Audiobook Review: Bookworm to Badass by Dustin Tigner, Narrated by Reba Buhr

Bookworm to Badass by Dustin Tigner, audiobook narrated by Reba Buhr, is part of a new GameLit series. Sarah snuffed it, expired, breathed her last breath—also known as died, if you need it spelled out—in the most unlikely of places, the library. But do not fret! This is perfectly normal. What is not normal, however, is the persistence of one’s soul after shuffling off this mortal coil. To break the Cycle is strange and wrong and perverse. It goes against the very nature of existence: lives must eventually be recycled (responsibly). Lucky or unlucky, Sarah finds herself Cycle-broken and very much alive, depending on how strict you wish to be with that definition. Turns out, heaven has a return policy better than Costco. And souls are terribly expensive. So if Sarah doesn’t win some forthcoming contests, she is to be flushed back to the Primordial Sea of Souls, back to the Cycle to eventually be reincarnated as whatever the RNG gods have in store for her. A slug, most likely. Join Sarah on her crazy and hilarious adventure into a new fantasy world, where she learns to swear, kill cute monsters, and fight for her survival.

Bookworm to Badass is the start of Sarah's story, and what a start. Having read, or listened to Wrong Divinity (same world, related but not yet reliant on each other) first I knew that Sarah would survive and that she would figure out life as a vampire going into this story. However, I thought Sarah was a charming and, at least for me, very relatable character. I felt bad for her, and angry for her in turn. There were some moments that had me physically reacting, clenching my jaw and getting stressed, when big things were happening. There were some serious twists, and some secondary characters that I kind of what to go back to and see if there is another layer to their story and what might happen to them next. Honestly, I am still trying to figure out what the long game for the gods and mad queen of this world are playing at. I am deeply invested in the larger story line, and cannot wait to see what happens next with Sarah, and how the bigger picture might come together.

Bookworm to Badass is an engaging and entertaining read. I cannot wait to see how this and the Wrong Divinity series come together, because I am sure they will (again). 

Book Review: Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu (Volume 1) by Natsuya Semikawa, Virginia Nitouhei

Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu (Volume 1) is a manga style graphic novel written by Natsuya Semikawa, with art by Virginia Nitouhei. A Japanese style pub called “Nobu” exists in a back alley of the fictional medieval European city of Eiteriach. Its customers? A pair of slacker soldiers, a spoiled heiress, an uptight tax collector, and more. When the citizens of this strange world sit down to enjoy some unfamiliar Japanese cuisine, their troubles simply melt away. The curtain rises on this otherworldly eatery and the gourmet fantasy about to unfold within!

Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu is a well drawn and fun read. It is light hearted and quick to read. There was a good variety of characters, and I liked the undercurrent of mystery. Just where did this shop come from, and how do they get their ingredients? There is good character description and development for the each member of the rotating cast. We get deep insights into a cast of very different characters, more than you might expect in such short chapters.  I look forward to more from this series, because I want to know more about the pub, its two person staff, and its regular patrons. 

Book Review: Time to Shine by Rachel Reid

Time to Shine by Rachel Reid is not part of her Game Changer series, it is a more cozy hockey romance. For Landon Stackhouse, being called up from the Calgary farm team is exciting and terrifying, even if, as the backup goalie, he rarely leaves the bench. A quiet loner by nature, Landon knows he gives off strong “don’t talk to me” vibes. The only player who doesn’t seem to notice is Calgary’s superstar young winger, Casey Hicks. Casey treats Landon like an old friend, even though they’ve only interacted briefly in the past. He’s endlessly charming and completely laid-back in a way that Landon absolutely can’t relate to. They couldn’t have less in common, but Landon needs a place to live that’s not a hotel room and Casey has just bought a massive house—and hates being alone. As roommates, Casey refuses to be defeated by Landon’s one-word answers. As friends, Landon comes to notice a few things about Casey, like his wide, easy smile and sparkling green-blue eyes. Spending the holidays together only intensifies their bromance-turned-romance. But as the new year approaches, the countdown to the end of Landon’s time in Calgary is on.

Time to Shine is much more of a sweet or cozy read that I usually get with Reid. The heat is still there, as is the complexity of the major players, but worries about homophobia or larger complications to their relationship outside themselves does not really come into play. The only this this book lacks in comparison with books from that series is the deeper understanding of the team, its dynamics, and its other players. I love that Landon and Casey each have their own issues, and have a healthy dose of self awareness. I have to admit that Landon's biggest fault is one I share- the difficulty in talking about and unpacking the big feelings. Of course, if he was better at that there would have been very little delay or conflict with this couple. It was nice to see Reid do something a little different, but still very much in her wheelhouse. She continues to be a must read author for me. 

Time to Shine is a sweet, fun read with doses of heat.

Book Review: The Most Magnificent Maker's A to Z by Ashley Spires

The Most Magnificent Maker's A to Z, written and illustrated by Ashley Spires, is the latest addition to The Most Magnificent series highlights all the words little makers need to know.

In this twist on a vocabulary book, the beloved characters from The Most Magnificent Thing walk with readers from A to Z, defining all the words they need to know about making. It perfectly captures the ups (“I is for IDEA. A gift from the imagination that wants to be made”) and the downs (“P is for PATIENCE. Most things don't work the first time … or the third time … or even the twelfth time”) all makers face and includes kid-perfect explanations of key concepts (“B is for BRAINSTORM. When ideas of all shapes and sizes rain onto the page”). It's a fun and clever alphabet journey, sure to inspire magnificent making of every kind! 

The Most Magnificent Maker's A to Z is a lovey and engaging picturebook that encourages readers to be creative and persistent in their efforts to make things. I thought the chosen words were clever and on point for the purpose. As always, I thought Spires's art was a perfect match to the text and keeps the reader focus on the book, and their next project. I love the encouraging tone and spirit of this series of books, and I think this alphabet book would be a delightful addition to personal, school, and public library collections. 

Early Book Review: Better Hate than Never (The Wilmot Sisters) by Chloe Liese

Better Hate than Never by Chloe Liese is currently scheduled for release on October 10 2023. This is the second book in the Wilmot Sisters series, and I admit to not having read the first. I was able to fully enjoy the story despite the lack, but think those reading the series in order will definitely get more from it than those that do not.

Katerina Wilmot and Christopher Petruchio shared backyards as kids, but as adults they won’t even share the same hemisphere. That is, until Kate makes a rare visit home, and their fiery animosity rekindles into a raging inferno. Despite their friends’ and families' pleas for peace, Christopher is unconvinced Kate would willingly douse the flames of their enmity. But when a drunken Kate confesses she’s only been hostile because she thought he hated her, Christopher vows to make peace with Kate once and for all. Tempting as it is to be swept away by her nemesis-turned-gentleman, Kate isn’t sure she can trust his charming good-guy act. When Christopher’s persistence and Kate’s curiosity lead to an impassioned kiss, they realize “peace” is the last thing that will ever be possible between them. As desire gives way to deeper feelings, Kate and Christopher must decide if it’s truly better to hate than to never risk their hearts—or if they already gave them away long ago.

Better Hate than Never is a fun enemies to lovers romance that treats neurodiversity and trauma with respect and honesty. I honestly loved both Christopher and Kate as characters, and was glad that I got to see the story from both perspectives. I am a big fan of actually knowing what all the main players are thinking. I found that the handling of everyone's differences, needs, and struggles were all handled with great care, and I love that the author made note in the beginning of the book what some of the issues at hand were, and how everyone's experiences with them are different and personal. I thought the balance of fun and the heavier moments was on point and I found myself wanting to get to know the entire friend group, and Christopher's coworkers, a lot more. I really enjoyed this read and think others will as well. Now i need to go back and read the first book, Two Wrongs Make a Right, and hope for the third sister to get her story soon. 

Better Hate than Never is an engaging and enjoyable read. 

Audiobook Review: Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem by Roseanne A. Brown, Narrated by Soneela Nankani

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem by Roseanne A. Brown, narrated by Soneela Nankani, is the second book in a series about a preteen vampire slayer, inspired by Ghanaian folklore. This series is one that must be read in order to understand the characters, their connections, and context of most of the action.

After a lifetime of fighting creatures of black magic, twelve-year-old Serwa Boateng has just learned a devastating secret: she herself is half vampire! Now not only is she dealing with vampire puberty, she's on the run from the organization of Slayers she trained her whole life to join. Serwa's only ally is her aunt Boahinmaa, an obayifo who urges Serwa to embrace her vampire side. Boahinmaa and her underlings are on the hunt for the Midnight Drum, from which they hope to free Serwa's grandmother. When they learn that the Abomofuo have hidden the Midnight Drum deep within the Smithsonian Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., what do they do? Stage a heist to steal it, of course! For their plan to succeed, Serwa will have to get close to her rival, a Slayer named Declan Amankwah, without revealing her true nature. Declan gets under her skin like no one else...and might just force Serwa to confront some truths she's tried hard to deny. With both sympathy and laugh-out-loud humor, Rosanne A. Brown captures all the discomfort of a girl stuck between two worlds.

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem is a fantastic follow up to the first book in the series. Serwa's emotional and magical troubles are engaging and completely understandable to me even as an adult. I thought the story was well written and everything fit together well. I am very thankful to be listening to the audiobook version of this series. The reader is phenomenal and I think I could listen to them read an instruction manual- to something I do not own- and still enjoy the experience. Also, I am horrible with pronunciation and would be spending half my read looking p the correct way to say things- so I love that I get to have the book read to me with perfect inflections and tone for the story rather than my own mental stumbling attempts. I have to admit that I was so engrossed in the story that I was surprised, and more than a little disappointed when the book ended. I felt like this book definitely built on the larger story, and Serwa's personal growth, a great deal. However, it also left me with so many more questions and loose ends than answers. I cannot wait for the next book to see where the story goes from here. 

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem is a wonderful addition to this series. I highly recommend this series (in print or audio) for middle grade and older readers. 

Book Review: Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair by Mercury Stardust

Safe and Sound: A Renter-Friendly Guide to Home Repair by Mercury Stardust is a nonfiction resource. For too many people, the simple act of contacting a plumber or repair person can feel like a game of chance. As a transwoman and a professional maintenance technician, Mercury Stardust has discovered (the hard way) that we live in a world with much to fear. If you've ever felt panicked about opening your home to strangers in order to fix a maintenance issue, this book is for you. Renting a home can be a complex process—from finding a safe and affordable space, to hiring help for moving in and out, and of course, managing any repairs that come up during your stay. You deserve to feel empowered to take matters into your own hands—and it’s not as hard as you might think. In this book, Mercury will show you how to tackle the projects that need improvement in your home—from how to properly fix a clog in your bathroom sink and safely hang things on your walls to patching small and medium drywall holes. Remember—a little bit of knowledge can go a long way toward making you feel more safe and in control of your own life.

Safe and Sound is a great resource for renters, that have rules and conditions that they need to follow in their lease. The book offers useful information about renters rights, as well as support and encouragement that readers can do new and challenging things. I found the text to be well written, easy to follow, and strangely comforting. I loved the gentle tone of the writing, and the space for emotional resets.  I have followed Mercury Stardust on Instagram for awhile, and I was thrilled to get a copy of this book via NetGalley. I have always leaned towards trying to fix the little problems in my apartments, now house, myself and this is resource I wish I had back when I first was on my own. I think that homeowners who would rather tackle the doable repairs themselves rather than invite other people into their space unless they have to could get a great deal from this book as well, even if apartment hunting and all they trials that go with it are not something they need. 

Safe and Sound is a well written and valuable resource for renters, and a good book to have on hand for anyone that might need to deal with a household emergency. I will be buying copies of this book for all the young adults in my extended family when they are ready to strike out on their own.

Book Review: Rebel at Heart (Kincaid Brothers) by Zoe York

Rebel at Heart by Zoe York is the final novel in the Kincaid Brothers. I have read some, but not all of the previous books, and I think they all stand fine on their own, but returning readers will get a kick out of seeing old favorites pop up.

Monica Fischer needs to make things right with the man who was her husband for two short, beautiful weeks. Before she lied and told him it was a mistake. But making things right means crossing the continent to find him and tell him that actually, no, her father’s high-priced attorneys didn’t successfully get them an annulment, and now they need a divorce. Josh Kincaid left his heart and his patience in California, three years ago. Now he’s trying to make a living as a small town mechanic. The last person he expects to show up on his doorstep is his wife. Ex-wife. Whatever. But demanding she leaves—immediately, without speaking to anyone in his hometown—doesn’t work. A spring snowstorm traps them together, and forces them to confront their lingering resentment, inconvenient longing, and some painful truths.

Rebel at Heart is a second chance romance that skirts around the things in that sub genre that usually don't work for me. We got to see the entire relationship with flashback that work well in the story, rather than feeling jarring which sometimes happens. I liked both Monica and Josh as characters and was glad to see Josh get his happy ending. The book hit a nice balance between them getting to know each other again and handling feelings, although I would have liked it if they spoke about the issues more, and earlier, rather than just stewing in their own hurt and fear. But, if they did that the book would have been much shorter. I enjoyed the tiny slice of small town you get in the story, but I feel like there was much less of that in this book than in the previous books in the series. I also liked the family and support system that was hinted at, but again that was less evident to those that might have not read the other books and know how much the brothers support each other. 

Rebel at Heart is an engaging and entertaining read. A must read for fans of the author and series, and enjoyable for everyone. 

Early Audiobook Review: After the Forest by Kell Woods, Narrated by Esther Wane

After the Forest by Kell Woods, with the audiobook narrated by Esther Wane, is currently scheduled for release on October 3 2023. Twenty years after the witch in the gingerbread house, Greta and Hans are struggling to get by. Their mother and stepmother are long dead, Hans is deeply in debt from gambling, and the countryside lies in ruin, its people starving in the aftermath of a brutal war. Greta has a secret, though: the witch's grimoire, secreted away and whispering in Greta's ear for the past two decades, and the recipe inside that makes the best gingerbread you've ever tasted. As long as she can bake, Greta can keep her small family afloat. But in a village full of superstition, Greta and her mysteriously addictive gingerbread, not to mention the rumors about her childhood misadventures, is a source of gossip and suspicion. And now, dark magic is returning to the woods and Greta's magic—magic she is still trying to understand—may be the only thing that can save her. If it doesn't kill her first.

After the Forest takes a unique look at several fairy tales, and ties the together. I have seen this done before, but not with this particular set of tales or quite so thoroughly. I liked getting to see Greta and Hans grown up (for the most part) and how their lives have continued on, and how life has progressed for the poor people struggling to survive. I liked the blend of real life, struggle, and magic. I thought the characters were well built, and while I often disagreed with their choices or words, I fully understood what they took that path. There were some moments that I thought Greta was far too naïve or overlooking what I thought was obvious, but I have to admit that the ride was quite the adventure. I was emotionally invested as I listened, and even when it was over I found myself thinking about the story and the characters. I would definitely read a follow up book about what comes next for several sets of characters. 

After the Forest is a engaging and entertaining read that ties together a collection of classic fairy tales in a new way, with a different look at 'ever after'. 

Audiobook Review: Wrong Divinity: Oh Sh*t! I F*cking Hate Spiders! by Dustin Tigner, Narrated by Qarie Marshall; Reba Buhr

Wrong Divinity: Oh Sh*t! I F*cking Hate Spiders! by Dustin Tigner is narrated by Qarie Marshall and Reba Buhr. It is the start of a new GameLit series that balances comedy with serious themes. It's an isekai—a portal fantasy—to the spirit realm. Join Dhane, our underdog, as he explores his new world, a world full of unique characters, RPG mechanics, and spiders—ugly, terrifying spiders—while he learns what it means to be an Arachnomancer.

Dhane kicked the bucket in spectacular fashion, every bone crushed, every organ popped against the full force of a 40-ton garbage truck speeding through a red light. The only part of him intact—whole—entirely unaffected by the grisly affair was his soul. Souls are durable things, you see, like kids: they bounce. And bounce he did, into the abyss between worlds, drifting until one excited soul watcher fished him out and found him a new home, a heaven for gamers and nerds and everything in between. It was all he could have ever wanted in the afterlife, down to choosing his class, killing mobs, and exploring a beautiful fantasy world chock full of mysteries yet to be discovered. At least…it would have been those things if that first day had gone a little tiny bit differently. Instead, he now finds himself locked in the middle of an eternal conflict between Light and Shadow—humans and monsters—potentially being the enemy to all.

Wrong Divinity is a fun and entertaining listen. I enjoyed Dhane's voice and personality, and hope I would be half so entertaining in his place. I thought the world building was well done, and followed the rules of most online sand table top games so that anyone with a basic understanding or enjoyment of either could really enjoy hat aspect of the story without leaving those with a less than extensive knowledge lost since explanations are made well and brief. I was quickly drawn into Dhanes drama, eager to see how everything paned out for him. Even after finishing the listen I am left hoping to dig into the next installment so I can see how everything works out. I thought the narrators did a great job with the book, but I think that most listeners will find their attention drifting during some of the stat building stuff, which I find much easier to tackle on paper. There is a PDF with that information for those looking to delve in.  My only real complaint is that while I enjoyed Dhane's character and some of his creative cursing, that was one phrase- that while it made me smile the first time- I found to be used way too often and started to get annoying by the end of the book. I think if there had been one other phase so that they alternated that would have made me happier. However, that was my biggest complaint and I greatly enjoyed the listen on several levels. I think there is a great audience for this style and subject and that they will enjoy the series. 

Book Review: Grave Suspicions (Lavington Windsor Mysteries) by Alice James

Grave Suspicions by Alice James is the third book in the Lavington Windsor Mystery series. I thought I had read at least one of the two previous books, but I have not. Thankfully I have read enough of this sub genre of books that I was able to figure out most of the important bits quickly.

Estate agent by day, necromancer by night, and reluctant amateur sleuth when bullied into it Toni Windsor is already juggling life and now she has to find out who clubbed a Cornish cheese millionaire to death while he was alone in a locked room. And her diary was already full. She’s trying to keep the peace between vampire courts, a fistful of demonic contracts have just landed on her lap and – no surprise – her love life still isn’t looking great even though she’s finally dating someone who isn’t dead. Can’t a girl catch a break?

Grave Suspicions is an enjoyable and engaging read. When I started the book I thought I had certainly read the first book in the series, simply because this is right up my ally, but I must have some how missed the first two books at some point, which is something I will now have to rectify. The book is balanced well between snarky humor, trying to figure out several mysteries and problems at one, and Toni just trying to figure out exactly who she is and what she want. There is fun, danger, sexy times, and character growth all woven together. If you have read the first two books, then don't stop now. If you have not read the other books I do suggest starting at the beginning (I wish I had) so that you don't have the earlier surprises ruined for you. I am going back to read the first two books now- and I look forward to seeing how Toni got to the point where I met her in this book. 

Grave Suspicions is a fun read with plenty of mystery, shenanigans, and some sexy times.

Early Book Review: Shitty Craft Club: A Club for Gluing Beads to Trash, Talking about Our Feelings, and Making Silly Things by Sam Reece

Shitty Craft Club: A Club for Gluing Beads to Trash, Talking about Our Feelings, and Making Silly Things by Sam Reece is currently scheduled for release on September 19 2023. Did you know that you are a glorious and incredible artist? Wait, really? Well, you are. Shitty Craft Club gives you permission to have fun and be as weird, wild, and wonderful as you want to be. It’s about trying your best, not perfection. With step-by-step instructions and funny, deeply relatable tales from her life, Sam Reece, founder of the Shitty Craft Club movement, hilariously guides you through dozens of projects. Making a bunch of pom-poms so you can be your own cheerleader? That’s a craft. Sculpting a rhinestone shrimp out of aluminum foil and a glue gun? A craft. Having literally one sip of water (congrats, by the way)? Yup, you bet—a craft. Because life is hard. So why not spend a bit of time gluing some trash to more trash if it makes you happy?

Shitty Craft Club is a fun and enjoyable read. Are the crafts in the book my style? Nope, but I think that is kind of the reason I read this book. The encouragement to craft things just because it is fun and you deserve to do something you enjoy is fantastic. I have been doing different types of arts and crafts all my life, and I admit to falling into the trap of needing things to be just right or as close to perfect as possible before letting it been seen. Making myself a trophy for getting through the week might have sounded silly before, but maybe that is just the reward I need. Not the final result necessarily, but the making and doing of the craft for no good reason other than I want to and can is something we could all stand to do a little more, especially when (hot glue gun burns and clean up aside) there is no harm or downside in giving yourself the space to do this type of thing. I thought the authors voice was very honest and funny, making this book a joy to read. The emphasis on being health and happy, and working with sustainable and recycled supplies was an added bonus. I think this book is a great read for crafters and perfectionists of all kinds, and is definitely worth the read. 

Early Book Review: Bean The Stretchy Dragon: A Sally & Bean Adventure by Ari Stocrate

Bean The Stretchy Dragon: A Sally & Bean Adventure by Ari Stocrate is a children's graphic novel currently scheduled for release on September 19 2023. Meet Bean—a stretchy, cheerful dragon who lives with a grumpy witch named Sally. Whether she’s solo or with Sally, from burying bones to meeting new friends, in this debut graphic novel Bean finds herself an adventure no matter where she goes. A dash of sweet, a pinch of spooky, and plenty of humor.

Bean The Stretchy Dragon is a book that reminds me of classic easy readers with the bold illustrations and large, limited text. I have somehow missed seeing the Webcomic of Sally & Bean, so I had no idea of what to expect, I just thought the cover art was cute. Once I started reading I was glad that the cover drew me in. I thought the art was consistent and cute through out, and I loved the cryptozoological explanations of the critters living in the swamp with Sally and Bean. Some of the pages, with the arrows and descriptions, reminded me of the Scaredy Squirrel books in the very best ways.  I though the book was fun to read and to look at and I think there are many readers, of all ages, that will also enjoy the read. 

Book Review: Our Satyr Prince (Myth Shifters) by Dylan Drakes

Our Satyr Prince is the first book in the Myth Shifters series by Dylan Drakes. It is a spicy queer fantasy inspired by Ancient Greece.

Aurelius Savair, twenty-one, can have any man he wants. Disinherited for his deviant lifestyle, the former heir to the throne of Mestibes has schemed and screwed his way back to prominence. But it isn’t enough – he yearns for the power that was stolen from him. Suddenly, an opportunity comes to get it. War is looming, and the only man who can save his city is Calix Viralis, the mysterious crown prince of Ardora, the distant land of passion. Now, Aurelius must put his skills of seduction to the test. But in doing so, he will uncover Calix’s monstrous secret. And discover that his own ashen heart can burn once more. Teigra Cosmin, eighteen, is living a wasted life. The best pegasus rider in Mestibes' history, she has been reduced to a groveling bachelorette by her power-hungry mother. Worse, she is plagued by the life-destroying mistake that she can never allow herself to forget. But all this changes when she is sent with her cousin, Aurelius, on a dangerous mission. Now, she must take control of her own destiny, and make the soul-wrenching decision between saving her family’s legacy, or the powerful woman who fills her with forbidden desire.

Our Satyr Prince is a multilayered book that I both loved and sometimes dreaded. The characters were very well developed and the story was full of twists and turns. I felt for the major players, and was greatly effected by their struggles. Several times I could see the bad things coming, and wanted to warn the characters only to be heart broken and fearful of the future right along with them. This is an engaging and entertaining read. However, I also found it to be a very emotional read, and if you are not in the right head space for that I just might hit you hard. With all that out of the way, I have always been a big fan of mythology and I loved the take on the creation and powers of the mythological creatures here. It was well thought out, planned, and executed.  I thought the world building and character development was well paced, and had me eager for more despite the emotional trauma. There is a good deal of sexual tension and interaction, as the blurb and all other promotions for this book state, so if you are not open to that (or looking for that) you might want to tread lightly. 

Our Satyr Prince is a well written and engaging read that hit a lot of great notes. I will be looking to read the second book, but only after a few light and fluffy books to give my poor heart some time to rest. 

Book Review: A Degree to Die For (University Police) by Karis Walsh

A Degree to Die For by Karis Walsh is a contemporary romance and the second book in the University Police series. I did not read the first book in the series, and spent a good portion of the book trying to figure out if I had. I was still able to enjoy this read, but I thing returning readers will enjoy the seeing the returning characters.

Tig Weston’s beloved classics department is evolving, expanding its course offerings to entice a new and more diverse generation of students. Not everyone is willing to accept these changes, though. Tempers flare, and when the body of a prestigious alum turns up outside Denny Hall, Tig doubts she can bring her department through the crisis. Sergeant Adriana Kent always pictured classical scholars as tweedy bookworms, but suddenly her campus police officers are being called to Denny on a near-daily basis. Arguments in the halls, threatening emails, and even a fistfight, for God’s sake. What should have been the most sedate department on campus seems to be going through a volatile transformation. And the most visible proponent of that transformation? The decidedly unstuffy and very sexy Professor Antigone Weston. Kent and Tig seem to be on opposing sides in this battle until the stakes become more personal. But before they can even think about a future together, they’ll need to fight to protect the campus from a killer.

A Degree to Die For is balanced well between the romance and mystery. The two are wound together well, and it never felt like to different aspects of the story were at odds. I enjoyed the secondary characters and setting a great deal, and while some seemed familiar, and I spent a good amount of time trying to remember if I had read the first book in the series, the circle of friends is one I would love to be a part of. I thought the development of the relationship between Tig and Kent was well done. Some readers might not like that we got different points of view through the book, but I found knowing why certain decisions were made and perceptions of more than just Tig and Kent brought everything into focus. I will say that I had figured out the big bad fairly early on, but I still enjoyed the ride as everyone one in the book worked their way to the same answer. 

A Degree to Die For is an engaging read, and I look forward to what might happen next.

Early Book Review: The Thrifty Baker: Shop, Bake & Eat on a Budget by Hermine Dossou

The Thrifty Baker: Shop, Bake & Eat on a Budget by Hermine Dossou is currently scheduled for release on September 12 2023. It offers readers sixty five delicious, affordable and impressive recipes, complete with gluten-free options, plus advice, tips and hacks covering many areas of shopping, baking and cooking in general. Filled with clever ideas and useful features, the book is written with a realism and empathy that comes from the heart, from a lived experience. It isn’t just a book of great recipes, but an essential manual for anyone baking today.

The Thrifty Baker: Shop, Bake & Eat on a Budget is a well written and informative cookbook. I loved the honest and real tone of the book, and the focus on not just cost but reducing waste. I thought the introduction with instructions on how to make things like your own muffin liners and piping bags was great, and the information on tools and ingredients are things that I might have known but those just starting out on their own are not likely to even think about in advance. I also appreciated that each recipe included all measurement systems- so everyone can use this book without having to do conversions. As someone that is always looking to do my baking in the most efficient way, both cost and time wise, I found all the information about the best use of the baking time and multitasking to limit waste of ingredients and energy to be helpful. I really loved that while there is a wide variety of recipes, most are ones that appeal to me and my family and normal life. Yes there are fancy items, but there are also hot dog pretzels and mug cakes- which my teenagers would love and can help make. I think this is a great book for bakers that are looking to learn, are looking to conserve, and just want to eat well with limited funds and waste. 

The Thrifty Baker: Shop, Bake & Eat on a Budget is a cookbook that I just might be looking to squeeze into my overcrowded bookcase. If not, it is one I will be borrowing from the library to re read and make great use of. 

Early Book Review: Cute & Cuddly Crochet: Learn to Make Huggable Amigurumi Animals by Lauren Bergstrom

Cute & Cuddly Crochet: Learn to Make Huggable Amigurumi Animals by Lauren Bergstrom is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2023. Author and artist Lauren Bergstrom provides 12 step-by-step projects for crocheting popular, trendy, huggable animals, such as a flamingo, a dinosaur, an elephant, an octopus, a red panda, a fox, a narwhal, and more. While amigurumi animals are often very small, this book features instructions and tips for crocheting larger plushie animals that are perfect for baby gifts, birthday gifts for kids, home decor, and more. Cute & Cuddly Crochet also offers a guide for crochet basics, such as crochet techniques, stitches, how to do color changes, materials and where to source them, and much more. Accompanying the book are helpful videos from the author. 

Cute & Cuddly Crochet offers readers a good selection of projects, with helpful hints and tricks that will make these projects (and future endeavors) less intimidating and stressful. I thought the text was easy to follow and the pictures were very well chosen to give a solid visual reference to the instructions. I like that the author left room for personalization, and showed some variation with eyes and colors, giving the crafter some room to make things their own. I think this book offers readers exactly what it promises. For crafters that are looking to make this style of project on a regular basis this might be a good addition to your crafting library. 

Early Book Review: Mysterious Glowing Mammals: An Unexpected Discovery Sparks a Scientific Investigation by Maria Parrott-Ryan

Mysterious Glowing Mammals: An Unexpected Discovery Sparks a Scientific Investigation by Maria Parrott-Ryan is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2023.  Late one night, ecologist Jonathan Martin was searching for tree frogs in his Wisconsin backyard when he made an unexpected discovery. As he shined an ultraviolet flashlight in the direction of a high-pitched chirp, Martin saw a flash of bright pink at his bird feeder. That pink glow was coming from a flying squirrel. What was going on? You’re probably familiar with some kinds of glowing animals. Fireflies light up summer nights. Bioluminescent jellyfish and other sea creatures fill our oceans. But some animals glow only under ultraviolet light. This is called biofluorescence. That flying squirrel Martin found turned out to be one of the first-ever recorded sightings of a biofluorescent mammal. Follow along with Martin and his colleagues as they delve into the mystery of the flying squirrels and discover that they aren’t the only glowing mammals out there!

Mysterious Glowing Mammals is an interesting and informative read. I like the balance of personal experiences of the researchers and related information that was shared in the book. The process of confirming and expanding on scientific finding was interesting to see, and might inspire young readers to observe and explore the world around them like Martin did. The pictures included are well placed and do a great job of illustrating the point and giving readers a visual reference for the topic at hand. The information about the different scientific specialties and how they are all very different and still overlap when trying to find answers is an important point that many of us often forget about,  I learned a great deal in this book and I think many other readers will as well.  I found the book to be engaging and well researched, and love how a glossary, bibliography, and recommended reading for those interested in learning more are included in the endpages. I feel like these important details are too often left out of children's (and sometimes adult) non fiction books. 

Early Book Review: The Upside-Down Book of Sloths by Elizabeth Shreeve, Illustrated by Isabella Grott

The Upside-Down Book of Sloths, written by Elizabeth Shreeve and illustrated by Isabella Grott, is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2023. Many find sloths cute, while some find them just plain bizarre. This book shares the less-well-known evolutionary history of sloths and how they became the beloved—and unique—creatures of today. The author pairs and compares the six extant modern species, like the pygmy sloth, the brown-throated sloth, and the ai, with their prehistoric counterparts, such as Thalassocnus, the tough seafaring sloth; Paramylodon, which had armor-like skin and walked on the sides of its feet; and Megatherium, which could weigh up to 8,000 pounds. She even reveals how modern sloths have adapted to hang upside down, how they learned to swim, and even how they poop!

The Upside-Down Book of Sloths is an entertaining, cute, and informative book for readers of all ages that want to know more about sloths. I thought the art work was extremely well done. The sloths looked very real, many images looking like photographs. The skill and work that went into the art is impressive, and frankly makes to book worth flipping through for the art alone. However, that is not to say that the text is not well done or important, it is both. I found the information to be well written and organized. The text is more aimed at the upper elementary and older readers- especially for those loving the sloth or doing a research project on them. However, the artwork and text combined make this a great book to share with he younger readers as well. As someone that loves reading about the less expected animals, including sloths, I still learned a great deal about these creatures and their history. Best of all, the author includes a time line and recommendations for further reading at the end of the book. This is a great addition to public, school, and personal library collections. 

Early Book Review: The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women by Lisa Perrin

The League of Lady Poisoners: Illustrated True Stories of Dangerous Women by Lisa Perrin is currently scheduled for release on September 5 2023. This illustrated book will introduce you to some of the most infamous women throughout world history, united by their shared taste for poison. It weaves together the stories of more than twenty-five accused women poisoners, exploring the circumstances and skill sets that led them to lives of crime. You might find yourself rooting for some of them—like Sally Bassett, who helped poison her granddaughter’s enslavers in Bermuda, or Giulia Tofana, who sold her name-brand concoction to women wanting to be rid of their abusive (or otherwise undesirable) husbands. Other stories, though—including that of Yiya Murano, one of Argentina’s most notorious swindlers and serial killers, or the terrifying Nurse Jane Toppan—may prove less palatable. Organized into thematic chapters based on the women’s motives, the book also includes an illustrated primer that delves into the origins and effects of common poisons throughout history, as well as a foreword by Holly Frey and Maria Trimarchi, creators and hosts of the podcast Criminalia. It is a treat for true crime fans, feminist history buffs, and any curious readers fascinated by the more macabre side of human nature.

The League of Lady Poisoners is a well researched and written book. I found the author's voice and discussion of the social, economic, and gender expectations of each situation to be well informed and helpful in getting a better understanding of the topic, and what we just do not know because of the way journalism and history color history and information. I liked that the topic and people were all treated with respect but at the same time the author never took themselves too seriously, so there was a sense of humor and with through out the book as well. I thought the artwork matched the text and tone of the book, and enhanced the read for me. I greatly appreciated the detailed bibliography, which helps readers intrigue by a particular story or aspect of the book to further explore the research and information behind the book. I always appreciate recommendations to further my knowledge or understanding of a topic.