In this collection of stories of “unsavory women”, beautifully edited by Molly Llewellyn and Kristel Buckley, there is a wide range of subjects and writers, encapsulating just how tired women are of all this nonsense. These were my favorite stories: Fuckboy Museum, by Deesha Philyaw - A great opener. A woman grows tired of the … Continue reading Review: Peach Pit, edited by Molly Llewellyn and Kristel Buckley (Dzanc Books)
Review: Into the Uncanny, by Danny Robins (Penguin Audio)
I will never forget the first time I heard Danny Robins utter the immortal words, “Bloody hell, Ken!” I’d been a fan of Robins’ work since his short-lived podcast, Haunted, crept into my feed in 2017. The podcast featured exceptionally scary stories, but with one foot firmly in reality. Plus, Robins’ sense of humor and … Continue reading Review: Into the Uncanny, by Danny Robins (Penguin Audio)
My Month in Reading, August 2023
The books I read in August can be divided into three categories; great, amazing, and bonkers. Great Moonlit Path of Madness, by Catherine McCarthy (Nosetouch Press) My full review is here, but this is a gorgeous gothic novel. Accidental Death of An Anarchist, by Dario Fo, Franca Rame, and Tom Basden (Nick Hern Books) Basden's … Continue reading My Month in Reading, August 2023
My Week in Reading – August 14th, 2023
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been almost completely consumed by anxiety, as my daughter started first grade, in a new public school. But she’s doing great, so my brain can now focus on exciting new avenues of panic! On that note, have you seen The Bear?! Sheesh, what a show. I’m currently reading … Continue reading My Week in Reading – August 14th, 2023
My Month in Reading, July 2023
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)
California Reading 