Kristina's Reviews

As a fan of quirky mysteries, I was unsure how Murder Your Employer by Robert Holmes would stack up. I mean Holmes is the man behind the viral “Pina Colada” song so it should be at least catchy. Filled with murder and mayhem, you follow three students at McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts where each student has a thesis to accomplish—to get away with murder. Filled with witty humor, Holmes knows how to turn a phrase and keep things rolling. If you enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club series, this book is for you. —Kristina

Written in verse and inspired by a true story—much like Katherine Applegate’s earlier The One and Only Ivan—Odder weaves together the science of sea otter life with the marine animal rehabilitation efforts of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This heartwarming tale will instill empathy and keep nature-loving readers engaged and inspired. Living so close to the aquarium, one can’t help but feel an instant connection to this story.

—KRISTINA

“They will not look perfect 100 percent all the time…. Yellow leaves happen.” The perfectionist in me appreciates Nick Cutsumpas’s reassuring words in his debut plant guide, Plant Coach. This book is more than just “how to keep your plants alive, one method fits all”; it is filled with the kind of encouragement that all plant parents need. Part guide, part ode to sustainability, and an excellent part of any plant lover’s library. 
—KRISTINA

You don’t need a yard to have an inspired collection of blooming plants; just look to Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan, the creative plant geniuses behind the interior design nursery Leaf Supply. Bloom is their beautifully styled plant guide, celebrating flowering plants that grow happily indoors and on small balconies. The tips and tricks on growing and the styling ideas will inspire even the most novice green thumb.
—KRISTINA 

In Life is Hard, Kieran Setiya puts truth and reality on the table: There is no cure for the human condition. Endless happiness and living your best life are unrealistic. With relatable anecdotes, humor, and bite-sized portions of philosophy, readers will feel seen and understood as Setiya navigates topics like failure, grief, and loneliness. This is not a step-by-step guide but an opportunity to reexamine your own life from a different perspective.

—KRISTINA

“Recycling and political protests are not enough,” Karen Armstrong urges in her new book Sacred Nature. Instead of delving into another technological way to stave off climate change, Armstrong explores humanity's broken bond with the natural world. Each chapter examines different ancient philosophies and their reverence for the natural world and how reconnecting with the sacredness of nature will drive our society to view nature not as a separate entity, but as something that is entirely within us.

—KRISTINA

If you are the type of person who goes on nature hikes only to stop and examine the different types of plants along the way, then this book is for you. The Wild Year melds together plant information, folklore, and foraging into one colorful and beautifully illustrated travel companion. Author Kristyna Baczynski is also a comic book artist and her drawings add a lighthearted and fun element to this guide. A great gift for yourself or the nature lovers in your life.

—KRISTINA

As a lover of Agatha Christie books, it is hard to imagine anyone, let alone twelve different authors, stepping into her shoes to write of the timeless character Jane Marple. However, the curse of the ensemble cast does not apply here. Some stories feel more modern in tone, but the key components remain—Jane Marple’s matter-of-fact attitude and last-minute reveals in this book would make Agatha Christie herself proud. There is only one Queen of Crime, but Marple brings Christie’s legacy to life.
—KRISTINA
 

If you are looking for a book that scores high for originality, this is your book. Sunyi Dean’s debut novel, The Book Eaters, is a morally complex contemporary gothic fantasy novel that feels like a fresh twist on the vampire story. The chapters alternate between Devon’s past and present life highlighting generational trauma and the driving forces that push people to do the unimaginable. Dean’s storytelling will leave you questioning—what truly defines a monster? —Kristina

Take the atmospheric details of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca and mix it with a cast of character personalities from a Jane Austen novel and what do you get? A satisfyingly creepy, Victorian era gothic mystery that is—A Dreadful Splendor by B.R. Myers. Myers creates a riveting page turner with enough plot twists that keep you guessing till the end. A perfect read for the autumn months ahead. —Kristina