks across her face, and tears began coursing along her cheeks. her countenance betrayed such anxiety that Connery eyed her closely. His instinct told him to remain still–emotional moments like these were [...]

Nick of Time by Ted Bell. Illustrations by Russ Kramer
Nick McIver, book 1
Pages: 434 pages
Ages: 11+
First Published: Sept. 1, 2009
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
“Hard a’lee, me boys!” shouted Nick McIver over the wind, “or be smashed to smithereens in the jaws of Gravestone Rock!”
Reason for Reading: I have [...]

Gone by Mo Hayder
Jack Caffery, book #5
Pages: 415 pages
First Published: Feb 4, 2010 (UK)
Publisher: Bantam Press
Rating: 3/5
First sentence:
Detective Inspector Jack Caffery of Bristol’s Major Crime Investigation Unit spent ten minutes in the centre of Frome looking at the crime scene.
Reason for Reading: Mo Hayder … new book … nothing [...]

Saving Max by Antoinette van Heugten
Pages: 375 pages
First Published: Sept. 28, 2010
Publisher: Mira Books
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
She walks down a deserted hallway of the psychiatric hospital, her heels tapping a short staccato on the disinfected floor.
Reason for Reading: One of the book’s main characters is described as having Asperger’s and [...]

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Pages: 197 pages
Ages: 10+
First Published: Jul. 14, 2009
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Rating: 3/5
First sentence:
So Mom got the postcard today.
Reason for Reading: I’m working my way through reviewing all the Newbery winners.
Miranda has been best friends with Sal since they were in diapers, but one day [...]

Broken by Karin Slaughter
Grant County, Book 7
Pages: 402 pages
First Published: Jun. 22, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Rating: 3/5
First sentence:
Allison Spooner wanted to leave town for the holiday, but there was nowhere to go.
Reason for Reading: I read the author’s newest book every year.
After an anonymous tip, police find an apparent suicide weighted [...]

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
Pages: 288 pages
First Published: Jul. 29, 2008
Publisher: Dial Press
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
Dear Sidney, Susan Scott is a wonder.
Reason for Reading: I’ve wanted to read this since the minute it came out! The title is the first thing [...]

Never Let You Go by Erin Healy

Pages: 344 pages
First Published: May 4, 2010
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
For seven years, Lexi Solomon had been as cold as the wind that raced down the mountain above her home.
Reason for Reading: I enjoy Healy’s work with Ted Dekker and was excited to [...]