Review: Cackle

Cackle by Rachel Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn't set out to read Cackle by Rachel Harrison in one sitting, but I did anyway.  Once I got going, I just didn't feel like putting it back down.  It's not that it is a thriller and you are dying to know what will happen next.  I just enjoyed being in this world so much I wanted to spend time there.  I guess this counts as horror but if you are looking for gore, this is not the book for you.  There are witchy aspects.  That's not a spoiler.  The title should be a clue.  It is really more about finding yourself and the power of real friendship.  At least, that's what I took away from it.   If that sounds too serious or literary fictiony, don't be turned off.  It is much lighter than that.  It is also about finding a really good cup of coffee and delicious baked goods.  These are keys to a good life.  

Bonus points for Ralph!  I have never wanted a pet spider so much.  I don't kill spiders anyway but now I will be checking to see if they are wearing cute hats.  

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Review: One by One

One by One by Ruth Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

One by One by Ruth Ware is the perfect winter mystery.  I tend to be a Ruth Ware fan in general.  Suspenseful but not overly complicated.  Maybe don't read this one on a ski trip.  Definitely don't read it if you are with a bunch of strangers at a chalet in the Alps.  I have only been skiing one time in my life, and that was more than enough for me.  Reading the skiing bits made my heart race more than murder did.  Chilling.  The story is told in alternating perspectives.  This may help you gather more clues to make your own conclusions about whodunit.    If you Clue, Agatha Christie, or locked room mysteries, this is enjoyable.  

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Review: The Final Girl Support Group

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix is a fantastic read for horror movie fans. Those of you familiar with the "final girl" trope will recognize the characters in this book because they are drawn from final girls from some famous horror movies. But what if final girls were a real thing? Certainly, they would need therapy and is it so far-fetched to think they might start a support group? What happens when someone decides to take out all the final girls? That's what this book is about. Will there be a final final girl? If you love horror movies and/or horror movie tropes, you will love this book. Lots of familiar references. Also, pairs nicely with the Indian Lake Trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones.

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Review: The Final Girl Support Group

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix is a fantastic read for horror movie fans.  Those of you familiar with the "final girl" trope will recognize the characters in this book because they are drawn from final girls from some famous horror movies.  But what if final girls were a real thing?  Certainly, they would need therapy and is it so far-fetched to think they might start a support group?  What happens when someone decides to take out all the final girls?  That's what this book is about.  Will there be a final final girl?  If you love horror movies and/or horror movie tropes, you will love this book.  Lots of familiar references.  Also, pairs nicely with the Indian Lake Trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones.    

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Review: Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark

Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark by Cassandra Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I chose to read Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark by Cassandra Peterson, but I bet the audiobook version is great too. I couldn't help but hear Elvira's voice as I was reading along. It is so distinct, and I used to love to watch her show with my mom, a true horror afficionado.

Before picking up the book, I knew just a few bits and pieces of Cassandra Peterson's story outside of Elvira. I mostly knew that she was a strong animal rights advocate which made me love her and Elvira even more. And despite what people might thing based on appearances, I knew she was a feminist. All the other stories were new to me. Cassandra Peterson has had an incredible life. It would be worth a film of its own because she had an uncanny knack of happening upon amazing opportunities. Her career in Hollywood has survived much longer than most and with out major scandal. It's really impressive. Nobody will ever be able to replace Elvira, but we can aspire to be more like her.

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Review: Sorrowland

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was drawn to Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon because of the promise of a "cult."  The main character, Vern, is trying to escape said cultish religious organization.  She leaves with nothing but the few things she can carry and the knowledge she has gained from the doomsday prepping the group did.  The rich descriptions of her time on the run, living in a forest, almost have you believing she can avoid "civilization" forever.  Of course, that would be a very different book.  We would never get to find out what the cult was really doing or why.  At some point, you have to evolve or die trying.  That's  when the story truly gets wild.  Not a book to read if you are looking for a pick-me-up.  But if you want something gritty that reflects on a terrible history of racism in the U.S. with an element of fantasy, you can't go wrong with Sorrowland.   

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Review: The Silent Companions

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell is a creepy, Gothic story.  Depending on what you believe in, it could be about a haunted house or haunted objects, or it could be about mental illness.  It is told through journal-style chapters written by women in different generations of a well-to-do family living in a certain country home.  Terrible things befall people in the house.  All of the tragedies really start happening after the family acquire a set of wooden cut-outs of everyday people.  You've probably seen those life-size cardboard cutouts of celebrities.  Maybe you even have one because you thought it would be fun.  You might think twice about that after reading this. 

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Review: The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman is classified as a romance but even I could stomach it, so don't let that turn you off if romance isn't your thing.  If you like books and trivia, this is a fun read.  Nina Hill is a character I very much enjoyed spending time with even if we both probably would have preferred to be alone.  I can also be fiercely competitive at trivia and very much enjoyed the trivia competitions.  I have played some of those teams before.  If you are looking for something delightful, curl up with this book.

Bonus points for Phil!

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Review: The Last House on Needless Street

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward is one of those books that just kept turning up everywhere I went.  Eventually, I decided I better read this book.  It didn't hurt that one of the characters is a cat.  You can come at me all you want for anthropomorphizing animals, but I still love a story told from an animal's point of view.  The story is told from a couple of different points of view, not just a cat's in case you need humans.  There is a mystery surrounding a girl who goes missing at the beach.  The titular house might be haunted.  There are a lot of layers, but it doesn't feel overly complex.  If you want to read a brain-bender and are not easily triggered, give this book a shot. 

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Review: The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls

The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls by Julie Schumacher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so enjoyed reading The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girls by Julie Schumacher.  The format is an essay written for A.P. English.  I do love a nontraditional story format.  I am not a book club person at all, so I could relate to the apathy the girls have at being forced to participate in a summer book club with their moms.  That being said, the books they read are definitely some of my faves, and I loved the integration of the books into the overall story.  There is a little hint of a mystery but for the most part, it's a humorous, sometimes dark, story about one summer in the lives of four teenage girls.   If you like The Breakfast Club or Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, this could be a good fit.    

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Review: The Invited

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Invited by Jennifer McMahon is a great ghost story.  When a couple give up big city living to move to rural Vermont and build their own home, they find they aren't the only ones feeling a strong connection to the land.  I felt this was also a bit of a cautionary tale for antique lovers.  Be sure you know the history of what you are bringing home!  I liked the different character perspectives and loved the idea of building your own dream home from scratch using repurposed items.  I would probably get too distracted by woodland creatures to ever finish, but that's just me.  Without giving too much away, I was surprised by a few things. I thought the story would go in a certain direction, and then I would be wrong.  That's always keeps the interest going.  Best to be read when camping.

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Review: The Lost Village

The Lost Village by Camilla Sten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Lost Village by Camilla Sten follows a fictional documentary crew doing a film about a ghost town in Sweden.  The entire town vanished leaving only one woman burned in the town square and an infant behind.  The crew doesn't plan to solve the mystery so much as just tell the tale through compelling imagery.  They quickly find out that some ghosts don't want their stories told. If you like your horror told documentary-style, pick this up!  

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Review: Light From Uncommon Stars

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A friend of mine had told me I really needed to read Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki.  I dutifully added it to my figuring I would get to it eventually.  Then, I had the unexpected pleasure of spending a weekend with Ryka at WisCon in Madison this year.  Ryka is an amazing person, incredibly warm, and didn't shame me even once for not having read her book.  Now, I have finally read the book!  It's a bit of The Devil Went Down to Georgia mixed with Star Wars.  The unique pieces don't look like they would fit together and yet they do perfectly.  

I couldn't help reading the story in Ryka's voice.  It was like meeting up with a friend.  We talked about a lot of things that weekend, food a dominant topic, so it was not a surprise that Ryka would incorporate so many rich flavors into this story.  I felt like snacking the whole time, and if you can come away from it without wanting to hit up a donut shop, you are a stronger person than I am.  Read this book!

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Review: Comfort Me With Apples

Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente is a short story based on a tale as old as time.  I don't want to give anything away since it is so short.  There are elements of horror, but it is more unsettling than anything.  I enjoyed the evil Home Owner's Association with the draconian rules, a gated community nightmare.  I found that part quite fun in a devilish way.  You always have to ask yourself why a rule was created.    

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Review: The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery is the account of the author's experiences meeting various octopuses and the impact they had on the people around them.  I learned a few new things about octopuses along the way, but this isn't the book to read if you just want octopus facts.  I'm far more interested in learning how other species choose to interact with the world, in particular with humans.  Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, people still choose to believe that animals don't think or feel just because we can't understand their methods of communication.  If animal consciousness interests you, you should enjoy this book.

Please be aware that some of the octopuses featured in this book were/are held in captivity.  That can raise other philosophical questions for people and may impact your enjoyment of the content.  

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Review: The Glass Hotel

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I didn't read many descriptions before reading The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel but for some reason I thought it took place in the future.  It doesn't.  With few exceptions, it is firmly set in the 2000s.  It turned out to be nothing I quite expected.  We follow the lives of multiple characters, including a pair of half-siblings who anchor much of the activity because all of the other characters cross paths with them at some point.  It's also a ghost story.  I'm not quite sure who the narrator is although I got the feeling at times that I should know. That I missed a clue.  I've broadened my definition of "ghost."  There's a lot happening in this book.  Some mysteries are solved and others are left open to your interpretation.  And while I felt sometimes that there were too many stories going on at once, the beautifully crafted writing kept propelling me forward.  Read this if you want to know about Ponzi schemes but don't want all the technical details.  I think Emily St. John Mandel's books are also great for music lovers because they always contain some element of musicality.  

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Review: Exhalation

Exhalation by Ted Chiang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exhalation is a collection of short stories by Ted Chiang.  I had read and enjoyed the story, The Great Silence, before which is what led me to pick up this book.  These stories are very accessible to people who aren't big into science fiction.  I happened to be reading it at the same time I was watching the new season of Black Mirror.  It was a great pairing!  Definitely had me in a whole mood about the future.  Plenty of fodder here for thought exercises and moral ponderings.  As an animal lover with animist tendencies, I was really intrigued by the story of a community of people with digital pets.  How far in the future before we start having the same debates about A.I as we do about animal cognition and emotion?  You could be asking yourself these same types of questions if you read this book!

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Review: City of Bones

City of Bones by Martha Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of City of Bones by Martha Wells from Tor Publishing Group via NetGalley.

This version of City of Bones is an updated and revised edition to reflect what Martha Wells originally wanted the book to be.  The first version predates her Murderbot series.  If you read that version, you could still read this one and might be interested in the changes.  For those who haven't read it and know Wells from the Murderbot series, it is a very different type of book.  This is more fantasy than science fiction.  The sharp humor is still there although not as plentiful.  The great writing and developed characters are there.  It is more of a slow burn with plenty of world building.  If you like Indiana Jones-type stories, give this one a read.

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Review: The Mystery Writer

The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley.

I was excited to get an advanced copy of The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill.  I really enjoyed The Woman in the Library, and this had the promise of more of that.  It certainly met my expectations.  Murder, mystery, a shadowy corporation, and conspiracy theories, oh my!  I could read a whole book just about the QAnon-type group.  In fact, I felt like there was enough there for a sequel or at least, another book in this universe.  While this is fiction, it is not hard to believe in a near future where agencies control every aspect of their clients lives in exchange for fame and fortune.  Even now, we can't be sure celebrity social media posts aren't crafted by publicists.  At least not the ones that are carefully done.  I could say more, but I don't want to give anything big away.  Check this out if you like reading about writers, like a mystery, and/or enjoy a good conspiracy theory!

Bonus points for Horse.  Love a good boy, and Horse is one of the best!

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Review: A History of Fear

A History of Fear by Luke Dumas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A History of Fear by Luke Dumas is a terrific epistolary novel.  This is the story of a young man convicted of killing his friend told through his own writing interspersed with articles, interviews with people who knew him, and notes from his psychoanalyst.  From there, you can draw your own conclusions about whether the Devil made him do it. 

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Review: Experimental Film

Experimental Film by Gemma Files
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It was serendipitous and a bit creepy to read Experimental Film by Gemma Files right after finishing The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington.  Files references Carrington and other Surrealists when talking about experimental films.  While it makes sense, I wasn't thinking Surrealism when I picked up this book, so the connection was a surprise.  I love a good mystery, and I can appreciate falling down a research rabbit hole.  Lois formerly teaching at a diploma mill was genius.  Who ever fesses up to that?  But also, just because someone goes to one, doesn't mean they don't have talent.  For some people, it may be the only option.  I enjoyed the ghostly mystery and all-around spookiness.

Bonus points for realistically depicting the highs and lows of raising a child on the spectrum.  Every experience may be different, but Clark has a lot in common with my brother.  Seeing even a fictional someone deal with all the emotions, self-doubt, and sometimes guilt, reminds us we aren't the only ones feeling a certain way.   

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Review: Demon

Demon by Matt Wesolowski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Demon is the sixth book in the Six Stories series by Matt Wesolowski.  If you haven't read the other books, you could start here.  But, there is a twist at the end that pays off a bit more if you have read the other books.  This series is one of my very favorites, and I hope this isn't the last in it although it could be.  For those not familiar with these books, Six Stories is a (fictional) true crime podcast that tells the story of the crime in six episodes with each episode an interview with a different person related to the crime.  The crimes often have a spooky, supernaturally feel to them.  The podcast host is a bit of a mystery himself.  

Demon brings up a lot of questions and fodder for thought.  Are some people born monsters or are they made?  Can someone who commits a terrible crime be rehabilitated?  Should people be given a second chance?  Do we ever know the full story?  I appreciated the warnings about violence against children and animals.  I was able to skip a paragraph because of it that probably would have haunted me.  

In summary, READ THESE BOOKS!

Bonus points for Jip!

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Review: The Hearing Trumpet

The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I went with my friend to see a Remedios Varo exhibit at the Art Institute in Chicago.  We both love Remedios Varo so much! Her art is a mix of science, fantasy, and feminism.  Truly extraordinary. While there, my friend asked if I had ever read The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington because Carrington and Varo were good friends and The Hearing Trumpet evokes similar images to Varo's work.  As it happens, we went to a book store later and she bought me a copy.  The cover alone makes it worth having.  

The Hearing Trumpet is very much like reading a Surrealist painting.  The story is wild and you never know quite where it is going, but the imagery is fantastic.  Among the many ideas you could takeaway from The Hearing Trumpet, I like to think that the story chastises us for how we treat the elderly while reminding us that you can still live a vibrant life at any age.   

Bonus points for all the cat love!

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Review: Fugitive Telemetry

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fugitive Telemetry is the sixth book in the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells.  If you are new to the series, you could start here, but I would go back and start from the beginning.

This particular story is like a locked room mystery.  Murderbot gets pulled into helping solve a murder mostly to prove they didn't do it in the way that only they can and with plenty of snark!

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Review: A Haunting on the Hill

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand from Mulholland Books via NetGalley.

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand is set in Shirley Jackson's world of Hill House.  You don't have to have read Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House or seen the TV show to enjoy this book.  It's got legs enough to stand on its own.  October was the perfect month to start this book.  It is squarely in the spooky haunted house category of horror.  The characters have gathered to rehearse and hone a play about a witch who sells her soul to the Devil to exact revenge on her enemies.  I want to see that play.  While the house may or may not be haunted, the characters certainly are haunted by demons of their pasts.  Is that really what is at play here, and it just takes a creepy old mansion to ignite psychological breakdowns?  Also, if locals tell you to take shelter elsewhere during a snow storm, take their advice!

This book should come with a soundtrack so you can listen to the music written for the play they are rehearsing.  I imagine it would be quite haunting.

Bonus points for making hares absolutely terrifying.  Move over, Bunnicula!

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Review: Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory is a short story set after Exit Strategy, the fourth book in the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells.  I would suggest not reading it before Exit Strategy.  It is also one of the few times we get to see things from outside of Murderbot's perspective.  Clocking in at under 20 pages, it is a quick way to get a Martha Wells fix.  

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Review: The Cloisters

The Cloisters by Katy Hays
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Cloisters by Katy Hays is a mystery of sorts with a Gothic vibe.  When I lived in New York City, I never went to the Cloisters.  In fact, I had to check to see if it was a real place.  It is (!), and I will definitely visit in the future.  While the Cloisters is a cool setting, the big draw for me was the research the characters are doing on tarot cards and the mysterious deck they are putting together.  I could read a whole book just about that.  So where does the mystery come in?  Someone dies.  Was it an accident or murder?  

Bonus points for Ketch Rare Books and Antiques.  I don't know why Katy Hays decided to name it this, but it certainly evoked a very "supernatural" image of the proprietor for me.

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Review: Once Upon a Time in the North

Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of His Dark Materials: Once Upon a Time in the North, Gift Edition written by Philip Pullman and illustrated by Chris Wormell from the publisher, Random House Children's, via Netgalley.

His Dark Materials: Once Upon a Time in the North by Philip Pullman is a prequel of sorts to the His Dark Materials series.  If you've read the books or watched the show, you'll know these characters.  If you haven't, there's no reason you can't start here.  While this is classified as a children's book, it can definitely  be enjoyed by adults.  Pullman's writing is always a pleasure to read.  This is a short story but every bit as good as the rest of the books in the series.  The gift version has beautiful illustrations and some extra bits that make it feel like you picked up a book that someone else was reading and stashing clues in.  You can definitely finish it in one sitting.  If you are like me and look for any chance to immerse yourself in this universe, you will want to pick this up.

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Review: Wow, No Thank You.

Wow, No Thank You. by Samantha Irby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, No Thank You is a collection of essays by Samantha Irby.  I love her writing and find it laugh-out-loud funny.  In fact, I did laugh out loud in public while reading it.  I don't care what people think of me.  I don't know if it is because we are of a similar age, like the same music, enjoy animals more than most people, or both grew up in Illinois that I feel a kindred spirit in Samantha Irby.  I don't have the IBS, but I do understand one's body betraying them on a regular basis.  So if you need a good laugh, have a strong stomach, and aren't easily offended, I highly recommend this book.

Bonus points for the adorable rabbit on the cover!

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Review: The Ghost Ship

The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.

The Ghost Ship is the third book in the Burning Chambers series by Kate Mosse.  It is not necessary to read the first two books before this one unless you want the backstory of the family that leads to the main character in this book.  This book goes in a new direction: pirates!  I loved that the main character, Louise, not only pursues her love of sailing to the point of captaining a ship but that she uses her wealth and privilege to take on the worst of the worst, slavers.  Louise ends up bucking societal norms than more ways than that.  You can't help but cheer her on even though you know she plays a dangerous and deadly game.    

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Review: Fall; or, Dodge in Hell

Fall; or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fall: or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson is a standalone book that feels like it exists in the world of Cryptonomicon.  One doesn't embark on a Neal Stephenson book expecting a light read.  This is no exception although I felt it didn't require a deep understanding of technology to "get it."  It's a unique cast of smart characters.  There's some interesting conspiracy/fake news type stuff happening that will make you question everything you think is real.  But primarily, the book focuses on the question of afterlife. What if your brain could be uploaded to the cloud when you die so that you live forever? 

 It's not a new idea.  As a gamer, I liked that Stephenson takes it in a direction that makes it feel like the digital afterlife is more like a video game.  More importantly, it asks you to contemplate what you would do if you could create the world from scratch and is there a right answer to that question.  

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Review: Her Body and Other Parties

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado is a compilation of short stories from a female perspective.  If this was made into a movie, it might be considered erotic thriller.  The stories are often a mix of fantasy, horror, and sensuality.  The writing is very lush, like being wrapped in velvet.  It's the perfect book for autumn.  

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Review: Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up

Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received a copy of Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter from Harper Perennial and Paperbacks via NetGalley.

Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up by Alexandra Potter is fiction.  I had to check a couple of times because it felt very real.  While anyone might enjoy it, I think it has a special appeal to single women in their 40s who can relate to the trials and tribulations of navigating the world during this special time of life.  It's a combination comedy/horror show.  If you are not but know someone who is, this might give you some insight into their crazy brain.  

If you enjoyed Bridget Jones's Diary, you will most likely enjoy this as well.  Give it a go!

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Review: Network Effect

Network Effect by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Network Effect is the fifth book in the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells.  You don't necessarily have to have read the previous books, but there are lots of references to past book events which are helpful to know about.  

The great thing about Network Effect is that we get to see an old "friend" and spend time with some new ones.  Murderbot is just as sarcastic and angry as always.  Love that!  At the same time, there are some sad bits.  Life is never fair even for Murderbots, maybe especially for Murderbots.  

Bonus points for a surprising bundle of joy!

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Review: Legends & Lattes

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree is a fun read for fans of fantasy and/or coffee.  The Dungeons and Dragons type storyline appealed to the gamer in me while I delighted at the discovery of each new beverage and pastry.  In fact, I really wanted to drink coffee and eat pastries through the whole thing.  Ultimately though, it is a reminder that you can do anything you set your mind to even if the whole world thinks you should fit some pre-conceived notion.  You just need good friends to help you get there!

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Review: The Terraformers

The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I heard Annalee Newitz read from The Terraformers at WisCon before the book was published.  Just from that short reading, I knew I would have to get a copy of this.  There is a sentient, flying moose! It's a fascinating story of an Earthlike planet that is being developed for those who wish to experience life as it was in the Pleistocene era, except there are plenty who want to cash in at any expense.  The world Annalee created is so rich and full of characters you want to spend time with.  You get invested in their stories and their fight for their world.  Plenty of lessons for our current world in here.

Bonus points for so many great non-humanoid characters!  I love that this book gives them a chance to express themselves.

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Review: The Cabin at the End of the World

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay is horror of a sort.  There's definitely horror components, but I feel like it really poses more a moral dilemma and asks the reader to consider what life is worth.  If you thought you could save the world by sacrificing the thing you loved the most, would you?  What if the alternative was to keep the thing you love but lose everything else?  If you thought you could stop someone from killing the whole world by sacrificing yourself, would you?  Difficult questions.  No good answers.


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Review: The Future

The Future by Naomi Alderman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Future by Naomi Alderman from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley.  

As a fan of The Power, I was so excited to receive a copy of The Future by Naomi Alderman.  While The Future is fiction, it bears a close resemblance to our current world.  The world is suffering from unprecedented pandemics, wars, and natural disasters led by a handful of billionaires who control social media, logistics, and online commerce.  Sound familiar? The story is told from a variety of perspectives.  It's a great technique because even a villain is the hero of their own story.  There are preppers, survivalists, and a cult.  For epistolary lovers, there are the chapters that are snippets of forum postings complete with comments.  There is plenty of fodder for deep thoughts.  The questions the book poses aren't even new.  Could we have a better world with less suffering if those with power and resources stopped being motivated solely by profit?  Naomi Alderman imagines a world where someone decides to take action to find out.

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Review: Nettle & Bone

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ever have a book keep popping up in your life? Every website seems to recommend it to you.  Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher was one of those books for me.  I finally broke down and checked it out of the library.  I'm glad I did!  I didn't read a summary so I didn't know what to expect.  There was probably going to be some nettle and maybe some bones?  Turns out it is more fairy tale than I would have thought.  It actually has godmothers!  The fantasy elements were very fun.  While the main plot is very serious, a woman sets out to save her sister from an abusive relationship, there is a lot of humor.  The band of helpers she collects along the way is delightful.  If you want to read an epic adventure without investing in 300+ pages, this is a great choice.  It's got everything while also being a fast-paced read.      

Bonus points for the best use of bones ever!  

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Review: Running Up That Hill: 50 Visions of Kate Bush

Running Up That Hill: 50 Visions of Kate Bush by Tom Doyle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Running Up That Hill: 50 Visions of Kate Bush by Tom Doyle from Rowman & Littlefield Publishers via NetGalley.

Running Up That Hill: 50 Visions of Kate Bush by Tom Doyle is the biography that Kate Bush fans should be reading.  I have long been a fan of Kate Bush.  I remember the first time hearing her.  I was in college.  The song was Love and Anger. I am thrilled that Stranger Things introduced a whole new generation to Kate Bush.  Media has not always been kind to Kate Bush because of her propensity to avoid the spotlight and not seek fame the way many other artists do.  She takes a long time to release new music.  She doesn't tour or promote her music like others.  This book is split up into 50 segments focused on songs or periods in her life that give you a really in-depth idea of what was going on or how the song came to be.  I learned that Kate is a serious perfectionist.  That's really why the delay between albums, not a lack of inspiration.  I also loved learning about her fusing of theatre and music, the way she develops her videos or live performances.  Actually, everything about her process is fascinating.  And to think it started when she was just a girl is even more incredible.  She has also helped pave the way for artists to maintain creative control over their work in an industry that doesn't really support such a thing.  She's pretty amazing.  Now, excuse me while I go listen to her entire catalog of songs again.     

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Review: The Constant Rabbit

The Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fforde
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Constant Rabbit by Jasper Fforde couldn't be more timely.  Set in a world where a limited number of animals have been exposed to some event that evolved them into human-like creatures, the world is trying to figure out how to respond.  Elephants have it the easiest.  Rabbits, though, are vilified.  You don't have to think really hard to understand that this situation very much reflects much of what is happening today surrounding immigration politics.  All the arguments for and against the rabbits are things we see and hear every day in the news or in conversation.  Fforde does a great job showing just how absurd the xenophobia is.  In this world, people align with foxes against the rabbits.  The description of the main fox character sounded an awful lot like someone orange we all know.  As much as I like foxes, I was not a fan of this one. 

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Review: The Travelling Cat Chronicles

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro Arikawa is a must-read for anyone who likes/loves cats.  It is told from the point of view of a cat who travels with his person to try to find a new home.  During the travels, we meet friends of the human and learn about the human's life.  We also meet other animals along the way.  It's very sweet.  It made me want to visit Japan.  It also made me want to open a bed and breakfast for pet travelers.  It made me have a lot of feels.  The thing it does the best though is remind you that no matter how much your cat may ignore you or treat you like the hired help, when the chips are down, they can be fiercely loyal. May wish to have some tissues on hand when you finish this book.   

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Review: Recursion

Recursion by Blake Crouch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Recursion by Blake Crouch goes by fast but is not light reading.  If you could go back and vividly relive a memory, would you?  What if you could go back to that memory and relive your life from that point?  Would you still do it?  People often think that sounds like a grand idea, but Recursion explores the consequences.  Recursion works on the premise that time is not linear.  It is a lot to wrap your brain around.  But if this kind of stuff interests you, than you know it is also not entirely a fictional idea either.  The concepts of false memories as explored in Recursion have already been done to mice.  We just haven't figured out how to make it work for people yet.  After reading Recursion, I think maybe we should quit while we are ahead. 


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Review: Goth: A History

Goth: A History by Lol Tolhurst
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Goth: A History by Lol Tolhurst from Hachette Books via NetGalley.

Goth: A History is not a definitive, comprehensive history of Goth music or even Goth culture.  Instead, it is a history of Goth music as told through the lens of someone who was there from its beginnings.  As a founding member of the band that would later go on to be known as The Cure, Lol Tolhurst had a front row seat.  I started listening to The Cure in high school when we still called it new wave music. Goth, as a label, would come later.  The idea was still the same.  I think what Lol does best is explain how misunderstood Goths can be because people judge them on their vampire-esque appearance.  And while many Goths do adhere to a certain aesthetic, you don't have to dress in black to love Goth music.  In fact, not all Goth music is dark and broody either.  At the end of the day, those who have enjoyed Goth in any of its iterations, music, literature, art, or movies, will enjoy taking a stroll down memory lane and learning how it all began and how it evolved into what we know now.         

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Review: Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter

Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter by E.B. Bartels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Having recently lost my oldest cat, Charli, I wasn't sure I was ready to embark on a book about pet grief. Sometimes life throws a book at you when you need it the most. Good Grief: On Loving Pets, Here and Hereafter by E.B. Bartels was that book for me. Did I cry through every page? Yep. Do I regret it? Nope.

Like E.B., I have had a wide array of animal companions and have grieved the loss of every single one. Growing up, I had my unofficial pet cemetery under a beautiful flowering bush in our yard. When my first dog, Penny, died, my dad made her a lovely velvet-lined coffin. This was before you could get your animal's ashes returned to you, so cremation wasn't an option to have her with us. But, I don't just grieve my pets. If it has fur, fins, feathers, or scales and has crossed my path in some way, I will sob upon its passing. E.B. gets that. Animal people are my people. I loved reading the stories of the ways people have honored their beloved companions. I also loved that E.B. explicitly addresses the dilemma of whether or not to get another pet after a loss. It isn't replacing. In many ways, it is honoring their memory.

Whether you have ever grieved a pet or are currently grieving one, you may find solace in knowing you aren't alone and whatever you are feeling or however you want to deal with it is okay. If you are looking for someone who understands you, read this book.

Bonus points for all the animals mentioned in the book and the beautiful illustrations. Their stories were so moving.

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Review: Perimenopause Power: Navigating your hormones on the journey to menopause

Perimenopause Power: Navigating your hormones on the journey to menopause by Maisie Hill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you were born with a uterus, Perimenopause Power: Navigating your hormones on the journey to menopause by Maisie Hill is a great introduction to why your body is suddenly betraying you as your approach middle age.  This book really breaks down everything aspect of the menstrual cycle, how they change, and why it is important to understanding the symptoms you may be experiencing.  It also includes a number of non-prescription methods of dealing with symptoms.  It is written in an accessible style and doesn't come across as a reference book.

A couple of caveats.  Maisie Hill is based in the United Kingdom.  She references things available there that may not be available in other countries.  She does try to mention some alternative brands that may be more universally available.  Something that might be cheap or free in the UK is not necessarily so in the US so do your research!  Also, she is a big proponent of using hormones to treat perimenopause but not necessarily through contraceptives.  She lays out her case for why it is safer than you think.  However, many doctors will still caution you about long term use, especially if you have mild symptoms.  Bottom line: find a health professional you trust and work with them based on your unique circumstances to find solutions that work for you.  

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Review: Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide

Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide by Rupert Holmes is a romping good time reference guide to getting away with employer-focused murder or deletion as they prefer to call it.  Do you have a supervisor who is the definition of evil incarnate?  Would the world be better off without them, but you just aren't sure you have the chops to delete someone without getting caught?  McMasters has you covered.  For the first (and maybe last) time ever, they are letting everyone in on the knowledge normally reserved for students of the secretive, exclusive, and elusive academy.   In this epistolary reference guide with practical tips, we are also treated to three case studies showing various approaches to the issue at hand.  McMasters doesn't just specialize in employers though.  A McMasters education can prepare you for almost any scenario.  Never heard of McMasters?  Then, I would watch my back if I were you.

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Review: What Fresh Hell Is This?: Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities, and You

What Fresh Hell Is This?: Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities, and You by Heather Corinna
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you were born with uterus or will experience menopause at some point in your life, you owe it to yourself to get educated.  What Fresh Hell is This? Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities, and You by Heather Corinna is great is you are pissed off (especially at the patriarchy) and/or maybe don't fit into a neat box of the type of person who would experience menopause.  I am fortunate to have found a doctor who understands perimenopause but many don't.  You might not ever realize that it is what you are going through until you've been suffering for a very long time.  The problem is many of the signs of perimenopause overlap with, well, everything else.  This book can help you start to identify what might be perimenopause or menopause versus everything else.  It is also going to offer you some basic options for dealing with the myriad of things being thrust upon you.  

What I found most helpful about this book is Heather is angry.  Were you born with a uterus and find that you suddenly have RAGE ALL THE TIME?  Did you think it is because we are living in a dumpster trash fire world?  It might be, or it might be perimenopause.  Heather gets you.  

Think you are too young to read a book about menopause?  Think again because it will creep up on you before you know it.

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Review: The Ninth Man

The Ninth Man by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Ninth Man by Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood from Grand Central Publishing via NetGalley.

The Ninth Man by Steve Berry and Grant Blackwood is part of the Cotton Malone universe of books but centers on Luke Daniels.  For anyone waiting for Luke to get his own book, here it is!  You could read this as a standalone.  Nothing in here hinges on having read the Cotton Malone series.  If you like your mystery/thrillers with a good dose of real history, check this out!

Luke is off duty when he gets contacted by an old friend for help.  He finds himself entangled in a web to cover up one of the greatest mysteries of all time, who really killed John F. Kennedy?  I know you are probably thinking you already know the answer.  But do you?  I thought I had read all the theories and yet, this book postulates something I hadn't really considered.  Even better, they didn't just make up this idea.  There is actually research that supports it!  Very intriguing.  

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Review: Women Talking

Women Talking by Miriam Toews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Women Talking by Miriam Toews is based on a true story of a community of Mennonite women.  If you are sensitive to discussions of rape and/or child abuse, you will want to proceed with caution with this book.  The book has been made into a movie.  I haven't seen it yet to be able to make a comparison.  I am glad I read the book though because I love an epistolary novel.  

The book is told through the minutes of meetings the women held to determine how they will respond to the horrific situation in their community.  Because the women can't read or write, they invite the community school teacher to take the minutes.  It is interesting that we can't even hear their stories without it being told through the lens of a man.  And while this is a snapshot of a small, isolated, religious community, it is surprisingly relevant to the issues women are facing around the world and how they react to those issues.  There are still plenty of people who choose "do nothing" when faced with evil.  This book will make you think and maybe cry, but it will also make you laugh.  It might even make you hopeful.  

Bonus points for having a character who loves her horses as much as any family members.  I would also do whatever it took to protect my animal family.  

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