The Keeper of Lonely Spirits

The Keeper of Lonely Spirits by E.M. Anderson, 400 pages

When Peter Shaughnessy was a teen, he was cursed by one of "them folk" to wander the world forever, unable to come home. Well, that was 200 years ago, and Peter is now an eternally 70-year-old itinerant man, wandering from town to town around the world, helping spirits (particularly the angry or fearful ones) move on and stop causing a ruckus to the living. He makes no connections and doesn't stay long, and that's been the case for more than a century. But now he's in a small town in Ohio, trying in vain to find a malevolent spirit that's infecting the whole town, and dangit, he's starting to get to know people and care about them. Can he succeed in his attempt to put the spirit to rest and then skip town before getting too attached? Hmm...

I love love loved this book. It has very strong T.J. Klune energy, managing to balance big feelings, coziness, and solid sense of what's at stake. The people who come into Peter's life are all fantastic, and I've gotta say that I am 100% behind having a 70-year-old man be the center of a slow-burning romance in a cozy fantasy. I'll be recommending this book far and wide.

How To Stand Up to a Dictator

 How To Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa, 309 pages.

In this book, Nobel peace prize winner and journalist Maria Ressa examines the forces that are giving power to authoritarianism and taking it away from journalists. Ressa traces her life from the Philippines, to growing up in America, then moving back to the Philippines to work as a journalist where she helped establish CNN in South East Asia and eventually founded her own online news organization, Rappler. Rappler was hugely successful, but drew fire from the government when they refused to stop covering the crimes of the Duterte regime, leading to Ressa being charged in enough criminal cases to go to jail for life if she is convicted. Ressa also shines a spotlight on the ways that social media actively aids the creep of authoritarianism and the misinformation and polarization of populations. 

This is a book that feels very relevant to the current moment. As Maria Ressa points out in her book, problems the Philippines experiences are often seen in other parts of the world a few years later. Ressa draws on a wide variety of experiences to issue a warning that is very easy to understand. It is just a little unfortunate that a lot of the book reminds me quite a bit of an extended college admissions essay. I do still think it is an important book, and it would be absolutely indispensable to anyone interested in the effect of social media on politics. 

The Manor of Dreams

The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li, 352 pages

After years of solitude in her secluded mansion, Oscar-winning Chinese American actress Vivian Yin has died. Her daughters and granddaughter have arrived at their matriarch's home for the reading of the will — and so has the daughter of Vivian's longtime housekeeper, to whom the actress leaves the house. Upset at this unexpected turn of events, Vivian's daughters are determined to keep the house that they believe should be theirs, and all interested parties refuse to leave until the others do. But after just a few days in the house, odd things are happening — strange noises and visions, unexplained injuries and anger, and perhaps most disturbing, plants and soil seem to be growing into the house at a rapid pace, grabbing at the temporary residents and then disappearing again.

Based on the description of this book, it felt like it should be a spooky gothic horror novel, full of generational trauma and atmospheric creepiness. Unfortunately, while it had a lot of the ingredients, it didn't seem to be fully mixed and baked. With rare exceptions, the five modern characters were kinda bland and hard to distinguish, though the flashbacks to Vivian's youth were more vibrant and compelling. It was also lacking in the uneasy atmosphere that's necessary in horror novels, especially gothic haunted house tales. So the idea and the individual elements were good, but the execution was just OK.

*This book will be published May 6, 2025.

Democracy or Else

Democracy Or Else: How to Save America in Ten Easy Steps by Jon Favreau et al. (2024) 178pp

Political gadflies Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor who host the podcast Pod Save America published this political primer to reinvigorate the concept (conceit) of participatory democracy. Written in their scathing and tongue-in-cheek humorous style, the seasoned political operatives lay out the ways the average voter can influence elections and work to strengthen our fragile democracy. Topics include simply making a plan for voting, organizing, volunteer options, and ultimately running for office. Think of this as an adult version of School House Rock’s How a Bill Becomes Law cartoon. This is a breezy read with quick chapters on the history of our democracy, step-by-steps on getting involved in the political arena, and inspirational sidebars by well-known politicians such as Barrack Obama, Stacy Abrams, Ben Winkler and others. Also interspersed are hilarious events the authors lived through as they worked on successful and failed campaigns. Practical information in a condensed and highly readable format. 

Back After This

Back After This by Linda Holmes, 320 pages

Cecily has made herself indispensable at the podcast production company where she works. She's a great editor and producer, and literally wrote the book on how to save and properly access the company's audio files. She's been pitching her own ideas for podcasts for ages, and while her boss has shown some interest, there's always been one reason or another to not produce them. So when he comes to Cecily with a plan to center her on a self-help podcast with a trendy influencer, she says she'll participate but only if her newest idea can finally get produced. He agrees and suddenly Cecily finds herself the subject of Twenty Dates, a podcast in which influencer and relationship coach Eliza sets her up on, you guessed it, 20 dates, promising to find the right guy for Cecily.

There is something hard to believe about the setup of the podcast, and the fact that Cecily goes along with it (especially knowing her boss's track record with promises), as well as some of the other elements of the book that I won't spoil here. However, Cecily as a character is ridiculously relatable, as I feel like every hardworking woman has, at some time or another, been overlooked or taken for granted at a job, and can probably relate to the revelations Cecily has throughout the book. Overall, it's a good, enjoyable read, especially if you want a behind-the-scenes view of creating podcasts along with your drama.

The Beautiful Mystery

The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny, 373 pgs.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his right hand man, Inspector Jean-Guy Beauvoir, are confronted with more than one mystery when they arrive at the intentionally-hidden Gilbertine monastery. As the Inspectors investigate a murder in this small, religious community, they uncover more about the mysteriously captivating Gregorian chants for which these monks have recently become world-famous. When Chief Superintendent Sylvain Francoeur, a man for whom Inspector Gamache has no love lost, arrives unexpectedly, the mysteries compound. Why has the boss arrived at this remote monastery? And is the outside world right behind him?

This story is carried by its strong characters, particularly Gamache and Beauvoir but also the monks. Penny's presentation of their differing reasons for joining the Gilbertine order, and her presentation of their lives there, is captivating. Additionally, the arrival of Francoeur, the clear villain with unclear motives, adds a level of intensity that some of the other stories lack. It took a while to get into, but the last third of the book had me on the edge of my seat. 

Another selection of graphic novels read in Apr.

Planet of the Apes: Visionaires by Dana Gould, adapted from Rod Serling's scripts, with art by Chad Lewis (2018) 112 pages

I love the original Planet of the Apes movie and Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone. Based on the first couple drafts of Rod Serling's script, this adaptation is fascinating. You can clearly see what stayed the same and what changed through other writers altering the final production script. I really enjoyed the art here. I liked the larger role for Dr. Zira. The ape city, the fact that they drive vehicles, and fly helicopters is closer to Pierre Boulle's description in the novel. Cornelius is introduced much later, his archeological dig is similar, but it would have required a much higher budget for the movie to bring it to life like illustrated here. The action, the twists and turns, all stunning. I appreciated the design notes at the end.

Kent State: Four Dead in Ohio by Derf Backderf (2020) 280 pages

I went to Kent State for grad school in the early 2000s. Wanted to read this before we reach May 4 this year. It is an event we should never forget. Backderf did a ton of research to present the truth. He explains his sources and sites them all in detail at the end. I've seen some short films about the event and the aftermath on campus and off campus. This is full of background details that bring the days leading up to the event to life in a way none of the filmed interviews do. Bill, Allison, Sandy, and Jeff (the four who would end up dead) are alive on the pages of this graphic novel. The culture and the history of 1970 is vividly explained. "There are, incredibly, five law enforcement agencies working on or around campus in 1970." They are afraid of local radicals and are constantly assuming complete lies warrant using more force. The Ohio National Guard, when called in, are mismanaged, create a lot of tension with students, and are also letting false hearsay ramp up their fear. Then the horrific tragedy of May 4 is tracked with intricate detail. Every fact that is known is presented. It is violent and heartbreaking. In the aftermath it feels as if justice has never been served because of the silence and denials of the National Guard.

X-Men: Days of Future Past by Chris Claremont with art by John Byrne (1981) 184 pages

Many of the stories have little bearing on the two part Days of Future Past. Elegy involves Cyclops reciting memories of past X-Men adventures at Jean Grey's funeral. A clips episode with Cyclops leaving and Kitty Pryde arriving. Nightcrawler's Inferno gives backstory on Nightcrawler, but is really for fans of Dante's Inferno. Doctor Strange helps four of the X-Men as they face the challenges of the different levels of hell. Pretty exciting, but didn't love the religiosity. Something Wicked This Way Comes is about Kitty training and Wolverine and Nightcrawler going to Canada. They meet up with a version of superhero team Alpha Flight and fight Wendigo. This spans two issues. Then Days of Future Past holds a lot of promise as a concept with older Kitty Pryde's mind going back to younger Kitty Pryde's body to try to prevent the political disaster that leads to a dystopian future. I can't believe this only spans two issues. Some excitement with the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, but I was let down by the way it ended. Then a Christmas issue with a Demon (that reminds me of the Brood) attacking Kitty alone at the mansion is tacked on. Life and death challenge has some good moments, but has no continuity with previous time travelling adventure.

Space Brooms!

Space Brooms! by A.G. Rodriguez, 352 pages

Johnny Gomez left his home on Luna (AKA the moon) a decade ago to seek his fortune on the far-flung space station Kilgore. But instead of fame and fortune, he's doing drudge work as a space station janitor, AKA "space broom." While cleaning out a particularly gross public toilet, he finds a data chit wedged in the wall and, not knowing any better, grabs it to examine later. Bad idea. Now several of the most notorious gangs are after Johnny, putting up insane bounties on him, just so they can get ahold of that chit. It's during a run-in with hired goons of one of those crime syndicates that Johnny is saved by a couple of smugglers, who offer to set him up with a ride off-station, as well as a buyer for the in-demand chit. If only they can shake their pursuers as they speed across the galaxy.

This is a decent found-family science fiction tale, with fun characters and a pleasantly ludicrous plot. That said, there are several questions that don't get answered (like why the smugglers are so invested in Johnny and who owned the chit to begin with) and a few elements that just felt kinda random. It was OK, but it's not going to be the top of my "best of 2025" list by any means. Still, you can't deny that the name and cover are fantastic.

Other People's Houses

Other People's Houses by Abbi Waxman (2018) 330 pages

I can't say that I liked Frances Bloom, the main character in this novel, very well. However, her position as the non-working mom who does all the carpooling for four families to three different school every day, gives her a unique look at what's going on in her neighborhood. When she catches a neighbor having an affair, she can't butt out. The wife of another neighbor has simply disappeared, which is fodder for gossip. Another family in the neighborhood is that of her cousin Iris and her wife (who is an actress) and child. 

Frances can't seem to say no to being on various school committees. Her strong views seem to force a number of issues. Her own family has its shares of ups and downs, especially dealing with her teenager. The author definitely portrays children at their various life stages well.

In spite of my inability to bond with Frances, I needed to stay with the book to see how all the dramas turned out.

Safer Places

 

Safer Places by Kit Anderson (2024) 208 pages

This volume of graphic literature is a series of short stories or vignettes of various themes — young people, wizards, the World's Biggest Ball of Twine, and more. There's a surreal feel to most of the works. In a couple of instances, I felt like I needed a younger person to translate the meanings for me, even after multiple views/read-throughs. I came away with a mixture of feelings: some were ordinary slice-of-life stories, some were hopeful, some had a touch of pointlessness or despair. 

The first story, "The Basement," portrayed reassurance for a boy after a death in the family (possibly his grandfather). "Weeds," a story about a grad student with flowers growing out of her was intriguing. My very favorites might have been a recurring series of stories that centered on a wizard.

The drawings were well-done and expressive. The table of contents was my friend!

The Border Keeper

 The Border Keeper by Kerstin Hall, 208 pages.

The Border Keeper lives in an isolated house at the border between Ahri, the lands of the living, and Mkalis, the 999 realms of gods and demons, where souls are reincarnated when they die. Rumor has it she can find people on the other side, even bring them back, and that her power is immense. When a mysterious man comes seeking, she agrees to help guide him through the impossible realms of Mkalis, even if he is clearly keeping secrets. Everyone involved is more than they seem, and the friction of gods and legends has the potential to throw both sides of the border into chaos. 

This was an extremely effective novella. The world Hall builds is immersive, and although we only see a small portion of this in these 200 pages, I feel as if I understand the scope of it anyway. Which does not stop me from being very excited to read more in the setting. It is also absolutely stuffed with twists, which all feel well-earned, and never leave the plot feeling contrived. This is a really excellent story in a surprisingly small package, and I would definitely recommend it.

October

October: the story of the Russian Revolution by China Miéville (2017) 369pp
Commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the Russian revolution, the author goes deep into the machinations of the various factions that eventually formed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Miéville is a scholar of economics and a popular author based in the UK. His works include A Spectre, Haunting, a critique of the Communist Manifesto. He starts his tale with an overview of Russian history during the 19^th century, highlighting the emancipation of the serfs in 1861 and the eventual abdication of the Russian monarchy. A hint that this is not a casual read is the inclusion of an eight-page name glossary to keep track of the characters. Miéville is evenhanded in presenting the various revolutionary players, including Lenin, Stalin, and Trotsky, but does single out Alexander Kerensky for scorn. Following the historical overview of Russian situation, the author describes the 1905 failed revolt and then jumps to 1917. From the February uprisings in Petrograd where 240,000 workers staged a strike, Miéville proceeds month by month detailing the seemingly endless conflicts and meetings of the various “Soviets” (Russian for council or assembly) and the other factions attempting to form a government. Finally on October 26^th the revolutionary government is formed. Miéville wraps up the tome with an epilogue summarizing the immediate turmoil faced by the new government. The exceptional quality of the writing kept me going through this dense material.

The Ride

The Ride by Kostya Kennedy (2025) 289pp
Finished reading this on the day of the 250^th anniversary of the oft-quoted and perhaps the best-known action of the revolutionary war – Paul Revere’s ride out of Boston. This is an enjoyable read, a non-threatening history of a vital moment in our nation’s history. By non-threatening, I mean it is accessible, kind of like watching the History Channel. Kennedy is best known for his sports profiles and is obviously enamored with the drama of the ride. Since we know the outcome before we crack the book, it is to Kennedy’s credit that throughout this well researched saga he keeps the story flowing, introducing a fair amount of drama. Unfortunately, he leans into “what ifs” a little too often and has an irritating penchant for describing the weather, the dark of night, and the sounds of silence, interfering with the narrative. The chapter on Revere’s mention of the Mark, the enslaved person left on the road where he had been gibbeted (murdered and hung in chains), simply as a waypoint on the ride where Revere encounters British soldiers, could be interpreted as gratuitous, except for fact that this did happen. It is horrendous and is directly connected to the compromise of the founding of the country. He does this once more regarding 16-year-old Sybil Ludington, sometimes referred to as a female Revere, who purportedly rode 40 miles to warn militiamen in Connecticut. Minor quibbles in a worthy effort in replaying the ride. Longfellow would approve.

Things They Lost

 Things They Lost by Okwiri Oduor, 268 pages.

Ayosa Ataraxis Brown's special gift is for remembering. Although she is just a lonely child living alone in her ancestral home, she remembers the decades before her birth, when she was just a wriggling thing that followed her mama around. Nabumbo Promise Brown was a brilliant photographer, but she is not a brilliant mother, and Ayosa never knows when she will come of go. Ayosa spends her days dancing and listening to the death news with the ghostly Fatumas who live in her attic, and trying to avoid being snatched by wraiths pretending to be her mama. Then, against all odds, Ayosa makes a human friend and suddenly has to consider who truly deserves her loyalty. 

This was a really interesting piece of magical realism set in Kenya. I really liked Ayosa as a character, and thought her voice came through very strongly throughout. The cast is small, but each member is slowly built up into interesting characters. There is also something very aching about Ayosa's loneliness, and her need to be needed. I really enjoyed this book, and I think it would be great for enjoyers of magical realism.

A Song for You and I

 A Song for You and I by K. O'Neill, 240 pages.

Rosie has never felt quite comfortable with their name, and the tension is only getting more taught as they approach the ceremonial carving of their name on the Ranger's gate. After their recklessness gets their flying horse injured, they are suddenly in danger of not graduating to full ranger, and are assigned to escorting a lackadaisical shepherd on wide-ranging deliveries. Around Leone, Rosie starts to feel like they can live fully as Rowan and help give Leone the confidence to live fully as himself as well. 

This was a very sweet, relaxed graphic novel from the author of the Tea Dragon Society, another middle grade graphic novel I loved. I love how evocative K. O'Neill's art feels, consistently. I also found that this story had more heft than many others of its genre, with a meaningful story underneath the atmospheric elements. I would definitely recommend this book to other readers, especially those interested in lgbtq+ stories for younger readers. 

Something Cheeky

Something Cheeky by Thien-Kim Lam, 336 pages

Since leaving college 7 years earlier, Zoe Tran has made a name for herself as the owner and designer behind Something Cheeky, a lingerie boutique that caters to Washington, D.C.'s plus-size women, making them feel confident and sexy in bespoke bras and negligees. She's preparing to expand to formalwear when Derek, her best friend from college, reappears in her life, offering her the chance to design and create the costumes for his new rock musical. And it turns out that musical is based on the idea they created together in college, one that brings to life a favorite Vietnamese fairytale that Zoe and Derek both grew up with. While they were strictly just friends in college, something has changed since then, and Zoe can't deny the chemistry that's growing between them as they work on the show.

While the overarching storyline of the musical and its ambitions is a bit far-fetched, the relationship that develops between Zoe and Derek is sweet and definitely believable. I particularly love that one of the book's main characters is a proud plus-size demisexual woman — while I've seen other plus-size romance heroines, this is the first time I've seen demisexuality represented well in a romance novel. I also really love what this book has to say about cultural authenticity in art, even if it is a bit ham-handed at times. All in all, it's a fun romance novel that I'll happily recommend.

The Paris Express

The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue, 288 pages

On October 22, 1895, a train left Granville, France, headed for Paris, with several stops along the way. With four railroad employees and a range of first, second, and third-class passengers — including the uber-wealthy man whose private car was attached during an unscheduled stop — the titular Paris Express was helping everyone from painters and fisherfolk to politicians and students and businessmen shorten a days-long commute into one that usually takes about eight hours. However, an angry young woman boarded the train in Granville with ulterior motives, determined to make a political statement with a spectacle of her own creation. As the train speeds toward Paris, tensions increase and it's clear that this is no ordinary journey.

Loosely based on an actual event, this book was a suspenseful trip to the late 19th Century in France, with a wide range of actual historical people riding the train. Now the "loosely" part is the fact that while the people are real, very few of them were actually on the train in question, something that is revealed in the author's note at the end of the book. Really, it was a fun read, reminiscent of The Great Train Robbery and even the non-fiction Dead Wake — until that author's note. So if you want historical accuracy, this might not be the best place to get it. However, if you just want a suspenseful historical train ride, this is a fun one.

A Trick of the Light

A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny, 339 pgs.

Do people really change? When Lillian Dyson, an old friend-turned-foe, turns up murdered in Three Pines, that is the question on everyone's mind. As Chief Inspector Armand Gamache investigates Lillian's connections to artists and alcoholics, he wonders not only about the murderer, but also the victim. He observes many changes in the people around him, but are they really different, or is it just a facade? And if people can change, who is to say that it's always for the better?

With this seventh book in the Three Pines series, Louise Penny returns to what she does best--writing a character-driven, thought-provoking, thrilling-yet-cozy mystery. Where previous books included many overlapping story lines, this one is more simple and focused on the question above. The relationship between Gamache and his second-in-command, Inspector Beauvoir, is a highlight of this whole series, and it really shines through here--without taking away from the main mystery. Overall, this is one of the strongest books in the series thus far. 

Lady Astronaut Universe #4-4.5

 

The Martian Contingency by Mary Robinette Kowal (2025) 400 pages

Mary Robinette Kowal visited Left Bank Books here locally to promote this fourth novel in the series. I read my signed copy with much excitement. Astronaut Dr. Elma York is in a leadership role on the second Mars expedition. Most of the international crew are couples with professional skills to continue developing the habitat on the surface of Mars. The series of novels is alternative history beginning just after WWII. The events of this book take place in 1970. Kowal is great at details about what it would be like living in space in orbit or on the surface of Mars. The crew works really well together, but Dr. York begins to realize that something very wrong happened on the first Mars expedition. This past problem leads to a current problem in the technologically complex system of a Martian habitat.

"The Lady Astronaut of Mars" by Mary Robinette Kowal (2014) 33 pages

This short story is the first thing Kowal wrote in this universe, featuring Dr. Elma York. Chronologically is takes place decades after the events of book four with Elma and her husband already longtime residents of Mars. It is a sad story as Elma's husband Nathaniel has diminishing health from a nerve disorder. I read it on Hoopla after The Martian Contingency. 

Between the World and Me

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015) 152 pages

I listened to the audiobook before I read the book. As I read, I could hear Coates' lyrical voice in my head again. The book is written to his then-15-year-old son. He wants to share his life and thoughts with him. It's not exactly "the talk" that a young Black male needs to hear, but much more than that. 

Coates talks about growing up in Baltimore. As a child in a family that read books, he feels that he was slow to learn to navigate the streets, but once he learned, he realized how easily he could lose his life, whether by gangs or by the police. Coates is cynical about his boyhood education, but later, when he attended Howard University, he found it to be a Mecca, a "crossroads of the Black diaspora." At Howard, a Black didn't need to "represent to other people"; one could study and write and live in a world away from those who "think that they are white." Coates seemed especially intrigued with the writings of Malcolm X, but numerous others as well.

The safety of the Black body is uppermost in Coates' mind, whether considering himself or his son or his friends. He lists out the names of Blacks who have been killed by police who were not held responsible; his son is now seeing the injustice in these murders, as well. 

This small, powerful book addresses the tightrope that Blacks navigate in our society and much more.

What You Wish For

What You Wish For by Katherine Center (2020) 306 pages

Sam Casey is a school librarian who had left a job in another state because she was in love with Duncan, a teacher at her school who was wacky and wonderful...but didn't seem to know she existed. She's now been established in a private school on Galvaston Island for the past 4 years, Texas, and mostly loving her situation, when it's been announced that Duncan will become the new principal at her current school. She's not sure what it means, and whether she'll need to flee this school, too, in order to save her heart. However, Duncan is no longer the happy-go-lucky dude he used to be. He's serious and seems bent on turning the school into a fortress.

The novel traces his changes, and parallels them to Sam's own life and what she has done to find joy, in spite of her own challenges. At the beginning I had a bit of trouble getting pulled into the storyline, but it didn't take long to want to see what would happen (and what would occur to cause trouble along the way).

A selection of April graphic novels

When to Pick a Pomegranate by Yasmeen Abedifard (2024) 80 pages

I'm not certain I understood everything the author/artist is trying to express. In the last couple years I've screened quite a few indie Iranian films, but as an Iranian-American there are symbols from Ms. Abedifard's Persian culture that I don't quite grasp. I do recognize a creation story. The woman and the pomegranate are reflections of each other, as stated in the synopsis. There are many themes expressed. Like Eve in the garden, the woman is naked throughout and there is sensuality portrayed at times. It is quite short without a ton of text, so like poetry it is open to many interpretations.

Poems to See by: A Comic Artist Interprets Great Poetry by Julian Peters (2020) 168 pages

Quick read as all the poems are short. I like the different styles Peters is able to use to share his interpretations of each. Thomas Hardy's "The Darkling Thrush" was especially impactful. The modern day take on William Wordsworth's "The World Is Too Much with Us" is also cool.

Universal Monsters: Frankenstein by Michael Walsh (2025) 112 pages

I love the art and new backstory. The character designs are still Karloff, Clive, and the rest of the cast from the 1931 feature. Many of the panels and pages are screen captures from the film, but there is enough that is original here, scenes that don't appear in the film, to make this worth your time. The new angle of the kid observing Dr. Frankenstein and Fritz works well for a different perspective. Walsh gives us background on where the body parts come from and how each affects the creature, which I like. The last issue is the weakest in this regard. I hope Frankenstein's Bride also gets this comic treatment and I would enjoy one focused on Igor from Son of Frankenstein after the rest of the classic Universal Monsters.

R.U.R.: The Karel Capek Classic adapted by Katerina Cupova (2020) 264 pages

Translated into English this year. I've read the stageplay from the 1920s a couple times. There is a great introduction about the history of the play and how it brought "Robot" to language. The copy I bought had a couple printing errors, two pages were duplicated. The art style looks a bit like Al Hirschfeld, it has that 1920s to 1950s modernism, which is perfect. The adapter was free to change the order of events a little and express things more clearly, especially early on. For instance, Helena from the Humanity League is more resistant to the sudden marriage proposal from CEO Domin than in the play. But it does follow the events pretty closely otherwise. It starts with such big ideas, but as the story moves along it doesn't pay off many of the concepts. Later sci-fi worlds with artificial life like Terminator and Westworld would do better.

Howl: A Graphic Novel poetry by Allen Ginsberg with art by Eric Drooker (2010) 223 pages

I saw the movie Howl back in 2010 and was fascinated by the animated portions. This graphic version is from the art work by Eric Drooker that led to the animation in the film. I don't read poetry that often, so, yet again, I doubt I understand all of its references and the meaning behind it. The poem, of course, overcame censorship trials and obscenity charges. The second section about Moloch is what I mainly remember from the film. Moloch always reminds me of Fritz Lang's Metropolis, the gears and furnace in the factory. With the time to read page by page I enjoyed trying to unpack the first section, which is the longest.

You Should Be So Lucky

 You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian, 400 pages.

Mark Bailey hasn't felt up to doing much since the partner he isn't allowed to talk about died more than a year ago. Mark may be able to live somewhat openly as an arts reporter, but being gay wasn't an option for lawyers in the 50s, so he was forced into secrecy for his partner's sake anyway. Openness is also not an option for Eddie O'Leary, professional baseball player turned professional disappointment. Eddie's been having a terrible season since his surprise transfer to New York, made even more terrible because both his team and all of New York hate him for badmouthing them in front of reporters when he found out about his transfer. When Mark is (reluctantly) forced into writing diary entries for Eddie for his newspaper the two are forced into proximity, and sparks fly immediately. Soon a relationship starts to develop, even though the path forward isn't obvious. 

This is loosely a sequel to We Could Be So Good which I wrote about a couple years ago. Unfortunately, I didn't find this book as compelling as that first book set in midcentury NYC. There wasn't anything wrong with the characters or the plot, but there also weren't any surprises. I found the supporting cast pretty flat, and there weren't any moments that really stood out to me. Not a bad book, but I don't know that I would call it a great one either. 

Siren Queen

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo, 288 pages

I first read this fantasy take on Old Hollywood back in 2023, and won't rehash that original blog post now, as I enjoyed reading this again for Orcs & Aliens. That said, I think the fantasy elements popped out more to me this time around, and I definitely benefited from reading this again. Looking forward to seeing what everyone says about it in book group tonight!

Siren Queen

 Siren Queen by Nghi Vo, 281 pages.

In a fairyland version of early Hollywood, Luli Wei is determined to win her place among the stars. This isn't easy for anyone in a studio system that runs on blood magic and deals with steep prices, but it especially isn't easy for a Chinese American girl who falls in love with women and insists on "no maids, no funny talking, no fainting flowers." But Luli is dedicated to earning her immortality (more literal in this world than our own), even if it means immortally portraying herself as a monster.

This is a book with a really cool premise, but I unfortunately didn't feel like the execution was strong enough to carry its concepts. There are constantly interesting elements hovering at the margins of the book, and I only wish they were pulled more fully on to the page. I think that people with an interest in pre-code Hollywood would probably like this book, and the wide inspiration drawn from darker fairy stories was really neat. I am excited to talk about this book with Orcs and Aliens tonight, as I'm really excited to see what everyone else got from it. 

Long Bright River

Long Bright River by Liz Moore, 480 pgs.

Mickey has always been a protector. She works hard to take care of herself, her son, and her community--all while fulfilling her duties as a Kensington police officer. This is no simple task, especially in the midst of the opioid crisis, and it is made more difficult by her close connection to the situation through her sister, Kacey, who has struggled with addiction most of her life. When Kacey's disappearance coincides with a string of suspicious deaths, Mickey must search her past and present to protect her loved ones. 

It is rare that a story grabs my attention right from the beginning, but this book is immediately gripping. Liz Moore paints a complete picture of Kensington with a recognition of its problems and an overwhelming sense of empathy for its community. Mickey is flawed and strong and interesting. The switches between the past and present are really well done. Highly recommend as a thriller and as a thoughtful examination of the opioid crisis and the networks of people it impacts

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies

 Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

Eleanor Dash became a bestselling mystery author when she wrote about an experience she had in Italy when she was twenty-five: She fell for Connor and helped him solve a series of bank robberies connected to the Mafia. It's ten years later, and after nine books in the series, she wants to kill off Connor, the character, in order to get Connor, the real man—who she now knows as a con man—out of her life. Connor has been going to the author events with her over the years, including the current one, where they're on tour in Italy, along with a number of other authors and some of their fans. Connor thinks that someone is trying to kill him. Eleanor and her sister, Harper, are not sure whether to believe him or not. But if someone really does want to kill him, who? There's a long list of suspects, including about every author on the tour. When Eleanor becomes convinced that someone wants to kill her, too, that adds to the confusion and inability to know whom to trust.

The author's conversational first-person-style includes a huge number of footnotes, sometimes describing which real-life people her characters look like, discussing the works of other mystery writers, and much more. There are a number of times when she breaks the fourth wall and addresses her readers directly. I thought it was a quick fun read (although my colleague Kara has a differing opinion.) I'm looking forward to catching Mack's next book in the series, No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding. A television series is in the works for this series, as well.

Holy Terrors

 Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen, 560 pages.

In the nearly two years since Vanja destroyed the cult she accidentally started, she has been trying to do as much good as possible. Even if it may never entirely make up for the things that she has done, or the way that she hurt Emeric. The reformed Pfennigeist is a Robin Hood type figure, answering prayers for the poor, powerless, and abused. Which makes it a real problem for Vanja when nobles start turning up murdered with her signature red penny in their mouths. When the blessed empress herself shows up murdered in the same way, Vanja is forced into the investigation to clear the name she worked so hard to make. Even if it means working with Journeyman Prefect Emeric Conrad again. 

This intense conclusion to the Little Thieves trilogy is a much more blood-soaked addition. I wrote about the first book here in 2021, and continue to endorse the series whole-heartedly. Even with the frankly slightly excessive amount of murders, this is still a very character focused book. More specifically, it's focused on characters I love, bringing back characters from the first book who were mostly absent in the second. I'm not sure I entirely loved the heavier tone of this book, but I did think the final act was phenomenal, and served as a worthy send-off for a beloved series. 

Dead Money

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr, 416 pages

For the past couple of years, transportation tech firm Journy has been the hottest thing in Silicon Valley, making money hand over fist for its founders, investors, and executives. So when Journy's founder and CEO is found murdered in his office, it sends shockwaves through the tech industry, especially once it's revealed that the murdered man had changed his will a week beforehand, freezing all his assets until someone was on trial for his murder. As personal investigator for one of Journy's biggest investors, Mackenzie Clyde is put on the case with the FBI to find the murderer and unfreeze those assets, which include nearly $20 billion in shares. But as Mackenzie and the FBI dig into the case, they learn that there is a lot more to the murder than your average jealousy or greed, and this investigation will definitely not be a safe one.

This is a fast-paced and twisty tale that plays on all sorts of assumptions and stereotypes, urging the reader to follow the money while keeping us guessing. I'm not usually much of a thriller reader, but this one is as solid as they come. Hard to believe this is a debut novel, and I can't wait to see what Kerr comes up with next.

Sunrise on the Reaping

 

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins, 400 pgs.

Haymitch Abernathy is up before the sun. He has chores to complete if he is going to see his girl before the reaping, and she is the main thing on his mind. At first glance, this day is just like the reaping day of last year, and the year before that one, but today will change Haymitch's entire life. Before the sun sets, he will be carted off to the 50th annual Hunger Games, where he and forty-nine other teenagers will fight to the death until one "victor" prevails. Haymitch will soon learn that nothing is certain, and as much as one may try to mold their future (and past), outside forces are constantly trying to change its shape.

We have heard part of Haymitch's story before, told second-hand in the original Hunger Games trilogy, but his first-person account adds so much depth to what we already know. As readers, we come to realize that our prior knowledge is largely based on the Capitol-sponsored version of events, and we see how Haymitch's experience was twisted and misrepresented. Suzanne Collins has done it again.

Confident Women

 Confident Women: Swindlers, Grifters, and Shapeshifters of the Feminine Persuasion by Tori Telfer, 352 pages.

Tori Telfer follows the history of female cons and grifters from the 18th century to present. The book is roughly sorted by the general types of scams the women pulled off, and it gives the overall impression of a very thorough treatment of the topic. Although mostly centered in America, Telfer also takes the occasional field trip to other parts of the world, furthering this impression of a broad view. 

In addition to relating the facts of the case and the specifics of the stories that these women told, Telfer spends a lot of time considering why we, societally, are so fascinated by grifters. Their feats of audacity made many of these women media sensations in their own times, and the allure does not seem to have faded. I listened to the audiobook, which really had the feeling of being told outrageous stories. I think this, more than anything else, really made the newspaper readers ravenous for more details very relatable to me. This is a light, fascinating nonfiction work. I would definitely recommend it to people who like reading about crimes that lean towards the spectacular, emphasis on the spectacle. 

The Baker and the Bard

 The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught, 147 pages.

Juniper is a talented young baker who dreams of owning her own bakery, and her friend Handley dreams of adventure and improving their bardic craft. Together, they go on a trip to gather some rare glowing mushrooms for a special baked treat, and are immediately distracted by the mystery of some missing vegetables. They have a very rewarding adventure of discovery and friendship. 

This was a very simple and wholesome little graphic novel. There's not all that much to the plot of the characters, but what was there was solid. I especially liked the art and all of the colorful background details throughout. I don't know that I would consider this a must-read book, but I do think it's worth the half hour it takes to read. Wholesome and imaginative. 

Velveteen vs. The Early Adventures

 Velveteen vs. The Early Adventures by Seanan McGuire, 629 pages.

Velma Martinez, better known as Velveteen, managed to get free of Super Patriots, Inc (who have a controlling interest in 97% of superheroes) on her 18th birthday. Ever since she's been trying to lay low and live a normal human life, but Super Patriots, Inc doesn't like to let go of it's toys, especially the extremely marketable toy-animating Velveteen. She soon finds herself pulled back into superhero problems, and if the Super Patriots won't leave her alone she's going to have to make them, even if it takes the manifested powers of the seasons and multiversal variants to do it. 

This book collects the first two volumes of Velveteen short stories, which McGuire started writing in 2008. The worldbuilding in this setting is interesting, which gives superheroes many of the most toxic elements of corporate culture. Although technically a short story collection, most of the stories fit together so neatly that this book feels more like a serially published novel than a collection, but that's not something I would object to. I found Vel to be a compelling character, and thought that the rules of the setting were surprisingly consistent for a superhero setting. I would definitely recommend this for someone looking for a thoughtful superhero setting. 

When the Moon Hits Your Eye

 When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi, 326 pages.

One day, with no obvious cause, the entire moon spontaneously turns to cheese. The rest of Scalzi's book is a shockingly serious treatment of a very silly premise. He peeks in on a wide variety of characters, rarely stopping on the same one twice, as all of society tries to figure out how to exist in a world where the moon can suddenly turn to cheese. 

I was really impressed how real and human the characters felt in a book that I really only expected to be a long (very funny) joke. Especially towards the end of the book, when the consequences of the cheese moon are looking dire, I found myself remarkably moved more than once. I think this reads more like a short story collection than a novel, but I really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this as a shockingly meaningful book with a ridiculous premise. 

Emily and Einstein

Emily and Einstein by Linda Francis Lee (2011) 356 pages

Emily is just 32 when her husband, Sandy, dies after being struck by a car. After Sandy's death, Emily begins to learn things about him that she didn't know—for one, that he had cheated on her. 

Both of their points of view are told in alternating sections. The story grabbed my interest from the start, but when it was clear that Sandy was now giving his points of view from the body of a dog, I wasn't sure that the author could keep my interest. But she did. Somewhat weird, but the story is otherwise quite believable. I needed to find out what would happen in this fast-paced novel set in New York City.

Niagara Falls All Over Again

Niagara Falls All Over Again by Elizabeth McCracken (2001) 308 pages

Mose Sharp was the only son in a Jewish family with 7 children. His mother died young. His father had plans for Mose to join him in running his men's clothing shop. But Mose had a thirst for show business. He left his home in Iowa and worked doing anything to get himself on stage. His life became more stable when he filled in as the straight man for Rocky Carter, a slapstick comedian, which led to their partnership, a pairing which lasted decades, from the 1920s to well beyond WWII. The author often mentions many real-life performers in this era, which added to my interest.

I wasn't sure at first whether this book was for me, but it's got everything: realism, self-awareness, bits of sadness, all marinated with a good share of humor and love.

Out of the Woods

Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young, 336 pages

Sarah and Caleb got married right out of high school, racing against the clock so that Sarah's mom could be at their wedding before she lost her battle with ALS. Caleb was Sarah's rock and savior during those rough years, taking care of her while she dealt with the weight of caretaking and then struggled with her grief. Eleven years later, while Caleb works too many hours at his startup company, Sarah's struggling to remain relevant in her own life. When a friend suggests a weeklong couples camping trip (something that is completely foreign to the distinctly non-outdoorsy couple), Sarah sees it as a hail mary pass to save their marriage.

This is billed as a romance, and the cover makes it look like a pretty lighthearted one at that. But while there is a bit of spice, it's much more a book about a couple working on themselves to get through the rough spots in a marriage gone stale, and any of the authors attempts to lighten the mood feel a bit off. It's not a bad book per se, but I don't know that I'd recommend it to someone seeking a light romance.

The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old

 The Secret Diary of Hendrik Groen, 83¼ Years Old by Hendrik Groen (trans. Hester Velmans), 400 pages.

Hendrik Groen is 83 years old, but that doesn't mean he doesn't think old people are terrible. He decides to keep a secret diary for a year to record the indignities of the nursing home and also to practice saying what he means more often. The novel chronicles not only these things, but also Hendrik's expanding network of friends (the Old-But-Not Dead Club) that try to make his final years something worth living. 

This book is sweet and sad, but I do have to admit that I frequently found it a little dull. The end was devastatingly sad, and not in a way I personally found particularly satisfying. That being said, it was an interesting window into an underrepresented population. 

Wooing the Witch Queen

 Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis, 304 pages.

Queen Saskia is desperately trying to hold onto her kingdom in a political situation where many of her neighbors would rather see her fratricidal uncle on the throne then a "wicked sorceress." She is totally dedicated to developing spells to stop the troublesome and aggressive imperial archduke next door from conquering her kingdom on behalf of her uncle, which leaves little time for either politics are organizing her inherited magical library. Little does she know that the archduke has at no point been in charge of his people, and that he has fled to seek her protection from his former regent, who he is sure wants him dead. Due to some early misunderstandings, Felix assumes the identity of "Fabian" a dark wizard who becomes Saskia's librarian. 

For reasons unknown, something about this cover really drew me to this book, and it was a pleasant surprise! It was overall a very sweet fantasy romance, with less villainy and evil then I would expect from a "wicked sorceress" and a "dark wizard." Both of the characters were mostly very sweet, and it was the kind of slightly ridiculous premise I prefer for my romances. I'd recommend this as a light fantasy romance novel about healing from childhood trauma, although maybe less for people looking for something with a darker edge.  

March Totals

 Annie: 3 books, 883 pages

Byron: 12 books, 3306 pages

Jan: 6 books, 1784 pages

John: 1 book, 328 pages

Kara: 10 books, 3721 pages

Kevin: 1 book, 272 pages

Regan: 11 books, 3234 pages

Totals: 41 books, 12,645 pages

A People's History of the Vampire Uprising

 A People's History of the Vampire Uprising by Raymond A. Villareal, 432 pages.

A young woman dies of a mysterious disease in a small town in Arizona. Later, she walks back out again. This disease "re-creates" people stronger, faster, slower aging, and with a taste for human blood. Soon, with some clever social maneuvering, these vampires (who prefer to be called gloamings) come to make the disease not only accepted but sought-after, even with its high mortality rate. This fictional oral history follows doctors, FBI agents, priests, and many others for a complete look at the gloamings in America.

This is a book with a whole lot of really cool ideas, which unfortunately often go nowhere. Many plot points are picked up and then never resolved, and the whole novel feels like it lacks a through-line to make it work as a book. There are two chapters that imply that nuclear weapons were launched in relation to vampires, but we're never told what actually happened, nor is it ever mentioned again after those two short interludes about 2/3 of the way through the book. This book has some interesting world-building material to chew on, especially for people interested in vampires, but I'm not sure I can recommend it as a cohesive novel. 

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook

 The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman, 544 pages.

The third book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl series takes us to the fourth floor, a very different type of dungeon level. This level is more puzzle than adventure game, with hundreds of train lines winding and twisting in an incomprehensible tangle. Luckily the crawlers, the last remnants of what was once humanity, have started unionizing. Huge networks of crawlers are getting connected, and it seems like together they may just survive this yet.

This was a slightly different type of book than the first two, but I think it did a really good job delving deeper into the themes of the series. I also don't think I've ever been more grateful for an author's note, which assured me before the book started that I didn't have to remember the many, many, many train line names and station numbers, thereby freeing me up to actually think about the story. I'm having a lot of fun with this series! I am currently impatiently waiting for book four to come in on hold.