Check It Out! Blog

Reviewed by Lisa K. This modern day epistolary novel is told entirely through emails, texts, and other documents. It's full of unreliable narrators, all with a connection to a local community theater group and all involved in a massive "appeal" to raise money for medical treatments for a sick child. Throw in a dead body,… Read More

Reviewed by Lisa K. Whether you share your home with pets, enjoy watching animal documentaries, or just love beautifully crafted writing, you'll appreciate Susan Orleans' latest book. An unapologetic yet down to earth animal lover, Orlean writes humorously and realistically about show dogs, tigers, mules, homing pigeons, animal actors, whales, and many more in this… Read More

Reviewed by Lisa K. They say that everyone, no matter how ordinary they seem, has a story to tell . . . After losing her factory job during the 2008 recession, Cara Romaro begins meeting with a vocational counselor for government assistance with finding a new job. Narrated in Cara's distinctive voice, this novel reveals… Read More

Reviewed by Nichole. Will and Ella Sullivan’s mother passed away 5 years ago on Christmas. Since then, there has been no Christmas in Sullivan house and everything seems to have been neglected. Ella has become a recluse and germaphobe. Will is a tagalong to a group of troublemakers. Henry is a college professor who has… Read More

Sveta is at a crossroads. She just found out her fiancé has pushed their wedding another two years because that's what his mom wants. She has been trying for years to fit in with his family but all they see is a gold digger. But all that changes when her uncle dies and leaves his… Read More

Reviewed by Heather Y. Rivalry runs deep as two feuding bakeries in Emeryville, Ohio, face off in the local pumpkin pie contest.  It's a personal and business feud that started at the same contest ten years before. Now the owners children - Casey and Sam - will go head-to-head in the same contest,  keeping the… Read More

Escaping the Salvadoran Civil War, Javier's parents migrated to the U.S., leaving Javier in the care of his grandparents and aunt until they could send for him. He can't wait for the day when he can be reunited with his parents. In 1999, when he's 9 years old, the time comes for him to make… Read More

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The Darker family hasn't gathered together for about ten years.  But Nana's turning 80 on Halloween and she's requested that the whole family come to celebrate with her at her home.  Seaglass is a crumbling Victorian mansion on a small tidal island on the Cornish coast, and once they arrive, they won't be able to… Read More