Here's the list: The Warlock Effect, by Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson (Hodder and Stoughton) Imported from the UK via Blackwell's Books. Not sure if it's getting a US release. I'm a huge Dyson/Nyman megafan, and I was sadly disappointed by this one. Poor Deer, by Claire Oshetsky (Ecco) ARC, will be published in January … Continue reading My Month in Reading, July 2023
Review: January, by Sara Gallardo, translated by Frances Riddle and Maureen Shaughnessy (Archipelago)
You don’t need me to tell you that women are still fighting for their right to bodily autonomy. And reading Sara Gallardo’s 1956 novel, January, made me so angry at the lack of progress we’ve made in almost 70 years. Translated into English for the first time by Frances Riddle and Maureen Shaughnessy, January is … Continue reading Review: January, by Sara Gallardo, translated by Frances Riddle and Maureen Shaughnessy (Archipelago)
Review: Silver Nitrate, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Del Rey)
Silvia Moreno-Garcia is so prolific, I can’t keep up! Her latest novel, Silver Nitrate, is a love-letter to old movies, and an exploration of the dark magic of cinema. Our central character, the brilliantly named Montserrat, is a sound editor in 90s Mexico City. Although she loves her job, she is frustrated by the misogyny … Continue reading Review: Silver Nitrate, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Del Rey)
Review: Maddalena and The Dark, by Julia Fine (Flatiron)
Lovers of dark historical fiction - drop everything now and pick up Maddalena and The Dark. Julia Fine has captured the decadence of 18th century Venice, and created two irresistible teen characters, Maddalena and Luisa, whose friendship almost makes you forget the stink coming from the canals. Maddalena’s life is complicated. She is part of … Continue reading Review: Maddalena and The Dark, by Julia Fine (Flatiron)
My Favorite Books of 2023 So Far
The book I find myself thinking about the most is Self-Portrait with Nothing, by Aimee Pokwatka. It is one of the most original books I’ve ever read. I really don’t want to give too much away, but if you love parallel universe stories, this is for you. Hugely intelligent. And I just noticed Pokwatka has … Continue reading My Favorite Books of 2023 So Far
Review: Maeve Fly, by CJ Leede (Tor Nightfire)
When I was in my early twenties, I was so in love with the Brett Easton Ellis novel, American Psycho, it essentially formed the basis for my personality. With hindsight, there are probably better books to personify, but I didn’t encounter Shirley Jackson until my thirties. I’m not going to say CJ Leede’s novel, Maeve … Continue reading Review: Maeve Fly, by CJ Leede (Tor Nightfire)
Review: Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird, by Agustina Bazterrica (Scribner)
Whether or not you “enjoyed” Agustina Bazterrica’s novel, Tender is the Flesh, you cannot deny the author’s talent. Personally, I thought it was a riveting book, and I think about it at least once a week, despite reading it almost three years ago. So I was excited to get my hands on Bazterrica’s collection of … Continue reading Review: Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird, by Agustina Bazterrica (Scribner)
Review: I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home, by Lorrie Moore (Knopf)
It’s safe to say things are not going well for Finn. He has been suspended from his teaching job, his brother is dying in a hospice, and he is pining for his ex, Lily. While Finn is having what could be a final visit with his brother, he gets an urgent call regarding Lily, and … Continue reading Review: I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home, by Lorrie Moore (Knopf)
Review: The Book of Witches, edited by Jonathan Strahan (Harper Voyage)
The Book of Witches is a huge anthology, jam-packed full of wonderful prose and poetry from a diverse range of writers, lovingly edited by Jonathan Strahan. The quality of writing does not wain throughout, but here the following really stood out to me: The collection opens with a moving poem, Seed of Power, by Linda … Continue reading Review: The Book of Witches, edited by Jonathan Strahan (Harper Voyage)
My Month in Reading, May 2023
Oh sweet Jesus, it’s June next week. Once again, I am scrambling, trying to hack away at my pile of ARCs. All of which I willingly requested, or accepted, completely overestimating my capabilities. And today, I got rejected for an ARC I was very excited about, and I’m assuming it’s because I have a backlog … Continue reading My Month in Reading, May 2023
California Reading 