Book Review Books General Fiction Grief & Bereavement LITERARY FICTION RELIGIOUS / INSPIRATIONAL FICTION SELF-HELP / PERSONAL GROWTH / INSPIRATION

“Pivoting From Blue” by Skip Van Gardner

Life is full of the unexpected, which keeps us on our toes. These unexpected events can be positive or negative, or seem one way to begin with and end up on the other side of the spectrum after it’s all said and done. This is true for Skip Van Gardner, as seen in his memoir Pivoting From Blue: One Year of Death, Divorce, and Discovery. Skip experiences life events whose reasons seem unknown, but observation reveals they were actually present all along; they seemed like the worst things to happen, but by the end, they revealed their purpose and benefits in his life and for others. What Skip terms “The Year” tests his patience, perseverance, and priorities as he endures and hopes to overcome events that range from annoying to potentially life-ending, using problem-solving and lots of faith.

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Book Review Books General Fiction HISTORICAL FICTION LITERARY FICTION SHORT STORIES, NOVELLAS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

“Dodecahedron” by T.G. Monahan

Dodecahedron: A Novel in Short Stories by T.G. Monahan is vastly unique for the way it tells the story of Donnybrook, New York. Written solely through short stories connected only by location and ancestry, the stories are non-linear in their order throughout the novel. One moment you could be in the 1800s, the next you could be in the 2000s. This creates a fascinating web of contradictory narratives that highlight the ways in which time can alter how history is remembered.

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Book Review Books Coming of Age General Fiction LITERARY FICTION WOMEN'S FICTION

“The Warm Planet” by Evelyn M. Exley”

Much of the appeal in Evelyn M. Exley’s The Warm Planet comes from its atmosphere, introspection, and emotional depth, not external action. It’s a rewarding read for those who enjoy character-driven fiction and stories built around memory and personal growth.

Tulsa is such a unique character, but then most of the people in this story are delightfully different from what readers find in most young adult novels. There’s Mookie, the woman who became a mother to two young girls when her sister died. Uncle Alex, the father figure for Tulsa and her sister, Treasure, is someone who has loved Mookie all these years, but she’s declined his every offer of marriage.

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