Review: When We Were Real

When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory from Saga Press via NetGalley.  It should be published April 1, 2025.  How appropriate!  

When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory explores one of my favorite theories, what if this is all a simulation? Would it change how you approached life?  Is it that different from believing in a god that created everything and let it just play out?  Or would you go on a cross-country bus tour to see the oddities the programmers created?  That's what this eclectic group does.  What happens next is not what anyone could have predicted. Things get crazy!  Even crazier than learning that life is a simulation, and you are nothing more than computer code.  I didn't really want to put this book down, partly because I wanted to know what happened next and partly because I liked noodling over the questions this brings up about life in general.  Also, there is a good bit of humor so don't worry that it will be too serious.

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Review: The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett is my kind of mystery.  Told in an unconventional epistolary-style format, not too gruesome, potentially involving a cult that thinks they are angels, lots of surprises...it is near perfect. It also is fitting for these times where people you thought were solidly rational suddenly get sucked into something that is hard to imagine they would believe. If any of that resonates with you, treat yourself to this book.

Bonus points:  It is rare that I develop a theory about a storyline that is totally wrong.  However, this book got me.  I got it wrong.  Well played!

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Review: Killers of a Certain Age

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Killers of a Certain Age is the first book in the Killers of a Certain Age series by Deanna Raybourn.  This can be read as a standalone novel if you aren't interested in starting a series right now.  This was the perfect book for how I am feeling right now.  Even though I am living my best recently retired life, I like to think about other things I could do with myself in my golden years.  I might add assassin to the list.  I loved that this is about a group of senior women who still got it when it comes to what they do best, kill objectively bad people.  No willy-nilly murder here.  There is also a good deal of humor, so this isn't a super serious or tough read.  I'm looking forward to the next book.

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Review: All the Water in the World: A Novel

All the Water in the World: A Novel by Eiren Caffall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of All the Water in the World: A Novel by Eiren Caffall from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.  The book is available now!

I wanted to read All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall when I heard that it is about a group of people surviving a major flood by living in New York's American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).  I have been to the museum a few times and know that area of New York pretty well, so I could really visualize the devastation of the flooding and crazy weather.  I can even imagine there would be people who would care enough to try to preserve history so that future generations could understand what the world was like before it was destroyed by extreme weather events.  Not everyone in the world will have good intentions though, and survival is the name of the game when resources are scarce. It is more interesting that the story is really centered on a young girl growing up in this new world.  These experiences shape her, and she has a special relationship with the water. Her descriptions of the different kinds of water are magical.  While I think it is still dystopian fiction, I still felt a sense of hope.  

Bonus points for including Joliet, IL. That was an unexpected and welcome surprise. My dad was from Joliet, so I always appreciate when it pops up. It also gave me a better sense of who Keller is.

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Review: Saltwater

Saltwater by Katy Hays
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Saltwater by Katy Hays from Ballantine Books via NetGalley. It will be published around March 25, 2025.

Saltwater by Katy Hays takes place on the island of Capri.  What a beautiful location for such dastardly deeds!  The story is told from multiple perspectives during different time periods to help us solve the mysterious deaths of two women linked to a wealthy family that vacations on the island.  Were they murdered?  Did they jump from the cliffs?  Was it all just horrible coincidental accidents?  It seems everyone has a secret, lots of people have motive, but everyone claims innocence.  Maybe they are...While you are puzzling out the mystery, you can also ponder whether money can buy happiness.  The book makes a pretty good case for and against.  The book keeps you guessing right until the end!

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Review: Small Game

Small Game by Blair Braverman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Small Game by Blair Braverman is great if you are into survival shows or outdoor living.  It follows the story of six people chosen to participate in a survival reality show called Civilization.  They are supposed to survive in an outdoor environment (that could be anywhere) for six weeks with just their wits, expertise, and one carefully selected item.  Everyone has their reasons for being on the show, but not everyone has the same level of ability at survival.  Six weeks doesn't seem like a long time from the outside, but I am pretty sure it would suck.  I'm intentionally avoiding discussing anything further to keep away from spoilers.  I will say, the show doesn't go exactly as planned.  It may also make you think twice about auditioning for Survivor.  

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