Sharing some old favorites!

 It's always fun to share the hot, new titles and chat about them, but it's also nice to revisit old favorites.  This month, I wanted to share some of my old favs, maybe encourage you to try something that is awesome but fell off the radar of "hot reads" in recent times.

The Keys to the Kingdom series is REALLY cool, and one of my favorites.  It mixes action/adventure with fantasy fiction with a bit of creepy for flavor.  In the first book, Mister Monday, we meet Arthur who is having a bad day.  He forgot to bring a doctor's note and has to participate in a run for P.E.; however, his asthma quickly acts up & he collapses.  While he is struggling for breath, a strange old man appears out of nowhere and hands him a clock hand, and magically he can breathe again.  The old man seems very startled when Arthur isn't dying but is healed and disappears....and now Arthur can see strange things that he never noticed before.  When a strange sleeping sickness starts to spread, Arthur realizes he may be able to find the cure, using the clock hand and exploring the strange old mansion no one else can see.   This series is in 7 parts, corresponding to the days of the week.   I highly encourage you to check it out.

Crazy Beautiful is an awesome retelling of Beauty and the Beast, but set in modern times.  Lucius is the "beast" who is always causing trouble, and in his last act of misbehavior, he lost both of his arms.  Lucius wears hooks for hands, as it is easier and because he likes when people are scared of him....he doesn't deserve kindness anyway.  Aurora isn't scared of him though, and she actually wants to talk to him....find out who he is and why things are the way they are.  What options does a beastly guy have when a beautiful girl refuses to be revolted by your ugly looks and behavior?  

This is a sweet story, and also highlights some of the issues that come with feeling inadequate (which is easier when one has a physical issue to combat in addition to the normal amount of self-consciousness).  

Jackaby is the first title in the Jackaby quartet.  It is a paranormal mystery set in the late 1800's of New England.  Abigail begins working with J.F. Jackaby; both because she needs a job, and he is one of the few who will hire a woman; and because being an assistant investigator sounds interesting.  Jackaby specifically investigates unusual things, unnatural mysteries that no one wants to admit are real.  Learning about a variety of mystical and fantastic creatures while also learning to be an investigator makes for both a fascinating story and a fun ride for both the reader and for Abigail.  

Lirael is the first of the Abhorsen trilogy.  This fantasy series is an intriguing mix of magic and horror; as the main character Lirael is a necromancer.  For her family, being a necromancer (or the Abhorsen) is a serious responsibility as they must make sure the dead stay dead and that evil magic is destroyed.  In this trilogy readers will find an intricately woven world that is fascinating and a series of adventures that will keep you on the edge of your seat (as well as some really fun side characters who will make you smile).  These are not short books, but are definitely worth the time it takes to finish them (and the audiobooks are equally amazing).