Review: The Rabbit Back Literature Society

The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Rabbit Back Literature Society by Pasi Ilmari Jääskeläinen is possibly the first book I've read by a Finnish writer.  It was translated into English by Lola Rogers.  I was drawn into this mysterious secret society of famous Finnish writers who all come from this small town of Rabbit Back.  How is it possible for one place to generate nine incredible authors across a variety of genres?  That they are cultivated by a mysterious woman who may or may not be real or a witch or something from a C.S. Lewis story makes it even crazier.  There are several mysteries going on and the answers are revealed as the various authors spill their stories or some story.  Maybe not a story?  Maybe the truth?  You'll have to decide whether you believe them.  While there are fairy-tale elements, this is an adult novel.  There are graphic discussions of people's bodies and sex.  It was very frank which you don't see frequently.  

View all my reviews

Review: The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic

The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic by Nina Bargiel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic by Nina Bargiel is worth reading for the illustrations alone.  Just kidding although they are fantastic.  I've always known I would be a crone.  Even when I was younger, I liked to wear a caftan, preferred the company of animals over people, and read lots of books on witchcraft.  When I saw this book, I knew it was for me.  I am in my crone era!  I live woods-adjacent with my animal familiars.  I discovered that Ross has a caftan section.  A whole section!  I bought two...for now.  So while The Crone Zone didn't have a lot of revelations for me, it was enjoyable to read the insights of a fellow crone and know I am in good company.  It is also nice to embrace the positive aspects of aging.  Be yourself, unapologetically.  I also liked that there is not just one way to crone.  You can mix it up!  This is perfect for the aspiring crone, somebody looking for a mid-life pick-me-up, or the seasoned crone who wants a laugh.

View all my reviews

Review: Penny: A Graphic Memoir

Penny: A Graphic Memoir by Karl Stevens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you like cats in the least bit, you will want to read Penny: A Graphic Memoir by Karl Stevens.  The illustrations are great, but Stevens really gets at the inner life of Penny.  If you have or have had a cat, you have probably wondered what they were thinking.  Cats are often enigmatic.  This is a fun exploration of the cat mind.  

View all my reviews