The Tatami Galaxy, by Tomihiko Morimi
A downhearted Kyoto college student blames all his troubles on meeting Ozu at a social club during his first week of school. Ozu, who seems to know everyone, is trouble incarnate and is the cause of the college student’s current troubles. This is the start to four different stories taking place, mostly, in the student’s 4 ½ tatami mat room. Reading the first part, I got a little bored as our protagonist is not sympathetic. However, once I realized what was happening in the second part, the book became a lot more fun. Each of the stories is actually an alternate universe. Not a great book, but the concept is fascinating and well executed.
The Anubis Gates, by Tim Powers
This was a reread (and my choice for book club) and I loved it all over again. This is one of the books that began and defined what Steampunk is now. Time travel, Egyptian magic, creepy clowns, a missing poet, and so much more. Read it.
Adachi and Shimamura, Vol. 1, by Hitoma Iruma and Moke Yuzuhara
Manga based on light novels, follows two misfit girls who find solace in skipping classes together and start to get feelings for one another. I’ve been looking for more slice of life manga and this definitely fit the bill, but was a little slow, even for my standards.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler, by Casey McQuiston
I like McQuiston’s adult romances, so wanted to give her YA a read. It’s really good, but definitely not my favorite of hers. It’s a bit over complicated and tries to do too much, but the characters were well-developed and compelling. After kissing three people, Shara Wheeler walks out of prom and disappears. Those three people—her boyfriend, her next door neighbor, and her class rival, Chloe—all receive notes ostensibly leading them to her. This leads to a lot of soul searching and realizations and a, mostly, happy ending.
Whose Body?, Clouds of Witness, Unnatural Death, The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, by Dorothy L. Sayers
I had read all the Harriet Vane books in the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, but none of the original stories, so I spent all my decorating, cleaning, gift wrapping, and present making in December listening to the first four. It’s a shame that Sayers isn’t as well remembered as Christie because her mysteries are intricate, but super plausible. And through the series, Lord Peter grows as a detective and as a character. Always time well spent reading these books.
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop, by Jenny Colgan
The second Christmas Bookshop book. I loved the first, so wondered where this one would take us since there was a happy ending to the first. The author threw some wrenches into the happy ending and made the MCs wait a year to really, really be together. Nice book, probably will reread when I need a cozy something.
Blackwater, by Jeannette Arroyo and Ren Graham
Queer graphic novel about teens in a remote Maine town dealing with the supernatural. Misfit Eli can see ghosts. Jock Tony has a run in with a werewolf. Together, they need to figure out what’s going on. Good story and characters, great art as both creators took turns illustrating chapters. The story felt a bit rushed, so I would have like to have seen a bit more of a slow burn.
Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This has been a bestselling nonfiction title since it came out more than a decade ago, and I see why. Kimmerer combines her indigenous heritage respect for nature with her education as a scientist, botanist, and ecologist. It’s quite a stunning book of essays, best imbibed in short reads so that you can really let the words and concepts really sink in. Highly recommend.
How to Sell a Haunted House, by Grady Hendrix
The haunting in this house is by puppets and dolls. It is massively freaky and terrifying, and I loved/hated it. The best possible reaction to good horror. The underlying story of grief denied and lack of communication between siblings is where the heart of the plot and is very well done.
A downhearted Kyoto college student blames all his troubles on meeting Ozu at a social club during his first week of school. Ozu, who seems to know everyone, is trouble incarnate and is the cause of the college student’s current troubles. This is the start to four different stories taking place, mostly, in the student’s 4 ½ tatami mat room. Reading the first part, I got a little bored as our protagonist is not sympathetic. However, once I realized what was happening in the second part, the book became a lot more fun. Each of the stories is actually an alternate universe. Not a great book, but the concept is fascinating and well executed.
The Anubis Gates, by Tim Powers
This was a reread (and my choice for book club) and I loved it all over again. This is one of the books that began and defined what Steampunk is now. Time travel, Egyptian magic, creepy clowns, a missing poet, and so much more. Read it.
Adachi and Shimamura, Vol. 1, by Hitoma Iruma and Moke Yuzuhara
Manga based on light novels, follows two misfit girls who find solace in skipping classes together and start to get feelings for one another. I’ve been looking for more slice of life manga and this definitely fit the bill, but was a little slow, even for my standards.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler, by Casey McQuiston
I like McQuiston’s adult romances, so wanted to give her YA a read. It’s really good, but definitely not my favorite of hers. It’s a bit over complicated and tries to do too much, but the characters were well-developed and compelling. After kissing three people, Shara Wheeler walks out of prom and disappears. Those three people—her boyfriend, her next door neighbor, and her class rival, Chloe—all receive notes ostensibly leading them to her. This leads to a lot of soul searching and realizations and a, mostly, happy ending.
Whose Body?, Clouds of Witness, Unnatural Death, The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club, by Dorothy L. Sayers
I had read all the Harriet Vane books in the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, but none of the original stories, so I spent all my decorating, cleaning, gift wrapping, and present making in December listening to the first four. It’s a shame that Sayers isn’t as well remembered as Christie because her mysteries are intricate, but super plausible. And through the series, Lord Peter grows as a detective and as a character. Always time well spent reading these books.
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop, by Jenny Colgan
The second Christmas Bookshop book. I loved the first, so wondered where this one would take us since there was a happy ending to the first. The author threw some wrenches into the happy ending and made the MCs wait a year to really, really be together. Nice book, probably will reread when I need a cozy something.
Blackwater, by Jeannette Arroyo and Ren Graham
Queer graphic novel about teens in a remote Maine town dealing with the supernatural. Misfit Eli can see ghosts. Jock Tony has a run in with a werewolf. Together, they need to figure out what’s going on. Good story and characters, great art as both creators took turns illustrating chapters. The story felt a bit rushed, so I would have like to have seen a bit more of a slow burn.
Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer
This has been a bestselling nonfiction title since it came out more than a decade ago, and I see why. Kimmerer combines her indigenous heritage respect for nature with her education as a scientist, botanist, and ecologist. It’s quite a stunning book of essays, best imbibed in short reads so that you can really let the words and concepts really sink in. Highly recommend.
How to Sell a Haunted House, by Grady Hendrix
The haunting in this house is by puppets and dolls. It is massively freaky and terrifying, and I loved/hated it. The best possible reaction to good horror. The underlying story of grief denied and lack of communication between siblings is where the heart of the plot and is very well done.
