I was incredibly impressed by Premee Mohamed’s short story collection, No One Will Come Back for Us, and The Butcher of the Forest has cemented my status as a Mohamed fan. It is a gripping novella, with a strong female protagonist, and some genuinely disturbing moments. Veris is summoned by the tyrannical ruler of the … Continue reading Review: The Butcher of the Forest, by Premee Mohamed (Tor)
Review: The Woman in the Sable Coat, by Elizabeth Brooks (Tin House)
Elizabeth Brooks is one of my favorite authors of “normal” books. As someone who reads a lot of genre books, it takes a special writer to make me take a break from the weird. So I’m thrilled to report I thoroughly enjoyed Brooks’ latest novel, The Woman in the Sable Coat. The titular woman in … Continue reading Review: The Woman in the Sable Coat, by Elizabeth Brooks (Tin House)
Review: The Book of Love, by Kelly Link (Random House)
When I found out Kelly Link was writing a novel, I basically died. Those who have discovered the magic of Link’s short stories will understand my joy. Link hasn’t dipped her toes into novel-writing with a brief story; The Book of Love is over 600 pages long. Susannah, Mo, and Daniel have returned from the … Continue reading Review: The Book of Love, by Kelly Link (Random House)
Review: The Road from Belhaven, by Margot Livesey (Knopf)
Feminist period drama with a hint of the supernatural? Sign me up! Orphan Lizzie is growing up on a farm in Scotland with her grandparents. Her life is relatively normal, except for the fact that she occasionally gets premonitions. She never sees herself, only those around her, and the visions are seldom joyful. As if … Continue reading Review: The Road from Belhaven, by Margot Livesey (Knopf)
Review: Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, by GennaRose Nethercott (Vintage)
I fell in love with GennaRose Nethercott’s writing after reading her thrilling novel, Thistlefoot. As an avid reader of weird short stories, I grabbed Nethercott’s debut collection, Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, as soon as I could. Here are my favorites: Sundown at the Eternal Staircase - The opening story establishes the tone of … Continue reading Review: Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart, by GennaRose Nethercott (Vintage)
California Reading 