I’m clearly the target audience for this book, since the tag line is “The Thin Man in Space” and I adore The Thin Man.
(CONTEXT: For those of you unfaI’m clearly the target audience for this book, since the tag line is “The Thin Man in Space” and I adore The Thin Man.
(CONTEXT: For those of you unfamiliar with this film from the 1930s, it’s a comedy where William Powell, Myrna Loy, and their dog Asta solve a murder. Everyone is witty and elegant and there is some power drinking. Technically, it’s also a holiday movie since much of it is set in late December and there’s a major party scene. Absolutely worth your time if you enjoy people being smart, fashionable, and witty on film while solving murder.)
OKAY. The book. Tesla (famous in her own right as a wealthy heiress & engineer/inventor, disabled after a major accident) and Shal (handsome, sweet retired detective who embroiders) are a delight, trying to travel incognito on a starship to Mars on their honeymoon. Gimlet is Tesla’s Westie service dog.
The murder and the mystery setup itself is well set up and follows the Usual Mystery Tropes strongly, but with the added challenges of doing it in space with variable gravity. Every chapter opens with a cocktail or mocktail recipe geared to the action in the chapter.
Tesla starts the story with every possible advantage, and as each of them is stripped away from her, we see her innate strength, too. A strong cast of supporting characters as well, although I’m particularly attached to Francine, Tesla’s lawyer who crochets so she doesn’t stab people for herself.
This novel is sparkling, witty, well-paced, and keeps the pages turning as the mystery unfolds and we learn more about the characters. Highly recommended....more
Solid, engaging history of the black experience in America that certainly was not included in any history courses I ever had growing up in the 1980s &Solid, engaging history of the black experience in America that certainly was not included in any history courses I ever had growing up in the 1980s & 1990s. Very worthwhile....more
This was an absolute hoot. The publicity frames it as a “pop song” and it does what all good pop songs do: it gets in, gets out, doesn’t overstay its This was an absolute hoot. The publicity frames it as a “pop song” and it does what all good pop songs do: it gets in, gets out, doesn’t overstay its welcome, and makes you feel GOOD that you heard it. Great banter, driving action, and endearing characters make this a book version of a really good “popcorn” action movie....more
Had this sitting on my kindle for the longest time. Decided that a vampire story sounded good for October, and I'm glad I read it. This is basically pHad this sitting on my kindle for the longest time. Decided that a vampire story sounded good for October, and I'm glad I read it. This is basically postapocalyptic urban fantasy, with an unlikely partnership between Sunshine, a baker in a coffee shop, and a vampire. Not romantic or sexy; (vampires are predators in this rendering), but a weird, awkward friendship develops between the two that is kind of glorious in its weird awkwardness, particularly as I'm feeling weirdly awkward all around as my people skills have atrophied in the pandemic. Solid, compelling read....more
Incredibly helpful book. Gender and sexuality inclusive, well researched, pragmatic, and tonally matches the indignation I'm feeling as I experience pIncredibly helpful book. Gender and sexuality inclusive, well researched, pragmatic, and tonally matches the indignation I'm feeling as I experience perimenopause myself in terms of how little I knew about the whole thing before beginning to experience it....more
Solid, sweet romance. The half-Chinese Duke Who Didn't (take an active interest in anything in the town of Wedgeford) because he was horrified to suddSolid, sweet romance. The half-Chinese Duke Who Didn't (take an active interest in anything in the town of Wedgeford) because he was horrified to suddenly be the Duke, a Chinese heroine who wants to avenge the theft of her father's recipes by a British company by coming up with an even better recipe to crush them, and the years-long annual games in Wedgeford where both of them found their place and circled each other. This was delightfully focused on understanding the importance of who you surround yourself with as a path to happiness. ...more
Jaime Lee Moyer has consistently published books that touch me profoundly, and this one is no different.
I approached Divine Heretic with some trepidaJaime Lee Moyer has consistently published books that touch me profoundly, and this one is no different.
I approached Divine Heretic with some trepidation, since it's based on the story of Joan of Arc, and, well, as an emotional reader currently seeking solace, I wasn't sure I could handle that story right now.
Well.
This novel is an act of rebellion against the trauma that we experience that threatens to drag us down if we let go of the things that matter too easily.
It turns out, a book about resilience, about found family and holding onto the things and people you love, about finding joy in the little moments, and a book about understanding that courage means doing the thing anyway because you know what is right, no matter how scary, is exactly what I needed right now.
The well-known historical ending was tweaked in ways that work really, really well and aren't nearly as disheartening as the historical record.
Strongly recommended.
Content warning: there is attempted rape in this book; it is handled as the traumatic thing that it is....more
Historical set in Arizona territory in the late 1880s or so. Laconic cowboy Kent returns to visit the folks he used to worEbook via my local library.
Historical set in Arizona territory in the late 1880s or so. Laconic cowboy Kent returns to visit the folks he used to work for, who now run a hotel/resort. Their niece Portia is their bookkeeper, who is pretty content to be unmarried at 27, surrounded by her loved ones.
He makes her laugh and values her smarts, and does an amazing job of being laid back and cool while she figures out what ALL THOSE FEELINGS are. He has to come to terms with his relationship with his father, who desperately wanted him to be a doctor not a cowboy, and keep his hands to himself until Portia comes around. Which isn’t easy, given the chemistry they have.
Absolutely loved this one. I started reading Jenkins a couple of years ago, I think, and now she’s on my “grab this now” list permanently. I :love: her characterization. She does a great job of creating complex characters who struggle with their pasts, their futures, their wants, their hopes—and who learn that the most important people are the ones who love you just as you are. ...more
This was life changing, career changing, profound work for me. I have been taught, over and over again, that vulnerability is bad, shameful, a thing tThis was life changing, career changing, profound work for me. I have been taught, over and over again, that vulnerability is bad, shameful, a thing to avoid. I was convinced that somehow I could figure out what happy felt like without ever being vulnerable.
Yeah, no. Hard social science research about shame and vulnerability teaches that developing shame resilience, and learning to embrace (and as she says, rumble with) vulnerability is what leads to greater happiness through greater connection.
It sounds simple, but it has profoundly changed the way I think about... pretty much everything. And as a result, the way I approach... pretty much everything. Lots of great examples, scripts, frameworks, metaphors, and approaches that help with putting these skills into practice, in life, in work, in everything.
I know this sounds like hyperbole, but for me, it wasn’t. I found this truly valuable. ...more
Read this as an audiobook and then finished the last bit as an ebook, both from my local library.
This is not the first Brene Brown book I’ve read, butRead this as an audiobook and then finished the last bit as an ebook, both from my local library.
This is not the first Brene Brown book I’ve read, but it may be among the most important, along with Daring Greatly. Brown is a shame and vulnerability researcher, and she takes that work and translates it into how to be a better, more effective leader by understanding how shame and vulnerability work in the workplace, and in ourselves as people.
There are lots of great, concrete examples here, and solid, useful metaphors for the kinds of “soft skills” of working effectively with other people—and supervising them by empowering them that absolutely have changed how I think about leadership and values and the kinds of approaches to both of those things that are important to me.
Delightful novel written in the style of a 19th century memoir of a lady naturalist who loves dragons. Fans of Jo Walton’s Tooth and Claw will find thDelightful novel written in the style of a 19th century memoir of a lady naturalist who loves dragons. Fans of Jo Walton’s Tooth and Claw will find this a beloved readalike. Told from Lady Trent’s point of view, with rich worldbuilding and genuine pathos for humans and dragons alike. Highly recommended....more
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