Review: The Cure's Disintegration

The Cure's Disintegration by Andi Harriman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Cure's Disintegration by Andi Harriman from Bloomsbury Academic via NetGalley.  This book will be published around October 15, 2026.

The Cure's Disintegration by Andi Harriman is part of the 33 1/3 series.  It focuses on one album and its place in music history.  In this case, Harriman chose to look at Disintegration through the lens of Charles Baudelaire's "Spleen."  I hadn't read Baudelaire, but I understand the sentiment.  I think of Disintegration like upbeat melancholy if you can have such a thing.  You might be sad, but you still want to dance around the room. Fans of The Cure will understand what I mean.  I find learning more about the behind-the-scenes of the album gives me an even greater appreciation of the music.  If you are a fan, you will want to read this when it comes out.  And then listen to Disintegration on repeat.

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Review: The Backyard Bird Chronicles

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Backyard Bird Chronicles is a compilation of excerpts from Amy Tan's nature journals over a six year period documenting the wild birds that turn up in her backyard.  It is written in journal form and includes the drawings she has done of her birds.  I absolutely loved this book!  As someone who also enjoys watching the birds that show up in her backyard, I could appreciate Tan's enthusiasm for her visitors.  I wish I had the money to maintain the level of dedication she has to hers.  She has so many feeders and what sounds like the coolest bird-friendly house.  She also buys my weight in mealworms every day.  I'm not quite there yet, but I could see how it would be easy to become the crazy bird lady.  She is not claiming to be an expert on birds, and I can also appreciate that.  I didn't even think about modifying my bird feeders for ground feeders because they all seemed to adapt.  She seemed to have a similar epiphany when the bird snobs told her ground feeders would never eat on an elevated feeder and vice versa.  I am hoping there will be another book that includes more of the journals.  The drawings are beautiful, and I love the humor!  I too give my birds back stories while watching them.  I haven't named them, but I recognize my regulars.  If you like birds, you will want to read this.

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Review: Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures

Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures by Nick Pyenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have mixed feelings about Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures by Nick Pyenson.  I love learning about whales, but there was a lot of death in here that I had a difficult time reading.  Understandably, Nick is a paleontologist, so he is into bones.  I don't have a problem with that.  I do have a problem with reading about going whaling to collect specimens.  It is hard to think that the ends justify those means.  Sure, I want to know more about the history of whales but not by killing the current ones.  I guess you could say that they were going to die anyway, so better they be of scientific value.  It was still tough to read.  It is amazing when you realize how long they live and the cultures they develop.  I don't think many people realize some whale species are second in intelligence to humans and at one time were actually smarter than humans.  They might still be and just don't want us to know it.  I pushed through in order to learn more and maybe find hope for the future.  I'm not sure I found hope, but I did learn.  If you aren't squeamish about whale death, but want to learn more about those fantastic mammals, check this out.

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Review: 26 Beauties

26 Beauties by James Patterson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

26 Beauties is the 26th book in the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson.  You could read this as a standalone.  I enjoy this series and think each book is a fast read, so it is worth it to start at the beginning in my opinion if you haven't read any others.  I read this series for the characters.  I am invested in what happens to each of them.  This time we are dealing with human trafficking.  I don't know if people realize how prevalent it can be in the U.S.  or how easy it is for any young person to get caught up in it, especially in a world where so many young people dream of being influencers.  While low income or unhoused youth might be easy targets, they aren't the only ones.  It is an eye-opening case.

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Review: True Crime: A Memoir

True Crime: A Memoir by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Postmortem when nobody else was.  My mom bought them in hardback and kept them.  Whenever I came home to visit, I would devour the stack of the latest ones.  It was a love we shared.  It is no shock that I would want to read True Crime: A Memoir by Patricia Cornwell to understand the person behind those books.  To be fair, I have also read the Captain Chase and Jack the Ripper series.  Scarpetta is still my favorite.  

True Crime: A Memoir taught me that while I knew a little bit about Patricia Cornwell, I really had no idea about her and her influences.  I am not surprised that she is multi-faceted.  It is the facets themselves that are intriguing.  I would never have guessed she was so close to Ruth Graham.  Maybe if I had read Ruth's biography I would?  I would not have guessed that writing didn't come naturally or how her writing style is an extension of that discomfort.  It is how we get Scarpetta, and I am quite thankful for that.  

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Review: Sharp Force

Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sharp Force is the 29th book in the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell.  You don't necessarily have to read the whole series to understand this book. It could be read as a stand-alone, but I probably wouldn't start the series here.  It has all of your favorite characters if you are a series regular.  There are some dynamics playing out that you may not totally understand if you have never read the books before.  The case is interesting with its use of advanced technology to stalk victims.  It is crime of the future that is totally possible now.  The resolution was not my favorite, BUT I would still read it because I always want to know more about Kay and her crew.

Bonus points for Merlin, one super smart kitty.  I also love how much Kay cares about him even though he isn't her cat.  I would be the exact same way.  

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Review: The Ending Writes Itself

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke is perfect for lovers of Clue and/or stuck-on-an-island mysteries.  In this case, writers from a variety of genres are invited to the private island of a famous mystery/thriller author for a writer's retreat.  This could be the break they are looking for!  It is a mystery, so it is not a spoiler to say that someone dies.  Can they figure out whodunnit?  

I found this delightful even with the murder.  I enjoyed leaning into the tropes and stereotypes of literary genres.  Of course the romance writer would wear shades of red and pink!  There are plenty of clever surprises.  I hope we see more from Evelyn Clarke.

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