This book was hard to connect to because the main character refers to everyone around her as a title (ex:the husband, the daughter) and refers to no one by name. She is stuck in a less than perfect marriage and is treated as an outcast for her profession as a funeral cryer, which to many makes her bad luck. As soon as she seems to making some changes for her happiness the story kind of abruptly ends. I really wanted more from the ending. One thing I did appreciate about this book was the glimpse into Chinese culture at the time.

This book had a lot of animals in it. It was very creative. My favorite part was when they slid on the ice like a polar Bears. I also liked that it had facts on the back about polar bears.

An amazing psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you wanting to unearth more answers to the burning questions that pop up. I audibly gasped as secrets were unfolding with every twist and turn. And like the characters in the book, I felt a sense of closure as I turned the last page. Lucy Foley is a mastermind, and this might be her best one yet!

I was very excited about this book. It sucked me in through the first 80% and lost a bit of steam. There were a few loose strings I’d like to have had cleared up . Overall, I enjoyed it yet wanted more from it.

I didn’t realize this was a book for middle schoolers when I picked it up . That being said the subject matter is very deep, murder, abuse , child lose and grief . I couldn’t gauge the time setting . The 13 year olds have to help out and work crabbing, culling chickens etc and they even smoke cigarettes. I feel it would be hard for children to connect to this book today.

I liked this one. I had read Throne of the Fallen before starting this series and I really enjoyed it so I figured why not go back and try this one,

The story kept me glued to this book. Koontz’s writing is very prosaic and richly descriptive. My first read of this author.

A staff pick and a beautifully written short book by poet Aimee N. While not poems, the short stories written about flora and fauna are poetic in nature. The author picks specific subjects that have meaning in her life and intertwines scientific facts with stories about her family as well as about world issues. The stories about the Potoo and the Octopus were favorites.

I was eager to read this book, as the author is a former colleague of mine. I greatly enjoyed reading her memoir. By moments I felt very moved, and by moments I laughed out loud, two responses I greatly appreciate a book evoking. I also deeply appreciated Felicia's celebration of cultural and linguistic diversity. Last but not least, I found the parallels between her work with Deaf and hard of hearing students, and hearing students learning English as a second language, fascinating, and would love to delve further into this topic!

I enjoyed the overall concept of this book, especially the conclusion of the adventure at the end. However, I found it lacked in enough action and suspense to keep me truly engaged.