This series of essays is thought provoking and disturbing and educational and stirring and you can‘t help coming away with a new perspective on the world. My privilege does not exempt me from my own ignorance and I encourage everyone to read and promote Black authors, Indigenous authors, Women authors, and anyone whose voice is underrepresented. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

These short stories are intense. I have read and loved du Maurier‘s novels, but I had no idea she had written short stories or that they would scare the bejesus out of me. It‘s a subtle kind of spine tingling scare. You shudder and kind of look over your shoulder. They are so good. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From cover to cover, you have to admire the layout and the illustrations. Subtitled, Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World is the text. The writer acknowledges that we have to have some consumerism to pay the bills, but that if we combine that with a gift economy, we will live in an infinitely better world. The Serviceberry is the example of the gift economy used throughout. Robin Wall Kimmerer is our collective conscience. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a must read. Told from the perspective of the dolls of different generations within a family of Indigenous women, this novel is about “Indian” boarding schools and the damage they have done and continue to do. It is about generational trauma and the healing power of ancestral wisdom. Community is powerful. Identity is powerful. Respect is powerful. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If I were a Fredrik Backman fan, I‘m sure I would find this short story hilarious. It has that potential. Unfortunately, I am not a fan, and the absurdity of this short story is merely annoying. It is a commentary on society, that much is plain to see. I read it because it was free and short and got me one book closer to my Kindle reading goal. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I‘ve only read the short story, The Birds, but it is ten times scarier than the Hitchcock movie. It has a different slant and fills the imagination with all kinds of horrible possibilities. Well worth the read. On to the rest. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Secret societies create unhealthy environments. They look glamorous on the surface, but there‘s an ugly worm in the center. This novel switches back and forth between past and present and between 2 different characters. There is murder and intrigue and too many secrets. I felt the story could have been a little shorter and the twists were really just kind of curves, but overall, I enjoyed it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don‘t read a lot of horror because I‘m a chicken, but this novel had just the right amount of horror. Kari has never believed in anything so how does she explain her sudden visions? I‘m not saying anything more as I don‘t want to spoil anything. You will not regret reading this wildly entertaining book, just maybe not at night. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Marcie Rendon is one of my favorite authors. This is a standalone novel. Quill is fierce and determined and independent and her husband Crow has to come to terms with her nature. There is trauma, mystery, violence to indigenous women, love, loyalty. This is an excellent read. Be sure to read the Author‘s Note. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a gentle mystery, and not really about the mystery, so much, and more about the characters and their relationships. Family, death, love, loyalty, secrets, identity, inheritance, self discovery. This is a fast read and you won‘t want to put it down. If you liked the author‘s book The Last Thing He Told Me, you‘ll like this one even better. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a grim, gruesome, gory novel, but it has a joyous ending. Rita Todacheene‘s gift may just kill her this time. But she has a secret weapon, a community of love. Will she be able to solve the murders before it‘s too late? This is such a fantastic series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I had to take a break in the middle of this novel because I knew what was coming and I wasn‘t emotionally ready. I‘m glad I waited and I‘m glad I finished it. I have loved this series and this felt like an ending. I‘m sure I‘ll continue to wonder how all of the Thursday Murder Club is faring. Maybe we‘ll hear from them again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This has got to be one of the best Ruth Galloway mysteries, yet. Have we reached the end? It feels like it, but I think that‘s OK. There‘s a murder to solve, of course, but, personally, I was more interested in the involvements of all of the characters that I have come to love. No spoilers, but that ending had me bawling. All is as it should be. And I will forever wonder what they are all doing now. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Once again, Patricia Cornwell has completely captured me. These novels are never better than when Kay Scarpetta is recovering a weird dead body. Is one of her greatest enemies back in play? The Wizard of Oz, UFOs (?), fake moon dust, secret government facilities, mysterious occurrences. The whole wonderful, familiar cast of characters. And an ending that ties everything up and is pretty satisfying. I want more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What part of this novella is imagination and what part is autobiographical (be sure to read the Afterword)? An artist has a, possibly, “hallucinogenic” encounter with a swamp creature, and certainly faces down her own death. This book will make you think and horrify you at the same time. It‘s chilling and I loved it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

GAH! Chilled me to the bone! Tess is a mess but for good reasons as we find out. With all her flaws, you can‘t help really loving her. The cult of all cults with far reaching tentacles, characters within characters, murder, torture, mayhem, so, so many twists and turns, flashbacks, a possible hint to a sequel(?), but an ending that ties things up. So good! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a lovely story. It‘s hard even as an adult to make and keep friends. It‘s harder still to be your own best friend. The discovery that we, each of us, is enough is so freeing. A bittersweet short story, but with such a lovely, warm ending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think this book is even better than The Kind Worth Killing. I love the odd relationship between Lily and Henry, but Lily Kintner is someone not to be messed with, and the next book in the series, A Talent for Murder, bears this out. Murder, mystery, sociopaths, blurred lines between good and evil. I just love this series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Take a family that only wants sons named Peter and there‘s bound to be issues. The reputation of the family and especially the sons is more important than anything. Well, that‘s just a recipe for all kinds of not good. The secret at the heart of this book will cause an explosion in the Van Laar empire. Liz Moore is so good with the family drama. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Holy cow! I know I shouldn‘t adore the serial killer(?), but how can you not? This is such a morally ambiguous, twisty little tale and the ending made me groan out loud, “oh no.” I already have the next book on deck and I will probably start it immediately. Lily Kintner is one of the most interesting characters I‘ve encountered. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Did this take me a year to read? Yes. Yes it did. It‘s an anthology, though and not necessarily intended as a read through. Much like the first volume, this is packed with terrific BIPOC speculative short stories. There‘s a particularly disturbing story by Tananarive Due, but what else would you expect (I love her). This anthology is so worth the read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It‘s hard to review a book of best American science and nature writing. I love these types of anthologies, for lack of a better word, and I obviously liked or loved certain of the articles. They were all informative and some I cared about more than others. Some are extremely pertinent to the current election and beyond. If you like scientific writing, this will be your jam. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Although I ended up liking her, Jody was a little hard to take sometimes. The arc of the novel necessitated that her character grow, but it was a messy process. Music festival gone off the rails, paranoia, friends who may not be friends, trafficking of all sorts, and a killer ending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Who would guess that this would be such a charming and touching “biography”? Did I cry? Yes, I did. Such a creative imagining of the life of an influential cat (but aren‘t they all?). Christopher Smart was a complicated poet but he immortalized his most faithful of companions, who may have indeed led such a life as depicted within. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a perfect story! Sisters, books, love, baking, art, an island. I love these stories. Alice Hoffman has such a way with words and I can‘t wait for the next installment! Do yourself a favor and start from the beginning. You‘ll fall in love. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I‘m glad I read the 8 books that the author spoils before reading this book. I feel it added to my enjoyment of this book, and I did enjoy this book, very much. Unreliable narrator, lots of books mentioned, many murders, other quite likable characters. I really like the way this author composes a story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I would not have guessed that the author of Winnie the Pooh could write such a thoroughly masterful murder mystery. Clever, funny, mysterious, murdery, tricky, with extremely likable characters. A very satisfying read with a Sherlockian twist. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book is a twisty thriller. It starts out quite tamely, but, oh, that ending. The Florida heat is a major character in this murdery tale. Beware those with a rigid moral code. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Holy smokes! This book hit me hard! I‘ve never seen the movie and I‘m glad because it just can‘t be as good as this book. It‘s shocking what people will do for money. I certainly wasn‘t expecting that ending, either. Oh boy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book caught me completely off guard. It started off as one book and morphed into another book, but still the same book. Also, how was I not aware that this was the 3rd book in a series? So now I have to start with book 1. Anyway, murder, murder, who‘s done the murder(s)? And don‘t mess with Lily Kintner. Wow. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a very cat and mouse mystery. We are in the mind of the murderer but there are outside forces arrayed against him that we are not privy to. So, who is the mouse and who is the cat? I did not really like any of the characters but that‘s part of the fun of trying to piece it all together. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I‘ve never seen the movie and I‘m glad because this book is so devilishly, maddeningly, twistedly clever. That ending sent chills down my spine. I don‘t think I really liked any of the characters and I don‘t know that we‘re meant to but we do get a look at what guilt can do to a person‘s mind. Brrrrr. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From the beginning of this novel, I felt all at sea, but drawn inexorably forward. I didn‘t know who or what to believe. Was this a ghost story? What was real? Who was real? Would it all end in disaster or would we get a happy ending or at least not a tragic one? Wow, I didn‘t see the end coming. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

How can one not rate an Agatha Christie mystery anything but 5 stars? And especially with Hercule Poirot as the detective. I particularly love the cleverness of his mysteries. I was fooled right up to the end. Of course, I always picture David Suchet as Hercule Poirot, which just added to my delight in reading this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

China has initiated WWIII. They have attacked the U S A. Evidently, this has been the beginning of their undoing. There is a chasm of cultural understanding. And the occupiers are just beginning to realize their mistake. Dissent from within may be their final undoing. This powerful short story reminded me of All Quiet on the Western Front. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This eminently readable book about science lets the humanness behind science shine through. From the woman who literally walked the time of day to people through to modern computers. I learned so much. Science belongs to the people. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is such a funny short story. A harmless version of the Thursday Murder Club, sort of. A vignette of old friends trying on revenge for one of their own, with hilarious consequences. I just love Margaret Atwood. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a very clearly written narrative about our earth, our home, and what we need to do to preserve her. It lays out the prehistory and history of the changes our world had already experienced and spells out recurring cycles, but clearly shows that the human influence is accelerating the natural cycles of climate change. Is it already too late? We had better hope not. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Just because you can do something doesn‘t mean that you should, is the theme of this novel, or at least it should be. This is a horrible lesson in just how we humans can out clever ourselves. Agent Cash and Sheriff Colcord are flawed but sympathetic protagonists and face impossible situations with intelligence and compassion. This novel will scare the hell out of you and the afterword proves that truth may be stranger than fiction. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This novel was a solid mystery but could have used some editing. There were times I lost the narrative, but it had a really heartfelt ending. I really like Nash Running Bear and her wife Mina. Lots of federal agencies, drugs, a serial killer, tribal lore, a dog named Powder (does not die), small town politics. There are more books in this series and I may try another. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hard book to review. A novel and yet it reads more like a memoir. It is about everything and nothing. We share the inner and outer lives of 6 astronauts/cosmonauts as they orbit the planet in an international space station. The descriptions of the earth from space and the 16 ascending/descending orbits that make up a day and a night are beautiful and enigmatic and otherworldly and unimaginable and this novel is unlike any other I have read.5⭐️

Mirror Lake is a typical small town and the Holts are a typical small town family. These statements are true and they‘re also not true. From the beginning our perceptions of the town and family start to unravel. Hazel is a somewhat unreliable narrator. What is really going on in Mirror Lake and is her home haunted? This book will twist you up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It‘s hard to read a play as opposed to seeing a play, but this play has a good plot and many twists. I read it in preparation for reading a novel that references the play and gives away the plot points. It‘s a decent murder mystery. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh my dear god. This is such a bizarre novel. C. J. Tudor has written another scary as hell thriller and I love it. Vampyrs live among us. They live in Colonies and all is definitely not well. A horrible history exists between them and humans and it is an uneasy coexistence, to say the least. Does the end of this book hint at a sequel? I dearly hope so. Barbara Atkins is a force to be reckoned with. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

De-extinction?!?! I‘m in! Already deeply invested in this novel, I can hardly wait for the rest of it. My imagination is running wild. What horrifying thrills await us? I love a good sneak preview! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This mystery/thriller revolves around a podcast, which is a trope that I love. Lucy Chase, the subject of the podcast may or may not have murdered her best friend. The problem is that she can‘t remember any of the circumstances surrounding her friend‘s death. She is a totally unreliable and dysfunctional narrator and I love her. This book is so well written and just grabs you from the get go. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a creepy as hell book and I love it! A reunion of old friends who have fallen out of touch, but that is where any similarity to the reunion of old friends trope ends. The creepy estate, the dangerous weather, become characters in this twisty, strange thriller. Nothing and no one is as it seems and I did not see that ending coming. This is a really great read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a provocative preview and I really, really want to read the rest of this book. Already, I‘m not sure who to trust and I love that. I have loved previous Louisa Luna novels and this one has really grabbed me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I have to admit that I struggled through some parts of this book, but it‘s an important read. This is a painstaking explanation of the climate change crisis and real solutions on how we can begin to fix it. There are practical steps that need to be taken and radical ideas that might work if the whole world can work together. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I am in absolute love with this book. It is filled with everything and nothing. There is not a lot of action and these are ordinary people discovering their own ordinary extraordinariness. The librarian is not oracular, she just has a heightened sense of intuition. All are remade, but by their own effort and will. This book will lift your heart, fill your heart, heal your heart. If you read only one book this year, make this book the one.5⭐️