Review: The Suitcase Clone

The Suitcase Clone by Robin Sloan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Suitcase Clone is a short story by Robin Sloan.  From the start, you get the idea that this is set in the universe of Sourdough.  You don't have to read Sourdough to read this, but I still highly recommend it because it's great.  

The Suitcase Clone takes us away from bread and into the world of wine.  Creepy castles, eccentric characters, sinister rot.  It almost felt like Clue.  I don't like wine as much as I like bread, but it was still engaging.  It left me wondering if we will have a story about cheese now to round it all out.   

View all my reviews

Review: Until the Last of Me

Until the Last of Me by Sylvain Neuvel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Until the Last of Me is the second book in the Take Them to the Stars trilogy by Sylvain Neuvel.  You could read this as a standalone, but I would recommend you didn't.  You will definitely want to read them in order because this book does reference events and build on ideas from the first book.  

I was surprised that this book introduces the other side of the story.  In the first book, we mostly saw the story from the point of view of the Kibsu.  Now we start to see more of the Trackers.  It's disturbing.  They make me more than uneasy.  The thing is, while in this world, the Trackers are not regular humans, they read too much like men I've known.  They are predators.  If you've ever been stalked, you will know the feeling I mean.  If that is something that triggers you, you may want to proceed with caution.  But for me, good writing evokes deep feelings, good and bad.  I feel the urgency, the need to run or fight for my life.  I just wish I could kick ass like the Kibsu too.  

While this is an alternate history of the space race, it is about the reality of the suppression of the contributions women in history.  I enjoy that Neuvel incorporates the stories of real historic women in between the chapters as previous Kibsu.  Even if the names are changed, you might recognize them.  If you don't, you will want to read up on them afterward.  Inspiring!  

Bonus points for having chapter titles that correspond to a music playlist.  Love that!

View all my reviews

Review: My Evil Mother

My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My Evil Mother is a short story by Margaret Atwood available through Amazon Original Stories.  You can probably finish it in under an hour.  

I related so hard to this story.  As a teenager, I rebelled against everything my mother stood for, the maternal ideal.  She gave up being a hairdresser to raise children and keep a home. I rejected her attempts to domesticate me.  That's how I saw it anyway.  My mom also had a witchy side. Her magic was food.  She also loved horror enough to be just a tad scary.  You have to watch out for the sweet-looking grandma types.  It wasn't until I was much older that I learned to appreciate the lessons she had tried to teach me.  I still wish I had learned her recipe for 9 day pickles, those little emerald jewels.  A pickle I have never seen truly replicated.  That recipe died with her.  Reading this reminds me that it might be an inevitable cycle of life.  We are all destined to think our parents are wrong until we are old enough to realize they might just be right.         

View all my reviews

Review: The Cabinet of Dr. Leng

The Cabinet of Dr. Leng by Douglas Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, the 21st book in the Pendergast series, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley.

I agree with the authors that it is important to read the books in order.  But, if you are not sure you want to make a 21 book investment, this book is part of a smaller series within a series.  Before reading it, you will definitely want to have read The Cabinet of Curiosities and Bloodlines.  This is the third book in that four book mini-series.  

I loved that this book brings all of our favorite characters from across the series into one book.  Without giving too much away, there are two different storylines happening, and if you followed the advice and read the books in order, you'll know we are firmly moving into science fiction territory here.  It was definitely not what I expected when I first starting reading the Pendergast books but here we are!  I like it.  I look forward to seeing what comes next.

View all my reviews

Review: Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life

Love That Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life by Jonathan Van Ness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Love that Story: Observations from a Gorgeously Queer Life by Jonathan Van Ness is a collection of essays on various topics that are near and dear to their heart.  If you've seen their shows, listened to their podcast, or generally been in their orbit, you will be familiar with their opinions on these topics.  I went to the book launch with JVN and Alok, so I had already heard bits from the book, but it didn't take away from the impact of the stories at all.  What I really love about this is how Jonathan is so candid that they are still learning and evolving, something we should all be striving to do.  

I think you should read the book, so I'm not going to go in depth into the topics.  I do want to highlight two of them though.  The chapter on the HIV/AIDS safety net is so important.  I don't know if many people know it exists.  Spread the word!  People don't have to die from AIDS anymore.  We could end the spread of HIV/AIDS completely.  Tapping into the safety net is the reason why.  The other chapter is the one about Bug the Second.  That chapter broke me down into a puddle of tears.  For anyone who has ever lost a loved one, this chapter will resonate with you.  

Bonus points for wanting to create a LGBTQIA/Dog and Cat Center!  I'm telling you that it was like Jonathan has been reading my mind when they described this dream.  Let's do this, JVN!

View all my reviews