Dark Ride by Lou Berney (2023), 256 pages
Previous summaries regard this novel as an intense thriller. I would call it a Janet Evanovich "Stephanie Plum" level of thriller. There are likeable characters, funny side quests, but still enough plot and heft to make it worth reading. That is until the end. Then it went off the rails into unbelievable land
and had me questioning why?!?! If you have read this book, please let me know your thoughts as I am still shaking my head.
In a "Groundhog Day" manner (as the movie goes), Lauren‒who is single‒experiences husbands coming out of her attic. If the husband returns to the attic, he is repaced by another one. Everything is reset (except time) by the husband's return to the attic and the appearance of the next one. Their personalities vary widely. Each time there's a new husband, the flat that she lives in is decorated somewhat differently, a testament to the fact that she and this husband have had a history together before she meets him.
This is an extremely weird novel! I will eventually love it or else I will continue to feel somewhat cringy about some of the things that occur. Or both. I think both!
Turchin, a scholar in ecology and evolutionary biology, has a cross-disciplinary approach to the study of history which he labels “cliodynamics”. In a nutshell, the author is analyzing history using a large historical dataset to identify patterns. The author presents a variety of anecdotes from ancient times to the present using the concepts of out-of-control “wealth pumps”, overproduction of elites, and general immiseration; leading to instability, revolution, civil war and all things unpleasant. But I kept thinking, isn’t he neglecting too many variables and what confounding factors make this a fool’s errand? Nonetheless he forges a cogent argument that vast inequalities are destabilizing and, most interestingly, he posits that an overproduction of elites is just as threatening. Recommended to readers with a passion for history and those who appreciate novel approaches to complex and chaotic problems.
Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire, 149 pages.
It was so nice to spend time with Nancy again! Overall, this book does a good job bringing back a lot of the original cast from the first book, and giving them a chance to interact again. I also found the descriptions of the Halls of the Dead very striking. That being said, I feel like that character work in this book is a little weaker than many other in the series. Despite the fact that Kade is in this book the whole time, I don't feel like I know much more about him then when we started, and even Nancy's major changes seem to happen mostly off-page. I'm still really enjoying this series, but I don't know that this is the strongest entry.
City of Thieves by David Benioff, 258 pages.
This book has an interesting premise, and has some really solid adventure elements. That being said, it definitely feels like a book written by a man, for men. It is a coming-of-age story that feels like it has a lot to set it apart with extraordinary circumstances, but Benioff's overreliance on tired tropes makes it feel a little cliche despite everything working in its favor. It's a fairly solid work of historical fiction, but I don't know that I would recommend it unless you are particularly interested in the siege of Leningrad.
Eve is a reclusive art appraiser for a London auction house, happily doing her job when an old man walks in. He says his name is Max Everly — coincidentally, the same name as her favorite composer, born more than a century earlier — and he has a gift for her. After leaving Eve's office, the man disappears from her life, though she's intrigued by the small white octopus he's given her. A bit of research on the octopus takes Eve to an abandoned hotel in the Swiss Alps, and as she's exploring, she falls through time to the heyday of the hotel in the 1930s, where she once again meets a much younger Max Everly.
Sprinkled with time travel, mysterious magical objects, and a curiously fun hotel (my favorite element is the hidden eavesdropper in the speakeasy, who gives his signature cough whenever someone is lying), this book is a lovely read. Yes, it dabbles with the fantastical and magical, but it's not a full-on fantasy novel. An excellent magical realism read for fans of books like The Night Circus.
When Carlo returns to his small Italian hometown of Lizzanello with a new wife, Anna, everyone is intrigued by her beauty and unconventional ways. When she takes over the job of letter carrier after the previous one dies, she's seen as even stranger, as no woman has ever held the position. But Anna slowly works her way into the hearts of Lizzanello's people, though she never ceases to be a subject of gossip, especially once she creates a home and learning space for women.
Beginning in 1934 and spanning several decades, I expected this book to really give us a flavor of the political and social changes throughout the 20th century in Italy. And while those were touched on, it was very much pushed to the margins. While the relationships were well created, a few of the characters had me rolling my eyes (you'll know which ones if you read it) and itching to get back to Anna.
Making History by K.J. Parker, 128 pages.
This was a really cool premise, but I found the execution a little lacking. Very little time was actually spent on any of the mechanics of changing history, and more was dedicated to weird metaphysics and speeches on history I mostly found self-indulgent. For a book that plays in this space in a more compelling way, I recommend The Everlasting by Alix E Harrow.
The Sisters
The Sisters by Jonas Hassen Khemiri, 656 pages.
As intimated by the title, The
Sisters is about sisters and (surprise!) a guy. The novel spans thirty years of
their intertwined lives as Swedish-Tunisians mostly living in Sweden with short forays
to Tunisia and New York. There are several throughlines, such as a curse,
difficult family dynamics, and life between two cultures, but the book is
really about maturing and finding your place in the world. The book is structured in a fascinating way. It is divided up into six parts with each part
covering a shorter time span. The first part is a year which compresses to a
single minute by the final, sixth section.
I love books with complicated
family dynamics. Khemiri really shines when writing about the sisters and the
relationship they have with each other and extended family. While Jonas' (the guy) voice
is used as an outside perspective to the sister's lives, I am not sure his
character brought a lot to the story and I questioned why he was there at all.
The book is a solid 656 pages, but I was invested enough to want more.
How to Be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question by Michael Schur, 304 pages.
Schur does a really great job not only contextualizing information about these frameworks, but also showing how they can applied, as well as all of their respective weak points. It is also extremely funny. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author with cameos from a handful of his actor friends, and I really can't recommend it highly enough. Schur's delivery regularly had me cracking up a little, which isn't necessarily the most common reaction to ethical quandaries. I feel that I should also clarify how completely approachable this book is. It starts with addressing the ethical question "Should I punch my friend in the face for no reason?" and builds only gradually to the stickier questions. Schur always prioritizing presenting the philosophies in an easy to understand way, so that the audience's thinking power can be devoted to evaluating them rather than struggling to understand the concepts themselves. Overall, an easy to digest piece of nonfiction that still feels very enriching, I highly recommend it.
Nicked by M.T. Anderson, 220 pages.
Gallant by V.E. Schwab, 338 pages.
This was a fabulous, very gothic, novel. The books blurb describes it as The Secret Garden meets Crimson Peak, and honestly that's an extremely accurate comparison. I liked how spooky it was, but also how thoughtful. The writing is beautiful, and the images are striking. Highly recommended for fans of modern gothic.
A mysterious party host; a decadent mansion with crowds of lavish guests overflowing into the lawn; champagne and rumors spilling; distant views of the working class below. Welcome to the Roaring Twenties in New York City.
When Nick Carraway moves into the much smaller home next-door to Jay Gatsby's mansion, he gets an up-close view of extravagant wealth. Mr. Gatsby throws a fancy party every weekend, each one more over the top than the last. Nick is only an observer of these events until one day he receives an invitation, and suddenly he is a part of Gatsby's world--a world of affairs and adventures which is sure to end in disaster.
This was my first time reading this classic, and I had a good time! The prose was a bit difficult for me to understand at times--I definitely had to re-read a few parts to get what was going on--but it is a very interesting story to imagine. The themes of class and gender roles during the 1920s are quite interesting to unpack, but this is definitely a story written from a well-off white male perspective.
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| Our TBRs are as endless as the current snow |
Annie: 6 books, 2142 pages
Byron: 3 books, 721 pages
Chani: 2 books, 706 pages
Jan: 4 books, 1219 pages
Kara: 11 books, 4417 pages
Regan: 4 books, 1081 pages
Totals: 30 books, 10286 pages
Set in a futuristic waterlogged Los Angeles where information is literally currency, this debut novel follows combat-drone veteran Orr as he tries to sort out the details of a murder the cops assume he has something to do with (even though he isn't aware of it at all) and also track down an ex-lover, who may somehow be involved. While some of the ideas are intriguing and some of the scenes are entertaining (playing truth or dare with a bunch of people dosed with truth serums? Scandalously fun!), a convoluted plot and the odd noirish vibe of Orr's narration keep this one from really coalescing. Still, I'm interested to see what O'Brien comes up with in the future, assuming he's able to hone these fiction-writing skills.
Nikki hasn't seen her grandmother for decades, not since a falling-out between Nikki's mother and Mother Rita led to years of silence between them. But when Mother Rita calls with an urgent request for Nikki to visit her, she views it as an opportunity to mend fences and get to know her long-estranged grandmother. What Nikki doesn't anticipate, however, is learning that her ancestors were the founders of their own kingdom in the hills of western North Carolina and that her great-great grandmother Luella was their queen.
Told in alternating chapters focusing on Luella and her fellow recently-freed settlers, and Nikki and Mother Rita's fight to keep hold of the land 150 years later, this is a captivating story of legacy, identity, and family ties. It's also filled with all kinds of fascinating information about the very real Kingdom of the Happy Land and thorny property laws, which enhanced this already enchanting read. Highly recommended.
On November 5th, 2024, the historic election between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump ended sadly for many. Looking back on her whirlwind campaign, and ultimate loss, Vice President Harris reflects on the 107 days between the announcement that incumbent Joe Biden would not be seeking re-election and the election itself.
This book and VP Kamala Harris herself are very compelling. Each chapter represents a day on the campaign trail, and although the chapters are quite short, they are jam-packed with events and reflections and information. Reviews on Goodreads have noted that this book will likely not change readers' perspective on VP Harris:
"If you want to hate Harris you can find reasons to do so, if you want to be sympathetic to her you can do that too. You liking the book depends more on you than it does on the book.
--review by Traci Thomas on Goodreads
However, for those looking to gain insight into how a campaign is run and all the messy particulars of this one, it is a great read. The end is still devastating, even though anyone who starts the book knows how it will end, and it does not leave off on as much of a hopeful note as her concession speech. But it is still a wonder that she ran such a strong campaign in such a short time. Kamala Harris has made history and will continue to do so.
Marjane's childhood was full of changes. Not just in her own life--as she grew up and discovered new interests in terms of religion, music, and style--but also in the political situation of her home country, Iran. When Marjane was little, she did not have to wear a veil in public. She dreamed of being a revolutionary and a prophet, and she played with her friends in the yard. After the Islamic Revolution, she and her friends were subject to new rules, but that did not stop their rebellious spirits.
In this autobiographical graphic novel about growing up in Iran (and Europe) in the 80s and 90s, Marjane Sarapti illustrates for an audience of all ages the dualities of being a child in a sometimes dangerous political environment. She captures well the love she has for her country and the beauty in her life, as well as the very difficult dark sides of her experiences. This book is a great introduction to Iran and one girl's (now woman's) experience in her culture.
Rhys Kinnick is a retired journalist. In 2016, he was at his daughter Bethany's home for Thanksgiving dinner, along with his ex-wife and her husband. He tried to behave, but finally couldn't help himself when his son-in-law Shane, who was strongly into Christian Nationalism and conspiracies, wouldn't shut up. Rhys tried to leave the house, and when blocked by Shane, he punched him and fled the house. Rhys ultimately exiled himself in a cinderblock house on property he inherited from his father in a rural area completely off the grid.
This story's action starts up when his grandchildren are at the door to his house 7 years later, brought by a neighbor of Bethany's. Bethany has disappeared, and her husband Shane has left to try to find her. Bethany had left a note explaining to the neighbor about how to get to her father's cabin. Later, when Rhys drives the children to the grandson's chess match in Spokane, two militia men from Shane's church show up and take the kids, after punching out Rhys.
Rhys turns to estranged friends to see if they can help him find Bethany, and now the kids. One is Brian, a Native American, along with his partner Joanie. Another is Lucy, a woman he was in love with years ago. A somewhat impulsive ex-cop Lucy had once dated gets involved, too. What ensues is a funny, yet terrifying trip to a well-fortified compound in Idaho to try to retrieve the children from the Christian Nationalist militia where they've likely been brought.
The story is layered with explorations of self, regrets, past joys, wishes to make everything better, and humor‒all this, plus action that keeps one wondering if the end is near. A perfect blend of suspense and humanity.
Ardent Violet and the Infinite Eye by Alex White, 452 pages.
This book is as self-indulgent and fun as the first one! I enjoyed the dual perspectives between Gus and nonbinary pop star Ardent Violet. The aliens were very creative and diverse, which is something I always enjoy with Sci-Fi. I do think the pace of this book dragged a little compared to the first book, and it definitely feels like the middle book in a trilogy. That being said, I am excited to read the conclusion and see how everything comes together! These books are a great example of the kinds of things space opera can do, and I would definitely recommend them for anyone interested in the genre.
Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley, 173 pages.
Regan has written about this one a couple of times, and I already wrote about it once, so I won't retread here. I will simply say that this was a lovely twist on fantasy adventure stories, and while yes, there are definitely things that would probably make more sense if you've read Sanderson's other Cosmere novels (I haven't...yet), it was a blast to read, and the Orcs & Aliens had fun with it.
Abe and Ruth are the epitome of "opposites attract" from the moment they met. She's a free spirit, he's a straitlaced company man, but somehow, they've stuck together for more than 70 years, through times good and bad, with three very different children. Just as they're getting ready to celebrate their 70th anniversary, Ruth discovers that the loose tooth she's dealing with is a sign of something much more malignant. Suddenly, Abe finds himself caring for the woman who has kept everything running smoothly through their whole marriage, while Ruth struggles with her new diagnosis and reliance on others.
This sort of serious family crisis book really wasn't my cup of tea, and honestly, I kept wondering how these two very different people ever got together and stayed together. However, I also know a few people who absolutely loved it, so your mileage may vary.
Babs Dionne is proud of her Acadian roots, and serves as the matriarch to the whole town of Waterville, Maine, helping out and keeping miscreants in line with the help of her coffee klatch of lifelong friends. She's also the leading drug supplier to the area, using those same friends to help keep the business running. When a kingpin learns that Babs has been cutting into his business, he sends a malevolent hitman to take out Babs and any family members who may get in the way.
I'll be honest: it's been a bit since I've read this book and I don't remember a lot of the details of it. However, I do remember chuckling a lot at the dark humor of this Acadian mafia saga. The audiobook was fantastic, and I highly recommend it.
Graceling: The Graphic Novel by Kristin Cashore, adapted and illustrated by Gareth Hinds (2021) 272 pages
Working on a Song: The Lyrics of Hadestown by Anaïs Mitchell, 259 pages.
This is a really interesting look into the song-writing process, but also a look at show development and creative collaboration in a decade-long project. I listened to the audiobook, which I think really heightened the experience, as it is read by Anaïs Mitchell herself. She sings many verses, and overall it feels very personal and enriching. I'm not sure there's much here for anyone who's not a fan of the show, but it is a must-listen for fans.
To Be or Not To Be: A Chooseable-Path Adventure by Ryan North, 368 pages.
In addition to the crazy plots and cool illustrated endings, I really enjoyed how conversational this book was. The author was definitely a character, which allowed for some especially fun use of the medium. I would definitely recommend flipping through this book, for Shakespeare fans especially, but honestly I think it's funny enough that most people would enjoy it.
The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard, 86 pages.
This was the Orcs and Aliens book for last month, and I'm afraid the consensus wasn't very positive. While the Vietnamese-inspired sci-fi setting is new and interesting, the world building was thin enough to leave me constantly confused about basic aspects required to understand the plot. The mystery was also very lacking. Long Chau, the strange customer, is a Sherlock Holmes pastiche that feels derivative rather than interesting. This is pitched like a sci-fi mystery, but the mystery is so deprioritized by the book there are very few clues to engage with, and it doesn't even feel like the most important thing going on to The Shadow's Child. This is my second book read in this universe, and I don't believe I'm likely to try a third.
Gallant by V.E. Schwab (2022, 338 pages)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz (2025, 368 pages)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Josie Marcus and her new husband Ted are house hunting in the St. Louis area. Ted's partner at the veterinary clinic, Christine, inherited a house that seems perfect, except for the kitchen. A gazebo in the yard also needs to be removed. After they buy the house, when the renovations are underway, it turns out that there's a body buried under the gazebo steps, and the body is Christine's hippy-ish sister, Rain, who had lived in the house. After a fight between the sisters some months ago, Rain said she was moving to an ashram in California and hasn't been heard from since then.
Christine is arrested for her sister's murder. Josie is determined to find out who really killed Rain. Rain had a couple of iffy boyfriends who are still in the area. The neighbors are worth getting to know, too, in case they have any ideas.
Meanwhile, Josie's 12-year-old daughter Amelia is having bully problems at the private school she attends. And Josie is busy scouring resale shops for mid-century cabinets and appliances to have fixed up and installed in the kitchen.
The conversations between the characters feel real and the action keeps moving. As a bonus, there are numerous reference to St. Louis landmarks by the native St. Louis author.
2025 was QUITE the reading year for UCPL, with what I suspect is a record setting 535 books! See the infographic below to see all sorts of other fun stats about our reading for the year (including the funniest possible line graph and Kara's ALA committee continuing to make her read more books than any human was ever meant to read).
We also have new bonus categories for the new year!
Titles that include a person's name: Examples include Anna Karenina, I Am Malala, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, and pretty much any biography.
Books that feature cooking: We're looking for any sort of on-page cooking. Be sure to tag your qualifying books to score a bonus point!
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