On the fringes of the Verian Empire, two small boys stumble upon a strange altar, buried in the heart of a mountain. There they awaken a horror unseen for generations, that will descend upon the realm of men while it is at its weakest. For Veria is a nation at war with itself, only recently recovered from a bloody rebellion, and the time of heroes has passed. The empire is in a state of chaos, and while its ruler, the Empron Illis, rids the land of his remaining enemies, unseen forces are gathering at the borders. However all eyes are turned inwards. The Empron is not a well man, and there are whispers among the common folk that his advisors are spies; demons that only wear the flesh of men.
Yet there is hope…
In the distant mountains, a forester who has buried his past learns that he has not been forgotten, and that his crimes have sought him out at last. But he is no simple woodsman. He is Beccorban the Helhammer, Scourge, Burner and the Death of Nations, and his fury is a terrible thing.
For when all the heroes are gone, Veria will turn to those it has forgotten, before all is lost.
My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Won this book from GoodReads. The story plot was very good and the writing.I really enjoyed the prologue of this book. Really caught my attention and interest. Tom really made me feel all the pain that Kiren endured with his injuries. I just couldn’t get over when the lady came and used a knife to cut his finger to remove his ring, not knowing that he was still alive. The constant cutting with a dull knife had my hair standing. He was very strong to lay there as if he was dead while someone did such a terrible act while not trying to move an inch. Being caught alive would just make him get killed. When Tom describes the fighting as seen, I feel like I am there being tortoured and trying to survive. This book had a nice array of characters each had their own secrets. Thanks for the chance to read your book.
Celebrate Thanksgiving with Arthur! When Arthur is picked to direct his school’s Thanksgiving play, all his friends beg him for the lead role. But not everyone can be the star, and someone has to be the turkey! Can Arthur find the perfect lead, the perfect turkey, and save the day?
My Review: Rated 5 out 5 stars
It’s such a perfect book to read to the kids during Thanksgiving. The illustrations are just perfect. Loved the turnout at the end of the book.
Author Biography
Marc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children’s books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.
He lives on Martha’s Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur’s Tooth.
The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel meet for the very first time—but this adventure takes them to a place far beyond the world they know to places they never thought existed.
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Won this book from GoodReads. I was entertained with Batman and Superman beating each other up. It was great having two Batman and Superman telling each other what to do. It was a fun book to read. The pictures were perfect for each scene. I loved that Cat Women and Wonder Women became part of the story.
Author Biography
Greg Pak is an award-winning Korean American comic book writer and filmmaker currently writing “Lawful” for BOOM and “Sam Wilson: Captain America” (with Evan Narcisse) for Marvel. Pak wrote the “Princess Who Saved Herself” children’s book and the “Code Monkey Save World” graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente) the acclaimed “Make Comics Like the Pros” how-to book. Pak’s other work includes “Planet Hulk,” “Darth Vader,” “Mech Cadet Yu,” “Ronin Island,” “Action Comics,” and “Magneto Testament.”
January 1942. The Avallon Hotel & Spa has always offered elegant luxury in the wilds of West Virginia, its mountain sweetwater washing away all of high society’s troubles.
Local girl-turned-general manager June Porter Hudson has guided the Avallon skillfully through the first pangs of war. The Gilfoyles, the hotel’s aristocratic owners, have trained her well. But when the family heir makes a secret deal with the State Department to fill the hotel with captured Axis diplomats, June must persuade her staff—many of whom have sons and husbands heading to the front lines—to offer luxury to Nazis. With a smile.
Meanwhile FBI Agent Tucker Minnick, whose coal tattoo hints at an Appalachian past, presses his ears to the hotel’s walls, listening for the diplomats’ secrets. He has one of his own, which is how he knows that June’s balancing act can have dangerous consequences: the sweetwater beneath the hotel can threaten as well as heal.
June has never met a guest she couldn’t delight, but the diplomats are different. Without firing a single shot, they have brought the war directly to her. As clashing loyalties crack the Avallon’s polished veneer, June must calculate the true cost of luxury.
My Review: Rated 2 out of 5 stars
The Listeners fell short of keeping my attention. It was slow and confusing. I read this book because it was part of the Barnes & Noble book club. I was excited to read this book because it took place during WWII and in a luxury hotel. Maggie added historical details and described the hotel in a way that allows readers to picture the hotel. The magical realism of the Sweetwater made the story come alive. The hotel was not just glorious, but it was alive. Every corner of the hotel seemed to listen and wait to create chaos if given the opportunity.
June Porter Hudson was a strong female character who ran the hotel smoothly and kept the Sweetwater at bay. The Sweetwater was a threat to all but also could heal. The story included romance, an unexpected group of diplomats being observed by the FBI during their hotel stay, and an interesting little girl who needed protection. The ending was interesting, but I wish the story grasped my attention.
Author Biography
New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.
Maggie Stiefvater plays several musical instruments (most infamously, the bagpipes) and makes art in several media (most generally, colored pencils).
She lives in Virginia with her husband, their two children, many dogs, a bunch of fainting goats, and an irascible tuner car.
Here is Barnes & Noble current book club pick for June. The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater.
I met Maggie at Bookcon
Goodreads Blurb
January 1942. The Avallon Hotel & Spa has always offered elegant luxury in the wilds of West Virginia, its mountain sweetwater washing away all of high society’s troubles.
Local girl-turned-general manager June Porter Hudson has guided the Avallon skillfully through the first pangs of war. The Gilfoyles, the hotel’s aristocratic owners, have trained her well. But when the family heir makes a secret deal with the State Department to fill the hotel with captured Axis diplomats, June must persuade her staff—many of whom have sons and husbands heading to the front lines—to offer luxury to Nazis. With a smile.
Meanwhile FBI Agent Tucker Minnick, whose coal tattoo hints at an Appalachian past, presses his ears to the hotel’s walls, listening for the diplomats’ secrets. He has one of his own, which is how he knows that June’s balancing act can have dangerous consequences: the sweetwater beneath the hotel can threaten as well as heal.
June has never met a guest she couldn’t delight, but the diplomats are different. Without firing a single shot, they have brought the war directly to her. As clashing loyalties crack the Avallon’s polished veneer, June must calculate the true cost of luxury.
Author Biography
New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.
Maggie Stiefvater plays several musical instruments (most infamously, the bagpipes) and makes art in several media (most generally, colored pencils).
She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, their two children, many dogs, a bunch of fainting goats, and a mating pair of growly tuner cars.
Bent on revenge, Native American Shadow Hunter Tombi Silver could turn to only one woman, the “witch” Annie Matthews, for help. Her ability to hear auras had allowed her to discover Tombi’s friend mystically trapped by forces that could destroy them all. The accompanying message of a traitor in their midst meant Tombi could trust no one. Dare he bring Annie along on his quest to fight shadow spirits? Putting his faith in someone outside his tribe, especially one who pulled at his tightly controlled desires, could prove just as dangerous as his mission…
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Let our shadow hunters guide us to safety from what is evil and let the sun shine bright. I loved how the book took place on the Bayou. Gave it a little creepiness since it’s dark and swampy. I also loved the plot of this story. This was the first book I have read that brought Native American beliefs with a little magic. Made this book very interesting. Annie, who to most is considered a witch with abilities to hear others thinking and sounds from afar, was the savor of Tombi and his shadow hunters. If you love paranormal romance, you won’t want to miss this invigorating story of heart pumping, revenge seeking with a little spice of magic, and Native American beliefs and traditions. The romance between Annie and Tombi will have everyone making them their favorite characters. They both are strong-willed and protective. Loved the little dramas that Annie had with Tallullah, who is Tombi’s twin sister. Made the book very entertaining. Love and family can overcome all that is evil. Cheer’s to the Shadow Hunter’s.
Author Biography
Debbie Herbert, a USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling writer, pens Psychological Suspense, romantic suspense and paranormal romance novels. She’s always been fascinated by magic, romance and Gothic stories.
Married and living in Alabama, she roots for the Crimson Tide football team. When not working on her upcoming books, Debbie enjoys recumbent bicycling and jet skiing with her husband.
2017 RITA® Finalist for Paranormal Romance in the national contest sponsored by the Romance Writers of America® Debbie has a degree in English (Berry College, GA) and a master’s in Library Studies (University of Alabama).
Anita Kopacz visited the college I work at to speak with the students about her books, writing skills, and how to release stress. She was a motivational speaker who was down to earth and shared personal situations that could help others with similar circumstances. She has published two books that are part of a series.
On an unnamed island off an unnamed coast, objects are disappearing: first hats, then ribbons, birds, roses—until things become much more serious. Most of the island’s inhabitants are oblivious to these changes, while those few imbued with the power to recall the lost objects live in fear of the draconian Memory Police, who are committed to ensuring that what has disappeared remains forgotten.
When a young woman who is struggling to maintain her career as a novelist discovers that her editor is in danger from the Memory Police, she concocts a plan to hide him beneath her floorboards. As fear and loss close in around them, they cling to her writing as the last way of preserving the past.
A surreal, provocative fable about the power of memory and the trauma of loss, The Memory Police is a stunning new work from one of the most exciting contemporary authors writing in any language.
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
A story that gradually erases your memories. The very things that make us human begin to disappear, one by one. Without question, you simply obey. The narrator and characters are stripped of their names, identities, and existence, leading to a profound loss of friendship, family, and love. This creates a transition into the unknown and challenges the sense of self. Yoko is a storyteller beyond her time. A story published in Japan in 1994 and later published in the US in 2019, continues resonating with current events.
The narrator experiences feelings of love, loss, and loneliness that mirror the emotions of the character in the book she is writing. The demise of both the character and the narrator stems from losing their voice and coming to terms with their circumstances. Without a voice and a sense of identity, one cannot truly exist.
Imagine living on an island inhabited by people who have lost their sense of identity, in a world dominated by fear. The memory police are ready to ensure you forget your memories; otherwise, you might vanish like all the cherished things we collect as humans.
When you believe you’ve awakened from your current nightmare, you hear the fluttering of wings from all the birds. Flap, flap, flap! You long to spread your wings and fly away from this island with them, escaping into the unknown. Goodbye, beautiful creatures.
Days later, you wake up to find that the beauty and fragrance of roses are gone forever. You stand by the river, watching it overflows with rose petals. It’s your final farewell to the beauty and rose scent that once filled the air.
A picture captures a moment, serving as a memory of a person, place, or thing. We cherish photographs because we wish to hold onto those memories forever. However, there may come a time when all pictures must be discarded. Imagine having to part with something that reminds you of significant moments, like the birth of a baby, a wedding, a birthday celebration, or a picture of a family member who is long gone. It would mean saying goodbye to treasured memories of the past.
Winter arrived quietly, blanketing the island in pure white snow. The stillness and chill can leave you shivering. The time has come for all calendars to vanish. Your memories of days, months, holidays, and celebrations will fade away, just as the snow has concealed the footprints we leave behind.
Knowledge is power. The last thing that can occupy your mind and provide companionship in this lonely life will now burn through the night. Say goodbye to all the books that gave you the ability to think and the courage to survive. It marks the end of libraries, books, and knowledge in a world that remains unaware condemned to silence and obedience.
Will you remain silent while your liberties, identity, and life get taken away, or will you finally speak out about those lost, forgotten things that define who you are?
Author Biography
Yōko Ogawa (小川 洋子) was born in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture, graduated from Waseda University, and lives in Ashiya. Since 1988, she has published more than twenty works of fiction and nonfiction. Her novel The Professor and his Beloved Equation has been made into a movie. In 2006 she co-authored „An Introduction to the World’s Most Elegant Mathematics“ with Masahiko Fujiwara, a mathematician, as a dialogue on the extraordinary beauty of numbers.
A film in French, “L’Annulaire“ (The Ringfinger), directed by Diane Bertrand, starring Olga Kurylenko and Marc Barbé, was released in France in June 2005 and subsequently made the rounds of the international film festivals; the film, some of which is filmed in the Hamburg docks, is based in part on Ogawa’s “Kusuriyubi no hyōhon“ (薬指の標本), translated into French as “L’Annulaire“ (by Rose-Marie Makino-Fayolle who has translated numerous works by Ogawa, as well as works by Akira Yoshimura and by Ranpo Edogawa, into French).
A spellbinding tale about two daring women who hunt for truth and justice in the perilous art of conjuring the dead.
1873. At an abandoned château on the outskirts of Paris, a dark séance is about to take place, led by acclaimed spiritualist Vaudeline D’Allaire. Known worldwide for her talent in conjuring the spirits of murder victims to ascertain the identities of the people who killed them, she is highly sought after by widows and investigators alike.
Lenna Wickes has come to Paris to find answers about her sister’s death, but to do so, she must embrace the unknown and overcome her own logic-driven bias against the occult. When Vaudeline is beckoned to England to solve a high-profile murder, Lenna accompanies her as an understudy. But as the women team up with the powerful men of London’s exclusive Séance Society to solve the mystery, they begin to suspect that they are not merely out to solve a crime, but perhaps entangled in one themselves…
My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars
The London Séance Society was composed solely of men who would stop at nothing to exploit poor widows. Many people long to see the supernatural world firsthand and hope for a chance to reconnect with their loved ones. This story invites you to London to experience a séance. Readers will be just as captivated by Vaudeline as Evie and Lenna were. She is the spiritualist who promises an authentic experience of meeting your loved one, free from deceit. Will you take a seat and join the séance?
The story centers around Lenna, who has lost her sister Evie, and her friend Eloise. The author leads readers on a wild goose chase as Lenna searches for the real reasons behind her sister’s and friend’s deaths. What she uncovers is troubling: Evie knew the schemes within their society and was even complicit in them. It turns out that Evie was trying to learn everything she could about the horrific secrets the society was hiding. In a surprising twist, it becomes apparent that Evie was actively participating in the scheme to expose the terrible things the society was doing for profit.
Maintaining a high social status was especially important to Mr. Volckman, the president of the society. This meant he kept a “kill list” of wealthy families to arrange marriages between society members and their widows. Not only did they plot through deceptive séances, but they also resorted to underhanded tactics, taking advantage of women during their mourning. What you experience during a séance might not be real after all. People are vulnerable after the death of a loved one. The book mentioned the steps needed to conduct a séance and we learned what the Victorian’s mourning customs were.
The story started off slowly, which took me a long time to continue going through the story. There were some great twists to the story and provided a good context on conducting a séance for someone who had never been to one.
Author Biography
Sarah Penner is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary and The London Séance Society. Her books have been translated into more than forty languages and her debut, The Lost Apothecary, has sold over one million copies worldwide.
A graduate of the University of Kansas, Sarah spent thirteen years in corporate finance and now writes full-time. In her free time, Sarah enjoys hiking, yoga, and cooking. She also sits on the Board of Directors at her local animal shelter, Friends of Strays. Sarah and her husband, Marc, live in Florida.
In the spirit if Tony Abbott’s UNDERWORLD books, comes the new kid on the block – Barkari Katari Johnson!
Shy fourth-grader Bakari Katari Johnson is having a bad day. He’s always coming up against Tariq Thomas, the most popular kid in their class, and today is no different. On top of that, Bakari has found a strange ring that appears to have magical powers–and the people from the ring’s fantastical other world want it back! Can Bakari and his best friend Wardell stave off the intruders’ attempts, keep the ring safe, and stand up to Tariq and his pal Keisha, all before the school bell rings? Media celebrity and Essence Magazine entertainment producer, Patrik Henry Bass delivers adventure, fun, fantasy and friendship in this illustrated action-packed adventure starring an African American boy hero and his classmates.
My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars
This was an interesting story. I loved the ice zombies, a very creative idea. It was a great book to teach kids to not be bullies and be friends. Even though Bakari was getting bullied by Keisha and Tarik, they were able to team up and save the world from being invaded by ice zombies. Loved that in the end, they were able to work together and become friends. This is a great book for teenagers. Has adventure, teamwork, and determination.
FabulousReader4Ever 