When a Goat Talks You Should Listen
Kill the Farm Boy (The Tales of Pell #1) by Delilah S. Dawson & Kevin Hearne
There is something about a talking goat in a fantasy novel that sets the stage for shenanigans. But Shenanigans are just one of the reasons I adore Kill the Farm Boy by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne. Also, I’m reasonably sure these two were a part of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, and they got kicked unceremoniously.
Dinosaurs are Corporate Greed’s Lovechild
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
WARNING: Book contains graphic imagery of violent dinosaurs attacks.
Nothing fascinates a five year old quite like dinosaurs and no franchise in history has cornered the market on these bird/reptile beings quite like Jurassic Park . I’m sure there are very few people in the world today who haven’t seen Spielberg’s 1993 movie masterpiece Jurassic Park. When I was a kid that theme song was fire (honestly it still is). I’m normally not one who would watch a film before reading the book. However Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton did come out when I was attending kindergarten, so I’m going to cut myself some slack.
Bees, You Don’t Know Earth’s Crazy Pollinators
The Bees by Laline Paull
I used to think I knew what bees were about. Little buzzy insects whose life purpose is to gather pollen, make honey, and protect their queen who keeps pumping out replacement bees. While all of this is true, I had no idea the socio-implications that brew under the surface of every bee hive. The Bees by Laline Paull does a fantastic job of bringing you into the world of bees and for the first time you see just what the world is actually like for them.
A Smart Re-imagined Fairytale
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
My previous encounter with a retelling of a fairytale left me feeling as though molten anger was seeping from every pore. I honestly thought it would be a while before I trusted myself to try another. Thankfully, I listen to The Overdue Podcast and they were able to convince me that Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik was not only a great retelling but just a great story overall. Because of this it was one of my first selections for my BoTM subscription.
When The Third Policeman Tells You About a Bicycle
The Third Policeman: A Novel by Flann O’Brien
There are books that exist to confuse and bemuse and I find it a treat whenever I encounter just such a book. The Third Policeman by Flann O’Brien was not at all what I had expected and I mean that in a good way…I think.
One Man’s Path to Enlightenment Is Actually Drug Haze
The Sun Temple by B.F. Spath
***A huge thank you goes directly to the Author, B.F. Spath, who entrusted me with a copy of his novel in exchange for an honest review***
As a high school emo kid I remember wanting to prove that I understood deep meaningful literature. I too wanted to go on a journey of enlightenment through the pages of books. Others might have a hard time understanding, but I wouldn’t. I would “get it.” My first and only deep dive into this was when I attempted to read Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs. I made it five pages before I realized, “hmmm, I really don’t get this.” Then I proceeded to put it on my bookshelf and have not touched it for years. I feel like B.F. Spath‘s The Sun Temple is in the same vein, but the difference here is I actually read a bit further.
The Sandman My Old Friend, Darkness Comes Again
The Sandman Vol 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman, Illustrated by Sam Keith & Mike Dringenberg
There is an endless love in my soul for Neil Gaiman. He is everything I would love to be as a writer. Even still, I have never once picked up a copy of The Sandman – until now. Though I’ll admit picking up a graphic novel is covered in the shadow of bad graphic novels of the past. What I love about Gaiman is his ability to make a dark story seem light. There is always an element of darkness, but never fear and I appreciate that this is a feeling unique to his stories. Vol 1 of The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes did not differ from this.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
As a book reader there are times that I wish the world I was reading was the world I was living in. The vast differences in characters, ambitions, dreams, abilities, and above all magic that they have makes the real world seem dull in comparison. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is one of those books.
My Best Friend’s Sister by Eden Burgess
***Thank you to BookSprout for an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
WARNING: Book is an Erotica, LGBTQ Romance. This is more for those who just don’t want to read about sex in general. It’s Erotica folks, so things are going to get freaky!
Seriously though, I’m not about to defend the fact that I went out of my way to request this book from BookSprout. Aside from wanting to expose myself to more LGBTQ stories, I also wanted to dip my toes into something a little risque so as to maybe influence my own writing. No, I am not writing an erotica, but it never hurts to look at love scenes from these novels. Though most read as a cheesy porno, it can be helpful. This is what I was going for and I’ll admit that My Best Friend’s Sister by Eden Burgess didn’t disappoint.
If You Feel Too Much: Thoughts on Things Found and Lost and Hoped For by Jamie Tworkowski
It’s hard to claim this book as anything but intense, but I think that is it’s intention. It is meant to make you think and more importantly it wants you to feel – something, which I think in my case it succeeded on that front.
For those who aren’t aware Jamie Tworkowski is the writer most well known for his story To Write Love on Her Arms, which gave way for a non-profit organization of the same name. It’s message is simple, yet profound. We are here, Hope is real, Help is real, Your Story is important. They help with the difficulties of depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. And If You Feel Too Much is Tworkowski’s fist full length book.
