Review: A Spindle Splintered

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Spindle Splintered is the first book in the Fractured Fables series by Alix E. Harrow.  I don't know what the second book is about, so why not just start here?  It's a fairly short book and a fast read.  It will be worth your time.  It is also perfect for teen and adult readers.  

Most people know the story of Sleeping Beauty in some form or another.  This is not that story.  At the same time, this is not not that story.  If you believe in the multiverse, there are an infinite number of Sleeping Beauties living out an infinite number of variations on the tale.  I LOVED this take on the story.  It reminds me of Robin McKinley, one of my favorite YA authors.  Is a curse always a curse, or can it be a blessing?  Who says the "prince" has to be a guy?  Or, are those the variations we are told to keep us in line?  

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Review: Mercury Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde by Emily Segal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mercury Retrograde by Emily Segal isn't what you think it might be about based on the title.  This isn't about horoscopes and planets aligning.  It's about Emily Segal, a trend forecaster making her way in New York City in the enigmatic start-up tech industry.  It's a bit quirky and gets you thinking about society, social media, marketing, and branding, etc.  If you are looking for something outside of the box, give this a read.

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Review: Brazen: My Unorthodox Journey from Long Sleeves to Lingerie

Brazen: My Unorthodox Journey from Long Sleeves to Lingerie by Julia Haart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have a hard copy of Brazen: My Unorthodox Journey from Long Sleeves to Lingerie by Julia Haart, but I opted to listen to the audiobook because I wanted to hear Julia tell her own story.  I went to see her do a book launch for this at 92NY and had the opportunity to meet her.  She is just as warm, kind, and generous in person as she appears to be on her show, My Unorthodox Life.  

She has an incredible story, and I really appreciated that she explained so much about Orthodox Judaism that you were also learning things as her story unfolded.  In fact, some of the terms came up in another book I read recently about a Jewish woman in NY, and I knew what they meant!  If you watch My Unorthodox Life, you will definitely want to read this.  You'll recognize the references.  If you don't watch the show but are interested in people and/or religion, I highly recommend this book.  Religion fascinates me, so this was highly interesting for me.

I want to take a moment to highlight my favorite part of the book, fuck appropriateness.  Julia has embraced this philosophy whole-heartedly, and as I have been getting older, I believe more and more that it is the way to go.  Why should you be forced to tamp down an aspect of your personality because society says it doesn't conform to some gender norm?  You can have bare shoulders and still be a good person.  Don't get me going on shoulders.... We can all afford to be a bit more brazen in our lives.  FUCK APPROPRIATENESS!

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Review: Autopsy

Autopsy by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Autopsy is the 25th book in the Kay Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell.  You could probably start the series here.  It is a fresh start for Dr. Kay Scarpetta so it could be a fresh start for you.  That said, I've read all the books in order, and I'm glad I have.  I was surprised how the book finished.  It felt different from its predecessors.  That's not a bad thing.  It was just unexpected.  If you are going to write 25 books, you have to mix it up and evolve.

My mom introduced me to this series.  She loved it, and we enjoyed talking about the books together.  She was always looking forward to the next one.  She passed away from COVID last year, and I was very sad to read this book without her.  Patricia Cornwell incorporated COVID into this book, and I have to say I could totally relate to Lucy.  Thanks for addressing something that impacted so many people in a thoughtful way and acknowledging the pain they still deal with.  

Bonus points for including a cat.  Every book is better with an animal character!

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Review: Hollow Kingdom

Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hollow Kingdom is the first book in the Hollow Kingdom series by Kira Jane Buxton.  You definitely have to start here.  This is absolutely on my list of favorite books ever, and it is really hard to get there because I read so many books that I enjoy.  I was totally hooked from the first few lines.

If you are an animal lover like I am, this book is hilarious and brings so much joy.  At the same time, there were a few points where I was crying so hard that Izzy, my cat, had to stop ignoring me and come over to make sure I was okay.  That says a lot because she can pretend not to care about me like a champ.  I think she would really relate to Genghis Cat.

Bonus points:  All of them!  Loved the random chapters told from various animal perspectives.  Beautiful!

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Review: Artificial Condition

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Artificial Condition is the second book the The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells.  I definitely recommend reading the first book first.  They are fairly short, so it doesn't take much to catch up.  I found this one even funnier than the first thanks to the introduction of ART, a research transport vessel, who inserts themselves into Murderbot's life.  We also learn more about how Murderbot came to be the way they are.  Looking forward to the next installment.

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