by Sophie Since the inception of the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize in 2022 I’ve been reading along with the whole shortlist each year. I’ve written about the books here on the blog for the 2023 and the 2024 prize, and here – FINALLY – is my report on the books nominated [...]
Becoming Janice by Ragini Werner Fine lesbian fiction set in London and Amsterdam Becoming Janice is relatable lesbian fiction, a captivating coming-of-age story that follows Janice in her search for love and personal growth in London and Amsterdam. The story begins with Janice, newly arrived in London from Auckland, seeking [...]
by Iris A few years ago, I fell completely in love with novellas. I’d read a couple before, but I guess not enough to fully appreciate the form. Or maybe it was just a timing issue? But at some point during the Covid years I started absolutely inhaling novellas and I've [...]
Radiant Star by Ann Leckie Space opera's sharpest mind returns to the world of the Imperial Radch in this brilliant standalone from award-winning author Ann Leckie. The Temporal Location of the Radiant Star has always been a source of both conflict and hope for the people of Ooioiaa. However, the [...]
The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin In Manhattan, a young grad student gets off the train and realizes he doesn't remember who he is, where he's from, or even his own name. But he can sense the beating heart of the city, see its history, and feel its power. [...]
Pot Shot by Laura Piper Lee Nomi Wyeth, former valedictorian and current pothead, has her heart set on opening her own boutique cannabis dispensary in charming downtown Sparrow Nook, New Jersey. Cannabis changed Nomi’s life, giving her relief from Crohn’s disease when nothing else could, and it’s her dream to [...]
by Naomi I love me a good, long-running historical mystery series with a romantic subplot, and I wanted to highlight one of my favorites: the Veronica Speedwell Mystery series, by Deanna Raybourn. (Some honorable mentions are the Below Stairs [...]
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Thrown in prison for a crime he has not committed Edmond Dantes spends fourteen bitter years imprisoned in grim fortress of If. There he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on Isle of Monte Cristo and becomes determined not only [...]
Dutch Treats: Crime Fiction from Dutch and Flemish Authors edited by Josh Pachter In Dutch Treats, Josh Pachter collects 21 of his favorite translations by a who's who of contemporary Dutch-language crime writers, including such luminaries as René Appel, Michael Berg, Dominique Biebau, Bram Dehouck, Loes den Hollander, Bavo Dhooge, [...]
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground. The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the dungeon: an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. Only a few [...]
