The Secret of Ventriloquism by Jon Padgett

 

As I am looking through my book journal for 2025 and reflecting on my favorite reads, I realized I neglected to share another of my favorites from the year: The Secret of Ventriloquism by Jon Padgett. 

This was my second read in 2025 about ventriloquism and insanity (the first being Magic by William Goldman). R.L. Stine's Night of the Living Dummy did something to my psyche, so I am drawn to stories about malevolent ventriloquist dummies. I found this while browsing a book shop in Maine. The cover is arresting: A black-and-white illustration of a ventriloquist dummy with insectile legs where a torso should be. 

This collection of short stories started off as creepy but "fine" until suddenly, in a story with a self-aware pedestrian style, something unlocked in me and this felt like a sinister puzzle box, every story demanding a re-read after finishing a new one, so that it is a book that could be infinitely read; immersed in, studied, driven mad by. Most of them linger in the realm of the uncanny, and they reward a slow, careful read. 

This experience is an argument for buying weird self-published books you've never heard of! It was the perfect thing to read while I was in high altitude for a horror film festival in October, feeling increasingly paranoid and jumpy. I bought a copy for the library, so hopefully I can find myself another convert to the cult-like appeal of Jon Padgett's Secret. 

-Michael G. 

David Copperfield by Charles Dickens

 

Since my mom taught me to read, we have swapped book recommendations, but over the past few years we've formed a structured book club of two. We've read War and Peace, Don Quixote, The Count of Monte Cristo, and The Lord of the Rings, each over the course of a year. This year I asked to read Charles Dickens, since as a creative writing/English lit major I consider it an embarrassment that I've never read any of his work. I mean, I love The Muppet's Christmas Carol, but it isn't quite the same thing, is it? 

I chose David Copperfield for three reasons: 

1) It's over 800 pages, close to our meaty goal of 1000 pages. 

2) There was a copy taking up significant space on my bookshelf, right next to similarly untouched Bleak House. 

3) Virginia Woolf's blurb is on the cover calling it "The most perfect of all the Dickens novels." 

I went in prepared to be a little bored. The vague sense I had of Dickens was that he was long-winded, needlessly wordy ("He got paid by the word!" people holler, as if that is deterrent rather than impressive), and moralistic. I also wondered if his books were all about miserable orphan boys who make good through steadfast kindness and surprise rich relations. 

Well, David is at one point a fairly miserable orphan boy and he does make good with the help of a rich relation and his own diligence. But! I was not bored and there were only about two chapters I skimmed because they were so weepy. Occasionally it seemed Dickens popped through the veil of fiction, either through clumsy structure (a scene observed through eaves dropping that tests the limits of human understanding; a character's running commentary cringingly meant to bring humor to melodrama), whiplash character changes, or the semi-frequent interruptions of plot to state some sort of thesis on being hard-working and productive. 

Overall, I was impressed with just how continually entertained I was by the storytelling. The characters are so delightfully drawn, I feel like I will carry them with me much longer than I do others. His aunt Betsey was our hero: At one point I texted my mom: "Janet! Donkeys!" and I imagine that will be a phrase we can call to each other through the years. His villains were delicious: the writhing, unctuous Uriah Heep; steely Miss Murdstone; and my favorite, the fantastically bitter Rosa Dartle. Let me just take a moment for Rosa Dartle. Take this first description of her: 

She was a little dilapidated – like a house – with having been so long to let; yet had, as I have said, an appearance of good looks. Her thinness seemed to be the effect of some wasting fire within her, which found a vent in her gaunt eyes.

When she dispenses with her halting manner of speech and lets forth with the full vent of that "wasting fire within her," I could not put the book down. It was so vicious, so intense, so full of emotion and fury. 

I'm satisfied with my first Dickens experience and at some point will pick up another. Probably Great Expectations, because there's a lady called Haversham I'm looking forward to meeting. 

-Michael G.

Oathbound by Tracy Deonn

 

The book continues where the second left off, following Bree as she continues with the shadow king in her pursuit of power. This book, however, takes an interesting turn with the style of writing. Deonn moves from the consistent first-person perspective of the first two books, to a more fractured, multiple perspective take. We see the perspectives of William, Bree, Nick, and Mariah to name a few. Eventually, all the experiences meet up and converge back with Bree. 

The spin of this book is part of Bree's deal with the demon king for power has sacrificed her ability to remember the identities of those she loves most. This sets the premise for the whole books. It is a journey of what it means to love someone, to feel such emotion for people you can't even remember, and to actively so do, even when its hard. 

I found the book does a really good job of providing action, romance, and even a bit of mystery. It's awesome seeing all the people eventually come together to support Bree. It really goes to show the power of community and it makes me wonder in what ways I can better practice the art of loving.

The book set itself up for another follow-up! If you haven't already, please give this series a read and share your thoughts!

- Leo H.

I Live in a Tree Trunk by Meg Fleming; illustrated by Brandon James Scott

 

This is a cute book exploring animal homes. Students will delight in guessing the animals that peer out of their dwellings, such as a gopher’s mound, a sea otter’s bay, an owl’s nest, etc.... Some animals, like birds and gorillas, share the same name for their dwelling (nest)! Among the animals featured in this book are: farm dwellers (sheep, donkey, horse, llama, chicken, pig, goat), tree dwellers (monkey, sloth, koala, snake), and den dwellers (porcupine, raccoon, fox, skunk, opossum).  For ages 4-8.

-Julie B. 

Poems & Prayers by Matthew McConaughey

 

In his new book Poems & Prayers, the actor Matthew McConaughey offers up some intimate thoughts in both prose and verse, divided into themed sections. I found this work to be a mixed bag. Some of the poems seem contrived, while others are beautiful, simple, and insightful. The pages of prose often make for thoughtful reading. Overall, the book cries out for the guidance of a sharp editor. 

In some poems the wordplay is quite clever, while in others it's overwrought. In a poem called "Daymares" - about small, almost unnoticeable daily habits we have that wound those close to us - McConaughey remixes a common expression in the line, "the pets that we peeve." This made me laugh; after all, who hasn't left a beloved pet feeling that way? This is McConaughey at his most witty.   

There's also wordplay that reads more like word salad: "I take a scroll down the Rolodex of my memory's lane." You really have to work to wrap your mind around this awkward line. It sounds to me - who spent several years in an earlier career creating and evaluating therapeutic programs for nursing home residents - very much like something a person with dementia might say.

Some poems are so packed with metaphor and cryptic symbolism that the meaning is lost on me. The poems "Fallen Leaves" and "The Mess I Made" are examples. Removing a few stanzas would make these poems more polished and coherent. A poem called "Capably Able" is full of clever rhymes and imagery, but there is so much going on in it that I can't make sense of the whole.

Then there are the prayers, most of them written in verse form. McConaughey expresses a traditional Christian religiosity, in which he offers prayers to a father figure, examining his own flaws and asking forgiveness and redemption. These felt a bit exhibitionist to me, yet his discussion of why we pray is perceptive. 

What I found much more interesting in both his prose and his poetry is the expression of another kind of spirituality he has but never labels as such: a distinct sense of the yin and yang in the operations of the universe. In a reflection on page 75 he wrote: "Consequences go both ways. With every decision, choice, action, there will be a give with the take, a credit with the debit...something good and something bad." On another page: "If you make a profit in one place, you're gonna get a debt in another."

Elsewhere, a yin/yang sensibility is expressed by an entire poem called "Back to the Future," every line a reference to complementary opposites. On another page is an untitled, elegant little poem about doers and dreamers; they have opposing qualities and the world needs both types of people. McConaughey's book highlights his belief in and practice of Christianity while not overtly acknowledging this more intuitive side of his view of life.  

McConaughey's prose feels less forced, and in places is just as lyrical as his best poems here while summing up some worthy insights. He believes in the necessity of difficulties in life in order to mature. He believes in post traumatic growth for those willing to take a hard and critical look at themselves. He is big on personal accountability.  

Crown Publishing slipped up with this publication, though; the book needs tighter editing. There are grammatical errors throughout - apostrophes where they shouldn't be, and redundancy of both words and thoughts within single sentences in several places, as well as excess in some of the poems. Correcting these errors and trimming away some of the confusing lyricism would result in a more polished book.  

- Marianne W. 

Exiles by Andrew Pyper (writing as Mason Coile)

 

"I read this in 24 hours," was part of the recommendation I received from a library visitor the other day. Mason Coile's other horror novel about artificial intelligence (W1LL1AM) has been on my list for a few months, but her enthusiasm about Exiles pushed this to the front of the list. 

The plot is simple and terrifying: Astronauts aboard a space shuttle to Mars wake up from deep sleep to learn that something is wrong at their destination. The robots sent ahead of them to build the colony are not responding. But the astronauts' one directive is to continue the mission, so that is what they do as everything continues to go sideways. 

It is a suspenseful, exciting, short novel (just 200 pages). The pace never slackens: It is one thing after another.  Stories set in space are claustrophobic and this is almost unbearably so. Quickly, this book became not just about space and isolation but also about sexism, artificial intelligence, our fragile, brief life. Pyper was a writer who really had a grasp on storytelling and it is a pleasure to read. 

-Michael G. 

Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star ill. by Jerry Pinkney

This is a beautiful rendition of the beloved children’s song “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star”  illustrated by Caldecott Medal winner Jerry Pinkney. In this story, a curious chipmunk leaves her nest to explore the world around her.  Along the way, she discovers a star-like image in a twirling white seed pod, the blossoms of a tree, a spider's web, and the glow of fireflies.  As the day closes the chipmunk climbs into a robin’s nest and later into a sail boat in a dreamlike quest to reach the stars.  Eventually she returns to her home on the back of a white swan.

-Julie B.

Millie Fleur Saves the Night by NY Times Bestselling Author Christy Mandin

 

When Millie Fleur moved into the town of Garden Glen, she discovered the people were afraid of the dark and turned their lights off.  Millie knew that the dark wasn’t scary and that  there were many enchanting things to find in the dark such as a beautiful moon garden and nocturnal animals.  She baked delicious moon pies to welcome the dark back. Soon the night creatures including raccoons, owls, deer, and many more reappeared..  And slowly the townspeople became braver, turning out their lights and discovering how amazing and beautiful night can be.

-Julie B.

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

    Bloodmarked is a thrilling sequel to Legendborn, following Bree as she continues in her quest. Now recognized as the Scion of Arthur, the Order sees her in a completely different light, needing to protect her and keep her real identity a secret. In addition, she is also the descendant of a powerful root crafter who she can channel through her own abilities, and if anyone else within the Order finds out what she can do, her life will be even more at stake. Untrained and unable to control her powers, she finds herself caught in a web of lies danger, and unrest. All of this while still trying to find out what happened to Nick...

I found this book to be consistent in its tone and prose, and continuing to follow the first person narrative (there's even a surprise near end for how this shift). It was an enjoyable read, and as you keep reading, the tension just keeps sucking you in especially as you continue to see Bree learn, struggle, and grow. I alternated between listening and reading, and both were amazing, so I definitely recommend the audiobook as well.

One key theme I took away from this book was "Autonomy". Bree is surrounded by people telling her what to do, where to go, how to feel, and how to live. What does it feel like to not have any control of your fate? To be surrounded by people constantly making decisions for you; To be given gifts that people tell you over and over are a blessing or a curse, while in the same breath, telling you how you should use them. What does it mean to stand in your truth and live life how you see fit? This is Bree's struggle. 

And by the end of the book, you'll see that life truly warps around us when we finally claim what is rightfully ours. 

- Leo H.

The I Love You Book by Todd Parr

 

This colorful book celebrates the unconditional love between parent and child in various situations such as when playing peek-a-boo-boo, feeling sad, scared, brave, cuddling, and other times throughout the day.  Reassures the child that they are loved every day no matter what the situation.  

Age Group:  0-6.

- Julie B. 

Julie B. is a classroom volunteer with Ready Readers, a non-profit organization that strives to expand literacy for young children in low-income communities through high-quality books, strong relationships and literacy-related experiences.

The Bad Seed by William March

 

William March's Rhoda has seeped into our cultural lexicon, so that like The Stepford Wives or Cujo, you don't need to have read the book (or seen the movie) to know that a well-dressed, polite child wearing formal, old-fashioned clothes is most likely a psychopathic killer. This child doesn't just braid her own hair, she loops them into "hangman's nooses." Her shoes have iron cleats to conveniently transition from outerwear to deadly weapon. You better hope you don't have anything she wants. 

What do you do when this murderous elementary schooler is your kid? March focuses his story on that dilemma. Christine's husband is abroad for work and though she writes him passionate letters full of desperation that verges on the erotic, those are locked in a drawer with other troublesome things like, oh, a loaded gun and a couple bottles of sleeping pills. She only writes him carefully edited letters that keep up the facade that all is well back home. 

The book begins with "the day of her last happiness," but darkness has assiduously followed Christine her entire life, a fact she forcefully tries to deny, despite the encouragement of her neighbor Mrs. Breedlove to delve into every unexamined thought and impulse. 

Speaking of Mrs. Breedlove, she is a fantastic character: a devotee of analysis, an older woman who speaks her mind (constantly!) and bucks convention. Her parties are the best. My favorite is the one where she invites three older ladies to get soused to convince them to fund her new endeavor -- a rehab facility for alcoholics. With Mrs. Breedlove, nothing is off the table. She freely talks about latent homosexuality and incestuous desire, true crime, and what is most fascinating to her: the inner workings of her own mind. But she has a massive blind spot when it comes to Rhoda, whom she just adores. Probably because Rhoda is quiet and well-mannered, the kind of kid adults who don't enjoy children adore. 

Through Mrs. Breedlove's influence, Christine is introduced to the dark and fascinating world of true crime, which she dives into obsessively, like a detective, hoping to find some sort of answer to the riddle of her child's behavior. The deeper she goes, the more unsettled she becomes, and finally, decisive action can not be avoided. It's a pretty good read! I'm looking forward to re-watching the movie. 

- Michael G.

The Children's Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin

The uncomfortable images the title of this book conjures up! I didn't want to know the story behind it. Like me, you may resist opening it, but once you have gotten past the first pages and been introduced to several characters, don't expect to come up for air for a while. In fact, expect your regular routine to be disrupted as you delay meals, sleep, and morning showers while your cat or dog complains of neglect. It is not only a compelling story but a shockingly revealing bit of history as well. 

The story told herein is in many ways like a Little House on the Prairie for grown ups, but not in the gently told way of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books. 

Remember all the catastrophes the Ingalls and Wilder families endured on the prairies - the fire that engulfed Laura and Almanzo's home, a locust plague that destroyed an entire year's crop, droughts that rendered the labor of other years useless? The chronic poverty, harsh weather, frequent new beginnings, and the relentless struggles to establish stability? These devastating setbacks weren't merely one extended family's bad luck; this was typical of farm life in the upper Midwestern territories in the 1800s. The Ingalls and Wilder families were just two of thousands that suffered such misfortunes repeatedly. One of the revelations to me in reading this historical novel was that of a dishonest campaign perpetrated in European countries to lure immigrants to the upper Midwest. The U.S. government wanted settlers. "Have you longed for the magic of a prairie winter, gentle yet abundant snow to nourish the earth, neither too cold nor too warm, only perfection in every way?" - an ad in a European newspaper might say. In fact the opposite was true; living and farming conditions on those plains in the 1800s were so rough that over 60% of the homesteaders that had been attracted by such advertising ended up abandoning properties and dreams to return to the unpromising circumstances they had hoped to leave behind in Europe and the eastern United States. Of those who stayed, many didn't survive.

This novelized account of that time and place concerns one particularly deadly catastrophe (the historic part) - the January 12, 1888 blizzard in Nebraska and the Dakota territory during which hundreds of people - the majority of them children - froze to death. Why mostly children? The book will tell you.      

The best novelists are able to create a cast of characters who come from vastly different life experiences and are on differing trajectories when their paths cross and lives intertwine within the framework of a compelling story. Characters that give us new perspectives, making us see the world in ways we hadn't previously been able to. This novel does that, engaging readers with a small assortment of people and their varying motivations and motives, and the ways they help and hurt each other. On occasion the perspectives of wildlife do what people can't: foxes, hawks, wolves, coyotes, rabbits, even prairie dogs help us to see and feel what the earth is doing during this colossal storm. Through a hawk's eyes as it searches from the sky for a meal on the morning after the storm, we begin to see the cruel toll of the ghastly event in an impersonal way - briefly - before zooming back in to learn the fates of the individuals we have become so interested in. 

Author Melanie Benjamin drew on archived news accounts and written memories of people who lived through the storm to create sympathetic fictional characters caught badly unprepared for this shattering event that in real life left so many dead, so many lives changed, and so many families and communities throughout the upper Midwest bereft. In this bittersweet novel much more unfolds after the storm - unimaginable pain, gradual healing, growth, a few surprises among the characters, occasional redemption. The unredeemable fate of one character in particular though - Gerda - will remain in my mind for a long time.    

Thank you to patron Richard B. for recommending this informative, absorbing novel that I put off starting because of its title and then couldn't stop reading.

- Marianne W. 

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Generations upon generations of history and legacy weave through the life of this 16 year old girl. 

    This story is revolves around Bree Matthews, a young girl who recently lost her mother, as she navigates a new school campus. She finds herself involved with a secret society linked to the Knights of the Roundtable that fights shadowy beasts using a magic called "aether", all unbeknownst to the common people. It's all told from Bri's perspective as we watch her experience crazy rituals, battles, and culture, all while she has literally no idea what's going on and how she fits into it. All she knows is that she needs to find out who killed her mother.

    While it seems to have a simple premise, there are many themes that come into play surrounding racism, grief, and generational trauma. Bree has to navigate a PWI, or predominantly white institution, while also being dragged into a secret society that caters to the lineage of white people that goes back centuries. This very same society is deeply entrenched in privilege and high status, so Bree's presence in the space a rarity as a black person. When you also factor in her belief that has mother was potentially killed by one of them, it's a story many black folks are all too used to hearing.

    While trying not to spoil, one of my favorite things about the book is how deeply it involves ancestors and the effect they have had on us. Their choices have a chain reaction leading to our grandparents, our parents, and then to us. We are the living embodiment of each ancestors' choices, all the way down to our blood stream. All the way down to our magic. And this story is a reminder that even though this holds true, our history does not define all of who we are. We are the makers of the present and the power is in our hands.

Feel free to check the book out! I'll be happy to hear what you think. It is the first book of a trilogy, and I promise that if you get hooked on this one, you'll be hooked on the rest . I'm currently hooked on the second!

- Leo H.