Mary R. Lanni (Author of Early Learning through Play)

Mary rated a book it was amazing The Runespeaker (The Runetree Chronicles Book 3) by Brendan Corbett (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
After her mentor Gieral’s abrupt and untimely death, Aeda is set adrift, untethered as she navigates her fledgling and newly independent existence as a lost Historian’s apprentice. Swallowing her grief, Aeda reluctantly accepts her ascendance into th ...more
Jul 31, 2024 04:10PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Runespeaker by Brendan Corbett. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Runespeaker by Brendan Corbett
Mary rated a book really liked it The Scale of Time: From the Beginning by Joseph Lanzara	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
It is difficult for humans to truly comprehend the vastness of the universe or the enormity of time, simply because the yardstick against which humanity has to measure anything is relatively small. This book attempts to condense all that is known abo ...more
Jul 30, 2024 08:14PM · like · see review
Mary has read Angel Eyes: The Haunting of January House (Penny Wright, # 2) by A.N. Willis (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 29, 2024 12:08PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Angel Eyes by A.N. Willis. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Angel Eyes by A.N. Willis
Mary rated a book really liked it The Legendary Mo Seto by A.Y. Chan (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Twelve-year-old Modesty Seto loves taekwondo, but her diminutive stature seems to be keeping her from succeeding in everything she ever wants to do. When her martial arts idol Cody Kwak is looking for a costar for his next movie in Mo’s hometown, she ...more
Jul 24, 2024 07:39PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Legendary Mo Seto by A.Y. Chan. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Legendary Mo Seto by A.Y. Chan
Mary rated a book it was amazing Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
In 1932, tragedy struck the Ralston family when two of the seven Ralston children died in a single day. Seemingly cursed, the family continued to suffer through the years, ultimately abandoning its opulent home in the Thousand Islands region of New Y ...more
Jul 21, 2024 06:18PM · like · see review
Mary rated a book really liked it Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
The year is 1517, and the Medici family has a stranglehold on the city of Florence. Though not everyone agrees with the Medici family’s choices, their money, power, and influence keep them on top. When an industrious youth learns of a chink in the Me ...more
Jul 19, 2024 09:34PM · like · see review
Mary rated a book liked it Mass Exodus by Chris von Halle (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
One hundred million years into the future, Maipsewood—possibly the last human settlement on Earth—is encased in the remnants of what used to be a city called Pittsburgh. Fenced in by the dangers presented by the gigantic Terrosaurs that roam the plan ...more
Jul 04, 2024 07:20AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Mass Exodus by Chris von Halle. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Mass Exodus by Chris von Halle
Mary rated a book really liked it A Soul Spoken (The Exhale Chronicles Book 2) by Q. Imagine (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
When she was seventeen, Jane Mackenzie was kidnapped, lucky to be found alive three weeks later. Now, at twenty years old, Jane is working on a journalism degree and circumstances have prompted her to look into the unsolved pieces of her own case. Bu ...more
Jun 29, 2024 08:22PM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Soul Spoken by Q. Imagine. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Soul Spoken by Q. Imagine
Mary rated a book really liked it The Little Elf Finds His Spark: An Illustrated Children's Book About Courage and Kindness for Children Ages 4-8 (The Little Creatures Find Their Magic) by Tasneem Dairywala (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Ayaan the elf adores his sparkly orange nose both because it is beautiful and because it sets him apart from the other, less vibrant, purple-nosed elves. One day, Ayaan accidentally falls into the Great Pond and his nose loses its luster, leaving Aya ...more
Jun 28, 2024 10:47AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Little Elf Finds His Spark by Tasneem Dairywala. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Little Elf Finds His Spark by Tasneem Dairywala
Mary rated a book it was amazing The Rebel (The Legion of Pneumos) by H.B. Reneau (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
People do not expect much of Neval Brennan, especially because he is the son of an alcoholic father who has earned no respect from their community. Neval’s best friends Tegan and Rowan are exceptions to this rule, though, as they can see all the pote ...more
Jun 27, 2024 05:14AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Rebel by H.B. Reneau. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Rebel by H.B. Reneau

Mary rated a book it was amazing

The Runespeaker (The Runetree Chronicles Book 3)
by Brendan Corbett (Goodreads Author)

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After her mentor Gieral’s abrupt and untimely death, Aeda is set adrift, untethered as she navigates her fledgling and newly independent existence as a lost Historian’s apprentice. Swallowing her grief, Aeda reluctantly accepts her ascendance into th ...more

Mary rated a book really liked it

The Scale of Time: From the Beginning
by Joseph Lanzara

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It is difficult for humans to truly comprehend the vastness of the universe or the enormity of time, simply because the yardstick against which humanity has to measure anything is relatively small. This book attempts to condense all that is known abo ...more

Mary has read

Angel Eyes: The Haunting of January House (Penny Wright, # 2)
by A.N. Willis (Goodreads Author)

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The Legendary Mo Seto
by A.Y. Chan (Goodreads Author)

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Twelve-year-old Modesty Seto loves taekwondo, but her diminutive stature seems to be keeping her from succeeding in everything she ever wants to do. When her martial arts idol Cody Kwak is looking for a costar for his next movie in Mo’s hometown, she Twelve-year-old Modesty Seto loves taekwondo, but her diminutive stature seems to be keeping her from succeeding in everything she ever wants to do. When her martial arts idol Cody Kwak is looking for a costar for his next movie in Mo’s hometown, she feels like this is exactly the break she needs to show everyone how fierce she is—and to recapture her father’s affection. Even though the minimum height for the audition is five feet, Mo squirrels her way in with some mysterious martial arts moves she picked up from a forgotten book in her basement. But the book is more than it seems, and as Mo becomes more adept at the moves she attempts, she begins to realize that even small people can be fierce.

This fun, fast-paced middle grade novel is especially powerful for readers who are small in stature and have ever wished for the world to recognize the strength they possess inside. As a young, female martial artist, Mo is already a role model, and despite her need to lie throughout much of the book, her perseverance is something to be respected. Several of the other competitors are unkind to Mo during the audition process, but she digs deep to not give into their taunts and focus instead on her ultimate goal. And as unexpected situations continue to arise, Mo finds herself naturally broadcasting her strengths in increasingly complex ways.

Martial arts is a focal point of this novel, but familiar middle grade experiences are found within it, as well. Romantic feelings begin to develop between Mo and her best friend Nacho, Mo discovers a new relationship with her mother, and tensions at home add challenges to her plight. All of these elements together help the narrative feel more relatable, and readers will find similarities between themselves and Mo as the story unfolds. Designed for a sequel, this book is an engaging start to Mo’s tale, and it is one that will especially appeal to young readers with a taste for martial arts adventures. Accessible and entertaining, this novel is well suited to confident middle grade readers. ...more

Mary rated a book it was amazing

Death at Morning House
by Maureen Johnson (Goodreads Author)

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In 1932, tragedy struck the Ralston family when two of the seven Ralston children died in a single day. Seemingly cursed, the family continued to suffer through the years, ultimately abandoning its opulent home in the Thousand Islands region of New Y ...more

Mary rated a book really liked it

Medici Heist
by Caitlin Schneiderhan (Goodreads Author)

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The year is 1517, and the Medici family has a stranglehold on the city of Florence. Though not everyone agrees with the Medici family’s choices, their money, power, and influence keep them on top. When an industrious youth learns of a chink in the Me The year is 1517, and the Medici family has a stranglehold on the city of Florence. Though not everyone agrees with the Medici family’s choices, their money, power, and influence keep them on top. When an industrious youth learns of a chink in the Medici family’s armor, though, she begins to bring together a team of like-minded comrades to develop a plan. Their ultimate goal is to infiltrate the Medici family’s stronghold to recover their ill-gotten money and unseat them for good. But there is no easy way to accomplish their mission, and they must capitalize upon each of their unique strengths in order to have any chance of success.

This engaging story is captivatingly written, incorporating a wealth of details within its distinctly written narrative. The story is told from the perspectives of several characters in the third person, which allows readers to directly understand each character’s drive and ambition. Though young, the characters in this novel have lived complicated lives, and they each have a compelling reason to want their heist to succeed. Clever dialogue, LGBTQIA+ elements, and what diversity might have been possible in 1500s Italy all help to create a robust tapestry within which this novel can take place.

While this fictional novel reads as a story written for young adults, its historical components are well-researched and blend well with the narrative. After the novel’s conclusion, readers will be inspired to discover more about Italy in the 1500s to understand exactly where the line between fiction and reality can truly be found. Some liberties are taken, of course, but it is intriguing to wonder about whether something like the events in this book might have ever taken place. Though there are moments of slowness as the heist is being developed, the story ultimately keeps readers engaged, and the novel is left open for a potential sequel. Well-written and filled with depth, this story will appeal to readers who enjoy young adult novels with a touch of history, adventure, romance, and rebellion. ...more

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Mass Exodus
by Chris von Halle (Goodreads Author)

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One hundred million years into the future, Maipsewood—possibly the last human settlement on Earth—is encased in the remnants of what used to be a city called Pittsburgh. Fenced in by the dangers presented by the gigantic Terrosaurs that roam the plan ...more

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A Soul Spoken (The Exhale Chronicles Book 2)
by Q. Imagine (Goodreads Author)

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When she was seventeen, Jane Mackenzie was kidnapped, lucky to be found alive three weeks later. Now, at twenty years old, Jane is working on a journalism degree and circumstances have prompted her to look into the unsolved pieces of her own case. Bu When she was seventeen, Jane Mackenzie was kidnapped, lucky to be found alive three weeks later. Now, at twenty years old, Jane is working on a journalism degree and circumstances have prompted her to look into the unsolved pieces of her own case. But doing so is more dangerous than she realizes, and as she begins being targeted once more, the FBI offers to help protect her, and Jane finds herself in an intricate and unbelievable quagmire. Luckily, Jane has myriad companions who are willing to stand alongside her, and her determination may be just what is needed to resolve her case once and for all.

This second book in its series has an intriguing premise, especially because it is written in the present tense and begins in something of a Film Noir style. While the writing itself is not as refined as that found in most novels, it nevertheless moves the story forward and keeps readers wondering what will happen next. Told primarily from Jane’s perspective and in the third person, the narrative provides ample detail of setting and circumstance, but Jane's internal thoughts are relatively limited. This design offers readers the opportunity to resolve the mystery on their own as the story unfolds.

The presentation of this book begins as one of an ongoing delivery of information rather than a segmented novel. Traditional chapters do not appear in the story until about halfway through, which is intriguing because the narrative shifts its perspective due to this choice. What initially reads as a stream of consciousness gains some organization as chapters appear, much as Jane’s progress in her case finds forward momentum at the same time. Through text messages, conversations, and unexpected encounters, this narrative provides engaging evidence for Jane’s investigation in a style that is easily accessible. Mentions of drug use, abduction, and torture are found throughout this novel, and readers need not have read the first book for this one to make sense. Young adult readers with an interest in crime fiction will find this to be a uniquely memorable story that is left open for a sequel. ...more

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The Little Elf Finds His Spark by Tasneem Dairywala

The Little Elf Finds His Spark: An Illustrated Children's Book About Courage and Kindness for Children Ages 4-8 (The Little Creatures Find Their Magic)
by Tasneem Dairywala (Goodreads Author)

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Ayaan the elf adores his sparkly orange nose both because it is beautiful and because it sets him apart from the other, less vibrant, purple-nosed elves. One day, Ayaan accidentally falls into the Great Pond and his nose loses its luster, leaving Aya ...more

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The Rebel (The Legion of Pneumos)
by H.B. Reneau (Goodreads Author)

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People do not expect much of Neval Brennan, especially because he is the son of an alcoholic father who has earned no respect from their community. Neval’s best friends Tegan and Rowan are exceptions to this rule, though, as they can see all the pote People do not expect much of Neval Brennan, especially because he is the son of an alcoholic father who has earned no respect from their community. Neval’s best friends Tegan and Rowan are exceptions to this rule, though, as they can see all the potential that simmers beneath the surface of Neval’s outward persona. Unfortunately, Tegan and Rowan are betrothed, and Neval is left with both a disappointing home life and an unrequited love for Tegan burning deep within him. One fateful day, Neval finally chooses to bravely embrace his independence, which opens the door for both the successes and the mistakes that will inevitably follow.

This addition to the fantasy world of the Legion of Pneumos series focuses on a lesser-known character and his rise to influence. As in the other books in this collection, the writing immediately immerses readers in Neval’s reality, encouraging readers to be engaged in the story from the first pages. Many moments of internal thought and reflection surround Neval throughout the novel, and while this reduces the amount of action that can occur within the narrative, it provides readers with ample insight into Neval’s behaviors and inspirations.

While this novel takes place in a fantasy locale, it is filled with characters and experiences that are universal across human existence. Love and friendship, betrayal and heartbreak, encouragement and defeat all find themselves within the pages of this book, and readers will recognize moments in Neval’s journey as he works toward his goal. At the beginning of the book, a map orients readers to Neval’s homeland, and the narrative enhances the reader’s understanding of both this fantasy world and Neval’s place within it. This novella is a positive addition to the Legion of Pneumos series as a whole, and fans of the other installments will especially appreciate this story. Good for mature young adult and new adult readers, this book is an engaging addition to library fantasy collections. ...more

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