Usually, reading a fantasy novel transports me—like it’s supposed to—into strange worlds with different customs, […]
The Lost for Words Bookshop, by Stephanie Butland
Trigger warning for domestic violence. Lovejoy Cardew is in hiding. She has good reasons for […]
The Butcher’s Daughter, by Victoria Glendinning
Victoria Glendinning’s The Butcher’s Daughter explores a theme I hadn’t considered before—or even really addressed—in historical […]
Number One Chinese Restaurant, by Lillian Li
There are two ways to respond to a family legacy. One way is to try […]
Me, Myself, and Them, by Dan Mooney
There’s an old joke: How many psychologists does it take to change a lightbulb? One, […]
Magic or Madness? Or, The Genre is in the Interpretation
Usually, assigning genres to a book is not a difficult task. I’m a librarian; we […]
Island of the Mad, by Laurie R. King
Laurie R. King’s Island of the Mad is the fifteenth entry in the Mary Russell and Sherlock […]
Convenience Store Woman, by Sayaka Murata
Keiko Furukura has an unusual flaw. Though she’s intelligent, she doesn’t understand other people. Ever […]
The Bookshop of Yesterdays, by Amy Meyerson
Either C.S. Lewis or William Nicholson said, “We read to know we are not alone.” […]
Space Opera, by Catherynne M. Valente
Every now and then, I’ll run across a book where you can absolutely tell that […]