Naomi Kritzer's Catfishing on CatNet
Y’all, I LOVED THIS BOOK. I totally read it all in one sitting and enjoyed every single second. It’s about Steph, whose mother always moves her from place to place—to keep her away from her abusive father—and so Steph's only friends are her internet pals on the CatNet site. BUTTTTTT one of those pals is a sentient AI!! (I think the one from Kritzer's award winning story Cat Pictures Please.) I LOVE a sentient AI that loves its friends!! Soon danger catches up with them, and everyone has to band together to save the day, and each other. I just thought this was so sweet and funny and amazing. Internet friends rule! AIs rule! Cat pics rule. Read this book!!! A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in November.
Saturday, October 05, 2019
Friday, October 04, 2019
2019 book 122
Eva Ibbotson's A Song for Summer
I needed a palate cleanser after that last book, so decided to reread this classic Ibbotson novel, wherein a young woman raised by suffragist activists, being of a more practical nature, winds up studying the domestic arts and heading to Austria to work at a boarding school. But . . . it's Austria in 1937. Ibbotson crafts a story that’s bittersweet, funny, and full of heroic acts of all kinds. I like her perspective; Art is good and good food is good, even if artists are sometimes silly, and NAZIS ARE BAD. Just all around a satisfying and not very intense read.
I needed a palate cleanser after that last book, so decided to reread this classic Ibbotson novel, wherein a young woman raised by suffragist activists, being of a more practical nature, winds up studying the domestic arts and heading to Austria to work at a boarding school. But . . . it's Austria in 1937. Ibbotson crafts a story that’s bittersweet, funny, and full of heroic acts of all kinds. I like her perspective; Art is good and good food is good, even if artists are sometimes silly, and NAZIS ARE BAD. Just all around a satisfying and not very intense read.
Thursday, October 03, 2019
2019 book 121
Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust: The Secret Commonwealth
Normally I don't prioritize books by white cis male authors, but I'm still interested in the adventures of Lyra--now a twenty year old college student--so figured I'd make an exception. And then I got to page 187 and said "oh, no. Oh, gross" OUT LOUD. This is what I get for trusting male authors: a character who is "in love" with a girl he's known since she was a baby, who was attracted to her when she was a young teen WHO HE WAS TEACHING, but now it's okay because she's twenty????? And in mortal danger???? Pullman even has a sensible lady tell this dude "it's cool, you're both adults!" EWWWW no. And it’s not that the age difference is even that big, it’s just that Pullman presents all this in a very . . . clueless manner (Lyra secretly enjoys being catcalled, if you were wondering more about the general vibe.) Lyra, of course, is also threatened with rape at one point.
The story here is kind of weird, too; Pullman is doing his usual railing against corrupt organized religion, and has now added rational intellectuals and skeptics (who hate imagination? it's all bizarre) to the mix. I just think it's weird that all these secret groups of powerful/evil men are still all after this one poor girl. And then everyone is just journeying around for the entire book. It doesn’t have a remotely satisfying conclusion, because the conclusion will be in the next book. Just all around not good. C-.
Normally I don't prioritize books by white cis male authors, but I'm still interested in the adventures of Lyra--now a twenty year old college student--so figured I'd make an exception. And then I got to page 187 and said "oh, no. Oh, gross" OUT LOUD. This is what I get for trusting male authors: a character who is "in love" with a girl he's known since she was a baby, who was attracted to her when she was a young teen WHO HE WAS TEACHING, but now it's okay because she's twenty????? And in mortal danger???? Pullman even has a sensible lady tell this dude "it's cool, you're both adults!" EWWWW no. And it’s not that the age difference is even that big, it’s just that Pullman presents all this in a very . . . clueless manner (Lyra secretly enjoys being catcalled, if you were wondering more about the general vibe.) Lyra, of course, is also threatened with rape at one point.
The story here is kind of weird, too; Pullman is doing his usual railing against corrupt organized religion, and has now added rational intellectuals and skeptics (who hate imagination? it's all bizarre) to the mix. I just think it's weird that all these secret groups of powerful/evil men are still all after this one poor girl. And then everyone is just journeying around for the entire book. It doesn’t have a remotely satisfying conclusion, because the conclusion will be in the next book. Just all around not good. C-.
Wednesday, October 02, 2019
2019 book 120
T. Kingfisher's The Twisted Ones
I had a real quandary here, because I don’t like reading horror stories (I get creeped out super easily), but I read basically everything Ursula Vernon writes! So of course I had to give this a shot. I will say that it is apparently full of literary references to classic/pulp horror stories, but I have never read any of those and missed all of that. SHRUG. Anyway, this is about a woman from Pittsburgh (yay!), a copy editor, who has to head down to North Carolina to clean out her recently deceased hoarder grandmother's house. And then weird things start happening. This was definitely creepy, but full of Vernon's trademark down-to-earth characters, which I appreciated. I especially liked the bold lipstick wearing elderly neighbor and whenever the protagonist's inner editor took over. There is also a hound dog, clearly modeled on real hound dogs Vernon has known. Anyway, this wasn’t my favorite of her books, but it’s not really a genre I’m into. I still liked it a lot. And kind of regret reading it after dark. B+.
I had a real quandary here, because I don’t like reading horror stories (I get creeped out super easily), but I read basically everything Ursula Vernon writes! So of course I had to give this a shot. I will say that it is apparently full of literary references to classic/pulp horror stories, but I have never read any of those and missed all of that. SHRUG. Anyway, this is about a woman from Pittsburgh (yay!), a copy editor, who has to head down to North Carolina to clean out her recently deceased hoarder grandmother's house. And then weird things start happening. This was definitely creepy, but full of Vernon's trademark down-to-earth characters, which I appreciated. I especially liked the bold lipstick wearing elderly neighbor and whenever the protagonist's inner editor took over. There is also a hound dog, clearly modeled on real hound dogs Vernon has known. Anyway, this wasn’t my favorite of her books, but it’s not really a genre I’m into. I still liked it a lot. And kind of regret reading it after dark. B+.
Tuesday, October 01, 2019
2019 book 119
Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin
I had a yen to reread some Atwood novels--it's been so long since I read this one that my blog didn't even exist yet! It was a bit slower than I remembered, but not in a bad way--more of a meditative way. It's the story of an elderly woman, who's writing her life story, interspersed with excerpts of the famous novel her sister wrote before killing herself. It's moving and compelling, with vibrant characters and a dry sense of humor, and gets at issues of feminism, and aging, and injustice, and families of all kinds. I'll definitely be revisiting more of Atwood's earlier works.
I had a yen to reread some Atwood novels--it's been so long since I read this one that my blog didn't even exist yet! It was a bit slower than I remembered, but not in a bad way--more of a meditative way. It's the story of an elderly woman, who's writing her life story, interspersed with excerpts of the famous novel her sister wrote before killing herself. It's moving and compelling, with vibrant characters and a dry sense of humor, and gets at issues of feminism, and aging, and injustice, and families of all kinds. I'll definitely be revisiting more of Atwood's earlier works.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
2019 book 118
Annalee Newitz's The Future of Another Timeline
Newitz's latest novel is a time travel story, which you know is my jam. The premise here is that at some point humans discovered weird machines embedded in the earth that allow time travel, and in the near future there are specialized fields of academia that study it. And amongst those academics are a secret group of feminists who are trying to fix the past from the meddling of a RIVAL group of male time travelers who are MISOGYNIST, and are rolling back the rights of women (I definitely wished for a little more subtlety from this novel, in general). But one of the feminists is also secretly visiting HER OWN PAST. I did like this a lot, there are some super interesting and some fun parts, but definitely wanted more from the ending. A-/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
Newitz's latest novel is a time travel story, which you know is my jam. The premise here is that at some point humans discovered weird machines embedded in the earth that allow time travel, and in the near future there are specialized fields of academia that study it. And amongst those academics are a secret group of feminists who are trying to fix the past from the meddling of a RIVAL group of male time travelers who are MISOGYNIST, and are rolling back the rights of women (I definitely wished for a little more subtlety from this novel, in general). But one of the feminists is also secretly visiting HER OWN PAST. I did like this a lot, there are some super interesting and some fun parts, but definitely wanted more from the ending. A-/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
2019 book 117
Rainbow Rowell's Wayward Son
I don't want to spoil anything about this, so I will just say that the promised road trip is pretty awesome, Rowell totally zags where I thought she would zig, and there had BETTER be another book on the way. I was totally caught up while reading this but I don't know if it brought me as much JOY as its predecessor (few things do, though). I had better read it again so I can be sure. A/A-.
I don't want to spoil anything about this, so I will just say that the promised road trip is pretty awesome, Rowell totally zags where I thought she would zig, and there had BETTER be another book on the way. I was totally caught up while reading this but I don't know if it brought me as much JOY as its predecessor (few things do, though). I had better read it again so I can be sure. A/A-.
Monday, September 23, 2019
2019 book 116
Casey McQuiston's Red White and Royal Blue
I was rereading this for book club, and I think I liked it even more the second time! It’s got a super cute and compelling romance, characters you're invested in and rooting for, great secondary characters, interesting family relationships and friendships, politics, and more! Plus it is super funny and heartfelt. Just a book that fills your whole heart.
I was rereading this for book club, and I think I liked it even more the second time! It’s got a super cute and compelling romance, characters you're invested in and rooting for, great secondary characters, interesting family relationships and friendships, politics, and more! Plus it is super funny and heartfelt. Just a book that fills your whole heart.
Saturday, September 21, 2019
2019 book 115
Rainbow Rowell's Carry On
I HAAAAD to reread this, because the sequel comes out ON TUESDAY (pleeeeease let there be Justice For Lucy). I’ve read this several times and never stop being totally delighted and totally caught up in Rowell's take on Harry Potter/magical schools/chosen ones. Just great characters, a great romance, great friendships and families. And Agatha, the only sensible magical girl ever. I LOVE THIS BOOK and can’t wait to read the follow-up.
I HAAAAD to reread this, because the sequel comes out ON TUESDAY (pleeeeease let there be Justice For Lucy). I’ve read this several times and never stop being totally delighted and totally caught up in Rowell's take on Harry Potter/magical schools/chosen ones. Just great characters, a great romance, great friendships and families. And Agatha, the only sensible magical girl ever. I LOVE THIS BOOK and can’t wait to read the follow-up.
Thursday, September 19, 2019
2019 book 114
Lisa Goldstein's Ivory Apples
Goldstein's latest centers on young Ivy, the oldest of four sisters, whose great aunt is the reclusive author of a famous fantasy novel. But maybe it’s not all fantasy? And maybe the young woman befriending the girls isn’t what she seems? I found the narrative voice and Ivy's journey compelling, but felt that her sisters were underserved by the story (especially Amaranth). The end also felt a bit abrupt. I did like the fantastical elements a lot; this is a strong entry into the mysterious magical book genre. A-/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released tomorrow.
Goldstein's latest centers on young Ivy, the oldest of four sisters, whose great aunt is the reclusive author of a famous fantasy novel. But maybe it’s not all fantasy? And maybe the young woman befriending the girls isn’t what she seems? I found the narrative voice and Ivy's journey compelling, but felt that her sisters were underserved by the story (especially Amaranth). The end also felt a bit abrupt. I did like the fantastical elements a lot; this is a strong entry into the mysterious magical book genre. A-/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
2019 book 113
Laura Weymouth's A Treason of Thorns
Weymouth's second novel, after A Light Between Worlds (which I liked a lot), is . . . fine. It's set in some historical version of England where magic is channeled through five Great Houses that keep the country healthy and prosperous. Our teen girl protagonist's father, a Caretaker of a House, was arrested for treason years ago; now she is returning to try to restore the house etc. There is also a teen boy at hand--her father's ward, with whom she grew up. The premise is interesting, I just thought the plot and characters were on the cliched side. I did appreciate the princess character and her relationship with the protagonist, and that a pair of minor characters are explicitly Jewish, but on the whole I felt kind of meh about this book. It's one of those ones that I was like, "hmm should I stop reading? But maybe it will be good?" and I didn't even have the enjoyment of hate-reading it just to write a scathing review. Just waiting for the inevitable conclusion. B.
Weymouth's second novel, after A Light Between Worlds (which I liked a lot), is . . . fine. It's set in some historical version of England where magic is channeled through five Great Houses that keep the country healthy and prosperous. Our teen girl protagonist's father, a Caretaker of a House, was arrested for treason years ago; now she is returning to try to restore the house etc. There is also a teen boy at hand--her father's ward, with whom she grew up. The premise is interesting, I just thought the plot and characters were on the cliched side. I did appreciate the princess character and her relationship with the protagonist, and that a pair of minor characters are explicitly Jewish, but on the whole I felt kind of meh about this book. It's one of those ones that I was like, "hmm should I stop reading? But maybe it will be good?" and I didn't even have the enjoyment of hate-reading it just to write a scathing review. Just waiting for the inevitable conclusion. B.
Friday, September 13, 2019
2019 book 112
Agatha Christie’s A Pocket Full of Rye
I’m still periodically reading Christie's mysteries (this one manages not to be racist, thank god). The story here starts when a businessman is POISONED—and why are there a bunch of grains in his pocket?? It's an okay mystery —Miss Marple makes an appearance but there isn’t enough of her, and the solution is not too hard to figure out. Just not as compelling as some of her others. B.
I’m still periodically reading Christie's mysteries (this one manages not to be racist, thank god). The story here starts when a businessman is POISONED—and why are there a bunch of grains in his pocket?? It's an okay mystery —Miss Marple makes an appearance but there isn’t enough of her, and the solution is not too hard to figure out. Just not as compelling as some of her others. B.
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
2019 book 111
Margaret Atwood's The Testaments
Ooh y'all, the unexpected sequel to The Handmaid's Tale is here, and it lives up to the hype. It's set fifteen years after its predecessor, narrated by two young girls who've come of age in this new order--one a cherished daughter in Gilead, and one a regular girl up in Canada. There is also a third narrator--Aunt Lydia, from the first book. Eventually, their stories start to come together, and there are some really great women friendships and rivalries and some potent moments here. I will say that I kiiiiiiind of felt like this story cheapens the original book and its powerful ambiguity. It’s a great book, don’t get me wrong, but I am not sure it’s a /necessary/ one.
If you're wondering how this reads to someone who stopped watching the show after the third episode (too upsetting, and then I heard it went off the rails in season two): I kind of felt like I was maybe missing stuff, but nothing crucial. I did read an interview that implied this and the show share a continuity, or at least Atwood made sure the show didn't contradict the book. But it reads fine on its own. A/A-.
Ooh y'all, the unexpected sequel to The Handmaid's Tale is here, and it lives up to the hype. It's set fifteen years after its predecessor, narrated by two young girls who've come of age in this new order--one a cherished daughter in Gilead, and one a regular girl up in Canada. There is also a third narrator--Aunt Lydia, from the first book. Eventually, their stories start to come together, and there are some really great women friendships and rivalries and some potent moments here. I will say that I kiiiiiiind of felt like this story cheapens the original book and its powerful ambiguity. It’s a great book, don’t get me wrong, but I am not sure it’s a /necessary/ one.
If you're wondering how this reads to someone who stopped watching the show after the third episode (too upsetting, and then I heard it went off the rails in season two): I kind of felt like I was maybe missing stuff, but nothing crucial. I did read an interview that implied this and the show share a continuity, or at least Atwood made sure the show didn't contradict the book. But it reads fine on its own. A/A-.
Sunday, September 08, 2019
2019 book 110
Goldie Goldbloom's On Division
So this is a novel about a Chasidic woman in their enclave in Williamsburg, and how her life is upended when she discovers she is pregnant at the age of 57. Goldbloom is clearly a part of the Chasidic community so the details and characterizations are spot on. This is just a beautifully written and moving book about family and community, particularly a community that values homogeneity. I think a lot of reviews will be talking about “a look inside a community you never see” and exoticizing that aspect, but it wasn’t written for that purpose. It was written to be the story of a woman at a crossroad, and it’s wonderful. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 17th.
So this is a novel about a Chasidic woman in their enclave in Williamsburg, and how her life is upended when she discovers she is pregnant at the age of 57. Goldbloom is clearly a part of the Chasidic community so the details and characterizations are spot on. This is just a beautifully written and moving book about family and community, particularly a community that values homogeneity. I think a lot of reviews will be talking about “a look inside a community you never see” and exoticizing that aspect, but it wasn’t written for that purpose. It was written to be the story of a woman at a crossroad, and it’s wonderful. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 17th.
2019 book 109
Jacqueline Woodson’s Red At The Bone
Woodson's Another Brooklyn was one of my favorite books in recent years, so I was super excited for this one, her second novel for adults. It didn’t quite resonate with me as much, but I still thought it was great. It centers on the family of a teen girl, doing a coming of age ceremony, and flashes back and forth through time as various relatives narrate their stories. The story touches on class issues, race issues, family, education, and more. I did wish for a little more, especially of Iris. I’ve seen comparisons of Woodson's adult novels to Toni Morrison's and I don’t totally disagree, but a lot of Morrison's works feel meatier. Still, this is a very strong book and a quick and engrossing read. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 17th.
Woodson's Another Brooklyn was one of my favorite books in recent years, so I was super excited for this one, her second novel for adults. It didn’t quite resonate with me as much, but I still thought it was great. It centers on the family of a teen girl, doing a coming of age ceremony, and flashes back and forth through time as various relatives narrate their stories. The story touches on class issues, race issues, family, education, and more. I did wish for a little more, especially of Iris. I’ve seen comparisons of Woodson's adult novels to Toni Morrison's and I don’t totally disagree, but a lot of Morrison's works feel meatier. Still, this is a very strong book and a quick and engrossing read. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 17th.
Friday, September 06, 2019
2019 book 108
Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale
I had to reread this because the sequel is out on Tuesday! I always forget how beautifully written and structured this is, and tend to only remember the grim reality of the world. And of course, really this is a story of the struggle to survive (mentally and otherwise) a horrible situation. This merits rereading for sure, not just to get all the details and things you've forgotten, but because once you know the framing device (or that there even is one), it does feel more optimistic. Anyway, great literature, fingers crossed that the sequel lives up to it.
I had to reread this because the sequel is out on Tuesday! I always forget how beautifully written and structured this is, and tend to only remember the grim reality of the world. And of course, really this is a story of the struggle to survive (mentally and otherwise) a horrible situation. This merits rereading for sure, not just to get all the details and things you've forgotten, but because once you know the framing device (or that there even is one), it does feel more optimistic. Anyway, great literature, fingers crossed that the sequel lives up to it.
Wednesday, September 04, 2019
2019 book 107
Becky Chambers' To Be Taught, If Fortunate
Chambers' latest is a stand-alone; I don't think it's set even in the same universe as her Wayfarers books (which is to say: you can read this even if you haven't read those--though you SHOULD read them). It's set in the semi-near future, and centers on a crew of four astronaut-scientists exploring some habitable exoplanets far, far away (thanks to exciting feats of bioengineering etc). I don't want to really describe the plot, such as it is--this is more of a sort of character study, and a study of the wonders of the universe, and connections between people, and the people left behind. I will be thinking about this one for a while, for sure. A/A-.
Chambers' latest is a stand-alone; I don't think it's set even in the same universe as her Wayfarers books (which is to say: you can read this even if you haven't read those--though you SHOULD read them). It's set in the semi-near future, and centers on a crew of four astronaut-scientists exploring some habitable exoplanets far, far away (thanks to exciting feats of bioengineering etc). I don't want to really describe the plot, such as it is--this is more of a sort of character study, and a study of the wonders of the universe, and connections between people, and the people left behind. I will be thinking about this one for a while, for sure. A/A-.
Monday, September 02, 2019
2019 book 106
Jasmine Guillory's Royal Holiday
Yesss, it’s another super cute Guillory romance! This one starts off when Maddie, the stylist from the previous books, has to go to England over Christmas to style THE DUCHESS, and brings her mom! Who immediately meets the Queen's dishy private secretary and an attraction blooms. I really enjoyed reading a romance with two fifty-something black people, and this also avoids a lot of the miscommunications that bothered me in Guillory's earlier books. Plus there are lots of scones and horses and formal invitations. Great stuff! A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on October 1st.
Yesss, it’s another super cute Guillory romance! This one starts off when Maddie, the stylist from the previous books, has to go to England over Christmas to style THE DUCHESS, and brings her mom! Who immediately meets the Queen's dishy private secretary and an attraction blooms. I really enjoyed reading a romance with two fifty-something black people, and this also avoids a lot of the miscommunications that bothered me in Guillory's earlier books. Plus there are lots of scones and horses and formal invitations. Great stuff! A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on October 1st.
Sunday, September 01, 2019
2019 book 105
Alice Hoffman's The World That We Knew
Hoffman's books are hit or miss for me, but this one falls more on the hit side for sure. How could it not, when one of the main characters is a woman golem created by a rabbi's daughter and a mother desperate to protect her daughter in 1941 Berlin???? Like, talk about Alicia catnip! The other characters were slightly less enthralling to me—a girl being protected, two boys she meets in Paris, the rabbi's daughter, various members of the Resistance, etc. I did find some of the scenes very moving (particularly the interlude in a convent hiding Jewish girls, and most of the scenes involving the angel of death) but wish less of the story rested on a teen romance. Still, I loved the golem and her character arc, and really liked the end. More books with awesome Jewish folklore, please! A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 24th.
Hoffman's books are hit or miss for me, but this one falls more on the hit side for sure. How could it not, when one of the main characters is a woman golem created by a rabbi's daughter and a mother desperate to protect her daughter in 1941 Berlin???? Like, talk about Alicia catnip! The other characters were slightly less enthralling to me—a girl being protected, two boys she meets in Paris, the rabbi's daughter, various members of the Resistance, etc. I did find some of the scenes very moving (particularly the interlude in a convent hiding Jewish girls, and most of the scenes involving the angel of death) but wish less of the story rested on a teen romance. Still, I loved the golem and her character arc, and really liked the end. More books with awesome Jewish folklore, please! A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 24th.
Saturday, August 31, 2019
2019 book 104
Alix Harrow's The Ten Thousand Doors of January
Ooh y’all, I really liked this book and just read it all in one sitting. Here are some of its contents: a young girl with an unknown past, the ward of a wealthy collector; magical doors; true love; scholarly endeavors; a mysterious book; an arcane Society; and lots of adventure. Also a GOOD DOG. The protagonist is occasionally a bit stupid, but in a realistic way, and I found her very likable and sympathetic. Great characters here and I thought this book was delightful. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 10th.
Ooh y’all, I really liked this book and just read it all in one sitting. Here are some of its contents: a young girl with an unknown past, the ward of a wealthy collector; magical doors; true love; scholarly endeavors; a mysterious book; an arcane Society; and lots of adventure. Also a GOOD DOG. The protagonist is occasionally a bit stupid, but in a realistic way, and I found her very likable and sympathetic. Great characters here and I thought this book was delightful. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 10th.
Monday, August 26, 2019
2019 book 103
Marian Keyes' Anybody Out There
Rereading this for book club and it’s pretty much just as gripping as the first time I read it. It’s a moving portrayal of grief, loss, family, and the cutthroat cosmetics industry. Interspersed with emails from a PI working for the mob! Funny, sad, bittersweet, with a mildly less cheesy ending than some of Keyes' other works. B+/A-.
Rereading this for book club and it’s pretty much just as gripping as the first time I read it. It’s a moving portrayal of grief, loss, family, and the cutthroat cosmetics industry. Interspersed with emails from a PI working for the mob! Funny, sad, bittersweet, with a mildly less cheesy ending than some of Keyes' other works. B+/A-.
Saturday, August 24, 2019
2019 book 102
Seanan McGuire's The Unkindest Tide
Look, this is like the thirteenth book in the Toby Daye series; giving a plot summary won’t make any sense and you already know if you like these books. Most of the first couple chapters are exposition, which I actually appreciated as there is too much to remember. This volume finds Toby and several of the usual band of misfits on a sea witch adventure, doing the usual to save Faerie and also quickly solve a murder. I still wonder if this series is aiming for an endpoint; I’d be happy to know it was all GOING somewhere. But I guess I’ll keep reading, they’re entertaining enough. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 3rd.
Look, this is like the thirteenth book in the Toby Daye series; giving a plot summary won’t make any sense and you already know if you like these books. Most of the first couple chapters are exposition, which I actually appreciated as there is too much to remember. This volume finds Toby and several of the usual band of misfits on a sea witch adventure, doing the usual to save Faerie and also quickly solve a murder. I still wonder if this series is aiming for an endpoint; I’d be happy to know it was all GOING somewhere. But I guess I’ll keep reading, they’re entertaining enough. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 3rd.
Friday, August 23, 2019
2019 book 101
Gail Carriger's Reticence
The latest in Carriger's Custard Protocol series feels like it might be the end of her stories from the Parasol Protectorate world, and if so, it's a pretty satisfying conclusion. In this one, the usual gang (and all their new additions) make their way to Japan to find out if fox shifters exist. And there's a new (lady) doctor on board, the perfect love interest for awkward intellectual Percy! Lots of callbacks to the earlier books here (said doctor is the daughter of the villain from the prequel series, and those lady spies make some appearances) but I think the story and characters here are entertaining enough that it works without knowing all the context. I mean, these books are fluffy and fun and what's not to like? It's like steampunk meets Studio Ghibli. (I felt that Carriger did a pretty good job of avoiding Orientalism, but of course I am not an expert.) A-.
The latest in Carriger's Custard Protocol series feels like it might be the end of her stories from the Parasol Protectorate world, and if so, it's a pretty satisfying conclusion. In this one, the usual gang (and all their new additions) make their way to Japan to find out if fox shifters exist. And there's a new (lady) doctor on board, the perfect love interest for awkward intellectual Percy! Lots of callbacks to the earlier books here (said doctor is the daughter of the villain from the prequel series, and those lady spies make some appearances) but I think the story and characters here are entertaining enough that it works without knowing all the context. I mean, these books are fluffy and fun and what's not to like? It's like steampunk meets Studio Ghibli. (I felt that Carriger did a pretty good job of avoiding Orientalism, but of course I am not an expert.) A-.
Thursday, August 22, 2019
2019 book 100
Claire Lombardo's The Most Fun We Ever Had
Lombardo's debut novel focuses on a family in 2016--four adult daughters, each with their own issues, and parents still deeply in love with each other--that's upended when the secret son one of the girls had as a teen resurfaces. The story flashes back and forth in time--the parents getting together in the 70s, the tumultuous childhoods and teen years of the girls, their adulthoods, etc--to tell a really interesting story about family dynamics. I was mad every time I had to stop reading this because I was enjoying it so much! I think I wanted a little bit more from the end but really, I thought overall this was great. A/A-.
Lombardo's debut novel focuses on a family in 2016--four adult daughters, each with their own issues, and parents still deeply in love with each other--that's upended when the secret son one of the girls had as a teen resurfaces. The story flashes back and forth in time--the parents getting together in the 70s, the tumultuous childhoods and teen years of the girls, their adulthoods, etc--to tell a really interesting story about family dynamics. I was mad every time I had to stop reading this because I was enjoying it so much! I think I wanted a little bit more from the end but really, I thought overall this was great. A/A-.
Monday, August 19, 2019
2019 book 99
Agatha Christie's Death in the Clouds
Still reading a bunch of Christie mysteries thanks to the public library! In this one, a woman is found murdered on an airplane--luckily Poirot is one of the other passengers! There's no specific narrator here, just the omniscient third person, so it's not as funny as some of the other Poirot mysteries. Lots of good suspects and misdirects; I had mixed feelings on the solution but overall liked the plot. On the other hand, there was this:
And these are characters we're supposed to like! Terrible. B.
Still reading a bunch of Christie mysteries thanks to the public library! In this one, a woman is found murdered on an airplane--luckily Poirot is one of the other passengers! There's no specific narrator here, just the omniscient third person, so it's not as funny as some of the other Poirot mysteries. Lots of good suspects and misdirects; I had mixed feelings on the solution but overall liked the plot. On the other hand, there was this:
And these are characters we're supposed to like! Terrible. B.
Sunday, August 18, 2019
2019 book 98
Ann Patchett's The Dutch House
Look, I’ll give a little plot description here, but it might not make you want to read the book, and you should definitely read this book. Patchett is one of our great authors and this one is another stunner. It centers on a brother and sister, living in a grand house with a complicated family, from the 60s to more or less the present. It is about family, and houses and homes, and memories, and moments of grace, and societal pressures, and it’s just completely excellent. Trust me. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in September.
Look, I’ll give a little plot description here, but it might not make you want to read the book, and you should definitely read this book. Patchett is one of our great authors and this one is another stunner. It centers on a brother and sister, living in a grand house with a complicated family, from the 60s to more or less the present. It is about family, and houses and homes, and memories, and moments of grace, and societal pressures, and it’s just completely excellent. Trust me. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in September.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
2019 book 97
Juliet Marillier's The Harp of Kings
Mariller's latest is the start to a new trilogy, set in the same historical Celtic fantasy world as her Blackthorn and Grim books (it works just fine if you haven’t read those, they just add some context here and there). We have three protagonists, all young people trying to earn a place in a band of elite warriors—a brother and sister pair, who are also talented musicians, and a colder dude determined to be the best (though honestly as his backstory was revealed, I was straight up sobbing). They’re chosen to go on an undercover mission together to find a missing mystical harp and help crown a king, As always, Marillier does a great job with her characters, revealing pieces of the story at the perfect time, setting the scene for a slow burning romance that you'll be rooting for. And this is a very satisfying story on its own, but I am still very eager to see what these characters get up to next. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 3rd.
Mariller's latest is the start to a new trilogy, set in the same historical Celtic fantasy world as her Blackthorn and Grim books (it works just fine if you haven’t read those, they just add some context here and there). We have three protagonists, all young people trying to earn a place in a band of elite warriors—a brother and sister pair, who are also talented musicians, and a colder dude determined to be the best (though honestly as his backstory was revealed, I was straight up sobbing). They’re chosen to go on an undercover mission together to find a missing mystical harp and help crown a king, As always, Marillier does a great job with her characters, revealing pieces of the story at the perfect time, setting the scene for a slow burning romance that you'll be rooting for. And this is a very satisfying story on its own, but I am still very eager to see what these characters get up to next. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on September 3rd.
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
2019 book 96
Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
In this Christie mystery, our narrator is a small town doctor (and a great narrator he is) who has a new neighbor--Hercule Poirot. This comes in handy when there is a MURDER and mysteries abound! I will say this was extremely well plotted, lots of suspicious characters, great narrative voice, and a BANGER of an ending. All you could want in a classic mystery. The only reason this doesn't get an A is an off-hand, and totally unnecessary, anti-Semitic comment. A-.
In this Christie mystery, our narrator is a small town doctor (and a great narrator he is) who has a new neighbor--Hercule Poirot. This comes in handy when there is a MURDER and mysteries abound! I will say this was extremely well plotted, lots of suspicious characters, great narrative voice, and a BANGER of an ending. All you could want in a classic mystery. The only reason this doesn't get an A is an off-hand, and totally unnecessary, anti-Semitic comment. A-.
Monday, August 12, 2019
2019 book 95
Mary H.K. Choi's Permanent Record
I really liked Choi's first book; the characters and situations felt really real and relatable. So I was psyched for her second, but this one was a little bit harder for me to buy into. The narrator is a college dropout, working at a bodega, struggling to get his life together, and his love interest . . . is an Ariana Grande-esque pop star. I mean, Choi does a good job with the characters and writing, the romance just has a Disney channel movie feel to it (which is funny, as that's where the pop star got her start). And then things go in directions I didn’t entirely expect, but appreciated. I really liked how this wrapped up and will definitely keep reading books by Choi. A-/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in September.
I really liked Choi's first book; the characters and situations felt really real and relatable. So I was psyched for her second, but this one was a little bit harder for me to buy into. The narrator is a college dropout, working at a bodega, struggling to get his life together, and his love interest . . . is an Ariana Grande-esque pop star. I mean, Choi does a good job with the characters and writing, the romance just has a Disney channel movie feel to it (which is funny, as that's where the pop star got her start). And then things go in directions I didn’t entirely expect, but appreciated. I really liked how this wrapped up and will definitely keep reading books by Choi. A-/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in September.
Saturday, August 10, 2019
2019 book 94
Robin Stevens' Top Marks for Murder
Yay, it’s the eighth Wells and Wong mystery, and it’s their most complicated case yet! The girls are back at school after months away, and there have been lots of changes— not least, a new girl who has taken Daisy's place as the most popular. And it's the school's fiftieth anniversary, so lots of parents are coming to take part in the celebrations—so there are lots of suspects when one of their friends thinks she has witnessed a murder! As always, the mystery here is solid, but it's the girls' friendships and their growing up that really makes these books so good. Another great entry in one of my favorite series. A.
Yay, it’s the eighth Wells and Wong mystery, and it’s their most complicated case yet! The girls are back at school after months away, and there have been lots of changes— not least, a new girl who has taken Daisy's place as the most popular. And it's the school's fiftieth anniversary, so lots of parents are coming to take part in the celebrations—so there are lots of suspects when one of their friends thinks she has witnessed a murder! As always, the mystery here is solid, but it's the girls' friendships and their growing up that really makes these books so good. Another great entry in one of my favorite series. A.
Friday, August 09, 2019
2019 book 93
Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at Styles
The library has recently added several Christie books I've never read, which is the perfect excuse to check out a classic mystery! This is the first book featuring Inspector Poirot; it centers on the death of a rich woman by poisoning. The narrator is a visitor to the house who knows Poirot, who happens to be staying in this small British town for whatever reason, so calls him in to help solve the crime. I found the narrative voice amusing, especially regarding his perpetual certainty that he knows better than Poirot (when, of course, the reader knows just how wrong he is). I did find the solution to be a bit overly complicated and silly, but this was still an entertaining read. B/B+.
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I will post a general warning here that there are some racist terms thrown about casually that were typical in Christie's day, and there is some straight-up anti-Semitism as well.
The library has recently added several Christie books I've never read, which is the perfect excuse to check out a classic mystery! This is the first book featuring Inspector Poirot; it centers on the death of a rich woman by poisoning. The narrator is a visitor to the house who knows Poirot, who happens to be staying in this small British town for whatever reason, so calls him in to help solve the crime. I found the narrative voice amusing, especially regarding his perpetual certainty that he knows better than Poirot (when, of course, the reader knows just how wrong he is). I did find the solution to be a bit overly complicated and silly, but this was still an entertaining read. B/B+.
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I will post a general warning here that there are some racist terms thrown about casually that were typical in Christie's day, and there is some straight-up anti-Semitism as well.
Tuesday, August 06, 2019
2019 book 92
Susan Choi's Trust Exercise
I'll start by saying that I knew the "twist" of this novel before I started it, which made the first part--involving a student at a performing arts high school. her new boyfriend, and the charismatic teacher in charge--more palatable, but conversely made me more impatient for it to end. It's all very pretentious, and I'd have given up if I didn't know what was coming. I liked the second half much more, though the last section did not entirely work for me. An interesting novel, but I think one that was over-hyped to me. B/B+.
I'll start by saying that I knew the "twist" of this novel before I started it, which made the first part--involving a student at a performing arts high school. her new boyfriend, and the charismatic teacher in charge--more palatable, but conversely made me more impatient for it to end. It's all very pretentious, and I'd have given up if I didn't know what was coming. I liked the second half much more, though the last section did not entirely work for me. An interesting novel, but I think one that was over-hyped to me. B/B+.
Sunday, August 04, 2019
2019 book 91
Marian Keyes' The Brightest Star in the Sky
We're reading a Keyes novel for book club this month, which reminded me I still had a few more of hers left to read! This one focuses on the residents of an apartment building in Dublin. It took me a little while to get into, because it's narrated by something mysterious who is observing the residents, and I was distracted trying to figure out if it was a ghost or what. I was interested in the characters and their stories, but didn’t like the way things wrapped up here at all. Definitely slid into cheesy territory. B.
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Content warning for graphic description of a rape.
We're reading a Keyes novel for book club this month, which reminded me I still had a few more of hers left to read! This one focuses on the residents of an apartment building in Dublin. It took me a little while to get into, because it's narrated by something mysterious who is observing the residents, and I was distracted trying to figure out if it was a ghost or what. I was interested in the characters and their stories, but didn’t like the way things wrapped up here at all. Definitely slid into cheesy territory. B.
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Content warning for graphic description of a rape.
Tuesday, July 30, 2019
2019 book 90
T. Kingfisher's Minor Mage
Ursula Vernon's latest book under her T. Kingfisher name centers on a twelve year old boy, the titular minor mage, who has to go on a quest to find rain for his drought-stricken village. Because this is an Ursula Vernon story, he's accompanied by his familiar, a sarcastic armadillo. Tee hee. Like her Summer in Orcus, I think this is really fine for older kids/teens to read, but does have some grim/gross moments and creepy monsters. But it's also very funny, and full of adventures, and awesome. A-.
Ursula Vernon's latest book under her T. Kingfisher name centers on a twelve year old boy, the titular minor mage, who has to go on a quest to find rain for his drought-stricken village. Because this is an Ursula Vernon story, he's accompanied by his familiar, a sarcastic armadillo. Tee hee. Like her Summer in Orcus, I think this is really fine for older kids/teens to read, but does have some grim/gross moments and creepy monsters. But it's also very funny, and full of adventures, and awesome. A-.
Monday, July 29, 2019
2019 book 89
Eva Rice's The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets
I saw this recommended recently, and was like, hm, that seems like it could be good, let's look it up, at which point I discovered that I'd bought it like seven years ago and never read it. Maybe it was fate?? Anyway, the story is set in the 1950s, a classic sort of coming of age novel about a young girl in a crumbling Medieval castle, her family, her new friends, romance, pop music, etc. (Comparisons to I Capture the Castle are fairly apt.) This is not a great work of literature or anything, but it was an engaging yet gentle sort of story. I did think the epilogue was a bit weak--either give it a whole chapter or leave it out entirely--but on the whole enjoyed this a lot. B+.
I saw this recommended recently, and was like, hm, that seems like it could be good, let's look it up, at which point I discovered that I'd bought it like seven years ago and never read it. Maybe it was fate?? Anyway, the story is set in the 1950s, a classic sort of coming of age novel about a young girl in a crumbling Medieval castle, her family, her new friends, romance, pop music, etc. (Comparisons to I Capture the Castle are fairly apt.) This is not a great work of literature or anything, but it was an engaging yet gentle sort of story. I did think the epilogue was a bit weak--either give it a whole chapter or leave it out entirely--but on the whole enjoyed this a lot. B+.
Thursday, July 18, 2019
2019 book 88
Ally Condie's Summerlost
I no longer remember why this was on my library hold list, but I am glad it was! It's about a twelve year old girl who, after her father and brother die in an accident, moves with her mother and other brother to her mother's hometown for the summer. And gets a job working at a local Shakespeare-themed festival with a boy on her street, as one does. This a really great novel about grief, friendship, family, and finding your people. A moving and engaging read. A/A-.
I no longer remember why this was on my library hold list, but I am glad it was! It's about a twelve year old girl who, after her father and brother die in an accident, moves with her mother and other brother to her mother's hometown for the summer. And gets a job working at a local Shakespeare-themed festival with a boy on her street, as one does. This a really great novel about grief, friendship, family, and finding your people. A moving and engaging read. A/A-.
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
2019 book 87
Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone's This is How You Lose the Time War
This was a really fun read--it's about two time travelers working for opposing forces, meddling with time to try and bring their own group's version about, who start writing to each other and eventually fall for each other! What a great concept! I was not super into the narrative voice(s) for whatever reason, but thought the characters and settings were really interesting, and did definitely enjoy reading this. B+.
This was a really fun read--it's about two time travelers working for opposing forces, meddling with time to try and bring their own group's version about, who start writing to each other and eventually fall for each other! What a great concept! I was not super into the narrative voice(s) for whatever reason, but thought the characters and settings were really interesting, and did definitely enjoy reading this. B+.
Monday, July 15, 2019
2019 book 86
Casey McQuiston's Red, White, and Royal Blue
Y'all know YA romances are not really my jam, but this was sooooo cuuuuuute. Our protagonist is the First Son, son of the first woman president, who accidentally causes a bit of a scandal with an English prince--so now the two have to pretend to be bros to stave off the bad publicity for both countries. But will a romance cause even MORE scandal??? Their growing friendship (and MORE!) mostly worked for me, plus I liked that they were both in their 20s and not in high school, so I was more invested in their lives and in them working things out. Just a really nice and cathartic read. A-.
Y'all know YA romances are not really my jam, but this was sooooo cuuuuuute. Our protagonist is the First Son, son of the first woman president, who accidentally causes a bit of a scandal with an English prince--so now the two have to pretend to be bros to stave off the bad publicity for both countries. But will a romance cause even MORE scandal??? Their growing friendship (and MORE!) mostly worked for me, plus I liked that they were both in their 20s and not in high school, so I was more invested in their lives and in them working things out. Just a really nice and cathartic read. A-.
Sunday, July 14, 2019
2019 book 85
Jo Walton's Lent
I generally like Walton's books a lot, and was intrigued by descriptions of her latest, about a real historical priest guy in fifteenth century Florence, dealing with politics and whatnot, who discovers sometime about himself that changes everything. But the thing is, that twist doesn’t come until halfway through, so I had to read many, many pages of Catholic guys talking about Catholicism to get to that point (I almost abandoned this book more than once). The second half of the book was more interesting, and I thought the character work was really strong, but it too was steeped in Catholicism, and I just found it off-putting. The writing here is great, and Walton really brings Florence to life, I just think I’d have appreciated this more if I cared about Christianity and related philosophy. I’m Jewish, so I don't. B.
I generally like Walton's books a lot, and was intrigued by descriptions of her latest, about a real historical priest guy in fifteenth century Florence, dealing with politics and whatnot, who discovers sometime about himself that changes everything. But the thing is, that twist doesn’t come until halfway through, so I had to read many, many pages of Catholic guys talking about Catholicism to get to that point (I almost abandoned this book more than once). The second half of the book was more interesting, and I thought the character work was really strong, but it too was steeped in Catholicism, and I just found it off-putting. The writing here is great, and Walton really brings Florence to life, I just think I’d have appreciated this more if I cared about Christianity and related philosophy. I’m Jewish, so I don't. B.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
2019 book 84
Melina Marchetta's The Jellicoe Road
I am perpetually amazed at how Marchetta takes a story full of tragedy and angst and somehow makes it . . . uplifting. I mean, this book makes you feel the full gamut of human emotions! And the way she weaves the two plots together, peppering little clues throughout is kind of masterful. I don’t know why this story of two generations of teens resonates so much with me, but every time I read it, I love it more.
I am perpetually amazed at how Marchetta takes a story full of tragedy and angst and somehow makes it . . . uplifting. I mean, this book makes you feel the full gamut of human emotions! And the way she weaves the two plots together, peppering little clues throughout is kind of masterful. I don’t know why this story of two generations of teens resonates so much with me, but every time I read it, I love it more.
2019 book 83
T. Kingfisher's Swordheart
When the world is getting you down, it's time to retreat into a fantasy world by rereading an awesome and funny book with enchanted sword-men, lawyers, and a sensible heroine, all trying to outwit a bunch of scheming relatives and pitiless priests. Mayhem and adventures ensue! And lots and lots of pining. HEART EYESSSSSS. I love this book.
When the world is getting you down, it's time to retreat into a fantasy world by rereading an awesome and funny book with enchanted sword-men, lawyers, and a sensible heroine, all trying to outwit a bunch of scheming relatives and pitiless priests. Mayhem and adventures ensue! And lots and lots of pining. HEART EYESSSSSS. I love this book.
Sunday, July 07, 2019
2019 book 82
Robin Stevens' Murder Most Unladylike
Yes yes, I have read this book several times before, but we're discussing it for book club this month and I wanted the details to be fresh! This may seem like an odd pick for a book club, but one of my friends has a daughter who also loves this series and wanted to check it out, plus it’s nice to read something quick and fun in the summer, PLUS you can’t go wrong with a classic-style mystery set in a British boarding school! And even having read this several time before, I still got all caught up in the action and characters and setting. Just good stuff all around!
Yes yes, I have read this book several times before, but we're discussing it for book club this month and I wanted the details to be fresh! This may seem like an odd pick for a book club, but one of my friends has a daughter who also loves this series and wanted to check it out, plus it’s nice to read something quick and fun in the summer, PLUS you can’t go wrong with a classic-style mystery set in a British boarding school! And even having read this several time before, I still got all caught up in the action and characters and setting. Just good stuff all around!
Saturday, July 06, 2019
2019 book 81
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Gods of Jade and Shadow
Moreno-Garcia writes consistently entertaining books, and I loved her latest one. Things start in a small town in Mexico in the 1920s, where a young girl, treated as a servant by her wealthy family, accidentally frees an imprisoned God of Death. Bound to him, she is soon accompanying him on a journey to find his missing parts—and take back his throne from the brother who betrayed him. But his brother has other plans. This plays with folklore and Mayan mythology and the 1920s setting in a really fun way; I loved the characters' journeys (metaphorical and otherwise) and thought the end was GREAT. Really a good read. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on July 23rd.
Moreno-Garcia writes consistently entertaining books, and I loved her latest one. Things start in a small town in Mexico in the 1920s, where a young girl, treated as a servant by her wealthy family, accidentally frees an imprisoned God of Death. Bound to him, she is soon accompanying him on a journey to find his missing parts—and take back his throne from the brother who betrayed him. But his brother has other plans. This plays with folklore and Mayan mythology and the 1920s setting in a really fun way; I loved the characters' journeys (metaphorical and otherwise) and thought the end was GREAT. Really a good read. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on July 23rd.
Thursday, July 04, 2019
2019 book 80
T. Kingfisher's Summer in Orcus
Sometimes I am like, argggggh, why aren’t there more books like Ursula Vernon's? With magic and adventure and sensible heroines and animal friends? And then I realize I can just reread a book by Vernon. She really is writing modern classics! This one plays with portal fantasies and fairy tales in a really satisfying way. There is also a were-house, very handy when you’re on a magical journey! So good.
Sometimes I am like, argggggh, why aren’t there more books like Ursula Vernon's? With magic and adventure and sensible heroines and animal friends? And then I realize I can just reread a book by Vernon. She really is writing modern classics! This one plays with portal fantasies and fairy tales in a really satisfying way. There is also a were-house, very handy when you’re on a magical journey! So good.
Monday, July 01, 2019
2019 book 79
Makiia Lucier's Song of the Abyss
The sequel to Lucier's Isle of Blood and Stone is just as entertaining as its predecessor, as little Reyna from the first book, now a teenager determined to become an explorer, deals with pirates and has many adventures and a little bit of romance and an awesome best friend (a girl who wants to be a doctor!). Once again, the plot was not too hard to ferret out, but it was still a super fun read with excellent pacing and great characters. I definitely look forward to whatever Lucier does next. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.
The sequel to Lucier's Isle of Blood and Stone is just as entertaining as its predecessor, as little Reyna from the first book, now a teenager determined to become an explorer, deals with pirates and has many adventures and a little bit of romance and an awesome best friend (a girl who wants to be a doctor!). Once again, the plot was not too hard to ferret out, but it was still a super fun read with excellent pacing and great characters. I definitely look forward to whatever Lucier does next. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
2019 book 78
Barbara Krasnoff's The History of Soul 2065
This novel is really a series of interconnected short stories, about two interconnected families, starting with the improbable meeting of two little Jewish girls in 1920 and following their descendants. There are fantastic elements and sci-fi elements, and some of it made me cheer and a lot of it made me cry. It’s suffused with Jewish folklore and history and I loved it. Weird but great. A.
This novel is really a series of interconnected short stories, about two interconnected families, starting with the improbable meeting of two little Jewish girls in 1920 and following their descendants. There are fantastic elements and sci-fi elements, and some of it made me cheer and a lot of it made me cry. It’s suffused with Jewish folklore and history and I loved it. Weird but great. A.
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
2019 book 77
Jane Austen's Persuasion
I wanted to reread this because I’m involved in an Austen-themed RPG and needed to refresh my references! I mean, it's also a great book and an enjoyable read. Nothing I can say about this book will be fresh or new, so I will conclude by just saying YAY.
I wanted to reread this because I’m involved in an Austen-themed RPG and needed to refresh my references! I mean, it's also a great book and an enjoyable read. Nothing I can say about this book will be fresh or new, so I will conclude by just saying YAY.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
2019 book 76
Mona Awad's Bunny
I thought Awad's 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl was GREAT, so was looking forward to her latest, which seems to be getting a lot of buzz. And it had me totally enthralled. It centers on an MFA student, who feels like an outsider, partly for class reasons, and partly because the other four girls in her program are a weird clique who all call each other "Bunny" and spend all their time together. And then they invite her to one of their gatherings, and things start getting . . . weird. Whenever I was reading this, I had to force myself to put it down--it's just totally gripping writing, and dark and funny and creepy. I loved it. A.
I thought Awad's 13 Ways of Looking at a Fat Girl was GREAT, so was looking forward to her latest, which seems to be getting a lot of buzz. And it had me totally enthralled. It centers on an MFA student, who feels like an outsider, partly for class reasons, and partly because the other four girls in her program are a weird clique who all call each other "Bunny" and spend all their time together. And then they invite her to one of their gatherings, and things start getting . . . weird. Whenever I was reading this, I had to force myself to put it down--it's just totally gripping writing, and dark and funny and creepy. I loved it. A.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
2019 book 75
Lisa Lutz's The Swallows
There are certainly plenty of books out there already about boarding schools full of intrigue and drama (among both the students and the staff), but Lutz's entry into the genre is FIRE EMOJI. She uses multiple POV characters—a new teacher at school with an interesting past; your typical dude teacher writing a thinly veiled novel; and various students trying to bring down a secret website where the male students rate the girls on their blow jobs (!!!)—which keeps things moving along. And of course Lutz is always great with plotting and dark humor; I was totally wrapped up in this, and cheering the building fellowship of angry girls, and hoping for happy endings for all of them. But the first pages warn the readers that things aren’t going to end well. I did think the end maybe veered tooooo much into melodrama, but I couldn’t put it down. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.
There are certainly plenty of books out there already about boarding schools full of intrigue and drama (among both the students and the staff), but Lutz's entry into the genre is FIRE EMOJI. She uses multiple POV characters—a new teacher at school with an interesting past; your typical dude teacher writing a thinly veiled novel; and various students trying to bring down a secret website where the male students rate the girls on their blow jobs (!!!)—which keeps things moving along. And of course Lutz is always great with plotting and dark humor; I was totally wrapped up in this, and cheering the building fellowship of angry girls, and hoping for happy endings for all of them. But the first pages warn the readers that things aren’t going to end well. I did think the end maybe veered tooooo much into melodrama, but I couldn’t put it down. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.
Friday, June 14, 2019
2019 book 74
Laurie J. Marks' Air Logic
The final chapter of Marks' Logic series is finally here, and she just tosses the reader right back into the pool. After three lengthy books, there are a lot of characters to remember, and I struggled for the first few chapters to remember all their backstories. Eventually I caught on, or realized it didn’t really matter, because this whole series is sort of about the journey. I mean it is also about love (of all kinds, but also there are a lot of queer ppl and it’s nice), and found families, and working through issues, and magic, but also the journey. Maybe that makes it sound dull, but wholemit may not be action-packed, it’s certainly engrossing. Great characters and worldbuilding as always; I will definitely have to reread this from the beginning soon. A/A-.
The final chapter of Marks' Logic series is finally here, and she just tosses the reader right back into the pool. After three lengthy books, there are a lot of characters to remember, and I struggled for the first few chapters to remember all their backstories. Eventually I caught on, or realized it didn’t really matter, because this whole series is sort of about the journey. I mean it is also about love (of all kinds, but also there are a lot of queer ppl and it’s nice), and found families, and working through issues, and magic, but also the journey. Maybe that makes it sound dull, but wholemit may not be action-packed, it’s certainly engrossing. Great characters and worldbuilding as always; I will definitely have to reread this from the beginning soon. A/A-.
Wednesday, June 12, 2019
2019 book 73
Kate Racculia's Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts
I loved both of Racculia's previous books, and honestly have spent the several years since Bellweather Rhapsody periodically googling to see when she might have a new one out. And now she does, and it's DELIGHTFUL. I had to keep putting it down so I wouldn't just tear through it. It centers on the titular Tuesday Mooney, a prospect researcher (this means nothing to most of you, but I have several friends in the field) who--along with her only friend, and a very clever neighbor kid, and a handsome and very wealthy young man, and a cast of other characters--gets sucked into a treasure hunt spurred by the eccentric will of a Boston billionaire. VERY shades of The Westing Game. Oh, also, she is maybe being haunted by her childhood best friend who disappeared mysteriously when they were teens. I loved everything about this book, big-time. I feel like I’m making it sound quirky-cute, but Racculia balances whimsy and realism really well, and there are some darker moments. Anyway, SO GOOD. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in October.
I loved both of Racculia's previous books, and honestly have spent the several years since Bellweather Rhapsody periodically googling to see when she might have a new one out. And now she does, and it's DELIGHTFUL. I had to keep putting it down so I wouldn't just tear through it. It centers on the titular Tuesday Mooney, a prospect researcher (this means nothing to most of you, but I have several friends in the field) who--along with her only friend, and a very clever neighbor kid, and a handsome and very wealthy young man, and a cast of other characters--gets sucked into a treasure hunt spurred by the eccentric will of a Boston billionaire. VERY shades of The Westing Game. Oh, also, she is maybe being haunted by her childhood best friend who disappeared mysteriously when they were teens. I loved everything about this book, big-time. I feel like I’m making it sound quirky-cute, but Racculia balances whimsy and realism really well, and there are some darker moments. Anyway, SO GOOD. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in October.
Saturday, June 08, 2019
2019 book 72
Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys
And Whitehead knocks it out of the park again. In his latest novel (following up the multiple-award-winning Underground Railroad), the focus is on a young black boy in the early 60s, whose promising future is derailed by bad luck and systemic racism. And then he’s sent to an ungodly reform school—loosely based on a real place—where, in the present day, a group of archaeologists have found a secret graveyard full of young boys. Much of the novel takes place in Tallahassee; it is always a little weird to read about a place where you’ve lived, but as far as I’m concerned, Whitehead nailed it. Obviously parts of the novel are beyond grim, but the writing and narrative voice made me eager to keep reading. I just thought this was excellent, in a gut-punch sort of way. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in July.
And Whitehead knocks it out of the park again. In his latest novel (following up the multiple-award-winning Underground Railroad), the focus is on a young black boy in the early 60s, whose promising future is derailed by bad luck and systemic racism. And then he’s sent to an ungodly reform school—loosely based on a real place—where, in the present day, a group of archaeologists have found a secret graveyard full of young boys. Much of the novel takes place in Tallahassee; it is always a little weird to read about a place where you’ve lived, but as far as I’m concerned, Whitehead nailed it. Obviously parts of the novel are beyond grim, but the writing and narrative voice made me eager to keep reading. I just thought this was excellent, in a gut-punch sort of way. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in July.
Sunday, June 02, 2019
2019 book 71
Season Butler's Cygnet
So this book is about a teen girl living on an island exclusively populated by the very elderly—she was left there with her grandmother for what was supposed to be just a couple weeks, but her parents have not come back in months. And some of the population is hostile, and all feel like she doesn’t belong. This is a beautifully written sort of coming of age story, but it kind of depressed me. There were some weirdly grisly scenes too (ie the butchering of a chicken). B/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on June 25th.
So this book is about a teen girl living on an island exclusively populated by the very elderly—she was left there with her grandmother for what was supposed to be just a couple weeks, but her parents have not come back in months. And some of the population is hostile, and all feel like she doesn’t belong. This is a beautifully written sort of coming of age story, but it kind of depressed me. There were some weirdly grisly scenes too (ie the butchering of a chicken). B/B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on June 25th.
Wednesday, May 29, 2019
2019 book 70
Taylor Jenkins Reid's Daisy Jones and the Six
We're discussing this in book club this week, so I figured I'd glance through to refresh my memory . . . and dang if I didn't sink right back into it and reread the whole thing! The novel is told in an oral history format, charting the spectacular rise and dramatic fall of a 1970s rock band, with all the sex and drugs you could imagine a 70s rock band having. Great characters, good reveals, interesting clashes in narrative--a really fun read, even the second time (though I still don't love the very very end).
We're discussing this in book club this week, so I figured I'd glance through to refresh my memory . . . and dang if I didn't sink right back into it and reread the whole thing! The novel is told in an oral history format, charting the spectacular rise and dramatic fall of a 1970s rock band, with all the sex and drugs you could imagine a 70s rock band having. Great characters, good reveals, interesting clashes in narrative--a really fun read, even the second time (though I still don't love the very very end).
Tuesday, May 28, 2019
2019 book 69
Laura Lippmann's Lady in the Lake
I love when Lippman turns her gimlet eye to mid-century Jews in Baltimore, so was pleased to dive into her latest. In this one, a thirty-something Jewish housewife, dissatisfied with her life and wanting to make a mark on the world, leaves her husband and tries to get a job as a reporter at a local paper. And then she becomes pretty obsessed with the murder of a young black woman, the titular Lady in the Lake, a murder that someone wants to sweep under the rug. I liked the way Lippman constructed the narrative here—the main narrators are the wannabe reporter and the murder victim, but almost everyone the reporter encounters gets their own little POV chapter. It’s a nice way to build up the world and makes for a fun and quick read. I haven’t quite decided how I feel about the ending, but I definitely enjoyed reading this. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in July.
I love when Lippman turns her gimlet eye to mid-century Jews in Baltimore, so was pleased to dive into her latest. In this one, a thirty-something Jewish housewife, dissatisfied with her life and wanting to make a mark on the world, leaves her husband and tries to get a job as a reporter at a local paper. And then she becomes pretty obsessed with the murder of a young black woman, the titular Lady in the Lake, a murder that someone wants to sweep under the rug. I liked the way Lippman constructed the narrative here—the main narrators are the wannabe reporter and the murder victim, but almost everyone the reporter encounters gets their own little POV chapter. It’s a nice way to build up the world and makes for a fun and quick read. I haven’t quite decided how I feel about the ending, but I definitely enjoyed reading this. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in July.
Sunday, May 26, 2019
2019 book 68
Brittany Cavallaro and Emily Henry's Hello Girls
I’ve read and more or less enjoyed Cavallaro's books about the descendants of Holmes and Watson, so figured I’d try out this new book she co-wrote with an author friend. And it was GREAT! Real Thelma and Louise vibes for the teen set, as two girls—one menaced by a controlling, abusive father, the other by a drug-dealing brother—go on the run on an epic road trip. The risks and the adventures both ring true, but their amazing friendship is what I really loved about this. Just a fist-pumping good time. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.
I’ve read and more or less enjoyed Cavallaro's books about the descendants of Holmes and Watson, so figured I’d try out this new book she co-wrote with an author friend. And it was GREAT! Real Thelma and Louise vibes for the teen set, as two girls—one menaced by a controlling, abusive father, the other by a drug-dealing brother—go on the run on an epic road trip. The risks and the adventures both ring true, but their amazing friendship is what I really loved about this. Just a fist-pumping good time. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in August.
Friday, May 24, 2019
2019 book 67
Jasmine Guillory’s The Wedding Party
The third book in Guillory's romance series has the same stuff I’ve liked in her other books—fun characters, believable chemistry, interesting work and personal issues—but also has the one thing that I slightly dislike from her previous books. “Oh no, we were trying to do a casual thing but we both caught feelings and refuse to admit it and will instead have a silly fight!” But at least it happens LESS in this one? Anyway, the (hetero) romantic duo here are the two best friends of the protagonist from the /first/ book (her stylist and her coworker) and both are in her wedding party! (I really needed more wedding planning shenanigans in this plot, seriously.) They hate each other until they don’t and vow to keep their fling a secret from their friend. Things go about as you’d expect but, again, Guillory does such a good job with the characters that you’re just like, oooh work it out! Kiss and make up! And rooting for them etc. Another fun read, and I can’t wait for her next one, which is about the stylist's MOM and involves British royals?!? Yessssss. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in July.
The third book in Guillory's romance series has the same stuff I’ve liked in her other books—fun characters, believable chemistry, interesting work and personal issues—but also has the one thing that I slightly dislike from her previous books. “Oh no, we were trying to do a casual thing but we both caught feelings and refuse to admit it and will instead have a silly fight!” But at least it happens LESS in this one? Anyway, the (hetero) romantic duo here are the two best friends of the protagonist from the /first/ book (her stylist and her coworker) and both are in her wedding party! (I really needed more wedding planning shenanigans in this plot, seriously.) They hate each other until they don’t and vow to keep their fling a secret from their friend. Things go about as you’d expect but, again, Guillory does such a good job with the characters that you’re just like, oooh work it out! Kiss and make up! And rooting for them etc. Another fun read, and I can’t wait for her next one, which is about the stylist's MOM and involves British royals?!? Yessssss. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in July.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
2019 book 66
Felicity McLean's The Van Apfel Girls are Gone
This novel centers on a young woman, heading home to Australia from the US to visit her older sister, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. But both women are haunted by the disappearance of the titular Van Apfel girls, their friends and neighbors, twenty years earlier. The story weaves between the past and present to good effect—the story has a kind of Virgin Suicides vibe, though the women here seem slightly better adjusted than the narrators of that one. I thought this was good, but it didn’t necessarily stand out to me in the sea of books about missing girls? Definitely better written than most. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June. Content warning for brief scenes of animal abuse and child abuse.
This novel centers on a young woman, heading home to Australia from the US to visit her older sister, who is undergoing treatment for cancer. But both women are haunted by the disappearance of the titular Van Apfel girls, their friends and neighbors, twenty years earlier. The story weaves between the past and present to good effect—the story has a kind of Virgin Suicides vibe, though the women here seem slightly better adjusted than the narrators of that one. I thought this was good, but it didn’t necessarily stand out to me in the sea of books about missing girls? Definitely better written than most. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June. Content warning for brief scenes of animal abuse and child abuse.
Saturday, May 18, 2019
2019 book 65
Sarah Gailey's Magic for Liars
I liked Gailey's novella about historical hippos a lot, so was psyched to check out her first full length novel. Our protagonist is your typical world weary, hard drinking, hard boiled private eye, taking on the usual cases involving adulterous spouses—until the headmaster of the school where her twin sister teaches hires her to investigate the murder of another teacher. And, oh yeah, IT'S A MAGIC SCHOOL. Bam! This was a really fun book and the mystery and magical elements both totally worked for me. Great characters too. I can’t wait to see what Gailey does next. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
2019 book 64
Julia Phillips' Disappearing Earth
Phillips' debut is sort of a series of interconnected stories, involving the locals of a town in Russia where a pair of young sisters were abducted. I found some of these characters more interesting than others, of course, and wished they had come together a little bit sooner. Still, this is a complicated portrayal of grief, loss, love, family live, inter-generational conflicts, etc. I especially appreciated Phillips' depiction of white Russian racism toward ethnic Northern populations. I did have mixed feelings about the ending, but mostly liked it? I don't know. B.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
Phillips' debut is sort of a series of interconnected stories, involving the locals of a town in Russia where a pair of young sisters were abducted. I found some of these characters more interesting than others, of course, and wished they had come together a little bit sooner. Still, this is a complicated portrayal of grief, loss, love, family live, inter-generational conflicts, etc. I especially appreciated Phillips' depiction of white Russian racism toward ethnic Northern populations. I did have mixed feelings about the ending, but mostly liked it? I don't know. B.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
2019 book 63
K.J. Charles' Proper English
I'd heard good things about this and was in the mood for something cute, so a lesbian romance novel set at an English house party seemed like it would fit the bill. And I was already super into it--the characters are interesting, the romance is sweet, and the writing is great--when, halfway through, a murder occurs, and our new romantic duo must solve it! YESSSSS!!!!!!! The mystery is mildly underbaked, but of course this is primarily a romance novel that just happens to have a lil murder mystery in it, and is satisfying in that regard. This was awesome and I will definitely be reading more by this author. A/A-.
I'd heard good things about this and was in the mood for something cute, so a lesbian romance novel set at an English house party seemed like it would fit the bill. And I was already super into it--the characters are interesting, the romance is sweet, and the writing is great--when, halfway through, a murder occurs, and our new romantic duo must solve it! YESSSSS!!!!!!! The mystery is mildly underbaked, but of course this is primarily a romance novel that just happens to have a lil murder mystery in it, and is satisfying in that regard. This was awesome and I will definitely be reading more by this author. A/A-.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
2019 book 62
Scarlett Thomas' Galloglass
Yayyyyyy the third book in Thomas' Worldquake series! This series is set in a near future world where all technology has basically gone back to 1992, there's an Otherworld full of magic and a mysterious Underworld, there are lots of rival groups of magic users, and a band of magical kids! The kids are once again learning more about themselves and their powers, which Thomas does a great job with, plus there are lots of cats in this one (one of the cats is a POV character!), and everyone has to come together to foil another evil plot. Content warning here for child abuse, though Thomas handles and resolves it really well. Anyway, hooray magic and research and cats! Can’t wait for more in this series. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on May 21st.
Yayyyyyy the third book in Thomas' Worldquake series! This series is set in a near future world where all technology has basically gone back to 1992, there's an Otherworld full of magic and a mysterious Underworld, there are lots of rival groups of magic users, and a band of magical kids! The kids are once again learning more about themselves and their powers, which Thomas does a great job with, plus there are lots of cats in this one (one of the cats is a POV character!), and everyone has to come together to foil another evil plot. Content warning here for child abuse, though Thomas handles and resolves it really well. Anyway, hooray magic and research and cats! Can’t wait for more in this series. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on May 21st.
Saturday, May 11, 2019
2019 book 61
Scarlett Thomas' The Chosen Ones
The second book in Thomas' Worldquake series deepens the world building, introduces new characters and mysteries, and has lots more magical friend action adventures! I like that the kids make realistic mistakes and then learn from them, and how they support and care about each other. I also like when they work together to foil evil plots! Yeah! By the way, if you are into personality tests, this series' website has a great one. I’m a witch-interpreter!
The second book in Thomas' Worldquake series deepens the world building, introduces new characters and mysteries, and has lots more magical friend action adventures! I like that the kids make realistic mistakes and then learn from them, and how they support and care about each other. I also like when they work together to foil evil plots! Yeah! By the way, if you are into personality tests, this series' website has a great one. I’m a witch-interpreter!
Thursday, May 09, 2019
2019 book 60
Scarlett Thomas' Dragon's Green
The third book in Thomas' marvelous Worldquake series is out soon, so of course I wanted to reread the first two so everything would be fresh (and also because I love them!). This is a great start to a series—lots of magical adventures, a band of friends coming together and learning about their talents, bad guys, BOOKS, dragons, animal friends, etc. What more could you want in a book?
The third book in Thomas' marvelous Worldquake series is out soon, so of course I wanted to reread the first two so everything would be fresh (and also because I love them!). This is a great start to a series—lots of magical adventures, a band of friends coming together and learning about their talents, bad guys, BOOKS, dragons, animal friends, etc. What more could you want in a book?
Sunday, May 05, 2019
2019 book 59
Taffy Brodesser-Akner's Fleishman is in Trouble
The entire internet seems to be buzzing about this book, and I love the author's essays and profiles, so I was psyched to read her first novel. But it left me a little bit cold. It centers on a 41-year-old man, in the process of divorcing, who's trying to be a good dad to his kids and a good doctor where he works, except he’s obsessed with hooking up with women via dating apps. Like I really needed about 80 percent less of this guy and his horny thoughts. Once we meet the narrator, things are a little more interesting, and I liked the last say 20 percent a lot (the end is amazing), but I just was not feeling this. Maybe it’s because I’m not married and don’t have kids, and it seems to be thinking deeply about those subjects? Or maybe because so much of it is about a dude thinking about all the ladies he is banging or wants to bang. Maybe both! But the more I think about it, the more depressing I find it. B.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June.
The entire internet seems to be buzzing about this book, and I love the author's essays and profiles, so I was psyched to read her first novel. But it left me a little bit cold. It centers on a 41-year-old man, in the process of divorcing, who's trying to be a good dad to his kids and a good doctor where he works, except he’s obsessed with hooking up with women via dating apps. Like I really needed about 80 percent less of this guy and his horny thoughts. Once we meet the narrator, things are a little more interesting, and I liked the last say 20 percent a lot (the end is amazing), but I just was not feeling this. Maybe it’s because I’m not married and don’t have kids, and it seems to be thinking deeply about those subjects? Or maybe because so much of it is about a dude thinking about all the ladies he is banging or wants to bang. Maybe both! But the more I think about it, the more depressing I find it. B.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June.
Friday, May 03, 2019
2019 book 58
Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog
I've actually never read anything by Willis before--I had the impression from reading reviews of her more recent works that they tended toward the ponderous--but this was an absolute delight. Time travel shenanigans, a heroine who lives by the sage writings of Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers (a woman after my own heart), a hero who looks good in a boater, a lovable dog and incorrigible cat, etc etc. It's all very hilarious, though there is a fair amount of tension--CAN the time-traveling duo get history back on track in time for the big church restoration thing their determined patroness is organizing? This was a lot of fun, though the hero is frustratingly slow on the uptake. Open the basket, Ned!!! Anyway, hooray cats and dogs and time travel. A-.
I've actually never read anything by Willis before--I had the impression from reading reviews of her more recent works that they tended toward the ponderous--but this was an absolute delight. Time travel shenanigans, a heroine who lives by the sage writings of Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers (a woman after my own heart), a hero who looks good in a boater, a lovable dog and incorrigible cat, etc etc. It's all very hilarious, though there is a fair amount of tension--CAN the time-traveling duo get history back on track in time for the big church restoration thing their determined patroness is organizing? This was a lot of fun, though the hero is frustratingly slow on the uptake. Open the basket, Ned!!! Anyway, hooray cats and dogs and time travel. A-.
Monday, April 29, 2019
2019 book 57
Kate Atkinson’s Big Sky
The fifth Jackson Brodie book finds Jackson . . . oh who cares about that, REGGIE IS BACK! And it’s ten years later and she's a police detective!! I mean, Jackson is also there, doing the private eye thing with his teen son in tow, and there's a human trafficking ring and ALSO a ring of pedophiles, so that is all pretty grim. I’m not sure this was a mystery, per se, but it’s interesting to watch all the pieces come together. And all of the POV characters are interesting, especially Reggie and the trophy wife of a local bigwig. (Give Reggie a spin-off series!) The framing sections felt a bit shoehorned in but I liked them just the same. I do hope to see more with these characters. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June.
The fifth Jackson Brodie book finds Jackson . . . oh who cares about that, REGGIE IS BACK! And it’s ten years later and she's a police detective!! I mean, Jackson is also there, doing the private eye thing with his teen son in tow, and there's a human trafficking ring and ALSO a ring of pedophiles, so that is all pretty grim. I’m not sure this was a mystery, per se, but it’s interesting to watch all the pieces come together. And all of the POV characters are interesting, especially Reggie and the trophy wife of a local bigwig. (Give Reggie a spin-off series!) The framing sections felt a bit shoehorned in but I liked them just the same. I do hope to see more with these characters. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June.
Saturday, April 27, 2019
2019 book 56
Kate Atkinson's Started Early, Took My Dog
The fourth Jackson Brodie book is rough going—neglected children, gruesome crime scenes, lots of talk of serial killers, etc—but there is a very good DOG in it (Atkinson writes great dogs!). I actually am not sure what I want to say about this one, it leaves me feeling all in a muddle.
The fourth Jackson Brodie book is rough going—neglected children, gruesome crime scenes, lots of talk of serial killers, etc—but there is a very good DOG in it (Atkinson writes great dogs!). I actually am not sure what I want to say about this one, it leaves me feeling all in a muddle.
Friday, April 26, 2019
2019 book 55
Kate Atkinson's When Will There Be Good News
One of the things I'm noticing on these rereads is the way Atkinson starts these books and how the initial scenes just draw you right in. And I love how the story comes together here—I had a friend say recently that all the coincidences in these books bother her, but I think it works better here than in the second one. Anyway, all of that is overpowered by my love for REGGIE, who a wonderfully determined and funny girl. I would watch hours of a Jackson-Reggie buddy cop series (featuring the actors from the actual BBC show, of course).
One of the things I'm noticing on these rereads is the way Atkinson starts these books and how the initial scenes just draw you right in. And I love how the story comes together here—I had a friend say recently that all the coincidences in these books bother her, but I think it works better here than in the second one. Anyway, all of that is overpowered by my love for REGGIE, who a wonderfully determined and funny girl. I would watch hours of a Jackson-Reggie buddy cop series (featuring the actors from the actual BBC show, of course).
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
2019 book 54
Kate Atkinson's One Good Turn
The second Jackson Brodie book revolves around events and people at the Edinburge Fringe Festival--a sad-sack crime novelist, the wife of a crooked businessman (she's my favorite), a terrible comedian, a policewoman dealing with a teenage son, a mysterious road rage incident, a dead girl lost beneath the waves, etc etc--and Jackson finds himself caught up in the middle of things. And it’s all very chaotic and sometimes even funny before it comes to a wild and satisfying conclusion!
The second Jackson Brodie book revolves around events and people at the Edinburge Fringe Festival--a sad-sack crime novelist, the wife of a crooked businessman (she's my favorite), a terrible comedian, a policewoman dealing with a teenage son, a mysterious road rage incident, a dead girl lost beneath the waves, etc etc--and Jackson finds himself caught up in the middle of things. And it’s all very chaotic and sometimes even funny before it comes to a wild and satisfying conclusion!
Monday, April 22, 2019
2019 book 53
Kate Atkinson's Case Histories
Atkinson has a NEW JACKSON BRODIE BOOK coming out this summer, the first in eight years, which means I have to reread the first four to get ready! Not that I'm complaining; this is a compellingly-written and moving series of well-plotted mysteries. In this first one, private detective (and former cop) Jackson Brodie deals with a series of cases involving murdered or missing women and girls—and is tormented by one from his own past. The stories are all resolved in a satisfying way to the reader, and leaves one eager to see what Brodie will get up to next.
Atkinson has a NEW JACKSON BRODIE BOOK coming out this summer, the first in eight years, which means I have to reread the first four to get ready! Not that I'm complaining; this is a compellingly-written and moving series of well-plotted mysteries. In this first one, private detective (and former cop) Jackson Brodie deals with a series of cases involving murdered or missing women and girls—and is tormented by one from his own past. The stories are all resolved in a satisfying way to the reader, and leaves one eager to see what Brodie will get up to next.
Friday, April 19, 2019
2019 book 52
Laila Lalami's The Other Americans
If I have any complaints about Lalami's earlier novels, it's that they were sometimes a little bit dense, but this one was getting great reviews so I wanted to give it a chance--and I found it VERY readable, with great writing, while still touching on serious themes. It centers on the death of an immigrant from Morocco in a hit-and-run; was it an accident or not? And it's narrated by a really interesting cast of characters--primarily the man's daughter and wife; a childhood friend of his daughter, a war vet who is now a sheriff's deputy; and an illegal immigrant who witnessed the death; but there are others as well (including the man himself, as flashbacks). I did find the antagonists somewhat clumsily written (or maybe I just don’t spend time with openly racist white people and so it just seemed that way), but otherwise this was a beautiful book. A/A-.
If I have any complaints about Lalami's earlier novels, it's that they were sometimes a little bit dense, but this one was getting great reviews so I wanted to give it a chance--and I found it VERY readable, with great writing, while still touching on serious themes. It centers on the death of an immigrant from Morocco in a hit-and-run; was it an accident or not? And it's narrated by a really interesting cast of characters--primarily the man's daughter and wife; a childhood friend of his daughter, a war vet who is now a sheriff's deputy; and an illegal immigrant who witnessed the death; but there are others as well (including the man himself, as flashbacks). I did find the antagonists somewhat clumsily written (or maybe I just don’t spend time with openly racist white people and so it just seemed that way), but otherwise this was a beautiful book. A/A-.
Monday, April 15, 2019
2019 book 51
Melina Marchetta's The Place on Dalhousie
Don’t mind me, I’m just over here blubbering about the latest novel from Marchetta! This is the third of her books set in the world of Saving Francesca and The Piper's Son; the kids are now in their mid-twenties, so I guess we're out of the YA realm now. Jimmy is the focus of this one—along with the girl he's impregnated, and her stepmother, who are feuding over the house her father built. As usual, the plot is interesting (and has a couple of surprises), but it's the characters that really shine. I just love all these kids and their friendships and love for one another, and now they support each other. I don’t see that enough in books. Anyway, I loved this, of course. A.
Don’t mind me, I’m just over here blubbering about the latest novel from Marchetta! This is the third of her books set in the world of Saving Francesca and The Piper's Son; the kids are now in their mid-twenties, so I guess we're out of the YA realm now. Jimmy is the focus of this one—along with the girl he's impregnated, and her stepmother, who are feuding over the house her father built. As usual, the plot is interesting (and has a couple of surprises), but it's the characters that really shine. I just love all these kids and their friendships and love for one another, and now they support each other. I don’t see that enough in books. Anyway, I loved this, of course. A.
2019 book 50
Melina Marchetta's The Piper's Son
God, I love Marchetta's characters and this world she's built. This takes place I think five years after Saving Francesca, and focuses on Francesca's friend Tom and his family--which fell apart after a tragic loss, and is struggling to come back together. Just gorgeous writing and compassion here, and a lot of humor as well. SO GOOD.
God, I love Marchetta's characters and this world she's built. This takes place I think five years after Saving Francesca, and focuses on Francesca's friend Tom and his family--which fell apart after a tragic loss, and is struggling to come back together. Just gorgeous writing and compassion here, and a lot of humor as well. SO GOOD.
Sunday, April 14, 2019
2019 book 49
Jessica Day George's The Queen's Secret
The second book in the Rose Legacy series is more fun magical horse girl adventures, though things are serious this time around, as the horse brigade tries to stop a deadly disease from spreading. I think the plot here could have been a bit better developed, and the villain's villainy is WAY over the top, but I liked the lady scientists and of course still love all the horses and their riders! Cute series for sure, I look forward to seeing how the next one turns out. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.
The second book in the Rose Legacy series is more fun magical horse girl adventures, though things are serious this time around, as the horse brigade tries to stop a deadly disease from spreading. I think the plot here could have been a bit better developed, and the villain's villainy is WAY over the top, but I liked the lady scientists and of course still love all the horses and their riders! Cute series for sure, I look forward to seeing how the next one turns out. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.
Saturday, April 13, 2019
2019 book 48
Melina Marchetta's Saving Francesca
I'm rereading this old favorite because Marchetta wrote a THIRD book featuring these characters, currently winging its way to me from Australia, and I need to brush up before it arrives! Anyway, I straight up LOVE this book and these characters dealing with their messy teenage lives (and a mother dealing with serious depression). Just funny and sweet and sad and really moving. Great stuff.
I'm rereading this old favorite because Marchetta wrote a THIRD book featuring these characters, currently winging its way to me from Australia, and I need to brush up before it arrives! Anyway, I straight up LOVE this book and these characters dealing with their messy teenage lives (and a mother dealing with serious depression). Just funny and sweet and sad and really moving. Great stuff.
Friday, April 12, 2019
2019 book 47
Nell Freudenberger's Lost and Wanted
As of the time of this writing, this book is the "#1 best seller in ghost fiction" on Amazon, which I didn't even know was a category, but ok. I think Freudenberger is an underrated author, but this book may do something to change that, because it's great! It's narrated by a physicist who is receiving communications from the phone and email accounts of a recently deceased friend. It's also about being a woman in a male-dominated academic field, about the friendship between the women, about grief, about sexism and racism, about motherhood, and about physics. I found the narrative voice here really engaging and really did think this was GREAT. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
As of the time of this writing, this book is the "#1 best seller in ghost fiction" on Amazon, which I didn't even know was a category, but ok. I think Freudenberger is an underrated author, but this book may do something to change that, because it's great! It's narrated by a physicist who is receiving communications from the phone and email accounts of a recently deceased friend. It's also about being a woman in a male-dominated academic field, about the friendship between the women, about grief, about sexism and racism, about motherhood, and about physics. I found the narrative voice here really engaging and really did think this was GREAT. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book is available now.
Wednesday, April 03, 2019
2019 book 46
K. Chess' Famous Men Who Never Lived
Literary novels about things like multiverses are my catnip, y'all. This one centers on Hel, a woman whose version of America was beset by terrorism and nuclear war, so when a portal to our version was created, 156,000 people made it through before the world apparently ended on the other side. Now Hel is obsessed with why the timelines split, and with starting a museum to preserve her world's lost culture. Meanwhile, her partner is more interested in assimilation. I thought this was a really interesting book--great concept and world-building--but it kind of went off the rails for me a little bit. Like I needed it either to settle on being an action-packed sort of story or a psychological one. I did like it a lot--I found the end to be satisfying--but parts of the middle felt a bit muddled. Still, a cool take on multiverses, if you are into that sort of thing! B/B+.
Literary novels about things like multiverses are my catnip, y'all. This one centers on Hel, a woman whose version of America was beset by terrorism and nuclear war, so when a portal to our version was created, 156,000 people made it through before the world apparently ended on the other side. Now Hel is obsessed with why the timelines split, and with starting a museum to preserve her world's lost culture. Meanwhile, her partner is more interested in assimilation. I thought this was a really interesting book--great concept and world-building--but it kind of went off the rails for me a little bit. Like I needed it either to settle on being an action-packed sort of story or a psychological one. I did like it a lot--I found the end to be satisfying--but parts of the middle felt a bit muddled. Still, a cool take on multiverses, if you are into that sort of thing! B/B+.
Monday, March 25, 2019
2019 book 45
Agatha Christie's 4:50 From Paddington
The public library recently added a bunch of e-books by Christie, and here we go, a Miss Marple mystery I hadn't read yet! I had actually seen an adaptation of this in one of the tv shows, but it was still an exciting read. It centers on a middle-aged lady, returning from a shopping trip, who sees a man strangling a woman in a passing train! But no one believes her--except Miss Marple. So Miss Marple--and a very capable assistant put into position as a housekeeper--take the case! And she is is much more efficient than the police, haha. I love Miss Marple. A/A-.
The public library recently added a bunch of e-books by Christie, and here we go, a Miss Marple mystery I hadn't read yet! I had actually seen an adaptation of this in one of the tv shows, but it was still an exciting read. It centers on a middle-aged lady, returning from a shopping trip, who sees a man strangling a woman in a passing train! But no one believes her--except Miss Marple. So Miss Marple--and a very capable assistant put into position as a housekeeper--take the case! And she is is much more efficient than the police, haha. I love Miss Marple. A/A-.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
2019 book 44
Ann Leckie's The Raven Tower
In general, I eagerly await new books from Leckie, but was especially anticipating this one—her first fantasy novel! It’s narrated by an old god, in the second person singular, directed to the young (trans) aide to the local leader's heir. Lots of interesting politics and adventure and gods and power and a bit of mystery, etc etc. I enjoyed this a lot! Great characters and world-building. I think I wanted sliiiiightly more from the end, but I did find it fitting. Yeah, this was good. A/A-.
In general, I eagerly await new books from Leckie, but was especially anticipating this one—her first fantasy novel! It’s narrated by an old god, in the second person singular, directed to the young (trans) aide to the local leader's heir. Lots of interesting politics and adventure and gods and power and a bit of mystery, etc etc. I enjoyed this a lot! Great characters and world-building. I think I wanted sliiiiightly more from the end, but I did find it fitting. Yeah, this was good. A/A-.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
2019 book 43
Miriam Toews' Women Talking
Toews' latest novel was inspired by a true story--where the women and girls in an isolated Mennonite community were repeatedly drugged and raped, and finally the eight men behind the heinous acts were caught. In Toews' novel, in the aftermath of the event, two families of women are meeting to decide what to do in two days when the men return from being bailed out of prison--will they do nothing, and forgive the men (as their pastor urges, and to ensure they are admitted to heaven), will they stay in the community and fight back, or will they leave? The novel is narrated by a man, something of an outsider, who is taking meeting minutes as none of the women can read or write. It’s a stunning novel, almost entirely a conversation among these women, who are basically having a philosophical debate. And it’s not too brutal, considering the subject matter. I do actually think “stunning” is the best word to describe it, because it’s so well written but also I feel a bit stunned. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on April 2nd.
Toews' latest novel was inspired by a true story--where the women and girls in an isolated Mennonite community were repeatedly drugged and raped, and finally the eight men behind the heinous acts were caught. In Toews' novel, in the aftermath of the event, two families of women are meeting to decide what to do in two days when the men return from being bailed out of prison--will they do nothing, and forgive the men (as their pastor urges, and to ensure they are admitted to heaven), will they stay in the community and fight back, or will they leave? The novel is narrated by a man, something of an outsider, who is taking meeting minutes as none of the women can read or write. It’s a stunning novel, almost entirely a conversation among these women, who are basically having a philosophical debate. And it’s not too brutal, considering the subject matter. I do actually think “stunning” is the best word to describe it, because it’s so well written but also I feel a bit stunned. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released on April 2nd.
Monday, March 18, 2019
2019 book 42
Ursula Vernon's Castle Hangnail
Sometimes you just want to reread something cute and funny and SATISFYING! And this fits the bill. It’ll have you rooting for the heroes . . . even if they are twelve year old Wicked Witches, minions, and Minotaurs! Which, I mean, they are, and it’s awesome.
Sometimes you just want to reread something cute and funny and SATISFYING! And this fits the bill. It’ll have you rooting for the heroes . . . even if they are twelve year old Wicked Witches, minions, and Minotaurs! Which, I mean, they are, and it’s awesome.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
2019 book 41
Linda Holmes' Evvie Drake Starts Over
Do you want to read a book that is really GOOD, with a cute romance, but that is also really REAL? Read this book, y’all. It’s set in a small town in Maine, where the titular Evvie is a young widow—who secretly was planning to leave her husband the day he died. And now her best friend has a friend who is coming to live in her attached apartment, and he is a famous baseball player suffering from THE YIPS. Their burgeoning friendship is really satisfying, I found all the characters to be really realistic, flaws and all, and I was rooting for pretty much all of them. I just like reading a book where nice people get their shit together, you know? Just really engaging all around. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June.
Do you want to read a book that is really GOOD, with a cute romance, but that is also really REAL? Read this book, y’all. It’s set in a small town in Maine, where the titular Evvie is a young widow—who secretly was planning to leave her husband the day he died. And now her best friend has a friend who is coming to live in her attached apartment, and he is a famous baseball player suffering from THE YIPS. Their burgeoning friendship is really satisfying, I found all the characters to be really realistic, flaws and all, and I was rooting for pretty much all of them. I just like reading a book where nice people get their shit together, you know? Just really engaging all around. A/A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in June.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
2019 book 40
Penelope Fitzgerald's The Bookshop
I don't think I've read anything by Fitzgerald before, but this volume was a good introduction. It centers on a middle-aged widow who decides to open a bookshop in her small town--thereby igniting a very slow-moving war of wills with a local prominent society woman. Also, her bookstore has a poltergeist. This did not go where I expected it to, though it was a realistic view of society. Great and powerful story but definitely got me in the gut. A-.
I don't think I've read anything by Fitzgerald before, but this volume was a good introduction. It centers on a middle-aged widow who decides to open a bookshop in her small town--thereby igniting a very slow-moving war of wills with a local prominent society woman. Also, her bookstore has a poltergeist. This did not go where I expected it to, though it was a realistic view of society. Great and powerful story but definitely got me in the gut. A-.
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
2019 book 39
Julie Berry's Lovely War
It's 1942, and the Greek god Hephaestus has just trapped Aphrodite and Ares with a golden net, and now Aphrodite is telling the story of one of her great works of love, of a young girl and a soldier during WWI. It is convenient for an author to have a love goddess meddling in the story, as the reader can more easily buy into the characters' insta-love. I was caught up in the story for a while, but eventually grew impatient with the melodrama and cheesiness. Just not for me. B/B-.
It's 1942, and the Greek god Hephaestus has just trapped Aphrodite and Ares with a golden net, and now Aphrodite is telling the story of one of her great works of love, of a young girl and a soldier during WWI. It is convenient for an author to have a love goddess meddling in the story, as the reader can more easily buy into the characters' insta-love. I was caught up in the story for a while, but eventually grew impatient with the melodrama and cheesiness. Just not for me. B/B-.
Monday, March 11, 2019
2019 book 38
Helen Oyeyemi's Gingerbread
I’ve been a fan of Oyeyemi's writing for a long time, but I am really feeling her recent books in a big way. When I finished this one, I seriously like sighed and said out loud, “that was AWESOME.” I am not going to try and summarize the plot because I don’t think I can do it in a way that makes it properly appealing. Instead I will say that it involves fantasy and fairy tales and gingerbread (this made me so hungry for my own lost-childhood-gingerbread) and mothers and daughters and and and anyway I loved it. It WAS awesome. A.
I’ve been a fan of Oyeyemi's writing for a long time, but I am really feeling her recent books in a big way. When I finished this one, I seriously like sighed and said out loud, “that was AWESOME.” I am not going to try and summarize the plot because I don’t think I can do it in a way that makes it properly appealing. Instead I will say that it involves fantasy and fairy tales and gingerbread (this made me so hungry for my own lost-childhood-gingerbread) and mothers and daughters and and and anyway I loved it. It WAS awesome. A.
Saturday, March 09, 2019
2019 book 37
Amy Rose Capetta's The Lost Coast
I am pretty much here for any and all books about queer teen witches, so enjoyed this for sure. There is kind of a lot going on here, with new girls and magic and spells and storms and romance and a whole murder mystery element. I actually think the book would have been better without the mystery stuff, which just popped up occasionally, felt shoehorned in, and had an unsatisfying conclusion. The story about a group of girls bonding and trying to rescue one of their own was enough on its own, for me. Anyway, this should be made into a movie, because today's teens need their own version of The Craft. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.
I am pretty much here for any and all books about queer teen witches, so enjoyed this for sure. There is kind of a lot going on here, with new girls and magic and spells and storms and romance and a whole murder mystery element. I actually think the book would have been better without the mystery stuff, which just popped up occasionally, felt shoehorned in, and had an unsatisfying conclusion. The story about a group of girls bonding and trying to rescue one of their own was enough on its own, for me. Anyway, this should be made into a movie, because today's teens need their own version of The Craft. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.
Thursday, March 07, 2019
2019 book 36
Margaret Dumas' Murder at the Palace
Don't be fooled by the title--this isn't like a Regency-era historical mystery. It's contemporary and the titular Palace is a movie theater that shows classic movies! Our heroine is fleeing Hollywood and her famous actor husband (and his famous affair with a famous actress) and her best friend sets her up managing said movie theater in San Francisco. Of course she immediately finds a dead body and we're off to the races. Also, the theater is HAUNTED! There is not a ton of plot to the mystery, and the Macguffin is pretty obvious, but the characters and setting were a lot of fun—this is the first in a series that I’ll definitely be reading more of. A-.
Don't be fooled by the title--this isn't like a Regency-era historical mystery. It's contemporary and the titular Palace is a movie theater that shows classic movies! Our heroine is fleeing Hollywood and her famous actor husband (and his famous affair with a famous actress) and her best friend sets her up managing said movie theater in San Francisco. Of course she immediately finds a dead body and we're off to the races. Also, the theater is HAUNTED! There is not a ton of plot to the mystery, and the Macguffin is pretty obvious, but the characters and setting were a lot of fun—this is the first in a series that I’ll definitely be reading more of. A-.
Tuesday, March 05, 2019
2019 book 35
Melina Marchetta’s Quintana of Charyn
Marchetta's Lumatere trilogy concludes with a book that feels lighter-hearted than its predecessors, despite having more battle scenes. There is just more humor and more justice in this one! And more kindness. A satisfying final chapter.
Marchetta's Lumatere trilogy concludes with a book that feels lighter-hearted than its predecessors, despite having more battle scenes. There is just more humor and more justice in this one! And more kindness. A satisfying final chapter.
2019 book 34
Melina Marchetta's Froi of the Exiles
Woof, I forgot that a lot of the plot of this one revolves around sexual assault/unwanted sexual contact (a princess who has to try and conceive a child to reverse a curse). So major warnings there. Otherwise, this is a solid second chapter of an interesting epic fantasy trilogy--lots of politics and action and newfound families and friends, and stubborn men dealing with their romantic feelings. I am sometimes more interested in the secondary characters in this one, but that's because Marchetta makes them so compelling!
Woof, I forgot that a lot of the plot of this one revolves around sexual assault/unwanted sexual contact (a princess who has to try and conceive a child to reverse a curse). So major warnings there. Otherwise, this is a solid second chapter of an interesting epic fantasy trilogy--lots of politics and action and newfound families and friends, and stubborn men dealing with their romantic feelings. I am sometimes more interested in the secondary characters in this one, but that's because Marchetta makes them so compelling!
Sunday, March 03, 2019
2019 book 33
Melina Marchetta's Finnikin of the Rock
I wanted to read another epic fantasy sort of story, but nothing I started was hitting the right note, so I decided to reread this. I like this story a lot—Marchetta is one of my favorite authors—but there is a lot of rape and brutality that makes it hard to read. Anyway, it’s kind of your classic fantasy story, gotta reclaim a kingdom from a magical curse, but the focus here is really on the relationships between the characters, which I appreciate.
I wanted to read another epic fantasy sort of story, but nothing I started was hitting the right note, so I decided to reread this. I like this story a lot—Marchetta is one of my favorite authors—but there is a lot of rape and brutality that makes it hard to read. Anyway, it’s kind of your classic fantasy story, gotta reclaim a kingdom from a magical curse, but the focus here is really on the relationships between the characters, which I appreciate.
Friday, March 01, 2019
2019 book 32
Victoria Goddard's The Hands of the Emperor
Sometimes the best thing is just to sink into a very long and very interesting fantasy novel! This is a stand-alone, I think, but set in the same universe as Goddard's Greenwing and Dart books. And like those, the central relationship is a friendship between two men—only here, one is the Secretary and de facto head of the government to the other, the Emperor, who is also a living god. I will say this is a very absorbing story considering that it is not particularly action-packed—there’s lots of politicking, and feelings, and improving governments, and family stuff, and friendships between a bunch of middle aged men, and I enjoyed it very much. I did wish there had been a closer edit—there are several typos and a fair number of repetitions. That is a minor quibble, though. I am definitely excited for whatever Goddard does next. A/A-.
Sometimes the best thing is just to sink into a very long and very interesting fantasy novel! This is a stand-alone, I think, but set in the same universe as Goddard's Greenwing and Dart books. And like those, the central relationship is a friendship between two men—only here, one is the Secretary and de facto head of the government to the other, the Emperor, who is also a living god. I will say this is a very absorbing story considering that it is not particularly action-packed—there’s lots of politicking, and feelings, and improving governments, and family stuff, and friendships between a bunch of middle aged men, and I enjoyed it very much. I did wish there had been a closer edit—there are several typos and a fair number of repetitions. That is a minor quibble, though. I am definitely excited for whatever Goddard does next. A/A-.
Monday, February 25, 2019
2019 book 31
Minnie Darke's Star-Crossed
I wanted to read something cute, and the description of this made it seem like it could either be cute or kind of annoying. Unfortunately, it was more of the latter. It’s about a young woman (in Australia) who wants to be a journalist. Then she encounters the boy she grew up with—and had a crush on—and uses her job at a local paper to start messing with his horoscope in an effort to spark a romance. I was not at all invested in either of them, but Darke does introduce some little side characters who are ALSO impacted by the fake horoscopes, and that little throughline was a lot more interesting to me. Still, I kept putting this down to play iPhone games and was in no rush to get back to it. It was FINE, just not particularly satisfying to me. B.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.
I wanted to read something cute, and the description of this made it seem like it could either be cute or kind of annoying. Unfortunately, it was more of the latter. It’s about a young woman (in Australia) who wants to be a journalist. Then she encounters the boy she grew up with—and had a crush on—and uses her job at a local paper to start messing with his horoscope in an effort to spark a romance. I was not at all invested in either of them, but Darke does introduce some little side characters who are ALSO impacted by the fake horoscopes, and that little throughline was a lot more interesting to me. Still, I kept putting this down to play iPhone games and was in no rush to get back to it. It was FINE, just not particularly satisfying to me. B.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in May.
Friday, February 22, 2019
2019 book 30
Lauren Wilkinson's American Spy
I was really excited to read a spy novel centering on a black woman in the 1980s, and while the book does get a bit into the discrimination she faced, it went off the rails a bit for me. Like, I wanted her to be competent, and we don’t see that much—instead she is distracted by romantic feelings. The novel is written as a letter to her young sons, so some information is missing by default, but it also means the end is somewhat inconclusive. I liked the way the character and her relationships with her family were all written, but just found the actual spy parts kind of disappointing. B.
I was really excited to read a spy novel centering on a black woman in the 1980s, and while the book does get a bit into the discrimination she faced, it went off the rails a bit for me. Like, I wanted her to be competent, and we don’t see that much—instead she is distracted by romantic feelings. The novel is written as a letter to her young sons, so some information is missing by default, but it also means the end is somewhat inconclusive. I liked the way the character and her relationships with her family were all written, but just found the actual spy parts kind of disappointing. B.
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
2019 book 29
E.K. Johnston's The Afterward
I think I have loved all the books I’ve read by Johnston, and this was no exception! It’s your typical epic fantasy magical quest sort of novel, except it mostly takes place after said quest (there are occasional flashbacks, mainly dealing with the romantic relationship between the two protagonists). Lots of great diversity of all kinds here, and it feels effortless, which is nice. Said protagonists are a pair of young women, an apprentice knight (almost all the knights are women!!) and a thief, and both are interesting and likable POV characters who you'll be rooting for. This was a lot of fun and just a really nice read, if you know what I mean. A/A-.
I think I have loved all the books I’ve read by Johnston, and this was no exception! It’s your typical epic fantasy magical quest sort of novel, except it mostly takes place after said quest (there are occasional flashbacks, mainly dealing with the romantic relationship between the two protagonists). Lots of great diversity of all kinds here, and it feels effortless, which is nice. Said protagonists are a pair of young women, an apprentice knight (almost all the knights are women!!) and a thief, and both are interesting and likable POV characters who you'll be rooting for. This was a lot of fun and just a really nice read, if you know what I mean. A/A-.
2019 book 28
Cecelia Ahern's Roar
Ahern's latest feels like a departure for her—it’s a collection of feminist fables, each with a different unnamed woman as its protagonist. Some are biting, some incisive, some funny, some moving; all are angry. I will say that I kept thinking they were going to build to something, all come together, and that wasn’t really the case. I also don’t recommend reading this all in one go, as they sort of lose power when you read one after another after another. But I definitely do recommend checking this out. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in April.
Ahern's latest feels like a departure for her—it’s a collection of feminist fables, each with a different unnamed woman as its protagonist. Some are biting, some incisive, some funny, some moving; all are angry. I will say that I kept thinking they were going to build to something, all come together, and that wasn’t really the case. I also don’t recommend reading this all in one go, as they sort of lose power when you read one after another after another. But I definitely do recommend checking this out. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in April.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
2019 book 27
Kate Hope Day's If, Then
This debut novel was SUPER interesting and compelling. It centers on a few people who suddenly start seeing visions of alternate versions of their lives—a chief of surgery who sees herself married to a (woman) coworker instead of her husband; said husband, who sees a ravaged version of himself and falls into a prepper hole; a young realtor who sees her recently deceased mother; and a philosophy grad student trying to balance her career with her newborn baby. I feel like it all came together in a way that worked and was also satisfying. And anyway, you know I love a novel with parallel worlds! Lots of good stuff here and I look forward to seeing what this author does next. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in March.
This debut novel was SUPER interesting and compelling. It centers on a few people who suddenly start seeing visions of alternate versions of their lives—a chief of surgery who sees herself married to a (woman) coworker instead of her husband; said husband, who sees a ravaged version of himself and falls into a prepper hole; a young realtor who sees her recently deceased mother; and a philosophy grad student trying to balance her career with her newborn baby. I feel like it all came together in a way that worked and was also satisfying. And anyway, you know I love a novel with parallel worlds! Lots of good stuff here and I look forward to seeing what this author does next. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in March.
Monday, February 18, 2019
2019 book 26
Sally Rooney's Normal People
Rooney writes books that, when you describe them, sound maybe like general/women's fiction, but she definitely has a more literary bent. That is maybe why I found this sliiiiightly dissatisfying! It's about two people, starting as teens, when she is a rich social outcast, and he is the popular son of her house cleaner, and how they come together and apart through high school and college. I read this pretty much in one sitting and was totally into it, even though much of the conflict could have been cleared up if either party was willing to have an honest conversation about their feelings. I don’t know what sort of resolution would have satisfied me here, but the ending here left me a little empty. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in April.
Rooney writes books that, when you describe them, sound maybe like general/women's fiction, but she definitely has a more literary bent. That is maybe why I found this sliiiiightly dissatisfying! It's about two people, starting as teens, when she is a rich social outcast, and he is the popular son of her house cleaner, and how they come together and apart through high school and college. I read this pretty much in one sitting and was totally into it, even though much of the conflict could have been cleared up if either party was willing to have an honest conversation about their feelings. I don’t know what sort of resolution would have satisfied me here, but the ending here left me a little empty. A-.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released in April.
2019 book 25
Fran Wilde's Riverland
So this book is a bit of a rough read—it’s about a girl in a physically and emotionally abusive home, trying to protect her younger sister and herself, when a river to a magical place appears under her bed. There is some good stuff here about learning to trust, and I liked the relationship between the sisters, but I wanted a bit more from the ending. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher, this book will be released in April.
So this book is a bit of a rough read—it’s about a girl in a physically and emotionally abusive home, trying to protect her younger sister and herself, when a river to a magical place appears under her bed. There is some good stuff here about learning to trust, and I liked the relationship between the sisters, but I wanted a bit more from the ending. B+.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher, this book will be released in April.
2019 book 24
Jaclyn Moriarty’s Gravity Is The Thing
I know this book isn’t out until July, but I couldn’t wait to read Moriarty's first novel aimed at adults! This has everything I love about Moriarty's books—the hilariously dry narrative voice, complicated families, lots of love. It centers on a woman who has received chapters of a mysterious Guidebook over the years, and now is being invited to a retreat where The Truth will be revealed. Why not check it out? This was just wonderful. Moriarty is one of my favorite writers, one I read when I am down or just in a reading rut, and she always makes me happy. I hope this brings a lot of new readers her way. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher.
I know this book isn’t out until July, but I couldn’t wait to read Moriarty's first novel aimed at adults! This has everything I love about Moriarty's books—the hilariously dry narrative voice, complicated families, lots of love. It centers on a woman who has received chapters of a mysterious Guidebook over the years, and now is being invited to a retreat where The Truth will be revealed. Why not check it out? This was just wonderful. Moriarty is one of my favorite writers, one I read when I am down or just in a reading rut, and she always makes me happy. I hope this brings a lot of new readers her way. A.
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A review copy was provided by the publisher.
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