Thud! by Terry Pratchett
Read as part of my reread of the Watch subseries. The Sam Vines books only get better as they go along. This time Sam prevents a war between dwarves and trolls and it is so so satifying.
Infinite Archive, by Mur Lafferty
This series is so much fun. Even on a space station surrounded only by aliens, humans find a way to get murdered when Mallory is near. This time a data ship is bringing all of the internet (physically embodied) and a mystery convention to Station Eternity. Usual cast of out-of-control characters and an endless room that has physically recreated all cat videos, this is a bonkers mystery. This series is as if Douglas Adams and Agatha Christie wrote books together.
Murder at Gull's Nest, by Jess Kidd
The start of a new mystery series where a recently retired nun goes to live in a seaside town to find out what happened to a friend. I really like Jess Kidd’s writing and Nora, the nun, has the savviness of someone who has spent many years observing, even if she doesn’t have the street smarts. I’m looking forward to the series.
Sleeping Giants, by Sylvain Neuvel
This was my choice for book club. We gave it a 3/5. It was interesting and had an unusual narrative. It was entirely written in interview transcripts, email, and letters. A giant robot hand is found in Idaho, then a scientist figures out there are more parts of the body placed all around the world. The story follows the pilots who will operate the robot when it’s completed, the scientist in charge of the program, and the unnamed secret operative who is doing the interviews.
Natsume’s Book of Friends, vol 30-31
I was behind on this manga that I’ve been reading for close to 15 years now. Still a treasure to catch up with these friends.
Sylvester, or The Wicked Uncle, by Georgette Heyer
Another reread (and first time listen). I love this book so much. I think it must be a tie between this and Cotilion for my favorite of her books.
What Stalks the Deep, T. Kingfisher
The third book in the Sworn Soldier series. This time MC Alex goes to America to visit their old friend Dr. Denton (from the first book). Denton’s cousin is missing and was last seen exploring a cave system in West Virginia. Alex really dislikes caves, especially when something imitating a human begins to stalk their party. Always fun to read a Kingfisher book.
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, by R. A. Dick
A young widow rents a cottage by the sea for her family. There, already, is the ghost of the sea captain who built the house and died in it. They become friends and he helps guide her as she learns how to do things on her own. Many years later, when she needs money, the captain dictates his memoirs to her and she publishes it as her own work. This book is absolutely charming. Just an easy, entertaining read all the way through.
32 Days in May, by Betty Corrello
Romance about a woman who is relearning to live after a diagnosis of Lupus and the down-on-his-luck TV star who needs a second chance. After being set up on a blind date, the two decide to date-for-fun, with no strings attached, for the month of May. Nadia is a relatable character with my kind of snark. Enjoyed it.
Platform Decay, Martha Wells
I got to read the DRC of the next Murderbot book! [Dancing in my chair] (Full disclosure: I’ve read it twice already.) Loved it, of course, the more SecUnit the better. Some fans aren’t really a fan of the last book and I think won’t like this one as much, but that’s on them. I will probably be reading it again before too long.
The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society, by C.M. Waggoner
If Jessica Fletcher were a librarian and the body count per capita was even higher. It was cute and a cozy read.
Aurora Blazing, by Jessie Mihalik
I wasn’t going to count this one as I’ve read it 3 or 4 times, but then I checked and I haven’t read it in four years, so I guess it has been long enough. I don’t know why this book checks so many boxes for me. I guess I just really need books about a space princess who kicks butt with lots of romance.
Chaos Reigning, by Jessie Mihalik
Well, I relistened to the second book in the series then realized I needed to listen to them all. This is the third one. More space princesses kicking butt. Less romance in this one, but definitely there.
Read as part of my reread of the Watch subseries. The Sam Vines books only get better as they go along. This time Sam prevents a war between dwarves and trolls and it is so so satifying.
Infinite Archive, by Mur Lafferty
This series is so much fun. Even on a space station surrounded only by aliens, humans find a way to get murdered when Mallory is near. This time a data ship is bringing all of the internet (physically embodied) and a mystery convention to Station Eternity. Usual cast of out-of-control characters and an endless room that has physically recreated all cat videos, this is a bonkers mystery. This series is as if Douglas Adams and Agatha Christie wrote books together.
Murder at Gull's Nest, by Jess Kidd
The start of a new mystery series where a recently retired nun goes to live in a seaside town to find out what happened to a friend. I really like Jess Kidd’s writing and Nora, the nun, has the savviness of someone who has spent many years observing, even if she doesn’t have the street smarts. I’m looking forward to the series.
Sleeping Giants, by Sylvain Neuvel
This was my choice for book club. We gave it a 3/5. It was interesting and had an unusual narrative. It was entirely written in interview transcripts, email, and letters. A giant robot hand is found in Idaho, then a scientist figures out there are more parts of the body placed all around the world. The story follows the pilots who will operate the robot when it’s completed, the scientist in charge of the program, and the unnamed secret operative who is doing the interviews.
Natsume’s Book of Friends, vol 30-31
I was behind on this manga that I’ve been reading for close to 15 years now. Still a treasure to catch up with these friends.
Sylvester, or The Wicked Uncle, by Georgette Heyer
Another reread (and first time listen). I love this book so much. I think it must be a tie between this and Cotilion for my favorite of her books.
What Stalks the Deep, T. Kingfisher
The third book in the Sworn Soldier series. This time MC Alex goes to America to visit their old friend Dr. Denton (from the first book). Denton’s cousin is missing and was last seen exploring a cave system in West Virginia. Alex really dislikes caves, especially when something imitating a human begins to stalk their party. Always fun to read a Kingfisher book.
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, by R. A. Dick
A young widow rents a cottage by the sea for her family. There, already, is the ghost of the sea captain who built the house and died in it. They become friends and he helps guide her as she learns how to do things on her own. Many years later, when she needs money, the captain dictates his memoirs to her and she publishes it as her own work. This book is absolutely charming. Just an easy, entertaining read all the way through.
32 Days in May, by Betty Corrello
Romance about a woman who is relearning to live after a diagnosis of Lupus and the down-on-his-luck TV star who needs a second chance. After being set up on a blind date, the two decide to date-for-fun, with no strings attached, for the month of May. Nadia is a relatable character with my kind of snark. Enjoyed it.
Platform Decay, Martha Wells
I got to read the DRC of the next Murderbot book! [Dancing in my chair] (Full disclosure: I’ve read it twice already.) Loved it, of course, the more SecUnit the better. Some fans aren’t really a fan of the last book and I think won’t like this one as much, but that’s on them. I will probably be reading it again before too long.
The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society, by C.M. Waggoner
If Jessica Fletcher were a librarian and the body count per capita was even higher. It was cute and a cozy read.
Aurora Blazing, by Jessie Mihalik
I wasn’t going to count this one as I’ve read it 3 or 4 times, but then I checked and I haven’t read it in four years, so I guess it has been long enough. I don’t know why this book checks so many boxes for me. I guess I just really need books about a space princess who kicks butt with lots of romance.
Chaos Reigning, by Jessie Mihalik
Well, I relistened to the second book in the series then realized I needed to listen to them all. This is the third one. More space princesses kicking butt. Less romance in this one, but definitely there.
