Tsubaki Stationary Store by Ito Ogawa

Tsubaki Stationary Store by Ito Ogawa, 304 pages

Hotako runs a stationary store that she's inherited from her grandmother. Visitors request her services as a scribe, and she drafts letters using words and stationary that almost-magically solve the customers'problems. This is from a sub-genre of cozy Japanese novels where a business or similar instituion solves problems for patrons with intuition and know-how.

I dunno, it was okay. I mainly wanted to try this sub-genre to see what it was about. I could see occasionally being in the mood for something that was realy chewing gum for the eyes (or in this case, the ears, as I listed to the audiobook). But I get the impression that the readers of this type of novel really want predictability and I can't see myself going through a pile of books that are so similar. I recommend it if you want low-stakes, squeaky-clean relaxation. Or if you're into pens?

Blood Over Bright Haven

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang, 428 pages

Because I am woefully tardy on blogging about this one, and I have about a zillion other things to blog about, I'm going to direct you to Regan's wonderful post here. She captures the essence of the book quite well, and I share her feelings on this one, especially the bit about how this is what I wish Babel had been.

Eugene V. Debs and Looking Backward

 Eugene V. Debs: A Graphic Biography by Paul Buhle and Steve Max with art by Noah Van Sciver (2019) 128 pages 

A new biography about Eugene V. Debs called American Socialist has just been written by Shawn Gude. I remembered I had a graphic biography of Debs on my reading list. The graphic version has a couple pages of prose giving historical information at the start of each chapter. This provides a nice overview. The graphic biography is more broadly about Socialism's rise and fall in popularity in America than an in depth biography of Debs' life. Debs' central cause was fighting for the labor class and making sure the poor have there basic needs met. He was also anti-war. This much is clear, but I wanted a stronger narrative throughout the book. The final chapter moves past Debs' life and traces his influence on later Socialist movements in America. Maybe the details and complete narrative I crave are present in Gude's new book.

Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy (1888) 222 pages 

I listened to the audiobook on Hoopla. This novel was mentioned as being very popular in Debs' early life. It pushed Americans to imagine a socialist future. A young Mr. West living in the late 1800s is put in a hypnotized sleep and Rip Van Winkle-style wakes up more than a century later. A doctor and his family in the year 2000 finds and wakes up Mr. West. The world and America specifically have become a Socialist Utopia. There is very little plot, but just conversation as the Doctor, or his wife, or his daughter share the political, industrial, educational, social, and economic philosophy of their world. Some aspects of this world resemble the future imagined in Star Trek. Ableism and sexism are still expressed unfortunately, although the author tries to show that there has been progress on these issues. The way the characters speak still feels very 19th century. "It must needs be so." Bellamy does predict a sort of streaming service that allows people to listen to any type of music or the sermons of their preferred preacher from home. The city of Boston is also described with skyscrapers and greenspaces. There is a twist near the end that was not unexpected. The ending was quite powerful as Mr. West takes a more clear-eyed view of the horrors of the social conditions of his late 19th century world. Have we forgotten that Capitalism and Robber barons will never serve the best interests of humanity? Things could be better.

The Last Contract of Isako

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee, 528 pages

Legendary swordswoman Isako has been the longtime right hand of a captain of industry on the harsh planet of Aquilo. But after her client's unexpected retirement, she's ready to follow him: by walking out of the safety of their habitation and into the frozen wasteland to die of asphyxiation (what, did you think "retirement" meant something cushier?). Instead, she learns that her contract has been given to her client's rival, and before she is able to retire herself, Isako must track down her final apprentice and his client to find out what skulduggery they're up to. This was a really fun samurai-in-space book, full of intrigue, double-crossing, and meditations on work, life, and what we are owed in life. An excellent book!

Some Desperate Glory

 

Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh, 438 pages

Every aspect of life on Gaea station is dedicated to avenging the murder of the planet Earth, and Kyr, barely an adult, is one of its most passionate devotees. Then adult assignments come through, and Kyr finds herself unable to stay in her home, instead going out to find her brother with his brilliant but deviant friend and a captive alien. Out in the wider world, Kyr finds that the universe isn't as it was always described to her, and vengeance may be more complicated than she ever thought. 

This book blew me away. I'm still not sure if Kyr is a likable protagonist, but she's certainly a compelling one, and she served this story perfectly. This story is full of twists that make it interesting from an action perspective, and a complex examination of vengeance and reparations that makes it interesting on a thinkier level. I usually like my space operas on the silly side, but this is an ideal example of the more serious side of the genre. I can't wait to talk about this one with Orcs & Aliens tonight! 

When Lemons Give You Life

When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston (2026), 380 pages

Griff (64) is a grumpy, grieving chef who is living in a nursing home. Lisa (51) is his chaotic, estranged half-sister who refuses to give up on their relationship. Both have their personal issues to work through and secrets to navigate, but through love and food they find their way back to each other.

This book is like a Hallmark movie with some pointed societal takes. Griff's partner (and friend of Lisa) has been given a terminal diagnosis and the only way for them to remain together is for Griff to fake dementia and be admitted to the nursing home. Lisa cannot understand why Griff doesn't want a relationship, while simultaneously blocking the traumatic childhood they shared. Through his experiences at the nursing home, Griff realizes the lack of dignity many nursing home patients face and takes steps to remediate it through food. I could go on and on about the societal issues the author tackles (and really, it is too much), but in the end, the book is about relationships, love, and respect. I enjoyed the book, but was also super frustrated by it. 

Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban

Turtle Diary by Russell Hoban, 182 pages

Two turtle-obsessed wierdos- strangers to eachother- long to free the sea turtles of the London Zoo. Fate brings them together and they execute thier plan, but the lessons they take away from the experience are surprising. This book is chock-full of witty inner-monologuing and banter, literary references, and slices of life in 1970's London.

I cannot for the life of me remember if I read something about this book, or just saw it on the shelf and picked it up, but I'm so glad that I did! TD made me feel like a kid in English class in the best way. It was funny and thoughtful and suprising. I love stumbling on to an older gem like this and hope to read more by the author.

A Court of Splintered Harmony

A Court of Splintered Harmony by Sarah J. Mass, 297 pages 

The newest ACOTAR book since 2021, very long awaited. This book served as more of a transitional book for the series, which was a little bit unexpected by many fans, myself included. I did enjoy all of the different POV's from different characters, but it just felt rushed and like a lot was packed into a short book. I am still looking forward to the next book in the series, but this was not my favorite.

 

 

Land

 Land by Maggie O'Farrell (2026), 400 pages

I am not sure what to think of this book. Overall, it felt very Irish. Which, I imagine, was exactly the point. It is an atmospheric, slow-moving tale of a family recently past the Great Famine dealing with repressed horrors, sadness and family/community dynamics while trying to maintain their home during British occupation. O'Farrell does a wonderful job capturing the beautiful landscape of Ireland and the importance of community support while not sugar coating the difficulty of life under British rule. While I enjoyed(?) following the family, it was very hard to connect to them. I am not sure if this is because it was all so bleak or because O'Farrell doesn't delve into them enough for you to establish a deep understanding. After finishing it, I just felt sad. 

October Totals

Byron: 1 book, 144 pages

Jan: 2 books, 613 pages

Kara: 10 books, 3421 pages

Kevin: 2 books, 672 pages

Margaret: 2 books, 734 pages

Regan: 10 books, 2931 pages

Sarah: 6 books, 1600 pages

Tracey: 6 books, 2160 pages

 

Total: 39 books and 12,275 pages