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books read: 2023 july-sep
The reading continued over the summer. Some reviews/reflections, which took enough energy that I have none remaining for life updates. There's been ups and downs but overall September/one week of October have been fine, holding steady, until this last lovely weekend of (finally) fall weather. Enjoying it, and Formula 1, amid everything else.
Off to the library!
- Year of the Tiger: An Activist's Life by Alice Wong - Alice Wong is an Asian American disability activist, and I'd seen and heard some of her work around before but this was obviously more focused and in depth, given that it is a memoir. Or, kind of, as it is also scribbles and a collection of essays and thoughts that don't necessarily represent a linear reflection of her life. Good reading for me to absorb, reflect, learn, on where it intersects with my own activism and world views and where it pushes me to expand my understanding.
- Diamond Ring by KD Casey - (Unwritten Rules #3) Read book 2 without reading book 1, and book 3 was fairly disconnected as well. Exes getting back together is something I really like when done well, depending on why they split and what drew them back together. Good writing, fairly emotionally compelling, great Jewish rep! (Oh, this is m/m baseball, btw.)
- The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic by F. T. Lukens - A YA novel in that it focuses on a high school senior, but compelling and fast-paced and fun. Both a story about the main character coming to terms with being gay and not feeling ready to come out, as well as a story about accidentally caught up in magical shenanigans. Fun hijinks and relationship development (with friends, found family, a crush) ensue. Stays fairly lighthearted throughout.
- Dead in the Water by Carola Dunn - (Daisy Dalrymple #6) The victim truly was unlikeable, yet probably still doesn't deserve to be murdered. I like all Daisy Dalrymple stories but this one was really about rich boating boys that I didn't care as much for, unfortunately. Daisy remains a delight.
- Mr Kato Plays Family by Milena Michiko Flasar - Translated from Japanese, apparently I just really vibe with the contemporary Japanese literary tales about being lonely and seeking connection. This had that touch of surrealism that seems common: The premise (a company rents out actors to pretend to be a family member for clients) reminds of the whimsical jobs highlighted in There's No Such Thing As An Easy Job, which I adored, but framed more from the POV a recent retiree. I remember enjoying it in the moment but since then the story (its nuances, the writing itself, even the emotion it drew out of me) seems to have faded. I guess it didn't quite land.
- Witch King by Martha Wells - Went to the author talk and book signing at a local bookstore for this! Martha Wells was clearly inspired by MDZS and cultivation for this book, lol. With my absolute lack of knowledge or interest in that cnovel and its various adaptations, I still largely enjoyed this book! I do think the past timeline narrative was stronger, though I enjoyed both it and the current timeline stories. It was fun and I liked the characters and their relationships, but we didn't really get enough time to feel the world come to life. On the whole, I will confess to enjoying the Murderbot series more.
- A Lady's Guide to Scandal by Sophie Irwin - Delightful, both this and her first book. The only author who has so far delivered me the frothy comedic romantic romp through Regency that weaves in contemporary sensibilities without making them feel shoehorned in or like a lecture. Lovely characters who are both likeable and irritating, whom you actually see grow/develop on screen. I didn't love the love triangle (I never do) but I thought both were given fair shakes for the reader to understand why Eliza, the heroine, would be interested in both -- with the eventual 'winner' being a reflection of the growth seen over the story.
- Burn It Down: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood by Maureen Ryan - From a longtime entertainment writer in Hollywood, evidently, this was a very engaging and oftentimes depressing read -- though not, unfortunately, particularly shocking. Lots of tea on Sleepy Hollow, Lost, and SNL in particular. I give her credit for also making a serious attempt of offering suggestions for reform; definitely less strong than the "burn it down" tea-spilling, but necessary for trying to find ways forward.
- Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews - (Kate Daniels Wilmington Years #2) More fun for me than the first book, but really I enjoy all Kate Daniels OP found family shenanigans. (I still don't care much about the kid, sorry.) Form alliances and kick butt! That is the good stuff.
- Indiscretion by Jude Morgan - Often recced as similar to Austen and/or Heyer, Morgan does a pretty excellent job of a "romcom" Regency that is also a commentary on society and families. Enjoyable read, though doesn't quite reach Austen or Heyer levels for me personally.
- The Marvelous Land of Snergs by Veronica Cossantell - A modern updated retelling of the original by Edward Wyke-Smith (who apparently inspired Tolkien). Children's lit so somewhat moralistic, bizarre, funny, and imaginative. I enjoyed it! The illustrations were delightful as well.
- Death Comes to Marlow by Robert Thorogood - (The Marlow Murder Club #2) Love the female relationships highlighted within, but have realized I truly cannot bear the prose. It is a struggle. Reminder to self: don't bother with the sequels. Also, not sure the mystery itself was that good. Pretty standard old man with young wife dies, family in disarray, everyone has a motive, but who has the opportunity?
- Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher - (Clocktaur War #1) I think I was sold onto this fantasy story because it's a ragtag group coming together for a mission (heist)? Not really found family, just people having to work together. It was uhhh more horny than I anticipated for the main m/f couple? Would have adored it if m/m, but that's just me owning up to my tropey faves. Interesting world and story, and ends a bit on a cliffhanger so I had to go read the sequel.
- Blockchain Chicken Farm: And Other Stories of Tech in China's Countryside by Xiaowei Wang - A collection of essays about modern rural China and the impact of technology, for both good and ill. Interesting stuff! More philosophical and ethical deliberations than pure fact-reporting, but I liked the glimpses it gave me of modern China, given my very outdated personal experience. Conclusion: human connectivity and community are still prime. (How that translates economically...)
- The Wonder Engine by T. Kingfisher - (Clocktaur War #2) Sequel! Still lots of the main m/f romance (with some bg jealousy -- damn, this would've been me eating it up with a spoon if it were m/m). Anyway, I liked the awkward young monk(?) learning what the real world is like, and the gnoles, but really the plot was a bit weak (there really was no plan) and the personal journey with faith/God that the paladin experienced was...good for him, not so much for me.
- The Sibyl in Her Grave by Sarah Caudwell - (Hilary Tamar #4) Probably a little more somber than the previous three books because it deals with death and unhealthy codependency is a real way despite the (very) funny shenanigans still occurring in the background. Lovely as usual, though.
- Angela Carter's Book of Fairy Tales by Angela Carter - I've owned this book for years and struggled to get into it; somehow, dove into a few sections and finished up the whole book quickly. (I think giving myself permission to read sections out of order helped a lot.) Many familiar, many unfamiliar stories -- what I've discovered is that the Inuit ones are, um, quite horny and incestuous.
- Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby - Another collection of very funny somewhat crass essays. Deep dive into the many seasons of 'Sex in the City' which I did not understand nor relate to, but still overall a fun ride.
- The Bloody Chamber: And Other Stories - Decided to reread the classic, because I have no memory. I think it feels less revelatory now because she's had so many follow in her footsteps, but I can still see where she took the fairy tales in a different -- and not just darker -- direction. A lovely little collection.
- One Life by Megan Rapinoe and Emma Brockes - I realized I knew very little about Megan Rapinoe besides her pink hair and support of Colin Kaepernick. The memoir was well-written (thanks to her co-writer!) and an interesting glimpse into her childhood/college years and career before she got big. She sort of side-stepped some of the relationship drama, but obviously did share about 'coming out' and being an icon. The really interesting stuff for me was around the fight for pay equity, her growing understanding of social justice issues, and her struggles with certain coaches/teams. I also didn't know she was a twin! Overall she seems like a cool person.
- Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett - (Discworld) A reread, as I've been attempting to reread more this year! This was definitely early Pterry and early Discworld, and is subverting some very specific stories and tropes. It's fine! Not as funny, nuanced, or heartfelt as some of my later favorites.
- Flawless: Lessons in Looks and Culture from the K-Beauty Capital by Elise Hu - Strong rec. I found this book already interesting from the blurb but hearing the author talk at a local bookstore really sold me on it, and I feel like the book delivered. Really interesting background on what drove the success of K-beauty industry (makeup and skincare as well as plastic surgery) from economic, sociocultural, and even political factors -- to how it's evolved today with the technological lens/"tech gaze" and the intersection with misogyny and sexism, the hallyu wave, and even mentions of the trans community in South Korea today. Kim Heechul gets a cameo mention! I primarily really love that the author is curious and candid about her journey from judgmental and cynical to better understanding, to still concerned about impacts and effects on society and young women in particular.
- Styx and Stones by Carola Dunn - (Daisy Dalrymple #7) Loved it more than #6 because I love Daisy and Belinda, her future stepdaughter. Poison pen letters, so dramatic! So village life! A ridiculous death and motive, but that is what I'm getting out of these cozy little mysteries.
- Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat - (Captive Prince #1) Again on the reread list, and it still lives up. I enjoy the prose and the ridiculousness, viciousness, iddiness.
- The Bandit Queens by Parini Shoff - A fun premise with women in a small contemporary Indian village looking for advice to kill their (philandering, abusive) husbands. Prickly main character and cast of characters, complicated female relationships including a wonderful relationship, fascinating intersection of misogyny with caste discrimination, and overall a very fun read. Tough, with content warnings, and yet almost farcical -- but its strengths are the characters and their relationships, I think. Is it a thriller? Literary fiction? Women's fiction? I don't know what genres are.
- Illuminations by T. Kingfisher - Billed as adult, it reads much more middle grade to me, probably because of age of the main character. But it's great writing, no romance, wonderful family and friendship depictions (in all their thorny and warm ways). Driven by plot of magical shenanigans, it tackles some tough subjects thoughtfully and at a level that feels approachable for younger readers. The crow is a delight.
Off to the library!
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I have a lot of fun reading Sophie Irwin's books. I sincerely hope she builds up a length backlist!
I found about Burn It Down last weeks so thanks for the endorsement! Might bump it up the NF TBR...
After reading a few of T Kingfisher's m/f romances... they all became very same-y. There's a few tropes she keeps on coming back to and if they were higher up on my love list, I think I'd appreciate her more. Because I like her worldbuilding and her stories are interesting.
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Sophie Irwin joining the list of authors I will keep a lookout for their new works! Nghi Vo is also on it, I saw you read Mammoths at the Gate earlier and I have that out from the library right now. :D
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