Told from dual perspectives—from Benny and from “the Book” itself—young Benny’s story begins when his father is killed in a senseless accident and he begins hearing the voices of inanimate objects. Much to his dismay, his mother, Annabelle, finds comfort in collecting random items to excess, and the situation soon spirals out of control. However, …
An astronaut wakes up with amnesia, and discovers he is on a mission to save the world. This book is a return to what made The Martian such a great read. There’s a sarcastic but earnest narrator, many a life-threatening disaster, and so very much clearly and cleverly explained science. Once I started reading it, I could …
Set in Alaska in the 1920s, a husband and wife are drifting apart. Unable to have their own child, they create one out of snow one night, and it changes their whole lives. This novel is full of rich imagery and wonderful characters. Eowyn Ivey has written a beautiful fairy tale that really reaches out …
At the end of the Civil War, Simon, a 23 year-old musician conscripted into the Confederate army, escapes from his regiment and, with his rag-tag band of friends, struggles to make a home and a living in the worst of circumstances. Simon dreams of a place of his own with the woman he loves by …
The Smell of Other People’s Houses by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock This profound young adult novel, written by a fourth-generation Alaskan, examines the 70’s-era culture of so many small towns in that part of the world, where domestic violence, alcoholism, child abuse and poverty are still the highest in the nation. The story is told in alternating …
Carrie Fisher isn’t just Princess Leia. In The Princess Diarist, though, she takes us back to her Star Wars days with a look at her diaries during filming. They’re replete with her signature humor, but they also provide a fascinating look at life behind one of our most iconic films. — Ashleigh B., Powell’s Books, Portland, …
Originally posted in the Third Place Books blog Monday, August 29, 2016 Have you ever watched your child perform really poorly? Like you’re at the soccer field and your kid can’t even drink his Gatorade without spilling it all down his front, let alone run fast or kick the ball with any sort of accuracy? How …
This is a beautifully crafted memoir by Abu-Jaber who tells her story with such craft and honesty and in the most poetic way. I found myself being swept into the narrative so deeply and thoroughly it was hard to pull myself away. A wonderful reminder of how profound memory, loss, grace and love truly are. …
Comics fans and middle grade novel fans alike will find something to love in this fresh and engaging graphic novel by Oregon author and illustrator Victoria Jamieson. It’s got tons of roller derby action, a few tips on dying your hair an outrageous (but roller derby appropriate) shade, and a sweet but not too sweet …
