Recently, I've been reading a lot of books with complicated, contradictory characters. These are the best characters, in my opinion, because they feel real. People in the real world are rarely simple. Straight-up evil villains are few and far between. So are perfectly upright role models who never mess up or say the wrong thing.... Continue Reading →
After rereading Their Eyes Were Watching God, I decided to seek out books published by women pre-1950 to add to my 2018 TBR. You can see the whole list on a past Fierce Feminist Friday. I started with Nella Larsen's Passing, first published in 1929. Passing concerns two black women living in Chicago and Harlem... Continue Reading →
In Red Clocks, Leni Zumas imagines a terrifying and all-too-easily-plausabile future in which the Personhood Amendment grants rights of life, liberty and property to all embryos from the moment of conception. Abortion is illegal in all states and women caught attempting abortion or assisting in abortions can be charged with murder. Red Clocks was incredible... Continue Reading →
What an absolute delight! The Prince and the Dressmaker, a gorgeous graphic novel set in late 19th century Paris, has everything I want out of a fairytale: creativity, fabulousness, whimsy, unique and courageous characters, and just enough darkness to make the happy ending both a joy and a relief. Prince Sebastian is into wearing dressers,... Continue Reading →
I read a lot of fantasy books--for all ages--and it's always a joy to discover something that feels entirely new. This book is reminiscent of many that came before it--it nods to Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, the The Wizard of Oz, classic fairytales. But it is also wholly itself and wholly new. Valente recognizes the... Continue Reading →
I picked up this book because of the 2018 Read Harder Challenge, but also because I decided it's high time I start reading mysteries. I've read one or two over the years, but other than that, nothing. I don't have a good excuse, either. I'm not a big fan of gore, violence, or creepy stories,... Continue Reading →
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