Life and Things
It’s been a slow, lazy week. I’m adjusting to the new liver medication. As always, simply trying to convince myself I’m not weak because of the chronic illness.
Our property is supposed to close mid-April. I’ll believe it when I see it. I really hope it does because I need new glasses and a new prosthesis.
Updated Reviews
Book Review- Secrets of the Home Wood: The Sacrifice by Julie Whitley https://wp.me/p6C2DX-3z
Book Review: BawB’s Raven Feathers Vol. V by Robert Chomany https://wp.me/p6C2DX-3x
Book Review: Searching for the Truth by Maranda Russell https://wp.me/p6C2DX-3H
Book Review: On Parson’s Creek by Richard Sutton https://wp.me/p6C2DX-3M
Books read, reviewed, and posted/scheduled this past week
Strong at the Broken Places by Clayton Lindemuth, 5*
Current Read
Next Up (maybe)
Building a Trade Empire by Paul E Horsman
High Merchant by Paul E Horsman
The Emperor’s Seal by Amanda Roberts
Clowders by Vanessa Morgan
Book Haul
‘In the tradition of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, a captivating mystery about a boy with synesthesia—a condition that causes him to see colors when he hears sounds—who tries to uncover what happened to his beautiful neighbor, and if he was ultimately responsible.
Thirteen-year-old Jasper Wishart lives in a world of dazzling color that no one else can see, least of all his dad. Words, numbers, days of the week, people’s voices—everything has its own unique shade. But recently Jasper has been haunted by a color he doesn’t like or understand: the color of murder.
Convinced he’s done something terrible to his new neighbor, Bee Larkham, Jasper revisits the events of the last few months to paint the story of their relationship from the very beginning. As he struggles to untangle the knot of untrustworthy memories and colors that will lead him to the truth, it seems that there’s someone else out there determined to stop him—at any cost.
Both a refreshing coming-of-age story and an intriguing mystery, The Color of Bee Larkham’s Murder is a poignant and unforgettable read—perfect for fans of bestselling authors such as Fredrik Backman and Graeme Simsion.’
‘An all-new Dresden Files story headlines this urban fantasy short story collection starring the Windy City’s favorite wizard.
The world of Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard, is rife with intrigue–and creatures of all supernatural stripes. And you’ll make their intimate acquaintance as Harry delves into the dark side of truth, justice, and the American way in this must-have short story collection.
From the Wild West to the bleachers at Wrigley Field, humans, zombies, incubi, and even fey royalty appear, ready to blur the line between friend and foe. In the never-before-published “Zoo Day,” Harry treads new ground as a dad, while fan-favorite characters Molly Carpenter, his onetime apprentice, White Council Warden Anastasia Luccio, and even Bigfoot stalk through the pages of more classic tales.
With twelve stories in all, Brief Cases offers both longtime fans and first-time readers tantalizing glimpses into Harry’s funny, gritty, and unforgettable realm, whetting their appetites for more to come from the wizard with a heart of gold.
The collection includes:
“Curses”, from THE NAKED CITY, edited by Ellen Datlow
“AAAA Wizardry”, from the Dresden Files RPG
“Even Hand”, from DARK AND STORMY KNIGHTS, edited by P. N. Elrod
“B is for Bigfoot”, from UNDER MY HAT: TALES FROM THE CAULDRON, edited by Jonathan Strahan. Republished in WORKING FOR BIGFOOT
“I was a Teenage Bigfoot”, from BLOOD LITE 3: AFTERTASTE, edited by Kevin J. Anderson. Republished in WORKING FOR BIGFOOT.
“Bigfoot on Campus”, from HEX APPEAL, edited by P. N. Elrod. Republished in WORKING FOR BIGFOOT.
“Bombshells”, from DANGEROUS WOMEN, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois
“Jury Duty”, from UNBOUND, edited by Shawn Speakman
“Cold Case”, from SHADOWED SOULS, edited by Jim Butcher and Kerrie Hughes
“Day One”, from UNFETTERED II, edited by Shawn Speakman
“A Fistful of Warlocks”, from STRAIGHT OUTTA TOMBSTONE, edited by David Boop
“Zoo Day” – brand-new novella, original to this collection’
‘The gripping voices of the inhabitants of Blackwell’s Island make this history come alive.
Today it is known as Roosevelt Island. In 1828, when New York City purchased this narrow, two-mile-long island in the East River, it was called Blackwell’s Island. There, over the next hundred years, the city would build a lunatic asylum, prison, hospital, workhouse, and almshouse. Stacy Horn has crafted a compelling and chilling narrative told through the stories of the poor souls sent to Blackwell’s, as well as the period’s city officials, reformers, and journalists (including the famous Nellie Bly).
Damnation Island re-creates what daily life was like on the island, what politics shaped it, and what constituted char- ity and therapy in the nineteenth century. Throughout the book, we return to the extraordinary Blackwell’s missionary Reverend French, champion of the forgotten, as he minis- ters to these inmates, battles the bureaucratic mazes of the Corrections Department and a corrupt City Hall, testifies at salacious trials, and in his diary wonders about man’s inhumanity to man.
For history fans, and for anyone interested in the ways we care for the least fortunate among us, Damnation Island is an eye-opening look at a closed and secretive world. In a tale that is exceedingly relevant today, Horn shows us how far we’ve come—and how much work still remains.’
