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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
ma.james0406 has commented on (9) products
Candlelight Christmas
by
Susan Wiggs
ma.james0406
, December 14, 2014
Logan O’Donnell owned a successful insurance business that he started to be near his son Charlie in a small town in upstate New York. However, when his ex-wife’s husband was transferred Oklahoma, he only gets to see Charlie during the summer and holidays. Logan sold his insurance business and bought a ski resort in Avalon, a town on the shores of Willow Lake. Though Logan has had his share of dates since the divorce, he is not ready for a serious relationship. Darcy Fitzgerald is still reeling in the aftershock of her divorce from her unfaithful husband, Huntley Collins. She is not ready for involvement with another man, especially one with a child, but when her best friend India introduces her to her brother Logan, Darcy cannot deny she is attracted to him. The Fitzgerald’s and the Collins’ families go way back and they vacation and do holidays together. Darcy’s sister is married to her ex’s brother, and Darcy cannot bring herself to celebrating the holidays with her family since Huntley will be there. When India invites her to spend the holidays with her family, she accepts. Will their pasts drive Logan and Darcy apart, or can the romantic backdrop of the wintry ski resort and the spirit of creating a Christmas to remember for Charlie and his cousins allow them to drop their guard? This is a delightful read. Susan Wiggs is a master storyteller, and CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS is no exception. Her characters are very believable and the plot has enough detail to keep interest high without overwhelming the reader. It is a quick read, just right for the busy holidays. You can read more about Susan and her books on her website Susan Wiggs, her Goodreads author page, FaceBook author page, her blog The View from Here, or on Twitter.
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Jubilee's Journey: Family Saga (A Wyattsville Novel Book 2)
by
Bette Lee Crosby
ma.james0406
, November 08, 2014
Paul and Jubilee Jones grew up in the mountains in Coal Fork, a coal mining town. A few years after their mother Ruth died of tuberculosis, their father Bartholomew was killed in a mining accident. Paul, though still a teenager, was left to care for his sister. When the mining company told them they could no longer live in the house owned by the mining company unless someone worked in the mines, Paul remembered his father adamantly making Paul promise to never step foot in a mine. He took his seven year old sister and walked off the mountain to find their mother’s estranged sister Anita in Wyattsville. When they reached Wyattsville, Paul directed Jubilee to wait on a bench across the street from a store with a sign advertising “Help Wanted”. They needed money and he was willing to work for it. They would look up their aunt after he got a job. Neither he nor Jubilee could have known what events would follow. Jubilee showed strength in her unwavering belief in her brother’s good character. Her journey through the next weeks was difficult, but the people she met formed a protective circle around her, until she could be reunited with her family. I loved the characters in the story. They were well developed and exhibited the best side of humanity. The plot was outstanding and kept me turning pages in anticipation of what was to come. I couldn’t put the book down. This award winning novel is the second book in the Wyattsville series by Crosby. (I read and reviewed SPARE CHANGE, the first in the series - my review is here). Though I had come to know and love Ethan Allen Doyle, Olivia Westerly Doyle and her wonderful circle of friends, and Officer Jim Mahoney when I read SPARE CHANGE, I was delighted to meet up with them again, as well as new members of the Wyattsville community, in JUBILEE’S JOURNEY. Though you don’t have to read SPARE CHANGE first, I would recommend that you do so you can follow the flow of one book into the second. (PASSING THROUGH PERFECT, the third book in the series will be out January 2015). Bette Lee Crosby writes in the colloquial of the setting. She doesn’t just write a novel, she tells a story. I think that is what draws me back to her books. They are comfortable, well crafted, beautiful stories. JUBILEE’S JOURNEY is unforgettable. About the Author USA Today Bestselling and Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby’s books are “Well-crafted storytelling populated by memorable characters caught up in equally memorable circumstances.” ��" Midwest Book Review The Seattle Post Intelligencer says Crosby’s writing is, “A quirky mix of Southern flair, serious thoughts about important things in life and madcap adventures.” Samantha from Reader’s Favorite raves, “Crosby writes the type of book you can’t stop thinking about long after you put it down.” “Storytelling is in my blood,” Crosby laughingly admits, “My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write.” It is the wit and wisdom of that Southern Mama Crosby brings to her works of fiction; the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. She has since gone on to win nineteen awards for her work; these include: The Royal Palm Literary Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal, Reader’s Favorite Award Gold Medal, and the Reviewer’s Choice Award. Crosby’s published works to date are: Blueberry Hill (2014), Previously Loved Treasures (2014), Jubilee’s Journey (2013), What Matters Most (2013), The Twelfth Child (2012), Life in the Land of IS (2012), Cracks in the Sidewalk (2011), Spare Change (2011). A Cupid inspired romance, Wishing for Wonderful, is scheduled for release in November 2014 and Book Three of The Wyattsville Series, Passing through Perfect, will be be available in January 2015. Please click the link to visit the author’s website Bette Lee Crosby Words Wit and Wisdom. Follow Bette Lee Crosby on these websites: Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads Would I recommend JUBILEE’S JOURNEY? Positively! I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
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The Banks of Certain Rivers
by
Jon Harrison
ma.james0406
, November 03, 2014
THE BANKS OF CERTAIN RIVERS will draw you in immediately with its backstory where we meet Neil Kazenzakis (Mr. K), husband, father, friend, teacher, coach. It is here that we learn first of his wife Wendy and son Chris, and the terrible accident that Wendy has in a swimming pool that left her in a permanent comatose state. Their son Chris, an eighth grader, witnessed the accident. We move forward a few years and find that Neil has more to deal with than seems humanly possible. His wife Wendy remains in a nursing home, he and Chris both are still struggling to move on, and he is caring for his mother-in-law Carol, while at the same time, maintaining her home. On top of everything else, Neil has fallen in love with Lauren, the nurse taking care of Carol. Neil must tell Chris, but fears it is more than a young person can handle given the state of his mother’s health. Add to all this is a video that went viral showing Mr. K knocking a student to the ground. Can he prove his innocence and that the video is a fake? With his job and reputation on the line and Chris’ loss of respect for him after Neil tells him he has been in a relationship for two years, Neil feels his life is spiraling out of control. With the determination and help of understanding and caring friends, Neil is able to move forward. I don’t like spoilers, and this book is difficult to talk about without revealing too much. It is well written with a plot that will keep you turning the pages. It is about love and redemption, loyalty and trust. It is about putting what life throws at you into the proper perspective and getting on with one’s life. The characters were so well developed that I felt an immediate bond with each one. I wanted Wendy to recover, and at first didn’t like Lauren because I felt she stood in the way of that recovery. I wanted to hug Chris and help him through the murky waters of grief, sadness, distrust, and disappointment. It was so much to put upon a teenager. There is no doubt in my mind that this is a five star book. Once I started reading, I was unable to put it down. With so many layers to the story and personalities elaborated so beautifully, this is one book I wholeheartedly recommend. About the Author Born in Michigan, Jon Harrison studied English literature and geological sciences at Ohio University. A lover of the outdoors, he moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in 1994 and has lived there ever since. When not writing, he enjoys skiing, running, and climbing. The Banks of Certain Rivers is his first novel.
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Nest
by
Ehrlich, Esther
ma.james0406
, September 16, 2014
Naomi Orenstein (known as Chirp because she loves watching birds and can tell you just about anything about them) and Joey Morell live across the street from each other. Joey has two older brothers who have bad reputations, and Naomi is afraid of them and a bit afraid of Joey, even though they are in the same grade. They are as different as night and day, or so they think. But as the story unfolds, they have a lot in common. They are very bright students, and they both live under difficult circumstances. This is a story of tragedy, hardship, love, and friendship. It is about a camaraderie born of trust and a need to connect with someone who understands. The plot and characters are both well crafted. The characters are true to life. Chirp and Joey could easily be the kids down the street. When I first started reading Nest, I wasn’t sure it was going to be a book I would enjoy. As I got to know Chirp, I found I wanted to know more about her, why she and Joey seemed to have a connection, and how Chirp, with Joey’s friendship, learned to come to terms with the way life had changed for all in the Orenstein household. It was a book I couldn’t put down. Nest is for ages 8-12, but I would recommend it to anyone age 8 - adult. It deals with some tough subjects such as illness, death, and abuse, and the unlikely bond of friendship that was formed by two children living under different circumstances. It is a heartwarming and unforgettable story. I was given this ARC by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Spare Change: Family Saga (A Wyattsville Novel Book 1)
by
Bette Lee Crosby
ma.james0406
, August 21, 2014
Ethan Allen Doyle had a tough life. His mother was so wrapped up in herself, and his father had a mean streak. He had more on his plate than any eleven-year-old should ever have, and then, he witnessed a brutal murder. Fearing for his life, he takes off in search of his grandfather, known only to him by the Christmas cards he received. Olivia Westerly is settled into her single life when she meets Charlie Doyle, who sweeps her off her feet. Her married life quickly takes a turn to the unexpected, and Olivia was forced into a situation that causes her to re-evaluate her life. Through various events, the most important of which is having the care of Ethan Allen forced upon her, she finds all of her preconceived notions of the kind of person she is, are no longer applicable. SPARE CHANGE is a murder mystery. The storyline drew me in quickly with its superstitions, mystery, romance, friendship, humor, and its flawed characters that are so realistic that every reader can find them believable. The story moves quickly and is told from several different points of view. It’s about how we deal with life’s challenges and the power of love in changing who we are. When I first started reading SPARE CHANGE, I thought I wouldn’t like it very much, but once into a few pages, I was captivated by the story, the writing style, the author’s voice, and the characters. I am amazed that so much emotion, mystery, and story is found in just 280 pages. It is a book I heartily recommend to all readers in every genre. I look forward to reading more of Bette Lee Crosby’s work. This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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Love on Mimosa Lane
by
Anna DeStefano
ma.james0406
, August 09, 2014
LOVE ON MIMOSA LANE is more than just another romance. It is about the foster care system, alcoholism and the toll it takes on family life, and about bullies. It is a book filled with interesting characters, some to love, and one not so much. The descriptions are rich and the story moves quickly. Law is a bad-boy type with a soft heart that he guards closely. His past and his divorce from Libby have left him afraid to trust anyone, His desire to protect his daughter Chloe from the ugliness of his divorce, her mother’s drunkenness, and the rumors about his life, have caused him to build a wall around himself. Kristen, the assistant principal at Chloe’s school, is dealing with her own demons, but recognizes the personal battle Law is fighting. She recruits him to help Fin, a foster child who is troubled and lonely, to play soccer. The deal is that if Law helps Fin, she will convince Fin to recruit Chloe, who loves soccer but was convinced by her mother, that rather than playing soccer, she should concentrate on being like the popular girls. There is, needless to say, a romantic attraction between Law and Kristen, but neither can get beyond the wounds of their pasts to let love in. They both grew up in dysfunctional families where love was rationed out, rather than given freely. This story has a lot going on in it, but it is expertly pulled together by DeStefano. I loved that there were so many loose threads that needed to come together before the book’s end. There was a lot to pique my interest. The characters were well crafted, and I fell in love with them right away. This is the third book in the Seasons of the Heart series. I have not read the other two yet, but I felt this book could stand on its own without reading all of them. I would definitely recommend LOVE ON MIMOSA LANE to anyone who doesn’t mind a bit of romance, but enjoys reading books that touch on some of society’s sad issues. To learn more about Anna DeStefano, check out her webpage Anna DeStefano, her blog Anna DeStefano, on FaceBook, Twitter, and on Pinterest.
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Spun
by
Catherine E. Mckenzie
ma.james0406
, June 05, 2014
This novella picks up where SPIN left off. Amber is out of rehab and working hard to stay straight, but the paparazzi are working just as hard to portray her as the bad girl. What will it take for the paparazzi to back off and for people to start believing in her again? Catherine McKenzie spins a terrific story whether she is writing a novel or a novella. Her characters are believable and flawed. She will keep you guessing from page one to the end. I loved SPIN and couldn't wait to read SPUN to find out what happened "after". I recommend SPUN to everyone who has read SPIN, and to those who haven't, I recommend both books.
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Hidden
by
Catherine McKenzie
ma.james0406
, April 02, 2014
Catherine McKenzie weaves a tale of secrets kept in her latest book HIDDEN. Jeff Manning is hit by a car while walking home from work and leaves two women devastated. One, his wife Claire, is left to struggle with this unimaginable loss while at the same time helping their son Seth find his way through his own suffering. The other, Jeff’s co-worker Julie, is faced with hiding her grief and at the same time burying her secret before anyone discovers it. Written in the voices of main characters Jeff, Claire, and Tish, this book is brimming with emotion and excitement. Even though Jeff dies at the beginning of the book, his explanations interposed in this way, bring clarity to the story. HIDDEN is about the complexity of relationships ��" good, bad, and everything in between. I am an ardent fan of Catherine McKenzie, and have read all of her fabulous books. HIDDEN is a masterpiece! It is carefully crafted with a story line and characters that left me mesmerized. HIDDEN is a book you will carry with you everywhere you go until you read the last words. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a truly absorbing read. I give it five stars.
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Moon Sisters A Novel
by
Therese Walsh
ma.james0406
, April 02, 2014
THE MOON SISTERS is a remarkable story of two sisters who are grieving the loss of their mother while their father is drowning his sorrow in vodka. Jazz and her younger sister Olivia can’t seem to stop battling over one thing or another ��" Jazz’s new job at the funeral home where their mother’s wake took place; Olivia, legally blind, determined to find an ending for their mother’s novel in remote Cranberry Glades in the mountains of West Virginia. Jazz reluctantly follows Olivia who hops a train and meets Hobbs, a tattooed young man, whom Olivia falls for, much to Jazz’s dismay. After all, they know nothing about him or his past. While trying to protect Olivia and convince her to go home, Jazz becomes as embroiled in Olivia’s struggle to find the spot where their mother believed she would find the conclusion to her life’s work. When I read Walsh’s debut novel THE LAST WILL OF MOIRA LEAHY, I was drawn in and thought I was reading one of the best novels I had ever opened. However, I was unprepared for the complexity of the storytelling in THE MOON SISTERS. This is writing at its finest! The story is woven between bits of past family history and the story of their quest for closure. It is a highly emotional read that will keep your attention from page one to the end of the book. This will surely be among the top books of 2014.
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