January 2016 Book Report

 

Fever (2000) by Laurie Halse Anderson

Awesome YA historical novel about the yellow fever epidemic of 1793 in Philadelphia. Very well written. I had never heard of this event, and was fascinated with the history behind it all. After I read the book, I looked up more info. Matilda is 14 and helps her mother run a coffeehouse. Yellow fever breaks out and people leave in droves to get to the country for better air. No one at this time knew that mosquitoes were the carriers of the fever. As people die all around Mattie, her mother falls ill and the grandfather tries to take Mattie to a friend's farm. No town wants anyone from Philadelphia and they are turned away.

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How to Moon a Cat (2011) by Rebecca M. Hale

The latest in the awesome series that includes early California history. This time the cats have their own fancy stroller! As Monty joins the bike race, Rebecca looks for clues about the Bear Flag revolt.

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The Valentine Visitor (2014) by Emily Thomas

Blue Hill Library series. Anne finds a postcard that implies Aunt Edie had a secret admirer. Ben get hounded by girls at school and Anne is being pressured to start dating Alex.

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Finn Family Moomintroll (1948) by Tove Jansson

Thanks to my Brit pal Carol, I have entered the wonderful world of Moomins! Why they were never published in the US is beyond me. This was a delightful book and I look forward to reading more when I can find them.

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Without a Trace (2014) by Emily Thomas

Another Blue Hill Library offering, this time it’s a REAL mystery. The author that leads the local writers group disappears. As Anne searches for answers, the man’s daughters are kidnapped. This one had me guessing until the end. Super job on this one!

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Death by Coffee (2015) by Alex Erickson

New series!!!! You can’t get much better combining cats, coffee and books! Best friends Krissy and Vicki open a coffee shop/book store. The first day they open for business, a local man gets coffee, takes it to his office across the street, and DIES!!! Great characters in this book. I really look forward to more from this author.

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PS—For those of you who like numbers, the tally of books I read in 2015 was 47.