Novels that Span the Centuries

Some people have a love for novels that take place in one specific time period. Others have several favorites that they enjoy reading about. Each of these novels artfully span the centuries rather than staying in one short period of time. These are not the lighthearted fare that I normal suggest, but much more reaching and intense. Explore these new times and places, they are all well worth the journey reading them will take you on. 

Specimen Days by Michael Cunningham is his first book after The Hours. Similar to the previous bookSpecimen Days is a compendium of three stories in which we see a similar group of characters. There is a small boy, a young woman and an older man. The first section of the book, entitled "In the Machine", is a ghost story, which takes place during the peak the industrial revolution, as people face the difficulties of the new machine age. The second section of the book is called "The Children's Crusade". This portion is set in the early twenty-first century and plays within the traditions of noir thrillers as it follows the pursuit of a terrorist group that is apparently setting off bombs at random locations throughout the city. The last section is titled "Like Beauty" and takes place in a New York one hundred and fifty years in the future. At this point New York is almost overwhelmed with refugees from the first inhabited planet Earth is able to establish contact. The poet Walt Whitman is a muse and prophetic figure that ties all the sections together. Specimen Days is haunting, genre-bending, and transforming work about life in one of the United State's greatest city and a thorough meditation about America's destiny.

Ireland: A Novel by Frank Delaney is an epic tale that explores the passionate Irish spirit. Seanchai, a traveling storyteller, arrives unannounced on the doorstep of a home in the countryside on a winter night in 1951. To trade for food and shelter for the night Seanchai offers his hosts and their neighbors to listen to his tales. He tells tales Ireland's history. Nine-year-old Ronan becomes so enthralled in the tales that he is determined to find the storyteller again after he leaves under mysterious circumstances. Ronan's quest for Seanchai becomes much more than expected. It soon becomes a journey of self-discovery and an immersion into the sometimes-conflicting histories of Ireland. As the long-unspoken secrets of his own family begin to reveal themselves, he becomes increasingly single-minded in pursuit of the old man, who he fears may already be dead. However, Ronan's personal path also leads him deeper and deeper into the history and mythology of Ireland itself, in all its drama, intrigue, and heroism.

Ireland travels through the centuries, bringing together Ronan's quest for the Storyteller with a rich unfolding of defining moments of Irish history. Events include the harsh Ice Age to the green but troubled world of political conflict and tourism. Readers are introduced to fool hardy kings, fabled saints, pure monks, great works of art, cunning Norman raiders, powerful tribal leaders, poets, politicians, and lovers. Each story demonstrates the true wonder of Ireland and the connection between the people and the land. Ireland is a beautiful novel by an author whom is passionate about his country.

The Lazarus Project by Aleksandar Hemon starts in 1908 when 19-year-old Lazarus goes to the home of George Shippy, the Chicago chief of police. His visit is supposed to be a simple letter delivery, but Shippy shoots Lazarus twice, killing him. Shippy releases a statement claiming that Lazarus was a terrorist. Olga, Lazarus' sister is left alone, grieving, and destitute in a city brimming for unrest. In present day, a young writer, Brik, becomes obsessed with Lazarus' story and the details as to why things happened the way they did. There has to be more to the story. As Brik investigates with a friend, his story becomes intertwined with Lazarus'. They retrace Lazarus's path across Eastern Europe with scenes from history and today. Photographs enhance the tale and draw readers deeper into this original and entertaining novel. In The Lazarus Project, Hemon creates a novel that has both haunting historical feel with a sharp wit and heart wrenching voice.

The Monsters of Templeton: A Novel by Lauren Groff is a novel that spans two centuries. It is partially a contemporary tale about a girl's search for her father. It is also part historical novel and part ghost story. I found The Monsters of Templeton to be spellbinding story about a town's hold on a family's secrets. 

Willie Upton returns home after a disastrous affair with her professor. She expects to be able to hide at home with her mother who has changed from free spirited hippie to strict born-again Baptist. However, the death of the monster changes everything. The very fabric of the quiet town her ancestors founded has shifted. Willie also discovers that the stories her mother had told her about her own history is not quite true. She starts digging for the complete truth about her family history, only to discover that the secrets of her family run much deeper than she expected. The dead tell their own tales through journal entries, letters and editorials in this haunting story. Dark mysteries become known, stories from the past are put to rest, the truth about more than one monster is revealed as the past and present blur.

Burning Bright: Stories by Ron Rash uses the lives of unforgettable characters to demonstrate the beauty, starkness and violence in Appalachia. The stories range from the civil War era to present day. Together the picture painted of the region by these stories with all of its complexities like some books can capture the true essence of a person. Appalachia is dichotomous with elements of exceptional beauty in the harsh rugged landscape, as well as the effect of siren or muse to those that visit or live there. In one story, "Back of Beyond," a pawnshop owner profiting from stolen goods helps his brother and sister-in-law when their son threatens them. In the title story, a small town woman marries an outsider, who becomes the prime suspect when an arsonist starts fires in the Smoky Mountains. These stories shed light on an area that often goes unexplored.

These books carry the reader across the boundaries of time and place. I highly recommend all of these to give you a new perspective on your own place in time and understanding of others.

Pirates in Romance; Swash Buckling at Its Best

Pirates are sexy. Women are fascinated by them, and men want to be them. They are dangerous, daring and have their own code of honor. They are the sea faring bad boys that captivate many romance readers. They offer readers adventure, mystery and romance. We want to save them and hope that they can somehow save us. If you want to get on board come along and check out these high seas adventures with pirates and the people that cannot help but love them.

Lady Pirate by Lynsay Sands is a twist on the typical pirate story. In this story, as you might have guessed by the title, it is the heroine that plays the role as pirate. Valoree pretends to be her murdered brother to sail the seven seas and is known at Captain Red. She is about to inherit a castle, by only if she marries a nobleman and becomes pregnant. While she would be more than happy to return to the sea and ignore the inheritance her crew votes and takes action. The pirate crew helps her search for her perfect mate, chaos and laughter ensues. The crew is rooting for one Lord Thurborne, but Valoree is looking for someone less willful so she can walk all over him. This is a funny historical romance.

The Care and Feeding of Pirates by Jennifer Ashley is a tale about Honoria Ardmore. She is currently a proper lady, but that was not always the case. Four years ago she wed the pirate Christopher Raine in secret before he was scheduled to be hanged. Now Honoria's life is back on track. She is engaged to another man, but Christopher walks back into her life and wants his wife. They strike a deal and she agrees to accompany him on a journey. If she is not crawling back by the end of the voyage Christopher will agree to a divorce. However, he is bound and determined to get what he wants, and he wants Honoria. Sparks fly in this adventure, which is the third entry in Ashley's Pirate series. Each book does stand well on its own, though you may want to read the rest after this taste.

Blow Me Down by Katie MacAlister blends a few subgenres. It is both contemporary and pirate romance. Amy is a single mother that works too much. Her daughter convinces her to try a virtual reality game called Buckling Swashes, and Amy soon finds herself obsessed with the game and the character of Black Corbin. She discovers that Black Corbin is the game creator, playing the game like her, and both are trapped in the virtual world because of a plot by a disgruntled employee. They must work together to save themselves and find a way out of the game. This is a fun read that will be appreciated by many different kinds of readers.

A Pirate of Her Own by Kinley MacGregor is about Captain Morgan Drake, a reformed pirate being followed by writer Serenity James. She is set on unearthing his past. But, Drake is determined to stop her so he kidnaps her and takes her aboard his ship, The Sea Wolf. They are both tenacious and strong willed, but become overwhelmed by mutual attraction. This is the second novel in the Sea Wolves series. MacGregor's writing style and voice might seem familiar, as she writes popular paranormal books under the name Sherrilyn Kenyon.

Looking for a Hero by Patti Berg is a time traveling romance about an eighteenth-century pirate in the twenty-first century battling for his heart. Mogan Farrell, better known as Blackheart, is tossed off his ship during a duel with his nemesis Thomas Low. Somehow during the fall he is transported to St. Augustine and meets the widow Kate Cameron. Kate is captivated with the pirate who charms her daughter Casey, and he is enthralled with the pair. Kate wants real love and more children, but Morgan is set on revenge. Morgan gets his chance when Thomas Low is transported to St. Augustine as well. The likeable characters make this a great read for pirate and time travel fans.

Pirates by Linda Lael Miller is another pirate novel with some time travel. Phoebe Turlow is recently divorced and needs a break from her dead end job. Somehow once in the Caribbean she takes the wrong elevator and ends up in 1780. To make matters worse she does not simply land on the beach, but in the home of the infamous pirate Duncan Rourke. When they meet Rourke believes that Phoebe must be a spy, but his servant sees things a little differently. The couple slips through time in both directions, but will they both end up where they belong?

Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey follows former pirate Sir James Malory. He is from a well-known family in 1818. Georgie Anderson travels from Connecticut to London to find her missing fiance, whom she has not seen in six years and is heartbroken. After finding out that he is now married with children, she just wants to return home.

Georgie disguises herself as a cabin boy to travel on the Maiden Anne. That is where she recognizes James from a fight she had witnessed several years earlier. James recognizes Georgie as well but instead of calling her out on the disguise orders his "cabin boy" to help him in a variety of very private functions. Eventually they need to get past the games and deceptions and admit how they feel. This is a must read for fans of Lindsey and those looking for a good, spicy read.

Picture Books Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas: Holiday Books for Fostering Understanding

Every child likes to read about people that celebrate the same holidays that they do and stories surrounding those holidays. It is also important for children to learn about religions and cultures that differ from their own in order to foster understanding and acceptance for those that might otherwise be labels as different or teased. It is great for children in multi denominational families, or with close friends or family that celebrate differently, to see children like them in stories. The comparisons of celebration, meshing of cultures, and acceptance of all people are very important lessons for children and adults alike. These picture books are all about those that celebrate, take part in, or are curious about more than one kind of holiday celebration come December.

The Trees of the Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco is the story of a childhood memory and true friendship. Trisha loves Hanukkah, because that is when her mother stays home from work, her Grampa carves wonderful animals out of wood as gifts, and her Babushka makes potato latkes. In the midst of her family's holiday Trisha visits her closest neighbors, thinking that she will find them find them decorating their home for Christmas. Instead they are all very ill, suffering from scarlet fever. Trisha's family is lucky; they have been spared from the epidemic. Trisha's family has a hard time celebrating when they know that their neighbors, their friends, are so ill. But Grampa has a wonderful idea. They will cut down, decorate, and secretly deliver Christmas trees to the neighbors. Trisha and her brother sacrifice the carved animals they were to receive as gifts in order to decorate the trees and do a good deed for their neighbors. 

My Two Holidays: A Hanukkah and Christmas Story by Danielle Novack and Phyllis Harris offers some discussion and explanation about how some families celebrate different holidays, or even two holidays instead of one. At school, Sam's classmates discuss which holiday they celebrate in December. Sam gets very nervous, because in his family they celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah. No child likes feeling different, and this is a great book for starting a classroom discussion or helping a child in a similar situation feel more at ease.

Elijah's Angel: A Story for Chanukah and Christmas by Michael J. Rosen and Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson (Illustrator) is based on the life of the real Elijah Pierce. He was a lay minister, barber, and woodcarver that lived in Ohio. Pierces woodcarvings are currently owned by the Columbus Museum of Art. The story is a heartwarming tale of one child's acceptance of others. A young Jewish child, nine-year-old Micheal, becomes friends with an elderly African American barber, Elijah, who makes elaborate woodcarvings in his free time. A number of the woodcarvings are biblical, since the barber is a devote Christian. Michael admires the woodcarvings, and in one day of overlapping holiday celebrations Elijah gifts Michael a carving of a guardian angel. Michael is worried that the wonderful carving might go against his own faith, and he comes to learn that friendship and gestures of love can come home with you and rise above the differences in belief. The artwork features thick sweeps of paint and wood-tones, which creates the feel of the characters being carved from wood themselves. 

Light The Lights! A Story About Celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas by Margaret Moorman focuses on a household's happy celebrations of Hanukkah and Christmas. The title gives a good idea of the motif used throughout the book to tie the two celebrations together. The menorah candles glow brightly in Emma's house during the Jewish holiday; then lights glow nicely on her family's Christmas tree. While the family's celebrations are depicted as purely secular, Emma's response to everything in both celebrations is innocent wonder and delight. The images in the book are bright and unpretentious. There is no mention of the backgrounds of either holiday, and the concentration on the secular might bother some, but might make it more acceptable in a public school setting.

The Christmas Menorahs: How a Town Fought Hate by Janice Cohn and Bill Farnsworth is based on a true story. In Billings, Montana, a rock is thrown through a boy's bedroom window which was decorated by a menorah. Isaac, the victim, is afraid to return the menorah to his window. His mother takes action and reports the crime to the police and talks on television and at a meeting to discuss the indecent and to encourage the community to take a stand against intolerance and bigotry. Stories about Danish people assisting Jewish neighbors during World War II inspire the community and people in the town, regardless of their own religion, display menorahs in their own windows. After a schoolmate shows support Isaac his support, Isaac is able to take his own stand and return his menorah to its rightful place. The images in the book are soft-focus, realistic oil paintings which dramatize the story and give the characters personality. This is a great book for discussing tolerance. It would also be useful in starting a discussion about acceptance, personal strength, the power that can be found in community, or the existence of hate crimes.

Other book suggestions include; Yesterday's Santa and the Chanukah Miracle by Sarah Hartt-Snowbell and Patty Gallinger, A Christmas Chanukah Wish by Irene Buggy, Valerie A Lepore-Ney and Ileana Nadal, and A Chanukah Noel by Sharon Jennings and Gillian Newland. 

Adult Books from a Child's Voice; Novels and Memoirs

Most adult books come from an adult voice, which is the most relatable to the targeted audience. But a new book, Room by Emma Donoghue, made me stop and think about just how effective and dramatic it can be to read an adult book written from a child's perspective. Here are ten adult books that use the voice of a child with great effect.

Room by Emma Donoghue is the book that really got me thinking about this topic. Just published in September 2010 it tells the story of Jack, a five year old whose entire world is composed of a single room and his mother with only occasional visits from a nightmare like man he only views from within the safety of the wardrobe. The world is shaken when Jack discovers that there is more to the world. This is an extremely powerful story about a mother and son who depend on love to survive their circumstances. The upcoming movie version of the book promises to be as heart wrenching as the book.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah is another memoir. Readers discover the story of war through the eyes of the author, whom became a child soldier by the age of thirteen. The book tells of his flight from one set of fighters and his training and life with another. The enthralling account is accessible and extremely well written by a young author and an appropriate read for adults and teens.

Snow Falling in Spring: Coming of Age in China During the

Cultural Revolution by Moying Li is a compelling memoir. The book is Moying Li's own coming of age story during China's Cultural Revolution, a dark and complex time in her country's history. This book gives readers a deeper appreciation to the value of learning, reading and home.

Lowboy by John Wray is both suspenseful and comedic. Sixteen year old Will is a paranoid schizophrenic off his medication and on the run. Will uses the subway get around and firm in his belief that he is the only person that can save the world from complete destruction. There are moments of complete desperation and some of great hope. Lowboy is an exploration of sex, violence and youth in contemporary America. It is an unflinching tale as seen by one boy's haunting and extraordinary vision.

Maybe A Miracle by Brian Strause is both funny and heartbreaking to read. It brings readers along on an emotional journey through the American heartland with sights that are both familiar and out of the ordinary. Seventeen year old Monroe saves his younger sister from drowning, but she remains in a coma. As the well wishers visit miracles start to happen. Media and believers rally around as the family struggles, but Monroe is sarcastic and biting except for when he lets his guard down.

Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson is told as memories for a man ready to fade from the world. He reminisces and shares his memories of his childhood and life with the readers. The true beauty of this novel is occasionally lost to readers because of the wandering, slow pace. However, the book is well worth the read and is remarkable in its handling in father son relationships.

Sold by Patricia McCormick is the story of Lakshmi, whose family is desperately poor. However, her life is still full of simple pleasures. When the harsh Himalayan monsoons wash away all the family's crops, Lakshmi's stepfather sends her away to take a job to support her family, but discovers that she has been sold into a life of prostitution. Despite the heavy topics this exceptional novel is suitable for teens and adults.

The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson tells the story of a small West Indian society is introduced to Hollywood's most famous swashbuckler carried to their shore by a storm tossed boat in 1946. May is one result of Errol Flynn's instant love of Jamaica, but not one that he would acknowledge. Her life and struggles will her journal pages, along with the discoveries she makes about her mother's life, before and after her birth.

The Dead Fathers Club by Matt Haig is a ghost story with a twist. It is a very suspenseful and poignantly funny take on the Hamlet story. Eleven year old Philip is charged with the task of killing his murderous uncle by his father's ghost, and he needs to do it fast. While this might not sound funny, there is a strain of humor that follows Phillip through the challenges of daily life, saving his father's soul and keeping greedy Uncle Alan from getting everything his father loved.

The Stolen Child: A Novel by Keith Donohue was inspired by a W.B. Yeats poem, which tempts a child from home to the waters and the wild. The Stolen Child is a modern fairy tale told by the child Henry Day and his double in this take on the ancient myth of changelings. Fantasy and the common feeling of being an outsider carry the reader away. 

Great Books Set in Connecticut; Novels and Non-Fiction in the Nutmeg State

It is always fun to read a book and recognize the landmarks and locations discussed on the pages. Even if the exact locations are not ones I pass by everyday, or even actually exist, often the feel of the state is still strongly felt. This might not be the case for larger states, but we Connecticut residents can often recognize the inspiration of our state in writing. Here are some books that make me smile because of the familiar settings in Connecticut.

In Pursuit of the Common Good: Twenty-Five Years of Repairing the World, One Bottle of Salad Dressing at a Time by A. E. Hotchner and Paul Newman is a perfect non-management book. The late Paul Newman is a hometown hero for most Connecticut residents. He used his fame and wealth to do as much good as he could. This book gives readers a glimpse into his compassion and style as well the partnership that built Newman's Own, an all natural food company. The book is a fun, playful read that informs and inspires.

The Sleeping Father by Matthew Sharpe is full of acidic humor and tragedy. Sharpe tells the story of a family trying to deal with betrayal and the father's stroke, which was pharmacologically induced. There is fear induced humor and satire in this character driven novel which keeps the sadness and humor of the story perfectly balanced. The story is set in a fictional town in Connecticut.

Summer Light by Luanne Rice illustrates the bonds of family you might expect to be shattered and the joy of finding the person you are meant to be with forever. The story is complete with struggles, tragedy and triumph not just a love story that follow the expected path. Set in a Connecticut shoreline town the book makes a great summer or beach read and captures the atmosphere of New London County perfectly.

The Barbarians Are Coming was the first novel by David Wong Louie. We see the details of family dynamics for a Chinese-American family in Connecticut, particularly the son's struggle to be American and ignore most of his heritage. Instead, he buries himself in his chosen career, denying what connections that could be made through cooking. This is a deeply affecting novel about fathers and sons, and the struggle to be true to yourself and your family or culture.

Tara Road by Maeve Binchy is an unexpected treasure. A story of two women that connect over the phone at just the right moment in their turmoil filled lives leads to the unique opportunity to trade homes for the summer, one in Connecticut and on in Dublin. We see the reality of life, relationships and hope. This is an original and well-crafted tale that entertains and moves the reader.

We'll Meet Again by Mary Higgins Clark is a murder mystery as well as a drama about best friends. One is convicted of murdering her husband and the other is a true crime reporter. A Connecticut socialite is the main character. She is released on parole and spends her free time trying to solve her husband's murder while readjusting to life.

I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb is not a light read, not fun or fluffy like most of my favorite and most recommended reads. It is a multi-generational story that is heartbreaking. It is full of family secrets and mental illness and the struggles that come from them. Locations from upstate Connecticut are as much a character of the book as any of the family members.

Explore these fantastic reads and get a little feel for the state of Connecticut, or if you are a fellow resident enjoy the feel of home. Nothing is better than reading a great book, except one that makes you feel at home in its settings.

Magical Realism as a Genre; What is it and What to Read?

Magical Realism is a fiction genre that goes against the accepted principles of our reality. Things that are commonly accepted as hard facts, like gravity and the flow of time, are contradicted in typical everyday situations. However, do not mistake mystical realism for fantasy or science fiction. In this genre the strange moments are accepted at normal in the world the author has created. Things we might think amazing like a robot strolling down the street or a hail of shoes from the sky are surprisingly credible in the context of the story being told.

Magical realism typically starts off with setting up the reality of the world. Then the story can take on a dream like feel or work with in alternate realities. The story often gives pictures or situations that are simply beautiful (or horrifying) but ultimately not possible in the logic of our reality. Magical realism blends extra ordinary events with everyday lives and people. To get a more vivid understanding of the genre consider tales like Pinocchio where the feat of a puppet becoming a real boy does not seem so impossible. So what should adults interested in exploring this genre start?

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel is a perfect example of the genre. The readers are drawn into the everyday lives of a family in turn of the century Mexico. The family relationships and cooking are the grounding forces to keep the story in reality. However, there is magic at work when Tita's food allows those that eat it to feel her emotions and act with her passions. The combination of Tita's desire not to be her mother's server and unmarried for the rest of her life is expected and real to readers, while the magic in her cooking seems mystical it is handled it a way that makes it part of her life rather than an intrusion of fantasy. Beyond being an example of magical realism this is also a fantastic work of fiction and contains recipes to enjoy. I highly recommend the book to everyone.

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez is another prime example of magical realism. This novel is the history of both the Buendia family and where they live. The story begins with Jose Arcadio Buendia committing murder then follows the perpetrator as he struggles with his obsessions and guilt. The family and city develop with seemingly endless crises, moving in a cyclical pattern rather than moving in a forward direction lost amid shared dreams. The same mistakes and tragedies seem to repeat themselves until the inevitable fate prescribed for the family finally comes to pass. While this might sound fatalistic and depressing, the novel is in fact a compassionate story well worth exploring.

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende is another magical realism novel that follows a family. This story follows a family through four generations in an alternate reality that mirrors the political and social events of reality in twentieth century Chile. Here the magical element comes from some of the characters exhibiting psychic abilities. This blend of fiction, magic and some biographical family history from the author combine to create a uniquely satisfying read.

Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie is a book about a transfer of political power with shades of mythology, faith and folk stories. The story follows Saleem Sinal, who is born in August of 1947 at the exact moment India became independent. His life follows a path that parallels that of his nation, complete with danger, poverty, chaos and greed. The magical element of this story lies in the abilities of all the children that share the moment of birth with Saleem. They each have a heightened sense, and our main character's ability is to literally smell change coming. While the story is not an easy read, the ideas and the history lesson included in the work make it well worth making the effort to finish.

Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands by Jorge Amado is not for the faint of heart. In the example of magical realism we see a women lose her roguish husband when he dies while celebrating at a carnival to excess. She then marries a stable, bland pharmacist that is the ideal husband. However, she misses some sides of her deceased husband and somehow manages to call him back from the dead. She gets to have the best of both her husbands through mystical means. Ghostly hijinks and sexual situations are prevalent in this story.

Other authors you might want to explore in this genre include Isabel Allende, Jorge Luis Borges, Italo Calvino, Pete Hamill, and Alice Hoffman.

Novels About Curvy Women; Fun Chick Lit and Romance Novels

These days models and actresses seem to be shrinking dramatically. It seems that marketing and the media is convinced that the smaller the dress size the more attractive a woman is. However, several authors out there are not buying it. They are bucking the trend and writing about women of realistic proportions and the issues of size in society. Here are some of my favorite fun reads from several romance sub-genres about women with curves.

The Corset Diaries by Katie MacAlister is a lighthearted romance novel. Tess is in serious need of money so jumps at the chance to be on a reality television show called A Month in the Life of a Victorian Duke. She gets to spend a month living like a duchess. However to take part Tess needs to act and dress like a duchess from the Victorian era, which includes a tight fitting corset. Thankfully, the hunk playing her husband on the reality show is distracting enough to take her mind of her wardrobe issues. A fun and quirky romance by one of my favorite authors, MacAlister comes through for her readers yet again.

Meg Cabot's Size 12 is Not Fat is a fun mystery with a former teen singing sensation at the center. Heather Wells left behind screaming fans and was in turn left behind by a thieving mother and selfish fiancée. To make ends meet Heather becomes a Resident Assistant at a New York City college and doing clerical work for her ex-fiancée's brother Cooper's private detective business for room and board. However, strange things start happening around Heather and so she starts doing a little detective work of her own. This is the first book in an ongoing series.

Gerry Bartlett's Real Vampires Have Curves proves that while vampires might all be attractive and sexy, they are all not super skinny. Gloriana St. Clair was rendered permanently full figured when her Scottish beau turned her vampire centuries ago. Now or curvy heroine is struggling to stand on her own feet after overcoming credit and gambling problems. She starts up a vintage clothing boutique and works to become more independent and find her way through the twists and turns of romantic complications. This is the first book of an ongoing series.

The Perfect Wife by Lynsay Sands is a historical romance set in eleventh century England. Avelyn has more curves than she would like, and has been teased by her cousins about it unmercifully. She feels badly about herself and her size, so tries to hide her true proportions from her new husband. However, her attempts only make him think that she must be frail and prone to accidents, which make him worry and cause many misunderstandings. All the

characters are well fleshed out and entertaining. Surprises and laughs abound in this romance by another of my favorite authors.

Jennifer Cruise's Bet Me is a contemporary romance about Minerva Dobbs who is dumped by her boyfriend three weeks before her sister's wedding. Now she needs to deal with finding a new date on top of her overbearing but well-meaning mother that continually harasses Min about her size. When she overhears her ex-boyfriend make a bet that another man cannot get her home and in bed within a certain period she is beyond mad, but decides to make it work for her. Now she will have a date for the wedding, but can she resist the unexpected temptation she finds in Calvin? Sarcasm and good food abound in this delightful read.

To continue reading novels with pleasing plump heroines I suggest checking out Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones series, Jennifer Weiner's Good in Bed, Leanne Banks' Some Girls Do and Susan Donovan's He Loves Lucy. There are of course several more authors that write books feature larger women, but these are my favorites for how those women look at life, the world and themselves. 

Three Light and Laugh-Out-Loud Authors

First, what is chick lit? It is the short hand term used, both fondly and mockingly, for literature that tends to appeal mainly to women. This does not mean romance novel, though there is often a romance in the story, but more often the main storyline of the novel is more about the main character figuring out what she really wants in life. There are the tear-jerkers, the mysteries, the fun, the paranormal and some that blur all those lines. Here are some of the authors that right the chick lit books that seem to most fun, laugh educing novels that I've come across in the last few years. 

First is Janet Evanovich, particularly her Stephanie Plum series which starts with One For the Money. Evanovich's characters tend to be realistic, but slightly exaggerated. In One For the Money Stephanie is a twenty something woman who has just lost a job she wasn't too thrilled with to begin with, and searching to find something to pay the bills as well as something to make her happy. While becoming a bounty hunter for her slimy cousin wasn't exactly what she had in mind it somehow makes everything else come together. She get herself into situations which start out as something I can picture myself doing, but then quickly escalates to a laugh out loud series of events rather than the painful embarrassing moments I would expect my life to turn into. This holds true in Evanovich's stand alone novels and Motor Mouth books, although the Stephanie Plum books are by far my favorite of her works. There are two main readers for the audio books of her work, and both are great. So listening while commuting can make a rough drive so much more enjoyable.

MaryJanice Davivdson is another funny favorite. She has several series, and even some young adult novels, but she is best known for her Undead series, which is what she calls it but my friends and I often call it the Queen Betsy series. This series begins with Undead and Unwed, where we see Elizabeth Taylor (but never call her), better known as Betsy, becomes a vampire through unusual means and continue to defy convention and expectations from there. Including those of other vampires, she breaks every mold except that of a prophesy that declares her queen of the vampires. This shoe obsessed vampire has the requisite dysfunctional family and endless determination. Mix in an uptight hunk and a variety of fantastic supporting characters and hilarity ensues.

My third suggestion is not as widely known as the first two, but I think finding a new author is a great feeling, although she won't be unknown very long because there is already talk of a movie based on Shanna Swendson's novel Enchanted, Inc. The book starts with a well used theme, small town girl feeling lost and overwhelmed as she struggles to make a place for herself in New York City. Things take a strange turn when Katie is offered a new job and things just get stranger from there with magic, gargoyles and quirky coworkers. It is a fun, charming read with romance only in the very background. The story is more about Kate's search for a satisfying place in the world and trying to make sense of what is real.. There are currently four books in this series, and the charm does not fade as the series progresses, which is always a danger.

Already know and love these authors or just want some more suggestions? Well if you like Janet Evanovich then I suggest trying Nancy Bartholomew, Sarah Strohmeyer and Jennifer Crusie all of whom I've also read and loved. MaryJanice Davidson fans might want to read Katie Macalister, Vicki Lewis Thompson, and Lynsay Sands. Finally, if Shanna Swendson has caught your fancy you might want to try Candace Havens and Dakota Cassidy. I recommend all of these authors to anyone that likes some laughter from their books.

Mysteries Featuring Librarian Protagonists; Librarians Solving Crime

Librarians are by nature curious and great puzzle solvers. Solving problems and the puzzle of what people versus what they mean is a major part of daily life in any library setting; I see it first hand every single day. Therefore, when I see books that feature librarians I cannot resist taking a look and see how the librarians are portrayed and if I can immerse myself in the story. Here are five great examples of fun cozy mystery series featuring crime-solving librarians.

Abby and Ophelia Mystery series by Shirley Damsgaard features a librarian in a small town. Ophelia Jensen is a thirty something that has to deal with a horrendous supervisor, dwindling funding and the joys of working with the public. Thankfully, I can say that I have not dealt with the personnel issues that Ophelia has to deal with in the series, but the rest is par for the course. The interaction Ophelia has with the public is very realistic and chuckle inducing. The mysteries also carry a supernatural element, since Ophelia is a natural born witch with a psychic gift. Her grandmother Abby is also a witch and plays a major role in Ophelia's daily life. If you normally avoid paranormal or witch focused novels I suggest you step out of your comfort zone and try this series. It is fun with twists in the mystery plot that are intelligent, intriguing and continually surprising. The series starts with Witch Way to Murder and currently has seven books with room for more in the future.

Charlaine Harris, best known for the Sookie Stackhouse series, has also written several other books. Her Aurora Teagarden series follows a librarian in her twenties that takes part in a club that studies real crimes from the past. In the first book of the series, Real Murders, someone is reenacting some of those crimes on members of the club. A love triangle, red herrings and great pacing keep this series moving ahead with new mysteries in each book. This is a southern mystery series that has the same combination of wit and impending doom, but no supernatural twists to disguise the horror that real people can inflict on others. As a bonus, the Hallmark channel has begun turning this series into movies, and the first one has aired already and I loved it. Honestly I loved this series, which is eight books long, but it is not my favorite series from Harris. My favorite Harris series is the vampire and librarian free Lily Bard series which starts with Shakespeare's Landlord is made up of five books.

The Cat is the Stacks series by Miranda James, a pen name for Dean James, offers something unexpected. In the majority of mysteries featuring cats or librarians offer female leads, but starting in Murder Past Due we get to follow librarian Charlie Harris and his cat Diesel. So, if the simply draw of a librarian mystery does not peak your interest, the new perspective should. Charlie has just lost his wife and returns to his home town to try and rebuild his life. His cat Diesel is a huge maine coon that he walks around with a leash. The mystery is solid and the characters build through out the series. It is a fun cozy mystery for anyone that loves mysteries, cats or librarians.

The Scrappy Librarian series by Marion Moore Hill starts with Bookmarked for Murder. This series follows Juanita Wills, the head librarian of an Oklahoma town's public library. She has an insatiable curiosity and a driving need to solve puzzles which leads her into investigating crimes that she should steer clear of. The stories are mainly about our lead librarian's determination, natural intelligence and satisfying curiosity despite the treat of personal danger. The research skills and tenacity possessed by the scrappy librarian is what saves the day. Currently the only other book in the series is Death Books a Return. Both books are worth exploring and enjoying.

The Reading Group Mysteries or Megan Clark series by D.R. Meredith focuses on a reference librarian with a love for mysteries. In the first book of the series, Murder in Volume, a member of her book club is murdered. This brings mystery and true crime too close to home. As the series continues, Megan and her Murder by The Yard book club work together to solve mysteries. The series does a great job of delivering a mystery and developing the characters and their relationships as they go through their sleuthing. There are five books in the series.

There are more cozy mysteries out there featuring librarians; however these are my favorites from those that I have seen and read. There are mysteries like this for just about every profession now, librarians, chefs, store clerks, secretaries, you name it. There is a cozy mystery out there for everyone. I hope everyone will give at least one of these a try, even if you haven't set foot in a library for years. 

Books to Help Understand Social Media Safety

These days even the youngest kids have access to phones, computers, and tablets; and hence the internet. This means parents, teachers, caregivers, and children to to understand the dangers of being so connected with strangers, as well as the possibilities they offer for socialization, education, and entertainment. We do not want anyone to be afraid of the internet and its social opportunities, but we need to exercise caution and understand that not everyone and everything online is what it appears. Here are some books, a list of books to share with children and a list for parents and other caregivers, to master the tools they need to be safe and confident online.

For Kids:

Maintaining a Positive Digital Footprint by Jeff McHugh

Internet Safety (Rookie Read-About Safety) by Lisa M. Herrington

Internet Safety for Kids and Young Adults by Jeff Sechler

Smart Girl's Guide to the Internet (American Girl) by Sharon Cindrich and Ali Douglass

Children's Books: Gigabytes of Disaster by Jennifer Burrows and Joe Lorenzano

For Parents:

The Boogeyman Exists; And He's In Your Child's Back Pocket: Internet Safety Tips For Keeping Your Children Safe by Jesse Weinberger

CyberSafe: Protecting and Empowering Kids in the Digital World of Texting, Gaming, and Social Media by Gwenn Schurgin O'Keeffe

Screen-Smart Parenting: How to Find Balance and Benefit in your Child's Use of Social Media, Apps, and Digital Devices by Jodi Gold

Cyber-Safe Kids, Cyber-Savvy Teens: Helping Young People Learn To Use the Internet Safely and Responsibly by Nancy E. Willard

The Parent's Guide to Texting, Facebook, and Social Media: Understanding the Benefits and Dangers of Parenting in a Digital World by Shawn Marie Edgington

The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age by Catherine Steiner-Adair, Ed. D. ; with Teresa H. Barker

Talking Back to Facebook: the Common Sense Guide to Raising Kids in the Digital Age by James P. Steyer ; with a foreword by Chelsea Clinton 

Young Adult Romances with Aliens

Do you enjoy paranormal teen romances, but are sick to death of vampires, angels, and faeries. If you are looking for something a little different, why not try some alien romance?

The Dark Side of Nowhere by Neal Shusterman
Billington is boring and ordinary, that is until Jason discovers that he is actually an alien, as are some of his classmates. Left on earth after a failed invasion, the aliens maintain human form through DNA injections. Grant, the janitor at Jason's school, has managed to reestablish contact with their planet. The adults are off on another invasion, and Grant has been assigned to train the teen aliens to fight the humans once more. Jason has other plans, like thwarting the mission and remaining human, and to stay with his very human girlfriend.


How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend by Gary Ghislain
David's father is a famous French psychiatrist with an interesting new patient. Zelda believes that she is an alien. She also believes that she is on a mission to bring Johnny Depp, her soul mate, back to her planet. Moreover, she can't return to her home planet until she has sex with Depp! That's not great news for David, who wants Zelda for himself. Nonetheless, he assists her on her quest, following her from Normandy to Paris and barely escaping other Vahalians who also want to find their way back home.

Being by Kevin Smith
Teenager Robert Smith is a foster child whose stomach aches land him in the hospital for a routine endoscopy. Not fully anesthetized, he overhears the doctors discussing the fact that his innards are filled with machinery not made by humans. Barely escaping government agents, he lands on the doorstep of a girl named Eddie. Eddie has a penchant for creating fake IDs. Together they flee from England to Spain, where they try to live a normal life and fall in love, until they are eventually found.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Ten years ago, nine young aliens fled their planet after its decimation by vicious Mogadorian invaders. With only their keepers to protect them in hiding on Earth, the teens move constantly from place to place relentlessly hunted by their foes, for whom the teens' mysterious growing powers are a threat. The catch? The Mogadorians can only pick them off in numerical order. Number Three is dead, so Number Four (aka John Smith) is next which sends John and his teacher on the run once again. In his new town, John falls in love for the first time, which means he no longer wants to run. Befriended by another teenage boy who believes in aliens and conspiracies, John sets out to find the other survivors and to fight the Mogadorians so he, and they, can live peacefully on Earth.

I Was A Teenage Alien by Jane Greewnhill

Oas is sent to earth to retrieve her brother, who is masquerading as a human boy. Though she looks like a bug in her true form, she's pretty darned cute as a human, and manages to act like one while on earth. That includes everything from eating pizza to finding a human boyfriend.

Young Adult Adventure Novels: Tales of Survival and Adventure for Teen Readers

Young Adult readers have many different media sources marketing to them today. Getting them to read can become increasingly difficult if they do not already enjoy reading. Adventure and survival stories are often the genre of books that will capture the imagination and interest of the more reluctant readers of this age group. Here are five of the best adventure books to offer your reluctant teen reader.

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi offers readers a female lead on the high seas. The story that takes place during an 1802 transatlantic journey that turns mutinous and even more dangerous than expected. Thirteen-year-old Charlotte must decide whom to side with and find her courage in order to survive. This is a fantastic historical novel with a real feel for the time and place of the story as well as the emotions of the lead character. Thankfully, if your reader enjoys this book Avi is a prolific writer of quality historical and realistic fiction.

Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt is the first book in the Tillerman series. Four siblings must find a way to survive when they are abandoned by their mother in the middle of Connecticut. They struggle to find their great aunt in Bridgeport only to discover that she has past away and the home is not the safe haven that they had hoped to reach. This is a story of survival, family and discovering the history of where you have come from. If your readers enjoy this book, they can continue reading about these siblings in the six books that follow.

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen focuses of thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson. He is riding in a two person aircraft when the pilot haws a heart attack and dies. Brian must crash land the plane then survive in the Canadian wilderness alone. He must plan ahead, survive and find his way home with only the hatchet his mother gave him as a gift, a tattered windbreaker and clothing. Life and death situations are frequent and Brian discovers how to move past self-pity and survive. Paulsen is a master of description and shows his skill in Hatchet. He also wrote several other books that fans of Hatchet would enjoy, such as Dogsong.

The Island on Bird Street by Uri Orlev brings World War II to life. Alex is on his own in a ruined home in the Jewish ghetto of Warsaw. He must find a way to stay hidden and survive. The book is an easy but enthralling read that really gives readers a human connection to the holocaust. Alex is a courageous and resourceful character that holds on to his faith that his father will somehow return. The Island on Bird Street is inspiring and everyone should have an opportunity to read it. Do not cheat and just watch the movie, the book is well worth adding to your permanent collection.

The Cay by Theodore Taylor is a historical novel that tells the story of eleven-year-old Philip fleeing his home when war comes to close to comfort. The ship is torpedoed and he is left blinded from the blast and adrift with a cat and black ship hand. They eventually make it to a deserted island where Philip learns to deal with his lost eyesight and grow to realize who unimportant skin color is. Philip grows as a person and becomes able to fend for himself despite his blindness. Survival, unexpected friendship and adventure on the ocean make the book a great read for young adults especially.