The Borrower

The Borrower, a novel by Rebecca Makkai, centers on Lucy Hull, a twenty-six year old children’s librarian in Hannibal, Missouri. Her favorite patron, 10 year old Ian Drake, a voracious reader, sneaks books past his overprotective Evangelical mother with Lucy’s help.When Lucy discovers Ian hiding out in the library after hours with plans of escape and a backpack full of food and other provisions, she decides to drive him home. However, Lucy also urgently wants to save Ian from the Drakes, and the weekly anti-gay classes they have enrolled him in.

Rather than bring Ian home to his parents like she planned, Lucy finds herself on her way out of Hannibal, and Missouri, after allowing herself to be hijacked by the rebellious ten year old.

A fun and exciting read, Makkai keeps you hooked throughout this unlikely pair’s travels from Missouri to Vermont. With help from her Russian immigrant father through his shady connections, Lucy and Ian dodge the many obstacles in their path, having several interesting adventures along the way.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

My Stroke of Insight

My Stroke of Insight is an intriguing and informative book which tells Jill Bolte Taylor's harrowing true story. Ironically a brain scientist, Taylor suffers a rare form of stroke at the age of 37. Although it takes her eight years, she makes a miraculously full recovery. In the first few chapters Taylor's book has an interestingly nonfiction approach, giving you a detailed tour of the human brain itself and what was going on in Taylor's brain during the stroke. However, Taylor also utilizes personal and humorous storytelling, showing you that it is possible to persevere and remain optimistic even against what appear to be insurmountable odds.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

Stop Pretending

Stop Pretending, a collection of poems written by Sonya Sones and inspired by her own life, tells the moving story of a young girl named Cookie, her family, and the aftermath of her eldest sister's nervous breakdown. Bearing as much weight as a large novel, this quick, emotional read can capture any reader's compassion, leaving you with a very different perspective on mental illness and those affected by it.

I found the format of Sones' book refreshing and the personal poems thought provoking. I recommend this book especially to anyone short on time and looking for a great read.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, a memoir by Alexandra Fuller, centers around Fuller’s childhood, which was spent almost entirely in Africa. Facing racial tensions, war, and loss, this unconventional and extraordinary childhood was not always a happy one. However, Fuller writes with an endearing sense of humor about her experiences. This captivating story about the joys and struggles of family and growing up, and also the tough realities of farm life keeps you hooked from start to finish. I highly recommend this book to any reader with a sense of adventure.

Reviewed by Kayla Britt

The Best Revenge (SS) by Rebecca Rule

Revenge doesn't always mean getting back. "The Best Revenge" is a compilation of short stories about the sweetest revenge in rural New Hampshire. Rebecca Rule covers all types of revenge in her nineteen stories.

This compilation has many good stories. Also, if you decide that you don't like one of them, you can skip ahead to the next one. Each story has a life lesson in it and each is about everyday happenings. Nothing is out of the ordinary or hard to bond with. Everyone will most definitely find a story that they can truly connect to.
Reviewed by Bri C.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

1. Clean up your own messes.
2. Tell the truth.
3. Brush your teeth twice a day.
4. Don’t be late for school.
5. Take care of your brother; he’s the only one you’ve got.

These are the "House Rules".

Emma Hunt is a single mom of two teenage boys, Jacob and Theo. Theo seems to be an average sixteen year old kid, he loves skateboarding, listening to music, and is embarrassed by the thought of his family. Jacob… isn’t so average. Jacob is eighteen years old, loves crime scene investigation, and has Aspergers. The Hunt household will never be the same, now that Jacob is the top suspect in the murder of Jess Ogilvy, his personal tutor. Emma is willing to do anything to keep her family intact. Before she can do this, she needs some very important questions to be answered; “What is Theo hiding?” and “Did Jacob kill that girl?”
Find out exactly what happened, in Jodi Picoult’s "House Rules".

This book was a little slow at first, but very interesting. Once I got about halfway through, I could not put the book down. House Rules is the perfect mystery novel, it lets you play detective while the case is progressing. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is willing to spend a little extra time reading.

Reviewed by Bri C.

My Name is Memory by Anne Brashares

The classic tale of star crossed lovers, "My Name is Memory" is worth the read. Follow Daniel through the times (and locations) and watch his love and devotion to Sophia grow. Wherever they may be; the Italian sea ports, North Africa, or the English countryside, their love flourishes and is soon cut short by one's tragic demise. Daniel and Sophia are on the run to make sure that this reincarnation lasts a true lifetime.

This book is a little on the slow and steady side, but is well worth the wait. Brashares mixes ancient history with the present to make a truly intriguing, fantasy novel.

Reviewed by Bri C.