Review: Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life

Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life by Alan Cumming
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an advanced copy of Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life by Alan Cumming from Dey Street Books via Netgalley in exchange for possibly writing a review.  There was never a doubt that I would read this book.  I enjoy Alan Cumming's acting and was moved by his book, Not My Father's Son.  Reading more tales from his life was a no-brainer.  

Although Baggage does touch a bit on his relationship with his father, it is more about Cumming's entertainment career.  I chuckled when he acknowledged that memory isn't perfect, so this memoir is painted with that brush and may not be 100% accurate.  Thank you for being honest!  He also acknowledges that his was not the typical journey to stardom.  In fact, the odds were against him ever getting out of Scotland.  Yet, he seems to have had some cosmic force on his side.  I loved his stories, whether they be about his relationships (so relatable!), other celebrities, or the productions he's worked on.  I like to imagine them being told to me in his Scottish accent.

Bonus points:  I really have to get my butt over to Club Cumming for a show!    

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Review: The Council of Twelve

The Council of Twelve by Oliver Pötzsch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Council of Twelve is the seventh book the The Hangman's Daughter series by Oliver Pötzsch.  While you could start with this one and not be very lost, I would recommend reading the series in order.  There are references to previous books in this one.  The Hangman's Daughter books are a time investment because they are all quite long but well worth it.  

The Council of Twelve might be my favorite so far.  It was ambitious in how much time it gave to all of the characters.  Some of the previous books tend to focus on just a couple of people.  This time, I felt I got to catch up with everyone.  It really highlights the unique difficulties of being a woman.  As they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.  

This book contains a little bit of everything: epic family saga, mystery, thriller, romance, and history.  I appreciate the amount of historical detail that is included even if I can get squeamish with some of the descriptions.  If you are easily triggered, these probably aren't good books for you.  

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Review: The Eight

The Eight by Katherine Neville
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don't play chess, so I was surprised a bit at how engrossing I found The Eight by Katherine Neville.  You don't have to be a chess player or a fan of The Queen's Gambit show to appreciate the strategy involved in the game and that is carried over into the narrative of this book.  It's a rather epic story following two women through different historical periods as they become immersed in The Game.  While it is quite long, I found the pace of the book to be rather fast with quite a bit of action and suspense.  You are trying to unravel the mysteries right along with the characters.  You do have to suspend a certain amount of disbelief, this is fiction after all, isn't it?  

Bonus points for giving Carioca a rather substantial role for a tiny dog.  

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Review: Second Best Thing: Marilyn, JFK, and a Night to Remember

Second Best Thing: Marilyn, JFK, and a Night to Remember by James L. Swanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Second Best Thing: Marilyn, JFK, and a Night to Remember is a short story by James L. Swanson.  The story is inspired by the cover photo.  The author came across it in an auction of prints by one of John F. Kennedy's friends/White House photographers.  The photo was taken on the famous night that Marilyn sang Happy Birthday at JFK's birthday party.  History buffs and those interested in Marilyn Monroe and/or JFK may enjoy reading the recap of that iconic evening.  

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Review: The Gravedigger’s Son

The Gravedigger’s Son by Darynda Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

1001 Dark Nights: The Gravedigger's Son is a novella in the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones.  This novella takes place several years after the series, so you will want to read the series first for context.  This novella focuses on Amber and Quentin.  I'll admit that it was a bit hard for me to make the leap to them being full-blown adults.  It was interesting to see what happened to them after the series was over.  If you want to visit the Charley Davidson world again, this is a good way to do it.

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Review: The Graveyard Shift

The Graveyard Shift by Darynda Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

1001 Dark Nights: The Graveyard Shift is a novella in the Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones.  This novella takes places after book 13, so you will want to read the series first.  The great thing about this story is it focuses on supporting characters for the most part, so you get to learn more about their back story.  But also, we get more in the story of Beep.  If you wondered what happened to her, you'll want to read this!

Bonus points for sweet hellhounds and Artemis!

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Review: Searching for the Cashews in a Can of Mixed Nuts

Searching for the Cashews in a Can of Mixed Nuts by A. G. Sloan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Searching for the Cashews in a Can of Mixed Nuts is the third book by A.G. Sloan.  As the third book in a trilogy, it carries a heavy burden.  The first two books have built the reader up to a point of high expectations, and they expect a satisfactory resolution.  We followed you this far...  With that in mind, Searching for the Cashews is the perfect end to this trilogy, better than The Return of the King for sure.  

I found it funny and heartwarming.  It certainly felt more personal than the first two books.  Now, I will admit that I am not completely unbiased here.  You see, A.G. Sloan was one of my middle school teachers.  The people and places he references mean a lot to me.  Some of the students quoted are my friends.  Many of the teachers mentioned were my teachers.  I was even a substitute teacher at Lester J. Stevens Middle School right before joining the Foreign Service.  I ate my lunch in the teachers' lounge with these people.  These are the people who helped shape the person I am today.  It's special.  

I'm not going to lie though.  I liked reading all the behind-the-scenes tea of my former teachers.  Even as a student, I got the sense that Mr. Sloan was a little bit of the rebel.  CONFIRMED!

Bonus Points:  Cashews are the best nuts!  Don't @ me!!!

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