Bremerton Staff Picks 2018

“One hundred and eight: That's how many seemingly random predictions come to Will Dando one night in a dream. When they actually begin to occur, he starts selling his critical economic predictions to international interests and makes mountains of money. In the process, though, he also makes powerful enemies- not least of which is the U.S. government. When Will realizes that the dream wasn't as random as it seemed and is forced into hiding, what was almost a lark becomes deadly as he tries to survive long enough to counter the global chaos he's caused. With enough humor to lighten the seriousness of Will's predicament, this debut novel keeps readers guessing right to the surprising end.”

“Elizabeth Acevedo was the perfect choice for the reader of this sensational retelling of Pride & Prejudice. Zuri Benitez absolutely comes to life through her performance. Zoboi's Pride is a fresh yet faithful adaptation of the timeless classic, sure to speak to fans of Austen's original book and introduce a whole new generation to the wit and wisdom of her works. ”

“Mackenzi Lee has done it again! The Montagues are back and ready for business. This time we follow Felicity Montague and her dream of working in medicine. Felicity knows what she wants to do with her life, but because it’s a “man’s world” she isn’t allowed to follow her dream. But she doesn’t let this stop her, or discourage her. In fact it only fuels her fire. She is determined to show all of those who say she cant, or that this is a “flighting fancy,” that she is just as skilled as a man. To do this she has to get to an old friend’s wedding across Europe and convince the groom-to-be that she is as amazing as she knows she is. But the adventure doesn’t stop there. Like Monty’s book, Lady’s Guide, shows that it’s okay to be different and that being a strong female isn’t something to be ashamed of, nor is it something to fear. This book has everything; girl-gangs, pirates, sea monsters.”

“Just, wow. By the time I got to this novel I had forgotten it was based on true events! The story is overwhelming, all the more for it's truth. All of the turns that seemed so confusing to me, I learned, are a result of Heather Morris' careful and accurate telling of memories born in chaos. Lale and Gita are truly magical. Make sure you follow through to the VERY end!”

“I'm in awe of this audiobook. The author reads it, and his Aussie accent creates a sense of place and person immediately and powerfully. I loved knowing as I listened that he was pronouncing and stressing his words and phrases exactly as he meant them to sound. At times his voice vibrates with deep connection with the characters he's created. The writing is rich and beautiful. I usually read mostly for plot and story, but this book had me slow down and re-listen to bits of it to savor the language and the images. AND the story, the "what happens" is completely engaging. In basic terms, it's about five brothers and their dad and their mom, and it viscerally portrays that world of boys/men so that as I listened, I fully inhabited that world. And, because it draws such a full and compelling portrait of these boys and their experience [especially Clay, the fourth brother], it is also celebrates the girls and women in their universe. It left me with an appreciation of gender differences and of the gloriousness of being human.”

“In "Killers of the Flower Moon", David Grann recounts the tragic tale of the Osage Indian Nations decimation and deceit at the hands of their government appointed guardians. Motivated by money, morally corrupt and masterfully manipulative, the true role of these benevolent benefactors, perpetrators of mass murder, is still a mystery today. Granns detailed, yet deeply disturbing detective work, back to the birth of the FBI and the rise of J. Edgar Hoover, unveils an unimaginable injustice overlooked for 85 years. Let’s not allow this atrocious act against the Osage to slip back into obscurity ever again.”

“"Well, this is the story all about how, Elizabeth's life got twisted, upside down..." All jokes aside, this is the creepiest book I've read this year. It is the tale of how Elizabeth became a Frankenstein, how her upbringing made her crave companionship and stability, and how in that quest, she accidentally encouraged Victor Frankenstein to become the monster we all know. Kiersten White provides readers with an amazing retelling, while also inserting recognizable tidbits, that fans of the classic will devour.”

“This first novel by nature writer Delia Owens has something for everyone. Fans of poetry, natural history, murder mysteries, southern food, and romance will be caught up in the deeply moving prose and memorable characters. Plus, the narrator adds in the North Carolina accents, too!”

“Imagine if Bram Stoker was forced to cut the first 101 pages of his novel, “Dracula” due to an overly sensitive editor worried about creating a mass panic throughout the streets of London, already overwhelmed with fear over Jack the ripper and the Whitechapel murders? Wouldn’t you wonder what Stoker wasn’t allowed to write? In “Dracul” by Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker, a prequel to the 1897 classic, you meet a young and sickly Bram, his inquisitive sister Matilda and their mysterious nanna Ellen in this devilishly dark drama destined to creep out the hardiest of horror fans. Spanning the years of 1854 through 1890, follow the Stoker siblings’ quest to seek answers for the unimaginable horror unearthed one dark and stormy night beginning with Ellen’s disappearance and ending with Bram stake in hand. It’s Gothic lore at its most gruesome and it’s great!”

“Yeoman warder Christopher Skaife describes himself as being ornithivorous in relation to his job, inhaling all that there is about ravens, no matter the area of study (science, mythology, art, etc.). And while he covers some of those topics in this book, it’s his personal stories that kept me reading late into the night. Skaife’s voice will rumble in your head and you’ll feel like you’re just swapping stories over a pint with a friend.”

“Engrossing, thrilling and original. The story alternates between a podcast format and Sadie’s voice. Sadie is a compelling protagonist - strong, determined and on a mission. Fantastic listen!”

“Children of Blood & Bone, is a story told in a world where magic no longer exists. Years ago, this was not the case. Once, magic and the Gods were celebrated. Now, Diviners (those with Maji blood, but no magic) are treated poorly, and all the Maji have been killed. One of those including our main protagonist, Zélie’s, mother. Determined to find a way to bring back magic, Zélie, along with her brother Tzain, and Orïsha’s only princess, Amari (gone rogue), set out on a quest against all odds. Told from Zélie, Amari and Amari’s brother and crown prince, Inan’s viewpoints, Tomi Adeyemi weaves together a tale so beautifully and tragically relevant, it will leave you craving for answers and more.”

“This was a beautifully written and narrated book that I wish everyone to read. With the seemingly never-ending political talk about abortion, Leni Zumas rises to answer the question of what the reality would look like should such a thing become legal once more. Five narratives offer many different points of view pertaining to the immense responsibility and meaning of motherhood.”

“What does a small-town dentist, an unqualified medical examiner and the Mississippi criminal justice system have in common? They’re a part of a good ole boy network obsessed with mass incarceration and the death penalty, rampant racism and corrupt court judges consumed with closing cases at any cost. Not to mention the wrongly convicted men paying the price for other perpetrators crimes, many of them still sitting on death row today. “The Cadaver King and the Country Dentist,” by Radley Balko and Tucker Carrington is a horrifying haunt through a legal system run by unqualified, unconscionable men intent to impart their will on an unwitting society too overwhelmed by titles, accreditations and pseudo-scientific facts to question their motives. Thank goodness Balko and Carrington had the courage to expose these corrupt individuals and hopefully, this book will open a door to investigations in other criminal justice courts across the country.”

“Calypso by David Sedaris is laugh out loud hysterical in true Sedaris fashion. Listening to him read and deliver his stories is like listening to a stand-up comedian. This collection is fairly personal and many stories involve his family and their adventures in his North Carolinian beach house, aptly name the “Sea Section”. Sedaris manages to tackle even difficult issues like suicide and aging with grace and just the right amount of self-deprecation mixed with brutal honesty. Highly recommend!”