Book Review: Project Hail Mary

Occasionally, an author will self-publish a book that goes so viral it lures a traditional publisher. This is what happened for Andy Weir with his first book, The Martian. I read that book for book club a decade ago. Since I put Project Hail Mary on my 2026 movie bucket list, I wanted to read the book prior to seeing the movie. The movie must be outstanding. My youngest went to see it twice within less than two weeks. I will admit, the science kept me bogged down during the read. I would have been fine to see the movie without reading the book. But, if you have more scientific acumen than I do (most probable), you might enjoy reading prior to watching the movie.

Project Hail Mary is, as the title suggests, a story of a last-ditch effort to save Earth and humanity. Ryland Grace is an unlikely candidate to save the world. He is a junior high science teacher sent into space on a mission to tackle a pressing problem threatening the sun. He wakes with amnesia from an induced coma. Through flashbacks, the reader and the astronaut come to understand his identity and his mission. When Grace meets an alien, Rocky, battling the same problem, they form a friendship and tackle the problems together.

I still give kudos to Weir for his great skill in explaining science in simple terms. The relational bond between human and alien is touching. The stakes continually escalate. I imagine (for me, anyway) the movie will be easier to follow than the book. I'm looking forward to it, but will admit I'm waiting until my library has a copy of the DVD. A Great Awakening was a movie that demanded viewing on the big screen (I saw it twice and would have happily paid to see it a third time). I'm not feeling as strong a pull for this movie adaptation.

Book Review: The Magician's Nephew

After completing a re-read of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, I headed to the library hoping to find the second book in the series. The librarian (with obvious pride in knowing these details) explained that the order actually (although "actually" is a subjective word here) starts with The Magician's Nephew. I think I had heard this whole dilemma before, but had forgotten. In my humble opinion, I'm glad I read LWW first. It was a more striking entrance into the idea of Narnia. I preferred that book to this prequel. I may not even continue with re-reading the series.

In The Magician's Nephew, we meet Digory and Polly, two bored children in London. The kids, with the help of Uncle Andrew's magic rings, go on adventures to other worlds. By the end, they land in Narnia and meet Aslan. This book holds the clue to how the evil witch entered Narnia. It bears some similarity to Biblical stories of the first sin. While it was entertaining, I don't feel compelled to stick with this. I need something that grabs my attention with more force. Besides, I had already reviewed the entire series when I read a few of them with my younger sons (and then completed the series on my own) back in 2011. 

I would be interested, however, in seeing the upcoming movie of The Magician's Nephew, slated for the end of 2026. It will star Carey Mulligan as Digory's ailing mother. It is due to be released in IMAX theaters on November 26, 2026. If you want to know more, here's a You Tube video about the movie.

Book Review: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe

My job at the Marion E. Wade Center, during my college years, required hosting tours for small groups of school children. I loved showing them the actual inspiration for the wardrobe. It bore a sign declaring the Wade Center free of any legal obligation associated with children who disappear into the wardrobe. I needed an audio book for my endless May car rides (lots of ferrying people here and there while we were down to one car). What a joy to return to the Narnia series with the ever-popular The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie live with a professor in the country during the Blitz. While enjoying a game of hide-and-seek, they enter a wardrobe and a land of imagination full of satyrs, dwarves, centaurs, and giants. In Narnia, the White Witch, who has overtaken the land and brought endless winter, wants to capture them. But, Aslan is on the move. He, alone, can save the children and restore them to their rightful places as kings and queens in Narnia.

Though Lewis had no children, he did a fine job of tapping into child-appealing storytelling mode. I have fond memories of reading this to my two younger sons when they were small. We didn't complete the whole series (their attention spans were typical of this generation), but I enjoyed sharing this snippet with them. I will have to see if my library has more of the series in audio form.

Book Review: Lost on a Mountain in Maine

After seeing an enticing trailer for this Angel Studios movie, I wanted to read the book. Although written for kids, it holds interest for adults as well. Lost on a Mountain in Maine tells the true story of Donn Fendler, who, at age 12, got lost for 9 days on Mount Katahdin. I'm sure my love of Gary D. Schmidt's outstanding book, Trouble, which also involves a tween on that mountain, heightened my interest. 

What a harrowing tale! And how heart-wrenching those days must have been for his parents. I listened to the audio book on Hoopla. The primary narrator is a boy who presents the story from Donn's perspective. An adult narrator then provides tiny asides with deeper information and details about the story. Although I would love to see the movie, I'm not interested in getting the Angel app. I'm hoping my library will somehow secure a copy one day.

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Just discovered: My library has this movie available now on Hoopla! Hoping to find time to watch it soon!

2/23/25 - We watched the movie on Hoopla last night. READ the BOOK! Or watch the trailer. They must have taken every action moment and combined it into the trailer. It was heartbreaking, yes! But, oh so slow. As usual, the book is better than the movie. I was also surprised that an Angel Studios film would begin with so much casual cursing. At the outset, they are interviewing an old man about the occurrence and his language is not something you'd want your young children (who may be interested after reading the book) to absorb. Moreover, the book emphasizes Donn's reliance on prayer during his challenging days in the wilderness.

Book Review: The First State of Being

I adored Erin Entrada Kelly's Newbery Honor Book, We Dream of Space. As usual, I feel I must apologize when I don't relish a book. I'm guessing I might have had a different response to this Newbery winning Kelly book, The First State of Being, if I had read it years ago. Maybe, I'm just in too deep a funk to rally. The story held my interest, but didn't wow like the other one.

Set at the turn of the century, the story follows Michael Rosario as he prepares for the uncertainties of Y2K in 1999. His encounter with a boy named Ridge, from the future, leaves him hoping for answers to ease his fears. Alas, Ridge cannot offer any consolation. The only real tid-bit Michael gleans is a prediction of an earthquake across the world. He has plenty of challenges apart from his Y2K woes and Ridge's appearance may bring even more.

The title focuses on Ridge's advice to focus on "the first state of being," or the present. It is easy to allow fears over the future to overwhelm and capsize our equilibrium (I'm guilty). Through the story of Ridge's intersection into Michael's world, young people gain a powerful message of strength and resilience in the face of the uncertainties of life. Kelly writes well, and the story is worthwhile. For readers aged 8-12, it appeals to those interested in time travel or science fiction. 

Book Review: The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

We've been dealing with some serious issues at home since early July. Unable to focus on much of anything, I needed a distraction. Thank goodness for an exceptional children's writer like Gennifer Choldenko. This read was not only timely but also touching and entertaining. I had read Choldenko before, her book Al Capone Does My Shirts. This one, The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, was charming and stirring.

Hank Hooperman has a problem. His mother has not come home for a week and the landlord is banging on the door, threatening to evict them. But Hank Hooperman is resourceful. He finds a contact name on his field trip permission slip and travels with his 3-year-old sister Boo to find the woman listed there. While everyone loves a bright and sunny 3-year-old, not everyone is interested in taking on a pre-teen.

Both Hank and Boo are loveable and endearing, but Hank is carrying the world on his 11-year-old shoulders (not a fair position for a child). I could relate to much of his rumination. It is hard to love someone whose addiction makes them untrustworthy. The love doesn't go away, but the danger remains real and intense. Hank wants to be with his mother, but cannot trust her when the substances take over. While the subject is tough and may require some conversation, if read with the intended audience (ages 10-12), it is certainly one that is important in this day. I struggle as a parent with an addicted child; I cannot imagine carrying this weight as a child with an addicted parent.

Mid-month Mention: Beloved Author Kate DiCamillo's Journey

Last month, I happened upon this article celebrating Kate DiCamillo's 20th anniversary of her book, The Tale of Despereaux. What joy! What happy memories I have of listening to Ms. McKee enthrall her 3rd grade class with her narration of this book! We were all transfixed, kids and teachers alike. This tender story of a hero-mouse tapped our deepest longings and healed our hidden wounds. I remember thinking, "Now, THIS is an outstanding writer!" Of course, this was just the beginning of my love affair with DiCamillo books. Then came Because of Winn-Dixie (one we listened to on our drive to and from CBLI family camp one year), and the Mercy Watson books (inciting my younger sons to parrot often, "toast with a great deal of butter"), and when they were a bit older, The Tiger Rising. I adored The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, another one I listened to while on a car trip, but I don't believe the boys were with me.

As I watched the accompanying video (a video of Jenna Bush interviewing Kate and encouraging children to read during the summer), I was blown away by a truth I didn't know. Kate asked students to guess how many rejection letters she received. I'm with them, my calculations would be between 5 and 50, but that is way out of the true range. 473! Unbelievable. Further admonishment to never give up! This is a fantastic writer, who accumulated more rejection letters than I can even fathom. I have not been as persistent! Indeed, for a spell, I have given up writing (apart from journaling and blogging) altogether. It saddens me to think of all the world would have lost, if Kate DiCamillo had responded the way I respond. Congratulations Despereaux on thrilling young readers for two decades! I'd give anything to travel back in time and relive those days in Ms. McKee's classroom watching children catch a passion for books and story.

Book Review: The Wager

The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann showed up on my library's recent acquisitions list. I had heard good things about his book, Killers of the Flower Moon, but that topic wasn't stirring me enough. This seemed to suit my interests more. What an absorbing read! Like I've done with Hillenbrand's Unbroken and Brown's Under a Flaming Sky, I couldn't help but read passages aloud to my sons and husband. Fascinating!

As the story goes, in 1738, a Spanish officer supposedly cut off a British officer's ear. This triggered the "War of Jenkins' Ear." England was desperate to retaliate and assert their imperial superiority. They sent a vessel, the Wager, among a fleet of ships, pursuing a Spanish galleon rumored to hold untold treasure. Thousands of sailors set out on this secret mission; only hundreds returned.

After navigating the treacherous route around Cape Horn, the ship hit a rocky bottom near a deserted island. Food supplies dwindled, morale declined, and anarchy threatened. This book isn't for the faint-hearted. It details amputation, scurvy, and all manner of deaths at sea. Thanks to Grann's narrative skill, you get a feel for the diverse personalities at play in this drama of high stakes. 

The inside cover aptly proclaims: "His portrayal of the castaways' desperate straits stands up to the classics of survival writing such as The Endurance, and his account of the court-martial has the savvy of a Scott Turow thriller. As always with Grann's work, the incredible twists of the narrative hold the reader spell-bound." I devoured this book in a few days. It was impossible to look away.

Book Review: Great Expectations

I remember the thrill of visiting the Dickens Museum in Rochester, England. One display showed a scene from Great Expectations. When I read this as a teenager, it was my favorite book. Dickens became my favorite author. I wrote research papers about him in high school, college, and graduate school. I created a special walking tour for one of my Wheaton professors to offer his future students (I wonder if Dr. McClatchey ever truly used it, after all the time I poured into that tour packet). Throughout the 80s and 90s, I amassed a collection of Dickens books and memorabilia. 

Dickens' characters sprung vivid in my mind and I loved his commentary on societal ills. My Dickens collection is vast. At the Dickens House in London, I purchased this poster with the famous image of Dickens at his desk surrounded by the many fascinating characters from his imagination:

(This unfinished oil painting by Robert William Buss is titled, "Dickens' Dream." Credit: Alamy Stock Photo from Country Life.co.uk) 

It was interesting to listen to this book as an adult. I'm sure I responded differently. Thoughts of generosity and gratitude, of spite and revenge, struck me. Young Pip's terrifying encounter with an escaped convict on the moors near his small village creates a startling opening. He is a dutiful and obedient boy. Thus, he follows orders to visit the local recluse, Miss Havisham, and "play" for her with her adopted daughter, the beautiful Estella. Miss Havisham is almost as frightening as the convict. She sits in a faded wedding gown in a room with a decaying wedding table and cake, promising to remain there until they lay her out in permanent rest upon the table. It is no wonder that Pip falls for Estella and she becomes the object of his heart's desire. Of course, he feels no hope for attaining her, until fortune shines on him when an anonymous donor provides funds to make him a gentleman.

I will admit, my thoughts faded off while listening because the words flow in antiquated form. It was, perhaps, harder to focus on the audio story than if I had physically read the book. Still, it was a worthwhile endeavor. Thankfully, the audio version provided both of the two endings Dickens crafted. In my opinion, the sadder ending felt more true. 

I still credit the author for his impressive ability to provide vivid settings and characters in time-true dilemmas that speak to the milieu of the Victorian age. He accurately portrayed social ills, and he actively persuaded societal changes. He both responded to his historical time and altered it. What a master! And I cannot say now which of his books I would bill as my favorite. I still love so many of them: A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, The Tale of Two Cities. But, gone are the days where I dreamed of working in a Dickens museum enticing patrons into a similar love of this brilliant author. Indeed, this is only the second time I've picked up a Dickens book in the last decade.

Book Review: Rascal

Written in 1963, two years prior to my birth, this children's memoir tells of a simpler, more wholesome time. Set in 1918 in Wisconsin (near to my past home in northern Illinois), it recounts the adventures of 12-year-old Sterling North and his pet raccoon. This book has sincere boy appeal, but is also entertaining for all. It made me hearken back to times when you could go on a trip and neglect to lock your house doors, when family was nearby and always at the ready to help you in times of need, and when young boys could make pets of wild creatures without worrying about legislation against them. Dipping back in time with Sterling is a satisfying exercise and made me want to know more about the author. The Amazon listing for the book shows the 1st edition copies go for over $300 now. Of course, you can still access it in cheap paperback modern form and I listened to the audiobook. I wonder if they illustrated the book. Suitable for ages 8-12, this would make an excellent classroom read-aloud.

Book Review: Lifeboat 12

My library set specific categories for the winter reading challenge. Normally, I despise such dictates, but when prizes are involved, I'm more willing to play at their game (didn't win though, 😢). Thus, in searching for "a book based upon a true story," I discovered this children's book available in audio form (yay - I'm always looking for clean audio reads).

In Lifeboat 12, we meet thirteen-year-old Ken, a boy from Wembley who learns he is being shipped off to Canada to avoid the London bombing of WWII. He doesn't want to leave his dad, but figures his step-mother considers it a way to get rid of him. He boards the SS City of Benares, bound for Canada. His opinion of the banishment changes when he makes friends onboard, eats glorious meals, and flees war dangers. The crew claims they have made it to safe waters. Then the enemy torpedoes the ship. As the boat sinks, Ken feels he must go back for the expensive wool coat his step-mother warned him not to lose.

The cover illustration and back cover copy seem misleading. They imply Ken is alone with five other boys. The story explains there are other crewmen, a Catholic Father, and a female chaperone. During the perilous days drifting at sea, Auntie Mary keeps their spirits and anticipation high by regaling them with a story. Leaving them each day with a cliff-hanger, Mary strengthens their will to survive. This recounting of a true tale is worth sharing with children (suggested ages 8-13) who may one day struggle to survive.

Book Review: Walter the Farting Dog: Banned from the Beach

Walter may be banned from the beach, but some parents wish this series about Walter banned from the children's shelves. Seriously! There are parents out there concerned about the overuse of the word "fart" in a series of books with special boy appeal. Now, if only they could ban farts, an ever-present problem in our homes. Ha!

My boys, in their younger days, loved the first two Walter the Farting Dog books. I find the series harmless fun. In every book, Walter's farts save the day. In this book, Walter farts "philosophically" and, in a maneuver of biblical proportions, clears a way for his beloved children to make it safely back onto dry land. Since I needed to read a banned book for my library's winter reading program, the final three books in this series fit the bill. By all means, avoid these books if you are sensitive to discussions of natural bodily functions, but leave them on the shelves for boys who might feel more amenable to books because of this hilarious take on a dog plagued by difficulties and judged for his flatulence.

Book Review: The Undercover Book List

The Undercover Book List, by Colleen Nelson, is like a tween version of The Reading List (reviewed here). Similarities abound. Both books highlight two unlikely individuals brought together by reading and a list. Both books reveal the chasm left behind in a father's absence. An aspect of anonymity drives both plot lines. Characters face family issues. Plus, each offers the reader a host of book suggestions and discussions.

Jane's best friend, Sienna, moves away and leaves her an opportunity to find a new best friend based on their shared passion for books. She initiates what she calls "the undercover book list," a secret correspondence carried out in the pages of their favorite book. Through this series of anonymous notes, X and Y recommend books to each other as their friendship blossoms. While Y knows who X is, X is in the dark. Will X be disappointed when she discovers the true identity of Y? Can Y fill the hole left by Sienna in Jane's life and in Jane's book quiz team?

Colleen Nelson understands middle school students. From her outstanding development of the misunderstood prankster to the intense ache Jane experiences missing her father, Nelson crafts tween characters that are sure to resonate with the intended audience. Thankfully, the book holds equal appeal for grown-ups who might read the book alongside their tweens. Yet another brilliant book stimulating further reading recommendation. This would make an outstanding classroom read-aloud!

Book Review: Ghost Knight

Despite hearing of Cornelia Funke, author of the Inkwell trilogy, I had read none of her books. I've been seeking lighter fare and seem only capable of audio books, for now. I wanted to like Ghost Knight more. Perhaps the timing was off. It was quite difficult to focus, so I'm sure I wasn't in best reading mode.

When 11-year-old Jon Whitcroft's mother sends him off to boarding school, he expects to hate the entire experience. Thanks to a host of murderous ghosts and the friendship of a beautiful girl, Jon ends up enjoying his time at school. Jon and Ella go on a quest to find the heart of a murdered knight. The narrator's voice made for easy-listening and the story contained enough difficulties to hold my attention (as I said, perhaps I am just distracted these days). I would consider more from this author, but may not seek it out soon.

Book Review: Smoke

I've been attempting to entice Sean to read The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. Its premise is intriguing. What if you lived in a world where every man's thoughts presented aloud, unbidden? In Smoke, by Dan Vyleta, the reader gets a similarly captivating premise. What if you lived in a world where every evil thought and action caused your body to produce smoke? Sin is visible and undeniable. Who needs a polygraph test? Every lie told causes the body to dispense smoke into the air. Individuals smolder with their anger, lust, and greed. As I said, a very captivating premise.

The author (no doubt attempting to increase stakes and build suspense) creates quite the chasm between the rich and the poor. In his microcosm, the aristocracy does not smoke (albeit through illegal intervention). They appear virtuous, while the riff-raff exude smoke and soot, because sin obviously overwhelms them. Two wealthy boarding school boys set out, with a girl they both desire, to discover the truth behind smoke. The back cover copy offers endless drama:

"A desperate chase. Revolutionaries and secret police. Religious fanatics and coldhearted scientists. Murder. A London filled with danger and wonder... Unexpected villains and unexpected heroes. Cool reason versus passion. Rich versus poor. Right versus wrong, though which is which isn't clear. This is the world of Smoke, a narrative tour de force, a tale of Dickensian intricacy and ferocious imaginative power, richly atmospheric and intensely suspenseful."

From the outset, this idea allured. Unfortunately, although intriguing, I cannot endorse this author's worldview. I believe we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We all fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) This author doesn't even allow God into the picture. What's worse, he ridicules righteousness (or any attempt to choose holiness over sin) and presents it as the problem. Discipline, or virtuous living, is a trap. Characters who seek the unsullied or aspire to holiness end up going mad. At one point, the book actually states, "Our problem is not smoke, but what we think it means."

This author presents a whole novel to young people in defense of sin. Right living stunts the senses, deprives the individual. No, in his mind, one should embrace sin. This is just what we need for our young people today: another license for sin and vice. Indeed, I'm done with modern YA literature. Thick with agenda. Denying the existence or necessity of God. Presenting worlds where right is wrong and wrong is right, where good is bad and bad is good. Isaiah 5:20 says, "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter." What a timely Scripture verse! I'm all for a Dickensian tale. Sadly, this one doesn't stand up to (or for) the light.

Book Review: The Hobbit

Sean started out his summer re-reading the Harry Potter series (for the umpteenth time). A month before school resumed, I caught him back with book one again. Incredulously, he was re-reading the series, yet again. Desperate for him to move on to something else, I brought home three options I felt sure he'd enjoy. I suggested Craig Silvey's Jasper Jones (despite the foul language, a riveting tale with boy appeal), Patrick Ness' The Knife of Never Letting Go (one I'd happily re-read, although perhaps not a dozen times in Sean's fashion), and J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. For two of these, I promised the opportunity to watch the movie once finished. Since I was hoping he'd go for the final option, I secured the audio version for myself.

I read this as a teenager, but haven't picked it up since. Although it was a delight to listen to Rob Inglis' narration, I did stumble upon a few videos showing a more recent rendering by Andy Serkis. Talk about intense reading! My long-standing memory from my personal reading was the Gollum's repetition of "my precious" in the passage of riddles between the hobbit and Gollum (rendered here by Andy Serkis).

Is there anyone who doesn't know what The Hobbit is about? The wizard Gandalf interrupts Bilbo Baggins in his hobbit-hole and invites him on a quest, accompanied by over a dozen dwarves. After reluctantly agreeing, Bilbo finds himself in Gollum's murky quarters and happens upon a magic ring. Throughout the adventure, he proves his worth again and again. With elves, wolves, bears, eagles, and dragons afoot, Bilbo uses his wits and his magic ring to get them out of scrapes and closer to the dragon's hoard of riches.

Although fantasy is not my first choice in fictional fare, I did enjoy Tolkien's rich narrative skill. I'm even eager to continue on to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, since I never persisted with that before. I believe I've already watched all the movies, but if I can finagle Sean into finishing this read, I will watch The Hobbit with him and encourage him to read the trilogy, as well.

Book Review: Storm

Storm is the third book in Evan Angler's Swipe series. This book contains an unexpected, unique twist I've never encountered before - quite clever! I'm plowing through the series and hope to convince Sean to read them as well, before they are due back at the library. In this installment, Logan doesn't know if he can trust anyone, but a storm is brewing that threatens both marked and unmarked citizens. Some of the alignment with current scenarios is uncanny! Still cannot decide if they snatched this author for knowing too much or if his disappearance merely drives book sales. I recently learned that this was intended as a six-book series. Sadly, we are left with only four, so I'm sure the next installment will leave me hanging. I have already started book four. So far, the books are riveting.

Follow these links for reviews of Swipe (book 1) and Sneak (book 2) in the series.

Book Review: Swipe

What if you had to provide proof of a tangible mark in order to buy or sell, to get a job, or to have a bank account? Scripture has prophesied such a time is coming. Evan Angler, in this first book of his Swipe series, takes this premise, creates the hypothetical scenario, and places tween/teen characters into the mix. I think he does an outstanding job in fleshing out what, until now, seemed like science fiction. This premise is not science fiction. Today, we face a world none too different from the one Angler presents in these middle-grade apocalyptical books.

Back cover blurb: "Logan Langley is just months away from his thirteenth birthday and the biggest day of his life - the day he will finally be Marked. The Mark lets people get jobs, vote, even go out to eat or buy concert tickets. Becoming Marked means becoming free. Or so he is told. Five years ago when Logan's sister went to get her Mark she never came back. Now Logan can't shake the feeling he's being watched... and then he finds the wire."

Angler not only provides a believable scenario (a drive for comprehensive compliance that pressures the unmarked), but also believable characters. Logan wants to know what went wrong with his sister's marking ceremony. His new friend Erin wants to find a way back to her old home in Beacon, to a time when her family was still intact and her father not yet assigned his top secret mission. Together, these tweens chase down the truth. This book grabs you and doesn't let go. Now that I have both the first and second book (Sneak) under my belt, I'm anxious to read the final two in the series. I'm also eager to discover why Evan Angler's social media presence abruptly disappeared not long after the publication of his fourth book. Hmm. Is it a publicity ploy? Or does Angler's premise hold some truth others don't want him revealing?

Book Review: Sneak

I rarely purchase audio books, but am always on the look-out since I listen during every treadmill session and often during car trips. Trevor got his driver's license at the end of May. Before that, I spent lots of time in the car. Each trip to and from Trevor's ranch job took almost twenty minutes (plus I often killed time listening while waiting for him). Add on trips to take him to visit his girlfriend and trips to transport Sean from track practices and meets, and football practices, and we were putting about 600 miles a week on our vehicles (prime audio book time whenever the boys were not in the car with me).

Thus, when I happened upon this audio book, Sneak, at a thrift store for a couple bucks, I took a gamble. I discovered, post-purchase, that it is the second book in Evan Angler's Swipe series. If I hadn't purchased it, I might have given up after one disc. The first problem? Oasis Audio fails to track their CDs in 3-5 minute increments. Instead, the tracks run around 15-25 minutes long. Since my treadmill CD player doesn't skip to the middle of tracks, I'm often stuck waiting for a track to finish. Moreover, the narrator's voice was a bit grating. I applaud him for providing distinctive voices with so many characters, but still felt it came out whiny and high-pitched. Thankfully, I overlooked those two drawbacks.

Once two discs in, I was hooked on the story line and far more willing to continue. Indeed, I now hope to encourage my youngest son to read the middle-grade series. It has boy appeal and is a timely tale. Set in a future where you must receive a mark to "swipe" in order to buy goods and services, Logan Langly is on the run as a "mark-less" after escaping his marking ceremony. He hopes to find and rescue his older sister who disappeared after her marking ceremony. She is rumored to be held in a high-security prison called Acheron, where escape seems hopeless. Will the other mark-less, known as "the Dust," be able to help him evade D.O.M.E. (Department of Marked Emergencies)? Will they be able to rescue Lily? Can Logan find the answers to his many questions? This fast-paced tale could have been pulled from today's news. What a riveting introduction to this Christian apocalyptic series!

Book Review: Ready Player Two

I'm always hesitant to open the cover of a sequel to a bestselling book, fearing the author will not live up to the mark of the first. Ernest Cline did well in Ready Player Two. This sequel, as I told my 14-year-old, is Ready Player One on steroids. The OASIS kicks up a notch and is more addictive than ever. Halliday comes through with another quest with unbelievable odds and consequences. The bad guy's threat is not just the loss of a game, but possibly the loss of Wade's life and countless other lives.

I loved dipping back into the constant 80s references (many I recognized, some left me clueless). However, I did note that at one point in the book, Cline uses a sentence he may have ripped from a negative book review. Sorrento asks, "Don't you kids ever get tired of picking through the wreckage of a past generation's nostalgia?... I mean, look around. The entire OASIS is like one giant graveyard, haunted by the un-dead pop-culture icons of a bygone era. A crazy old man's shrine to a bunch of pointless crap." Still, I spent my teen years in the 80s, so I enjoyed that aspect of the romp.

I enjoyed contemplating the benefits and drawbacks of technology. While I didn't love the ending, the book was a thoroughly riveting read. I struggled with the first 100 pages, but once the background was set and the bad guy made his appearance, I had to fasten my seatbelt. It was a good thing I started the book on a weekend (only 3 days from the due date), because I read the last two-thirds of it in one day. Couldn't put it down.

If I had hesitations about letting my teen read Ready Player One, I had even more with the sequel. It is not a clean read. All the boxes are checked for the things people seem to expect in their literature these days. Since Sean preferred the movie to the book for Ready Player One anyway, he may wait for Ready Player Two to come out in movie form (although, I doubt the movie will be any cleaner).