Only Mostly Dead

Seventeen year-old Li Lan is saddled with an impossible decision; marry the recently deceased son of her father's creditor, or helplessly watch her family sink deep into poverty.  But before she can choose, she finds herself lost and alone in the afterlife, neither living nor dead, where she must uncover the secrets of her would-be bridegroom.  In The Ghost Bride, Yangsze Choo masterfully recreates 1890s Malaysia and takes the reader on a spectacular ride through mythology and fantasy as we accompany Li Lan into the spirit realm.  Truly enchanting.  HM

Here Be Monsters!

Michael Largo's The Big, Bad Book of Beasts describes both some of the world's most unusual and mundane creatures, real and imagined.  For example, under "D" you'll find entries for Dodo, Dog, Dolichorhynchops (aka Prehistoric "Sea Wolf"), and Dragons.  I particularly enjoyed Largo's well-researched asides on the folklore of various beasts, as well as the numerous illustrations and renderings (such as the detailed Harpy skeleton on p. 187).  Definitely worth checking out!  HM

A Seaside Saga

The Cottage at Glass Beach by Heather Barbieri is a modern-day fairy tale for adults. Nora is a political wife from Boston who has suffered the scandal of an extra-marital affair. She has recently received a letter from a distant aunt and decides to seek refuge on Burke’s Island off the coast of Maine. Once there, she revisits her childhood memories and the mystery surrounding her mother’s disappearance. As she works to come to terms with her problems she is introduced to the mythical folklore the island dwellers believe. While this book is not terribly deep, it does put a positive spin on dealing with current issues and finding the strength to carry on. A good summer read. DB