Review: Never Say Sever in Deadwood

Never Say Sever in Deadwood by Ann Charles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Never Say Sever in Deadwood is the 12th book in the Deadwood series by Ann Charles.  I wouldn't recommend starting with this book if you haven't read any other part of the series.  You wouldn't be completely lost, but there are plenty of references to things that happened in prior books.

Since I'm 12 books into the series, you can already guess that I like these books.  They are a good combination of things I like in books: funny, a little bit sexy, a little bit spooky, not too gory, with some good action to keep 'em moving.  I find these books a nice chaser to something super serious or really long.  They provide a great balance.

Bonus points for always including the best animals! 

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Review: CIA 101: A Crash Course in Agency Case Officers

CIA 101: A Crash Course in Agency Case Officers by Professor Millick
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received a copy of CIA 101: A Crash Course in Agency Case Officers by Professor Millick from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for possibly writing a review.

As a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State, it is pretty common for people to think I am involved in the world's second oldest profession.  I'm not which is usually met with the response, "Of course you would say that if you were."  So I just have to accept that people think I'm a spy.  With that in mind, I thought reading this would be a fun exercise in learning all the things that I supposedly already know how to do.  What I did learn, there are some real similarities between State and the Central Intelligence Agency and between diplomats and case officers.  I can see why people might confuse us.  

I appreciate that the author didn't try to sugarcoat his experience.  Every government agency has things it can improve at.  There is definitely humor and some very interesting material.   If you are intrigued by the Agency, you might want to start here. 

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Review: Hope Never Dies

Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received Hope Never Dies by Andrew Shaffer as a gift from a friend a few years ago.  It is the first book in the Obama Biden Mystery series.  It has taken me a while to get around to reading it because I thought it might be hokey.  It was humorous but not really hokey.  There's a little bit of mystery and some good action.  

While it is billed as Obama Biden, it really is more about Joe Biden than Barack Obama.  This is 2018.  What is former Vice President Biden up to?  Maybe looking for a little adventure to spice things up?  Experiencing some FOMO as he scrolls through Obama's social media?  This book posits one option.  I give Andrew Shaffer a lot of credit.  I felt like I was reading something Joe Biden might have written.

I expect that a person's politics will probably influence whether they pick this book up at all.  It really shouldn't because it is a fun book no matter who you vote for.  But I imagine some people would have fits reading about Joe Biden as a sympathetic character and doing good *gasp* with his old buddy, Barack Obama.  If you are not one of those people, you just might enjoy this book. 

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Review: Neverworld Wake

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed Marisha Pessl's other books, so I was very much looking forward to Neverworld Wake.  Just as I expected, I loved this one too!  I'm not going to tell you too much about it.  A group of friends.  A mystery.  A challenge.  I described it to a friend as "like The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle....except less murdery...and less urgent."  I might even say it reminds me a bit of the Wizard of Oz.  If that makes any sense to you and you find it appealing, read this book!  But also read it if you like books that feel sort of haunting and gothic or books that are just plain good.  

Bonus points for all of The Cure references because they are the perfect band for this book!

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Review: I Hate Vegetables Cookbook: Fresh and Easy Vegetable Recipes That Will Change Your Mind

I Hate Vegetables Cookbook: Fresh and Easy Vegetable Recipes That Will Change Your Mind by Katie Moseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have many cookbooks, but I don't necessarily read many cookbooks.  I made an exception for I Hate Vegetables by Katie Moseman.  As a vegetarian, I am always looking for ways to incorporate new vegetables into my life, but I don't always know what to do with them.  This cookbook is great for veggie lovers and haters alike.  All of the recipes are suitable for omnivore and vegetarian diets.  There are thoughtful explanations of some of the more exotic veggies, like Aquafaba (chickpea liquid) and Haricots Verts (fancy green beans), and how to cook with them.  The recipes are designed to give you a chance to experiment with these new veggies and the various techniques for cooking them.  All around super useful for anyone wanting to incorporate more vegetables in their diet.

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Review: Nevertheless, She Persisted: Flash Fiction Project

Nevertheless, She Persisted: Flash Fiction Project by Diana M. Pho
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nevertheless, She Persisted is a collection of flash fiction pieces by various amazing authors centered around the same prompt.  Can you guess what the prompt is?  In case you are stumped, it is: She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.  This is a great way to sample authors new to you or get a brief hit of your faves in between books.  I read the whole book in one sitting.  

I love Seanan McGuire, Charlie Jane Anders, Catherynne M. Valente, Maria Dahvana Headley, and Brooke Bolander already so reading this was a no-brainer.  Margot and Rosalind was a clear favorite.  Charlie Jane can do no wrong by me, and I can never get enough, so I appreciate every single opportunity to read her work.  It reminded me so much of why I started reading Charlie Jane in the first place.  Then, Astronaut by Maria Dahvana Headley blew me away!  While fiction, it is based on a real historical figure who deserved to have her story told.  You know a story is good when you need to find out everything you can about the subject.     

Thanks to Tor.com for putting this together!

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Review: She Has Her Mother's Laugh: What Heredity Is, Is Not, and May Become

She Has Her Mother's Laugh: What Heredity Is, Is Not, and May Become by Carl Zimmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

She Has Her Mother's Laugh by Carl Zimmer is not a quick read, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't read it if you have an interest in genes, genetics, heredity, or genealogy.  In fact, if you have an interest in any of those things, I highly recommend reading this book.  Are there a lot of scientific terms and concepts?  Yes (but come on, how could there not be?)  Zimmer breaks those concepts down using interesting examples so that the book is accessible to the general reader.  

This book takes you beyond what you learned in high school biology.  Some of the things I learned:  Lactose intolerance is more common than tolerance.  Thank goodness I got the right gene for that!  A woman can give birth to a child, with a court-appointed witness, and still have a DNA test show she isn't the mother.  WHAT?  Also, pregnant women will still carry cells and DNA from their child after giving birth.  I took that as a cautionary tale to pick your baby daddy wisely.  Even more mind-blowing....genetic chimeras.  I'm not even going to try to explain it although if you have a calico cat congratulations.  But there are also human chimeras.  Oooo, you'll have to read the book. 

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