The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, by Gennifer Choldenko

This was really well-written, with characters I loved and was totally rooting for.  The premise was powerful.  The plot and pacing were good. 

I found a few little things silly or repetitive, but it wasn't a big deal. 

The ending was satisfying.

Overall, a really great book about difficult issues. 

4.5 stars

I Survived True Stories: Five Epic Disaster, by Lauren Tarshis

I haven't read any of the I Survived novels by Lauren Tarshis, despite loving survival stories, and despite them being popular with kids at my library.  But I read this as part of a Summer Reading challenge…and now I want to read all her novels.

The subject matter was fascinating.  The writing was engaging.  The extra facts at the end of each chapter added great depth.  I've been a little fidgety lately with reading, not finding anything that will keep my attention for too long, but I read about 70 pages of this in a row, and finished the book in three sittings. 

Well done.   

5 Stars

My story, "Vodnik," in audio at Tales to Terrify

My short story about a Czech water goblin and a man determined to settle a decades-old score appears in this week's edition of Tales to Terrify.  It's an audio venue, so if you don't have time to read, just listen!

Look wherever you get your podcasts or click here: https://talestoterrify.com/episodes/661-melinda-brasher/

This story first appeared in Uncharted and then in Shadows on the Water.

My story, "Midnight Muster," in Dragon Gems

Today is the release of Dragon Gems Summer 2024 issue.  My story about a resourceful passenger facing off against polite space pirates appears in its pages.  Check it out here:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ4BL496

The Color of Rock, by Sandra Cavallo Miller

I enjoyed this for the Grand Canyon setting and the explorations of the type of medical problems that happen there.  

The writing, characters, and plot kept me engaged, but it suffered a little from a  mismatch between expectations and reality.  In my library, it's in the fiction section.  But this is clearly a romance.  I felt a bit disappointed by the emphasis on romance and sex, when there were many other more interesting themes and events to explore in such a great setting.  

So if you're looking for/don't mind a romance, I think you'll really enjoy this.

Grouse?!? in Arizona

On the way up Humphreys Peak, near Flagstaff, Arizona, I came upon about five of these lovely birds.  Grouse?!?   I've never seen grouse in Arizona!  

After I got home, I looked it up.  I'm assuming these are dusky grouse, which my Dad has apparently seen in the wild in Arizona.  But it was a treat for me.  As I was alone on the trail, I got to watch them for a good ten minutes.  Not a bad way to spend your time.  

  

The Eyes & the Impossible, by Dave Eggers

 Newbery Award Winner, 2024:  

This was a cute book.  I liked all the animal characters, the descriptions though the dog's eyes, and how they worked together to solve problems. 

With all books like this, it's sometimes hard to suspend my disbelief when, for example, a dog understands that stars are actually suns burning far, far away, but the same dog doesn't know what the mainland is.  The dog understands all sorts of complex English words and scientific and culture concepts but does not know what art is?  Yeah, it's a little hard to swallow.  But if you can go with it, it's just fun.  

And the pictures are beautiful.