Adult Readers Advisory: "The Bells of Times Square" by Amy Lane

The Bells of Times Square

By Amy Lane

Synopsis: Every New Year's Eve since 1946, Nate Meyer has ventured to Times Square to listen for church bells. As he sits in Times Square, an old man, with his grandson Blaine, Nate reflects on his most secret memories - the bittersweet memories of his short but passionate relationship with Walter.

Appeal Elements

Pacing: "The Bells of Times Square" is a short book and a quick read, but after Nate and Walter's meeting, the book has a more relaxed pace as the pair's relationship grows. The pace grows quicker again as danger invades the cozy life Nate and Walter have made for themselves.

Frame & Setting: This is primarily a historical fiction story taking place during World War II; however, the story is framed by Nate's grandson, Blaine, coming out to his grandfather in the modern era. This combination gives the story extra depth and emotional weight; as Nate reflects on a life lived in the closet, he hopes his grandson is able to be himself. An additional element of the story is the fact that Nate is Jewish, and throughout the book he struggles with his Jewish identity, both as it relates to his role in World War II and his sexuality.

Story Line: The core of the plot is the romance between Nate and Walter, but there are many other elements that add tension to their relationship and to the book. The pair are frequently in danger, and their future is far from certain; not only is it far from sure that they will survive the war, but they know that if they survive the war, their relationship would have to remain a secret. In addition, they are from two different world - Nate is an upper-middle class Jewish Army officer from the big city, and Walter is a lower class gentile private from a rural area. 

Characterization: Nate and Walter grow and learn from each other throughout the book, and they protect each other. Nate and Walter both struggle with their own issues, and Walter's frankness and Nate's more reserved nature sometimes clash. However, throughout the book they are able to help each other overcome some of their fears and become better people. 

Tone and Mood: "The Bells of Times Square" has a rather melancholy tone - after all, from the beginning of the book, it becomes apparent that Nate and Walter don't get the traditional "happily ever after" of a romance novel. However, there is a thread of hopefulness woven through the book because of Blaine's budding relationship, and the ending, while not traditionally happy, is certainly uplifting. 

Style & Language: "The Bells of Times Square" is descriptive, especially of emotions and Nate's inner thoughts. The characters have strong voices, and feel realistic. The prose is easy to read.

Read-Alikes

Readers interested in reading more historical romance with GLBTQ characters may enjoy: 

• "Unhinge the Universe" by Aleksandr Voinov and L.A. Witt
• "Skybound" by Aleksandr Voinov
• "Turnbull House" by Jess Faraday
• "Bound to be a Groom" by Megan Multry

Jenny's Take: It's hard to call this a romance novel, exactly, because it doesn't have the traditional "happily ever after," but as a historical love story, this was good book, and I really enjoyed reading it. I felt like the last quarter of the book went by a little bit fast, to get Nate from World War II to the present day for the last scene, but other than that, it was really a good book. The historical stuff was a little bit fuzzy and glossed over, too, which was a bit bothersome since I know a lot about World War II, but it was no different from the historical fuzziness of most Regency romances - I just don't know as much about the Regency era. This is a good book for a romance reader who doesn't mind a more melancholy tone and an uplifting-but-not-exactly-happy ending. 

Adult Readers Advisory: "Telegraph Days" by Larry McMurtry

Telegraph Days
By Larry McMurtry

Synopsis: After her father commits suicide, Nellie Courtright lives her exciting life in the Old West. She becomes the telegraph lady in little Rita Blanca, where her brother Jackson takes down the entire Yazee gang; meets Wyatt Earp and his brothers; works for Buffalo Bill Cody; has a ringside seat at the shootout at the O.K. Corral; and more. It's an epic tale of one woman watching the changing landscape of the West.

Western Elements:

Pacing: "Telegraph Days" has a leisurely pace, despite spanning many years of Nellie's life. It reads as a recollection of Nellie's adventures, with lots of asides and reflections, and less description of exciting events like shootouts and train robberies. Part of that may also have to do with Nellie's no-nonsense style of speaking; she's blunt and doesn't get excited easily.

Frame & Setting: The mythical old West of stories and movies is the setting for "Telegraph Days," and while Nellie visits many real places, such as Dodge City and North Platte, Nebraska, a good chunk of the action takes place in Rita Blanca, which, while being a real place, is "No-Man's Land" during the story - a place not claimed by any state. The book is set in a more solid time and place than many Westerns, but Nellie's descriptions of her surroundings makes the rough landscape its own character nonetheless.

Story Line: The story of "Telegraph Days" is, at its core, Nellie learning to not only survive, but thrive in the Wild West, along with a parallel story of the way that the Wild West went from being wild to being the stuff of myth, thanks to books and movies. This feels different from the typical Westerns. The traditional heroes and villains are made to be supporting characters in the drama of Nellie Courtright's life, and Nellie gives the reader an inside scoop. It's serves as a commentary on, or loving spoof of, traditional Westerns.

Characterization: Nellie is not a typical female Western character, neither a fallen woman with a heart of gold nor a good woman who stands by her man. She's more complicated than that. She isn't pure, and has dalliances with many different men during the course of the novel. She's a good woman, but she's also tough. She isn't exactly a typical Western hero in skirts either, though she does share some characteristics - she's a loner and a wanderer, though she doesn't administer justice or right wrongs. She's an active player in many big events described in the novel, many of which are events that take on mythical qualities, but she's usually working behind the scenes. Nellie can't quite be called a feminist heroine, but she certainly casts some light on the women behind the men described in Westerns.

Tone & Mood: "Telegraph Days" skims the surface of a lot of events without going in depth, which gives it a breezy feel. It's also funny, often darkly so. There is a nostalgia to the book, as any good Western should have, but it's a nostalgia that's tinged with sarcasm and droll commentary.

Style & Language: "Telegraph Days" is told in the straightforward tone of Nellie Courtright - sometimes shockingly so. The book is no-nonsense about everything, from descriptions of people and places to Nellie's forthright discussions of sex. There is a staccato feel to the dialogue, and the whole book feels gritty and frank.

Read-Alikes: Readers who enjoyed the Western setting and female protagonist of "Telegraph Days" may enjoy "True Grit" by Charles Portis, which also features a no-nonsense female protagonist (albeit a teenage one). "The Sisters Brothers" by Patrick deWitt is also a Western novel with a darkly funny tone. The books of Elmer Kelton, such as "The Day the Cowboys Quit," are Westerns that take place in the same transitional time period as "Telegraph Days." Pat Conroy's novels of the South, such as "The Prince of Tides" have a similar feel in a different setting from McMurtry's Western landscape and may be a win for someone looking for something a little bit different.

Jenny's Take: I wasn't sure what to expect with a Western, since it is a genre I have rarely read; most of my knowledge of the genre comes from movies. To complicate matters, I picked a book that doesn't appear to quite be a typical Western. I found the story to be kind of silly and far-fetched - Nellie meets a lot of famous Western characters - but I enjoyed the way that McMurtry put them all in the book and played with our perceptions of those people. It ended up feeling like a commentary, but I am sure I missed some of it because of my lack of knowledge of the genre. I really liked Nellie as a character, but for someone who reads a lot of Romance, with its flowery descriptions, Nellie's frank talk was a bit of a shock. It wasn't an unwelcome shock and it didn't offend me - in fact, it worked well for the character - but I'm not used to lines like, "Even then copulating with Teddy was no sure thing - he seemed to have no inkling as to how to find the entrance to the cave of joy. Tired of waiting - why can't the fool find it? - I put him in my hand, and then later, after an eruption and a nap, I put him in again and had some fun myself." (That encounter would have taken two or three chapters in a Romance novel.) It was fun to read a narrator who was that forthright - not just about sex, but about everything. I don't expect Westerns to become my favorite genre, but it was certainly a fun experience to read the book!

Adult Reader's Advisory: "Lock In" by John Scalzi

Lock In

By John Scalzi

Synopsis: In the near future, a new virus causes a small segment of the population to "lock in" - unable to move but with perfectly functioning brains. Science allows victims of this disease, called Haden's Syndrome, to transfer their consciousness into a "threep," a machine that allows them to move through the world, or to borrow the body of an "Integrator" for a time by transferring their consciousness into the Integrator's body. In "Lock In," rookie FBI agent Chris Shane, a Haden sufferer, and Chris' more experienced partner, Leslie Vann, are assigned to investigate a Haden-related murder that could have ripple effects that they never could have imagined.

Science Fiction Elements: 

Pacing: "Lock-In" has a quick pace. There is a lot of action, and a lot of dialogue as Chris and Leslie unravel the murder mystery at the heart of the story. Even the world-building is done in a more incidental way, with the reader picking up bits and pieces about the world as Chris moves through it, although there are a few passages of "recollection" by Chris that fill in the blanks.

Frame & Setting: The world in "Lock-In" is fleshed out, interesting, and evocative. Scalzi is descriptive in his prose, making the world easy to see. He clearly has an idea of the science behind the futuristic aspects of the world, too. However, while there are scientific details that are discussed, especially relating to computer technology, they are accessible and explained in language that anybody with a basic understanding of computers can follow.

Story Line: "Lock In" is, basically, a police procedural mystery in a science fiction world. However, within that basic plotline, the book is able to explore a variety of timely issues, including economic disparity, disability culture, and gender. While the economic disparity and, especially, disability culture discussions are at the forefront of the story, the exploration of gender is much more subtle. 

Characterization: At the core, Chris and Leslie are basic characters in a police procedural mystery. Chris is a rookie, bright-eyed and a little lost, and Leslie is the more cynical seasoned veteran. Chris is the vehicle through which Scalzi is able to examine disability culture and gender, Chris is a likable person, and the relationship between Chris and Leslie is fun to watch as it builds. However, neither Chris nor Leslie are particularly notable characters on their own.

Tone & Mood: "Lock In" is straightforward and fairly upbeat. While there is murder and tragedy throughout the book, the book does not dwell on these aspects, instead continuing to move forward as Chris tries to solve the mystery. The book does, however, throw the reader into the world and fills in most of the blanks as the story progresses, so there is some light disorientation at first.

Style & Language: "Lock In" is written in a breezy, conversational style, in first-person from Chris' perspective. It is full of dialogue without a lot of description. There is jargon and slang that is unique to the book; however, slang terms make sense once they are explained, and are easy to understand.

Read-Alikes: John Scalzi's Hugo Award-winning "Redshirts" has the same easy readability, though it is darker with a more mind-bending concept. 

"Rule 34" by Charles Stross also features a near-future detective, this time monitoring the internet for illegal activity. 

"Flashback" by Dan Simmons is a near-future murder mystery, featuring a detective addicted to a drug that allows the user to re-experience moments of the past.

"Parasite" by Mira Grant is a near-future science fiction book with thriller and horror elements, about a world where genetically engineered tapeworms live inside humans and ward off disease.

"Ready Player One" by Ernest Cline is a near-future science fiction book about a young man who immerses himself in a technological utopia to escape the bleak Earth. 

Jenny's Take: I picked a perfect book for the week we read about mysteries and science fiction, because "Lock In" is both! Specifically, it's a police procedural that takes place in the near future. I enjoyed the easy-to-read, breezy style. I'm fascinated by science and I love the way a good science fiction author can bend science into an awesome concept, but sometimes I have trouble when there's too much hard science and jargon. "Lock In" is accessible but it has a lot of very interesting, notable issues that it's able to tackle in the framework of the story. This is a great genre-bender that will appeal to both science fiction fans and fans of mysteries and thrillers. It could be a great introduction into the science fiction genre, or (like it was for me) a fun, easy read for an existing sci-fi fan.

Adult Reader's Advisory: "Romancing The Duke" by Tessa Dare

Romancing the Duke
By Tessa Dare
Series: Castles Ever After #1

Synopsis: Izzy Goodnight, the penniless spinster daughter of a late author, receives a mouldering castle as a bequest from her godfather. The problem is, the tormented but handsome Ransom, Duke of Rothbury, still lives there, and he doesn't want to give up his home. The stubborn pair battle over the castle they both believe is theirs, unwilling to admit that love is beginning to take hold of their hearts.

Romance Elements: 

Pacing: "Romancing the Duke" is a quick read, and the book feels fast-paced. It could be read in an afternoon, or easily read in small pieces over a longer period of time without losing the plot.

Frame & Setting: This is a historical romance in the Regency era, but while it features some of the issues of the nobility, Izzy and Ransom are mostly alone and far from the ballrooms and parties of the ton. "Romancing the Duke" takes on a fairy-tale feel, both because of the castle setting and because of the background of Izzy's father's fairy tale-like stories.

Story Line: The relationship between Izzy and Ransom are at the core of the story, although their struggle to figure out who legally owns the castle is both interesting and adds tension to the proceedings. More tension between the pair, however, come from Ransom's emotional and physical state and Izzy's attempts to help him - no small feat, considering the trauma he's been through.

Characterization: Izzy is caring, extremely smart and very determined to make her way in the world. However, she has also given up on finding love, even if she believes that it exists. Ransom is a former rake who has recently been injured and humiliated, making him depressed and distant as he sits in his crumbling castle. Both characters must learn and grow from each other, and they both make each other better, happier people.

Tone & Mood: "Romancing the Duke" is a romantic comedy, with several laugh-out-loud parts and some particularly quirky side characters. However, there are darker moments as well, and both Izzy and Ransom have difficult, tragic backstories that keep the book from feeling too fluffy. The sex scenes are descriptive, but come fairly late in the book, after they have made an emotional connection, if not a declaration of love. There is, naturally, a happy ending.

Style & Language: "Romancing the Duke" is descriptive, especially of emotions. The style draws the reader into the story and helps them get emotionally invested. The characters have strong, unique voices and feel realistic. The prose is light and easy to read.

Read-Alikes: In addition to continuing the Castles Ever After series with "Say Yes to the Marquess," readers may also enjoy these historical romances with strong, smart heroines and tormented heroes from the nobility:

• "The Duke and I" (The Bridgertons Series #1) by Julia Quinn.
• "Wicked Intentions" (Maiden Lane Series #1) by Elizabeth Hoyt.
• "Married by Morning" (Hathaways Series #4) by Lisa Kleypas.
• "The Truth about Lord Stoneville" (Hellions of Halstead Hall Series #1) by Sabrina Jeffries. 
• "Dangerous in Diamonds" (Rarest Blooms #4) by Madeline Hunter.

Jenny's Take: "Romancing the Duke" is a delightful example of the Regency romance style. It's light and fun to read, with a perfect amount of humor mixed with some deeper drama. Izzy is a wonderful heroine, because she's smart and a little quirky. Ransom is a perfect hero; I love a hero with some kind of secret or problem that torments him, and the way that a great heroine can help a hero get over his issues and thrive, while also becoming a better person herself. I also loved the comedic touches, like the cosplaying fan club of Izzy's father's books. "Romancing the Duke" has all the things that makes me love the romance genre - good characters, a sense of humor, drama, love, and a happy ending!

"Shadowfever" by Karen Marie Moning

Shadowfever
By Karen Marie Moning
Series: Fever #5

Synopsis

Mackayla Lane's life has taken quite a turn since arriving in Dublin to search for her sister's killer. The walls between the human world and Faery have come down, wreaking havoc on the world. Now, Mac is dealing with grief, mysteries abound, and she's not even sure who - or what - she is. And yet, Mac must continue her quest to find the Sinsar Dubh, a magical book that can make and destroy worlds.

Appeal

Pacing: Pacing is quick, with twists and turns everywhere. Any reader who thinks they know what is going on is quickly disabused of that notion. The pacing feels almost frantic at times. Some readers may feel like Moning is spinning her wheels in a few spots, but others may be happy for a brief reprieve from the twists and turns.

Frame & Setting: Moning has set up a rich world in which to set the Fever series, and "Shadowfever" continues the building of the worlds she has created. The mythology is thick, and all but requires readers to have read the first four books in the series. The world is built up even more in "Shadowfever," though readers are still far from knowing all of the secrets.

Storyline: The plotting is thick in "Shadowfever"; there is a lot going on in this book. However complicated the story gets, though, the book mostly stays in Mac's point of view, with just a few asides from teenager Dani. This helps keep things a little bit simpler for the reader while deepening the mystery - the reader only knows what Mac knows.

Characterization: Mac is a strong, likable character, and the fact that the reader is in her head during the vast majority of the book means that, even when she makes bad decisions (which she certainly does!), the reader understands her way of thinking. Mac is well-written and complex, as are most of the other characters in the book. Fans of Moning's Highlander romance novel series will also be pleased to see some well-loved characters from those books.

Tone & Mood: The Fever series has a lot of dark elements, and "Shadowfever" is probably the darkest yet in the series. However, Mac's underlying positivity shines through when things seem darkest, and bits of humor pop up throughout. Moning reassured readers throughout the series, in notes at the conclusion of books, that the story is ultimately a positive one, and Moning does make good on that promise despite a lot of darkness.

Style & Language: Moning's writing style is easy to read and understand, though it is peppered with strange names and expressions due to its magical content. "Shadowfever" is a quick read, despite its bulk.

Read-Alikes

In addition to Moning's "Highlander" romance series (especially the later books, "The Dark Highlander," "The Immortal Highlander," and "Spell of the Highlander"), readers may also enjoy paranormal romance and urban fantasy by Sherrilyn Kenyon ("Dark Hunter" series); the Southern Vampire mysteries by Charlaine Harris (upon which the TV series "TrueBlood" is based); and Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series.

Jenny's Take

The Fever series quickly became almost an addiction, and "Shadowfever," which brings to a satisfying-enough conclusion, if not an outright ending, the story that Moning has been weaving through the series. It's a fast-paced, exciting story with many elements of fantasy, mystery, and romance mixed together in a perfect way.

The things I enjoyed the most about "Shadowfever" were the characters and the setting. Mac does have some pretty dark periods throughout this book, but they are understandable - though I was glad when her positivity came back. She is a very cool, strong, and funny character who feels very real to me. The other characters in the book are also well-written and fleshed-out. I also felt like the characters were inhabiting a real world, and the book allowed me to spend time in that world, with those characters, too.

"Shadowfever" is an absorbing book. This is top-notch urban fantasy, and it will be especially popular with readers who enjoy romance or romantic elements in their books.

Adult Readers Advisory: "The Camel Club" by David Baldacci

The Camel Club
By David Baldacci

Synopsis

The Camel Club, a group of misfit conspiracy theorists in Washington D.C., stumble upon a complex and tangled plot that reaches all the way to the White House. When Camel Club leader Oliver Stone (not his real name) and his friends witness a murder, they discover that it’s just part of a plan that puts the nation’s safety and security at risk. The Camel Club teams up with Secret Service agent Alex Ford to uncover the plot - and save the country.

Thriller Elements

Pacing: “The Camel Club” is densely written, with many threads of plots working independently and an impressive attention to detail. However, chapters are short and almost always end on a cliffhanger, driving the pace of the book. Plotline slowly but surely come together into an explosive confrontation. The book does have a strong political message, and Baldacci occasionally pauses the action in order to make a political point.

Frame & Setting: It’s obvious that Baldacci is from the Washington D.C. area, because “The Camel Club” is immersed in the characters, motives, and setting of the nation’s capital. The book also goes into great detail about the lives of secret service agents, politicians, terrorist cells, and, of course, conspiracy theorists. It’s well-researched and has a definite political thriller feel.

Story Line: “The Camel Club” has twists and turns galore, and it does get complicated, especially because there are some characters that have aliases. It’s like watching a complex puzzle slowly come together. The story focuses on a fictional post-9/11 world where there have been terrorist attacks on American soil and, while some of those aspects feel topical even 10 years later, some of the portrayals of terrorists feel less-than-modern.

Characterization: Oliver Stone and Alex Ford are sympathetic and heroic characters, and they play nicely off each other; they are both out for justice and come down firmly on the side of good, but they go about their mission in very different ways. Oliver Stone is also especially interesting because the reader gets only glimpses of his complex and morally ambiguous past. The rest of the Camel Club members are colorful and entertaining, and many of the rest of the characters are enigmas, with little indication of where their loyalties truly lie.

Tone & Mood: “The Camel Club” is violent - the book racks up the body count - and things sometimes feel bleak, especially for the main characters. The book ends on a positive note, but things are far from happy and resolved.

Style & Language: Baldacci’s writing style is not particularly notable; this is, in many ways, a boilerplate political thriller. However he deftly uses political and law enforcement jargon to great effect throughout “The Camel Club.”

Read-Alikes

Readers may enjoy the next book in the Camel Club series, “The Collectors,” and other of Baldacci’s works, such as “Split Second,” which follows a Secret Service agent and an ex-Secret Service agent searching for an abducted presidential candidate, or legal thriller “True Blue.”
Other authors to check out are: Harlan Coben (“Deal Breaker,” “Hold Tight”), James Grippando (“The Pardon,” “Intent to Kill”), Kyle Mills (“Rising Phoenix”), Jeffrey Deaver (“The Bone Collector”), and James Patterson (Alex Cross and Michael Bennett series).

Jenny’s Take

It took me a long time to get into “The Camel Club.” The book had a lot of disparate plot threads, with people all doing their own things that were apparently unrelated to each other. When the pieces finally started to materialize, things got more interesting and the conclusion ended up pretty, well, thrilling, but, for my taste, it took way too long to get to the “good parts.”

I also felt like “The Camel Club” was pretty heavy, and heavy-handed, on the political messages. I found myself wishing that he had left a bit more to the readers’ imagination, rather than making his characters mouthpieces for a political message.

There were also some intriguing characters, but many, especially the leads, felt distant. I like to get to know characters in the books I read! Thankfully, the chapters were short so I didn’t have to spend a long time reading about people who I didn’t find as interesting.

“The Camel Club” was not a favorite of mine, but I can definitely understand the appeal to those who like thrillers! This is a good book for thriller readers, but not a great first title for people crossing over into this genre from others, especially people who like to get to know the characters.