"The Sun Does Shine--How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row" by Anthony Ray Hinton

This book tells the true story of Ray Hinton, who found himself on death row for a crime he did not commit!  Most of this book is very depressing.  He even had evidence that he did not do it, but it was ignored.  No one paid any attention to that.  The last part of this book is uplifting!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Karen's review:
The Sun Does Shine—How I found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton is the sad true, but inspirational story of his life. He was wrongfully convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. This book shows his journey of appeals and his imprisonment. It made me more appreciative of my freedom and certainly made me more aware of the injustices that happen in our nation. It is an emotional read, making me feel both sadness and anger. I even cried at one point when he received news that his mother had died. He lost 30 years of his life because of prejudice and he’s not the only one! This is horrible! 

The afterward was especially sobering.  It listed the names of all those who are sitting on death row as of March 2017 by state so the reader can pray for them!  It said that "Statistically, one out of every ten sentenced to death is innocent. This was a shocking statistic to me and one that should put an end to the death penalty." 

This was hard to read because it is a true story of injustice but I’m glad I read it. It speaks to the issue of capital punishment and I think it’s good that people be made aware of how inhumane life on death row is. It was sort of funny how Ray kept his sanity and sense of humor while locked up wrongly all those years by using his imagination. I recommend adults and teens read this book.  (5 stars)


Teaser from first page of the forward:

He resisted mightily the notion that he was arrested, charged, and wrongly convicted because of his race, but he ultimately couldn’t accept any other explanation. He was a poor man in a criminal justice system that treats you better if you are rich and guilty than if you are poor and innocent.

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"Serafina and the Black Cloak" by Robert Beatty (#1 in series)

In Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty, Serafina and her pa live in the basement of the Biltmore Estate.  Her pa works for the owners and Serafina is told to stay hidden and never go in the nearby forest.  But when strange events begin to happen, Serafina takes it upon herself to find out why and who are causing these events!

I thought this children's book was pretty good!  There is good action throughout and I liked Serafina and Gidean, the dog.  I will read book 2 of this series soon.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from pg. 19:  Serafina suddenly realized that she'd made a dreadful mistake.  This was far more than she could handle.

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"Final Girls" by Riley Sager

There were three "final girls" in Final Girls by Riley Sager.  You will have to read the book to understand what the final girls means. Quincy has started a new life for herself.  She has moved on, but one of the final girls is found dead.  When the other final girl comes to be with Quincy, her life will never be the same again. 

This is the first book this author wrote.  I read the second one and liked that one better--The Last Time I Lied.  This one did hold my interest though.  I was not invested in all the characters like I was in the other book.
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from pg. 33:  "Of course it does.  What happened to you was abnormal.  But one of the things I love about you is how you haven't let it define you."

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"If We Had Known" by Elise Juska

In If We Had Known by Elise Juska, Maggie has been an English composition teacher for a long time!  Her life now is anything but stable and the same goes for her daughter, Anna.  But Anna is going to college soon and Maggi has hopes that both of their lives will be more stable.  Then there is a shooting at a local mall--three people and the shooter are dead.  The shooter was a boy in one of Maggie's classes.  Turns out he wrote a paper that his classmates found troubling.  Could Maggie have done something to help this boy?  The internet is a buzz!  Can Maggie and Anna handle the heat that is coming their way?

I thought this book was really good!  The main characters were really good and I liked them both!
(Gerard's review, 5+) 

Teaser from pg. 208:  "I fail to see how, at any point, this essay wouldn't have raised alarm," Bill interrupted.  "A student wrote about weapons, Maggie, in elaborate detail, and you ignored it."

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"Hot Hand" by Mike Lupica's (Kid's Basketball)

Hot Hand by Mike Lupica is a very short story about brothers Billy and Ben whose parents are separated. Billy’s dad is his basketball coach and they butt heads in this book when his dad wants him to pass the ball and he wants to shoot it. Since his dad moved out, he feels like he is the man of the house and feels added pressure to look after his younger brother, Ben. This book was okay but liked others by this author much better. I think the best thing about this book is that it is short.
(Karen’s review, 3 stars)

Teaser from page 19:  "I guess I just need to know something," Billy said.  "Are you my coach today or my dad?"

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"Little Shoes" by Pamela Everett (Historical non-fiction)

Little Shoes by Pamela Everett is a true crime story.  Pamela's dad lost two sisters.  He does not talk about this so Pamela decides to look into what became of her dad's sisters.  This book is hard to read because of what it describes, but it is gripping too which makes it hard to put down!  The pacing of this book is well done.  The writing really made me feel like I was right there.  I always enjoy reading about true events that I am not up to speed on, but I can't say I enjoyed this.  However, it is very good and am glad I read it!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Karen's review:
Little Shoes by Pamela Everett is the true story about how the author researched into her families past to find out what happened back in 1937 to her two aunts that she just learned she had. This is about their murder and the question of whether the guy charged was really the guy who did it. This is a very sad and disturbing book!

The author wrote this to memorialize the three girls who were murdered, two of which her family never spoke of much. I really didn’t enjoy this one because not only was the murder of the three little girls horrible, but then it seemed to me that justice was not even served. I felt the guy who was convicted was really innocent! This book points out pitfalls in our criminal justice system when it comes to wrongful convictions. I found the research extremely interesting about eyewitnesses. The emotions I felt while reading this were sadness and anger. Much of the book moved very slowly for me, but things picked up once the trial got underway. Overall, this book is very unsettling.
(3 stars)

Karen's Teaser from page pg 79: And I thought about the leading cause of wrongful convictions—a problem with police investigations that’s still with us today.
Eyewitness misidentifications have led to 75 percent of the wrongful convictions overturned by DNA evidence in our country, and many of those mistakes happen early in the process when police are desperately seeking a suspect, just as they were in Inglewood in those frantic days after June 26.

Gerard's Teaser from pg. 16:  She politely fended off reporters' continued questions about whether the girls would have gone with Eddie the Sailor.  She held a hand to her mouth, choking back tears, and told them, "I'm afraid to let myself think what might have happened to them."

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"Smoke in the Sun" by Renee Ahdieh

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh is the follow up to Flame in the Mist. Mariko is trying to rescue her boyfriend from the Black Clan, Okami, but it will not be easy!  This book does not have as much action as the first; however, it does have a very strong ending!  Mariko is a strong, likeable character and I really enjoyed the parts of the book she was featured in.  My thanks to the author for ending the story in two books instead of three.  It is well worth reading.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from pg. 9:  So Yumi had begun with a rock.  The sound it had made as it struck the emperor's spirit tablet reverberated through her ears.

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"Last Man Out" by Mike Lupica

Last Man Out by Mike Lupica is about a brother and sister whose father was a Boston fireman who died rescuing a family from their burning house. Tommy played football and his dad would always sit in the top corner of the bleachers to watch his games. His sister, Em, was the star on her soccer team and her dad also attended all her games. This story is how the father’s death affected Tommy and Em and how they were able to help each other.

This book is sad, but with a good ending—well sort of. It does show how important it is to enjoy every chance you get to play and how things can change very quickly. Both Tommy and Em felt angry at losing their dad and dealt with the pain differently. I liked this book and would recommend it.
(Karen’s review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 23:  Tommy wished this was all a dream and he could wake himself up.  A nightmare that would end as soon as his eyes opened.

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"Fast Break" by Mike Lupica

Fast Break by Mike Lupica is a fast read because it is so good!  It is about a 12-yr-old boy named Jayson who sees basketball as his way out of the projects.  When his mom dies, the guy she was living with abandons Jayson and he finds himself on his own, hungry and stealing bread and peanut butter to live.  This book is about him growing into a better teammate and also turning his life around with some help.

I loved this book because it drew me in quickly and I couldn't help but pull for Jayson to have a good life.  There is a lot of basketball in this book at middle school level; however, the main story line is more about Jayson overcoming obstacles in his life and learning to trust people.  I got so absorbed in this one that I missed my bus stop and didn't even notice until another rider told me!
(Karen's review, 5 stars)  

Teaser from page 25:  He walked toward the store and knew in his heart that he was being walked right into the Child Protective Services system.  He didn't know how it worked or where he was going, but he was smart enough to know that the game was officially over.

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"Shoot Out" by Mike Lupica

Shoot Out by Mike Lupica is about Jake, a very good soccer player who was on the best team, but moved and now finds himself on the worst team without even a chance of making it to the playoffs. Once he gets done feeling sorry for himself, he discovers a new role—that of team leadership and helping his teammates get better. His biggest challenge is Kevin, who is a loner and seems not to care about soccer at all since his mom died. He wanted to quit, but his dad would not let him. Jake decides to try being his friend and in the process, sees how much talent Kevin really has.

I think this story is one that could help a good player who finds himself on a very bad team make the best of it. It is a very quick children’s read, but I enjoyed it.
(Karen’s review, 4 stars)

Teaser from pg. 11: No, it wasn’t Belmont that Jake disliked. It was their so-bad-it-actually-hurt twelve-year-old travel soccer team.


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"Tomorrow" by Damian Dibben

Tomorrow is told by a dog named Tomorrow.  He shares a secret with his master and what that is you will find out if you read the book.  When they become separated, Tomorrow will search for his master and will not stop until he finds him.  But does he?

I really enjoyed Tomorrow and especially the parts in the book with his dog friend, Sporco.  If you love dogs, I think you will enjoy this book as I did.
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 16:  I tore across the courtyard, up the steps, then drove through the door into our room--and relief.  A shape still lay beneath the blanket, and that smell that was vital to me--like midnight in a tall forest, stiff parchment paper and a whisper of pine sap.  My master.

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"Play Makers" by Mike Lupica (Game Changers series)

Play Makers by Mike Lupica is part of the Game Changers series. This one is about a boys middle school basketball team that struggles all season after one of their best players hurts his ankle. Ben is the team leader of the Ram and known for his skill, but when a new kid (Chase) who is even better joins another team, Ben gets a wake-up call challenging him to get better. Ben also has a girl friend, Lily, who is the one who gave him the heads up about Chase. Chase is out to prove he is the best and even tries to move in and become friends with Lilly, making Ben very mad.

This is a cute story about being a leader and friendship set in a basketball setting. I enjoyed it, but thought it had a fairy tale ending. It goes quickly with lots of basketball game action which I liked. I would recommend it to kids who enjoy playing basketball.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from pg. 29:  As easy as it would have been to just write it off as one bad day, one lousy scrimmage, Ben knew in his heart that he had looked as bad as he had because Chase was that good.


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"A Court of Frost and Starlight" by Sarah J. Maas

Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas is no where near as good as the previous books in this Court of Thorns and Roses series.  This is a time of peace and rebuilding of the Night Court.  Feyre and Rys enjoy happy days and nights together, celebrate their second winter solstice and Feyre starts painting again.  The biggest tension in this book is whether Nesta will join them for Solstice.

I was glad this book is much shorter than the others because it has no action in it whatsover!  It is all about the relationships developing further, or not.  I liked the characters and that is the only reason I finished it.  I think you could easily skip this book and not feel like you missed anything at all.  It has a little humor now and then but I was wishing I would get done with it so could go on to something better.
(Karen's review, 2 stars)

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"Reaper at the Gates" by Sabaa Tahir

Reaper at the Gates by Sabaa Tahir is the third book in the Ember in the Ashes series.  It took me a while to get into it because it has been a long time since I read the last one.  In this book, Helene "the Blood Shrike" is desperate to save her own family and Seroa for Laia and Elias.  But the emperor and the commandant are on her trail. Meanwhile, Laia must stop the Night Bringer to save her people; and Elias is between the living and the dead as he gave up his freedom to save Laia! 

I thought the first two books were better than this one.  In this one, the parts that Laia and Elias interaction in were the best parts of the book for me.  There is going to be a book 4 coming.  I give this one 4 stars.
(Gerard's review)

Teaser from page 27:   Laia must see murder in my eyes, because her face goes ashen and she shies back.  Nausea lashes through me again.

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"Down Cut Shin Creek--The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky" is Very Short and Interesting!

Down Cut Shin Creek—The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky by Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer is a very short book about a group of women during the Great Depression who delivered magazines, books and Sunday School papers on horseback to the poor people of Kentucky. I did not know of this and found it very interesting! It has pictures too which I enjoyed.
(Gerard’s review, 5 stars)

Karen read it too:
Down Cut Shin Creek—The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky by Kathi Appelt and Jeanne Cannella Schmitzer is an interesting book about The Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky during the Great Depression. President Roosevelt created The Works Progress Administration (WPA) instituted the Pack Horse Library Project give create some work. Mostly women on horseback delivered donated books and magazines to people in Kentucky. Sometimes they would also go on foot. This is a very short but interesting book with pictures about a brief time of history that is little known. I’m glad I read it--it took less than an hour! (Karen's review, 4 stars)

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Fury Born--The Empirium Trilogy-Book 1 by Claire Legrand

Fury Born by Clair Legrand is the first in The Empirium trilogy.  This novel is told by Rielle and Eliana--two kick-butt women that you do not want to mess with at all!  Rielle exposes her powers that she should not have to save her boyfriend, the crown prince.  Now she must go through trials or die doing them.  Eliana is a bounty hunter who will do anything to keep her family safe.  But when her mom is taken, she must join forces with a rebel captain to save her! 

This book is action packed from start to finish which I like.  I enjoyed both women very much. If you like Sarah J. Maas books, I think you would also like this.
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 14:  A force slamming into him, snatching him forward by his bones.  
The baby being ripped from his arms, no matter how hard he tried to hold on to her.

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"Point Guard" by Mike Lupica

Point Guard by Mike Lupica is about a middle school boys’ basketball team that Cassie tries out for and gets accepted.  She is good friends with Gus, Jack, and Teddy who often hang out and play pickup games together.  Gus is the only one who seems to view having a girl on their team as a problem, even if she is as good as the guys.  The book follows the team’s season and Gus learns how to play with people he doesn’t like and also admits he was wrong about Cassie. 

There is a lot of friendship issues in this book that I doubt boys would care about much.  I think girl basketball players would enjoy this book more than boys.  I thought it was okay but liked others by this author much better.  

(Karen's review, 3 stars)

Teaser from pg. 27:  Gus still wasn't sure if he could explain, even to himself, why he thought Cassie didn't belong, why he didn't want a girl on the team, even if she was his good friend.  He just told himself to focus on being happy that Teddy was in the gym, even as unhappy as he was that Cassie was with him.

 

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"Future Lost" by Elizabeth Briggs

Future Lost by Elizabeth Briggs is the third book in the Future Shock trilogy.  Elena and Adam must stop a virus from getting out so back to the future they go!  I thought the first two books were really good but couldn't really get into this one.  It felt a little too predictable.  The writing was okay, it just did not flow well for me.
(Gerard's review, 3 stars)

Teaser from page 13:  That calm intelligence I love has been replaced by a wild look, both determined and manic, and I don't know how I didn't see it before.  Genicote has become an obsession for him, and developing it has become his addiction.

Karen's review:
I tried to read this one, but started it and just lost interest practically right off the bat.  I liked the first two, but that was enough for me.  I gave up on this pretty quick, maybe just because it has been so long since I read the second book.  Anyhow, I didn't want to read this because I had others that interested me more.

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"Draw the Circle" by Mark Batterson

Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson is a devotional book on prayer along with a workbook and a DVD. Our church encouraged everyone to do this study together for 40 days so my husband and I read this book and participated together. The DVD is simply the author talking about the same exact things he wrote in the book. In my opinion, the DVD is redundant and not needed if you read the book.

I thought the book was very interesting and it helped me to improve my prayer time and inspired me to pray more using scripture. It also challenged me to have a prayer journal again. I enjoyed reading about the amazing answers to some prayers that he shared in this book. I did not agree with everything in the book, but most was very good and Biblical.
(Karen's Review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 28:  Almost like hunger pangs that hit you after going too long without eating, I couldn't go too long without hitting my knees.  Kneeling became almost as instinctual as eating or sleeping.

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QB 1 by Mike Lupica is a Heartwarming Sports Story

QB1 by Mike Lupica is about Jake Cullen, a high school freshman quarterback who is struggling with trying to be as good as his dad and older brother and win his father’s love and attention. Jake feels like he’s always playing second fiddle to Wyatt who is now starting QB at University of Texas. Jake is smart, but doesn’t have quite as strong an arm as Wyatt. Fortunately, his high school coach got him to change his throwing mechanics to create his own throwing style which works better Troy Cullen, Jake’s dad, is a former player whose pro career ended in just his second year after four concussions (brain wounds) and seems to be living vicariously through his older son, Wyatt. When Jake finds himself in a QB controversy, everyone is pretty surprised when he gets to be the starting QB while only a freshman. His father is caught off-guard at how good Jake got so quickly.

I enjoyed this book very much because there was a lot of football in it as well as the team dynamics and the feelings of insecurity Jake was dealing with concerning his father and older brother. This takes a good look from the perspective of a younger brother feeling the pressure of following in his star brother’s footsteps and yearning for some of his father’s attention. This book got my interest and kept it from page 1. I would recommend it to anyone who likes high school football and team dynamics.
 (Karen's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 13: He knew already that he just wasn’t going to be the player his dad had been before him, certainly wasn’t going to be the player his big brother had been.
He had talent, just not Cullen talent, at least not that he’d noticed so far in his young life.


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"Us Against You" by Fredrick Backman--We Both Liked This!

Us Against You by Fredrick Backman is the sequel to Bear town. It is about the aftermath of the rape of Maya and how Bear town and Hed become not just rivals, but enemies! This book really centers on the community and the way society changes. There are many well-developed characters in this, not just the hockey players. When the hockey coach takes most of his good players and plays for Hed instead, Bear town has to rebuild its team, starting with finding a new coach who is a woman! This second book shows how politicians use their power and comparisons are drawn between them and “the pack.” The characters feel like real people—both good and bad at the same time with real life problems.

This book started out pretty slow for me because I’m not into politics and wanted more hockey. The beginning of the book is spent on political deals and trying to build up a hockey team, but then the violence started and I began to get attached to the characters. I really liked Benji, the pack, Ramona, Vidar, Amat, Jeanette (martial arts teacher) and Elisabeth Zackell (hockey coach). This is mostly a sad story with a few bright spots. It is about loyalty and dynamics of friendships which I found interesting. If you enjoyed Bear town, I think you will also enjoy the sequel.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Gerard's review:
Us Against You by Fredrick Backman is the follow-up to Bear Town and is as good!  It picks up where Bear town left off.  I loved both these books!  I really enjoyed all the different people in this one.  The writing is so good I read every word!  What I enjoyed most was that from page to page I never knew what character was going to tell the story next or what the outcome would be.  The twists and turns were very good!  I WANT MORE BEAR TOWN!
(5++ stars) 

Teaser from pg. 9: The worst thing we know about other people is that we’re dependent upon them. That their actions affect our lives.


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"Neverworld Wake" by Marisha Pessl

In Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl, Beatrice has five cool friends she made in high school.  Her boyfriend was the sixth and the leader of the group!  He has a shocking death and two year later, Beatrice is not over it.  Now the old gang is getting back together for the first time since high school graduation.  Beatrice decides to go because she knows secrets about her friends and maybe she can get some answers about her boyfriend's death.

For the most part, this book was pretty good.  Some parts were far fetched, but the ending chapters more than made up for that!  Beatrice was a real good character!  Give this a shot!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)  

Teaser from page 30:  "You're all nearly dead.  Wedged between life and death."

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"Lying in Wait" by Liz Nugent is a Wild Read!

Lying in Wait by Liz Nugent is told by multiple people.  The two main people who tell it are Lydia and Laurence.  They are a mom and son.  Lydia made Laurence share a secret that is the central part of this book. 

I thought this book was wild!  In a good way!  Secrets come out that will have your head spinning.  There are some dull spots, but for the most part the pacing of this book is really good.  The last part of this book will have you turning pages and the ending is one that I did not see coming at all!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 47:  "I was a fool to go along with your crazy plan.  I did it because I loved you."

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"Life in a Jar--The Irena Sendler Project" by Jack Mayer

Life in a Jar--The Irena Sendler Project by Jack Mayer is so Good!  What started out as a school project turned into something that has touched many lives!  Four young Kansas teens discovered the true story of Irena Sendler, and what a story it is!  This book is told in three parts.  Part 1 is the girls discovering Irena's story.  Part 2 is the main part of the book.  The true story of how Irena risked her life every minute of every day to save 2,500 children from the Germans and certain death!  Part 3 is the girls meeting Irena! 

I thought the main part of the book was so captivating I found it hard to put down!  Irena was a true hero!  I loved this book!  Part 3 when the girls met her in person was really good too!  You owe it to yourself to read this book!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 160:  "Doesn't this make you nervous?" Irena Schultz said.  "A few orphans every week is one thing--ten times that many--and not orphans--that's quite another."

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"Underdogs" by Mike Lupica

The Underdogs by Mike Lupica is a football story about a youth football team in a small town that can’t afford another season. Will comes up with a way to save the team, but they are one player short until they let a girl try out. Of course, there is some tension over letting a girl on the team and also they need a coach. Will is determined to not let the town take away football from and actively seeks a coach.

This is predictable, but a very good football story with dads and sons bonding, a girl proving she can play, and overcoming many hurdles to get to the championship game. I liked the football action, the team dynamics and the interaction between Will and Grayson.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page  83:  So Will wasn't even close to giving up yet, on the season or on Toby or getting the coach he wanted, the coach he knew would be perfect for his underdog team.  What did his dad always say?  'If you don't think you can, you can't.'

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"Aftermath" by Kelley Armstrong

Aftermath by Kelley Armstrong is a book straight out of the real world with a high school shooting, but this has a twist, trust me! This book deals with it three years later. Skye comes back to her hometown where her brother was the shooter. As you would expect, people do not exactly welcome her back. This book is also told by Jesse, who was Skye’s best friend/boyfriend. His brother was killed in the shooting and he is still dealing with it.

I thought this book was really good! It was told very well. Skye and Jesse were both very likeable. I thought the ending was okay but could have been better. That being said, it is still good and I give it 5 stars!
(Gerard's review)

Teaser from page 8:  I see their expressions, and I crumple to the floor.  I hear this scream, this terrible scream, and I realize it's coming from me.


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"Summer Ball" by Mike Lupica

Summer Ball by Mike Lupica is a story about Danny, a short 13-yr-old who loves playing basketball.  His dad used to play but had an accident so had to stop.  When his dad wants to send Danny to the Right Way Basketball camp for three weeks, he really does not want to go.  He knows kids will make fun of him and he'll have to prove he can play with guys who are bigger all over again.  He is disappointed when he finds out he is not bunking with his buddies and then gets stuck with an old grouchy coach who he doesn't like.  Danny decides to stick it out and makes some new friends.  He gets his chance to prove he can play.

I enjoyed this book once Danny got to basketball camp.  It has a lot of basketball games, tips for practicing and strategies.  It also has a bit of bullying and follows Danny through his ups and downs.  I think anyone who enjoys basketball would like this book, especially short kids who play basketball!
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 48:  "I never have to play basketball," Danny said.  "I always want to play."  Then he made a sudden cut to the basket.

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"Suite Francaise" by Irene Nemirovsky

Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky tells the true story of the people who lived and died as the Germans came and took over Paris, France.  This was good stuff!  A lot of people dealt with this in so many different ways!  The writing puts you right in the middle of this.  The author of this book was arrested and died in a German concentration camp.  This manuscript was hidden for years before being discovered.  this is a very good non-fiction historical book!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars) 

Teaser from page 15:  Monsieur Pericand looked at him.  "My poor boy!" was all he said.

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"I'll Be Gone In The Dark" by Michelle McNamara

In I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, some person is going around killing people.  The police label him "The Golden State Killer."  Michelle wants him stopped and goes all in on doing just that!

This book was like a book version of the TV show, "Dateline."  Michelle was a consultant for that show.  I found it very interesting how she put the pieces of the murders together to try to find the killer.  The book has been on the New York Times  Best Seller list for a long time.  I see why!  It's very good.  Sadly, Michelle passed away.  May she rest in peace.  She sure put together a great book!
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

Teaser from page 6:  My husband was on his side, sleeping.  I sat on the edge of the bed and stared at him until he opened his eyes. 
     "I think I found him," I said.  My husband didn't have to ask who "him" was.

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"Heat" by Mike Lupica

Heat by Mike Lupica is a story about Michael, a little league pitcher who loves baseball, has a very strong arm and a big secret he shares with his older brother, Carlos.  They are from Cuba, just like Michael's favorite Yankee pitcher!  He pitches lights out until a rival team challenges his eligibility because they can't believe he's only 12.  When he signed up to play, they accepted his baptism certificate as proof of age, but now must produce a birth certificate which his dad apparently forgot to bring when they left Cuba.  He can't play until he gets it!  Michael only cares about playing ball until he sees a mystery girl named watching them practice with an arm as strong as his and is immediately attracted to her.  

I enjoyed this baseball book and liked Michael's relationship with his best friend and catcher, Manny.  There is also some humor along with some actual games.  I liked how Michael and Carlos stuck together and went to great lengths to keep their big secret.  Ellie also added some extra bit of interest to the story.  I recommend this to anyone who likes reading about youth baseball.  I was a bit disappointed that it stopped short of the Little League World Series game in Pennsylvania.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 44:  Michael turned around and looked at Manny.  Who was staring at the girl in the distance the way you stare at fireworks the first time you see them in the sky.  "I saw," Manny said.

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"The Outsider" by Stephen King

In The Outsider by Stephen King, a Little League baseball coach is arrested on the field for the murder of a young child.  The police have a witness that placed him at the crime scene and DNA all over the crime scene indicates he was there.  However, other witnesses claim he was at a book convention far away from the murder scene when the crime was committed.  How can he be in two places at the same time??? 

There is good stuff here.  This kept my interest and kept me turning pages.  The only problem I had was that the ending dragged out.  That being said, I enjoyed this, and if you are a Stephen King fan, you will too!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 21:  "You can preach to the multitudes later, Maitland.  Right now you're going to jail."

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