I’ve read a lot this year. To escape from the madness of reality? Yes, absolutely. So, in no particular order, here are my favorite books that were released in 2020. Things in Jars - Jess Kidd A strong central female character, a strange kidnapping, and a thoroughly entertaining ghost? Sign me up! Also, a love story … Continue reading My Top 2020 Reads
More Reading Ramblings
Since my last update, I finished The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher, and I absolutely loved it. It was genuinely terrifying; Kingfisher has a great line in creating incredibly disturbing images. My full review can be found on Goodreads, but to summarize, The Hollow Places is one of the scariest and funniest books I’ve ever read. … Continue reading More Reading Ramblings
Reading Ramblings
At the moment I’m reading The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher, and by god it is one of the most terrifying things I’ve read for a long time. It took me a little while to get used to Kingfisher’s writing style, which is a unique mixture of casual humor, and absolutely devastating terror. But it is a … Continue reading Reading Ramblings
When Autumn Leaves…
It's not autumn/fall here in Southern California. The only visible reddish hues are from the wildfires. Ideally, one day I'll have a house in Vermont in which I can spend these autumnal months, so I can live in a sweater, tea in one hand, book in the other. But for now, it's hazy LA days, … Continue reading When Autumn Leaves…
Bookish Brain-Dump – June 26, 2020
Wonderland - Zoje Stage You can read my full review of Zoje Stage's brilliant new book, Wonderland, on Goodreads or NetGalley, but I just want to re-emphasize my love for these weird novels that seem to be infiltrating the mainstream at the moment. I love well-written folk horror, and cosmic horror, and it seems there's … Continue reading Bookish Brain-Dump – June 26, 2020
Literary Nonsense – June 8th, 2020
It all seems a bit silly to even consider anything as frivolous as reading at the moment. But given there is evidence that those who read fiction are more empathetic than your average person, maybe now is more important than ever to talk about books. Black Lives Matter I widen my perspective through reading, and … Continue reading Literary Nonsense – June 8th, 2020
Bookish Babblings – May 19 2020
I Have a Problem I've put a self-imposed physical book-buying ban on myself. I'm still working, still parenting, so it's not as though I have extra time to actually read these books. As I run to the door and sweep the packages up in my arms, I hear my myriad unread books weeping. The ban … Continue reading Bookish Babblings – May 19 2020
Book Blatherings – April 2020 Round-Up
Novels So far this year, I've struggled to find novels that truly engage me. I consume audiobooks differently that the written word; it's not exactly passive, but I definitely feel more involved with a book if I'm actively reading the words. It may be to do with the fact that when I read a book, … Continue reading Book Blatherings – April 2020 Round-Up
My Week in Short Stories – March 29th to April 5th
Hello again! Another week, another bundle of stories. 3/29/20 Green Red Orange Mariana Enriquez 3/29/20 Things We Lost in the Fire Mariana Enriquez 3/30/20 Forgotten Journey Silvina Ocampo 3/30/20 Mildly Unhappy, With Moments of Joy Amber Sparks 3/30/20 Birthing Stones Daisy Johnson 3/31/20 The Apple Tree Daphne du Maurier 4/1/20 The Lady Who Plucked Red … Continue reading My Week in Short Stories – March 29th to April 5th
Book Blatherings – March 31st
Book Surprises I got a lovely surprise this week. I finally bought a copy of Rachel Swirsky's collection, How the World Became Quiet. When it arrived, it was an immaculate ex-library book (which sadly looked unread), and when I opened the cover, I saw this: I love it when something secret appears in a used … Continue reading Book Blatherings – March 31st
California Reading 