Stoner by John Williams William Stoner is born at the end of the nineteenth century into a dirt-poor Missouri farming family. As years pass, Stoner encounters a succession of disappointments: his marriage estranges him from his parents; his career is stymied; his wife and daughter turn coldly away from him; [...]
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 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 to fill the void left by her first lesbian lover. When [...]
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 The Temporal Location of the Radiant Star has always been a source of both conflict and hope for the people of Ooioiaa. However, the imperial Radch see it only as an inconvenience, an antiquated religious site soon to be absorbed into their own, superior culture. [...]
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 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, Ingrid Oonincx, Christine [...]
