Enjoying this fantasy novel immensely, especially because it keeps referencing poetry and poets. Most recent reference was a Rilke poem (Evening)

This standalone fantasy was a slow read for me, taking over a month as I kept getting distracted. But it was worth it in the end. Amazingly vital and visceral descriptions of dragons, creative idea linking religion and dragons, humanistic approach to its characters, and enough dramatic plot reveals to stay interesting. The relationship between the two main characters didn't completely land for me, but that wasn't a ruinous flaw.

A blistering, hilarious start with incisive character portraits slowly slid into slightly preachy mediocrity. Worth a read for the details and surprises, but brace yourself for a disappointing whiff of an ending which wrapped up the concerns of its main characters too tightly. I was left without strong emotions except, of course, a new but deep affection towards aardvarks.

After some going back and forth, I'm signing up for @TheAromaofBooks's #BookSpin next month to see if I can make a dent in my TBR pile. I'm especially intrigued to get around to the tagged book, which has intrigued me for YEARS. Maybe this will be the year?

Highly recommended! Examines computer science problems in a fun way, relating them to real life problems. The explore/exploit and Bayesian statistics chapters were especially well done, and the networking chapter was fascinating and taught me many new things.

First SantaThing read! Very charming, witty writing style. Many varied character portraits. The narrator was simultaneously intrusive and vague, which was odd. I learned a lot about the birds of Kenya, and a little about the people of Kenya. The ending felt a little rushed/glib (with artificially high stakes), but it was a fun ride while it lasted. #SantaThing

Second book in Hoyt's new Grey court series, this was better than the previous book. The world felt more realistic, the fairy tale of a fox husband was spot-on, and the new characters introduced were all interesting. And I love a good criminal hero... but about halfway through, drama and external characters took over the plot, making the romance feel shortchanged. I'm more invested in the series, but didn't buy this couple's ending as much....

Starting off Hoyt's new series, this enemies-to-lovers was engaging. I looooove Hoyt's incorporation of fairy tales into chapter headers, and she chose a tale which bounced interestingly off the main plot. The family drama which she's setting up for this series is nicely enticing. However, the alternate history with secret societies of witches and witch-hunters felt a little out of place. It's a historical romance; you don't have ADD misogyny.

Part memoir and part physics explainer, this book uses music to explain how physicists view the universe. Explores topics as distinct as the macrostructure of galaxies, how the universe has expanded since the big bang, and the quantum view of electrons. Also talks about the jazz greats and their approach to improvisation, especially Coltrane. Highly recommended for anyone in your life who likes music and is curious about the universe.

Surreal urban fantasy dense with novelistic details, focusing on family history, grief, death, expectations, and growing up. Sean Stewart is one of my favorite authors and criminally underrated. I always appreciate his use of fantasy elements: they're never truly the center of the story, but they provide a dark color to the themes and a redemptive twist at the end. My ebook has illustrations by Marc Taro Holmes, which were also great.

Gripping alternate history of medieval Iberian peninsula. Good choice for reading over a week or s longer period, as each chapter is meaty and substantial, as you slowly learn characters, their backgrounds, and the conflicts which surround them. Reader beware of some... gruesome depictions of violence, as the horrors of war is one of the messages of the book. (Image is fountain with lions from Granada.)

Loved it. Gripping psychological struggle between two Africans with fantastical gifts. Takes place over centuries of American history. Looks at slavery, autonomy, inherent abilities, building communities, family, and more. This novel makes any investment in the series worth it!

Once again, intriguing world building. Chapters alternate between past and present timelines describing an alien disease spreading through small communities. The ideas brought up were interesting, but the final climax was abrupt and generic by comparison. Much better themes than patternmaster: consensus, interdependency, free will vs biological imperatives, etc.

World building intriguing -- apocalyptic future earth ruled over by psychics in a stratified, heirarchical society -- but characters and plot lackluster. I suppose it was her first novel. It's worth reading, but don't save it for last in the series. Fun just for how weird it gets.

Rereading this old favorite. Revolutionary era ghosts give a descendant stories and life advice, written with humor and excellent character depictions. More people should know about this book!

Mixing literary elements with genre plots like a fungal pandemic can go a little awry. Candace's reflections on her family and career are wonderful explorations of how individuals react differently to immigration, and Ma can write lovely and funny turns of phrase. If only the parts where Candace struggles against an overbearing man leading a small band of survivors through deserted states on a ritualized trip to Chicago had the same subtlety.

So far this book is very gripping, but the way that youthful, intelligent Maxwell has turned into a desperate, hollow middle-aged man by twisted ambition is really heartbreaking :( This book does NOT hesitate to show both the happy and unhappy twists of fate that befall people who aren't ready to grapple with them.

The portrayal of river deities was interesting, but the rest of the magical world was severely underexplored. I liked how the character's family background and cop training were portrayed, but I didn't like that he had the snarky, lustful, impulsive brain of a teenage boy. WHY did his mentor give him so much responsibility??? I'll pass on the rest of the series.

Many twists and sudden genre shifts, wicked sense of humor and beautiful writing, and interesting themes including immigration, class struggle, and familial discord. Recommend to anyone who likes magical realism and doesn't mind their fairy tale influenced stories taking some wild liberties.

If we as women want change in all aspects of our lives, we must recognize that capitalism is uniquely capable of co-opting piecemeal change .... Capitalism is capable of taking our visionary changes and using them against us. --Jeanne Gross

Quick read, with the two point of view characters serving as windows into discussions about identity, immigration, assimilation, family, and more. Writing style is lively, with many references. Plot is on the weaker side, but the variety of characters makes up for it.

In my humble opinion, parents shouldn't be in a hurry to give names to their children haphazardly, they should wait until the child grows up and get an idea of his or her character, physical appearance, and so on. You pay dearly for a wrong, inadequate, improvised name, because it produces complexes. Tell me your name, and I'll tell you who you are and if you've got any psychological problems. Clear?

Personal essays touching on sexuality, growing up, motherhood, and identity. Funny and cutting.

So far the way this book talks about family is really well-done. As people who know you simultaneously best and least, as people in whose footsteps you follow sometimes without consciously trying.

Evocative settings that mix fairy tale elements with realistic and domestic scenes. Deft point-of-view switching to keep up with ambitious plot. Interesting theme of repaying debts. Amazingly creepy romances. AMAZINGLY CREEPY.

Beautiful art of Icelandic landscape and interiors. Slow-paced, intriguing magical realism story. I'm looking forward to getting my hands on the next few volumes!

Recommended for all vampire fans who enjoy unique takes on the genre. This version comes with polyamorous communes and allegorical interspecies bigotry! My first Butler and a smaller-scale, more contemplative story than I was expecting. The writing was really efficient at describing complicated character interactions. I'll definitely be reading more by her.

Noir inspired fantasy set in Aztec empire. The worldbuilding and fantasy elements were amazing, and the main character had a distinct and unusual personality, very dry and withdrawn. Ultimately the mystery, the combat description, and the climax were not my favorites.

This book shows the power of fantasy to explore emotions and the subconscious. Wonderful read, full of evocative ideas and beautiful writing exploring our main character's search for a life with meaning

The world and concept are amazing, the writing has some amusing turns of phrase, the characters have solid motivations that are adequately explained. The plot is totally conventional, which was really surprising and disappointing against such an unusual backdrop.

If in the great family of the writing arts Poetry is the hard-up eldest son and Screenplay the little bro who's loaded, nonetheless these two are close, enjoy each other's company, they share longer walks than either shares with Playwriting or Fiction, all the difficult middle children. #poetry #fiction #writing

What evolutionary psychologists -- and I -- believe is that aesthetic preferences, those things we find beautiful, originate not it what renders life delightful or even endurable, but in what makes life possible

Funny, engaging read about the history and botany of plants used in booze. Will teach you things and add many liquors to your wishlist! After reading, I just tried Drambuie for the first time and it's fantastic.