Be forewarned: this book is unlike anything that Jodi Picoult has ever written, so if you are looking for a cleverly written courtroom drama, turn away now.  But, just the same, if you are looking for a cleverly written fantasy-adventure-romance, then look no further than Between the Lines, co-authored by Picoult’s daughter, Samantha Van Leer. … Continue reading Between the Lines, by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer →

I love that authors are exploring the avenues in which fairy tales are still relevant, as well as how they’ve changed along with us. But it’s tricky to do so, since the formula of someone from our world encountering creepy or weird things is easy to follow. There are dozens of examples to choose from, … Continue reading The Hazel Wood, by Melissa Albert →

Storytime: I first discovered this book in my senior year of college, when I was engrossed in my thesis on women in Arthurian legend. In retrospect, it didn't seem like a good idea to go from reading about the rules of chivalric romance to a place where the chivalry of the European Renaissance is in … Continue reading My Faire Lady, by Laura Wettersten →

Stop me if you've heard this plot summary before: a boy and girl meet; one of them is the new student at school; they feel an undeniable, inexplicable connection for the other.  But then, one of them drops the bombshell that they are a supernatural creature!  Alexandra Adornetto appeared to follow this formula when she … Continue reading Halo, by Alexandra Adornetto →

It’s been a long time since a literary novel has kept me in its clutches, even when I feel like I know the characters and how it will turn out. Still, it’s not like you abandon people you know even when you know the turnout, because they’re your friends and you like spending time with … Continue reading Now You See It, by Allison Lynn →

Some people give YA fiction and even middle-grade fiction such flack, and I don’t understand why. As long as a book has relevant themes and characters that you care about, it doesn’t matter who is reading them. I have lots of writer friends who still flock to middle-grade fiction time and again, whether because it … Continue reading Keeping Safe the Stars, by Sheila O’Connor →

Maybe you’re having a gloomy day and you’re already predisposed to depressing thoughts. Or perhaps you read a book that plucks your heartstrings like an instrument and you don’t know whether to scream or cry. That was me after reading the simple, albeit kind of corny novel Love Story, by Erich Segal. I found this … Continue reading Love Story, by Erich Segal →

Having known the biblical story of Esther from a young age, I always thought of perhaps tackling the epic story of courage and betrayal myself. It lends itself well to the “chosen one” formula, except rather than a young farm boy saving a mythic land from an evil overlord, it’s a young girl who becomes … Continue reading Esther, by Rebecca Kanner →

It’s always nice to read a fantasy book that focuses on its story, character, and history rather than becoming the next step in a trend. Even better when a book leaves you legitimately eager for the next installment. You may never have heard of Savannah J. Goins, but if you have an inkling for high-flying … Continue reading The Gwythienian, by Savannah J. Goins →