First in a series. Cat and mouse between a Tokyo detective and a school teacher who has confessed to murdering the famous author who blackmailed him into ghost writing his newest books. The detective feels there’s something wrong with the confession and so dives into the childhoods of each man..

A stand-alone title from Strout’s that takes readers into the past when a newly qualified minister and his young wife move to a small village in Maine. Disaster strikes the minister’s young family, leaving them in turmoil. Rumors spread through the village and the minister’s future seems uncertain. This is an engaging story about community, faith, friendship, love, families, and life.

4.5 stars. Jack and Annie travel to the prairie and visit a dugout schoolhouse, write with chalk on slate and befriend pioneers. They encounter a twister and have to hide in a storm cellar. This is one of their more exciting and endearing adventures.

I read this book because it was an Indie Next pick for May and I wanted to mix it up with a memoir/nonfiction read. I was unfamiliar with the author’s podcast but I loved the idea of a bookseller’s book. I felt like Annie was relatable. I appreciated her perspective on church. Overall, I thought she had a clear voice that will resonate with some but maybe not work for others. I listened to the audiobook on Libby.

I picked up this tiny book of poetry because I have immense fondness for Sharon Creech’s novel Walk Two Moons. I blazed through this in one sitting- reading a physical copy while listening to the audiobook aptly narrated by Scott Wolf. The youthful voice of an elementary boy shines through the simple poetic prose. It took me a bit to get into the narrative but a linear story unfolds that is both sweet and tugs at the heartstrings. Moments reminded me of Beverly Cleary’s Dear Mr. Henshaw. I recommend this quick read.

An intriguing, surprisingly engaging biography of a little-known president. This book shows Calvin Coolidge in all of his understated, but by no means insignificant, glory. Reading this book is the only time I’ve ever laughed out loud while reading a biography—a ringing endorsement indeed!

Really good book with 3 refugees.

This a great book for fantasy lovers and the movies though they do not match completly is still really good. I like this book because of the amount of hype making you not want to stop reading it. I really reccomend this book.

This illustrated chapter book was such a delight! In this meta collab between two powerhouses, fifth graders J and K go from rivals butting heads to friends who work together to win the annual writing contest. This book is insanely clever, fun for readers of all ages, and memorable. Some moments have just the right amount of cringe- other moments are surprisingly tender and kind. I loved the dialogue, the vocab infusion, the art, and the humility of it all. This is just the book I wanted to read with my elementary daughter!

“It’s a super good book because ai love Diary of a whimpy kid. It’s so funny.”