December Hodge Podge

The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

This book was SO. AMAZINGLY. AWESOME. I could not put it down! Feminist dystopia, a suffocating religion, vengeful witches in the wood, curses and escapes and dungeons-- Okay, I have to stop. Just go read it, especially if you like the Handmaid's Tale or fantasy horror. 

368 pages

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

Dude. The writing. I could feel myself being crushed by the walls of a cave. And such creative settings! Heavy metal bands fit so well into horror, but Hendrix also highlights the horror of materialism and the distractions of the modern world. I need to read more of his books!

336 pages

Read Harder Challenge #22

Chapel of Ease by Alex Bledsoe

The fourth Tufa novel, and still going strong. It's nice that for once we get a non-straight Tufa-human couple. I want to watch a hillbilly fairy musical. They never tell us what's in the box! Gaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

320 pages

The Dollhouse Family by M.R. Carey, Peter Gross

Creepy dolls are one of my favorite horror tropes because I find them genuinely scary. But the dolls here aren't the really creepy part. A demonic dollhouse is overly possessive of its family, chasing them across generations. A fun read, good for a rainy afternoon.

160 pages

Daphne Byrne by Laura Marks, Kelley Jones

The Spiritualist movement of the 19th century has long interested me. Yes, lets manipulate people's grief so we can be parasites on society. This story just throws some actual demons in.

160 pages

The Cold Millions by Jess Walter

It's long, but the payoff was worth it! I really didn't know much about turn of the century labor movements, and this got me interested in looking up and reading more. Elizabeth Gurley Flynn deserves more recognition, and I'm tempted to track down some of her writings. The parallels in this novel to inequalities to today make the setting feel even more real. Very well written historical fiction!

352 pages

Come Back to Me by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti

Not the best Wonder Woman comic, but enjoyable. Starts off as standard Wonder Woman fun, ends up in some weird dinosaur time travel space stadium mess. Definitely better WW comics out there. 

160 pages

Educated by Tara Westover

This one stuck with me. I still think about it, and I read it weeks ago. An amazing memoir about a girl who never went to school, then entered college and went on to get her PhD. Her childhood memories are disturbing and tragic. The conflicts with her family in the fallout are relateable.  Reminded me of a lot of my dreams, and it has definitely got me thinking. 

352 pages    

Read Harder Challenge #12

Attack on Titan Volumes 4/5 by Hajime Isayama

 

This series. So good. More Titan lore, More epic 3D battles, more chaotic fights. The story is too good, a blend of mystery, thriller, fantasy, and of course, horror. 

388 pages (194+194)

In Mad Love and War by Joy Harjo

This is one of her earlier collections, and I had a bit of trouble getting into it. Certainly quality, it makes you slow down and savor each line. Sometimes you have to reread the stanzas again and again for them to sink in.

79 pages

No One is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg

A collection of her speeches, so definitely a bit repetitive. The message is clear though, and I hope we are not too late to act. We only have a few years left, but we seem to be making the problem worse, not better. Tragedy of the Commons combined with Toxic Individualism just leads to ecological destruction. And really, it's not a money problem. It's an accountability problem.

80 pages

Read Harder Challenge #15

Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh

I love how Brosh is so funny even when talking about horrible things. I was getting weird looks from Matt because I was just sitting on the couch laughing my head off. That poor grocery clerk. That creepy neighbor kid needs some friends. I too identify with the balloon. Definitely check out her comics if you haven't. They will brighten your day!

528 pages

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

I have heard so much hype around this book, and I finally got around to it. Very much a thriller where you have to slowly piece the puzzle together. Still didn't expect that ending, love the added psychological dimensions. I was racing through this one.

336 pages

The Jedi Mind by Amy Ratcliffe

Little tidbits of wisdom, tied into the different characters of the Star Wars universe. The illustrations are just too cute!

80 pages

Steve Trevor DC Comics

This was a really cool collection of Wonder Woman comics featuring Steve Trevor. It includes the very first issues, the strange "New" look where she loses her powers from the 60's, and the great Perez issues from the 90's, as well as a handful of recent ones. Fun to see how her character has evolved over the years.

232 pages

The Factory Witches of Lowell by C.S. Malerich

This was a very fun historical fantasy novella, wherein a mill girl strike is aided by just a bit of magic. I thought it was an amazing setting, and I loved the sapphic side-romance. I was so enthralled I read this in one sitting. I never knew about brown lung and the stuffy fibrous airways which lead to untimely death for many women. Using the breath and blood you've poured into your looms to stop all work? Talk about seizing the means of production! I only wish this book was a bit longer to flesh out all the characters. 

128 pages

The Cowboy Meets His Match by Jessica Clare

I have never read a cowboy romance. I don't feel like I was missing much. I know a lot of readers love them, but they are just not for me.

301 pages

Read Harder Challenge #14

Basketful of Heads by Joe Hill, Leomacs

This comic is so good. Norse mythology, zombie heads, corrupt small town government, and a brave female protagonist totally dominating. The drawings are emotive, the colors dark yet colorful. A must read horror comic! 

184 pages

I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider

I'm a librarian. I can't resist book humor! Snider's comics are always clever.

128 pages

Ooh Pretty Pictures

When Stars are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

A true story about a Omar and his nonverbal brother growing up in a refugee camp. I don't think I've read anything quite like this, and the artwork is so vibrant while still being realistic. This book is incredible and I think everyone should read it. All the feels.

Read Harder Challenge #19

256 pages

Adventure Zone: Petals to the Metal by Clint McElroy

Fantasy Nascar, a giant magical wrench and sexy plant puns. I've really enjoyed this series. I've listened to a bit of the podcast it is based on, but I just love the colorful artwork and humorous background objects. The story is quirky, funny, and just a lot of fun all around. 

244 pages

Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass by Mariko Tamaki

A different take on Harley's origin story, with class struggles, gentrification and green activism (led by Poison Ivy, of course). I thought this is one of the better DC Ink graphic novels, and I love the representation included among the urban population. A fun afternoon read for comic fans.

196 pages

Attack on Titan: Volumes 2/3 by Hajime Isayama

This series is so much fun! Perfect blending of horror, science fiction, and dystopia. Lots of gruesome titan battles, with a family mystery thrown in. I'm starting to get to the point where I may give the anime another try. 

400 pages    (192+208) 

Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir, Sarah Andersen

Andy Weir does comics? Whaaaa? Such a great concept, mashing Alice/Wonderland, Wendy/Neverland, and Dorothy/Oz together into a fun fantasy adventure. I am very glad that he got a different illustrator though-Andersen is one of my favorite web comic artists!

117 pages

My Hero Academia Vol. 1 by Kohei Horikoshi

Ah, yes. The superhero academy trope. I've never really liked these stories. This one is very well done, and I can see why it is so popular, it's just not for me. Also, skinny/buff guy is creepy.

187 pages

Aquatlantic by Giorgio Carpinteri

This one was so strange. The artwork is gorgeous, and I enjoyed seeing Soviet Constructivism, which isn't used much in art today. Heavy allegory, almost to the point where there isn't much story. Pretty pictures though.

49 pages

Short and Sweet

 Struggling to focus. Reading short books. Under 200 pages. Why don't magazines count? 😭😭😭

Drowned Country by Emily Tesh

Mopey wild man. Mopey vampire. Mopey fairies. 

Wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff.

Heartbreakingly beautiful. 

Excited for her next book.

157 pages

The Hundred Penny Box by Sharon Bell Mathis

Reread, still sad. 

Family history is so important. 

Seniors deserve respect and dignity. 

47 pages

Rage by Stephen King

Controversial, out of print.

Teenage angst, trauma.

Teens also deserve respect and dignity.

Hard to put down, not really scary. 

130 pages

Somebody Give This Heart a Pen by Sophia Thakur

Real, raw writing. 

Love her spoken word poetry.

Give, grieve, grow. 

99 pages 

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

Beautiful Asian fantasy world. 

Fierce queer women. 

I want to try black salt. 

NEED the next book. 

(No, I don't want to wait a month)

Read Harder Task #11

121 pages

Missouri's Mad Doctor McDowell by Victoria Cosner

Why rob graves? For science!

Who doesn't want to preserve their family members? 

He could view his wife across the river, how sweet.

Now I have to visit Hannibal.

142 pages

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

I remember a lot of my classmates were assigned this book at some point in elementary school. Our class never read it, but I'm glad I picked it up now! This is a great fictional introduction to World War II for younger readers. While it avoids any sort of graphic images, it does still portray the fear and violence civilians faced during the conflict. I also learned a bit of history I didn't know about-the mass resistance of Danes by sneaking most Jews out of their country to Sweden. This book is really good, for any age!

137 pages

Read Harder Challenge Task #20

Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

This book is not like the first book. This book, in my opinion, is better. Harrow is now a Lictor, an immortal necromancer with the power to kill entire planets and enter the River of the dead. But she can't seem to fully grasp her new powers. A brilliant bone witch, she now has to contend with spirit magic, blood wards, and a fellow Lictor who is determined to kill her. To top it all off, her transformation has made her completely insane. She sees the dead, is allergic to her sword, and is in love with a corpse-okay, so she actually fell in love with the corpse before she went crazy.

This series is sooo good. The world-building is great. The characters are amazing. And the story is phenomenal. It's the best aspects of science fiction, fantasy, humor, drama and thriller all wrapped up in one!

512 pages

Read Harder Challenge #16

Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters

 

I really don't like mysteries, but I've made an exception for this series because I enjoy the "adventurous archaeologists in 1890's Egypt" premise. I love it when they're haunted by a mummy or trapped in a pyramid, or even just digging up cool artifacts. But this one just dragged on and on... Ugh. The beginning was okay-kidnapping a small child while their parents ascend one of the great pyramids. (Man, I kind of wish they would still let people do that, but totally get why they don't) But then the plot just kind of stagnates. I just don't get the appeal of two rich noble lovers trying to appease the brother, but they also just happened to wind up in Egypt together. Okay? The ending was really good though. More drama with the Master Criminal (gosh, that name is terrible) and awkward love triangles to boot! Still, not sure if I'll pick up the next one.

311 pages

Read Harder Challenge #3

Last Minute Additions

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green

I loved his first book, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing,  in which metal alien statues-affectionately named Carl-land all over the planet and people go nuts. This sequel is even better! Carl is back, and saves a primary character through alien prosthetics, leaving her with an android-like appearance. The group of friends then have to face off against a hyper-realistic virtual reality gaming company with much more nefarious intentions.I think what I like most about these books is that the author is not afraid to comment on tough current issues-income inequality, social media conspiracies, information privacy, the list goes on and on. This was a very fun science fiction duology!

452 pages

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

Binti is the first of her people to attend Oomza University, even though it means she will be ostracized by her community. However, trying to maintain her traditions in a high-tech society also does not help her fit in with her peers. Then the Meduse attack.. I was amazed at how much world building Okorafor was able to put into 90 pages. This was a really good novella, and I will probably pick up the others in the short series.

90 pages

Read Harder Task #17


Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi

A loose retelling of Snow White set in a Massachusetts small town during the 1950's/60's. Boy escapes her abusive father, eventually falling in love with a carpenter. Their daughter, Bird, is dark skinned, and exposes them as African Americans passing for white. Honestly, I thought the plot dragged a bit, but that final plot twist at the end makes the story worth it.

308 pages

Read Harder Task #2



Fashion Jewelry: A beginner's guide to jewelry making by Courtney Legenhausen

I've been dabbling with some jewelry making for a while, and I thought I'd finally pick up a book to learn the actual techniques, instead of my current stumbling along with Pinterest and Youtube videos. Apparently I was opening jump rings wrong. I also know the correct way to finish a piece. And crimp beads are lifesavers. With lots of step by step pictures, I thought it was useful for a beginner.

175 pages




Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland

I wish they would have told me this was based on a true story up front, because I thought the premise was ridiculous-if this was fiction, why would someone write such a dismal novel? Florence, while training to prepare for her English Channel swim, accidentally drowns. Her family decides not to tell her sister, because they are afraid she will get upset and miscarry as she did before. So, we get six months of family members frantically trying to keep a secret. Meanwhile, there's a weird subplot about Florida real estate? I was not impressed.

309 pages




The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara feels unheard by her family, her church, and to some extent, her friends. Secretly dating Aman, and forced into confirmation classes by her mother, she channels her frustrations into her notebook. She finally finds her voice through an invitation to join her school's poetry slam club-allowing her to blossom. The audiobook of this is sooo good, and hearing the poetry spoken by the actual author is quite effective.

361 pages

Read Harder Task #8


The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

This intense story follows the lives of three women in an Irish quarantined maternity ward over three days during the flu of 1918. The story is brutal, refusing to shy away from the reality of medical interventions, nauseating symptoms, and the brutality of poverty and the Irish orphanage system of the time. This book was very detailed, emotional and shocking. Definitely not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

295 pages




Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh 

When Henry Silver arrives as a new resident of Greenhollow, his interest in folklore leads him to investigate the Wild Man of the wood. Dryads, old curses, a mysterious past, teen abductions, and a gentle romance compose this creative fantasy retelling of the Green Man myth. I thought it was a great debut, and I plan to look out for Tesh's next book.

109 pages




The Tea Dragon Festival by Katie O'Neill

A companion novel to The Tea Dragon Society, this graphic novel provides some backstory for two society members of the first book. They return to Silverleaf village, where everyone lives alongside tea dragons. we meet a young dragon who has just awoken from an unintended 80 year nap. Once again the artwork is beautiful, the characters are diverse, and the tea dragons are adorable. I never thought I would see sign language in a graphic novel-it was very well done!

131 pages



Too Much and Never Enough by Mary L. Trump

I've been trying to stay away from reading political stuff right now (easier said than done), but the premise for this family narrative and memoir was too tempting. Mary's personal experiences, familial knowledge and clinical Ph.D psychologist's expertise give us a unique character study that certainly explains... a lot. Toxic families create toxic people. A very interesting read.

225 pages





The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

The reviews for this book were so positive, but I thought it was so bad. I get it, it's a memoir about grief, but using obscure references to celebrities and writers just left me lost and confused. Way too much name dropping, and not really much emotion, considering her situation. If I wasn't listening to the audiobook, I probably would not have finished this one.

227 pages




You Brought Me the Ocean by Alex Sanchez, Julie Maroh (ill.)

A coming of age story about friends drifting apart, college applications, and discovering your truth. Of course, the main character lives in a desert and has magical powers that react to water-you know, just to make it interesting. I don't think I've ever seen a comic focused entirely on Aqualad. I love how DC has been embracing such diverse characters lately. This was fun!

186 pages



And now I am FINALLY caught up so I don't have to do these crazy long posts.

Graphic Novels

Snug by Catana Chetwynd

I love these. They are cute little comics about dating your best friend! They remind me of Matt and I. The drawings are funny and playful.

Warm Fuzzies.

129 pages






Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale by Lauren Myracle

Catwoman's backstory is always so sad.The scenes with her mom's abusive boyfriend made me cry. Poor kitty!! It was fun watching her learn parkour and make it on the streets to learn her heist skills. Portrays depression, self harm and abuse realistically. All in all, a good take on the character.

222 pages



The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp

When a gunshot leaves her paralyzed, Barbara Gordon, daughter of the police commissioner and hacking extraordinaire, enters the Arkham Center for Independence for rehabilitation. Although a DC comic, I thought it was a thoughtful depiction of characters with a wide range of disabilities. The dark foreshadowing and unexpected answer to a mystery left me pleasantly surprised with the ending. Many teens could relate to Barb's search for identity and acceptance of herself.

Read Harder Task #21

198 pages