Review: Surrender the Pink

Surrender the Pink by Carrie Fisher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to the audiobook of Surrender the Pink written and narrated by Carrie Fisher.  I'm not sure how this one has escaped me all these years, but I stumbled upon it in the New York Public Library Catalog and had to give it a go.  I love listening to Carrie Fisher tell her stories, nonfiction and fiction.  This one is fiction.  It is only about three hours, so I listened to the whole thing in one sitting.  And while I don't usually read romance and this might be billed as "romance," it's not very romantic.  It does contain plenty of Fisher's biting humor about the condition of relationships between men and women.  

If you've ever had the inclination to stalk an ex because they "seem happy" in their new relationship, you'll want to pick up this book.

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Review: The World Beneath

The World Beneath by Rebecca Cantrell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The World Beneath is the first book in the Joe Tesla series by Rebecca Cantrell.  I came to this book through a series that Rebecca Cantrell did with another of my favorite authors, James Rollins.  I figured if it was half as good as though, it would still be really good.  Didn't disappoint.  Definitely start here because it sets up the rest of the series.

What an interesting concept...a whip-smart agoraphobe living in a house built in the New York subway system gets accidentally mixed up in a huge conspiracy.  You wouldn't expect that.  You also wouldn't expect reading about underground tunnels to be really interesting but it is.  What other mysteries could that system hold?

Bonus points for having an incredible dog included.  Service animals deserve to be portrayed as heroes too.

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Review: The Halo Effect

The Halo Effect by M.J. Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Halo Effect is the first book in the Butterfield Institute or Dr. Sin series by M.J. Rose.  I'm going to recommend you start reading here since it lays the foundational backstory.  

This book is listed intriguingly as an erotic thriller, and it lives up to that description.  I've never read anything quite like it.   It is equal parts sexy and suspenseful.  The main character, a sex therapist in New York City, finds herself drawn into a case of a serial killer killing sex workers in an unusual way.  M.J. Rose is a master of the senses.  Her writing is very evocative.

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Review: Tomboyland: Essays

Tomboyland: Essays by Melissa Faliveno
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tomboyland is a collection of essays on diverse topics by Melissa Faliveno.  What drew me to this book was the similarities between the author and me.  They grew up not far from where I call home in Wisconsin.  Small town, somewhat rural upbringing.  We both live in NYC now (or at least I think they do).  Neither of us wants to have children, but we like animals.  We don't fit the molds society tries to put us in.  They hooked me with the first essay on tornadoes.  I've never read a more fitting description of what it was like to grow up in Tornado Alley.  

Identity is a recurring theme in the essays.  Not just gender and sexual identity, but also geographical, political, and familial identity.  What does that all mean, if anything? What happens when they start to intersect?  What if they conflict?  These essays can appeal to a diverse audience.  But if nothing else, read it for the essay on tornadoes.          

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Review: The Beekeeper's Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America

The Beekeeper's Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America by Hannah Nordhaus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Beekeeper's Lament: How One Man and Half a Billion Honey Bees Help Feed America by Hannah Nordhaus is a really interesting read for anyone who loves bees.  Note, I said interesting and not uplifting.  It's pretty damn sad.  I have really complex feelings about such large-scale beekeeping even though I know it is essential to our food supply.  It is heartening to know that some of those beekeepers love their bees and do everything possible to make sure they have a good life.  

I learned more than I ever would want to know about the almond industry.  Probably more than I ever would want to know about agriculture in general.  The main takeaway is beekeeping is a passion project.  You aren't going to get rich.  It's incredibly hard work.  And, the almond farmers are going to steal all the glory.  

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Review: Like Mother, Like Daughter

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Cathy Guisewite
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Cathy Guisewite is a short tribute to the bond between mothers and daughters.  It is essentially one panel illustrations each with a quote about some aspect of that bond.  You can read it in minutes, so it is really more of a keepsake item.  

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Review: Truthwitch

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Truthwitch is the first book in The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard.  You will definitely want to start here because there is world-building involved and yet, it is not overly complex.  It is considered YA.  However, I think it is just as enjoyable for adults.

Truthwitch is a fun, action-packed adventure of two best friends.  I loved that the two main characters were kickass women but also besties.  You don't often see female friendship as the central relationship of a book.  It was definitely unique.  There's magic, romance, and battle.  A little of something for everyone.

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Review: Piece of My Heart

Piece of My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Piece of My Heart is the seventh book in the Under Suspicion series by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke.  I wouldn't start with this book.  It is quite a bit different from the other books in the series.  The others involve a true crime reality show.  The show is not really central to this book.  Instead this book is about family and the lengths we will go to for them.  I think this is the last book in the series, and it was a nice way to end.

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