Review: The Rose Field

The Rose Field by Philip Pullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Rose Field is the third book in The Book of Dust series by Philip Pullman. I wouldn't read this as a standalone, and I wouldn't read it if you haven't read His Dark Materials. This book builds on the foundations of those other books and includes references you won't get if you aren't familiar with the universe. As always, the writing and the philosophy are super compelling. Pullman's books make you think. They are epic and sweeping. Without spoiling anything, I was relieved at the end. Lyra and Pan grow through their adventures, but they had to make big sacrifices to get there.

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Review: Let Them Stare: A Novel

Let Them Stare: A Novel by Jonathan Van Ness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Let Them Stare: A Novel by Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy from Storytide via NetGalley. This book is currently available for purchase.

There is a lot to love about Let Them Stare: A Novel by Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy. First of all, that cover! Who doesn't want to read a book with such a fantastic cover???? In a time when plenty of people viciously hate anyone that is different, it is nice to read a story that encourages you to love yourself and embrace who you are. I don't want to spoil too much but there is a ghost and a mystery. Come on, this is like Scooby Doo! This does fall into the young adult category, so you can safely read it without being worried about real scares. You may want to wrap yourself in a blanket and have a yummy beverage though while you consume it. We all deserve an uplifting book these days.

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Review: OtherLife

OtherLife by Jason Segel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OtherLife is the third book in the Last Reality series by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller.  You will definitely want to read the books in order.  I let a lot of time lapse between the last one and this one because I wasn't ready for the series to be over.  I didn't have any trouble remembering what was going on after a few pages in.  This book is considered YA, but it is just as appealing to an adult reader. If you like LitRPG and/or video games, this series is a great choice.  The world is so vibrant and the addition of virtual reality and alternate reality gaming makes you wonder what the future looks like for gamers.  Hopefully, there won't be sinister game companies.  Maybe I am being naive.  

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Review: The Language of the Birds: A Novel

The Language of the Birds: A Novel by K.A. Merson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Language of the Birds: A Novel by K.A. Merson from Ballantine Books via NetGalley.

The Language of the Birds: A Novel by K.A. Merson appealed to me just based on the title.  I didn't really know much about it when I started to read and was delighted I did!  This is a thriller about an incredibly intelligent young person who gets pulled into a dangerous venture to try to save her mom.  To do so, she has to solve puzzles and essentially go on a scavenger hunt to get the next pieces.  I loved that the puzzles were included so you could also try to solve them with her.  I love a good puzzle!  If you do too, you will want to check this book out.

Bonus points for Mojo!  What a good dog!

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Review: Over the Woodward Wall

Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Over the Woodward Wall is the first book in The Up-and-Under series by A. Deborah Baker.  I listened to the audiobook version narrated by Heath Miller.  You are definitely going to want to start with this book first.  It reminded me of Alice in Wonderland and the Wizard of Oz.  While there are some harrowing bits, it is suitable for middle grade to adult readers. The main characters are children on an adventure they didn't foresee into a world not at all like their own.  They are polar opposites, but that makes them even better suited for what lies ahead of them as each brings a different set of skills and knowledge to their quest. They meet an eclectic group of characters in an improbable and impossible world.  

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Review: Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift

Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley. It should be published on January 7, 2025.

Karma Is a Cat: The True Stories of Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button Swift by Farrin Jacobs is the PURRfect book for the Taylor Swift fan and/or the cat lover.  Some might think this is a children's book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I am 50 years old.  Now, some might say I am a bit biased as I am a Swiftie and a bit of a cat lady myself.  However, I think I looked at this book through an impartial and critical lens.  It was so fun!  The illustrations by Katty Huertas are fantastic and really capture the spirit of this precious trio and their mother. Yes, I read it in one sitting.  Yes, I did go back to look at parts of it again and to enjoy the illustrations. Yes, you should buy a copy for the Swiftie(s) in your life.  They will thank you.  

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Review: The Saturday Night Ghost Club

The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson is an engrossing, fast read. It clocks in at about 222 pages. I burned through it on a flight. It falls under horror and mystery, but I found it to be really touching and appropriate for teenagers or adults. I would have loved to have had a family member who owned an occult store and took me on ghost hunts growing up.  I didn't quite have that, but my parents loved a ghost story, and my dad was a master at telling them. I think that added a layer to my enjoyment of this book.  Whether you believe in ghosts or not, people can be haunted in all different sorts of ways.  

In addition to the ghost stuff, I enjoyed the story of making friends when you are a bit weird and having that one friend that every adult thinks is a bad influence but that's just because they don't get why you are friends.  That was a really powerful side story.  This is great if you want some ghost stories but to still be able to sleep with the lights off.

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Review: Darkly

Darkly by Marisha Pessl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Darkly by Marisha Pessl from Random House Children's Delacorte Press via NetGalley.

Don't be fooled by the young adult categorization of Darkly by Marisha Pessl.  This book can certainly be enjoyed by adults because I loved it!  Maybe I am biased because I have read every one of Marisha's books and enjoyed them all. I was so excited to get this one because it promised to be what I love about her work: dark, spooky, and intellectually stimulating.  I love a good puzzle and a good board game.  Combine the two and I am in heaven. Escape rooms, murder mystery parties, all of that stuff, yes please.  When a group of teenagers are selected to solve a mystery related to a lost board game by their favorite game-maker, they find themselves in a real life version of the game.  It is fantastic!  It will have you guessing about whodunnit and who can be trusted.  You might be surprised.  Highly recommend it to anyone who wants a spooky puzzle to solve without a bunch of gore. 

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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: 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: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon is told from the perspective of Christopher, a 15 year old boy who loves math and is socially awkward. Although it is never outright stated, those who have family or friends on the autism spectrum may recognize commonalities.  

Christopher is a big fan of Sherlock Holmes.  When he encounters a mystery in his very own neighborhood, he sets out to solve it and document the story in the book you are reading.  I love that he includes drawings, diagrams, and explanations of what he is seeing and especially the math he is doing in his head.  I'm not good at math, but I feel like I have a better understanding now! More importantly, it reminds us that we need to have compassion and understanding for the people we encounter everyday.  You don't know what someone is going through.  They might be trying to navigate the world in the best way they know how.  Sometimes that is going to look different from how you would.    

Bonus points for Toby, the rat.  Rats are great and don't get enough respect.  Also, justice for Wellington!  That's a story I can always get behind.

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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: OtherEarth

OtherEarth by Jason Segel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OtherEarth is the second book in the Last Reality series by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller.  I definitely recommend reading the books in order.  I think this book will be more enjoyable if you understand the stakes set up by the first book.  

You don't have to be a gamer to enjoy these books, but it certainly helps!  I love a book about a video game or virtual reality.  This series is right in my wheelhouse.  OtherEarth starts to blur the lines between the "real" world and the "virtual" world as the characters are on the run from/trying to stop the nefarious Company from its evil agenda.  And even though I know it is terribly wrong, I can't help but want to try this tech that augments "reality" and makes VR indistinguishable from "reality."  What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right?  

Why do I keep putting "reality" in quotes?  My fellow Cartesian skeptics know why.  

Bonus points for the Dame Judi Dench cameos.  

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Review: Serpentine

Serpentine by Philip Pullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Serpentine is a between the His Dark Materials series and the Book of Dust series by Philip Pullman.  It is so short I read it in one devouring.  This is a story for those of use who can never get enough of Lyra and Pan and love any excuse to spend some time with them.  We learn a few things we may have suspected but were never confirmed in the other books.  I also enjoyed the illustrations by Tom Duxbury.

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Review: Chaos on CatNet

Chaos on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chaos on CatNet is the sequel to Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer.  You will definitely want to read these books in order.  Chaos picks up shortly after Catfishing.  

If you think the MidWest is a boring place where nothing ever happens, these books will change your mind.  The books are set in the near future, so the MidWest is not exactly as it is now.  I appreciate that Kritzer created the Minneapolis she wants to see with Public Safety officers who truly care about people and acknowledgements to George Floyd.  I really do want to check out Midtown Exchange (which does exist!) because it sounds like there are some delicious offerings in the food court.  This book spends less time on CatNet and more time IRL but gives us a cult to worry about.  I also liked the addition of gaming.  Everyone has that friend that tried to get them to join Farmville.  What if that was more sinister than you thought?

Bonus points for robot dogs and Apricot!  

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Review: Catfishing on CatNet

Catfishing on CatNet by Naomi Kritzer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Catfishing on CatNet is the first book in the CatNet series by Naomi Kritzer.  I just started the second book and suggest you read them in order.  Plus, they aren't unusually long and go by fast, so there is no reason not to read them in order.

There is a lot going on in this story, so I will do my best to avoid spoilers.  A teenage girl and her mother are on the run.  They end up in small town Wisconsin.  Been there.  Because they move so frequently, she develops most of her friendships in an online community called CatNet.  I loved everything about CatNet.  The name, the Clowders, the trading of animal pictures....purrfect!  But you can't read a book about a girl on the run without life ultimately catching up to her.  You'll have to read the book yourself to find out what happens. 

Bonus points for stray cat rescue, all the birds, and They Might Be Giants.  

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Review: If the Fates Allow: A Short Story

If the Fates Allow: A Short Story by Rainbow Rowell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If the Fates Allow is an Amazon Originals short story by Rainbow Rowell that takes place in the Fangirl universe.  This time Reagan is the main character.  Since it is so short, I don't want to give too much away.  I will say it is set at Christmas during COVID times.  That part made this story hard for me to read.  The feels are real.  It may be too soon for some to read this.  I feel like it is the perfect book for future generations who wonder what holidays were like at a time like this.  

Some will feel this story is overly political.  If you are an anti-masker and/or anti-vaxxer, you probably don't want to read my reviews, let alone this book.   

Bonus points for Jell-O salad.  Even though I use vegan gelatin now, I still love Jell-O salad.  

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Review: Neverworld Wake

Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have enjoyed Marisha Pessl's other books, so I was very much looking forward to Neverworld Wake.  Just as I expected, I loved this one too!  I'm not going to tell you too much about it.  A group of friends.  A mystery.  A challenge.  I described it to a friend as "like The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle....except less murdery...and less urgent."  I might even say it reminds me a bit of the Wizard of Oz.  If that makes any sense to you and you find it appealing, read this book!  But also read it if you like books that feel sort of haunting and gothic or books that are just plain good.  

Bonus points for all of The Cure references because they are the perfect band for this book!

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Review: Truthwitch

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Truthwitch is the first book in The Witchlands series by Susan Dennard.  You will definitely want to start here because there is world-building involved and yet, it is not overly complex.  It is considered YA.  However, I think it is just as enjoyable for adults.

Truthwitch is a fun, action-packed adventure of two best friends.  I loved that the two main characters were kickass women but also besties.  You don't often see female friendship as the central relationship of a book.  It was definitely unique.  There's magic, romance, and battle.  A little of something for everyone.

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Review: Trouble's Brewing

Trouble's Brewing by Juli Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trouble's Brewing is the second book in the Stirring Up Trouble series by Juli Alexander.  While you could start here, I recommend reading the first book first to give you some background of the characters and how they got to where they are in this book.

This is a wholesome, fun young adult series about a teenage witch with a penchant for brewing potions.  Besides navigating the typical teen issues, she's learning the consequences of magic.  And boy are there consequences!  My only complaint is the book ended rather abruptly and a third book doesn't seem to exist yet. 

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