Little Sock by Kia Heise


Little Sock by Kia Heise
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Genre: Childrens, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Little Sock is tired of his routine. Day after day, it’s the same old thing. He gets worn, he gets dirty, and he gets washed. Nothing ever changes. The other socks in the drawer don’t seem to mind but Little Sock wants something different. He has heard of a place, Sock City, where everything is new and exciting, so one night he makes his escape from his drawer. Will Little Sock reach his destination? And what will he find there?

What if a washing machine were capable of doing more than just cleaning clothing?

This was one of the most creative children’s stories I’ve read so far this year. The thought of missing socks ending up in Sock City made me smile. I don’t want to give away too many details about later plot twists, but the author clearly spent a lot of time developing a reason why socks sometimes go missing when they’re washed or dried. Her reasoning for what happens to them was as it was logical according to the rules of this universe as it was imaginative.

What was missing in this tale was conflict. The characters were fascinating and the world-building made me wish for a sequel, but I didn’t feel the same way about the storyline itself. While I definitely wouldn’t expect to read anything too in-depth or potentially scary for this age group, it would have been helpful if Little Sock had dealt with more obstacles on his journey to Sock City and back home again.

The main character was such a brave little dude. His self-confidence was strong, and he always kept his head held high. I admired that about him and thought it made him a good role model for young readers. He was the sort of character who could teach more timid or frighten children a thing or two about going on an adventure and looking for the bright side of life.

Little Sock is a must-read for anyone who has ever wondered what might have happened to a favorite sock that disappeared on laundry day.

Siren’s Call: Cursed Seas by Amy McKinley


Siren’s Call: Cursed Seas by Amy McKinley
Publisher: Champagne Books
Genre: Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Fantasy, Young Adult
Length: Full length (223 pages)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Rating: Best Book
Reviewed by Chamomile

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Fate will not be denied.

Nerissa thinks she’s safe from the gods and elders that rule her village. She’s wrong. It’s only a matter of time before she is chosen to pay the ultimate price—her life.

For decades, the gods have protected the small seaside village where she lives. That’s about to end. Fishermen return with empty nets, trees cease to bear fruit, and the winds whisper of an ancient curse. There’s still hope that the offering of an unmarried woman will return the god’s favor.

As the maiden sacrifice nears Nerissa takes matters into her hands. All she needs is a husband to escape the terms of the offering. When she meets Zeer, a visiting fisherman, he sweeps her off her feet.

Are her prayers truly answered?

Everyone around her is keeping secrets, and there is no one left to rely on but herself. As the night ushers in a violent storm that echoes the god’s anger, she realizes the worst is yet to come. When the first rays of dawn arrive, a knock sounds at her door and she knows her entire world is about to turn upside down.

Love stories with strong female lead, mythology and siren lore, atmospheric settings, and all the feels? Siren’s Call: Cursed Seas doesn’t disappoint!

I picked this one up without having seen or heard any mention of it, but suddenly many of the people I follow in the book community started talking about it, and I could wait to start reading. They were right! I loved reading Nerissa’s story, which is well written, and impossible to put down!

Mrs. McKinley really knows how to hook a reader, and even from the first page, I found I wanted to know more, and couldn’t get enough! I flew through this one, and loved every minute, from the witty dialogue to the suspense and surprises, this book has a little of everything, and the romance added an interesting balance to all the chaos.

When I found this one, I was wanting a story that combined mythology, romance, and plenty of emotions to pull on my heart-strings, boy did Siren’s Call: Cursed Seas deliver! It also introduced my to a new author, and as mentioned, was a title I hadn’t heard of before, so it was extra exciting how much I enjoyed it!

This story is perfect for fans of paranormal/fantasy romances written for upper YA readers who enjoy siren/mermaid lore, and stories set on or near the sea! I loved reading this one, and highly recommend it to readers who are looking for their next read! You know a book is good when it has both characters you can’t help but love, and those you love to hate! With complex personalities, and some well placed snark, these characters take on a life of their own, and I’d love to see similar stories from Mrs. Amy McKinley in the future!

October Book of the Month Poll Winner ~ The Fog Ladies by Susan McCormick


The Fog Ladies by Susan McCormick
A San Francisco Cozy Murder Mystery
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Contemporary
Length: Full length (321 pages)
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Reviewed by Poinsettia

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Young, overworked, overtired, overstressed medical intern Sarah James has no time for sleuthing. Her elderly neighbors, the spunky Fog Ladies, have nothing but time. When, one by one, old ladies die in their elegant apartment building in San Francisco, Sarah assumes the deaths are the natural consequence of growing old. The Fog Ladies assume murder.

Mrs. Bridge falls off a stool cleaning bugs out of her kitchen light. Mrs. Talwin slips on bubbles in the bath and drowns. Suddenly, the Pacific Heights building is turning over tenants faster than the fog rolls in on a cool San Francisco evening.

Sarah resists the Fog Ladies’ perseverations. But when one of them falls down the stairs and tells Sarah she was pushed, even Sarah believes evil lurks in their building. Can they find the killer before they fall victim themselves?

READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE!

The Unhappy Stonecutter: A Japanse Folk Tale by Charlotte Guillain


The Unhappy Stonecutter: A Japanse Folk Tale by Charlotte Guillain
Folk Tales From Around the World

Publisher: Raintree
Genre: Childrens, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical
Length: Short Story (24 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

This book tells the story of the Unhappy Stonecutter, a traditional Japanese folk tale. In it, a simple stonecutter learns that you should count your blessings and be grateful for what you already have, instead of always wanting more!

No one has a perfect life.

This story had a wonderful sense of humor. Haru found something to complain about no matter what the Mountain Spirit did to improve his life. The interesting thing is, all of his complaints were framed in a funny way. That was an excellent way to keep the plot light no matter what the main character disliked about what was currently happening to him. It also kept me guessing how he might respond to the newest changes in his fortunes.

While I understand this was heavily based on a traditional folk tale, I would have liked to see more attention paid to the development of the ending. Haru was such a restless person that I was surprised by how his adventures were wrapped up. It would have been helpful to have a little more of an explanation of how he ended up with the resolution that he did since he was so unhappy with the things that happened to him earlier on.

With that being said, I still liked Haru as an individual. Honestly, there have been times when I’ve wanted to walk in someone else’s shoes. I appreciated the fact that the narrator spent so much time exploring what this character disliked about his daily routine as a poor stonecutter and how he wished things would change. He was so open about his complaints that I couldn’t help but to hope he’d find a solution for them.

I’d recommend The Unhappy Stonecutter: A Japanse Folk Tale to anyone who has ever hoped for something they didn’t have.

Corky Tails: Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush and the Butterfly Creek Flood by Joni Franks


Corky Tails: Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush: Sagebrush and the Butterfly Creek Flood by Joni Franks
Publisher: Xlibris
Genre: Childrens, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (54 pages)
Age Recommendation: 8+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Fat black thunderclouds billowed high in the Rocky Mountain sky, foreshadowing that a stormy weather day was already brewing on the cattle ranch where Sagebrush, the tailless puppy, and her parents, Maverick and Ginger, slept in their warm, cozy doggy beds. Follow Sagebrush and the young miss in this search-and-rescue adventure as they endeavor to save a lost hiker and the tiny people known as Shuns from the rising waters of Butterfly Creek. This charming tale teaches the life lesson of having faith in yourself and faith in others and is paired with the message that all lives matter equally. The fourth book in the multiple award-winning collection, Sagebrush and the Butterfly Creek Flood is a delightful tale, one that is not to be forgotten.

Everyone is valuable.

The world building was well done. No sooner did I finish the first paragraph then I felt like I’d been magically transported to another time and place. I had exactly the right amount of detail about the setting and the characters’ cultures to help me imagine what everything was like. This isn’t an easy thing to accomplish in a short story, so I will be on the lookout for more stories from Ms. Franks in the future.

My only criticism has to do with the number of characters. I liked all of them, but there simply wasn’t quite enough room in a fifty-four page story to give everyone a chance to shine. It would have been nice to get to know two or three of the characters better instead of jumping around between multiple perspectives. With that being said, this is still something I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to kids and people who enjoy reading children’s fiction in general.

I was delighted by the compassion and kindness in this book. The main characters were all genuinely good individuals who didn’t expect any sort of praise or reward for the nice things they did for others. There was no sermonizing to be found on this topic. They simply helped others for the sheer joy of it. That’s the sort of character I always enjoy reading about.

This is part of a series, but it can easily be read as a standalone work.

Corky Tails Tales of a Tailless Dog Named Sagebrush, Sagebrush and the Butterfly Creek Flood was heartwarming. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves animals or nature.

Glow by Megan Bryant


Glow by Megan Bryant
Publisher: AW Teen
Genre: Historical, YA, Fiction
Length: Full Length (272 pgs)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

Lydia is thrilled to join the working girls in the factory, where they paint luminous watch dials for the soldiers fighting in World War I. In the future, these girls will be known as the tragic Radium Girls: factory workers not only poisoned by the glowing paint, but who also had to fight against men who knew of the paint’s deadly effect. One hundred years later, Julie, whose life is on hold after high school, becomes intrigued by a series of mysterious antique paintings she finds in a thrift store. When she discovers their hidden-and increasingly nightmarish-glowing images, Julie is determined to learn more about them. As Julie’s obsession mounts, truths about the Radium Girls-and her own complicated relationships-are revealed. Can she uncover the secrets behind the paintings before she puts herself and everyone she loves at risk?

A special painting that changes when the lights go out and a girl with a complicated life. This book packs a punch.

The author has created a story that captivated me from the first page. The writing flowed well and I had to know what would happen next. I also got emotionally invested in Charlotte, Liza and Lydia. I liked them, even when I wanted to shout, don’t eat that paint!

The characters of Lydia, Liza and Charlotte were well-planned and made the most of the situation the Radium Girls went through–they tipped their brushes to paint watch dials with paint that glowed in the dark. They also painted their jewelry, painted their teeth and as a bi-product, ate the paint. I liked these characters and would’ve loved to have read more about them.

Julie, the modern day character, had her issues. Now, she’s a young adult who didn’t get the chance to go to college because she got her mother’s house out of foreclosure. So, yes, she’s got some issues. She’s a older teen, she’s the bread-winner in the family and she has some communication issues common with teens – she thinks everyone knows what she means and she knows everything. The author created the character in an interesting manner, but there were a few things that happened to her that seemed a bit cliche.

Still, I liked this book, and while I don’t read much YA, I recommend this one. Give it a try.

(Not Quite) the Same Old Song by Lindsey Ouimet


(Not Quite) the Same Old Song by Lindsey Ouimet
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (195 pages)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Heat Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

When her brother relapses—again—and disappears with the rent money, Darcy Andrews is forced to pawn the one thing that means the most to her. Her guitar, Darlene. Suddenly the plus-size teen’s plans for a stress-free summer before senior year are washed down the drain. Now she must earn enough money to get her brother the help he needs and to buy Darlene back.

Enter Grey, the pawnshop owner’s son. Popular, annoyingly hot, and inexplicably on stage with Darlene in his hands. Not only is he playing her guitar, but he kind of sucks at it. Before she can stop herself, Darcy is offering Grey guitar lessons, adding yet another complication to her plans—a summer romance with the last boy she ever thought would be interested in her.

It’s all sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll. Except, not quite. She’s down one guitar, the drugs are her brother’s problem, and once school starts back, Darcy is afraid Grey is embarrassed to be seen with her. But when an opportunity to win money for her brother’s rehab arises, she won’t let all that stand in her way.

You never really know what someone might be dealing with behind closed doors.

The arc of the romantic plot line was perfect. I adored the chemistry between Darcy and Grey. They had so much in common that I immediately knew I wanted them to remain in each other’s lives either as friends or a couple. As they got to know each other better, I became even more convinced that they’d make the perfect match. Not only did they share the same hobbies, they had the same values as well. That is, they were both far more interested in quietly doing the right thing no matter who noticed than in getting credit for it. Their strong senses of integrity were well matched and also made me love both of these characters even more than I did when I first met them.

Darcy was such a relatable and interesting protagonist. Most high school students don’t need to worry about helping their moms pay rent or keep food on the table. As tough as these added responsibilities made her life, they also shaped her into a hard-working and trustworthy young woman. She took life seriously in a good way. When she did have opportunities to relax, she dove into those experiences with joy. I wanted her to finally get a happy ending after everything she’d been through.

I was also impressed with how sensitively and honestly Ms. Ouimet handled Quinn’s substance abuse. He was Darcy’s only sibling, their family was low income, and they honestly didn’t have much of a social safety net at all. All of these things made an already difficult situation even harder to cope with. There was simply not enough time, emotional support, or money to deal with all of the negative consequences of his addiction. I’ll admit to blinking back tears a few times while I read this story because of how much empathy I had for this family. They were facing awful circumstances, and the author did an amazing job of showing how Quinn’s choices affected not only his own life but the lives of his mother and sister.

(Not Quite) the Same Old Song is a must-read for anyone who has ever had personal experience with substance abuse or who wonders what it feels like to love someone who is in such a self-destructive cycle.

No More Dead Kids by Thomas Marshall


No More Dead Kids by Thomas Marshall
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Length: Full Length (291 pages)
Age Recommendation: 16+
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Although Alexander, a Japanese-American teen living in a small Southern-California beach town, enters his junior year of high school apathetically, he is soon thrust out of this ennui when he begins a secret relationship with Lila, his teacher’s daughter, as well as when he befriends a troubled freshman, Kenneth. Things finally seem to be looking up for Alex, all until Kenneth forms reluctant plans to bring a gun to school and Alex must act fast to stop this new friend from doing the unimaginable.

Some choices are easier to make than other ones are.

This tale had good character development, and I’m not only talking about the protagonist here. Alex and several of his friends changed in all sorts of thought-provoking and realistic ways from the first scene to the last one. Even the school shooter’s development was well done, and that’s not something that’s necessarily easy to do!

The pacing started off quite slowly. To be honest, I had trouble getting into the plot in the beginning because of this. As interesting as it was to meet the various characters, I would have liked to see them deal with more conflict early on so that I could see how they responded to the ordinary challenges of life before the mass shooting began. I’m saying this as someone who was invested in the subject matter of this book and who really wanted to give it a higher rating.

While this story was about a student who was plotting to shoot his classmates, it was about so much more than that as well. I can’t go into much detail about the other storylines without giving away spoilers, but I was pleased with how many other conflicts the author explored once the pacing picked up. The characters were similar to real-life people when it came to the many different things they had to juggle in their lives.

No More Dead Kids should be read by anyone who is interested in the warning signs of a possible school shooter.

Cat’s Egg by Aparna Karthikeyan


Cat’s Egg by Aparna Karthikeyan
Publisher: Karadi Tales Picturebooks
Genre: Childrens, Holiday, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (36 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

How long does it take to hatch a kitten? Cat isn’t sure, but she would rather be snacking or napping. Join her as she looks around for a babysitter for her mysterious golden egg. She seeks help from her baffled friend Dog, a crow, a koel, and a turtle, for as we all know, it takes a village to raise an egg. Aparna Karthikeyan’s delightfully humorous prose is complemented by Christine Kastl’s art that has an almost three-dimensional quality to it. Together, they take you on a feline adventure quite unlike any other.

No one can look after a kitten egg all on their own. It takes a village to keep such a precious thing warm and safe.

As soon as I read the blurb, I had to find out what happened next. Somehow the storyline itself was even funnier and more amusing than my already-high expectations. The plot twists only grew better over time, especially once Cat realized that her attempts to hatch a kitten weren’t going as well as she’d hoped they would. While it was written for preschoolers, there were several humorous moments that appealed to me as an adult reader, and it all started with the thought of a kitten growing in an egg.

There was an important part of the plot that was never wrapped up. This came as a surprise to me because of how often Cat talked about it in the first few scenes. I really expected her to find a resolution for this problem, and I would have chosen a much higher rating if one of the later scenes had wrapped it up in some way.

This is the sort of book that works best if the audience knows as little about the plot as possible when they begin reading the first sentence. I appreciated the fact that the blurb kept the most important surprises safely hidden away. While there are plenty of other things I’d love to say about what happened in the later scenes, I think new readers will enjoy it more if I also avoid giving out even the slightest hint about what happened to Cat and her friends.

Cat’s Egg was a creative, heartwarming tale that I’d recommend to readers of all ages.

The Ladybug and the Ant by Carole St-Laurent


The Ladybug and the Ant by Carole St-Laurent
Publisher: Fat Cat Publishing
Genre: Childrens, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (30 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A kindred fairy-tale.

This is a story of two impossible dreams and an unsuspected friendship.

Grow wings on the back of your young ones with The Ladybug And The Ant.

As one dreams of flying freely like a butterfly, the other, who is orphaned and lonely, wishes she could be a part of a family. Seeing that the friendship grows between the two young strangers, they’ll discover that with the help of one another, their virtually impossible dreams will come true.

It is a lesson in sharing, acceptance of one another, and complicity.

There’s more than one way to accomplish your wildest dreams.

The friendship between Coco and Peechooka was marvelous. They shared many common interests and seemed to deeply enjoy spending time together. I enjoyed reading about the various things they did to pass the time. They were good friends to each other from the very first day they met even though they both had something that the other one wanted very badly. I thought it was nice they could be friends even though they were both a little envious of what their buddy had.

It would have been helpful to have more details included in this tale. The narrator talked about what the two main characters did after they met each other in general terms, but I found it hard to imagine their adventures because none of the descriptions were specific. For example, the narrator mentioned the characters telling stories but didn’t say what they were about or how anyone reacted to them. If more attention had been paid to things like this, I would have selected a much higher rating.

The ending was well done. While this was written with a preschool audience in mind, I thought that the final scene would be just as meaningful for much older people because of what it had to say about how we should treat each other and what we should to do to chase dreams that sure seem like they’d be impossible to reach. While I can’t say much else about the end without giving away spoilers, I was pleased with how the author wrapped everything up and will be keeping an eye out for more of her works in the future.

The Ladybug and the Ant was a charming picture book I’d recommend to readers of all ages.