The Geometry of Holding Hands, by Alexander McCall Smith Isabel Dalhousie, philosopher, returns in the thirteenth volume of this series. I jumped into this one cold, since I haven't read the previous Dalhousie books, but I immediately fell in love with Isabel and the way her mind works. Geometry has a very loose plot, involving … Continue reading Fiction Review: The Geometry of Holding Hands
The Revolutionary and the Rogue, by Blake Ferre There still aren't nearly enough queer historical romance novels out there, although things have definitely improved in the past several years. So I was thrilled to see this title by Entangled, one of my favorite romance publishers. The story takes place in Paris, as the triumph of … Continue reading Romance Review: The Revolutionary and the Rogue
Her Husband's Grave, by P. L. Kane Robyn Adams is a psychologist who works with police departments to track down serial killers. She's just finished one such case (and almost gotten herself killed in the process) when she receives a call from her cousin Vicky, whose husband Simon has been found murdered and buried at … Continue reading Suspense Review: Her Husband’s Grave
Hamnet and Judith, by Maggie O'Farrell In 1596, a young child dies in Stratford. The child has a twin, an older sibling, an mother thought to have special abilities, and a father who is becoming famous in London for his plays. The father is, of course William Shakespeare, but his name is never mentioned in … Continue reading Fiction Review: Hamnet and Judith (Women’s Prize for Fiction Shortlist)
The Dead Girl Under the Bleachers, by Donna M. Zadunajsky This book actually managed to put me in a reading slump for over a week. It should have been the kind of page-turner that I normally read almost in one sitting, but I ended up slogging through it just to get to the end. The … Continue reading Suspense Review: The Dead Girl Under the Bleachers
A big thank you to Odyssey Books for sending me a copy to review. When No One Is Watching, by Linathi Makanda Linathi Makanda's poetry debut with Odyssey Books is a luminous collection of verse, a meditation on tough topics expressed with grace and wisdom. Family, masculinity, and women's expectations and realities regarding relationships take … Continue reading Poetry Review: When No One Is Watching
The Priest, by Tiffany Reisz The Priest is the ninth novel in Reisz's The Original Sinners series (which also includes several novellas and short stories). But it is, according to the official description, an entirely new arc in the series, and "the perfect jumping-on point for new readers." I certainly found this to be true: … Continue reading Romance Review: The Priest
The Baby Group, by Caroline Corcoran A sex tape, a mommy blogger, and an idyllic countryside village are the three main elements in this story of misguided revenge. Scarlett is a recent transplant to a small village near Manchester. During the year of her maternity leave, she has also become something of a celebrity, thanks … Continue reading Suspense Review: The Baby Group
Liberty Farm: A Family Portrait, by Izai Amorim I have to admit that I was a bit worried going into this reading. Not because of anything in the book description (after all, I had requested the ARC because it sounded interesting), but because of what I saw when I opened the book. Mainly, pages listing … Continue reading Fiction Review: Liberty Farm
Girls Against God, by Jenny Hval. Translated by Marjam Idriss(Affiliate link to Bookshop.org, a great site helping support independent bookstores.) This novel feels more like a piece of performance art. The story, such as it is, involves the narrator's journey from a Southern Norway childhood; through international studies in Japan and the United States; and … Continue reading Fiction Review: Girls Against God
