From the master of alternate history, this book is a story about alien first contact, set in America in the early '70s. If I had to compare this book to any other First Contact work I‘d say that it shares a lot with the 1977 movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind. As in the movie, the focus is on the impact on a handful of common people more than on the extraterrestrials.

NetGalley ARC - book out 7/26. Full review: https://bit.ly/rvw-3Miles

Debut, self-published noir-ish space opera. The author contacted me and asked for my review. I have a lot on my TBR so I hesitated even tho I have happily read & reviewed a number of self-published books in the last year. After reading it, I'm glad I said yes. A bit formulaic, but the characters, world building and writing style were really well done. Good escapist summer read. Free on Kindle Unlimited.

Full review: https://bit.ly/rvw-navdrac

I finished Nance‘s book a week before the first hearing of the January 6th Committee. Many (though not all) of the details of events on January 6th that were covered in that first hearing are also here. The value of Nance‘s book is that he digs deep into the white supremacist and QAnon history behind the events of that day. The resulting book is a stark warning of a clear and present danger to our nation.

Full review: https://bit.ly/rvw-kill

I've succumbed to the power of books. That, and the fact that proceeds go to support a crisis support line here in Brisbane. Here is my used book haul from the Lifeline Bookfest. (The Michael Connelly book is my husband's.)

I don't know how, or even if, I'm going to be able to fit these books into my luggage to take them back home to the US. I'll probably leave most of them here with relatives to dig into on our next visit. 📚 😃

This is the first place our relatives suggested we go when we got off the plane in Brisbane Australia. They know me so well... 🤓

The title of this book with its words ordered as they might appear in an index entry, is a hint of the clever and witty writing contained inside. Who knew that the index - that set of pages at the back of books - had such a long and interesting history?

Done with humor and fondness I think it will appeal even if you think you are only marginally interested in the idea at first.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/2k76ke8t

I'm on Australia time! We hosted family in Michigan last month & are visiting them in Brisbane this month. Feels great after not being able to do so for the past couple of years.

Anyway, here's my first book review for Pride Month. It‘s easy to see why this book won the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for the LGBTQ YA category. Full of teenage realism and an almost tragedy, it tugged on my heartstrings.

Full review: https://bit.ly/rvw-flamer

What a pleasure it was to read these 26 short stories for the first time. Saroyan writes with humor and emotion. He is known for his “free style” of writing, more concerned with conveying an idea, a tone, or an emotion than with the form a story takes.

He may not be as often read today as Steinbeck or Hemingway, but he is a distinct early to mid-20th century American voice who is well worth your time.

Full review: https://bit.ly/rvw-trapeze

A lot of us will be traveling this weekend, including my husband and I. Safe and happy travels all!!

Most of my latest book haul - pictured here - is from a recent trip to Toronto to visit family. But the tagged book I ordered direct from the publisher, Belt Press, a small Midwestern independent.

"The man you write of need not perform some heroic or monstrous deed in order to make your prose great. Let him do what he has always done, day in and day out, continuing to live. Let him walk and talk and think and sleep and dream and awaken and walk again and talk again and move and be alive. It is enough."

"But I want to use language that will create a single implication. I want the meaning to be precise, and perhaps that is why the language is so imprecise."
- William Saroyan.

It's not often that an American history book is a complete surprise to me. I didn't think I'd ever heard of the DeVotos before picking this up, but they are important figures in America's history of public lands & national parks. Fascinating book. A must read for anyone interested in the history of the American West, conservation & governmental corruption in the 40s and 50s.

ARC read - book due July 5.

Full Review: https://tinyurl.com/yc6uu9e8

This is the 2nd in a series from Charles K. Jordan. Both books are well crafted and engaging, with excellent world building. A bit frustrated with the # of loose ends left dangling by both books, but the action and story telling style have made up for it. If you want to take the plunge into an indie fantasy series, you could do a lot worse than this one - and the author is giving away his 1st book free.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/4cu3h4rh

Powerfully written and intensely felt. Brilliant novel. But also dense, dark and depressing.

I read Giovanni‘s Room last year. The 2 books are both semi-autobiographies and share intense storytelling and brilliantly depicted characters. But Giovanni‘s Room is a much easier read. I hated to come to the end of Giovanni's Room. But this book left me drained. Glad I read it and also glad it's over.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/yjcavsv4

Author Kathe Koja takes us into the world of dance clubs and immersive events in a book that questions our perceptions of reality. Koja's writing is excellent, the concepts explored are intriguing and the characters mostly interesting. But the story is a bit muddled, and overly long. I read an ARC copy - due out on May 10th.

Full Review: https://tinyurl.com/y8yueb97

**Adult Content**

"Drown me if you like, but kill me not with caprices. No coitus interruptus, heaven, heaven!"

I am finding this book an odd combination of innocence and innuendo. It is so much a tale of another time and place that it almost reads like fantasy.

Biz journo & Fortune CEO argues that corporate leadership has changed for the better. He has plenty of examples. Recent events (i.e. the pandemic and George Floyd's murder) have accelerated the trend. In the context of Murray's world the assessment seems valid, & it's a hopeful one. Accountability is lacking tho, & there are plenty of companies not members of the Biz Round Table that need to follow suit.

Full Review: https://tinyurl.com/bdes6ef6

"I had a farm in Africa, at the foot of the Ngong Hills."

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Well done combo of lovingly evoked word-painting of Victorian London, and medical thriller. The story of the city & the cholera outbreak there in the summer of 1854. Over 120 people died in a three day period in Soho. Local doctor John Snow, along with young clergyman Henry Whitehead set out to investigate, trying to understand how the outbreak had happened.

An instant classic when published in 2007.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/fdam4rc7

"In their classic management book 'In Search of Excellence', Tom Peters and Robert Waterman wrote about the importance of 'management by walking around.' That doesn't work when the office is empty."

Fans of Sherlock Holmes may remember that the murderer in The Hound of the Baskervilles presumably died in the bog while trying to escape. But did he? Jim Nelson has taken his short and incomplete back story from the end Conan Doyle's book & turned it into a fun, adventurous novel. It's been ages since I read The Hound, but it didn't matter - this book stands on its own.

Indie Book Tour. My Full review (& giveaway): https://tinyurl.com/26xabuvm

Latest update on my #LGBTQBookBingo. I'm making slow, but steady progress. A couple of good reads since my last update and one pan.

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿: Kennedy, in 𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙨𝙚𝙙: 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠 1, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙖𝙨 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙡𝙮 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Great indie fantasy / mystery)

𝗔𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 ⭐⭐(disappointed)

𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗶𝗿: 𝙐𝙣𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (loved the audiobook!)

@KenyaZero

"Many CEOs had conversations with their employees about race for the first time"

"The best system we've ever developed to be able to allocate our productive resources is capitalism. So, if you want to keep the party going, you have to think about all the unintended consequences."

This is a humorous, engaging and informative book. Author Alex Bezzerides explains how a lot of the things about our bodies that don't work are evolutionary trade-offs for the positive things that evolution has given us.

Bad backs, bad knees, teeth that need braces, eyes that need glasses - Bezzerides explains the evolutionary history behind all these aches and pains that are part of being human.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/bddaje22

I really, really wanted to like this one. It's a murder mystery set right here in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. (In my front yard if I look right, the book cover is close to what I see, except the sun doesn't set there).

The confusing characters and disjointed storyline hide what is actually a pretty great thriller plot. It was OK, but I find I liked the idea of the book more than the book itself.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/yzstcvts

Wow! Like everything Billy Porter does, his memoir is over the top and fantastic! The audiobook is definitely the way to go on this one - it's narrated by the man himself in an authentic and inspirational tour de force performance. If you are at all a fan of the Tony, Grammy and Emmy winning performer you will love this!

A lot of fun to read! I'm a longtime mystery fan, though I don't read many anymore. This is the Bronze Medalist, 2021 Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Awards (BBNYA) for indie books.

A murder mystery mixed with a magical fantasy, with gay, nonbinary and autistic rep. Great characters, fast paced, and has a dry sense of humor. The world building isn't so good, but 1st of a series so I expect it's coming.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/zwvu6zd8

I finished my Modern Library Classics Challenge for this month. Its surprisingly good. The name “Silas Lapham“ is much more old-fashioned than the book it's attached to, and I think that name probably dissuades people from reading it.

With its sense of humor, love farce, and social-climbing it reminded me of Bridgerton (the TV show - I've not read the book). So, maybe not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/59pyry3y

A guided tour thru the geology & history of the planet. Knoll's organization of the book gives it a natural flow that lets him impart lots of information like a knowledgeable tour guide.

Eight distinct and easily digestible chapters. Short enough to read in one sitting. Really enjoyed it.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/yckererr

How can you go wrong with a book about writing from one of the most prolific, best-selling authors in America? OK, I suspect there are all kinds of ways, but never mind that. This is a great read for readers, writers, & wannabe writers.

Books about writing, King says, “are filled with bu(($&^it”. So, he takes the approach of telling us how 𝘩𝘦 became a writer, & about how 𝘩𝘦 writes. Excellent book.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/29z7am4j

#firstlinefridays

@ShyBookOwl

Just started reading this yesterday. Really good so far.

Fast paced and fascinating book about three teenagers who become part of the Dutch Resistance during the Nazi occupation. So fast paced though that - even though the author lays at all the pieces - the inherent emotional punch in their story doesn't quite come through the page.

Would be a good book for young adults who are looking to move beyond the YA shelf.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/2wsc9fuc

My latest haul from @LibraryThing Early Reviewers. As I've mentioned before I love that program. It's a fun & easy way to get a free sneak peek at new books. I mostly request ebooks because I think your chances are better, but I decided to try for the physical book on this one.

The author is an Innocence Project lawyer, & the book is about “the flood of rotten forensics and bogus scientific opinions presented to juries.“ Due out April 5th.

A historical true crime story with a connection to the TV show Twin Peaks. In 1908 the young, blonde, and beautiful Hazel Drew was murdered. Her murder was never solved.

I did enjoy the history but ultimately was disappointed at the inconclusiveness of the true crime story. The authors offer a possible solution, but after 100 years that's all they can do.

Full review if interested: https://tinyurl.com/yckw2c5v

Paper books, audiobooks, or ebooks, it doesn't really matter to me. I know many folks are in one camp or another, but I go back and forth, & often have a book in all three formats going at once.

Here are four short reads I recently finished on my Kindle. 3 from Kindle Unlimited, 1 from Libby.

Liked the Most: Colm Tóibín's The Shortest Day.
Liked the Least: ER Wills' What Happened to Neil Frost?

Full Blog Post: https://tinyurl.com/542m387m

1. Yes!! I have my own classic book challenge this year (one a month from my Modern Library collection). Tagged is this month's read.

2. I'll answer with a very old classic. I've had Seamus Heaney's trans. of Beowulf forever, & I've still not read it. Did read Sioned Davies trans. of The Mabinogion last year. Loved it. But poor Beowulf keeps getting buried on my TBR.

Thanks @TiminCalifornia for tagging me.

#Two4Tuesday
@TheSpineView

Overview of political warfare between America and Russia from the Cold War thru 2020 -i.e., espionage, disinformation, cyberwar and sabotage. Despite the fact that it's two years old it is directly relevant to the ongoing war in Ukraine and helps provide context around Putin's motivations.

Written by NYT nat'l security & intelligence reporter. HIGHLY recommend to fans of history or current events.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/28kwz7tc

Given the current state of world affairs, look what fate has put at the top of my TBR. Timely reading, and an excellent follow up to my last book.

Well written & very readable book on geopolitics by a long-time foreign correspondent for Sky News. It's written from a European perspective, & covers 10 countries / regions in, around or with ties to Europe & the UK (except for the chapter about outer space!) Packed with interesting facts, you're sure to learn from it. Well worth it for fans of history or geopolitics.

Audiobook: read by the author.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/2p9xpsku

Progress report (Sooo official!) on my #LGBTQBookBingo so far.

𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 - 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵 by C M Caplan
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 - 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘎𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 by Rory August
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 - 𝘚𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘛𝘺𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 by Calvin Kasulke
𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗰 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹 - 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮 by Kevin Panetta & Savanna Ganucheau

All are ⭐⭐⭐⭐ reads.

@KenyaZero

2022 is turning out to be a great year for me for debut indie sci-fi / fantasy. I REALLY liked this one. Only 200 pages but author Rory August packed a lot into them. Scary monsters, long dead civilizations, a race to unravel an ancient mystery, and a pair of siblings & their cat traveling thru the stars. But it's the exploration of love & relationships that makes it shine. ARC - book due 4/7 on kindle.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/48suvksy

First book I've DNF'd in quite a while. Had this on hold at the library, and it seemed like the kind of book I like. It's also gotten great reviews.

Nope. I was expecting a history of how views of the Neanderthals have changed over time. Instead it's in-depth chapters on the archaeological evidence we have, and how its been interpreted. Dry, dry, dry.

The 2nd book in my challenge of one book per month from my Modern Library collection.

Ever read a book & listen to the audiobook at the same time? I did on this one. It's my first time reading Joyce. Not an easy read, so having someone reading it along with me helped. I also “cheated“ & watched a couple of video reviews along the way to aid understanding (and googled stuff). Ended up liking it a lot.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/59nhjcwp

Last month I highlighted an ebook here that I'd gotten through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program. I'm a regular user of LibraryThing, and the program seem to have at least one title I'd like to read each month, sometimes more.

I have two on my TBR pile right now. Both caught my attention because of their connection to Michigan, my home state. This one is an indie murder mystery set not too far from where I live. Should be fun!

A well written & accessible book on a complex subject by a capable academic expert. This book is a guide to understanding intelligence, the agencies that engage in it, the types of intelligence they gather, challenges to effective intelligence, counterintelligence, & the growing relevance and importance of cyber intelligence.

I know that sounds like a lot, but she really packages it for us non-experts.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/477rt4ud

Dual story of the Bounty mutineers & the author's own present-day travel to Pitcairn Island - where Fletcher Christian & the others settled. Uneven - I actually liked the travel story better than the Bounty mutineers. Narrative history is hard to do right, & Presser is a travel author - so maybe not surprising. But any story with “Massacre Day“ as a plot point will hold your interest!

ARC. Book due 3/8. Full review: https://tinyurl.com/ybjmynvr

Strange, quirky & hilarious are words used to describe this book. All true - along with quick & compulsively readable. Gerald, while WFH at a PR firm, has his mind inexplicably sucked up into the firm's Slack messaging system. Hilarity & some existential stuff ensue. This ended exactly as I expected, & at the same time included something I hadn't expected at all (but really liked). I LOL'd more than once.

Full review: https://tinyurl.com/2fc8xy9a

Retired college professor & presidential historian Burton Kaufman tackles the Obama presidency. A well-researched and well done book, and refreshingly these days without an obvious political agenda. Written like you'd expect from a history professor - neutral and a bit dry. I did like it, but I was disappointed that it doesn't seem to have anything new to say. ARC copy - book due on 3/15.

Full review, if interested: https://tinyurl.com/5fsm2eyp

𝘽𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙢 is the story of two teen boys trying to figure out what life has in store for them post high school. A coming-of-age romance, the book has as its main setting the family bakery owned by one of the boy's parents. A cute, fun, quick read and the bakery store LGBTQ romance I didn't know I needed! And it's my first ever graphic novel! I know, I'm a late bloomer (pun intended). 😁

Full review here: https://tinyurl.com/rewjfwnm