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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
Katelyn S. Bolds has commented on (8) products
Doon
by
Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon
Katelyn S. Bolds
, April 19, 2018
An indulgent fantasy set in a mythical Scottish land of Doon, this novel is a lovely treat for YA readers who wish to step out of this world and into a land where soulmates exist and evil comes in the form of witches and enchantments. Two typical teens, Vee and Kenna are on holiday in Scotland. Vee is a cheerleader with a terrible home life, including a pervy almost step-father and a mother with a drinking problem. Kenna has a stable home life with her indulgent father, but struggles to find her place in school, choosing to escape into the fantasy of the theater and dreaming of being on Broadway. The two characters take turns narrating and seem to mirror the strong friendship of the two authors, who claim sometimes they share a brain. The writing is excellent and I adored the relationships and moments shared in this book between the main characters. The romance in the book focuses on the idea in Doon of a "Calling" where soulmates have dreams of each other. Kenna and Vee are forced to decide what they are willing to sacrifice for love. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to devour the next few in the world of Doon. I'd recommend for YA readers, especially those who enjoy fantasy, but not limited to those who enjoy high fantasy, as this book is definitely not too "out there".
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Facefakers Game
by
Chandler Birch
Katelyn S. Bolds
, April 11, 2018
The Facefaker's Game is a book about a street urchin being offered a new life, apprenticed to a benevolent conman magician who work to bring down a corrupt crime lord. You would think from that description it would be archetypal, mundane, and rather boring. Well it's anything but that. For a debut author, Chandler Birch writes with the style of a master. His voice is witty and humble, gritty and heartwarming, familiar and foreign. Several parts of the book required me to break out my highlighter to mark passages that were particularly perfectly written. The world-crafting is immersive, with language that is colorful in it's description and creative in it's interpretation. There are a few places where plot threads lead off and do not tie back up in the end, which lead me to question whether or not there would be a sequel. The author has been planning one, but has not yet convinced his publisher to publish it! Very disappointing. I hope he finds a way to publish it anyways, because his writing is far too big for just one book. Fantasy readers will love this book.
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Sphere
by
Michael Crichton
Katelyn S. Bolds
, April 11, 2018
I love Michael Crichton books. Although for the life of me I can never remember how his name is spelled. Usually I just end up browsing around the C's looking for cool covers until I find him. This book I actually picked up in a lending library at my local YMCA, looking for something to read during my post-run sauna time. The concept is not entirely unique, but the ensemble cast and psychological exploration of the team is fascinating. As the main character is a psychologist, I expected some of that going in, but the twists and turns are really interesting. Definitely a science fiction thriller, so it's fast paced and there's quite a bit of violence and gore. It didn't bother me, but I thought I should mention it. From black holes to the power of the human imagination, Crichton explores the depth of possibility. The ending is a little disappointing as it utilizes the deus ex machina plot device. (Please click the link and read the definition if you don't know that phrase. It really is interesting.) However, in this particular situation I give grace to Mr. Crichton as this was during the part of his writing career that (in my humble opinion) he was just starting to find his voice. Sphere was published just before Jurassic Park. I've also just learned that this book was converted into a movie with Dustin Hoffman and Sharon Stone in it! But... it got terrible reviews. Probably because so much of the movie is INTERNAL dialogue and psychological exploration! Why don't they ever think about what makes the book good before Hollywood goes off an makes a movie adaptation? Bah. Oh well. Overall, I would recommend for those who like psychological exploration and science fiction thrillers.
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The Melody of the Soul
by
Liz Tolsma
Katelyn S. Bolds
, April 11, 2018
I literally couldn't put this book down. I picked it up when I got home after work and read it straight through. It instantly drew me in with the vivid scenes and well researched linguistics. I loved seeing the different cultures of the Jewish, German, and Czech characters! Since I've been learning German this year, it was fun to see what I already knew, but Tolsma also provides a handy key for the words used in the book. Tolsma is a passionate writer and it shows on the page. There are quite a few characters in this book, but they are all very detailed and well-written with excellent development over the course of the book. Her characters are all broken, realistic people and struggle with the battle of what is good and what is evil. Obviously, we root against the Nazi's, but it's important to see the internal struggle in Horst. Horst got his job in the Nazi's regime just following in his father's footsteps, but he starts questioning if what they are doing is right. We need to see this because evil can be deceitful and appear to be good. The romance in the book was good. I'm not particularly a fan of romance, so I was happy that there was more in the book than just that. If you want a more detailed review of romance, I'd suggest you visit a different reviewer blog. ;) I will say the only thing that frustrated me with the book was I thought Anna wasn't very careful. I think this was supposed to be brave, but for me I would've just stopped playing the violin and just lock myself in a basement with a few years worth of food.... But that's just me, and I'm not a passionate musician. The Melody of the Soul was gripping and intense, while still providing a satisfying ending. I would recommend this to lovers of WWII fiction and historical fiction.
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Beast
by
Chawna Schroeder
Katelyn S. Bolds
, April 11, 2018
Beast is an entrancing tale told first-person through the eyes of a young girl, "Beast", who has grown up feral with a pack of dogs. She does not notice that she is different, and while she can understand what humans are saying, she cannot speak. When her pack is raided and she is carted off to be sold at a slave market, the men only see her value as an amusement to hunt as a beast. She meets another young girl who's been captured by the slave traders; Tabby befriends the bedraggled Beast and gives her a new human name and a new hope, that they will be saved and go to live with Tabby's father. But will he come to save them? And will he even want such a beast? With vivid imagery and intense scenes, Beast is captivating and beautiful. The first-person narration is exceptional and definitely makes the story. The allegory of redemptive love is highly beautiful. The inner thoughts of a young woman who is questioning her place, purpose, and worth is very believable and adds to the relatability and meaning of the story. As the main character has no education, the book does trend towards a young adult tone, but don't underestimate the draw of the psychological complexities. The story definitely appeals to all ages of allegory lovers and will provide a unique read for fantasy lovers as well!
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Waters of Salt and Sin
by
Alisha Klapheke
Katelyn S. Bolds
, April 11, 2018
17-year-old Kinneret has been raised knowing the power of controlling the seas. Just like the high caste members of Old Farm who pray to the fire, she whispers to the waters, who come to her aid. Kinneret is a strong willed force to be reckoned with. She has her sights on raising her and her younger sister from low caste to high caste, and proving her worth to marry her best friend, Calev. She's an admirable character, with her biggest flaw being not thinking things through. Because of this, she gets into trouble a LOT in the book, which I feel could've been avoided. However, her strong head obeys her heart. The book is a relatively easy fantasy to get into, and a quick read with lots of dialog and interesting plot points. I would recommend this series to a Young Adult audience or adults young at heart. *Soapbox* Some of my readers might hold issue with the term "salt witch," but in a fantasy novel, I think it's totally acceptable and overall, the values in this book are ones that I would be comfortable passing to my children. Just keep an open line of communication with your kids; don't stop them from reading what interests them.
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Olivia Twist
by
Lorie Langdon
Katelyn S. Bolds
, April 11, 2018
As an avid reader of Dickens' works, I was prepared to hate this book as much as the movie currently in theaters entitled, Sherlock Gnomes. I shudder to think of it. How can anyone slaughter a classic in such a way? Thankfully readers of Lorie Langdon's Olivia Twist do not have to worry about the story being diluted by nonsense and slap-happy gnomes. In fact, this reimagined tale is almost a tribute to the characters that Charles Dickens created and modernizes many aspects that can be better understood through the eyes of current readers, especially in that of the witty and independent Olivia. Also, the tale is not as bleak as the original classic, but still depicts the plight of women and the poor in 1800s London. Orphaned as an infant, Olivia grew up as a London street rat, hiding under the guise of being a boy. She knew early on that a woman on the streets of London has a far less chance of making it than a man. Now under the protection of her long-lost uncle, she has left her life of thieving behind... well, mostly. When she recognizes a handsome gentleman at a society party as none other than the Artful Dodger, she is swept into an adventure of turns and literal Twists. I absolutely adored this book. Loved the characters, the scenery, the plot! My only regret is that this book ended too soon! I ordered it off Amazon and the day it arrived, I read it in one sitting. Hah! Well, I guess I'll just have to read it again. Here's hoping Lorie Langdon writes more reimagined classics! Readers from Young Adult and up will enjoy this reimagined classic full of adventure, a smidge of romance, and a wicked awesome heroine.
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Julie
by
Catherine Marshall
Katelyn S. Bolds
, April 11, 2018
In all of this, Julie is just a girl with high ideals, struggling with the changes, and writing in her journal. Since you're reading from her perspective, you get to observe her thoughts on everything from the eligible bachelors in town to her desire to write and expose the truth. She's naive, a troublemaker, and above all, extremely relate-able. In addition to everything happening with Julie's career as a newspaper journalist, the book also focuses on her potential suitors, at least four serious ones! Man, if only I was that popular in high school. I would recommend this book to a Young Adult to Adult audience.
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