In Sept. 2011, I first discovered Mary Lou Longworth and her first mystery (Murder at the Chateau Bremont) set in Aix-en-Provence. I waited, impatiently at times, for her follow up books. It is worth the wait. [The second in the series is Murder in the Rue Dumas. The ninth book was published in 2021.] Professor …
Every Wednesday, the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association publishes the regional bestseller list. We thought it might be fun to have Thursday Themes where we shine a spotlight on some of the books from the list. Is it a trend? A coincidence? An eccentric millionaire seeking comfort by purchasing books from independent bookstores around the region to …
Adolf Hitler has been chancellor of Germany for only four weeks, when on February 27, 1933, the Reichstag—home of the parliament in Berlin—suddenly bursts into flames. The Nazis promptly blame unruly communists, and in response suspend civil liberties throughout the country. Caught up in the ensuing escalation of lies, divisiveness, and bigotry is John Russell, …
This is the second graphic novel in the Trot & Cap’n Bill Adventures. Sea Siren Princess Clia comes from her undersea world to search for her kidnapped friend. Trot, Grandpa, and Cap’n Bill the talking cat come to her aid. Well-done illustrations really capture the story. (Ages 9-12) –Melissa DeMotte, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur d’Alene, …
One response to the complexity of explaining the Haitian Revolution is to narrow the scope, as Sudhir Hazareesingh does in Black Spartacus: The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture by focusing on Toussaint. Despite his tinier canvas and his younger audience, Hale, in the tenth installment of his wildly popular series of graphic histories of thrilling episodes …
Early in 2020, I watched a PBS TV mini-series entitled “Vienna Blood.” While watching the series, I discovered that it was based on books by author Frank Tallis. I have now read the first book featuring Max and his circle of friends and family, A Death in Vienna. There are at least seven books in …
…And speaking of hardheadedness and fisticuffs, one of our favorite books from last year is out in paperback now. It’s Dan Stroud’s gloriously gritty Titanshade, and yes, that is a ’80s cop show cover slapped on a noir fantasy novel because dear readers, that is exactly what this is. It’s “NYPD Blue” meets, uh, something that …
This is just the tip of the iceberg of summer reading delights awaiting young readers at independent bookstores. Here are some recent bookseller favorites for elementary and middle school students, but the shelves are stocked for a whole season of great reading. What is in your backpack or by your hammock this summer? Lumberjanes Unicorn …
For 60+ years I have been fascinated by the legendary Robin Hood. I have believed that he was a composite of more than one individual highwayman in 12th and 13th Century England. Consequently, I was thrilled to find this series by Angus Donald entitled “The Outlaw Chronicles.” There are nine books by Mr. Donald according to …
This series is complex and clever– alternate universes, fairy tale creatures, literary pirates, and the powerfully mysterious Library. The characters are charming, witty, and extremely likable. Irene and Kai team up to find valuable, one-of-a-kind books, while dealing with chaos, magic, and more. This series of adventure can’t be missed! —Dani, The Well-Read Moose, Coeur …
