Community of Readers

Title Parable of the Sower Author Octavia Butler Rating Recommended Book Review I really enjoyed this book even if I walked in not really knowing fully what to expect. For a book written in 1993, but set in 2024-2026, the human elements were scarily accurate to how I would imagine a dystopian wasteland. It was terrifying to read about a semi-apocalyptic environment where there were pockets of normalcy surrounded by viciousness. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book and the existential perspective that it gave. There were quite a few biblical references that went more over my head, but I think the core of the book is grounded in the relationship we as humans have which each other and the world and how much our intention has in shaping the world around us. Submitted By Alyssa Castanon Department or Major Schmid College Status Staff Chapman Email alycastanon@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title The Serpent and the Wings of Night Author Carissa Broadbent Location Other Rating Somewhat Recommended Book Review Okay this book was definitely a very up and down ride. I put it down for about a month before I finally finished it, and I will say that the last third of the book sped by. I think that the world building is interesting and I am hoping to dive further into it in the second book. Personally, I don't think the characters were as fleshed out as I would have liked, but the spin at the end hooked me and now I have to finish at least the duology. Overall, did not love did not hate, definitely an average romantasy book. Submitted By Alyssa Castanon Department or Major Schmid College Status Staff Chapman Email alycastanon@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title One Plus One Author Jojo Moyes Call Number other Location Other Book Review Can someone be as unlucky as Jess? No matter how hard she works at her two jobs, she still winds up skint and at the end of the line in life and love. Her math wiz daughter and eye line wearing son from her x-husband's previous relationship, understand how they must live to get by. Bullied at school and in their counsel housing, piles on more to their collective daily dread. To win $ to help with her tuition at a top notch school, Jess accepts a chance for her daughter to enter the Math Olympiad. But it's a long way to drive. Ed Nichols, who has his own legal issues and is one of the tech millionaire's she cleans house for, offers to drive them to Scotland. Jess has her reservations, but is unable to deny her daughter this opportunity. Close proximity with two kids, a horse sized dog and his cleaner, Ed witnesses other people's struggles and realizes this was the most unselfish thing he has every committed to. Submitted By Annalisa Goode Department or Major Law School Status Staff Chapman Email agoode@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title Disneyland and the Rise of Automation: How Technology Created the Happiest Place on Earth Author Roland Betancourt Call Number N/A Location Other Rating Somewhat Recommended Book Review This book is about how Walt Disney and his corporation applied and incorporated factory machinery and practices into the creation of Disneyland's rides. The author argues that Disneyland used mid-century technology, factory practices, and the phenomenon of automation to essentially design create rides that resembled assembly lines in the park to efficiently maximize the main product from guests: fun. The abundant amount of academic and industry-specific jargon made it difficult to enjoy. Submitted By Carl Privette Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email privette@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title The Rook Author Daniel O'Malley Call Number N/A Location Other Rating Recommended Book Review U.K. version of Men in Black: espionage meets the supernatural. The main protagonist wakes up with her memories completely erased and with a different personality. She discovers she works for a secret organization who employees people - including herself - with unnatural abilities. Her former self leaves letters behind to help the current-her figure out how past-her lost her memories. Last 20 pages could have been classified as an Epilogue, but I found the book overall engaging and wanting to read the rest of the series. Submitted By Carl Privette Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email privette@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title I, Medusa Author Ayana Gray Call Number n/a Location Other Rating Recommended Book Review This retelling of the gorgon Medusa's backstory taught me some new things about mythology and was a quick and enjoyable read. There were times I noticed the author's style seemed more appropriate for young readers, and I found out this is the author's first adult book. I enjoyed it. Submitted By Laura Neis Department or Major Business College Status Staff Chapman Email lneis@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title The Giver of Stars Author Jojo Moyes Call Number PR6113.o94G592019 Location 2nd Floor Humanities Rating Highly Recommended Book Review Moyes easily entwines human liberties, civil justice, American history, and high drama in creating this women-centric story about the all female book lending librarians on horse back project created by the WPA from 1937-1943 under the leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt to promote learning in rural Kentucky. I enjoyed this story and this author's creative take on one of America's successful educational programs. Submitted By Annalisa Goode Department or Major Law School Status Staff Chapman Email agoode@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title The Fires of Vengeance Author Evan Winter Call Number N/A Rating Somewhat Recommended Book Review Winter's second book in this series deeper into the characters and world lore. Despite there being a lot of character development, "The Fires of Vengeance" wasn't engaging enough for me to feel connected to the characters. It was another book-long training montage that led to the climatic battle with a twist that didn't really feel much like a cliff-hanger Submitted By Carl Privette Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email privette@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

Title A Flicker in the Dark Author Stacy Willingham Call Number other Location Other Rating Recommended Book Review A first book for author, an edge-of-your seat psychological thriller fraught with tension and troubled yet sympathetic characters with deep flaws. Bad decisions  lend to the story line keeping the reader eager to get to the next paragraph. A real nail biter. Submitted By Annalisa Goode Department or Major Law School Status Staff Chapman Email agoode@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title The Grey Wolf Author Louise Penny Call Number other Location Other Rating Highly Recommended Book Review Armand Gamache (#19) leads ramshackle detective team to track down the terrorist threat before it becomes a reality. The team travels to France, Italy, and New York following every clue, so they could see clearly the enormity of the creature they are chasing. A dark and scary plot that could result in devastating consequences into the largest cities and smallest villages. Submitted By Annalisa Goode Department or Major Law School Status Staff Chapman Email agoode@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title Nothing Gold Can Stay Author Ron Rash Call Number N/A Location Other Rating Recommended Book Review Nothing Gold Can Stay is a collection of short stories set in Appalachia by Ron Rash. While some short story authors' collections vary in theme and story length, these stories focused on luck and were roughly the same length. I usually struggle with short stories, but overall, I enjoyed this collection. Submitted By Caylin Schmenk Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email schmenk@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers

	Title The Rage of Dragons Author Evan Winter Rating Recommended Book Review An engaging fantasy novel, first in a series (trilogy?), that takes readers through the protagonist's journey to seek revenge for the murder of his father. The book is one long training montage. However, what separates this book from many other fantasy novels is that the world and characters reflect aspects of African cultures and societies, instead of reflecting European way of life and customs (which is what the author intended). Submitted By Carl Privette Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email privette@chapman.edu

 

Community of Readers Title The Compound Author Aisling Rawle Call Number NA Location Other Rating Recommended Book Review This dystopian thriller can best be described as Love Island meets Survivor. 20 contestants are sent to a remote desert compound where they must "couple up" and complete tasks to remain on the show and receive prizes. Some prizes are necessary for survival, while other prizes can be taken home after the show, such as jewelry or clothing. Although there is a romance aspect, the main character remains focused on being the last one standing. It was a unique book with a fun premise. Submitted By Amy Telarico Department or Major Leatherby Libraries Status Staff Chapman Email telarico@chapman.edu