Only seven books this month :/ I just didn't have the right mindset to chill out and read. Hopefully, this month will be better.

Benighted, by J.B. Priestley
Apparently, Priestley was a hugely popular author in the early/mid 20th century, so I wanted to read his stuff. I have seen the 1930s version of this book, and it follows it very closely. Several people show up at a remote, crumbling estate in Wales after the roads are washed. The manor house is filled with unfriendly, freaky people, and they keep a terrible secret. Not everyone will last through the night. This story was more psychological than thriller or horror. Very good, but a bit too much internal dialogue.

Together We Will Go, by J. Michael Straczvynski
This book. I’m not sure how much I liked it, but it left me thinking. Failed young writer, Mark, decides it’s time to end his life, but he wants to go out with a bang. He buys a bus, puts an ad on the internet advertising a cross country trip that will end with the bus going off a cliff. He gets a lot of takers—some chronically ill, some who are just done with life. His only request is that they keep a digital journal of the trip. Told through the journal entries, the reader gets to know these sad people and really feels for them. It is surprisingly funny in places and quite moving in others. I would recommend it, mostly because it is so unusual.
 
The Drowning Kind, by Jen McMahon
I’d been vacillating between listening/reading this one or not. It sounded like it could be an interesting horror-ish book. Finally, I took the plunge (drowning humor?). It was alright? There were two stories being told—one from the POV of Jax, a woman who returns to her childhood home after her sister dies, and from the POV of Ethel, Jax’s great-grandmother. Both stories surround their remote house in Vermont and the spring-fed pool that may have healing and deathly powers. Ostensibly about grief, it was just too long. When the twisty ending happened, I didn’t really care, I was ready for it to be done.
 
The Book of Living Secrets, by Madeline Roux
A very fun young adult horror with one of the best covers ever. Connie and Adelle have been obsessed with a romance book, called Moira, since forever. When the strange owner of their favorite macabre store offers to send them into the book to live it, they take the chance. The book takes place in late-Victorian Boston and is full of fashion and intrigue. The world they land in is very different. Something dire has happened to change the story. To get out they have to figure out what happened. I really enjoyed this one. It’s romance that morphs into eldritch horror.
 
The Last Chance Library, by Freya Sampson
This was a nice palate cleanser after some fairly heavy stories. June is a quiet librarian in her small village’s library. When the library is threatened with closure, she and the locals work together to keep the library. Lovely characters, a subtle romance, book lovers, and a main character emerging strong from her cocoon. What’s not to love?
 
Willodeen, by Katherine Applegate
Applegate is a beloved children’s author, but I have never read any of her books before. This was a good story, a bit saccharine, but filled with imagination and world-building. Willodeen loves the wilderness that surrounds her town and is a natural observer of the fauna that lives there. When a miracle happens and a toy turns into a real baby animal, called a screecher, Willodeen has to protect it.
 
All About Love, by bell hooks
Nonfiction this time. In this book, hooks delves into the layers and meaning of love from a wide spectrum of view points. Love is probably the most important thing humans need to thrive, so why is it so hard to find? From childhood to friendships to romantic relationships, hooks examines the different types of love and suggests ways in which we can find our way to it. The writing was a bit academic-dry, but her ideas were fascinating. Definitely worth a read. 

If the Shoe Fits, by Julie Murphy
Julie Murphy’s first adult book, a romance, was a very fun read. A retelling of Disney’s Cinderella, it stars a plus-size fashionista, Cindy, who goes on a The Bachelor-type show to help jump start her design career. After a chance meeting with the bachelor, Henry, on an airplane, she feels a real connection to him. Will she have a chance for love or a career in designing shoes? I’ve loved Murphy’s YA novels, and this felt like more of the same—in the best way possible.
 
Sylvester, by Georgette Heyer
Reread, of course. Best retelling of Pride and Prejudice ever.
 
Creepy Cat, by Cotton Valent
A graphic novel told in comic strips, this is a silly, funny book with gothic elements and a very strange cat. It looks a lot like Japanese manga, but is by a Thai illustrator and writer. Recommend for when you need something light and entertaining.
 
Eat Your Heart Out, by Kelly Devos
YA book about teenage fat camps and zombies. Need I say more? I really wish the cover wasn’t pink, because this is as much a boy book as a girl book (and we all know a teenage boy is not likely to pick up a bright pink book, unfortunately). Told from six POVs, we follow some teens and their counselor to a fat camp in Northern Arizona during the Christmas break. When strange murders start to happen, the campers have to figure out what’s going on and how to save themselves. Super entertaining and not terribly scary.
 
Sanity & Tallulah Shortcuts, by Molly Brooks
Third book in this space-set series of graphic novels. The brilliant Sanity and her best friend the spacy Tallulah are doing a mail delivery run to the edges of their corner of outer space when they are, for once, at the right place at the right time to save the people of a damaged space station. That sounds so serious, and this series is not. There is a lot of serious action, and the antics of these best friends make the story shine with mischief. Love this series.
 
Smile and Look Pretty, by Amanda Pelligrino
Four friends working as personal assistants in Manhattan decide they’ve had enough and start a website to tell their stories. When one of the women’s bosses is exposed in a #metoo moment, the ladies work together to bring him down. I really enjoyed the friendship between these women. There were some really upsetting things that happen to them, and arguments between the group, but the story was conveyed with a great balance of humor and seriousness. Recommend.
 
The Lake of the Dead, by Andre Bjerke
This book is one of the most popular Norwegian mysteries. Originally published in the 1940s, it has finally been translated and published in English. At the news of the death of a friend, five people go to the remote cabin where he supposedly died. They are looking for a reason why he may have killed himself, which may involve a curse on the cabin itself. The atmosphere of this book is positively gothic, which was great. The mystery was very much of its time—over-described everything—and relied too much on Freudian psychology. It was a quick read, and I did enjoy the descriptions of the remote wilderness.
 
In a Dark, Dark Wood, by Ruth Ware
Because The Lake of the Dead wasn’t that scary, I wanted something freakier. Both that one and this book I think are considered psychological thrillers, Ware has an uncanny ability to make her very realistic mysteries feel as if they are supernatural. When Nora is invited to her high school best friend’s bachelorette party, a person she hasn’t had contact with in ten years, she reluctantly agrees to go. Held in a remote house in the deep country, the attendees of the party are cut off from everything. Tensions run deep between some very disparate people and by the second night nobody wants to be there. Then someone is murdered. Yup, really good.
 
Akata Woman, by Nnedi Okorafor
Third and last installment in Okorafor’s Nsibidi Scripts series. A gorgeous book about Nigerian magic, magical places, and magical people. Sunny and Chichi have to take personal responsibility for a crime committed against Udide, the spider god, and find the stolen item in another realm. At the same time, Sunny’s relationship with her normal family is unravelling as they can’t know what she is. A very powerful conclusion to Sunny’s story.
 
Getting Clean with Stevie Green, by Swan Huntley
Stevie has spent the last twenty years, since an incident during her senior year of high school, running away. When she lands back in her hometown of La Jolla, California, she decides to set down roots by starting an organizing business. Her mom talks her into bringing on her ne’er-do-well sister to help her out. This book is all right. My biggest problem is that Stevie and her family are wealthy, so that all that suffering that Stevie did over twenty years was done in luxury with no worries about paying rent. Yes, rich people have problems, but no, I don’t want to read about them. It was short enough that I just flew through it.
 
Clown in a Cornfield, by Adam Cesare
YA horror! This story is a slasher film in book form. Bloody, but fun, and with way more than one clown, it will scare your socks off in the best way possible.
 
Maisy Chen’s Last Chance, by Lisa Yee
I’ve liked Lisa Yee’s other books (and the author herself is very nice) and almost didn’t read this one past the first couple of chapters because I couldn’t tell where it was going. I am so glad I kept reading. Big city girl, Maisy, is thrown into small town Minnesota when her grandfather gets sick. The odd one out at the beginning, she soon finds her place in the town, at her grandparents’ storied restaurant, and as a friend to her grandfather. There is poker, Chinese food, custom-made fortune cookies, this history of Maisie’s family in America, paper sons, historical research, a reunion of friends, and a giant carved wood bear. The story came together in such unique and astonishing ways. I highly recommend this one.
 
Silver in the Wood, by Emily Tesh
A novella about the Green Man or Wild Man myth in English folklore. Tobias has lived in the wood, under the magnificent oak tree for over four hundred years. One day, a newcomer finds his cabin and a friendship begins. When his friend, Henry Silver, becomes victim to an annual curse, Tobias has to upend his world to save him. Good story, not great. Interesting take on the Green Man myth. 

The Maid, by Nita Prose
Interesting mystery with a neurodivergent narrator/heroine. Molly is a 25-year-old maid at a fancy hotel. She loves her job and takes pride in doing it precisely. At a loss since her Gran died a few months before, she puts her faith in people who are nice to her, but not the nicest people. When she finds a wealthy businessman dead in his bed, her life is turned upside down as she becomes the primary suspect. This was a fun mystery, not the greatest, but a good read.
 
Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life, by Lulu Miller
This was a runaway bestseller and I very much understand why. Ostensibly an examination of taxonomist David Starr Jordan, who was also the first president of Stanford University, it is also an examination of what gives life meaning in its undeniable chaos. This is an outstanding book that I tore through. (Nonfiction generally takes me ages to read.) I can’t recommend this book enough. I will definitely be rereading it too.
 
Artificial Condition, by Martha Wells
Reread, of course. Murderbot forever!
 
Hunt the Stars, by Jessie Mihalik
The human/volaff war is over, but for ex-soldier Tavi and her crew, it’s not that far off. When she accepts a job from notorious volaff general, Torran, to find a stolen item in enemy territory, she plans to get the job done and move on much richer. Except they find a plot that may lead to a renewed war. Not to mention that the heat between Tavi and Torran is too hard to ignore. I loved Mihalik’s Consortium Rebellion series and was about to reread that series when I came across this new title. Lots of fun. Looking forward to the next in this series.
 
The Ex Hex, by Erin Sterling
A fun, magical romance that I listened to. Vivian is a reluctant witch in Penhallow—a city founded for those with magic. After nine years, her first love, Rhys, returns to the town and the curse she laid on him by accident all those years ago activates. As the magic in the town goes crazy, Rhys and Vivian have to work together to break the curse. This was a genuinely fun read. Nothing heavy or untoward, just silly romance.
 
Akata Warrior, by Nnedi Okorafor
A reread in prep for the third and final book in Okorafor’s Nsibidi Scripts series. Sunny faces more advanced juju and more dangerous adventures in northern Nigeria. It’s hard to talk about this book because so much is going on. Its setting is so foreign to me that I feel like once I start trying to describe the story, I won’t know where to stop. That said, anything by Okorafor is worth reading and this series is at the top.
 
The Aquanaut, by Dan Santat
Newbery Award winning illustrator Santat’s first graphic novel since Sidekicks, which I loved. In this story, an oceanography ship goes down. The creatures at the bottom of the ocean create a land suit out of the wreckage in order to escape the dangers of the sea for Aqualand—a Sea World-like place that they believe is paradise. Sophia, whose father was lost on that ship and whose uncle runs Aqualand, finds the “aquanaut’ and befriends the creatures within. This is a surprisingly emotional story, even while the concept is silly in the best way possible.
 
Winterkeep, by Kristin Cashore
Another reread (lots of those last month). No one writes YA political fantasy thrillers like Cashore. Returning are beloved characters Bitterblue, her sister Hava, and Giddon from the Seven Kingdoms as they travel to newly discovered country, Winterkeep. In Winterkeep, we follow Lovisa, a teenager who is uniquely situated to investigate the mystery surrounding her disappeared uncle and a sunk ship. Always happy to return to the Graceling world.
 
The Kaiju Preservation Society, by John Scalzi
I think this is the first full-length Scalzi I’ve read. I found this book a quick, enjoyable read, but also a bit shallow. I’ve liked his short stories and commentary that I’ve read, but this was a little meh, though the premise is super fun. When Jamie, a gig worker in food delivery, gets the opportunity to join an organization that works in animal conservation for a huge amount of money, he takes it of course. When he finds out that the animals aren’t polar bears but gigantic monsters in a different dimension, he adapts with speed to the new world.

Natsume Book of Friends, vol. 23-26
Caught up on this long-running manga that I’ve been reading for 10+ years (!) It’s still delightful. If you haven’t heard of it and enjoy supernatural characters, this is a great manga. Plus Nyanko-sensei.
 
Yes & I Love You, by Roni Loren
This the first in Loren’s Say Everything series. I listened to the second one last year and really enjoyed it, so I thought I’d catch up. I also listened to this one. A lovely romance between a ne’er do well improv comedian and an insecure woman with Tourette’s. When writer, Hollyn, finds out that she needs to do videos in order to keep her job, she accepts help from improv genus, Jasper. They get together, trouble separates them, and then a big romantic gesture. You get the idea. Still a nice read. 
 
The Resting Place, by Camilla Sten
This is the second thriller by this Swedish author. I read The Lost Village last year and while I had some issue with the plotting, it stayed with me due to its eerie-ness. This was a much better plotted mystery, but didn’t quite have the same spookiness. Eleanor has face blindness so she can't recognize her grandmother’s murderer. Then she finds out she has inherited a rural estate, but when she, her boyfriend, her aunt, and a lawyer go visit it, they discover a dark mystery surrounding the house and her grandmother.
 
Kaibyō: The Supernatural Cats of Japan, by Zack Davisson
My brother gave me this book (among many!) for Christmas and I am shocked I didn’t know about it before. Absolutely in my wheelhouse. Chapter by chapter Davisson explains the role of cats in everyday Japanese life and their more sinister personalities as monsters. Filled with original Japanese art this book was fascinating. (Also, a reviewer said that Davisson is the new Lafcadio Hearn, so of course I was going to love it.)
 
The Christmas Bookshop, by Jenny Colgan
Due to shipping issues, we didn’t get this book in stock at my store until after Christmas. But I love Jenny Colgan’s other bookshop-oriented stories, so it didn’t matter what time of year I was reading it. Unambitious Carmen loses her job and her very ambitious sister finds her a job. There is a lot of resentment between the sisters, and the job is a lot more than she thought it would be, but Carmen finds a place for herself in the bookstore and friends in its customers. This is my favorite Colgan that I’ve read and it might go into rotation as a favorite Christmas read.
 
Tidesong, by Wendy Xu
Sophie is determined to get into magic academy, going so far as to try magic that is way beyond her. That causes trouble when she summons a young dragon from the sea who can’t remember who he is. Gorgeous art and interesting characters make this a fun, lovely read.
 
The Missing of Clairedelune, by Christelle Dabos
This is the second of the Mirror Visitor series. I loved the world-building of the first one and this one goes so much deeper into the world. Ophelia becomes a much stronger character and the danger is omnipresent and very real. My complaint is that both books are more than 500 pages and so much could have been cut out, large swaths are pretty dull. I did enjoy the first two books, but I’m going to take a pass on the final two. Good, but not worth that much investment. I have a lot of other books to read.
 
What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat, by Aubrey Gordon
My second nonfiction title of the month! Go me. I’ve been wanting to read this for a while. I’ve long been a fan of Gordon’s advocacy work and I love her podcast, Maintenance Phase. This book lays bare how bias and prejudice against overweight people causes harm, from early childhood through their whole lives. From loss of job opportunities and income to healthcare, to diet culture, and more. Insightful and kind of depressing, Gordon takes on the last acceptable form of bigotry—dunking on fat people. Absolutely eye and mind opening.
 
Elder Race, by Adrian Tchaikovsky
I’ve heard a lot of good things about this author and this book. It very much reminded me of some late sixties sci-fi that combines with fantasy. For Lynelle, fourth daughter, her moral code means she must use her sword to protect others. For Nyr, an anthropologist from a far future earth who has been stranded on Lynelle’s planet, is bound not to interfere in the subjects of his study, but he can’t help but try to help. It’s an interesting book, with alternating POVs between Lynelle and Nyr, but I feel like it’s ground that has been covered before.
 
A Psalm for the Wild Built, by Becky Chambers
A comfort reread. Just another science fiction cozy from Becky. I read this last summer, so I’ll refer you to that review.
 
The Cat Who Saved Books, by Sosuke Natsukawa
The grandfather of high school student, Rintaro, has just died, leaving the boy in charge of his old bookstore. Rintaro is pulling inside himself after his loss, but when a talking cat appears in the store requiring Rintaro’s help defeating three labyrinths, he follows him to a different world coming to terms with his loss and his place in the world
​. This was an odd, fairytale sort of book. Rintaro is a deeply read, true book lover and uses that to defeat his enemies. I’m not sure if I liked it or not.
 
Aria’s Travelling Book shop, by Rebecca Raisin
Of course I was going to buy this one when I came across it. Unfortunately, it was pretty awful. I really hate saying that about any book, but the characters had no dimension (widowed book nerd is not a personality). The love interest wasn’t even two dimensional. The plot was not really there either. I enjoyed the comradery of the travelers. Yeah.

The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu and Their Race to Save the World’s Most Precious Manuscripts, by Joshua Hammer
Another nonfiction! Yay me! Another book I was reading intermittently for months. This is a really interesting history of Timbuktu as a North African cultural center, of Abdel Kader Haidara’s efforts to collect ancient manuscripts from the desert, and the efforts he went to in 2011/2012 to keep the manuscripts from the invading Al Qaeda guerilla army. Tightly written and action-packed read about saving the books! Also, a really good description of Al Qaeda’s activity during that time.
 
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, by Barbara Robinson
I had a taped from TV movie version of this book that I watched a lot as a kid. I don’t think I read the book version, but I was in the mood. It’s a quick, delightful story about a church Christmas Pageant that seems to be going all wrong, until it goes beautifully right.
 
Hens Dancing, by Raffaella Barker
I had to hunt down this book after hearing about it in a Georgette Heyer facebook discussion. In diary format, a woman recounts a year as a newly single mom living on a rural homestead. From her disgust at her ex to her wacky mother to a blossoming romance with a local builder, Venetia (yes, named after the Heyer heroine) gives us the highs and lows in one of the lowest years of her life. A delight.
 
I Hope You’re Listening, by Tom Ryan
When Dee was seven, her best friend was kidnapped in front of her. Now 17, she’s still struggling with that trauma, running a successful podcast about other missing people. When another girl is kidnapped from her old home, new information about her friend’s kidnapping comes to light. This leads her to hunt down the people who might have taken her and to finally get the answers she has always been seeking. Really good YA mystery. I enjoyed the audio.
 
Big Little Lies, by Liane Moriarty
Unlike Stephen King, I get why Liane Moriarty is so popular. Her stories are seemingly straightforward, but stick with you for awhile afterwards. She writes people—their thoughts and underlying feelings—really well.
 
Merry Inkmas, by Talia Hibbert
A (guilty) pleasure. I do like Hibbert’s romances, even though they are a little too steamy for me. When Bailey loses her job because she’s kind to a homeless man. Cash steps in and hires her as the receptionist at his tattoo parlor. They had the hots for each other before they start to see each other every day and now the thermometer is maxing out.