Defender by C. J. Cherryh

This is the second book in the second Foreigner trilogy I picked up from the library’s used book sale.

Published: 2001

Genre: science fiction

Length: 314 pages

Setting: a space station around an exoplanet, six years after the events of Precursor

Summary: Short version: Bren is working on the new space station with the atevi

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Within the Sanctuary of Wings by Marie Brennan

This is the fifth and final book in the Memoirs of Lady Trent series. Sadly, the Erie County library system didn’t have it so I had to request it via interlibrary loan. I didn’t feel bad about it, though, since it was the last book in a series.

Published: 2017

Genre: historical fantasy

Length: 333 pages

Setting: mostly the Mrtyahaima Mountains (a Himalayan equivalent), a bit after the events of In the Labyrinth of Drakes

Summary: Short version: Lady Trent discovers a living Draconean society

Foreign Affairs by Alison Lurie

This won the Pulitzer Prize in 1985 and was available as an ebook while I was waiting for some holds to come in.

Published: 1984

Genre: fiction

Length: 291 pages

Setting: London, England, 1980s

Summary: Short version: Two professors have affairs when traveling

The Beautiful Bird Sits No Longer Singing in the Nest by Kate Lechler

This is the next short story in the Event Horizon 2017 collection of short stories highlighting authors who are eligible for the 2017 Campbell award for best new writer.

Published: September, 2016 at PodCastle, where you can listen to or read the story for free

Genre: fantastical historical fiction

Setting: 19th century England

Summary: Short version: We hear Mr. Rochester’s first wife’s story

Boxers by Gene Luen Yang

This is one of the few graphic novels for older kids listed on this CommonSense post. It’s been a while since we’ve read a graphic novel, so I requested this from the library.

Colors by: Lark Pien

Published: 2013

Genre: historical fiction with a touch of fantasy graphic novel

Length: 325 pages

Setting: Northern Shan-tung Province and Peking, China, 1894-1900

Summary: Short version: The disruption of Westerners on Chinese society in the late 1800s

Un Lun Dun by China Mieville

Back in 2008 when I read this, Mieville was getting some good press as a speculative fiction writer. I had read one other by Mieville and couldn’t decide if I liked his style, so I thought I’d try another. Plus, this book kept catching my eye as I walked by the bookshelf.

Published: 2007

Genre: young adult fantasy

Length: 429 pages

Setting: London and UnLondon

Summary: Short version: How can Zanna and Deeba protect UnLondon from Smog

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

“The Princess Bride” is one of my favorite movies. I enjoy the book as well and decided it was time to read it to my kids.

Published: 1973

Genre: historical fiction/fantasy

Length: 283 pages

Setting: Guilder, medieval technology and 1970s New York City

Summary: Short version: True love conquers all