The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan, Trials of Apollo

In the third installment of following Apollo, currently known as Lester Papadopoulos, I actually like him!  I also am pulling for him, not just his companions that are being forced to help him or die a terrible death.

At least now we know why California has been on fire the past few years.   Along with the heartache there is also a tremendous amount of hope that is laced throughout the novel.  Thankfully, the ending leads to the beginning of another episode in the life of Lester/Apollo.

All I Needed To Know I Learned in Kindergarten

By Robert Fulghum

The best part about this book is it makes you think.  You don't have to agree with all the author writes to enjoy it, always a good thing to have in a book.  I read it when it came out but got more from it at a later reading than before.  Another top quality in a book. 
A series of essays and observations about life.  Much is about social order and how to be a part of life with people that are not exactly like you. I believe I will use a few selections in my classroom for reflection and class discussions.

Banker by Dick Francis

There is so much more to racing than the day of the horse race.   There is health care, trades, favors, enormous amounts of money and quite often some shading dealings.

Tim Ekaterin is a young banker, in a family firm that must prove his worth as the road he came by to arrive there involved an alcoholic father and a mother with a gambling obsession that cost the family all that they had.  Naturally there are some there that believe he will follow the road of his parents and take the bank with him in the process.

An opportunity arises for a large investment in a top racehorse that will be put to stud.  The potential money is astounding by 1982 standards, the year of publication.

Many twist and turns with deceit and intrigue.  Highly recommend.

Murder in Three Acts by Agatha Christie

A vicar is murdered, by poison, during a cocktail party.  Then months later another murder occurs with some of the same people present.  The third act of the murder stars Hercule Poriot and once he enters the stage things get interesting.

If you pay attention on this one you can figure it out before the end, an usual feature in a Christie novel.  Very enjoyable read.

The jShadowhunters Codex by Cassandra Claire and Joshua Lewis

If you are a new Shadowhunter and had just Ascended then this might be the book you need.  Basic information for the new Shadowhunter with little sidebars written by Simon Lewis, Clary Fairchild and of course Jace.

The main thing is the sidebars by Simon are funny. Plenty of drawings by Clary and Jace is just a little to serious at times.   Enjoyable read that gives some background information.  At times your realize how hidebound the Clave is but at least they admit it, kind of, maybe, sorta......

The Scottish Prisioner by Diana Galbadon

As Mrs. Galbadon states on her website, this is one of the "little" book in between the "great big books".  If you have read the Outlander series this story fills in a few things, if not it is a stand alone novel.
Lord John Grey needs the help of Jamie Fraser, aka Alex Mackenzie, to investigate part of the evidence of a court martial.  Things are never quite that simple of course but it does get the story rolling.
Filled with intrigue, plots, counterplots, spies, a sprinkling of Jacobites and several ah-ha moments.
Very enjoyable read which I highly recommend.

Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare

 A very enjoyable book that brings several themes to the forefront.  Even if you are a descendent of an angel you are not always a good and righteous person.  Love does not solve all problems, at times it creates larger ones.  Prejudice at some level is always present, be it the conditions of a person's birth, mental state, choice of life partner.  The bonds of family can be so strong that logical thinking is impaired.   There is a reason that young people need adults around to temper emotions.
My only fault is it just ended.  Ms. Clare had best be working hard on the next installment.