What Kingdom is Dutch poet Fine Gråbøl’s debut novel, translated by Martin Aitken. Our unnamed, young narrator is navigating her life in a psychiatric care facility. Through direct, uncomplicated prose, we meet the fellow residents, follow the drudgery of organizing group meals and grocery shopping, and watch as caregivers come and go. For a book … Continue reading Review: What Kingdom, by Fine Gråbøl, translated by Martin Aitken (Archipelago)
May 2021 Round-Up
Here’s the list, with a quick five-word summary: Because of You - Dawn French (Penguin) - Funny, entertaining, French is wonderful.Vulnerability is My Superpower - Jackie E. Davis (Andrews McMeel) - Honest, beautifully insightful, colorful comics.Piranesi - Susanna Clark (Bloomsbury) - Cosmic madness in Manchester, maybe?Two Besides: A Pair of Talking Heads - Alan Bennett … Continue reading May 2021 Round-Up
February 2021 Reading Round-Up
If you’re just interested in the list, let’s kick off with that. The Atmospherians, by Alex McElroy (Atria Books, released May 18, 2021)Happening, by Annie Ernaux (Seven Stories Press)Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, by Winifred Watson (Persephone Books)The Voice in my Ear, by Frances Leviston (Jonathan Cape)The Twisted Ones, by T. Kingfisher (Simon & … Continue reading February 2021 Reading Round-Up
Book Bumblings- June 18
On My Read-ar (geddit?) Lots of big exciting releases coming up in the next year. Some favorite authors, some new names. Which are you most excited about? Mexican Gothic - Silvia Moreno-Garcia (US release June 30, 2020)Tender is the Flesh - Agustina Bazterrica (US release Aug 4, 2020)Sisters - Daisy Johnson (US release Aug 25, … Continue reading Book Bumblings- June 18
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
My Week in Short Stories – March 15th – March 20th
Well, looks like we'll all have more reading time, eh? Hope you're doing okay. Here's what I read this week: 3/15/20 The Lovely Kisselthwist Karen Heuler 3/16/20 Wolf Trapping Kij Johnson 3/17/20 The Scattering Daisy Johnson 3/17/20 Orange Dogs Marian Womack 3/18/20 The Zhanell Adler Brass Spyglass Helen Marshall 3/18/20 El Arbol (The Tree) Cynthia … Continue reading My Week in Short Stories – March 15th – March 20th
Bookish Witterings – March 21st
Short Story Recommendations Looking back through the favorites tab on my short story spreadsheet, it would seem I favor a harrowing, post-apocalyptic short story. Not so bloody intriguing now we're living it though, is it? Anyway, here are some recent favorites of mine, on the themes of apocalypse, isolation, and endings in general. Probably not … Continue reading Bookish Witterings – March 21st
California Reading 