When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn

 

When Sea Becomes Sky  by Gillian McDunn  214 pages

Every summer, Bex and Davey spend their days exploring their beloved salt marsh. But this year a record-breaking drought leads to a surprising discovery in their favorite corner of the marsh: a mysterious underwater statue. Where did it come from? Who could have put it there? Could this be the summer adventure they've been waiting for? But the answers don't come easy -- and when Bex and Davey learn of a development plan that will destroy their special spot, they'll need to act quickly. Unfortunately, sometimes progress happens whether you're ready or not. What will it mean if they can no longer spend their summers where otters frolic and dragonflies buzz, in their place to be siblings together? As Bex and Davey attempt to save the statue and their beloved marsh, they come to see that the truth is not as simple as it seems... and ultimately discovering so much more about life, permanence, love, and loss than they ever expected.

I read this because it is a Mark Twain Award Nominee.  From the beginning I knew the secret, but it is revealed about 2/3 of the way through the book.  I thought it was well written and the author even explains at the end of the book why she chose to write it this way.  I wonder how 4-6 graders will relate to her "talking" to her brother.  Cute summer story with a little grief. 

The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Note by Donna VanLiere 208 pages Relocating to an apartment with her two children to be closer to her mother, Gretchen offers to help clear out the home of a reclusive neighbor's recently deceased mother and discovers that the neighbor, Melissa, has two siblings and an identity that she never suspected. It is always interesting to read a book with your own name in it. This was a Christmas story about finding lost family in an unusual way. Very cool to read.

Sadie by Courtney Summers

Sadie by Courtney Summers, narrated by full cast, 308 p.

CW: pedophilia, abuse, murder, sibling loss, drug abuse

"A missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial―like podcast following the clues she's left behind. And an ending you won't be able to stop talking about.

Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.

But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.

When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late.

Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career. Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until the last page." -- Goodreads

I needed an audiobook to read quickly (was going to be spending 4+ hours in the car!) and this came highly recommended as an audiobook. The way it was done was intriguing: half story, half podcast, it follows Sadie and her quest to find a killer. I'm not going to lie, while this book was very good, it was also a difficult read. This subject is always tough and it's hard to find pockets of joy while reading something like this. And no, there wasn't much joy in this story at all. It's a dark story about a dark subject. However, it was still a very good read, well-written, and very character-driven. 
 

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

  The Dutch House by Ann Patchett-337 pages


 Maeve and Danny are siblings who grow up in a grand home nicknamed The Dutch House, after the wealthy Dutch family that had it built. Maeve and Danny's mother abandoned their family when they were young, so they are raised by their father and the household help instead.  Never knowing what happened to their mother the siblings wondering if she was dead or alive.  Then the father remarries and the new wife is not kind to Maeve and Danny.  Maeve was the oldest and always took wonderful care of Danny throughout his life.  They had a very tight bond.  It is wonderful how the author brings it all around to make sense to Danny, now well into adulthood.  I enjoyed it very much.

Love & Luck by Jenna Evan Welch

Love & Luck by Jenna Evan Welch -- 303 pages

Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding, and hoping she can stop thinking about the one horrible thing she did that left her miserable and heartbroken—and threatens her future. But her brother, Ian, isn’t about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once inseparable siblings. Miserable, Addie can’t wait to visit her friend in Italy and leave her brother—and her problems—behind.

So when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind and Ian’s criticism.

And then their travel plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tale forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother. That is if they don’t get completely lost along the way.

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee

The Lady's Guide to Petticoats and Piracy by Mackenzi Lee, 450 p.

"A year after an accidentally whirlwind grand tour with her brother Monty, Felicity Montague has returned to England with two goals in mind—avoid the marriage proposal of a lovestruck suitor from Edinburgh and enroll in medical school. However, her intellect and passion will never be enough in the eyes of the administrators, who see men as the sole guardians of science.
But then a window of opportunity opens—a doctor she idolizes is marrying an old friend of hers in Germany. Felicity believes if she could meet this man he could change her future, but she has no money of her own to make the trip. Luckily, a mysterious young woman is willing to pay Felicity’s way, so long as she’s allowed to travel with Felicity disguised as her maid.
In spite of her suspicions, Felicity agrees, but once the girl’s true motives are revealed, Felicity becomes part of a perilous quest that leads them from the German countryside to the promenades of Zurich to secrets lurking beneath the Atlantic."

Great second book for this series. Felicity is a smart, strong willed young lady and will not take no for an answer, even in the face of devastation. Monty and Percy make wonderful appearances in this book, and new characters to love as well. I hope this series continues. Listened to this on audiobook and would recommend. 

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee, 513 p.

"Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men.
But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.
Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores."

I liked this book much more than I anticipated. It's funny and emotional and you love to love and hate Monty. Lots of great characters in this book, from aristocrats to pirates. The Montague family is one to remember. Couldn't wait to read the next in the series and picked it up right away. Listened to this on audio and would recommend. 

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Save the Date by Morgan Matson - 417 pages

Charlie has been waiting for this weekend forever.  Her sister is getting married and the whole family is coming home.  This will be the first time in nearly two years that all four of her siblings will be together with her parents.  She's missed the fun they've always had . . . and it will be the last time they'll be together in their house as they're moving right after the wedding.  She just knows it will be perfect . . .

I thought I would enjoy this book more than I did.  The characters and plot twists are fascinating and I've enjoyed other books by this author.  However, I really felt that it took a while to get into the story.  It was also pretty obvious what the big twist at the end was going to be.  Still, I would recommend this to fans of Morgan Matson, Jennifer E. Smith, and Sarah Dessen.

Peterrific by Victoria Kann

Peterrific by Victoria Kann - 40 pages

Peter wants to build a tower of block so high....but once he does, he finds himself lonely.
Cute story.

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare - 487 pages
The Mortal Instruments - book 2

Things are getting more complicated for Clary and Jace.  Jace is being accused by the Shadowhunters of being a spy for Valentine.  Clary's mother is in a coma at the hospital.  They still have feelings for each other even after their father Valentine revealed they were siblings.  And now Valentine is raising an army of demons in preparation for attacking the Nephilim.

This is the second book in the Mortal Instruments series.  I read the first book over a year ago but never read the rest of the series.  After listening to the short story collection The Bane Chronicles I decided that if I liked the short stories set in that world then I would probably like the regular stories as well.  Turns out that was correct and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Vampire Knight Manga by Matsuri Hino

Vampire Knight Manga by Matsuri Hino, 3,600 pages
Volumes 1 - 18

I absolutely loved the anime version and decided to see how closely it related to the manga. I was sorely disappointed in the end. I much preferred the ending of the anime because I became attached to certain characters.The manga ended up ruining more than a few characters for me, though it was at least well written.