Book Review: Tyranny of the Fey: Adventure Waits for No One. by Terry Bartley

Tyranny of the Fey: Adventure Waits for No One by Terry Bartley is a short story collection set in the original fantasy world of Galevyn. A famed Elven researcher is worried about her home. When she discovers a new realm with massive magic potential, she believes she has found the answer. Will the Seasonal Fey Courts allow her to continue her research without interference, or do they have more nefarious plans? An Elven princess runs away from her arranged marriage to a parallel world. Will she be able to find the adventure she seeks? While she is in search of battles with dragons and quests to obtain sacred artifacts, she finds that what she was looking for may have been a true connection with someone that understands her. Two childhood friends, an orc and a goblin, have long dreamed of adventure. When a magic school dropout stumbles into their lives, they jump at the chance to realize their ambitions. This found family realizes the world of Galevyn is a much bigger place than the jungle they grew up in.

Tyranny of the Fey is an entertaining collection of short stories. There is just enough world and character building to keep the reader from feeling lost without getting them bogged down in the magic theory and history of the world. There was a little bit of everything in the collection, friendship, adventure, romance, grief, and more. I do have to admit that I thought this book was part of a series I had already started when I requested it, mainly because of the cover art, which left me a little confused in the beginning, but the story still entertained me. I would have liked some more of a solid connection between the short stories, since there were the stories with different sets of characters all in the same world- there could have been a bit more of a thread tying them together. I would have really enjoyed that kind of connection between the sets of characters. I would have also liked to see the final set of stories end with something of a conclusion that did not leave me sad that I turned the page to find the acknowledgements rather than a last chapter to wrap things up a bit.

Audiobook Review: How to Stay Productive When the World Is Ending: Productivity, Burnout, and Why Everyone Needs to Relax More Except You by Reductress, Narrated by Mara Wilson and Jay Aaseng

How to Stay Productive When the World Is Ending: Productivity, Burnout, and Why Everyone Needs to Relax More Except You is a humor and satire collection from Reductress. The audiobook is narrated by Mara Wilson and Jay Aaseng. This humor collection is about the cult of productivity and the feeling of impending doom that comes with it. Juggling careers, maintaining relationships, managing side gigs, and sustaining an engaging social media presence is hard––and we're expected to do it all while battling the ever-present feeling of existential dread against the backdrop of climate catastrophe, an ongoing pandemic, and social isolation.

How to Stay Productive When the World Is Ending is a funny, and sadly too relatable, collection of short pieces that had me nodding, laughing, and thinking as I listened along. There were bits that were more fun and relate to me than others, but that is to be expected. There is something in this collection for everyone that has ever worked. The readers did a great job of capturing the needed tome in each segment and I really enjoyed the book on several levels. 

Book Review: Better Than Balderdash by Owen Janssen

Better Than Balderdash by Owen Janssen is a collection of interesting facts and trivia for all ages. For instance: Did you know that you can heat up a cup of coffee by yelling at it? How about the fact that bananas are radioactive? Or that Google hires goats as gardeners? Or that competitive slapping is a sport in Russia? Our world is chock-full of fascinating facts, unbelievable but true stories, and mind-blowing trivia. This book is your one-stop guide to all the extraordinary, shocking and enthralling information you didn’t know you needed to learn. Impress your friends and family with a vast knowledge of topics guaranteed to stimulate interesting conversations! If you want to learn some of the world’s most intriguing stories to pass the time at work, fuel the fire on your next trivia games night, or are looking for top-notch entertainment for that family road trip, then you need this book.

Better Than Balderdash is a fun and entertaining read that easily kept me entertained. I love random trivia, from Jeopardy to the bathroom readers that the author mentions in the opening in this book. I squirrel away bits of strange but interesting information because you never know when they will come in handy. That being said, I new several of the stranger facts shared in this book (like the bat bombs) because of the weird history and science shows that I have running in my house all the time. But, I did learn some new things. My whole family loves this kind of this, and I am thinking that this book will make a great addition to my son's book collection. 

Early Book Review: Cryptid Club by Sarah Andersen

Cryptid Club by Sarah Andersen is currently scheduled for release on September 20 2022. Do you hate social gatherings? Dodge cameras? Enjoy staying up just a little too late at night? You might have more in common with your local cryptid than you think! Enter the world of Cryptid Club, a look inside the adventures of elusive creatures ranging from Mothman to the Loch Ness Monster. This humorous new series celebrates the unique qualities that make cryptids so desperately sought after by mankind (to no avail). After all, it's what makes us different that also makes us beautiful.

Cryptid Club is a fun and entertaining read. I have enjoyed collections from Andersen before, and I thought the art style and sense of humor held true to what I have seen in the past, and always connected with. I thought the cartoons touched on a full gambit of emotions. Some were cute, others funny, and some were a little sad. However, they all entertained and had a bit of truth or understanding in them. I was entertained and felt like Andersen shared more than a few thoughts and experiences with me, making me feel a little bit more seen and less alone. I think that is a huge achievement for something so fun and enjoyable to read. 

Book Review: Of Claws and Fangs: Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood by Faith Hunter

Of Claws and Fangs: Stories from the World of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood by Faith Hunter is a collection of shorter works featuring heroines Jane Yellowrock and Nell Ingram, as well as a host of other characters from the Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood series.  From a vampire-filled Halloween evening in New Orleans to the searing tale of how a certain were-leopard first got his spots, this collection has something for everyone, and each story is sure to put the super in supernatural. With eighteen stories in all, Of Claws and Fangs will enrich and entertain—it’s a must-have for Faith Hunter’s readers and all lovers of fantasy.

Of Claws and Fangs  is a collection of vignettes, short stories, and a novella all from the world of Jane Yellowrock and Soulwood. Those that subscribe to the newsletter and follow Hunter online might have seen some of these stories previously, but most will be brand new to readers. I loved getting a look at some of the moments between the stories I have read and particularly moments from characters the generally do not get to have their thoughts shared. I loved that some of these stories tie the characters I felt I have come to know well, and those that always seem on the periphery, closer together in ways I never expected. This was a great collection and I think all fans of Hunter's work will enjoy it very much. 

Of Claws and Fangs is a must have for fans of Faith Hunter. For those that prefer to listen, the audiobook version is available, and extremely well done. 

Early Book Review: Cinder the Fireplace Boy; And Other Gayly Grimm Tales by Ana Mardoll

Cinder the Fireplace Boy; And Other Gayly Grimm Tales by Ana Mardoll is currently scheduled for release on Jan 4 2022.  This collection of inclusive fairy tale retellings also features eight original illustrations by artist Alex Dingley.

Once upon a time there lived a beautiful prince who kissed a frog, a cinder-smudged child who hid a secret, a princess who climbed a long braid of golden hair for love, a thumb-sized boy with the courage of a giant, and a valiant little tailor whose wit was as sharp as her needle. These stories and many more await you in this collection of classic fairy tales, lovingly retold and featuring characters who receive wonderfully queer happily-ever-afters! Let these new takes on the Brothers Grimm warm your heart and nurture your yearning to see yourself reflected in beloved favorites.

Cinder the Fireplace Boy; And Other Gayly Grimm Tales is a wonderful collection of fairy tale retellings missing the various forms of prejudice that can be seen in the originals. The spirit of each story holds true, with some tweaks that make them more inclusive and engaging for all readers. I like that there were some very well known stories included, like Rapunzel and Hansel and Gretel, as well as lesser known stories- some of which I do not remember ever having encountered before. All of them captured my attention and had me fully engaged. The story length of each story helped me break out of a reading slum, that had made it hard for me to become invested in what I had been reading lately.  I dove into this book, and will be revisiting some of the stories again in the near future. I think readers that have always enjoyed reading fairy tales, and enjoy seeing them evolve, will definitely want to pick this up. Readers that have been put off by the prejudices and attitudes found in many of the originals might want to give collection a try to see a new take on the old tales. 

Book Review: Kitty and Dragon by Meika Hashimoto, Gillian Reid

Kitty and Dragon is a collection of three easy readers stories written by Meika Hashimoto and illustrated by Gillian Reid. Kitty and Dragon are best friends, even when one of them is snoring, being messy, or having a sad day. Even though they are quite different from one another, Kitty and Dragon have learned that there’s nothing better than being together, just the way they are.

Kitty and Dragon is a sweet collection of short, fairly simple stories about how Kitty and Dragon became friends and how they find solutions ad help each other trough things like getting sick or cleaning up. The illustrations are clean and bright, cute and easy to find little details that add to the story. The themes of friendship, compromise, understanding and looking past other people's expectations are in the book. However, the basic lessons never overwhelm the simplicity of the cute artwork and the main story of friends finding each other and working things out. I think there are many young readers that will enjoy this series of stories, but find that there is nothing that really made them stand out for me in the large number of cute, fun readers.

Early Book Review: I Hope This Helps: Comics and Cures for 21st Century Panic by Tommy Siegel

 

I Hope This Helps: Comics and Cures for 21st Century Panic by Tommy Siegel is currently scheduled for release on October 6 2020. Tommy Siegel’s comics began as doodles in the back of a van as a touring rock musician, and quickly earned a viral global fanbase and shout-outs from cultural heavyweights ranging from Ringo Starr to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  With comics titled “Choose your social anxiety coping mechanism” and “What your coffee drink of choice says about you,” the book offers commentary on our phone-obsessed, social media-driven culture, as well as a series of relationship comics starring his popular Candy Hearts characters.

I Hope This Helps is a comic collection that had me just as interested in the commentary of the reasons behind his drawings, and some of how individual pieces came together. I did recognize some of the work from social media, but a good deal of it was new to me. I have to admit that when I started the book I was not sure I was going to enjoy it. The art style was not my favorite. However, the underlying humor and commentary of the text and some of the pieces quickly changed my mind. Some were just downright silly, others very witty. I really came to appreciate Siegal's intelligence and what they had to say. I also enjoy that they never took themselves too seriously and laughed at themselves and the insanity that is the current state of the world around us. 

Early Book Review: Horses by Paula Hammond

Horses by Paula Hammond is currently scheduled for release on August 14 2020. From the Azteca to the Appaloosa, Choctaw to the Palomina, Brumbys in Australia to the Mongolian, from rare breeds such as the Polish Konik to the semi-feral Pyrenean Pottok, Horses celebrates a wide variety of breeds from all around the world. Ranging from dressage to police horses, from racing horses to rodeo and polo, the book looks at the anatomy and life-cycle of foals and yearlings, colts and fillies, stallions, mares and geldings around the globe. It includes draft horses and warmbloods, light horses and thoroughbreds, gaited horses, ponies and breeds that have become feral. Each photograph is accompanied by a caption with fascinating information about the characteristics of each breed. Illustrated with 200 outstanding color photographs, Horses is an exquisitely produced work packed with lively information about this beloved animal.

Horses is a lovely collection of photographs. Horses are majestic on any given day, even when they are being stubborn or silly. This book does a great job of capturing the wonder of horses, using a wide variety of breeds and landscapes. It was nice to browse through the pages, simply enjoying the images. It was also nice to go through the book in a slower, more thoughtful manner, to read the information offered on horses. I think the text was well written and interesting, but as expected it was the photographs that really captured my attention and kept it as I looked through the book. I think horse lovers, and animal lovers in general, will enjoy the book and find a place for it in their collection.

Book Review: Abandoned Industrial Places: Factories, Laboratories, Mills and Mines that the World Left Behind by David Ross

Abandoned Industrial Places: Factories, Laboratories, Mills and Mines that the World Left Behind by David Ross explores the discarded detritus of our modern mechanized age. Discover the grand Ore Dock in Marquette, USA, squatting isolated in the waters of Lake Superior; or the abandoned Caspian Sea oil rigs and drilling gear in Azerbaijan; or the enormous, gaping pit of the Mirny diamond mine in Sakha Republic, Russia; or the wall of latticed steel towers of the Duga radar in Chernobyl, Ukraine; or the Domino Sugar Refinery, Brooklyn, New York – formerly the world’s largest sugar refinery when built in 1882; or the still contaminated Fisher Body Plant 21 in Detroit, USA, a place where General Motors created some of their great marques for almost a hundred years. Filled with more than 200 memorable photographs from every part of the planet, Abandoned Industrial Places provides a strange and often spooky insight into the life and workings of industries long since ceased.

Abandoned Industrial Places is a beautiful book. I grew up splitting my time between a small greenhouse and a small manufacturing company (my family was very busy). Because of that industrial locations and machinery are special to me, and I have always seen a special kind of beauty in it while others just saw grease and metal. I thought the pictures were nicely varied, in industry and location. The colors of the buildings, machinery, and in some cases nature reclaiming space were attention grabbing. Some were bold, others muted, but they were well balanced. I really enjoyed studying the photographs and thinking about the impact the rise and fall of each of these locations had on their communities and the individuals that worked there- and how many small moments have been forgotten over the years.

Abandoned Industrial Places is a fascinating look at locations that have been abandoned over the years. Some images are beautiful, others are haunting, but they are all thought provoking. 

Early Book Review: Animals Reviewed: Starred Ratings of Our Feathered, Finned, and Furry Friends by Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Animals Reviewed: Starred Ratings of Our Feathered, Finned, and Furry Friends by Association of Zoos and Aquariums is currently scheduled for release on October 29 2019. Launched by the Oregon Zoo and quickly picked up by zoos, aquariums, scientists, and the funny people of Twitter, #rateaspecies is a global, viral hit, and a chance for people to honestly—and hilariously—review the animal kingdom. This book has crowd-sourced 150 of the best entries, the majority of which are new to the book, from their 233-member zoos and aquariums. Packed with adorable photos of every animal and laced with wit and humor, Animals Reviewed is the perfect gift or self-purchase for animal lovers of all ages.

Animals Reviewed is a fun book that collects the rated reviews of various zoo animals. I liked that the jokes often included information about the animal, such as remarks about its limited availability or the place where it is made disappearing. These reminders about pending extinction and habitat destruction are funny, but reminding people so that they can join the efforts to stop such tragedy is important. I also learned about some animals I never heard of or saw in a zoo or even documentary before. I like that there was such a balance of giggles and information throughout the book, and that there was such a wide variety of creatures. I think animal lovers of all ages will enjoy this- and I think those that work with animals would particularly enjoy this as a gift.

Early Book Review: Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side by Lee Bey

Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side by Lee Bey is currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019. Inspired by Bey’s 2017 Chicago Architecture Biennial exhibition, Southern Exposure visits sixty sites, including lesser-known but important work by luminaries such as Jeanne Gang, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Eero Saarinen, as well as buildings by pioneering black architects such as Walter T. Bailey, John Moutoussamy, and Roger Margerum. Pushing against the popular narrative that depicts Chicago’s South Side as an architectural wasteland, Bey shows beautiful and intact buildings and neighborhoods that reflect the value—and potential—of the area. Southern Exposure offers much to delight architecture aficionados and writers, native Chicagoans and guests to the city alike.

Southern Exposure: The Overlooked Architecture of Chicago's South Side is a lovely book of photography with well written and interesting information about the buildings pictured.The tone was very conversational, making it an enjoyable read.  It was very interesting to learn about the history surrounding some of the locations, as well as the current uses, and hope for the future. I have never been to Chicago, and have no current plans, so I was glad to see a piece of the city, particularly since it does not always receive this kind of attention. I think those from the area, and those that are interested in architecture, photography, and Chicago's history will all get a great deal from exploring this book. 

Early Book Review: Texts from Mittens: The Friends and Family Edition by Angie Bailey

Texts from Mittens: The Friends and Family Edition by Angie Bailey is currently scheduled for release on September 3 2019. This book follow along with Mittens as he enjoys hilarious, snark-filled text volleys with his cast of quirky friends and family: Earl (the “filthy hound”), Stumpy (the best friend), Drunky Patty (the usually tipsy next-door neighbor), Grandma (giver of treats), and Fiona (Mitty’s girlfriend). It is based on Angie Bailey’s virally popular blog.

Texts from Mittens is a cute collection of texts that imagine what a cat might text to his friends and family. I have never seen Bailey's blog, so this whole thing was new to me, although I have seen various twitter and facebook accounts that post from the imagned mindset of the pet. I found the texts to be entertaining and, as a cat servent myself, sometimes relatable. I never really laughed out loud or did more than smile as to the antics of Mittens and crew. However, I did find it amusing and a entertaining distraction in the midst of a heat wave.

Texts from Mittens is a good book to flip through and entertain yourself with for awhile.  

Early Book Review: Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark Illustrated by Ulla Thynell

Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark is a collection of 17 traditional tales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark. Translated and transcribed by folklorists in the nineteenth century, these stories are by turns enchanting, hilarious, cozy, and chilling. Readers will encounter terrifying trolls, plucky heroes and heroines, and one princely polar bear. Each tale is paired with a luminous illustration by Finnish artist Ulla Thynell. And this special gift edition features an embossed, textured case and a ribbon marker. It is currently scheduled for release on August 13 2019.

Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark is divided into three groups of tales:  transformations, wit, and journeys. While I had seen some of the sixteen stories before, and others had fairy tale tropes that were familiar, some were new to me. Like with most collections of short tales like this there is not much depth to individual characters or relationships, things are just the way they are to get to the point of the story. That is the way these classic tales were told and shared over the years, and adding that sort of depth would take each individual tale into novel proportions (which would not be a bad thing, but is not the intent of this kind of collection). Some of the stories are darker than others, but I really enjoyed learning more of the folk and fairy tales from this part of the world. I liked the illustrations by Thynell and found them to be lovely, adding beauty and a nostalgic charm to the individual stories and the book as a whole. I think the artwork is worth looking at a few times; before, during, and after the read.

Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark is a nice collection of tales, and I enjoyed reading some that I had never seen or heard before.

Early Book Review: The Escape Manual for Introverts by Katie Vaz

The Escape Manual for Introverts by Katie Vaz is currently scheduled for release on August 6 2019. Trapped in an airplane seated next to a chatterbox? Are you hosting a dinner party with people who just won't leave? Katie Vaz has the key to your escape. The Escape Manual for Introverts guides readers through different scenarios with themed chapters ("Friends," "Relatives," "Strangers," etc.). Each chapter covers a range of situations, from an invitation to karaoke night to group lunchtime. And she offers a number of escapes for each scenario: bringing odoriferous foods to lunch for a while, having a pet (real or imagined) that "requires" frequent check-ins, and even investing in a jet pack. This book features Vaz's full-page illustrated spreads, hand-lettering, and spot illustrations. From the silly to the sincere, Vaz's clever, hilarious escape plans and bizarre excuses speak to the introvert in all of us. 

The Escape Manual for Introverts is a funny look at how to avoid social interaction when you really feel the need to be alone and recharge. As an introvert that works with the public, I often seek alone time for my off duty hours. Thankfully those closest to me are well aware, and understand my enjoyment of a cup of tea and a good book rather than getting dressed up and going out on the town. This book offers a variety of situations an introvert might feel the desire to escape from and offers some suggests that will help mitigate the small talk and awkward moments. I like that the situations and responses are organized by who you might be interacting with. Some of the suggestions are standard behavior for some of us already, such as bonding with the pets or "helping" in the kitchen to stay busy and out of the fray. Others are great, and slightly more involved- such as finding a cause to volunteer with to help avoid attending situations all together. I both love and dislike this solution. I love it- because getting out and doing good is fabulous, however it could just get you in more situations you might need to avoid- so choose wisely. I do not want to give away any more of the suggestions- because I might need them. The art style is fun, and matches the voice of the book well. 

The Escape Manual for Introverts was a read that I really enjoyed and identified with on several levels. I think introverts, and those that love them, will all enjoy this book.

Early Book Review: Fairy Tales for Fearless Girls by Anita Ganeri, Khoa Le

Fairy Tales for Fearless Girls, written by Anita Ganeri and illustrated by Khoa Le, is currently scheduled for release on July 15 2019. This inspiring collection of myths, legends and stories from around the world showcases narratives that celebrate strong, independent women. These heroines aren't reduced to being wives or witches! They run free and possess the qualities we would hope for in our daughters and friends: self-confidence, strength, wits, courage, fearlessness, and independence. They live freely, happily ever after, without restraint or narrowly defined roles. The stories include; Atalanta the Huntress (Greece), Nana Miriam (Niger), Fitcher's Bird (Germany), The Girl and the Puma (Argentina), Li Chi Slays the Serpent (China), Brave Woman Counts Coup (US/White River Sioux), Pretty Penny (US/Ozark Mountains), Mizilca (Romania), The Pirate Princess (Poland/Jewish), The Samurai Maiden (Japan), Bradamante (France), and Molly Whuppie (England).

Fairy Tales for Fearless Girls is a group of fairy tales about strong willed girls and women taking matters into their own hands, standing up for themselves, and getting what they want and need via strength and intelligence. I love fairy tales and legends, particularly if they are from different cultures or with twists I have not seen before. So far as that goes, this book was just right. The stories covered a good variety of regions and the main characters were smart, cunning, and brave. However, two minutes into reading the book my heart dropped a bit. The adage "show don't tell' came to mind. The stories, characters, and action were all good- but they lacked the dimension and depth that I was hoping for. I know it is hard to get character development into such short stories, but I felt some could have been done- because I have seen it. I loved the idea, and wanted to adore this book. It does offer what the title suggests, but did not capture my heart, mind, or imagination as I read.

Fairy Tales for Fearless Girls is a fairy tale collection with good intent and some interesting tales. However, I felt like it could have been so much better with a bit more depth.

Book Review: The Big Book of Twisted Fairy Tales: Stories about Kindness, Responsibility, Honesty, and Teamwork by Sue Nicholson, Flavia Sorrentino

The Big Book of Twisted Fairy Tales:  Stories about Kindness, Responsibility, Honesty, and Teamwork,  written by Sue Nicholson and illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino, is part of The Fairytale Friends series. It brings fairy tales into the modern day and features scenarios that young children can relate to and learn from. Each story in this new picture book series focuses on a different fairy tale character, a different strength or core virtue, and a challenge to overcome, often with the help of their friends. Readers will enjoy spotting characters from other books and recognizing key elements of the original fairy tale while enjoying the new twist. Notes and questions at the back of the book will summarize what the character has learnt and prompt further discussion while activities will provide more fairytale fun. 

 
Cinderella wants more than anything to have lessons at the new dance school opening in the village, but she doesn’t have any ballet shoes! Can Cinderella’s fairytale friends help make her dream come true? This story teaches children about the value of kindness. Beauty has a lovely pony called Flick, but having a pony is hard work and Beauty can be a bit lazy sometimes. Then, one night, Flick runs away. Will he ever come back? This story teaches children about the value of responsibility. Jack loves climbing, but he isn't allowed to climb the beanstalks in his garden. One night, Jack can resist no longer and starts to climb the tall, green beanstalks. Will Jack's Mum find out? And will he tell her the truth? This story teaches children about the value of honesty. Snow White is one of the village football team's best players. But she wants to score all the goals herself and never passes the ball to her friends. Will she ever learn to play as part of a team? This story teaches children about the value of teamwork.

The Big Book of Twisted Fairy Tales is a collection of fairy tales with a twist, which is one of my favorite things to read. Each of the stories is connected and takes a classic tale and makes it more relatable to young readers. Most everyone has faced the dilemma at the core of each story and I like they way they are woven into these tales. I was a little worried about the lessons being too heavy handed- because one of my biggest turn offs in any book is being preached to or talked down to (which happens across genres and target audience) but this book managed to keep that to a minimum. I enjoyed the art style, I loved the colors and the expressions that were clear on the character faces. There are some activities for the eager parents or caregivers to make sure young readers understand each story and its lesson. I think this would be good for bedtime reading or trying to get some of these lesson through in a fun way in a preschool or home environment. 

Book Review: In the Mood Fur Love by Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden, Kate Baxter

In the Mood Fur Love is a collection of three romances by Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden, and Kate Baxter. Bearing His Touch by Eve Langlais follows Becka who manages to escape her kidnapper and finds herself asking help of the man with the nice brown eyes. Stavros can’t say no, not when he knows Becka is his mate, but he does have one dilemma when it comes to claiming her. He'll have to find a way for her to bear his touch. Fake Mated to the Wolf by Milly Taiden is a story about a desperate woman trying to save her family, as a wolf is desperately looking to convince her to give him a chance. Looking for a mate to bring to a party? Wedding? Holiday gathering? Mates Fur Hire is right for you? But what happens when your fake mate ends up being your real one, from New York Times bestselling author Milly Taiden! The Witch, The Werewolf and The Waitress by Kate Baxter follows and witch and a wolf. For centuries, Lowman, Idaho has been Ellie Curtis's prison. A vengeful witch cursed her with immortality and locked her within the confines of Lowman's borders, sealing Ellie off from most of civilization for eternity. She's learned to make the most of it. But when she meets a cocky werewolf who's part of the elite supernatural law enforcement group, all bets are off. Colin instantly knew that Ellie was his mate, but when he discovers her secret, he's determined to help set her free. But in doing so, he might just lose the one thing he knows he can't live without. 

Often one story sticks out as better or less of my taste than the others in collections like this, but this felt pretty even. In Bearing His Touch I really enjoyed the characters and how the world and character building was paced through the story so that I never felt inundated or missing something important. I like that it had a good blend of danger, humor, and sweetness. I really liked Becka and her blend of vulnerability and strength, and how smart and determined Stavros is. A good story all around, and I will be looking for more from the author.

Fake Mated to the Wolf was also an entertaining read. I thought the depth of Shawna's love for her family and the trouble she found herself in could have used a little more building, but I understood the space constraints and how hard it is to get everything in a short story. I liked the determination of all the players, and how everything was resolved. There were some unanswered questions for me, some oddities that happened in the story that could have been part of the larger plot but just rather became brushed away, but I still enjoyed the read. Unfortunately the dating app or website thing has been done before. I have read some great series that use this, and have for quite awhile, so while a small part of the story here, and well done, this just did not feel fresh to me.

The Witch, The Werewolf and The Waitress is another fun and flirty story. I liked the balance of Colin and Ellie trying to solve their separate issues, while trying to figure out the mate situation. I liked Ellie's personality and her combination of sweet and strong. I thought Colin was a little weaker of a character, but still very well fleshed out. The combination of werewolf and witch's curse was cool, and I like how everyone seemed to handle the revelation of additional paranormal issues. I think I might have read something from this author before, or something similar. There were moments that seemed familiar in writing style and world building, but not in a bad way. Rather like I might have read something in a related series and I was reminded of those characters.

In the Mood Fur Love is a thoroughly enjoyable read with a touch of sweet, a touch of heat, and a whole lot of fur. I think this is a great collection to meet three authors I do not remember having read before, but hope to read again. 

Book Review: Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously by Adam Ellis

Super Chill: A Year of Living Anxiously by Adam Ellis is a collection of comics that handle some tough

topics like seasonal affective disorder and struggles with self-esteem, while also touching on the silly and absurd—like his brief, but intense obsession with crystals. 

Super Chill is both funny and poignant. Those of us that are more introverted can relate to to his need to recharge at home, and his desire to avoid large groups of people. I could see a bit of myself in a good number of his comics, aside from the ones about drinking or being high- unless you count how I feel after a dose of cold or allergy medication. I enjoy his art style and think that anyone that has dealt with depression, anxiety, or just not wanting to go out in the world to deal with people will enjoy the read. All of the included comics are ones I had not seen, so I found it to be doubly entertaining and it inspired me to go out and follow Adam on more than just Facebook.

Super Chill is exactly what I was hoping for when I requested the title on Netgalley. I like Adam's art style and sense of humor- and can relate to most of his experiences. I have seen some of his work before, and was not disappointed in this collection.

Book Review: Sharky Malarkey: A Sketchbook Collection by Megan Nicole Dong

Sharky Malarkey: A Sketchbook Collection by Megan Nicole Dong follows the adventures of Bruce, a washed-up shark actor, and a colorful assortment of dysfunctional people, animals, and inanimate objects. Bruce is vain but insecure; hotheaded but cowardly; craves attention but fears intimacy—his over-the-top antics are all too human. Based on Megan Nicole Dong’s popular webcomic, Sketchshark, her debut print collection mines the absurd in everyday life. 

Sharky Malarkey: A Sketchbook Collection is not what I was expecting, but I have never seen the webcomic from the artist so I was coming in fresh. The description says the book is about Bruce, a Hollywood shark, with some moments about the artist. However, the book is the opposite- mostly about the artist and everyday life with just a sprinkle of Bruce.  There were plenty of relatable moments, but I was distracted by the art style which felt a little sloppy and undetailed. I think those that already are fans, and know they enjoy the artists work will want to take a look at the collection. Unfortunately it just did nothing for me.