4 stars

Meeting Faith: The Forest Journals of a Black Buddhist Nun

Adiele, Faith

The personal journey of a black woman who grows up in small town Washington and ends up becoming an ordained Buddhist nun.

4

Notes From a Young Black Chef

Onwuachi, Kwame

An engrossing memoir of a man's journey from humble beginnings to opening a fine dining restaurant in Washington DC. - a Buddy Read

4 stars

Devoted

Koontz, Dean

A super smart dog and an autistic boy form a connection that saves the family from a maniacal killer; great reinforcement of the connection between dogs and humans.

5 stars

Ender's Game

Card, Orson Scott

A sci-fi story about a little boy who is sent to pilot school, then command school, training to run the fleet when the alien invasion occurs.

3.5 stars

Anatomy of a Scandal

Vaughan, Sarah

A courtroom drama set in the UK that revolves around three women - the prosecutor, the defense, and the victim - and the crime is rape by a high-ranking cabinet member.

2.5 stars

Black Sky (The)

Minneci, Timothy

A debut novel set in a dystopian future with lots of action, chases, escapes, and close calls as a man tries to survive the wastelands.

3.5 stars

A Time of Miracles

Bondoux, Anne-Laure

Upper middle grade story of a boy and his mom trying to leave war-torn Russia for a safer life with all the trials and tribulations of a perilous journey.

4.5 stars

All the Light We Cannot See

Doerr, Anthony

Set in WWII, it's two separate stories - one of a blind French girl and one of a German boy - their lives and how they cross during the war.

4 stars

A Long Walk To Water

Park, Linda Sue

Based on true, this middle grade story is of Salva Dut and his formative years during the Sudan war and how he survived.

3 stars

Darling Rose Gold

Wrobel, Stephanie

A chronically ill girl learns that her mom has poisoned her her whole life and testifies against her to send her to prison. When she's released, mom moves in with the grown daughter and ........ what happens?

3.5 stars

Rebecca

DuMaurier, Daphne

The classic Victorian novel of a young girl who marries a wealthy man and goes to live in his home, Manderly, where she meets the infamous Mrs. Danvers and strives for happiness.

3.5 stars

Man Who Came Uptown (The)

Pelecanos, George

Buddy Read: Told in a noir vibe, it's the story of a convict who discovers a love of reading while in prison and when he's released, he tries to go straight, but runs into difficulties.