A gritty memoir of a man who rose out of a violent and transient childhood to become a scientist for NASA. Instead of falling into a downward spiral of poverty, abuse, violence and drugs Hakeem discovered early on that he had a super power that would save him - he was smart. The more he learned, the more he wanted to understand which got him countless whippings as a kid but gave his curious mind somewhere to go other than the streets. His life was a yo-yo which included gang trouble and drugs but education led him eventually to Stanford and a career at NASA. He is blunt and honest in his accounting of the challenges and triumphs and hopefully his story will inspire young people at a crossroads to succeed and appeal to those who have the power to lift up rather than force down. 4 stars
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Four very strong women from a variety of backgrounds make their mark joined together by family. Each woman came into the family bearing secrets but when their men left them to head off to war or other troubles, they shared those secrets making a blood oath to work together to protect the family.
As the Godmothers, they take on the family businesses, paying the mob bosses and others as well as battling another family who seeks to destroy them. Compared to THE GODFATHER, these women come from France, Italy and Ireland and are definitely a force to be reckoned with not cast away in the kitchen. Their children carry on the tradition of hard work with a propensity to get into trouble. These strong, smart women will inspire and give us a very different perspective of the Italian/American family caught by war at home and abroad. THE GODMOTHERS will make historical fiction readers an offer they can't refuse. 4 1/2 stars New York City in the early 1900's is a melting pot of ethnic groups, religions and language. It is also a
place of mystical beings like Chava a golem woman made of clay and Ahmad a jinni enslaved and driven by fire. The many people who come into contact with these two are changed forever and one of them, Sophia, travels to the Middle East in search of her jinni and a cure. Touched by the human world they find themselves a part of yet unable to truly ever be accepted in, Chava and Ahmad spend their time searching as do the other characters, for intimacy and a sense of belonging. The magic of the Middle East legends blend seamlessly with the old world reality of the tenements and hardships of the crowded streets of New York. Helen Wecker creates such a vivid portrait that you hear the call to worship, smell the challah baking and feel the heat from Ahmad's forge. While you can read this as a standalone you would be denying yourself the full sense of wonder of learning of the golem and the jinni's origin story. Readers who love a bit of history with their magic and fans of THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE or THE CITY OF BRASS will fall for this completely. 5 stars The story picks up after ONLY KILLERS AND THIEVES and takes us back to the Australian Outback in the late 1800's. Brothers McBride are still reeling from the violence in their past and the loss of their family years before. They have been witness to atrocities against the native population which they are powerless to correct. Life in the Outback is hard, times are violent and if you keep your head down if you don't want to be hunted yourself. One brother runs from the law after an accident and the other stays to start up life again on their dilapidated homestead after falling in love with his boss's widow.
Neither of them can forget or forgive themselves for what happened and the man responsible. Because of this they will be on the run or looking over their shoulder forever. For fans of classic westerns - regardless if they are the American West or Australian Outback. 4 stars A quiet but deadly fantasy about generations of gifted women who guard the dead and protect the living from the Furnace and its deadly call. Jean is raised mainly by her Nan because her mother is in her cups more often than not. Nan begins Jean's lessons as a young child limiting her training to creative King and a few trusted friends. With only a dead boy she reads to, a talking bird and adults to talk to Jean seeks warmth and friendship she doesn't find at home and this makes her vulnerable to a strange man that appears whom she calls - the graceful man. As the danger comes closer to the village and her family Jean will be called on to put herself in the fire. Beautifully written this has a fairy tale quality with elements of TALES OF THE HINDERLAND, THE STARLESS SEA and THE BEAR AND THE NIGHTINGALE. I have a feeling we will be seeing more of this world. 4 stars
After coming home from war Dave is trying to get through his PTSD so he can be there for his young daughter Bella. Unable to deal with pressures of being home and debt he packs up a bit of their belongings and he and Bella hike up into the Cascades to an ancient cave that will be their home. They live off the land where Bella's education consists of her father's knowledge and library books from infrequent trips made back to town. Life is ok but soon the world will come to them with a plea to send Bella back to town. The secondary story is that of another parent and child who lived in the cave back in the Ice Age. This is a love story to nature and the act of living simply in the rugged Cascades as well as a look at parent/child relationships. This book will appeal to a wide variety of readers from CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR ancient history to outdoor adventure in THE RIVER to families living off the grid like THE GREAT ALONE. 4 stars
Elite gamers have heard rumors of the secretive game "Rabbits" but few know more than a bit of gossip. K knows enough to give presentations about the game, theories and previous winners but he has not found a way to play it until now. Since childhood K has been sensitive to things, has a razor sharp mind for detail and tends to have blackouts often but it is only after a meeting with an eccentric billionaire (a previous Rabbits winner) that K gets drawn into the rabbit hole. The billionaire is missing, people are dying so K and a friend must now play the game, find the missing, and not die trying to save the world. Elements of READY PLAYER ONE, STRANGER THINGS and the show HOMECOMING are here as well as a ton of 80's -90's gaming trivia making this the obvious choice for gamers both old school and present day.
Fight the urge to keep a notebook handy so you can jot down your own theories, discrepancies and clues. This will be a great crossover for young adult readers and there is a podcast by the same name if you need more. 4 stars Two sisters - one marries a damaged diplomat for love, the other marries her career at a publishing house. They have a falling out until 1948 when Ruth gets a message from her pregnant sister now living in Moscow - I need you, come. Ruth wants Iris out and gets help from an agent in the U.S. who will pose as her new husband. This brilliant story with its flawed characters pulls you into the complex nest of spies instantly as only Beatriz Williams can do. Another terrific historical mystery steeped in the dangerous Cold War. 4 stars
In a hospital in Glasgow live two patients, one a teen and one much older but both are dying.
They share 100 years between them and to celebrate this both begin an art project to chronicle their lives. The problem is that Lenni is only 17 and hasn't had the chance to make the memories that Margot has so Margot shares her stories and a bit of her life for Lenni. This delightful "Odd Couple" pair, along with the hospital chaplain and a gaggle of well meaning staff, help Lenni live her best life through Margot's stories and show Margot what really is important in the time they have left. Lenni and Margot worm their way into your heart from the first few pages. I won't lie to you, dear reader. Have extra tissues handy. For readers who love a story of multiple generations teaching each other about life and quirky but extremely lovable characters. 5 stars Jo is Girl One, the first child created and birthed without any male DNA. Jo, her mother and a handful of other women were part of a strange experimental cult- like commune where an egomaniac doctor bred his girls until a tragic fire ended it all. Years pass and Jo is alerted that her mother has disappeared after a fire so she heads out on the road in search of her mother's trail by finding the remaining girls and moms. It is a strange road trip staying one step ahead of those who would harm them. The more Jo discovers about their past the more dangerous their future becomes. Great sci-fi with echoes of sisterhood, super powers and the weirdness of ORPHAN BLACK. 4 stars
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