Rated Tiamat's Wrath 10/10
<div>Definitely one of those books where you say, "Just one more chapter," and before you know it, you've read over 200 pages in one day. Really looking forward to the ninth book, even it is the last.</div>
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Rated To Show and to Tell: The Craft of Literary Nonfiction 8/10
I didn't always agree with Lopate (his attitude towards James Baldwin is a bit dismissive, for instance), but this book gave me a lot to think about. Worth a read if you're interested in creative nonfiction, but perhaps not at full cover price.
Wants to read 1Q84 Book One and Book Two [Hardcover] Murakami, Haruki
Edited 48d ago
I would not say that I'm a rodeo fan, but I do live in a place where it happens, so I am loosely aware of what it entails. That said, a good writer (or writers, in this case) can make any subject compelling, and that's what Wolman and Smith have done here. I didn't know anything about Hawaiian paniolos/cowboys, and it was interesting to read about how they are different from their continental counterparts, plus the related history of the islands that created the job. The book is also a fair bit about Wyoming and their Frontier Days festival, where the paniolos would eventually compete, and I appreciated that the authors did not gloss over the difficult history of the displaced native tribes.
Edited 48d ago
Rated Animals of the Ocean, in Particular the Giant Squid 8/10
Watch out for the terrible beak just waiting to rip you apart.
Rated ATA Girl 8/10
<div>This was really great. I listened to the first story a few years ago when it was available for free, but I only just now got around to buying the rest and listening, and I'm really glad I did. Based on the real stories of the Air Transport Auxiliary during WWII, all the stories about these women pilots who are trying to navigate expectations about their lives during and what will come after the war. My only issue was that sometimes I had a hard time keeping some of the different voices straight, but that could've been on me. </div>
Rated Authentically Mexican: A Family History in Six Dishes 10/10
Loved this. What a great set of personal food stories to finish out 2020 with.
Rated Before the Poison 6/10
This is not one of those mysteries that one reads to feel a sense of satisfaction at sussing out the puzzle before the narrator does. For the most part, I was just as back-and-forth about Grace Fox's guilt as Chris is, but without the side of grief.<br><br>Though I enjoyed <i>Before The Poison</i> quite a lot, I wouldn't say that it made me super-excited to immediately seek out Peter Robinson's other work. I know he has a long-running mysteries series called <i>Inspector Banks</i>, and maybe at some point I will look into it. However, this was a good jaunt into the mystery genre territory, and those looking to do the same will also likely find this book to be a good read.<br><br>(My full review appears on <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2013/03/before-poison-by-peter-robinson.html">Glorified Love Letters</a>.)
Rated ATA Girl 2 10/10
<div>Maybe it's because this set has only has 2 instead of 4 stories — or maybe because I was better acquainted with some of the characters, having just listened to the first set — but everyone was much easier to differentiate this time around. Loose ends from the previous installment are wrapped up, the story content remains strong, and I enjoyed listening a lot.</div><div><br></div>
Rated Barnyard Battle 7/10
<div>Read this (possibly a reread?) for a "Childhood Fav" category in a reading challenge I've been doing this year. I read every Sweet Valley book I could get my hands on in elementary school, and these characters still felt quite familiar 30+ years later. Lila sucks as a friend! The boys have early 90s misogynistic ideas! Jessica is a bit of a brat! I had also completely forgotten they have an older brother.<br><br>Read it all in about 90 minutes. Not a terrible way to spend an evening. </div>
Rated BASQUIAT, A QUICK KILLING IN ART, BY PHOEBE HOBAN 6/10
While I enjoyed some of the art gossip and New York history, this book too often describes Basquiat as an exotic, wild 'other.' Some quotes about him are straight up racist, and the book does little to analyze that. <br><br>Overall, just ok.
Rated Bernice Summerfield: The Story So Far, Vol. 1 10/10
<div>An excellent anniversary release for Bernice Summerfield. Funny, lots going on, her younger self turns up, all sorts. Recommend if you're a fan of her stories.</div>
Rated Bernice Summerfield: Treasury 8/10
<div>A solid collection of Benny short stories. Figures that Stephen Moffat's is another "boy has mysterious lady in his life" (AND there's a character named Irene!), but the man knows what he likes writing, I guess!!</div>
Rated By Nightfall 8/10
<i>By Nightfall</i> poses questions about success, how we define love and beauty, and what our basest instincts say about us when we are in peril. Michael Cunningham is an exceedingly good writer, more than deserving of the accolades he’s received over the years. I love any book that makes me identify and sympathize with a character through his/her bad decisions and confusion, since when we are truly honest with ourselves, we know we are capable of the very same things.<br><br>(Full review appears on <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2011/02/by-nightfall-by-michael-cunningham.html">Glorified Love Letters</a>.)