2book

NonfictionNature

Taming the wilderness

Feature by Keith Herrell

Ah, the American wild: teeming with animals roaming free, right? Two new books might change your thinking on that, as well as the role of humans and government.

In American Wolf, Nate Blakeslee gives us a tale of survival and obsession, replete with impressive detail gleaned from numerous interviews, diaries and personal observations. His account mostly takes place in the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park, where wolves were reintroduced starting in 1995 after becoming nearly extinct in the United States by the 1920s. As the wolves go about the unending business of survival, they become the objects of obsession for cattle ranchers, trophy hunters and people who rise before dawn to get a glimpse of the skilled predators. All of this plays out against a background of political, bureaucratic and court battles as opposing interests clash, with the wolves caught in the middle.

Wisely—and compellingly—Blakeslee focuses much of the narrative on one particular wolf, an alpha female known as O-Six. While she becomes a media star thanks to interviews given by park personnel, Blakeslee goes behind the scenes to give readers a richly detailed look at the complicated dynamics of pack life (and death) in the Rockies, all while avoiding the cuddly tone of a Disney-esque documentary. He also takes care not to fawn over heroes or superficially target villains in an account that, like the wolves themselves, has many shades of gray.

ECOLOGICAL CONUNDRUM
While the reintroduction of wolves brought with it a number of challenges, it was practically a walk in the park compared with the sad dilemma presented by America’s wild horses, also known as mustangs. While not native to the United States (Spanish conquistadors brought them here), there are thousands of mustangs in the West, living on hardscrabble land almost exclusively owned by the federal government. As David Philipps recounts in Wild Horse Country, their current situation is deeply troubling and marked by helicopter-aided roundups, segregation of horses by sex in long-term holding ranches where they await adoption that rarely comes and, in the worst cases, sale to slaughterhouses. There are (again) multiple competing interests, and the federal Bureau of Land Management is tasked with keeping the horses’ numbers down in response to demands by cattle ranchers. Even so, the mustangs’ numbers continue to grow as every “solution” is met with fierce opposition.

Philipps tells the horses’ story in entertaining fashion, with side trips to prehistoric times, the world of Western pulp novels and the life of an early animal-rights activist bent on dynamiting slaughterhouses. Philipps also indulges in some old-fashioned shoe-leather reporting, getting to the bottom of modern-day slaughterhouse rumors and even confronting a U.S. Cabinet member. And he offers up a solution of his own that makes just enough sense to ensure it won’t be adopted.

 

This article was originally published in the October 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Ah, the American wild: teeming with animals roaming free, right? Two new books might change your thinking on that, as well as the role of humans and government.

Children's & YAPicture Book

Made in the shade: Picture books on the enchantment of shadows

Feature by Julie Hale

Weird and wonderful, mysterious and magical—shadows bring a bit of whimsy to the everyday world. This month, we’ve rounded up a trio of inventive titles inspired by these slippery, shifting showpieces of nature. Get ready for some shadow play!

DOUBLE TROUBLE
In Michelle Cuevas’ wonderfully imaginative Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow (ages 4 to 8), Smoot is tired of the life he leads with the boy he’s attached to: “Every day they brushed the same teeth, frowned the same frown, and drew the same pictures.” When Smoot comes “unstuck” from the boy, he savors his freedom, joining kids on the playground and climbing a tree, and he soon attracts the attention of other shadows, who are inspired to follow his lead. The dragonfly’s shadow turns into a giant winged beast, while the frog’s shadow becomes a prince. Smoot quickly realizes he must find a way to stop what he started before shadows everywhere break free. Artist Sydney Smith depicts the impish Smoot and his fellow shadows against a white backdrop that’s offset by a bustling world of color and activity. This delightful story puts a fresh, phenomenal spin on a familiar, Peter Pan-like premise.

IN GOOD COMPANY
Mixing intelligence and wit with just a smidgen of silliness, Davide Cali’s George and His Shadow (ages 4 to 8) is a story of unforeseen friendship. Smartly attired in a green plaid hat and spectacles, George kicks off his day with coffee in the kitchen, where a dark figure awaits him at the dining table—his shadow! “Shouldn’t you be on the floor?” George asks. “I was hungry,” the shadow replies. Sticking close to George for the rest of the day, the shadow accompanies him as he walks his dog and visits the fishing pier. Tired of being tailed, George tries various methods (scissors, vacuum cleaner, even garlic) but can’t get rid of his counterpart. As darkness falls and the shadow vanishes, George realizes that he may have lost a friend. Serge Bloch’s spare, ingenious illustrations bring extra appeal to this singular story.

TWO OF A KIND
Hortense and the Shadow (ages 4 to 8), from sisters Natalia and Lauren O’Hara, is a beautifully executed story that has the staying power of a classic. Hortense is tired of her shadow. As her constant—unwanted—companion, it copies her every move. She tries hiding it “behind columns . . . under sofas . . . and in holes,” but nothing works until the day she runs inside and slams the window shut. At last, she’s free of her bothersome twin! When Hortense finds herself alone in the forest, faced with danger, she learns that her shadow is more valuable than she ever imagined. Lauren O’Hara’s delicate yet expressive illustrations, created in an understated palette of grays and pinks, will enchant readers of all ages. Radiating the timelessness of an old-fashioned fairy tale, this is a story to be treasured.

Weird and wonderful, mysterious and magical—shadows bring a bit of whimsy to the everyday world. This month, we’ve rounded up a trio of inventive titles inspired by these slippery, shifting showpieces of nature. Get ready for some shadow play!

Romance

Books that bite

Feature by Lois Dyer

What could be better than mythical creatures, costume parties and kisses, just in time for Halloween? The three novels we’ve chosen to share with you this month will take you to New York City, Seattle, Toronto and Europe with lots of thrills, chills and romance along the way. Prepare to be enthralled.

KISSED BY POISON
Archangel’s Viper is the tenth novel in the wildly popular Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh. Holly Chang was rescued from an insane archangel, but not before he turned Holly into a vampire against her will. She has spent the last few years learning to cope with her new reality, while under the protection of the Archangel of New York. But she’s a unique being, and no one truly knows her potential or what lives inside her. Only Venom, the vampire whose bite also carries poison like Holly’s, knows what terror stalks her dreams. When Venom and Holly investigate an attempt on her life, they stumble upon a secret from her past that no one anticipated.

Venom has always been drawn to Holly, but nothing prepared him for the explosion of lust and love that hits him when her life is threatened. He’ll do anything to keep her safe, but he knows she may have to die in order to save the world. How can either of them balance their need for each other against the sacrifice their honor may demand?

Singh is unparalleled in her ability to produce epic world building and riveting, unforgettable characters. Toss in intrigue, danger, affection and seduction, and readers are in for a rare treat.

THE BAD BOY AND THE BAKER
Marie Harte celebrates the spooky season with All I Want for Halloween. At 32, baker Sadie Liberato is done with the party and dating scene. She’s more than content to spend her evenings hanging out in sweatpants and watching Netflix. Unfortunately, her brother insists she attend a Halloween party and promote their fledgling catering business. Grumbling, Sadie dons a warrior princess costume and shows up. She hopes to make use of the evening to hook up with a masked stranger.

Soon-to-be ex-reality TV star Gear Blackstone is equally reluctant to attend the party but is contractually obligated to do so. The two meet and commiserate over drinks—and end up having a fast, steamy encounter in a dark corner. When Gear’s cheating ex-fiancée confronts Sadie afterward, their conversation quickly deteriorates, and Sadie punches the other woman. Gear is amused and determined to pursue the intriguing Sadie. When he barges into her quiet life and refuses to leave, Sadie is stunned. She can’t deny the attraction, though, and agrees to keep seeing Gear. But Sadie keeps insisting to her friends that seeing Gear isn’t a serious thing, and Gear keeps telling his family that hooking up with Sadie is just casual. Sadie’s busy coping with a booming bakery business, courtesy of her notoriety after punching Gear’s ex-fiancée, and Gear is facing life-changing business decisions. Will they ever take time to talk about the “l” word and what it means for their future together?

This book is so much fun it ought to be illegal. The snarky, sassy and sexy pair are complemented by a story with lots of heart and enough plot twists to keep the reader engaged. Read with a fan and glass of ice water near at hand.

CENTURIES IN THE MAKING
Bestselling author Lynsay Sands returns readers to the world of the Argeneau family with Immortally Yours. Beautiful vampire Beth Argenis has known Scotty MacDonald for 125 years—and that’s exactly how long she’s had a crush on him. What she doesn’t know is that 800-year-old Scotty recognized Beth as his mate when they first met. He never told her because he felt she needed time to grow accustomed to the change from mortal to vampire. Or so he told himself. Now Beth is strong, mature and a powerful Rogue Hunter in her own right. When they’re paired to hunt rogue vampires, the passion between them blazes out of control. But is lust enough to overcome the emotional damage done to both Beth and Scotty in their mortal pasts? When Beth’s life is at risk, Scotty is faced with the very real possibility of losing her. Faced with betrayal, can the two survive and find a future together?

This novel features a steamy romance, lots of intriguing twists and a few surprises. The supporting cast is full of endearing characters that will make readers laugh out loud. If you enjoy sexy paranormal romance with humor, don’t miss this one.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

What could be better than mythical creatures, costume parties and kisses, just in time for Halloween? The three novels we’ve chosen to share with you this month will take you to New York City, Seattle, Toronto and Europe with lots of thrills, chills and romance along the way. Prepare to be enthralled.

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Demons and butterflies

Feature by Savanna Walker

The gas-lit glamour of the Victorian age is a frequent backdrop for stories of women struggling against oppression. But what if a woman had supernatural abilities, or the chance to acquire them? Two new works of historical fantasy answer that question, weaving compelling tales of empowerment—literal and otherwise. 

Set in the fictional country of Levrene, which resembles belle epoque France save for a small portion of the population has telekinetic abilities, Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s The Beautiful Ones is an elegantly paced novel that moves its characters into place with ease, with careful attention paid to ways a word or a moment can change an entire life.

Drenched in beautiful imagery that brings to mind the dreamy aesthetic of art nouveau, The Beautiful Ones begins as Antonina Beaulieu arrives in the capital city of Loisail for her first debutante season. She’d much rather be back home in the country, where she can pursue her interests in the natural world and use her telekinetic powers without fear of judgment. But Nina is dutiful and dreams of romance, so she submits to her cousin’s glamorous wife Valérie and tries to transform herself into a lady. When the successful telekinetic entertainer Hector Auvray begins to court her, his wealth and good breeding is enough to overwhelm her family’s reservations about his common birth, and Nina is quickly enamored of him. But unbeknownst to Nina or anyone else, Hector and Valérie were once engaged.

Relentless and ferociously intelligent, Valérie is sympathetic even as her actions grow monstrous. Groomed from birth to marry for money in order to restore her family’s faded status, Valérie has rejected every part of her self that cannot be used in service to that goal. Moreno-Garcia takes care to illustrate the ways in which Nina is only free to do as she pleases due to her money and her indulgent relatives, leaving the reader with no choice but to acknowledge that Valérie’s hatred of the younger woman stems from both a legitimate grievance and psychological self-preservation. She loathes Nina and often Hector as well, because acknowledging that she carved any trace of innocence and hope out of herself is just too daunting, and damning, to contemplate.

As a foil to Valérie, Nina initially seems more concept than character, a naïve and good-hearted girl doomed to serve as a pawn between Hector and Valérie. But as her youthful passion and curiosity bloom into hard-won wisdom and self-possession, Moreno-Garcia’s narration from her perspective grows more complex, more layered with memory and forethought. The Beautiful Ones captures a young woman in the process of self-creation, looking down on herself from above for the first time, deciding which aspects of her society she will accept, and which she will quietly refuse. Nina’s embrace of and increasing skill with her telekinetic abilities, despite the censure of upper-class society, is a perfect encapsulation of her growth as a character. She’s literally becoming empowered. Moreno-Garcia carefully tracks each participant in the love triangle with this same attention to detail. As the three step toward and away from each other, she roots each movement in individual character development. For each of them, the choice of who they will love is a question of who they will allow themselves to love—whether they will be what society believes they should be, or who they, desperately, hope to be.

Questions of identity and the price of conformity also haunt Creatures of Will and Temper, Molly Tanzer’s urban fantasy set in Victorian London. Tanzer takes the iconic characters of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, gender swaps a few of them and then throws in a fencing school and demonology for good measure. The execution isn’t as pulpy as one would immediately assume, which does lead to a few unanswered questions about the exact nature of the supernatural elements at play. However, Tanzer draws her characters so precisely, and has such fun playing with the themes of Dorian Gray and other novels of the era, that any quibbles are easily waved away.

The decadent Lord Henry becomes Lady Henry (short for Henrietta), a glamorous aesthete in perfectly tailored men’s suits. When introduced to Dorina Gray on the young girl’s first trip to London, Henry is charmed by her enthusiasm and intelligence but resolves not to act on their mutual attraction, or tell Dorina anything about her more unorthodox pursuits—namely that she and a number of her friends host a demon in their bodies. Demon is a bit of a misnomer, as the beings in Tanzer’s novel are from an alternate world, rather than a Judeo-Christian hell. The specific demon that resides within Henry is devoted to sensory experiences above all else, making it the perfect match for Wilde’s decadent philosophy, represented here (as in Dorian Gray) by Henry. By creating and appreciating beauty in all its forms, Henry and her cadre are actually and truly communing with the eternal, literalizing the aim of aestheticism in a canny bit of genre translation.

A swaggering lady demonologist, who is rightfully viewed with utter adoration by her decades-younger love interest, is obviously a delight to come across. But Tanzer’s most intriguing character may be the determinedly conventional Evadne Gray, Dorina’s older sister. Evadne insists on proper behavior despite her very improper devotion to fencing, and immediately disapproves of Henry and Dorina’s friendship.

Tanzer sketches the complicated relationship between the Gray sisters with remarkable empathy and equanimity. Evadne is shy and not conventionally beautiful, unlike the gregarious Dorina, and Tanzer establishes in deft strokes how Evadne’s insecurity has calcified into snobbery and standoffishness. Dorina reacts with scorn whenever Evadne tries to control her behavior, as she cannot help but see it as judgment and rejection. Yet for all her snobbery, Evadne has a forthright, charming Victorian nobility to her, and protects Dorina with all the fervor of a medieval knight. Tanzer wisely ensures that the love between the two sister is never in doubt—rather, they’re unable to honestly communicate with each other due to years of unintended and imagined slights. This central bond between sisters is the backbone of Creatures of Will and Temper, and woven all throughout are poignant observations on love, art and the cost of freedom. With an attention to descriptive detail and an emphasis on seizing the pleasures of life, Creatures of Will and Temper is a twist on a classic tale that would have made Wilde proud.

The gas-lit glamour of the Victorian age is a frequent backdrop for stories of women struggling against oppression. But what if a woman had supernatural abilities, or the chance to acquire them? Two new works of historical fantasy answer that question, weaving compelling tales of empowerment—literal and otherwise. 

Romance

Let’s misbehave

Feature by Lois Dyer

In the prim and proper world of the British aristocracy, strict rules govern every interaction. But what happens when a lord or lady throws caution to the wind, and ignores all the dictates of propriety? Fabulously indiscreet romances are the result and we’ve chosen three of the best for your enjoyment this month.

THE LADY'S CHAMPION
Shana Galen launches her new series, The Survivors, with Third Son’s A Charm. Handsome, brooding Ewan Mostyn is the third son of the Earl of Pembroke. Estranged from his family after an abusive childhood, Ewan is fiercely loyal to his unit of fellow soldiers, known as Draven’s Dozen. The unit, entirely made up of nobility’s superfluous younger sons, bonded during the war and now each is struggling to adapt to civilian life back in London. Ewan’s work as a bouncer at a gambling club earns him a reputation, which brings him to the notice of the Duke of Ridlington.

The Duke’s daughter, Lady Lorraine Ridlington, is determined to marry a man her parents do not approve of. As it happens, her would-be suitor, Francis Mostyn, is also Ewan’s despised cousin. The prospect of Francis charming the pretty young woman out of her dowry is too much for Ewan to ignore. So he agrees to become a bodyguard—and Lorrie immediately begins plotting to thwart both her father and Ewan by evading them and finding a way to marry Francis.

Lorrie talks—a lot—while Ewan is so stoic that he barely talks at all. But before long, these two seemingly disparate people discover they have much in common. Lorrie begins to see more in Ewan than a handsome face and brawny muscles, while Ewan learns Lorrie has a sharp brain and kind heart in addition to her very pretty exterior.

Third Son’s a Charm is a rare treat. However, it is the honorable, charming and endearing Ewan and Lorrie who are the real stars here. While each is engaging in their own right, together they make up the perfect romantic couple.

A CINDERELLA STORY
Olivia Drake concludes her popular Cinderella Sisterhood series with The Scandalous Flirt. Once the darling of London society, Aurora Paxton caused a scandal when she was caught kissing a gentleman. This youthful misdeed resulted in her banishment to the country. She loves her eccentric Aunt Bernice, but misses her young stepsister and the wider world of bustling city life. Her quiet life changes drastically when a mysterious lady arrives on her doorstep and informs Aurora that her stepmother is being blackmailed and desperately needs her help to uncover the villain. Aurora’s stepsister is currently engaged to a duke and a potential scandal would ruin all her plans. Aurora reluctantly agrees, for her beloved stepsister’s sake. The mysterious lady gifts Aurora with a lovely pair of red silk dancing slippers, and departs.

Aurora arrives in London to find her stepmother as difficult as she remembered, while her stepsister has grown into a lovely young woman. Aurora is shocked to learn the man suspected of blackmail is none other than Lucas Vale, Marquess of Dashell. She met Lucas eight years earlier and even danced with him at a ball. Lucas can hardly believe Aurora Paxton is back in London. He’s never forgotten the dance he shared with Rory eight years earlier but he’s not a fan of young ladies who indulge in scandalous behavior. When Rory confesses her stepmother suspects him of blackmailing her, Lucas is furious. Still, it’s in his best interest to help her solve the case and they join forces. Both try to deny the powerful attraction between them—both are unsuccessful. Thrown together as they play detective and follow clues, it’s difficult to remember all the reasons they can never be together. Will they give up everything to be together? Or will scandal and family tear them apart?

With an intriguing plot, vivid descriptions of Regency England, and a brave hero and wise heroine to cheer for, this excellent novel is sure to keep readers fully absorbed.

ACCIDENTALLY FAMOUS
Eloisa James launches a new series, The Wildes of Lindow Castle, with Wilde In Love. Handsome, brilliant Lord Alaric Wilde spent several years traveling the world. He published books of his adventures and unbeknownst to him, those tales have made him a celebrity in England. Hordes of women sigh, dream of him and clutch engravings of his portrait to their bosoms. Upon his return to England, Alaric is stunned and appalled to learn he’s famous and quickly flees to his family’s estate in Cheshire.

Miss Willa Ffynche is a guest at the Wilde family castle and although she’s never been a besotted fan of the adventurer, she’s curious to meet him. Both Willa and Alaric are intrigued yet wary of the other, each recognizing an attraction. On her part, Willa knows her very private nature is at odds with Alaric’s very public persona. He will always be famous; she will always crave quiet surroundings. Still, neither can deny there is more than physical desire drawing them. Soon, Alaric openly acknowledges he wants more than friendship from Willa but, smart woman that she is, she refuses his attempts to lure her into romance. When someone from Alaric’s past threatens Willa’s safety, Alaric must risk his life to keep her safe. Faced with the possibility of losing him forever, Willa must confront her fears and decide whether her need for privacy can survive Alaric’s fame.

Alaric and Willa are utterly charming. Their seemingly polar-opposite character traits make for amusing, witty dialogue and James vividly portrays the earthy, witty world of Georgian England. Readers are certain to cheer for this couple and eagerly await the next entry in The Wildes of Lindow Castle.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

In the prim and proper world of the British aristocracy, strict rules govern every interaction. But what happens when a lord or lady throws caution to the wind, and ignores all the dictates of propriety? Fabulously indiscreet romances are the result and we’ve chosen three of the best for your enjoyment this month.

FictionDebut Fiction

Two turtledoves

Feature by Lonna Upton

Holiday preparations flood our hearts with the warmth of Christmases past—or the echoes of family dinners best forgotten. Wherever your memories lie, two debut works of Christmas fiction are sure to lighten your spirits.

First-time author Francesca Hornak has found the perfect recipe to sweeten our holidays. Seven Days of Us stirs together the problems of one family who makes half-baked attempts to reconcile when they’re forced to spend seven days together after years of chilly relationships. Each of Hornak’s well-developed characters narrates the week from his or her perspective, alternating chapters until secrets are divulged and lives are changed.

The Birches, a British family spending Christmas in their country home, are quarantined together on the estate when daughter Olivia returns from treating a life-threatening epidemic. Her affair with a fellow doctor won’t sit well with her family—or officials—since the couple dangerously breached a strict policy. Phoebe, Olivia’s materialistic younger sister, has as much patience for Olivia’s altruism as Olivia has for Phoebe’s chatter. Mother Emma spends the week preparing perfect meals and embracing her role as peacekeeper, and she is determined to keep her serious health concerns under wraps. Emma’s husband, Andrew, nurtures a chip on his shoulder about sacrificing his career as a war journalist to become a restaurant critic. Andrew spends his days writing sarcastic columns, but his life could change after he receives some shocking emails.

Sparks fly throughout the whole week, from the Birches’ first meal together until a surprise literally falls through the door. Can the chill in the air begin to warm before the New Year? Or will the Birches end their holiday as unhappy as ever?

THE SPIRIT OF SCROOGE
Christmas celebrations and Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol have gone hand in hand for almost 175 years. Scrooge’s tale asks us to reconsider our lives and get our hearts ready for the season. In Mr. Dickens and His Carol, Samantha Silva dives into Dickens’ life a month before his Christmas book is due. Dickens is in debt, publishers are at his door, a brood of children is constantly begging him for presents and his wife is demanding a grander Christmas party than ever before. As the great author searches for a muse to cure his writer’s block, Silva evokes a Dickensian mood and takes readers on a stroll through 1840s London. Known for walking miles through his city’s streets in search of inspiration, Dickens finds the revelation he needs from a mysterious woman named Eleanor Lovejoy. Charmed by her provocative questions, Dickens spends a few days figuring out the meaning of his life, where he has been and where he is going.

Silva explains in an author’s note that she is not a Dickens scholar; there are liberties taken here. But her admiration for Dickens is obvious, and for readers who know Dickens’ story, her reimagining will not disappoint. In this exceptional work uncovering the grime and glitter of 19th-century London, readers will find another framework from which to examine their hearts before Christmas.

 

This article was originally published in the December 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Holiday preparations flood our hearts with the warmth of Christmases past—or the echoes of family dinners best forgotten. Wherever your memories lie, two debut works of Christmas fiction are sure to lighten your spirits.

YA NonfictionYA FictionYAArt

Expand their horizons

Feature by Jill Ratzan

From inspirational feminist essays to illustrated fairy tales and an interactive journal, three new books provide material for teen readers to savor during winter’s long nights.

Thirty-eight women and girls, from high school students to bankers to professional authors, write about the opportunities and struggles of being female in ­Because I Was a Girl: True Stories for Girls of All Ages, edited by bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz. Some contributors were discouraged from their chosen careers. Others have dealt with being the only woman in their offices, labs or studios. Some pieces rile the reader’s anger while others are laugh-out-loud funny. But all of the women featured have gone on to carve their own niches and find their own voices. Timelines of major events in the women’s rights movement are interspersed among short biographical sections, making Because I Was a Girl a great choice for either reading in batches or appreciating as an entire work.

TALES TO TREASURE
Everyone thinks they know the stories: the Minotaur in the labyrinth, the gingerbread cookie come to life and the sea princess with the beautiful voice who exchanges her mermaid’s tail for a pair of legs. We also know that an illustrated book pairs images with words to tell a story—but what if these ideas were inverted, turned inside out and presented in new and unexpected ways? In The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic, author Leigh Bardugo and illustrator Sara Kipin collaborate to do just that. Five short stories and a novella, all set in the world of the author’s Grisha trilogy, subvert readers’ expectations of what, exactly, constitutes a happily-ever-after. The story forms through both words and pictures, as each page adds one more element to the mostly monochromatic, illustrated borders. Bring tissues: Some of these tales are total tearjerkers!

GET CREATIVE
Keri Smith, bestselling author of Wreck This Journal, is back with a new book made for creative scribbling. As readers pencil in the titular shape in The Line, they’re invited to explore patterns, navigate obstacles and participate in everything from revelation (“The answers are contained in the line itself. The line may reveal them to you, but only if you are ready to hear them.”) to destruction (invitations to cut, fold and otherwise mutilate the pages). The reader’s line meanders across shapes, words, blank spaces and black-and-white photographs as its adventures build to a crescendo. Like Smith’s previous books, The Line can be devoured in a single sitting, or each page’s activity can be completed one at a time. This is a great gift (especially when accompanied by an exquisite pencil) for teens who love art, journaling and introspection.

 

This article was originally published in the December 2017 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

From inspirational feminist essays to illustrated fairy tales and an interactive journal, three new books provide material for teen readers to savor during winter’s long nights.

FictionBiography

Saving literature, and eventually himself

Feature by Ian Schwartz

In the pantheon of modern fiction, how important is Raymond Carver? Fellow writer Robert Pope once dubbed him the “salvation of American literature.” Charles McGrath, former editor of the New Yorker and the New York Times Book Review, called him the “bellwether for a whole generation.” And now Carol Sklenicka has written a wonderful biography of Carver that, at nearly 600 pages, is more than 10 times longer than anything Carver himself ever penned. Raymond Carver: A Writer’s Life is a dense plumbing of the often bizarre life of the man whose spare, grinding tales of the poor and working class made him the most celebrated short-story writer of our time. Sklenicka chronicles Carver’s life from his modest beginnings through his death in 1988 from lung cancer—a peripatetic whirlwind of alcohol, writing and keeping one step ahead of the debt collector.

While it sometimes feels that Sklenicka offers Carver a free pass on his alcoholism—among other causes, she cites family responsibilities, heredity and even the national zeitgeist as reasons for his drunkenness—her book is a lushly researched necessity for anyone who loves literature. The story of Carver also chronicles the end of an era—the last group of authors for whom Dionysian excess was as necessary as limpid prose.

The only thing Carver appeared to enjoy as much as writing was the company of writers. Sklenicka’s book is thick with insider conversations, parties and first-person observations of some of the best-known writers of the last half-century. Prominent are Carver’s second wife, poet Tess Gallagher, and dozens of authors he considered friends, including Richard Ford, Tobias Wolff and Jay McInerney.

A Writer’s Life is also the perfect holiday companion to the recently released Raymond Carver: Collected Stories. The collection includes Beginners, the original manuscript for What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. The manuscript version was nearly twice as long until pared liberally by editor Gordon Lish. Carver was so unhappy with the result he begged Lish to halt publication. Now here it is in its original form for all his fans to enjoy.  

In the pantheon of modern fiction, how important is Raymond Carver? Fellow writer Robert Pope once dubbed him the “salvation of American literature.” Charles McGrath, former editor of the New Yorker and the New York Times Book Review, called him the “bellwether for a whole generation.”

Children's & YAPicture Book

One-of-a-kind connections: Picture books of special friendships

Feature by Julie Hale

When it comes to making friends, timing is everything. And when two people really click, magic can occur! The books below celebrate perfect pairings—companions who find each other at just the right moment.

TAKING FLIGHT WITH A FRIEND
A homebody learns what it’s like to step outside his comfort zone in Gus Gordon’s whimsical Somewhere Else (ages 4 to 8). George, a white duck who wears a tweed cap, is a rare bird, indeed. Content to stay in the kitchen and whip up pastries, he has no desire to explore the outside world. George’s mates stop inviting him on outings, except for his faithful bear friend, Pascal. When Pascal discovers why George sticks close to home (it’s a secret!), he’s determined to remedy the situation, and the two set off on an incredible journey in the sky. There’s a lot to look at in this appealing little book, thanks to Gordon’s ingenious, collage-like illustrations, which blend drawings, photographs and old newspaper clippings. This fanciful portrait of the power of companionship is sure to draw in young readers.

A CHANGE OF HEART
Tommy Greenwald’s Hooked (ages 4 to 6) is a warmhearted tale about fishing and family. A natural-born angler, young Joe has the focus and patience required to wait for a great catch. Not so his father, who finds the sport dull. “I like more action,” he says. “And I don’t like worms.” In search of company for his fishing excursions, Joe becomes a part of his local fishing club. When the group plans an ice fishing trip—an outing that requires parental accompaniment—Joe’s father reluctantly agrees to come along. The excursion doesn’t go quite as expected (Joe hooks a stuffed elephant!), but the two bond during their time on the ice. And when spring rolls around, Joe’s father is ready to cast a line. Illustrated with precision and delicacy by David McPhail, Hooked captures the special rapport that exists between father and son.

FRIENDSHIP IN THE FORECAST
The Pink Umbrella (ages 6 to 9) by Amélie Callot shows how small gestures of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s life. Adele is the proprietress of the Polka-Dot Apron, a cheery café that she decorates with fresh flowers. The café is popular with customers thanks to Adele’s buoyant personality. Indeed, the only thing that can dampen her spirit is rain! When the weather is gloomy, Adele stays in bed and keeps the café closed. One day at work, she discovers a surprise: bright pink rain boots that fit her perfectly. The boots are the first of many rain-related gifts (a pink raincoat comes next) that she receives from an unknown well-wisher—gifts that give her a new appreciation for gray skies and lead to a wonderful friendship. Geneviève Godbout’s colorful, spirited illustrations add to the enchantment of Adele’s adventures. Readers of all ages will appreciate this ray-of-sunshine story.

When it comes to making friends, timing is everything. And when two people really click, magic can occur! The books below celebrate perfect pairings—companions who find each other at just the right moment.

NonfictionPhotographyLiterature

Gifts for feminists: Heroines of the world

Feature by Cat Acree

The perfect gifts for nasty women, persisters and resisters, these three books celebrate the power and magic of women.

HEROINES IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Open to any page of 200 Women Who Will Change the Way You See the World and you’ll find a new role model. You’ve likely heard of many of the women included—Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Bobbi Brown—but many will be new faces, from humanitarian advocates to innovators and religious leaders. No woman falls into just one category, but they can all be labeled as brilliant.

For this series, 200 women from all over the world were asked the five same questions: What really matters to you? What brings you happiness? What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? What would you change if you could? And which single word do you most identify with? Their answers, if considered all at once, are nearly overwhelming for the vast inspiration they provide. But taken one at a time, they reveal each woman’s own story, in her own words—a precious thing indeed.

Margaret Atwood’s favorite word is “and” (“It means there is always something more.”), while Marama Fox, representative and co-leader of the Māori Party in New Zealand, identifies with the word “whanaungatanga”: “It is the idea that each of us needs each other and that there is none greater or lesser than another.” Author Isabel Allende shares the heartbreaking story of her daughter’s death and the harrowing process of transporting her from Madrid to the United States: “I learned the lesson that I am not in control. People have this idea that we come to the world to acquire things—love, fame, goods, whatever. In fact, we come to this world to lose everything. When we go, we have nothing and we can take nothing with us.” Actor Embeth Davidtz discusses showing her breast cancer scar on television: “I had never thought of myself as ugly after breast cancer, which is why it was so important to me to convey a confidant, well-put-together woman in a sexual light—to not have her scar dictate that she was less of a woman.”

Smart women, big dreamers and anyone who wants to make the world a better place will find countless new heroines here.

YOUR SISTER, YOUR NEIGHBOR
If 200 Women is about the minds of women—their wisdom, brilliance and resilience—then The Atlas of Beauty: Women of the World in 500 Portraits is about their appearances. What is beauty, if women could define it for themselves? In these portraits of women from more than 50 countries, all captured by Mihaela Noroc, a photographer who has been traveling the globe since 2013, it becomes clear that beauty is in our differences. Page after page, we see women who are normal, real and utterly beautiful. The effect is kaleidoscopic—like holding a small piece of the world up to the light, and seeing all the races, nationalities, colors, sizes, styles and lives within.

Some portraits are paired with brief captions; some women are quoted; others might be noted only by the location. Portraits are often grouped by similarities, from poses to activities; activists in protests and rallies from New York, Greece and Turkey share a spread, as do women in traditional dress from Romania, Ecuador and North Korea.

If one thing unites all these different women, it is the lights in their eyes, and each page builds a sense of togetherness that needs no explanation.

THE POWER OF THE WITCH
Is there any greater magic than a good book? I think not, and if you agree (you should), you might love the idea that women writers are a lot like witches. “Witches and women writers alike dwell in creativity, mystery, and other worlds,” writes Taisia Kitaiskaia in Literary Witches: A Celebration of Magical Women Writers. “They aren’t afraid to be alone in the woods of their imaginations, or to live in huts of their own making. They’re not afraid of the dark.” Kitaiskaia has transformed 30 diverse writers into literary witches, from Emily Brontë to Zora Neale Hurston. Each woman has a two-page spread featuring a portrait (often styled as folk art or a religious icon) by Katy Horan and a list of recommended reading, a brief biography—and a fantastical description of the author as a witch.

Many are benevolent witches: Toni Morrison, “queen of miracles, generations, and memory,” can see a person’s ancestral pain in their skin and ferries ghosts across rivers. Audre Lorde, “warrior witch of otherness, bodies electric, and sisterhood,” is a goddess rising from a pond of lava, and women who approach are dipped in gold. Iranian poet Forough Farrokhzad, “rebel of sensual love, green gardens, and perfume,” becomes an acacia tree whose naked spirit brings life to parched land. Others are full of rage and revenge: Sylvia Plath, “fury of motherhood, marriage, and the moon,” exists in three forms, one of which dismembers male mannequins.

There’s something intoxicating about imagining your favorite female writers as having spiritual powers. These women are magic—and so are you.

The perfect gifts for nasty women, persisters and resisters, these three books celebrate the power and magic of women.

NonfictionBusiness & Finance

When timing is everything

Feature by Amy Scribner

Time: There’s never enough of it, and it slips through our fingers. As the poet Mary Oliver asked, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

In this pair of books, a first-time author and a bestselling author offer their advice on making the most of the time we have.

In When to Jump: If the Job You Have Isn’t the Life You Want, Mike Lewis recalls landing a plum job at a major corporation after graduating from an Ivy League school. He thought he’d achieved everything he could hope for, but at age 23, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he should be doing something else.

“For twenty-three years, I had chased plainly laid out goals,” he writes. “Goals that were easy to want to chase because they were popular with the older people around me and were even popular among my own peers. . . . I felt compelled to run faster toward particular goals—at the risk of forgetting what I was hurling toward, and why.”

So did Lewis want a different corporate position, or perhaps a career switch to science or the arts? No. He wanted, somewhat unbelievably, to pursue a professional career playing squash. And he did! Lewis’ book offers practical advice about how—and most importantly when—to make a big career switch. Lewis isn’t the only one who has taken a huge, life-changing leap, and essays by these passionate risk-takers bolster this compelling book. Others who have listened to their own “little voice,” as Lewis calls it, and switched careers include a mechanical engineer who becomes a trainer, a reporter who joins the Marines and a garbage collector who now designs furniture.

I promise I like this next book for more than just its rock-solid, evidence-based defense of naps. Daniel H. Pink, who taught us the secrets of achieving high performance in his bestselling Drive, returns with another deeply researched and lively book. In When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, Pink reveals that timing really is everything.

No matter where one lives, everyone experiences the same daily rhythm: a peak, a trough and a rebound. It may be at different times for different people (some people are night owls while others are morning people, while still another group is what Pink calls “third birds”). The trick is to take advantage of the time when you’re at your best to do your toughest work.

And that time is rarely mid­afternoon. Pink noted a British survey that pinpoints the most unproductive moment of the day: 2:55 p.m. Afternoon is when hospital workers are least likely to wash their hands, it’s when Danish schoolchildren fare worse on exams and it’s when prisoners are less likely to get parole.

Throughout the book, Pink breaks down the science of timing by offering what he calls the “Time Hacker’s Handbook.” These are simple tips to maximize your time, such as how to take the perfect nap. This marriage of research, stories and practical application is vintage Pink, helping us use science to improve our everyday lives.

 

This article was originally published in the January 2018 issue of BookPage. Download the entire issue for the Kindle or Nook.

Time: There’s never enough of it, and it slips through our fingers. As the poet Mary Oliver asked, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” In this pair of books, a first-time author and a bestselling author offer their advice on making the most of the time we have.

Romance

Beyond the small-town sweethearts

Feature by Lois Dyer

It’s a new year, and we’re excited to share three terrific contemporary romances for those looking for something a little different. If you’re ready to branch out from the sweet small-town tales so common to the genre, look no further.

BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE
First up is Promise Not to Tell by Jayne Ann Krentz. The master of romantic suspense has set her latest novel in moody, rainy Seattle, a setting that perfectly suits her central mystery. Art gallery owner Virginia Troy and private investigator Cabot Sutter shared a horrific experience as children. Their mothers were members of a cult whose charismatic, sociopathic leader burned the compound down and disappeared. Both of their mothers died that night, and Virginia and Cabot barely escaped with their lives. Both were left with memories that scarred them.

When Virginia’s client and fellow survivor commits suicide, she turns to Cabot’s detective agency for help. She’s not convinced her artist’s death was truly a suicide. Cabot joins her to seek the truth, but they’ve barely begun the investigation when a woman is murdered in Virginia’s art gallery, someone breaks into her condo, and shots are fired at Cabot. As the level of danger ratchets higher, Virginia and Cabot search for answers while dealing with a growing attraction that draws them ever closer. Just as both begin to hope for a future together, the monster from their childhood threatens them once again. Is it possible the cult leader is alive and well—and has returned to finish what he started all those years ago? And if he’s back, will Virginia and Cabot survive?

Krentz dives into sociopathic psychology and complex characterization to great effect in this twisty story, whose plot clips along at a terrific pace. Readers will look forward to the third novel in this ongoing series of books connected through the Cutler, Sutter & Salinas detective agency and the destroyed cult.

RED CARPET ROMANCE
Stacey Kade delivers Starlight Nights, a riveting novel set in the world of Hollywood. Twenty-two-year-old Calista Beckett is desperately trying to move on from her early fame, her manager mother’s obsessive control and her career-destroying personal mistakes. When Eric Stone, the man she’s loved since she was 16, shows up on campus, she just wants him to go away. But Eric knows her too well. He knows that she belongs in the movie industry, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get her to sign on for a web series he’s filming. Under pressure from her mother, Calista agrees. The acting gig is only for two weeks over the Thanksgiving holiday. What could go wrong? Apparently, everything.

Thrust back into the world she once fled, Calista struggles to deal with her controlling mother’s demands for money, her unresolved feelings for Eric and her desperate need to gain independence. Given how much baggage both she and Eric are carrying after suffering through horrible parents and the pressures of fame, is there any hope this second chance will end well? Or are they doomed to drift apart, separated from the one person who truly understands and loves them?

This emotionally compelling story is simply wonderful Watching Calista and Eric fight to gain independence from manipulative parents and to find the courage to fully commit to loving each other makes for a marvelous read. Readers should prepare to be fully absorbed in the novel’s world—and to stay up all night reading.

RUNAWAY BRIDE
Rachel Gibson returns to the world of sports with The Art of Running in Heels. Lexie Kowalsky is the daughter of a legendary hockey great who now coaches the Chinooks, Seattle’s professional hockey team. When Lexie wins a “Bachelor”-esque reality show, she realizes at the last minute that she can’t go through with the televised wedding. Still dressed in her poufy wedding dress, frothy veil and sparkly stiletto heels, she climbs aboard a friend’s charter plane leaving Seattle for Sandspit, Canada.

Already on the plane when the pilot stuffs Lexie and her dress inside, the Chinooks’ newest star player, Sean Knox, recognizes the gorgeous blonde instantly. He also knows he needs to keep his hands far away from the coach’s daughter. Lexie doesn’t recognize Sean—not on the plane when she asks him to help her unbutton her dress and he rips it off, not when she meets and befriends his hypochondriac mother, not even when they give in to mutual lust at her motel room. In fact, it isn’t until after they part ways the next morning that Lexie discovers Sean’s identity.

Furious, she demands he aid her in rescuing her reputation and business, which tanked after her runaway-bride act. Sean agrees to go along with her plan, partly because he doesn’t want trouble with her father and partly because he wants to spend time with her. The plan requires them to pretend to be in love to spite the media, and before long, the acting begins to feel all too real. When Lexie realizes she’s in love with the handsome, gruff hockey player, will Sean realize that he loves her, too? Or will he walk away from the best thing that’s ever happened to him?

This book is a delight, with laugh-out-loud moments and a hot romance between quirky, smart Lexie and hunky, equally intelligent Sean. Readers will cheer for this couple and thoroughly enjoy watching them battle their way to a happy ending.

 

Lois Dyer writes from her home in Port Orchard, Washington.

It’s a new year, and we’re excited to share three terrific contemporary romances for those looking for something a little different. If you’re ready to branch out from the sweet small-town tales so common to the genre, look no further.

YA FictionYA

Teen superheroes take the spotlight

Feature by Hilli Levin

If 2017’s biggest blockbusters were any indication, the superhero fever that’s taken hold of the pop culture world doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon. As the classic Marvel vs. DC battle rages on, two new takes on beloved, misfit superheroes just so happen to be hitting shelves on the same day. But we're not taking sides—there’s enough love for all these heroes to go around. 

BECOMING THE BAT
Bestselling author Marie Lu (The Young Elites) follows up Leigh Bardugo’s Wonder Woman: Warbringer with her own highly anticipated installment in the DC Icons series—Batman: Nightwalker. In her reimagining of the beloved hero’s origin story, we meet a young Bruce Wayne en route to his 18th birthday party. He’s been carefully groomed by his legal guardian, Alfred (one of the most delightful characters in Lu’s story), to take on the mantle of his late parents’ renowned corporation along with an inheritance that clocks in around a billion dollars.

But despite the polished, confident playboy-image he presents to the press, Bruce is a sensitive and deeply empathetic teen whose social anxiety is more easily triggered than he’d like. His moral ideals are soon challenged by Gotham City’s new gang known as the Nightwalkers, and his newfound independence leads him to make the decision to fight them head-on since the local police can't seem to help. But jumping headfirst into a criminal investigation results in a young Bruce being sent to Arkham Asylum as punishment. There, he comes face-to-face with the kind of criminals he’s hated for so long, but a fellow teen named Madeleine challenges Bruce’s long-held beliefs when she offers to help him shut down the Nightwalkers for good. 

Longtime fans won’t find much new terrain explored here, but Lu’s trademark ability to seamlessly incorporate lots of tech and diversity in her fictional worlds serves Batman well. Although nowhere near as dark as Christopher Nolan’s cinematic series, it’s always compelling to see Bruce Wayne’s progression from starry-eyed, privileged punk to brooding caped crusader, and Lu’s novel is no exception.

LIVING ON THE FRINGE
Christopher Golden’s new novel picks up where the original Marvel comic series, which became an instant cult-classic, left off. Hitting shelves just before fellow bestselling YA author Rainbow Rowell takes the reins and brings the comic series back from the brink, fans and newcomers alike will surely want to dive into this accessible new story centered on a ragtag group of orphaned teens. When Golden’s novel kicks off, the Runaways are struggling with their newfound powers and the grief that’s followed the deaths of each one of their parents—a high powered collection of secret supervillains who were known as The Pride. Now searching for solace and peace in LA, Karolina, Chase, Nico, Gert and Molly discover a secret underground base constructed by their families. It seems like the home they’ve been searching for, however fraught with emotional ghosts as it may be, and they’re determined to utilize all of the tech and gadgets in their quest to do good.

Although it may seem like teens with psychic links to dinosaurs, super strength or spellcasting abilities aren’t the most relatable, Golden excels at making their problems (no matter how big or small) and emotions ring true to life. This is an accessible introduction to the characters and a perfect read for fans of Stand by Me and The Breakfast Club—other beloved stories that explore the resilience of the young spirit, the importance of our chosen families and the possibility of growing up without hardening your heart. 

If 2017's biggest blockbusters were any indication, the superhero fever that's taken hold of the pop culture world doesn't seem to be dying down anytime soon. As the classic Marvel vs. DC battle rages on,  two new takes on beloved, misfit superheroes just so happen to be hitting shelves on the same day. But we're not taking sides—there's enough love for all these heroes to go around.

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