Reviews as of July 18, 2025

Sherlock Holmes and the Mysterious Friend of Oscar Wilde by Russell A. Brown
Wow, what a horrid little book. If it were any longer, I would not have finished it. The plot is somehow both obvious and convoluted, in that the vast majority of scenes were written solely to be able to shoehorn in as many Oscar Wilde quotes and references to the original Doyle canon as humanly possible. This left the book feeling like less of a novel that had Wilde as a character and more that the novel was written using an "Oscar Wilde quotes generator" that the author clicked on each time he wanted Wilde to speak. I also don't understand the point of making both Holmes and Watson violently homophobic, yet also implying that they were gay. Was this a way to get around being censored by Doyle's estate? It was wildly out of character and served to further muddle whatever point, idea, or plot that the author was attempting to convey. This feels very much like the work of someone who believes themselves to be smarter than they actually are. Do not bother with this one.
~ Wesley (wannabewesley)

Am I having fun now? By Suzi Ruffell
I liked it! Suzi is one of my fave comedians and this was her memoir - as a fellow anxiety sufferer I found the sections on this very relatable. She’s very funny but also sees the world how I would like to see it too which always makes for a good read - I listened to the audiobook read by Suzi which added an extra layer
~ Laura (watchtheflow on bsky)

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
I have been whipping through these so fast! This is the fourth Murderbot book and I still love it. This one felt like a conclusion of sorts, although I know its not over! The next one is a full length novel instead of novella though, so I'm curious about how that will change things.
~ Aletea

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
Look. The Thursday Murder Club books are a fun romp and that's all they need to do and they do it well 😌 4/5 if you like aggressively British nonsense and cosy crime and the three previous books in the series.
~ anathxmadevice

A History of the World in 47 Borders - Jonn Elledge
It really helps open your eyes regarding what constitutes as a nation, as a border, as a reason for building one or for destroying one. It really puts into perspective current conversations regarding immigration and sovereignty of nations to exist, in a way that doesn't feel too heavy in history... Despite what the book is.
~ PomPomPastel

Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
Written in 1959, the book chronicles the days leading up to, The Day, and the year after nuclear war breaks out between Russia and the United States.
First time I read this, I had nuclear war nightmares for a week.
~ killerweasel

Pizza, Pickles, and Apple Pie: the stories behind the foods we love by David Rickert.
It's a juvenile nonfiction book. It contains quite a bit of information about the history of certain foods and talks about the creators of some of our favorites.
~ killerweasel

Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh
I read this one every summer, and it was still a delight watching Silver and Tobias fall for each other again against the backdrop of dangerous folklore and woodland magic.
~ acesaru

All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Read the first couple Murderbot books years ago, but wanted to re-read after the series came out. And, at the risk of pissing off other fans of the novella... as great as the book is (I love what a frustrating narrator Murderbot himself is!), just this once I actually like the adaptation better. It had more room to explore the humans around him and amped up the drama, and while the book talks about how he's learning about humanity from watching endless tv, I loved actually getting to see more of how he's learning (for better and for worse). Martha Wells deserves all the props, the adaptation is so good. Please don't @ me.
~ AceofGames

Slither: How Nature's Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World by Stephen S. Hall
This is another one where I wish there were pictures - a whole book about snakes and the only photograph of one is in the author photo? I also wish there had been more of a dive into the historical/cultural side of things. That's just a personal preference thing though; overall this was a solid pop science book and well worth a read if you're at all interested in snakes.
~ remreader

"Shanties from the Seven Seas" collected by Stan Hugill
This book is a great resource for historical shanties. Most popular shanty arrangements that we hear today are embellished, harmonized, include instruments, etc. but of course that's not how they historically would have been performed. This book gives the melodic notation for the shanty tunes, explaining what shipboard function they would have served, and also provides known variations on the lyrics. There were lots of shanties that I recognized and plenty more that were unfamiliar to me.
Something I was curious about was how certain "bawdy" lyrics which were "camouflaged" or revised, otherwise they would have been "unprintable." The book was originally published in 1961 and I think our standards have changed since then, and I would have liked to know what the lyrics originally were, especially because the book presents itself as a very precise and accurate resource. In contrast, some of the songs (and also the author's narrative) contain racial slurs, which, while historically accurate, makes for jarring reading at times.
Overall an excellent resource for those interested in the finer details of work-songs and their use at sea.
~ spacecadetglow

Sunrise On the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
Devastating, of course.
~ remreader

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles
An easy read with some intrigue. Is it perfect? No, but what is? For a modern queer period romance with a mystery plot, it's very fun. I'll admit that it took me a while to get into it, but once I did, it was fairly hard to put down (which may have something to do with the fact that a lot of the action and suspense comes a bit later in the book).
~ unfunpleasures

Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson
As harrowing as it is compelling. Highly recommended.
~ HipHopAnonymous

Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie
I loved it. There wasn't a warm up period like I had with book 1 of this trilogy - I was already enjoying the world and characters. I've already picked up the third book in the trilogy, excited to start it!
~ Aletea

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
I really, REALLY liked this book! It was the exact level of creepy that I was looking for and then some. Sure, it's a basic "couple moves in to old house to flip it" trope... At first. There were some very surprising moments and, while I may have fallen asleep, I was never bored. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone looking for something a bit unsettling. CW: Mental health issues alluded to.
~ Callous

A kingdom of stars and shadows by Holly Renee
I can't lie this was soooo a Twilight fanfic and the author's notes were like laughable (I'm sorry to be mean!) but at least it had actual sex scenes so good for author for loving their dreams
~ Highwaystars

The Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennen
Loooove. My husband put me onto this series and I absolutely love it. This one is a sea voyage and as I'm on pirate grindset it ruled even harder. Would recommend
~ Highwaystars

Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra
Delicious. Devoured this in a day. Absolutely terrifying, frustrating, twisty and un-put-down-able!
~ HipHopAnonymous

Mundo de Cartón by Gloria Alegría Ramírez
it's a nice book relating from a kid point of view living in a poor neighborhood in Chile, being friends with an old man who helps and encourages him to write everything. The kid writes every day thanks to him. It's a nice friendship and there are other plots but that friendship sticks with you, like you're living it too.
~ Feña

The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic - and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson
A very interesting and engrossing read.
~ remreader

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Too damn long. There were entire chapters that felt completely lacking in any character or narrative development. It's over a thousand pages but the story could have been told in half that. The last 100 pages make up for how frustrated I had gotten by that point, though. Loved the ending.
~ Tripinmidair

Pines by Blake Crouch
Such an amazing twist. By the hallway point in the book, you're just as confused and frustrated as the MC! Looking forward to continuing the series and seeing where the story goes now that some of the secrets have been revealed.
~ Tripinmidair

Exposure by Ramona Emerson
I really enjoyed the premise and characters in this book (and in book 1 which I read earlier this year). I think it suffers a bit from limitations of first person narration, because sometimes it feels like the main character is just recounting a series of events rather than bringing us with her through them. However, when it works, it works really well, and it is necessary to be in Rita's head. Overall both books are enjoyable crime thrillers with a supernatural bent, so if that's appealing as an idea to you, they're worth a read!
~ michellethestan

The Wager by David Grann
I'll be honest, when I bought this I thought it was a novel, because I had heard how exciting it was. But it was very engaging nonfiction about an English fleet that sought to round Cape Horn in pursuit of a Spanish treasure ship in the 1740s. This book follows the misfortune of one of those ships, the Wager. It was great and I tore right through it!
~ SpaceCadetGlow

Kim de l'Horizon "Blutbuch"
(english below)
unglaublich gut. so virtuos und sprachgewaltig, dass ich mich fast zu vergleichen mit meinem heißgeliebten parfum hinreißen lassen möchte. krass beeindruckendes debüt. oszilliert zwischen feinfühliger zärtlichkeit und absolut obszönen beschreibungen und ist dabei aber immer absolut präzise und klug. ich will definitiv mehr davon, glaube autofiktion als genre muss ich mir mal näher anschauen

english title: blood book
incredibly good. written with such virtuosity that i'm almost tempted to compare it to my favourite book perfume. super impressive for a debut novel. oscillates between tenderness and vulgarity but never ceases to be precise and smart. i definitely want to read more autofiction like it.
~ florenceafter12.bsky.social

Jack Hartnell "Medieval Bodies. Life, Death and Art in the Middle Ages"
not a lot of new information for me, and because of the format, this book only scratched the surface on many topics, but i still had a lot of fun with it and highly recommend it. the full colour illustrations alone make it worthwhile, and i liked the way different aspects of the human body are discussed via various artworks. a very beginner friendly book for people who don't know much about art, medicine or the middle ages, i would say.
~ florenceafter12.bsky.social

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
Intriguing premise, some interesting characters, ideas and a lot of potential - I did enjoy it but found it lacking in places and the ending was underwhelming. It would have made a better movie. Still it was fun and it felt good to finish something!
~ Trees

Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism By Sarah Wynn Williams
Fascinating. I believe her as everything is in line with what meta is currently doing.
She worked at Facebook during some of the early days and saw the fall of Zuckerberg into evil politics and abuse of power. The people he surrounds himself with enable him and are even worse. Another example of why billionaires should not exist.
~ AJ McKay (ajmckay)

Pacific Harvest by Jennifer Hahn
Really nice foraging book for the Pacific Northwest, beautiful photographs. It's not very comprehensive, but it does go into seaweeds and shellfish more than most foraging books do. I found a few new recipes to try, too.
~ LarndeSolen

Psalm for the Wild Built, Becky Chambers
Enjoyed it, not as much as the Wayfarers series, but still full of what you expect from a Chambers story.
~ tightenupmate

JRR Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
It's one of my all-time favorite books, and I return to it when the world sucks because it's full of hope against the impossible. I've listened to the audio book this time, narrated by Andy Serkis, which is just quite frankly excellent. He does the voices!
~ Miles (bsky @edteachsbadknee.bsky.social, tumblr @blackbeardskneebrace)

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Two Towers
Reread this for about the millionth time, it’s my favorite book in the world and I read it for the hope it gives me.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
Another reread to finish out the series, it’s one of the best books of all time in my opinion.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

Mercedes Lackey, Arrows of the Queen
This was not a winner for me, the plot was weak and the characters felt one-dimensional and underdeveloped. I might try out one of the other trilogies in this overarching series to see if it’s just a case of this being a very early part of the series.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

Tad Williams, The Navigator’s Children
A somewhat lackluster and overlong conclusion to the series, and it failed to tie up the loose ends because it’s clearly setting the groundwork for a sequel series. I expected a bit more from this series based on the previous series’s quality. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

Tad Williams, Into the Narrowdark
A really solid entry into this series, it’s my second favorite out of the series as a whole. Strong writing, compelling action, and answers to a lot of worldbuilding questions left mysterious in Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

Tad Williams, Empire of Grass
My favorite book in this series, I found it fascinating and compelling and read the whole thing in one sitting, which is impressive for a Tad Williams book since they’re egregiously long.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

Tad Williams, The Witchwood Crown
Decent start to this series, it pulls in characters readers will know and love from Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, and also introduces us to a new cast of characters and new POV characters from the different beings in Osten Ard like the Hikedaya, who featured only as somewhat one-dimensional villains in the previous series. It does take a while to get going, but from there it kept me hooked.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

Tad Williams, To Green Angel Tower
This took me ages to finish (in part because it’s so long that the print version had to be split into two parts to be able to sell them!), but it was a fairly satisfying conclusion to the series. My only complaint is that the ending felt very rushed, which I don’t think should be the case when your book is so massive it has to be split up to get printed!
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

The Madonna of Bolton by Matt Cain
A sweet coming of age story through the progression of gay rights in the UK and love of a pop star
~ moderatecitrus

Tom of Finland's Complete Kake Comics, edited by Dian Hansen
Tom of Finland's leather daddy character, Kake, is such a recognizable figure of early modern gay male culture. I think it's so important for queer people to learn about the history of the community because of how so much of it has been taken from us - through book burnings, historical revisionism, and the loss of a whole generation of queer elders through the AIDS epidemic. All these things make it harder to know and understand who we (the community) are and where we come from. Why are leather daddies such an integral aspect of queer masculinity? In part it is because of Tom of Finland and the influence of his art. This collection is some of his most recognizable pieces and even if it's not your particular cup of tea, I think there is something to be learned and felt from his depictions of gay sexuality and sensuality, especially in the context of the 70s and 80s during which they were being produced. Absolutely recommend for queer adults who enjoy and/or don't mind graphic sexual imagery.
~ wannabewesley

Iron Widow Xiran Jay Zhao 
Amazing mix of Chinese culture, mecha-warriors and feminist truths. I had to reread before diving into the sequel and it’s so rich and dynamic.
~ Ironstrangle

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
Haven’t read this since I was a kid, but it still strikes me deeply. The imagery, the story, the life! It’s so beautiful.
~ IzzyHandsArt

N.K. Jemisen, The Stone Sky
AMAZING. The groundwork Jemisen laid out in the previous books paid off so well. I’m ashamed I hadn’t read this series much, much earlier, and it’s definitely one of the best and most unique fantasy series I’ve ever had the pleasure to read.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

N.K. Jemisen, The Obelisk Gate
Amazing. Showstopping. Incredible. I could not put it down. More incredible worldbuilding and the story itself is so fucking good.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

N.K. Jemisen, The Fifth Season
I was hooked immediately. Jemisen’s worldbuilding is so unique and fascinating, and the characters have real motivations and flaws and complicated relationships to the world and each other. Instant fantasy classic for me.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

Martha Wells, Artificial Condition
I’m not normally a sci-fi enjoyer, but this series is so fun! I’ve been listening to the audiobooks and the narrator’s diction really adds to murderbot’s character in my opinion. and I LOVE ART.
~ Miles blackbeardskneebrace

Zombie Fallout, Mark Tufo
I really enjoyed this book the characters are pretty well written
~ bonnietylerfan

Legal Drug Omnibus by CLAMP
Lots of classic CLAMP tropes, including crossovers with their other series. My favorite part about Legal Drug is the monster-of-the-week storyline, much like my no. 1 favorite CLAMP manga, CardCaptor Sakura.
~ Cap / gentleranium

All Systems Red by Martha Wells
A favorite reread. Listened to the audiobook, voiced by the excellent Kevin R. Free, with the girlfriend so she’d have context for what I’ve been talking about since 2017. (And why I looked so tense during the s1 finale of Murderbot 😅.) I think my favorite thing is how matter-of-fact Murderbot is and the wholesale "no thank you" re: leading the bot & construct revolution. An effective and very fun subversion of the usual scifi tropes.
~ Cap / gentleranium

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries #2)
I love All Systems Red and Artificial Condition as a duo. Murderbot exists in between human and bot, simultaneously both and neither. These two novellas explore what that means for Murderbot’s sense of self, as well as for its relationships with its humans and ART, respectively.
~ Cap / gentleranium

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries #3)
This novella always seems like the most classic scifi of the series, what with the haunted space station vibe. I think that’s also because it’s the first book with consequences that deeply affect Murderbot.
~ Cap / gentleranium

Count Crowley: Reluctant Midnight Monster Hunter vol. 1 by David Dastmalchian (Writer), Lukas Ketner (Illustrator), and Lauren Affe (Colorist)
Horror and scifi are siblings, and although I’m a big coward, I always loved pulpy horror. I really enjoyed the nods to Creature Features and other similar locally-broadcast shows that featured low-budget monster & scifi movies. (Such as the one I knew, Chicago icon Svengoolie). There were some great visual nods, too, such as the facsimile of comic mail-order forms: 2 for 1 monster masks with five classic Universal Monsters & that guy, who’s president again, which I missed the first time. My favorite was the item that read, “THEY’RE JUST SHRIMP”
~ Cap / gentleranium

No Such Thing as Duty by Lara Elena Donnelly
My first read from Neon Hemlock's Volume Six Novella Series! Excellent queer historical fiction with a speculative twist. I was so immersed in the world that when the speculative thing happened, it was the best sort of surprise.
~ Cap / gentleranium

Reviews as of July 11, 2025

Ew, It's Beautiful: A False Knees Comic Collection by Joshua Barkman
I was already a big fan of the False Knee webcomic (https://falseknees.com) and this collection of 120+ single-page or two-page comics about the inner lives and existential absurdities of birds didn't disappoint. Barkman reliably has me laughing out loud, quietly contemplating the awesomeness of nature, and having tender feelings about the way living creatures try to understand each other and the world around them, often within the same handful of panels.
~ Delphi

Kidnapped by the Pirate Keira Andrews
A thrilling, brooding pirate out for revenge and a sweet twink longing for love, with plenty of swashbuckling and sexytimes. Swooooooon.
~ silvergoldsea

BL Metamorphosis by Kaori Tsurutani
Haven't been reading manga as consistently as I used to, but I finally picked up BL Metamorphosis. It's cozy, full of heart, and all about connecting with (sometimes unexpected) friends over a shared love of stories. Will definitely be checking out the rest.
~ acesaru

Shakespeare's Sisters: Four Women Who Wrote the Renassiance by Ramie Targoff
My therapist once looked me dead in the eye and said "you look like a person who had a Tudor England hyperfixation." I don't know if that was a compliment or not, but damn were they right. This book starts in the Tudor period and stretches into the Stuarts, but regardless, I loved it. It follows four female writers, the majority of which have been mostly forgotten (until recently), who defied the expectations of their time by becoming playwrights, poets, authors, and diarists. Three of the four came from tremendous privilege, so you can't quite call it a history from the bottom up book, but it did open a window into a Renaissance story I had not heard before.
~ Lindsay (wildflowerstede)

A Gentleman's Gentleman by TJ Alexander
A must read for any OFMD fan. The main character, Christopher, is so Stede coded. It's a queer historical romance and it's so delightful. 5 stars!
~ wannabewesley (bsky, x)

The Unidentified: Mythical Monsters, Alien Encounters, and Our Obsession with the Unexplained
I thought this was a solid intro/overview if you have a skeptical interest in cryptids, UFOs, etc. Listeners of the Cryptid Factor will find a lot of familiar names and stories throughout.
~ remreader

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Kline
I’d love to write a really thorough review, but I’m still sobbing from this book. 10/10 would recommend
~ Lindsay (wildflowerstede)

System Collapse by Martha Wells
MURDERBOT MY BELOVED. System Collapse was a delightful return to the Murderbot Diaries universe with characters I love. I enjoyed watching Murderbot figure out more of the tricky things about being a person (emotions! who invented those, anyway!) and how actions it has taken in previous novels are starting to ripple into something larger and more far-reaching than Murderbot considered.
~ Cap / gentleranium

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
There’s obviously a lot to be horrified by in this book. One thing that immediately struck me is how easily the religious speak and ideas can come across as wildly over the top. Unfortunately, having grown up in a rural, red flat area of this country, I can assure you, they’re not.
~ FelinePharma

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
I will be thinking about this book for a long time, would definitely recommend it (but heed trigger warnings). Cora is a crime scene cleaner during the pandemic, dealing with a tragic personal loss. Soon Cora must discern whether the ghost she's seeing is real, unraveling a mystery and exposing the real horrors of humankind.
This book is a journey of grief, loneliness, self-reflection, anxiety, and identity, cleverly explored through a blend of supernatural and horror genres. The real horror here is the reality of anti-Asian racism and violence, especially within the context of the pandemic.
Cora's internal monologue was so well captured with a very distinct voice; she's the kind of character you want to protect at all costs.
5⭐
~ Bookloverstede@bsky.social

All Systems Red by Martha Wells
It was so funny. I always love Martha Wells’s writing and I’d been meaning to get to this one for a long time. The world building is interesting and fun to piece together along the way, and Murderbot’s internal monologue is so fun.
~ zoestertoaster

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
This was a neat continuation of the story in book one, Murderbot makes new friends and finds out more about its past. I liked that it still missed Mensah but I’m glad it is learning how to be on its own. I also loved its friendship with ART the ship.
~ zoestertoaster

A Gentleman’s Gentleman, by TJ Alexander
A fun gay regency era romcom with an extremely Stede coded main character. t4t (but really idiot4idiot /aff)
~ Stacy / @aceofstace (Bsky)

The Sicilian Inheritance, by Jo Piazza
It was solidly okay. Split POV with modern day woman solving a family mystery in Sicily and her great-grandmother as a young woman in Sicily. I liked the historical portions more than the modern day.
~ Stacy / @aceofstace (Bsky)

Chilling Effect, by Valerie Valdes
A fun space romp with more action than A Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, but I did get similar chosen family vibes
~ Stacy / @aceofstace (Bsky)

To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods, by Molly X Chang
An interesting interpretation of adding elements of magic vs technology to the issue of colonizers coming in to forcibly take over a people/land. I thought the central conflict was really good (girl struggling with wanting to protect her family, so she works with colonizers, but can she really trust their promises), but the writing is very flowery, which was tough to get through.
~ Stacy / @aceofstace (Bsky)

The Incandescent, by Emily Tesh
I love Emily Tesh, so I was thrilled to read a new book by her. Dark academia magical boarding school, but focused on the head of magic instead of on the students. If you’re a fan of The Scholomance Trilogy, you’ll enjoy this.
~ Stacy / @aceofstace (Bsky)

Living on the Earth - Alicia Bay Laurel
This is a fascinating book written in the 70s about getting back to the land and making things yourself rather than buying them - very hippie spiritual stuff. It's got everything from sewing your own clothes, growing vegetables, basic carpentry, all the way to how to give birth at home and how to cremate a body in the woods. Unfortunately, almost none of it is actually useful since the author usually gives very brief descriptions and no followup detail (plant such-and-such many ounces of seed to harvest however many pounds of food! if you want to know how to actually grow any of it, buy an actual book on gardening). It's all handwritten in cursive and hand illustrated and extremely cool, but it's definitely more vibes-based than a guide that can actually be followed in the real world.
~ LarndeSolen

Voyage of the Damned by Frances White
Meh! It was fun bc Nathan reads it, but I'd probably give it like a 3.5. Too much info dump world building for me in the beginning, and the world itself felt played out. I kept thinking this is Gideon the Ninth on a boat and not done as well. The twist was nice, but there were a lot of moments that the main character was telling me what to think about the murders, and I probably wouldn't have drawn the same conclusions. Felt forced.
~ tightenupmate

Rubyfruit Jungle by Rita Mae Brown
A classic story of growing up queer and defiantly being yourself no matter how much the world tells you you're wrong
~ moderatecitrus

Orbital
Great at getting into the headspace/psychology and physicaluty of characters, the attempts at being profound fell very short for me. If you hint that you want to say something about society then say it or leave it out lmao.
~ highwaystars.bsky.social

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
An exciting mech story fully examining how women are raised to sacrifice themselves in nearly every way. Diverse and unique (love this take on the ideas from Darling in the Franxx). 4.5 stars due to a few portions that dragged or felt too tonally “on the nose.”
~ HipHopAnonymous

Girl Goddess Queen by Bea Fitzgerald
Absolutely spectacular retelling of the Abduction of Kore/Crowning of Persephone. Deals with themes regarding potential incest, patriarchal misogyny, War-induced PTSD etc as with many Greek stories, but nothing ever feels performative or objectifying. You can truly feel the background lore and knowledge regarding The Olympians, the Titans etc at play in the secondary conversations so you never truly feel lost, nor lost for a juicy morsel to contemplate for a future book release.
~ PomPomPastel

Between Two Rivers - Moudhy Al-Rashid
It's weird to say "this book is 80% about rocks" and not mean it in a bad way, but that is how I feel. It explores tablets, cuneiform, spreadsheets, clay seals, and laws carved by reeds or chiseled into stone.
How it influenced the way we use words today is interesting, but there is only so much that words can do to describe clay cylinders and notches. For once, a book on words could really do with some photography as illustrative of what it once was. All in all though, a fascinating read.
~ PomPomPastel

Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
Beautiful and fucking devastating. I can’t recommend it enough. It seems daunting in its page count, but the chapters are condensed. It’s a lovely and painful story about grief, personal mythologies, and what happens when someone we love becomes unrecognizable.
~ Delaney @lavenderluxury

“It’s All Or Nothing, Vale” by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Fabulous read. I love Vico Ortiz’s narration style and it makes the book all the more wonderful. Arango’s books are staples in my classroom, so I was beyond jazzed to grab another text. This is the first time I’ve seen chronic pain as a disability depicted for young readers and is something that is so necessary to explore.
~ Delaney @lavenderluxury

The People in the Trees by Hanya Yanagihara
A brilliantly written exploration of science, progress, life and love through the eyes of one of the worst kinds of people imaginable - yet still manages to evoke poignant empathy throughout.
~ HipHopAnonymous

I Hear the Sunspot: Four Seasons vol 3 by Yuki Fumino
I cannot scream about this series enough. This is the eighth book in a tirelessly entertaining series about young love blossoming under adversity on multiple levels. Each character is well defined, motivated, and driven; from the main queer leads to the ensemble cast. Nothing is wasted in this series. The interpersonal drama is believable and engaging, and add in societal constraints around ableism and homophobia and you’ve got this little masterpiece.
~ FrazzledWriter

Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell
Very campy and fun. This is definitely meant to be read as tongue in cheek and self aware. Taking it on face value is not the way to read it. But as someone who does enjoy true crime, I related to the self deprecation and enjoyed the caricature of it all. Recommended for other True Crime Girlies(GN).
~ Wesley (wannabewesley)

Visitations by Corey Egbert
Wonderfully illustrated and interesting read. Certain elements I didn’t necessarily connect to, if only because I’m not as connected to religious faith. However, as a graphic memoir exploring the complexities of loving a family member with a mental illness, it was great.
~ Delaney @lavenderluxury

Peter Darling - S A Chant
This is my second time reading this book, and it's one of my favourites. It's a queer adventure romance with some of the most interesting treatment of dysphoria, unlearning toxic masculinity and finding love as a trans person that I've ever read. I love it. Great swashbuckling, enemies-to-lovers plotline with richer queer themes beneath. It's a really quick read, so if you like OFMD I think you'll dig this story.
~ Tristan

Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle
I didn't like this one nearly as much as the other horror books from Chuck Tingle, but there were some great, gorey, horrifying moments.
~ Step

Patricia Wants to Cuddle by Samantha Allen
Liked this one a lot! A takedown of the kind of heteronormative relationships displayed on dating shows with some horror in the third act (that I do wish had started earlier). Overall really enjoyable, funny read.
~ Step

My Contract with the Apothecary Monster Vol 2 by Ino Manmaru and Ayaka Sakuraze
It’s heavy on the world building and some people might get turned off by the amount of information dumped onto the reader, but I like a complex world with unusual rules and settings and this… well, it’s not entirely out of the ordinary but it IS fun. Called from another world, the story revolves around a young woman who ends up getting a contract with a powerful monster that want her to… punish him? Yeah, it’s weird. I’m here for it though. The art is gorgeous, the world is fascinating, and it makes me turn my brain off just enough for me to keep wanting more.
~ FrazzledWriter

The Skeleton Key - Erin Kelly
I INHALED the first few parts of this book, unfortunately the twists twisted in a way I wasn't a fan of and it was more family drama than mystery but still, well written and compelling enough that I stayed interested for 500+ pages.
~ rueforyou

Everybody wants to rule the world except me by Django Wexler
Really loved it! It’s the second book in a duology, it’s such a fun story. Set in a fantasy world of time loops, fox people, talking rocks and sexy orcs and the fundamental message of what it means to be human.
~ Laura (watchtheflow on bsky)

Educating Esmé by Esmé Raji Codell
Wonderful exploration of a first year of teaching. I admit it was a bit wishful at times, and may have even veered into mild white savior territory in the author’s explanation of being a white educator in a predominantly Black school. But Codell’s prose is always so rich and the love she has for her students bursts off of the pages in a way I wish to have for my students.
~ Delaney @lavenderluxury

Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies by Heather Fawcett
Overall, very enjoyable! A flawed (and definitely neurodivergent) narrator, interesting narrative voice, and lots of little mini-plots within the greater plot. I'll definitely be reading the sequel.
Mildly annoyed that the character who for most of the world was clearly aspec apparently isn't by the end, but what else is new? At least we got a sapphic couple and NO ONE in the story seemed to think that was even vaguely an issue.
~ AceofGames

The Rushworth Family Plot by Claudia Gray
4th book of a series, so I'm pretty locked in now. I enjoy the setting (Austen's England) and the narrative voices (19 year old girl and 23 year old neurodivergent guy who is clearly demisexual), and the mysteries are really solid. Good re-readability. By book 4, though, I'm getting a little tired of the star-crossed lovers and just wish the author would give them a break already... That said, I'll almost certainly read book 5.
~ AceofGames

The Hymn to Dionysus by Natasha Pulley
You ever feel like a book was written for you specifically? I devoured this and immediately started reading it again. They really got me with that voicey prose and copious amounts of yearning. Plus Dionysus is my favorite Greek god, and Pulley really digs deep into his lore in a way that is INCREDIBLY satisfying. There were so many little details I’ve never seen explored before in fiction. Plenty here for mythology fans.
~ acesaru

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
It was a slow start - I didn't really get into it until halfway in. But then I LOVED it after that!
~ Aletea

Persuasion by Jane Austen
This is maybe my third or fourth reread of Persuasion. I love a second chance romance (and I YEARN for an OFMD au with Stede as Anne and Ed as Captain Wentworth)
~ Lindsay (wildflowerstede)

The Guncle by Steven Rowley
This is next month’s pick for my in person book club. I skipped this month’s cause it was making everyone sad & angry-thought I would read something lighter. Turns out the MC’s trauma is similar to my own 30yo trauma so I ended up sobbing instead. A lot.
Hilarious and heartfelt look at grief, family, childhood, aging. Loved the old Hollywood references. I’ve already picked up the sequel!
5/5⭐️
~ FelinePharma

Oryx and Crake - Margaret Atwood
It’s my second time reading this book. The first was years ago when I couldn’t get it out of my head. While Atwood is more known for The Handmaid’s Tale , I feel like this frightening look at the worst of humanity is just as meaningful. CWs: plague/pandemic, child sexual abuse and CSA materials.
~ Ironstrangle

Pedro Lemebel “My Tender Matador”
this was so lovely. i adore books that interweave real history with a fictional story, and this one did it so well. made me angry, made me laugh and made me cry. the language is beautiful, and i love how decadent all the emotion is. highly recommend!
~ Florence, @florenceafter12.bsky.social

Your Money Playbook: How to Earn More, Build Wealth, and Win at Life, by Brandon Copeland
This one’s a keeper - and works surprisingly well as an audiobook. I tend to roll my eyes at the mention of most personal finance books - they’re usually written by people who lived most of their lives in a different era, and the entire frame of reference is so different from today’s economy that it’s like decoding a historical document. And they’re generally either religious or based on some highly moralistic secular belief system. This one, however, is different.
Here we have someone who has been all over the economic map in his relatively young life - he grew up around normal working class people, but then through playing football in the Ivy League and then the NFL has seen how stupidly rich people manage their money - for better or worse. Because he’s not beholden to any kind of financial tradition, he’s seen money do great things and terrible things to people, and he’s really good at breaking those things down into understandable processes.
Using the football framework is helpful, since most of us have probably spent far more of our time thinking about football than finance, so it takes it out of the mysterious realm of formulas and symbols and breaks down action steps.
Normally, something like this would work better in a visually readable format - but the author is so good at laying out the steps that the audio is the way to go here- especially for couples or families that may want to experience it together as part of a shared financial plan. It would also make the perfect gift for a high school or college graduate- but I’m far beyond those years and I learned quite a bit, so don’t skip listening to it yourself if you’re gifting.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
~ meganreal

Moonleapers, by Margaret Peterson Haddix
I love this book. I just finished it, and all I want to do is pick it back up and start again from the beginning. I am several decades beyond the intended audience, and I have read several timeline-change type books written for adults, and none of them did the concept justice like Moonleapers. You'll love it as much as I did if you....
*Enjoy puzzle mysteries like The Westing Game, Artemis Fowl, etc.
*Like a main character who is focused on the core plot point instead of interpersonal relationships
*Can handle an imperfect family dynamic without drama
*Appreciate little pieces of actual history scattered intelligently through your fiction
*Are looking for a series starter that wraps up the immediate plot while still leaving breadcrumbs of things to come
I hope this one finds its audience so it can continue for many installments to come!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
~ meganreal

Steel Fear by Brandon Webb and John David Man
Solid thriller with more of an emphasis on lost memories than military nuts and bolts. *****
~ meganreal

Shogun, Part One, by James Clavell
I’m the age when everyone had a copy of Shogun in their house and their parents had seen the miniseries when we were kids - but not old enough to have read it myself when it was new. I vaguely wondered what it was about - something Japanese, obviously, but was it fiction? History? Romance? Fighting?
I can see now why it was so popular - there’s something for everyone, with the huge cast of characters but surprisingly straightforward story. Yes, there are many twists and turns, and it can be a bit of a challenge to keep track of the shifting alliances and plots - but by keeping the focus on the central character’s impressions of Japan as a European who starts out completely ignorant of Asian cultures there are plenty of opportunities for repetition and explanation. Are there sections that could probably be shorter? Yes. But it’s such a crazy ride that you can overlook them.
The narrator of the audio edition generally does a competent job of using accents to convey who is speaking without completely falling into stereotypes. However, when he is narrating action or exposition rather than dialogue, he has a tendency to trail off a bit at the ends of sentences. This could also be a microphone or mixing issue, but it is frustrating at times to have to guess at the last word of each phrase.
Breaking the book up into two parts was a good choice - after nearly 20 hours of part one, most of us are ready for a break no matter how compelling and suspenseful the story might be.
Overall, this has aged surprisingly well. The current edition presented with the TV show poster art on the cover was recorded in 2015 but presumably rereleased to coincide with the show’s debut - so don’t expect any TV-related extras, but if you’re intrigued enough to want the full story, this is a convenient way to do it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
~ meganreal

The Floating World by Axie Oh
This is definitely one of those love it or hate it books. I enjoyed it for what it is, with the caveat that there are a few too many characters and plot points for the length of the story (even though it will presumably be a series - some of them would have been better served by waiting for their own spotlight).
Here's the test: If I mention the Grishaverse, the Rey/Kylo Ren era of Star Wars, Sarah J. Maas, etc., do you:
A) Shudder slightly and unfollow me; or
B) Get out your fan art and start comparing your favorite relationships.
Group B is the target audience for this story - you will recognize many moments from similar works, which is not a criticism - you know what you like, and this is designed to give you more of it.
I listened to the audiobook, and it did, at times, seem like the narrator was from Group A - her voice is very clear and easy to understand, but she did not seem to be having a particularly good time, which was unfortunate.
But setting that aside, this is a great (and very G-rated, by the way) addition to that particular subset of romantasy.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
~ meganreal

Reviews as of July 4, 2025

The woods all black by lee mandelo
Okay! So this was not where I thought this book would go at all but it was amazing. The mcs are so cool and full of character and spitfire and I love them.
To be fair, the sex scenes kind of squicked me, especially the later one. But eh, not cup of tea but its my table so i'll live with it. Overall a really good reas! 4/5
~ Trashdog13

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
I haven’t read anything from the horror genre for a very long time, and I really enjoyed this one. I never could get into the writing styles of the famous horror authors from my generation (King, Straub, Barker) but I enjoyed how this one was able to seamlessly blend humour into both tragic and terrifying scenes. I look forward to reading his other books.
~ FelinePharma

Delicious in Dungeon vol 2, Ryoko Kui
I’ll be honest, I started reading this after watching the anime. (They were absolutely targeting me with this series.) I love how well the art and dialogue and world work together to make an easy to digest, fun, incredibly complex read. The book was just straight up FUN. You can’t help but smile the entire time you read it. Every character has a unique, distinct design, and the amount of work spent to the bit of cooking monsters is absolutely legendary. I adore the series and I can’t wait to binge through the whole series.
~ frazzledwriter@bsky.social

Dungeon Crawler Carl - Matt Dinniman
Great blend of humor and darker stuff as Carl tries to survive the dungeon with his ex-girlfriend’s cat, Princess Donut. The end of Earth is being broadcast across the universe, viewed by billions of people/aliens. And poor Carl is wearing what he came into the dungeon with- his ex’s crocs, a t-shirt, leather jacket, and boxers covered in hearts.
~ killerweasel

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
An excellent unsettling retelling of “The Fall of the House of Usher” that felt firmly located in contemporary horror. Before I knew it, it was past midnight, and I’d finished the book. I read an ebook edition but I have to mention Avi Roque reads the audiobook, and they’re one of my favorite narrators.
~ Cap (gentleranium.bsky.social)

The Taiga Ridge Murders, Skyla Dawn Cameron
At a loss how to talk about this one sans spoilers. I enjoyed the book. The main character revisits an isolated lodge where she spent her early childhood before and briefly after her parents were jailed for a series of gruesome murders, and secrets are gradually revealed. Has a, well, unexpected but not shocking ending? Twist on a haunting, I am not sure how much of what occurs does so naturally and how much by ...extranormal means. CW mild (imo) descriptions of the aftermath of serial killings; CW semigraphic descriptions of intimate partner abuse, recently past; CW and I will always spoiler this (and this is a guarantee with this author) the cat lives and is fine; CW well if you could cope with OFMD you can cope with the degree to which I'd bother spoilering: mild cannibalism. If you do not want to read about isolation and challenges to survival, feeling trapped, being gaslit, or very bad childhoods this is not for you. This is a work of horror, or gothicy suspense with horror elements maybe.
~ madcatacres

The Luminous Dead, by Caitlin Starling
A science fiction-horror novel, set in a dystopian spacefaring future, extraterrestrial caving with extreme (temporary) body modification and armor, lying lesbians with mommy or/and daddy issues, hardcore manipulation tendencies, claustrophobia/claustrophilia, uncertainty of perception/hallucination and bodies galore (that's my CW and minor spoilers on this one embedded in the summary. I'd CW some more specifics but that would entail major spoilers). I enjoyed it but felt like the resolution at the ending needed a lot more.....fuckin therapy, lol. Reminded me slightly of some Nicola Griffith if she'd gone a lot darker.
~ madcatacres

Dirus by L.J. Vitanza
An absolutely amazing read about dire wolves still living in secret out in Yellowstone, on the hunt for food as humans make it harder on them when it comes to survival. Humans and animals begin disappearing, making everyone wonder what the truth is. A page turner I couldn’t put down, even when it was 3am!
~ IzzyHandsArt

Evocation by S.T. Gibson
I enjoyed it! I knew it was a romance but I didn’t expect it to be a polyamorous one from the blurb, and that was a nice surprise because I enjoyed the dynamics that it gave the characters. I liked the nods to different magical traditions in universe, the world building was interesting. I’m definitely looking forward to the next in the series!
~ zoestertoaster

The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz
I enjoyed it. I mainly listened to it cuz Rory Kinnear narrated it.
~ Silverbatwing

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang
A joy to read - recommended for fans of Sanderson who enjoy a unique and well-examined magic system.
~ HipHopAnonymous

Goth by Otsutchi
This was absolutely not my pick. It was chosen by another member of my book club. Six intertwined vignettes of murder and other horrors. It wasn’t really my cup of tea but I did enjoy the way the stories dipped in and out of the same continuity and the way the author played with very disturbing violent imagery. Definitely approach with caution but it was a trip 6/10
~ Kayla (ironstrangle)

The Broposal by Sonara Reyes
Funny little book about two best friends who decide to get married so one of them can get the green card. It's actually cute. One of them is autistic and it's probably mentioned once but you can tell he is through the book from the way the acts and thinks. There's a hateful ex girlfriend that I was tired of. But the two main characters are good I think, they obviously cared about each other.
There's a mention to some show called 'Our Flag Means Death'.
~ MoonySmith81| Feña

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
It felt like just a cozy, relaxing read at first. Then I got to a line at the end that just took me out; I keep going back and re-reading this one line. It was wonderful.
"You keep asking why your work is not enough, and I don’t know how to answer that, because it is enough to exist in the world and marvel at it. You don’t need to justify that, or earn it. You are allowed to just live."
~ @aletea

Nevada by Imogen Binnie
I think it built into something really interesting. It definitely feels of its time (published in 2013, but the author started writing it in 2008), which the author notes. It can get didactic, but never less than insightful. I see the influence of this book on other books that came after. The ending is controversial, but I actually really liked it. It is told with two main characters. It takes a lot of time before the author gets to the second main character, and I wish there was more prose-wise to differentiate the two, even though it kind of works thematically. I have a lot to say about this one, which is great! Art! But I’ll leave it here.
~ BKTrashCat

Marsha by Tourmaline
This was both an informative and incredibly impactful read, absolutely worth picking up if you’d like to learn more about Marsha P. Johnson’s life and legacy.
~ acesaru

"May We Be Spared to Meet on Earth" by Potter, Koellner, Carney, and Williamson
A great book for Terror/polar exploration fans. It's a collection of letters from the Erebus and Terror crews, as well as letters sent to them. The best part is when the writers' personalities shine through in their words and writing styles, i.e. James Fitzjames's wit and humor. I also found Lady Jane Franklin's unending devotion to finding her husband for years after his disappearance to be very moving. Sometimes the letters are repetitive (if someone was writing updates to several different people) but that's completionism for you. It's a fantastic resource.
~ @spacecadetglowao3.bsky.social

Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and the Marriage That Shook Europe by Julia Fox and John Guy
I’m back on my Tudor history hyperfixation bullshit of yore. I love history, but it was a long and dense and a lot closer to the academic side of the scale than the compellingly written public history side of the scale. If nothing else, it’s got me itching to find another book about the Tudors.
~ Lindsay (wildflowerstede)

Invitation to a Banquet: The Story of Chinese Food by Fuchsia Dunlop
This one was long but really interesting. I do wish there had been some photos included though, especially given all the discussion of the presentation of different dishes.
~ remreader

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
I enjoyed it, although it was a bit longer than it needed to be. There were a couple of fun surprises along the way.
~ Callous

The Good Old Days- They Were Terrible! By Otto L. Bettmann
Nonfiction book focuses on the time just before the United States Civil War & goes to 1900. It’s amazing people are still here considering how deadly & toxic so many things were.
~ killerweasel

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
Great! Gay! Gothic! the three Gs are all you need ;)
~ darcylindbergh

Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
Loved it!
~ Aletea

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea - Rebecca Thorne
Just as advertised, cozy, romantic, tea, maybe some dragons. Will probably continue with the series.
~ FelinePharma

Home Before Dark by Riley Slager
I love haunted house books and this was a pretty decent one.
~ darcylindbergh

What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
Loved this sequel to What Moves the Dead. A different type of creepy than the first, and I enjoyed the further world-building the premise allowed for. I also loved the return of Angus and Eugenia Potter.
~ Cap / gentleranium.bsky.social

Alanna: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Tamora Pierce (Author), Vita Ayala (Adapted By), Sam Beck (Illustrator)
A beautifully illustrated adaptation of Alanna: The First Adventure that perfectly captures the spirit of the novel. I especially loved how Gareth and Sir Myles were rendered. Very excited for the next volume that will adapt my favorite of the Song of the Lioness books, In the Hand of the Goddess.
~ Cap / gentleranium.bsky.social

Thank You For Calling The Lesbian Line by Elizabeth Lovatt
An incredibly well-researched archival retelling of the sorts of calls a lesbian helpline in the nineties received, this book made me feel closer to my community than ever. Throughout, Elizabeth Lovatt reflects on a logbook she found from a North London lesbian helpline and ties these logs into queer history, politics and her own experiences with coming out. I especially appreciated the inclusivity of this book, detailing disabled lesbians, lesbians of colour and trans lesbians who used the helpline and what their experiences doing so might have been like.
"I think of lesbians as the unspoken squeeze of a hand in public, the silent nod, the friendly dykish glance. I think of lesbian as the ellipsis in a question, the slow trailing off, 'is she a...' If lesbians are in the 'um's and the not 'um's, in the spoken and the unspoken, in the loud and the silence - then we are everywhere."
~ @petrichorpond.bsky.social

Mr Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo
A thought-provoking and funny look at comp het and the complex intersections between culture, race, class and sexuality
~ Steph (moderatecitrus)

Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom 6 by Mo9Rang
I’m absolutely in love with this fluffy take on a fairytale Isekai. Mature characters dealing with dark traumas and becoming better people all in the framework of a fairytale meant for kids while still maintaining a clear plot that is solely different from the tried and true narrative. It’s just fun. It’s a nice way to turn off your brain and the color palette is pretty too.
~ @frazzledwriter.bsky.social

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
It was a bit dated in language but it was an interesting book. I remember reading it as a kid but I forgot most of it.
~ Silverbatwing

Sea Change by Gina Chung
I read this in the space of two days, so there's no denying it absolutely grabbed me (insert tentacle puns, etc). The simplistic yet impactful prose was right up my alley, as was the connection between the main character, Ro, and the octopus at the aquarium she works at. Honestly, it was healing in a lot of ways – throughout the book, Ro deals with grief and change and often reaches epiphanies that hit me right in the gut, especially for their ephemeral nature 'cause, yeah, it's like that. Spoiler? I'm still unpicking how I really feel about the ending. Currently unsure. I guess, kind of like big changes in life, I built the idea of it up in my head, and it wasn't that at all, but still made me feel a lot of things and I loved it for that.
~ @petrichorpond.bsky.social

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
I had a feeling I’d like this one, but WOW. I ADORED it. It’s beautiful and clever and bittersweet in a way that’s going to sit with me for a long time.
~ acesaru

Brokeback mountain by annie proulx
Basically the movie, extremely heart wrenching and beautiful.
~ Trashdog13

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
This was a very atmospheric Gothic story set in the 1950s. Noemí visits her cousin, Catalina, who lives with her husband and his family, to check on her well-being after receiving a concerning letter. Noemí soon finds herself wrapped up in a hauntingly mysterious family secret that could keep her from returning to life as she knows it.
I liked that this book blurred the lines between reality and a dreamlike state that kept pulling the main character, Noemí, in deeper and deeper. The slower narrative pace lends to Noemí's journey in navigating the family's dark secrets and her distrust for the cause of her cousin's turmoil, creating an air of uncertainty for both the main character and the reader.
3.5⭐
~ bookloverstede.bsky.social

Goldenhand, Garth Nix
The Old Kingdom audiobooks are some of my go-to comfort media. This isn't the first time I've listened to Goldenhand (and the rest of the series) and it won't be the last!
~ michellethestan

The Longest Night by EE Ottoman
This is a historical transmasc romance novella by a transmasc author. Two lonely men meet after exchanging letters for years. A bit of angst, a bit of spice, and a cat named Guinevere make it just the right mix of real and soft. 💖
~ silvergoldsea