The Correspondent

The Correspondent (2025) by Virginia Evans, 285 pgs.

Sybil is retired, but her days are far from empty. She spends some time each day exchanging correspondence with people who have impacted her life. She writes to authors whose books she has enjoyed. She composes emails to customer service representatives and college deans. She writes to her brother, to her best friend, to her children, to people she has mentored and people she has hurt. She does not write to her ex-husband, but she hears about how he is doing--how he is coping with his cancer diagnosis. Sybil learns about the lives of others and tells about her own life, but there is often something missing, something left unsent. Piecing together the life of Sybil Van Antwerp through her correspondence, seeing her growth from letter to letter and rooting for her from afar, one gets the sense of the fullness of her experience. Her connections to others not only define her existence but also enhance it. In the end, it is clear that Sybil has impacted many lives herself. 

My mom recommended this to me as her favorite read of 2025, and I have to echo her endorsement. This book deals with a lot of heavy topics--aging, death, loneliness, grief--but it is also full of hope and love. Sybil is such a fun character to follow because she is deeply flawed from the start, but there is something endearing about the way she reaches out for connection and (for the most part) thoughtfully communicates with others. I also found myself becoming invested in the storylines of folks that Sybil wrote to. Virginia Evans did a great job writing this book full of love and empathy, especially for folks coping with the grief of aging. Please read this book :)

Bookhunter

Bookhunter by Jason Shiga (2007), 144 pgs.

Oakland Public Library, 1973. The crime: impossible. A refence book, "for in-library use only", has been stolen and replaced with a near-perfect fake. Who had the know-how to make this switch? How was the thief able to get the reference copy out past the alarmed sensors? The library police are the only ones with the literary vernacular and the guts to solve this tricky case before it's too late. The stakes are high; the books are bound; and the criminal is going down.

Any library nerd will love this graphic novel. There is an overdramatized police procedural plot regarding a missing library book, a car chase complete with someone hanging off the back of the car, 1970s technology...what's not to love?! The art style is very different, colored in shades of brown and gray (library theme I assume), and looks a little silly, but it is clearly meant to emphasize the absurdity of it all. It is a fun and quick read for anyone nerdy enough to wade through the old technology references. 

Ruby Falls

Ruby Falls by Gin Phillips, 336 pages

In 1928, a man got lost in the caves outside Chattanooga and found a gorgeous underground waterfall he named Ruby Falls after his wife. Within months, the falls had become a tourist attraction, though Ruby's friend Ada Smith found herself sneaking into the caves to explore beyond the official tour route. Soon, Ada got to know the caves better than almost anyone, which is why she was one of two people chosen to serve as a safety net for a psychic whose latest stunt is finding a hatpin in the caves by only reading the minds of the men chosen to hide it. While the stunt begins innocuously, it slowly unravels, as they pass the deadline to emerge from the caves and still haven't found the pin. Soon everyone is on each other's nerves, which reaches an apex when, after a brief rest, one of the men escorting the psychic is found dead. What was fun now becomes a race to escape the caves before the food, water, and light run out, and with a murderer in their midst.

I enjoyed reading this very claustrophobic book, as I love caves and all the spookiness that they bring. It was hard to tell if this was historical fiction, a mystery, or a thriller, as it certainly had bits and pieces of all three. But in the end, it doesn't really matter, as it was a fun read.

All We Ever Wanted

All We Ever Wanted  by Emily Giffin (2018) 331 pages

Finch Browning, a senior from a private high school, has just found out that he's been accepted into Princeton. However, a scandal arises when he sends our a photo from a party. The photo shows sophomore Lyla Volpe lying on a bed, apparently drunk, in a short dress with a breast mostly exposed. A caption on the photo refers to a green card, which some see as racist, since Lyla is half Brazilian. This touches off an investigation at the school, and if Finch is suspended, it's possible that his admission to Princeton could be rescinded.

Alternating points of view are those of Lyla, her father, Tom, and Nina Browning, Finch's mother. Lyla just wants the adults to ignore the whole issue. Tom, her father, is furious and wants justice, hoping, but not at all sure whether a rich kid like Finch will be held accountable. Tom is not wealthy, and he is regretting getting Lyla into this private school that seems to be filled with students who have way too much money. Nina doesn't know what to believe, but she's fearful that the story about Finch is true, which seems to mean that he is turning out more like his father, someone who thinks his wealth means he can do whatever he wants. She wants justice for Lyla, who reminds her of her own younger self, who was assaulted in college.

The storyline evolves and it's not clear what really happened, whether Finch is taking the rap for someone else, or whether he's responsible for the photo. I sometimes wondered why I was reading this book, but as the possibilities emerged, and the main characters tried to view the multiple ways to see the situation, I needed to see the story through to the end.

The Bridge Back to You

The Bridge Back to You by Riss M. Neilson, 368 pages

When they were teens, Olivia and Carmello met and fell in love as they worked together in Celia's Place, Carmello's mother's restaurant in Providence, Rhode Island. Raised by activist parents who never stayed in one place long, Olivia finally found a sense of home in the restaurant, which provided her with stability and fed her desire to become a chef. At 20, however, Olivia left Providence to seek her food fortunes elsewhere, and while Carmello wanted to go with her, his loyalty to his mother and her health needs kept him home, and destroyed their relationship. A decade later, Celia has died after a long battle with cancer, leaving Olivia a 25% stake in the restaurant that she hasn't seen in years. While she's still drifting between jobs as a personal chef, Olivia has a bit of time on her hands, and decides to head back to Providence to see what she can do for Celia's Place... and perhaps reignite the relationship to which she compares all others.

Usually, a multicultural second chance romance with lots of droolworthy food, single parents, and good representation of living with mental and physical health issues is a slam-dunk recipe for me. And for the most part, this romance was excellent. HOWEVER, the plot devices related to Celia's will soured it for me, as all of it seemed contrived. But if you're able to look past that, this one is a fun read, though it will make you hungry.

Lake Efffect

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney, 288 pages

It's 1977 in a tight-knit neighborhood in Rochester, New York, and when a recently divorced woman gives all of the ladies in the neighborhood book group a copy of The Joy of Sex, it's like a bomb has gone off. Nina begins to realize that her long and emotionless marriage isn't making her happy anymore and that she should seek pleasure elsewhere. Meanwhile, Nina's oldest daughter, Clara, steals the book to woo the boy next door, her first love. But when Nina and her prominent neighbor run off for quickie divorces and a wedding, it upends everything, including Clara's relationship with her now-stepbrother. Just as we're getting used to the late 1970s, the book jumps forward 20 years, to check in on food stylist Clara and her estrangement from her family.

This was a quick, engaging read that took some odd and hilarious turns, and really examined family, betrayal, love, and somehow surviving it all. My problem with this book is that most of the development seems to happen in the 20-year gap between the 70s and 90s. Both sections are fantastic and well worth reading, but I kinda wish we'd had a chance to see exactly how everyone got to where they were in the 90s. Still, definitely worth the read!

Feel the Fear...and Do It Anyway

Feel the Fear...and Do It Anyway (1988) by Susan Jeffers, 209 pgs.

Fear is an integral part of the human experience. It was ingrained into our ancestors who needed its signals to flee from wild animals and natural disasters--but in the modern era, sometimes our fear response actually holds us back rather than protecting us. In this self-help guide, Dr. Susan Jeffers outlines her theories about fear and her advice on how to overcome it. 

I am not usually a big self-help reader, but I enjoyed this one. It is a little bit dated--Dr. Jeffers often tells you to "put on a tape" or use another form of older technology--but the overall advice holds up relatively well. This book is all about reminding yourself that you are stronger than you may think. You can handle whatever life throws your way.

How to Fake It in Society

How to Fake It in Society by K.J. Charles, 320 pages

The Comte de Valois de La Motte, son of the woman who purportedly stole an infamous necklace from Marie Antoinette, has run out of funds. But he does have a painting that may draw a high price from fans of the late French queen, and who better to buy it than Titus Pilcrow, a paint-maker who has recently found himself unexpectedly married and then widowed, the beneficiary of an elderly woman's need to marry and keep her noxious nephew from inheriting. Titus immediately takes to the Comte (Nico, as his friends call him), and asks him to help steer Titus through London's high society. Despite Nico's nefarious plans, he agrees and finds himself unwilling to con the man that he finds increasingly appealing. But as debts rise and unscrupulous loan sharks come calling, Nico must make some move — but will it destroy his burgeoning relationship with Titus?

This was a very engaging story, and I particularly loved all the details about color creation, artistic techniques and forgeries, and fashion. However, between those and the long con that was going on throughout the book, the romance got a bit lost in the shuffle. Still, a fun trip into a historical romantic tale.

This book will be published April 28, 2026.

The Woman in Suite 11

 The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware (2025), 387 pages

I was dense and didn't connect that this might be a follow-up to The Woman in Cabin 10. I realize it has that on the cover, but I listened to the audiobook and it totally escaped me. So, when I heard the name Lo Blacklock, all the pieces came together. If you have the time, I highly suggest re-reading The Woman in Cabin 10. It came out in 2016 and getting a refresher on that mystery will enhance this one. There is a ten-year time jump between the two stories. I appreciated this as Lo has a bit more backstory as do the supporting characters. Lo, though (and I do say this with love), is still a fumbling, naive human that you would have thought had learned more through her first murder experience. But Ware does write solid, intricate, twisty mysteries and I will continue to read them. I do hope she continues this series and lets Lo grow a bit in her detective skills. Although, I suppose it wouldn't be Lo if she wasn't a completely trusting and generous soul. 

A Magical Girl Retires

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon (trans. Anton Hur), 160 pages.

The protagonist of this book is a depressed millennial who's spiraling debt has her unable to see any point in continuing her life. But, luckily for her, her suicide attempt is interrupted by a magical girl who looks like an angel, with the gift of clairvoyance and a message that she is more important than she could ever have imagined. But the being a magical girl isn't like it is in the stories, and her greatest threats remain existential.

This adorable little book had a really interesting premise, and I was really excited to read it! Unfortunately, I found the execution a little weak. This may partially be due to a weak translation, which couldn't help but remind me of the kind of cadence people use when they're talking about themselves on the internet. It's an easy read, but it doesn't feel like it particularly delivers on its premise, or explores most of its themes in a very meaningful way. Not terrible, but I would recommend
Unbreakable by Mira Grant for a better execution of similar themes. 

Fabulous Bodies

Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle, 240 pages

Poppy Stringer is a star on the rise as an Instagram influencer. But to make sure she can make ends meet for herself and her daughter, Poppy moonlights as, well, "grave robber" is probably the best term for it. She steals bodies from morgues and funeral homes for whoever is willing to pony up the big bucks — she doesn't ask why they want them, just what/who they need and where to deliver the goods. But when Poppy's idol, gay rockstar Eddie Michaels, dies, she's hired to pick up and deliver his body for a fee that could allow her to drop the illegal job for good. Everything goes great until Eddie wakes back up, and then everything goes haywire.

I love the way Tingle is able to mix a truly horrifying story with humor and a bit of pointed commentary about society, and this book does it very well. I generally don't like zombie books, but when the main zombie is an undead singer who can't avoid a stage, well, that's a horse of a different color. I love all the things Tingle has to say about fame, infamy, beauty, and family while also seriously grossing me out. It's only March, and I can already tell that this is going to be one of my favorites of the year.

This book will be published July 7, 2026.

A Killer in the Family

A Killer in the Family by Amin Ahmad, 320 pages

Ali is the second son of an established Mumbai family, happily letting his older brother stress over the family business while he partied his way through life. However, when his mom decides that he needs to grow up, well, he doesn't have much choice in the matter. Thankfully, she's picked Maryam, the daughter of New York real estate tycoon Abbas Khan, to be his wife, a relationship he happily supplements with an affair with Maryam's divorced sister, Farhan. As Ali gets more and more ensconced in the Khan family business, he begins to realize that there are some dark secrets in the family and chooses to launch his own investigation, completely unsure of where it will lead.

It's hard to read a book about the ultra-rich and feel any sympathy for them these days, but thankfully, no sympathy is required with this cast of characters. Generally speaking, they're all horrible in one way or another (some in multiple ways), and the plot keeps you guessing. I also appreciated seeing a non-white family at the center of one of these family thrillers, and the elements of Indian traditions and food were wonderful additions. Sure, there were some twists that were a bit obvious, but really, that's par for the course with these books. Definitely worth a read.

This book will be published April 7, 2026.

The Pie & Mash Detective Agency

The Pie & Mash Detective Agency by J.D. Brinkworth, 368 pages

Jane Pye and Simon Mash are a fairly bored and fairly weird couple that signed up for a private eye class on a whim. Their classmates and instructor certainly don't take them seriously, though when their instructor gives them a case that not even he could solve as homework, Jane and Simon attack it with the same misguided enthusiasm with which they approached the class. As they consider everything from serial killers to coincidence to a ghostly urban legend, Jane and Simon bumble their way through the investigation and attempt to stay out of hot water.

I don't mind hapless amateur investigators in mystery novels, but there's something annoying about the way Jane and Simon are characterized. So much of what defines them are the stereotypes of "millennial," which they are derogatorily called so many times throughout the book that I considered creating a drinking game (I did not, as I didn't want to pass out after two chapters). It was distracting from a story that went in so many different directions (probably too many directions) and needed careful concentration to crack. All in all, it was a miss. 

Greenteeth

 Greenteeth by Molly O'Neill, 304 pages.

Jenny Greenteeth has lived in her lake for longer than she has bothered to keep track of, and very little has changed that's seemed worth her notice. Then a witch in irons is thrown into her lake, and Jenny takes an interest despite herself, saving the witch and quickly becoming embroiled in a fight against the evil consuming the heart of the town. Jenny isn't the type to go galivanting off on adventures, but it's her lake, so she will set off with the witch Temperance and a frenemy of a goblin peddler to find a way to fight the evil threatening her way of life.  

This was a really fun fantasy novel! It draws on a lot of more obscure English and Welsh folklore to create a fairy story that feels very fresh and different. Jenny herself is also delightful, with an unapologetic monstrousness tempered by a surprisingly tender streak. The blurb for this book describes it as perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, and that is definitely true. 

Will Eisner: A Comics Biography

 Will Eisner: A Comics Biography by Stephen Weiner and Dan Mazur (2025) 300 pages 

Having read some of his autobiographical graphic novels (or autobiographical notes included in books that are not autobiographical works) I knew about his WWII service and his daughter dying leading to his crisis of faith. Otherwise, I wish there was more here. Eisner's youth and early career were full of interesting stories. I ate that part of the biographical comic up! Chapter 4, going into his business partnership with Iger, also kept the behind-the-scenes nuggets very interesting. Beginning with Eisner creating The Spirit, a private detective hero without a circus costume, the details become more slim. Through his later life, having a wife and kids and inventing the term "graphic novel," I wanted to know more, much more! The art style does a great job of giving multiple homages to Eisner.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

 The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, 528 pages.

A man wakes up in the woods with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He will wake up to this same day eight times, each in a different body, and if he can't solve a murder that doesn't look like a murder he will have to start all over. But everyone in this decaying country estate hides layers of evil, and anyone seems capable of the crime.

This premise sounded so interesting, and it won a bunch of awards, so I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, I thought this book was terrible. It's essentially boot strap paradox, the book. By the end I'm not sure that we even solved the crime, because it seems like most of what happens in the house is because of one or another of the protagonist's bodies. He is also, to be honest, not that good at investigating, which I find very personally frustrating, especially in a plot with such unique avenues for gathering information. Not a mystery I can recommend I'm afraid. 

Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter

Agnes Aubert's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett, 368 pages

Regan wrote an excellent blog post about this book a few months back, so I will happily redirect you there. I largely agree with what she wrote about the cozy cat-loving world created in this book, though I will add that I felt like the book went a bit haywire toward the end. It DEFINITELY reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle though, to the point that I could pinpoint exactly which character was which. Still, a fun and cozy read, and an excellent audiobook too (which is how I consumed it).

(And yes, this cover is excellent and I want to do a puzzle of it now.)

Cherry Baby

Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell, 416 pages

Cherry's husband Tom is in Hollywood making a movie based on his semi-autobiographical graphic novel, a popular book that features a character that is 100% based on Cherry. What most people don't know, however, is that Cherry and Tom are separated, slowly working their way toward divorce as Cherry takes Omaha's advertising world by storm and Tom lives it up in L.A. But with trailers and movie posters coming out, Cherry can't avoid the man she so desperately wants/wants to forget.

Cherry is a complex character, dealing with a marriage that hit the doldrums while also balancing her close-knit family's uber-religious expectations, her career ambitions, and the everyday struggle of being a fat woman in the U.S. Really, it's the final element that gets the most ink in this book, as Cherry fights her own body image and the conflicting societal messages of a theoretically body-positive but also GLP-1-pushing society. Rowell handles the topic well, perhaps to the detriment of Cherry's character arc. Still, a good read.

This book will be published April 14, 2026.

Wolf Worm

Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher, 288 pages

Scientific illustrator Sonia has just taken a new job illustrating insects for the reclusive Dr. Halder, and even upon her arrival into town, she has misgivings. The locals talk of devils and "blood thieves" in the woods, while Halder is cold, short-tempered, and mysterious. Oh, and his wife disappeared with no trace, and nobody wants to talk about it.

This is a ridiculously gross and gothic horror novel, one that you definitely shouldn't read while eating (two words: screw worms). That said, it's also compelling and keeps the reader guessing. Really, my biggest issue with it is that **SPOILER ALERT** the ending seems to happy for a horror. Still, it was a good read.

A Lady for All Seasons

A Lady for All Seasons by TJ Alexander, 304 pages

Verbena Montrose's family is rapidly spiraling toward poverty, which means that she is on the hunt for a husband, and quickly. Her penchant for gossip comes in quite handy, especially when she learns that her tailor friend Etienne has unexpectedly inherited a large estate, though there's a rumor going around that could ruin him. The two quickly agree to a marriage of convenience. Meanwhile, Verbena meets poet and fellow gossip Flora Whitcombe, and finds herself obsessed with her new friend, while also gaining the attention of William Forsyth, a struggling novelist and youngest son of a minor noble. However, Flora and William have a secret, one that complicates EVERYTHING that Verbena is feeling.

I love this author's commitment to showing queer joy during the Regency era, in a mostly historically appropriate way. That said, at certain points the romance of this story took a backseat to the bedroom farce that was going on with William, Flora, and Verbena. Fun, but perhaps not my favorite romance read.

Serial Killer Games

 

 Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey (2025, 384 pages)

Chaotic story of two coworkers that meet in an elevator after someone in their office building is found fallen off the roof -- a victim of the so called Paper Pusher serial killer, plaguing corporate skyscrapers all over the city. They bond over the mundane office life; she's true crime obsessed, he has a body to get rid of.

The storyline and dialogue is a little obtuse sometimes, but it's addicting. The author doesn't always spoon feed you what's happening. The plot is wild but fun! Could not expect anything that happened. A little random, but overall lighthearted fun murders (is that a thing?).

Very entertaining audiobook with great narrators!

What I liked:
✨Funny, witty dialogue
✨Like laugh out loud with a confused face funny
✨Clever ending

What I didn't like:
💤Kinda confusing, took me a while to catch the vibe of the book and just let the story tell itself

Favorite quote: "There's a vase of red roses next to the bed. I toss the flowers on the floor and chug the water."  

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐  

History Lessons

History Lessons (2025) by Zoe B. Wallbrook, 373 pgs. 

Daphne Ouverture does not like drama. In fact, she consciously and consistently avoids it, hence her career decision to become a professor at a small-town university. As one of the few Black scholars of history in the area, she thinks it is best to keep her head down and avoid any unwanted attention. After receiving an out-of-the-blue text from a coworker one evening, Daphne's drama-free streak comes to a screeching halt. All of a sudden, the junior professor is involved in a murder case and an investigation into on-campus abuses of power. It is time for Daphne to face the drama and put an end to this plot before she loses her job, or worse...her life. 

This campy mystery novel is very much defined by its setting in academia. Zoe B. Wallbrook has an expansive vocabulary, and you will likely learn a few new words while reading. Despite that, the story is very accessible, and Daphne is a really likeable character. You can't help but root for this nerdy junior professor (and kind of secret spy) who is suddenly dealt the craziest scenario. Somehow, though, Wallbrook is able to balance some of the more silly aspects of the plot with all-too-real observations about the problems that exist in spaces of higher education (likely that she has noticed in her experience as a recently tenured professor). Daphne is constantly dealing with racist microaggressions and misogyny; staff members abuse their power over young students and untenured professors. If you are looking for a mystery novel with a strong voice that is set in the toxic world of university politics, this is the book for you.

The Deep

 The Deep by Rivers Solomon, 166 pages.

This novella, based on a song of the same name, follows a society living far below the waves, made up of the descendants of pregnant women thrown off of slave ships. The Wajinru are a people who live in the moment, free of their own traumatic origins; all save the historian, who holds the memory of their whole people. The current historian, Yetu, is being destroyed by the weight of the memories, and her desperation will cause a reckoning for her whole people. 

The audiobook for this book is read by Daveed Diggs, who is also part of the group that wrote the song it is based on, which was itself inspired by earlier work by a group called Drexciya. I believe it is this collaborative history that helps lend quite a lot of depth and complexity to a fairly short book. The plot is sometimes a little difficult to follow (which may have been made worse for me by the audiobook format), but the ideas are compelling enough to make it definitely worthwhile nonetheless. 

As an aside, this was the first time I had heard Daveed Diggs' voice since I was very into the musical Hamilton many years ago, which was a slightly uncanny experience. 

The Anthropocene Reviewed

 The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, 304 pages

In the introduction to this book John Green quotes Allegra Goodman, who says that she is writing her own life story but "since (she's) a novelist, it's all in code." Green says that he didn't want to write in code anymore, and the resulting first foray into nonfiction is both startlingly honest and completely unusual. The book is made up of dozens of "reviews" on a 1-5 scale from things as specific as "The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest" and as general as "Sunsets." The reviews tend to be one part microhistory, one part memoir, and one part broader cultural context. Even essays about timeless phenomena (Sycamore Trees, Canada Geese) are processed through the lens of the modern day and living on what has inarguably become a human-centric planet. 

While all of this is true, it is still difficult to describe what exactly this book is. I listened to the audiobook, which is read by the author, and I don't think I can count the number of times it brought tears to my eyes. Green is utterly sincere about not only his fear, but also his hope, and it is difficult not to feel some of the ache of the words for myself. This is a fairly short book that I feel richer for having read, and I believe there is something in it for anyone living in the world today.

Death on the Island

 

Death on the Island by Eliza Reid (2025), 336 pages

I really wanted to like this book. I read Kara's review and thought, "I like Nordic Noir - I'll give it a read." Unfortunately, I found it to be on the level Murder She Wrote. This is not an insult as I like Murder She Wrote, but the TV show level writing is perfect for MSW, not for Death on the Island. I kept hearing Jessica Fletcher's voice every time the protagonist, Jane, spoke. The supporting cast felt like that - a supporting cast. It was so hard to connect with anyone as all the characters seemed performative and caricatures of various tropes. There are so many great Nordic Noir's out there, I suggest reading one of them. 

Salt Bones

 

Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan (2025), 384 pages

In a border town in California of Latina and Indigenous culture, Mal works to survive raising two children while dealing with the past trauma of her sister going missing. Things come to a head when another young woman disappears and then Mal's own daughter vanishes. Combining elements of Mexican folklore and the very real reality of missing Indigenous girls, Givhan delivers a story of a mother's determination coming face to face with those in power and entitlement. 

I enjoyed this book, but also found it frustrating. And I am not sure why. If you read it, let me know what you think.

The Score

 The Score: How to Stop Playing Somebody Else's Game, by C. Thi Nguyen, © 2026, 368 pgs.

Fascinating topic but was ultimately unsatisfying for me, despite a glowing blurb from Steve Wozniak on the cover. Nguyen, a philosophy professor, dives into his philosophy of games, breaking down scoring structures into a concept he calls "The Four Horsemen of Bureaucracy," which are Rules, Scale, Parts, and Control. These, he posits, are the key components in games but are also found in many disciplines in work and life. A basic example is the shoe cobbler versus a worker in a shoe factory. One is an artisan and craftsman, the other is a cog in a machine, doing a basic task in exchange for consistent work. Everyday we operate in a world of these kinds of rules in exchange for something for value, but with games it's different. When we play games, we operate in someone else's structure, but doing so creates a sense of 'play.' This sense makes a game fun--even if the game is not that good. Nguyen tacitly argues that we should approach other systems of control in a similar fashion--as a playground for ideas and learning. Ultimately, while there are a lot of good ideas here (and I think this is a great book for the non-philosophy-minded reader), Nguyen fails to land on a solid ending. What he really ends up doing is describing economics and the dangers of capitalism writ large. And even though the subtitle of the book is "how to stop playing someone else's game," he openly admits that he has no answer. I get what he's trying to say, but I wanted him to at least land on a conclusion, even if it was a challenging one. He was too indecisive, too afraid to tell the reader what to think, lest he be contributing to the same structures he's attempting to dismantle. Ending the book with a choose-your-own-adventure style ending only made it feel listless.

Moss'd in Space

Moss'd in Space by Rebecca Thorne, 368 pages

For years, Torian has been saving up her meager pay to buy a spaceship, which she plans on using to take her sister to a human planet where scientists can help cure her sister's chronic pulmonary condition. When she finally gets to buy a spaceship, it turns out the only one she can afford is an alien ship that's been hanging around the dock for a century, and is covered in moss. Still, she can work with that. But then she learns that the moss is actually an organic computer with abandonment issues and way more sarcasm than anyone Torian has ever met. Seems like an excellent setup for some problematic hijinks.

I absolutely loved Thorne's Tomes & Tea cozy fantasy series, and I'm thrilled that she's taking things into space (but keeping the pirates, because duh). Moss is an amazing character, Torian's just reckless enough, and all of the supporting characters are fantastic. I loved this series-starting science fiction, and I can't wait to read more of Torian and Moss's adventures.

*This book will be published July 7, 2026.

How to Get Away with Murder

How to Get Away with Murder by Rebecca Philipson, 368 pages

Detective Inspector Samantha Hansen is reluctant about going back to work following a traumatic experience more than six months ago. But when a teen girl is murdered in a park near Samantha's house, she's determined to help solve the crime. Complicating matters is of a "self-help" book called How to Get Away with Murder by a man going by the pseudonym Denver Brady that is found with the body. Brady professes to be a serial killer, and chapter by chapter, tells his readers how to kill and not get caught. Was the girl's murder another one of Brady's? Is it the work of a copycat? Or is the book's presence at the crime scene simply misdirection?

This was an intriguing premise, especially as Samantha's investigation is interspersed with chapters from Brady's book, and kept my interest through the bulk of the story. However, the end got a bit convoluted for my taste, and honestly, kept it from sticking in my brain for more than a week or so after reading it. OK, but nothing amazing.

Josephine Baker and Orlando

 Josephine Baker by José-Louis Bocquet with art by Catel (2017) 568 pages

I like that this writer/artist pair make hefty graphic bios. I previously read their graphic biography about Alice Guy. They are able to include so many details and episodes from Josephine's life. I've previously read the biography about Josephine's espionage work for the British and French Resistance during WWII. This graphic book provides a lot more depth about her early life and her work as an entertainer. The WWII period, by contrast, is quite brief. Her later life related to her raising the "Rainbow Tribe" of orphans was fascinating too. The biographical notes at the end on secondary historical figures that crossed paths with Josephine are extensive. In fact, I thought some did not need to be included, since they barely played a role in her story.

Orlando adapted by Susanne Kuhlendahl (2026) 224 pages

I really enjoyed Sally Potter's movie version of Orlando. And this is one of two graphic novel adaptations of Virginia Woolf's queer story coming out this year. I had not read any Woolf novels in school, so it is only through recent Wiki research that I learned Woolf is part of the Modernist literary movement with "stream of consciousness" passages. Kuhlendahl's adaptation definitely keeps this style front and center. However, instead of Orlando breaking the fourth wall like in the movie, Woolf, the "biographer," is present on the page and comments on being a biographer of this character. There is no scientific or magical explanation for how Orlando is able to live more than 300 years, nor for how Orlando transforms from a man into a woman. We are simply asked to ponder "what if" this is true. The story is episodic with changing art styles. It is full of commentary on gender, poetry, love and life, and changing fashions. I thought the chapter set in the Victorian 19th century was the weakest part and the finale set in the early 20th century (Woolf's era), while things truly move at a faster pace, still felt rushed after the depth of the earlier historical periods.

Midwives

Midwives by Chris Bohjalian (1997) 374 pages

Sibyl Danforth is a midwife, living and working in rural Vermont. When something goes terribly wrong during one of her deliveries, on a winter night when the roads have become impassable, she is accused of murder. It's a subject that's fraught with emotion, and is told from the point of view of Sibyl's 14-year-old daughter Connie, with snippets of Sibyl's own voice in journal entries at the beginning of most chapters.

I had never read Chris Bohjalian before, and was directed to this novel as a good place to start. Even though I knew the subject was difficult, when I read a few "test" pages, his writing pulled me in, with no backing away.

Sleeping Giants

Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel, 320 pages

This book has been reviewed and recapped by lots of UCPL staffers in the past, most recently by Regan, who read it for Orcs & Aliens (just like I did) and wrote an excellent summary and review that you can see here. I will say that I listened to this book, which was read by a full cast, and really brought to life the transcripts and journal entries that comprised the book. Interestingly, the people in Orcs & Aliens who read the physical book didn't seem to enjoy it as much, which says a lot about the quality of the audio production. It's thrilling and keeps you guessing, and I definitely loved it. I'll be listening to the rest of the trilogy in the near future.

The Deep Dark

The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag, 480 pages

Mags is a teenager with some very adult problems on her hands — she's the primary caregiver for her ailing grandmother while juggling work and school too and her kinda-relationship with a girl must be hidden from the girl's boyfriend. Oh yeah, there's also a secret monster in the basement that leaves her bleeding and exhausted every night, and could kill people if it got out. But when a childhood friend returns, Mags finally gets some of the support she needs, and she begins to realize that things don't have to be the way they are.

This graphic novel beautifully tells a complex story of identity, family prejudice, and finding comfort with who you are. The illustrations are gorgeous, and the story is so thought-provoking (and is obviously so personal to Ostertag) that I'm still turning it over in my mind more than a month after reading it. Highly recommended.

Deep End

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood, 464 pages

Competitive diver Scarlett has no time for anything but school and recovering from an injury that almost ended her career. Extremely disciplined world champion swimmer Lukas has been dating Scarlett's dive team captain for ages, at least publicly. In private, Lukas' "girlfriend" is more interested in dating around, and suggests that Lukas and Scarlett hook up, since both are more into kink than she is. What starts as a sex-only arrangement, however, soon becomes something more, as Scarlett and Lukas spend more time together in bed and at the pool, though the situation is complex, especially when Scarlett's captain doesn't want to fully let go of Lukas.

This is a pretty spicy college romance, though it's done incredibly well, as it shows the more emotional and intellectual side of a kink-centric relationship than often appears in romance novels. I honestly didn't think I'd like this one as much as I did, as I didn't expect that level of emotional complexity. Another good one from Hazelwood.

Trust Me On This

Trust Me On This by Lauren Parvizi, 367 pages

Two long-estranged half-sisters have both been summoned to Seattle to have one last visit with their dying father, a man who doted on one daughter and largely ignored the other. Both have issues and strange baggage (both literal and emotional) to deal with on the road, but reluctantly find themselves re-connecting.

I'll be honest: I read this book more than a month ago, and I only remembered reading it because it was on my list of stuff to blog about. I obviously can't remember much (including character names), and the plot apparently wasn't my cup of tea, though there is a... cat?... that I vaguely remember enjoying. That said, the only thing I can remember better than books I love are ones I absolutely hate, which means that this one was pretty middle-of-the-road, AKA there are worse books out there. 

Slayers of Old

Slayers of Old by Jim C. Hines, 352 pages

When they were teens, Jenny, Annette, and Temple were all Chosen Ones, tasked with defeating evil as a hunter of Artemis, a half-succubus, and a wizard, respectively. But now they're all much older and have put their battle days behind them, choosing to run a secondhand bookstore in Salem. Of course, evil has decided it's not quite done with them, and when locals start summoning ancient magical creatures, the trio must get back in the saddle to once again vanquish demons and secure the safety of Salem.

Blurbs about this book describe it as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets The Golden Girls," and boy howdy, is that correct. It's a ton of fun, and has lots of nods to the Slayer, though knowing Buffy isn't a requirement for enjoying this book. A great time and hopefully the first of many featuring Jenny, Annette, and Temple.

Spider to the Fly

Spider to the Fly by James Markert, 352 pages

Ellie Isles was a regular suburban mom until a serial killer murdered a stranger who was identical to Ellie. Equally fascinated and horrified by the coincidence, Ellie started her own investigations into the killer known as the Spider, who left victims scattered alongside I-64, and wrote a bestselling true crime book about her experience. Four years later, the killer is still at large and more victims keep appearing, but Ellie has created an online following that's helping her get ahead of the Spider, and helping her remember some long-buried memories that may shed some light on the case.

The premise of this book is intriguing and it definitely is a wild ride. However, I found a lot of the final twists to be a bit over-the-top — it almost feels like two books smushed into one. Still, if you want a quick and terrifying thriller, give this one a go. Just don't hurt yourself rolling your eyes at the way-too-convenient conclusion. 

Do Not Sell at Any Price

Do Not Sell at Any Price: The Wild, Obsessive Hunt for the World's Rarest 78 rpm Records by Amanda Petrusich, © 2014, 288 pgs.

This was a fun read for the Rn'B book group. Petrusich is a freelance music writer working on a story about the rise in vinyl sales (at the time in 2014 they were trending up; in 2025 they reached a billion in sales) when she's tipped off to a sub-sub genre of record collector--the 78 collector. For the unvitiated, 78s were the original records, made of shellac, very heavy and very fragile--if you dropped it on the floor it would shatter like a plate. These records spin at 78 revolutions-per-minute (or rpm's) and were typically played on the only players available at the time, the victrola. Millions of 78s were sold in the 20s and 30s before the techonolgy improved and turned to the vinyl records we know today. When that happened, 78s fell by the wayside, collecting dust in basements, attics and landfills. But in the 60s and 70s, a rag-tag group fell in love with them, particularly the 78s that were recorded by some of the earliest blues players. In fact, many of the recordings we have today of these musicians were sourced directly from the collections of 78 enthusiasts. Blues artists like Ma Rainey, Charlie Patton and Skip James would be lost to time. The author takes a deep dive into the materials, catching the 78-collector bug and begins trying to find her own rare blues records. 

Murder at Gulls Nest

Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd, 336 pages

Novice nun Frieda was released from her vows, but kept up correspondence with her fellow novice Nora for quite a while afterward. But after sending a letter claiming that all of the residents of the long-term hotel where she lived were hiding something, Frieda's letters simply stopped, and Nora knew that something was wrong. Following her friend's footsteps, Nora also asked to leave the convent and her vows, and travels to that same hotel, Gulls Nest, to see if she can track down Frieda. She's met with a quirky group of residents, and before long, a series of murders to add to her investigation.

Set in Kent in the 1940s, this series-starting mystery introduces a winning amateur detective in Nora Breen, and the supporting characters are just kooky enough to make all of them suspects. It kept me guessing and took me directions that I didn't expect — but as I read it a while back, I can't remember whodunnit. Which perhaps gives this reread potential, but also shows that it didn't stick with me particularly well. However, if you dig WWII-era mysteries with plucky female detectives, this one is right up your alley.

The Maniac

The Maniac by Benjamín Labatut (2023) 354 pages

This is a fictional memoir of renowned Hungarian-American mathematician John von Neumann. Overall, this is a dark read – Neumann scorched everyone he interacted with and was as complicated as his arcane areas of study. Labatut plays it loose with a cast of historical characters who interacted with the brilliant polymath. Borrowing heavily from secondary sources and his imagination the author weaves a tale of ambition, hubris and brilliance. I enjoyed the literary device of letting contemporaries tell the saga. Labatut has an uncanny ability to assume the voice of the narrator, including context. My favorite example is physicist Richard Feynman describing his limited interactions with Neumann. The chapter reads like a mini-biography of Feynman and describes the frenetic atmosphere of the WWII Manhattan project -- constructing the first atomic bombs (did I mention dark?).  The tragic nature of Neumann’s legacy – he died at age 53 – is strewn across the pages like radiation from a nuclear explosion.

Murderbot Diaries #2 and #3

 Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (2018), 158 pages

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (2018), 159 pages

I am loving this series. You really just need to read them. Both of these books (entries?) find our intrepid explorer continuing on his quest to figure out his murderous past while reluctantly trying to stop evil corporations from destroying the universe. Much to his dismay, he is becoming more and more human like and can't shake his need to protect them. I particularly like his snarky interactions with other Artificial Intelligences. Murderbot never fails to let you know exactly what he thinks and it is hilarious. 

The Library Mule of Cordoba

 The Library Mule of Cordoba by Wilfrid Lupano and Léonard Chemineau, 263 pages.

In 976 Cordoba is the center of learning for the Western world, and people come from far away to study in its magnificent library. But after the caliph dies young and a vizier is appointed to rule Al-Andalus everything changes very quickly. The new vizier decides that most of the library's texts are heretical, and burns them to help push for wars that will allow him to conquer more of what is today Spain. Tarid is the head librarian, and although he is a slave and a eunuch he won't allow this to happen. Tarid, a copyist, and a thief all set out to save the most precious books, taking them on a dangerous journey across Al-Andalus.

Byron wrote about this graphic novel almost exactly a year ago, and it has taken me this long to get around to reading it. I appreciated that this was both very historically interesting and a solid adventure story. It's not very common to find books set during this period, and this one has a fairly extensive section in the back giving history and context after the story was over. It is sad to see how often book burning and suppression go hand-in-hand with religious extremism (regardless of the religion), but it also makes the history feel very present. Recommended for people interested in Muslim Spain, historical libraries, and a wild adventure to save books. 

Kindred

Kindred by Octavia Butler, 306 pages.

Dana is a black author living in California the year of America's bicentennial. Which leaves her totally unprepared to be pulled through time to a plantation in Antebellum Maryland, where a young white boy is drowning. Dana finds herself being pulled back to the past to save this boy again and again, even as he grows into a man she is not sure is worth saving, and each trip is longer and more harrowing than the one before. 

This is the first Octavia Butler novel I have read, and I found it very well done. This novel, while usually credited as the first science fiction novel by a black author, is definitely on the literary side, with a lot going on thematically. This is a heavy book, emotionally, but it also feels very rewarding. There is a reason this is a classic, and I would definitely recommend it. 

Phoebe's Diary

 Phoebe's Diary by Phoebe Wahl (2023), 464 pages

If you read my previous post about Little Witch Hazel, you know that Phoebe Wahl is a favorite artist of mine. This is her somewhat true, somewhat fictionalized teenage diary. Wahl very much captures teenage angst and coming of age. It reminds me a lot of the risqué Judy Blume books we all read too young and hoped that our parents didn't know what was actually in them. Do people still read Judy Blume? I am aging myself, but I am not sure what the current equivalent would be. I suspect a lot of teenage girls would relate to this novel. If you are a parent to teenagers, you might want to wait until they are adults before diving in. 

Coffin Moon

Coffin Moon by Keith Rosson, 320 pages

Vietnam vet Duane is back home after his tour of duty, and with the help of his in-laws, has managed to get sober (despite his job as a bartender), salvage his marriage, and become a foster parent to his niece, Julia. But one night at the bar, Duane runs afoul of local gang leader John Varley, and Varley decides the best way to get even is to massacre Duane's wife and in-laws in the goriest way possible. In their grief, Duane and Julia decide to get revenge on Varley, despite the fact that Varley is a vampire and nearly unkillable.

I loved this book, which felt like a throwback to the classic Stephen King novels of the 1970s, but without the coke-addled overlong books. This was tight, surprising, scary, and altogether fantastic. I highly recommend it for horror fans.

Not Quite Dead Yet

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson, 400 pages

Jet is the disappointing daughter of one of the wealthiest families in town, having moved back into her parents' house as she procrastinates starting her life over. But then one day, she's attacked in her kitchen and left for dead. Jet survives the attack, but is given just a week left to live, which she chooses to spend solving her own murder. She moves onto her childhood friend Billy's couch and begins her investigation into everyone she knows, all of whom seem suspicious now.

This is an interesting conceit for a thriller/mystery, and overall it's done pretty well, acknowledging Jet's physical limitations in a way that would be totally ignored in a TV show or movie. However, I do have an issue with the fact that the doctor is able to pinpoint exactly how many days Jet has left before an aneurysm kills her — and the fact that the doctor is correct in her deadline. I get why it was done, but that bit made it hard to suspend disbelief in an otherwise excellent novel.

Red City

Red City by Marie Lu, 432 pages

Alchemy and the magical art of transformation is the rule in Angel City, which is unofficially under the power of two rival crime syndicates, each with their own alchemists and enforcers. Childhood friends Sam and Ari became close through their rough upbringings, but each is secretly recruited by the rival gangs. While they once may have loved one another, they soon find themselves facing decisions about family, loyalty, magic, and each other. The only thing that's clear is that neither of them can turn back now.

I'll admit that I read this one a while ago, and the main things that stuck with me were the brutality of the magicians and gang leaders, and the lack of trust EVERYWHERE. Really, this one reminded me of Jade City, and not just because of the name. So I guess read it if you already finished the Green Bone Saga and want more magical mafia books.

Homicide and Halo-Halo

Homicide and Halo-Halo Mia P. Manansala (2022, 279 pages)

Back in Shady Palms, the annual beauty pageant has the whole town busy in preparation. Lila is extra busy as a backup judge and opening up her new Bruja Cafe with her best friend Adeena. When a major figure in the pageant turns up dead in the river, accusations are thrown across the map and the event continues.

What I liked:
✨Like before, love learning the Filipino recipes!
✨This one was more fun trying to figure out what happened, there were lots of good contestants!

What I didn't like:
💤Not usually a fan of parading around girls to be gawked at, so the pageant setting wasn't my favorite despite some very progressive changes to it
 💤The main character is very much the Main Character and it often feels like the things that revolve around her are excessive
💤Continuing the love triangle but not really developing those relationships further

 The second in the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series.

⭐⭐⭐