Book Reviews

Acquaintances: Lemony, Theodora, Moxi, Qwerty, Prosper Lost, Mitchums, Ellington, Stew, Mrs. Sallis, (Pip, Squeak) (brothers). Suspects: Mallahans, Ellington, Mrs. Sallis, Butler, Hagfire. Crime Scenes: Stain’d-By-The-Sea, Lost Arms, library, light house, mansion, Black Cat coffee, train station, cottage. Plot: When boy named Lemony finishes a unusual education he gets apprenticed by Theodora to solve a crime. The crime is that Mrs. Sallis the owner of the Mansion in Stain’d-By-The-Sea claims someone took her valuable statue “The Bombarding Beast,” but she also claims that the Mallahans stole the statue. When Lemony goes to the Mallahans a girl Moxi shows him the Bombarding Beast and somehow it’s dusty.???. Lemony goes to a hotel and stays there with his “chaperone”. The next day they plan to steal the statue, when they steal the statue Lemony falls off the rope they escape on with the statue. Lemony falls in the trees and meets Ellington who sends the statue to the Black Cat coffee shop Lemony finds it and hides it then he returns it. When he returns Ellington steals it and gives it to Hagfire to supposedly get her dad back. Problem: Who does it belong to? Solutions: Mallahans. Investigators rate story 95% - Review by Brendan W. a young reader and Jan’s customer

This book is a colorful account of life in colonial Vermont during the Revolutionary War. As the story begins, Caleb is left to care for his mother and younger brother after his father enlists to fight with Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys in their war against the British. One day, while Caleb is paddling his dug-out canoe along the shore of Lake Champlain, he has an encounter with Captain Mallot- a Frenchman with a dubious reputation. The story really takes off from there and leads to events that will not only affect the course of the war but will change Caleb’s life forever. Although this is not the type of book I would normally pick for myself, I liked it. The author has obviously done his research and the story is totally believable. I would like to see this book in every high school library; available to students with an interest in our nation’s history. -Sharri J. (Jan’s Paperbacks Customer)

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple is out of my usual reading realm, but it has become the first book I have ever read in under 10 hours. It is a sharp, witty, and highly entertaining story told in the form of 'documents'-- letters, emails, official reports, as well as narrated by Bernadette's precocious 14-year old daughter, Bee. Bernadette is quirky, agoraphobic, stay-at-home mom who is "allergic" to Seattle. Her husband Elgie is a salt of the earth type, and a well-renowned TED talker and genius at Microsoft, and daughter Bee is clever, smart and loving. Bundled with architectural drama, Antarctica, over-zealous private school mothers, the Russian mafia and self-help lingo and you have a novel with drama and flair. I definitely recommend it for a quick, addictive read. –Andrea (Jan’s customer & winner of weekly book giveaway)

I read the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series this summer.  I thought the books were silly and awesome too.  Greg is in middle school.  He is a nerd and makes bad choices that he learns from.  I would recommend these books to other boys my age.  -Austin (Jan's Customer, age 7)

Rafe is one of the infamous Callahan Cowboys! There has always been a war raging between the Callahan’s and the Jenkins. When the words “I’m Pregnant” came out of Rafe’s one and only love Judge Julie Jenkins mouth, a slight breeze could have knocked him over. Little did they know they were about to become the parents of not only one baby but THREE!! Hello Triplets!!! Now Julie and Rafe have a long heated history. These two are not prepared for what lies ahead in their futures, but one thing is for sure. The future is one thing that they are going to have to share! Now who doesn’t absolutely love cowboys and babies? Doesn’t that just warm your heart? For me “His Valentine Triplets” was a true American romance! I completely adored Rafe and Julie’s relationship, let alone the relationship Rafe has with his three beautiful babies! Julie and Rafe’s relationship isn’t always on calm waters throughout this book, but what relationship, or should I say what good relationship ever lasts without a little fighting? The times that Julie allows Rafe into her life shows the reader the potential for this family. Tina Leonard did an amazing job with this book and with these characters. From the first page I was drawn into the never ending feud between the Callahan’s and the Jenkins. I also found myself wishing for the best for the rest of the Callahan family. These boys have had a difficult past and they deserve the perfect women and the absolute perfect future! This being the fourth book in the series does not matter, I mean obviously you would know more about the Callahan and Jenkins families but there is no need to read the first three books to be able to read this one. With non-stop action, and unending possibilities “His Valentine Triplets” by Tina Leonard takes first place in my heart! This heartwarming American romance will leave you yearning for more! – Jan’s Customer Alicia J.

Merry MacKenzie moves from a small town in Rhode Island to a small apartment building in Boston. Little does she know that shapeshifters, a ghost, a vampire, witches and a werewolf live in the building! I don't normally enjoy paranormal books but this was cute and entertaining. The next book in the series is "The Werewolf Upstairs", out now. - Linda

I find Joshilyn Jackson's book refreshingly different. Her characters are unique, unpredictable and sometimes eccentric. The same can be said for her stories. You think it is going one direction when all the sudden a twist is thrown in that you didn't see coming. Gods in Alabama focuses on Arlene Fleet a born and raised southern girl that left to go to college with the Yankees, and hasn't returned for 10 years. Now Arlene's skeletons are trying to come out of the closest whether she wants them to or not and she is forced to head south and face her demons and kin at the same time. -Jill