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Wants to read Mermaids in Paradise

Rated Cherry 4/10

<div>This wasn't really for me. I kept going because it was just compelling enough that I wanted to know what happened, I suppose, but what did happen was.... eh. And the rampant misogyny throughout was just... a lot. Occasionally, there were some funny bits, and I really like the red skull cover, but glad to move on.</div>

Wants to read Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded

Rated Transgender History: The Roots of Today's Revolution 8/10

<div>The updated version of this book was published in 2017, and while it ends with a sense of apprehension about what's to come in the first Trump administration, it is heartbreaking to now know how much progress has been undone in the decade since. Still, as Stryker reminds us, the arc of moral justice is long, and there is still much work to be done. <br><br>I knew some of the history talked about here, but I also learned a lot. It does not go much into Native American trans people, but otherwise covers a pretty wide American history. The writing is very straightforward, fair-minded, and readable. If you haven't seen Stryker's documentary, <em>Screaming Queens</em>, about the Compton's Cafeteria riot, I definitely recommend. I also liked the questions for the reader at the end. A lot of leftie book groups could stand to read this history.</div>

Rated Don't Sing at the Table: Life Lessons from My Grandmothers 6/10

This was ok. I liked the sections dealing with taking your work and your family seriously, but when she got into tattoos being detrimental to the souls of one's children, she lost me a bit. It's a lovely tribute to her grandmothers, but not all of it is practical advice.<br><br>(My full review can be found on <a href="http://persephonemagazine.com/2012/07/06/book-review-dont-sing-at-the-table-by-adriana-trigiani/">Persephone Magazine</a>.)

Rated Trainspotting 8/10

Wants to read Retromania: Pop Culture's Addiction to Its Own Past

Rated The Daughter of Doctor Moreau 9/10

<div>I really enjoyed this retelling of The Island of Doctor Moreau. This is the second Silvia Moreno-Garcia book I've read, and I'm looking forward to reading more.</div>

Rated Camp Damascus 7/10

<div>I'd never read anything by Chuck Tingle before, but the library had his first horror novel and I thought I'd give it a go. Written from the point of view of a sheltered autistic twenty year old, Rose, who has only recently graduated high school because of her religious upbringing, the supernatural action starts right away and the pace never slows. Rose is trying to figure out why she's seeing a literal demon, why she feels physically cold every time her mind wanders into "impure" areas, and also why her parents seem to be keeping something from her.<br><br>The somewhat simplistic writing style makes a lot of sense for her character, but readers who are into the art of individual sentences may not vibe with it. Still, the story is VERY much a page-turner, and I read the whole thing in basically 2 days. Rose's neurodivergence does not hinder her discoveries — in fact, she makes some connections more quickly than her friends because of the way her mind works. I'd definitely recommend this to people who are looking for "New Adult" horror.</div>

Rated Crossing the Heart of Africa: An Odyssey of Love and Adventure 8/10

Smith weaves Grogan and his tale together seamlessly between chapters, doing an excellent job of making Grogan's experiences seem just as present as his own.<br><br>I love to hear people's individual stories over a more detached perspective. Grogan's story interests me before a research paper on African exploration and imperialism would. Still, even Grogan's story on its own might not have been enough without having Smith's journey entwined with the narrative. It's an honest, though not overly heavy read, and though we know that both parties get married in the end, it's easy to forget that during all the moments of suspense. I highly recommend Crossing's brand of informative wanderlust.<br><br>(My full review can be found on <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2011/12/crossing-heart-of-africa-by-julian.html">Glorified Love Letters.</a>)

Rated Doctor Who: Myths and Legends 6/10

This is a deeply nerdy book that I enjoyed, though I did not love. It fills in some of the blanks as to how certain stories came out, or the in-between times, explaining how the Doctor might be familiar with other planets/aliens based on the Time Lords' history. There are a lot of good callbacks, but if one is not as familiar with Classic Who, this isn't going to be the book for them. I got most references, but I felt like I was maybe missing a few things. The writing is just okay, and the myths/legends themselves are mostly interesting, but this isn't going to be a book for a casual fan.

Rated And the Ass Saw the Angel 2/10

Life is too short too completely finish a book you're hating, even if it is for book club. I'll stick to his songs, thanks.

Rated Doctor Who: A Town Called Fortune 6/10

<div>Love Evelyn, but this story was just ok.</div>

Wants to read Place of Mind

Rated The Twenty Days of Turin 6/10

I think I would have liked this more if I were more familiar with the time period/location (1970s Italy) to which this story alludes, and also if I'd read more of it while not drowsy. However! It's a good book with pleasantly unsettling elements, and plenty of other people should get more out of it than I did.

Rated Doctor Who: The Stones of Venice 6/10

The first half was much more interesting than the second. The second more or less spelled out the ending, but there were still 15-20 minutes to get through. Good story, but not outstanding.

Rated Silver Nitrate 8/10

<div>This was really good. Spooky old cinema magic? Yes, please.</div>

Rated They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us 10/10

<div>The day I'm not 5 starring Hanif Abdurraqib, I've probably perished. Anyway, this book, like every single other thing of his I've read, is great. I listened to the audiobook of the newer edition, read by the author, which I recommend.<br><br>I will say that, although I tend to be interested in anything he wants to write about because of the way he writes about it, hearing him talk about the recording of Rumours was a particular treat.</div>

Rated Doctor Who: The Light at the End 10/10

So much fun - the story, the music, all of it.

Rated The Masque of the Red Death 10/10

Rated The Shutouts 8/10

<div>I got this book from Netgalley, not realizing it is set in the same world as an already existing book that I have not read (<em>Yours For The Taking</em>). Luckily, I don't think it is vital to have already read it to enjoy <em>The Shutouts</em>.<br><br>All of the characters here are interesting, even when they are making decisions that literally had me saying YIKES aloud. Set in the near-ish future, when all our climate change problems have somewhat passed the point of no return, each of these people are just trying to survive the best way that they can. The environmental concerns are very realistic, and I hope it makes readers give our potential impending disasters some thought. Even if we can mitigate damage, even if our future doesn't shake out exactly like this, it's going to be difficult nonetheless.</div><div><br></div>

Rated God Hates Astronauts, Vol. 1: The Head That Wouldn't Die! 4/10

This was not really for me, and is probably more for a person who gets more of the in-jokes of the comics, but there were still some funny parts. The sound effects were hilarious, and the art was certainly interesting... albeit definitely gross at times! (that's kind of the point though... Again, wasn't for me, but I see what they were doing.) Also, a fighting bear army? That's also funny. It's every plot that's gone off the rails, questionable decisions galore, and a feeling of "WTF did I just read?" at the end. You may like it better than I did.

Rated Fante: A Family's Legacy of Writing, Drinking and Surviving 8/10

This is a good, entertaining book. I reread many chapters, and I find the included family photos interesting. Now, would his siblings have a different version of events or say he is glossing over some of his own issues? Maybe, but what he presented was compelling. Repeatedly I've said that I like knowing the life stories of people. I like knowing what shaped their character, and <i>Fante</i> is a 2-for-1 deal. Well played, Dan.<br><br>(My full review can be found on <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2012/04/fante-by-dan-fante.html">Glorified Love Letters.</a>)

Wants to read Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City

Rated The Man Who Fell to Earth 9/10

<div>I was surprised by how much I loved this. I have a free month of Audible, so I listened to the audiobook that was available without having to use a credit mostly because I'd seen both the movie and the TV show, and I thought, "Well, why not complete it?" But this mostly holds up as both a product of its time and as a story that's still relevant today (alas), all while remaining innovative and interesting.</div>