62. In the Red. Christopher Swiedler. 2020. [March] 288 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: By Friday afternoon, after a week of careful thought, Michael Prasad had come up with just one theory for how he might make it to Monday morning without getting grounded for the rest of his life.

Premise/plot: In the Red is a middle grade science fiction novel set on Mars. Michael, the hero, has been forbidden to try (again) for his basic certification--being certified to go out on the surface of Mars in an environmental suit. Most pass by the age of ten--he's twelve. But he's experienced panic attacks in the past on test day--that were not pretty. Michael feels certain he's a big disappointment to his dad. If he can just get over his panic attacks then he could visit his father at work on the station. So many things he could do...if only his body didn't betray him.

Lilith, Michael's best, best, best friend, is so supportive of him. For better or worse--after another failed attempt--she suggests the two of them SNEAK out and go to the surface. What could go wrong????

If nothing went wrong, In the Red would be a short story that few would find super-compelling. Instead it is action packed and filled with danger. Action packed yet still character driven. Despite the jacket copy telling readers a LOT of what to expect, I recommend reading it knowing as little as possible.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED this one. If you like survivor stories, science fiction, coming of age, characters with depth that are relatable, adventure, action...this one has it all. It's so well paced too. I loved the narrator, Michael. I loved his relationships with his best friend, Lilith, and with his brother. (Though we see very little of Peter.)  

It is premise-driven, action-driven, and character-driven. It's hard to be all three--to excel at all three. It is easy to *try* not so easy to succeed. This is an excellent book.

ETA: I first read In the Red in July 2021, I reread it in August 2026. It was just as awesome as I remembered. It was SO good. Highly recommend.

Quotes:

"Well, whatever you do, don't give up, okay?" Peter said. "Don't let anyone convince you that you're some kind of freak."
"I am a freak," Michael mumbled.
"No," Peter said firmly. "You're not. I don't care how many panic attacks you have."
"Mom and Dad don't see it that way."
"Mom and Dad just want to protect you, because that's their job," Peter said. "But part of growing up is deciding when you don't need protection anymore."

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

61. Old Man's War. John Scalzi. 2005. 318 pages. [Source: Library] [adult science fiction, 5 stars, military science fiction]

John Perry, our narrator, is a great guy to get to know. He's seventy-five, but his life is just beginning. Or should I say, just beginning to begin again. John and Kathy--like so many other senior citizens--decided upon reaching the big 6-5 to volunteer for the army. (They have ten years to change their minds. They're called into service when they're 75.) What does this mean? It means that as soldiers they'll be leaving Earth behind forever. They're not allowed to return...ever. But it also means--in a way--longevity. Though no one knows quite how, they know that *something* will be done to their bodies to make them young and strong and vibrant again. Sure, to get this vitality, this new youth, this health they have to pledge themselves to serve in the army, to fight to protect human colonies on other planets. Two to ten years. That's what it will cost. If they survive, they'll have a second life, a second chance. (Just remember that a younger body doesn't make for a younger soul.)

John doesn't know exactly all that he's in for. But he knows it's bound to be better than just growing old and dying. He figures that he can adapt to just about anything.

War. It's inescapable when it's in the title. John Perry will have to fight to survive, to stay alive. He'll have to learn to follow orders. (Not all of his fellow soldiers do, you know. Some pay for this with their lives.) And John has the makings of an excellent soldier. He's good at surviving. Suspiciously good at surviving if you ask some folks. Unlike most soldiers, John is going to have some close encounters with the Special Forces. Actually serving alongside them for a while. And what he learns is a bit shocking...to him at least.

Old Man's War is an engaging read. It has just the right blend of humor and action to make it worthwhile.

I first read this one in July 2009. I reread it in August 2026. I had forgotten so much except that at one point I loved it. I ended up loving it again. There were a few chapters that I didn't quite love--that weren't clean. But most readers probably don't mind that. And it wasn't like it was every chapter or every few chapters. It was isolated almost to one or two chapters. It was VERY military oriented. It was good.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

This week I read three books!

58. Every Time a Bell Rings: The Legacy of It's a Wonderful Life, America's Most Beloved Holiday Film. Emily St. James and Lauren Theisen. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars, adult nonfiction, essays]
59. The Phantom Tollbooth. Norton Juster. Illustrated by Jules Feiffer. 1961/2011. Random House. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, children's fantasy, children's classic]

60. A Mismatch Made in London. Melanie Dickerson. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical romance, clean romance]

Century of Viewing

1980s

• 1980 Flash Gordon. Was it ridiculous???? YES. All the yes. Was it enjoyably ridiculous? Mostly. So Flash Gordon must save the world, the galaxy, something like that.

2020s

• 2023 Strong Girl Nam-Soon. I loved, loved, loved this k-drama! The women in this family are super-super-super-strong. Gang Nam-soon went missing as a child....lost on a trip with her dad in Mongolia. She comes to Korea looking for her birth parents...and discovers SO much more. This one is all the awesome. Loved the intense drama. Loved the romance. Loved the quirky characters.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

60. A Mismatch Made in London. Melanie Dickerson. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical romance, clean romance]

First sentence: I concentrated on putting the finishing touch of red paint on the paper soldier I was making for Matthew.

Premise/plot: Amelia Moore is the oldest daughter of a large family. She's been invited by her aunt and uncle to spend time with them in London for the season in the hopes of making a match and securing her future. Her family isn't poor or destitute, but, there are a LOT of them. After being called a country bumpkin essentially, Amelia gets emotional and is saved by the super, super sweet Juliet Beaumont. The two become friendly--quite friendly. But her brother, Jeremy, who is the "catch of the season" allegedly, has his doubts on Amelia's motives. Did she seek out his sister so that she could spend time with HIM. She is insulted by this insinuation, but, she is the forgiving sort. Jeremy may not be friend material BUT Juliet is sweet and lovely. Being in London is great fun with a good friend by your side. As the two navigate the season--both young and inexperienced in the ways of the world--they will face challenges...and a possible scandal or two.

A Mismatch Made in London is set in England in 1811 during the Regency period. It is a clean romance though there is mention of more adult things. Juliet makes an unwise decision and ends up in danger. I think this was handled well and is realistic. Chaperones were necessary for a reason. But I love that Juliet's closest reassure her she did absolutely nothing wrong to deserve it.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. I didn't like Melanie Dickerson's other historical romance that I read earlier this year inspired by Jane Eyre, but, this one was FABULOUS. It is inspired by Pride and Prejudice AND Northanger Abbey. AND it features the tropes romance with best friend's brother AND enemies to lovers.

I enjoyed all of the characters--particularly Juliet, Amelia, and Jeremy. I loved that Amelia didn't forget her family--her brothers and sisters. She was always thinking of her family. She wasn't swept up and away by city life. And it felt natural. There aren't a lot of side characters, but, the three main characters are well fleshed.

It is technically Christian fiction. BUT I would say it's light, mild. I would say it is more "clean romance" than Christian romance with the intent to share the gospel. It's more like "forgiveness is good" and "be kind to others."


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

59. The Phantom Tollbooth. Norton Juster. Illustrated by Jules Feiffer. 1961/2011. Random House. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, children's fantasy, children's classic]

First sentence: There was once a boy named Milo who didn't know what to do with himself--not just sometimes, but always.

Premise/plot: Milo, our hero, is about to have an "impossible" adventure. His day starts out very ordinary, however, by the end of the day Milo will be quite transformed!

It starts with a mysterious gift-box. It holds a tollbooth for him to construct, also included are instructions, rule books, and a map. He randomly chooses to go to Dictionopolis. But though that is his original destination, Milo finds that travels--magical or not--take some thought and intention.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved this one! I first read it in September 2013. I'm only now rereading it, but, this should be one I read again and again more frequently.

The writing is AMAZING. It is clever, rich in meaning and symbolism. And it is oh so quotable! One of those rare books where you could almost open up the book to any page and find a gem worth quoting!

Loved the writing, loved the creativity, loved the characters!

Favorite quotes:

“Expect everything, I always say, and the unexpected never happens.”

“You may not see it now," said the Princess of Pure Reason, looking knowingly at Milo's puzzled face, "but whatever we learn has a purpose and whatever we do affects everything and everyone else, if even in the tiniest way. Why, when a housefly flaps his wings, a breeze goes round the world; when a speck of dust falls to the ground, the entire planet weighs a little more; and when you stamp your foot, the earth moves slightly off its course. Whenever you laugh, gladness spreads like the ripples in the pond; and whenever you're sad, no one anywhere can be really happy. And it's much the same thing with knowledge, for whenever you learn something new, the whole world becomes that much richer.”

“So many things are possible just as long as you don't know they're impossible.”

“Everybody is so terribly sensitive about the things they know best.”

“And remember, also," added the Princess of Sweet Rhyme, "that many places you would like to see are just off the map and many things you want to know are just out of sight or a little beyond your reach. But someday you'll reach them all, for what you learn today, for no reason at all, will help you discover all the wonderful secrets of tomorrow.”

“In this box are all the words I know…Most of them you will never need, some you will use constantly, but with them you may ask all the questions which have never been answered and answer all the questions which have never been asked. All the great books of the past and all the ones yet to come are made with these words. With them there is no obstacle you cannot overcome. All you must learn to do is to use them well and in the right places.” 

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews