This book chronicles the natural history movements in the era leading up to Darwin’s voyage on the Beagle, and how the advances in technology of that time created a craze for finding new species, and what that meant for science. Darwin certainly wasn’t the only game in town. You meet a number of other naturalists […]
The Species Seekers – Richard Conniff Read More »
This is a book of short stories, rather annoyingly including the novella length “Something Rich and Strange” – which I already own in a stand alone illustrated edition. I like that story, but I wish I’d had more new material to read. My favorite story was “The Gorgon in the Cupboard” – the tale of
Dreams of Distant Shores – Patricia A. McKillip Read More »
Nahri is an orphan, living on the streets of Cairo at the turn of the 19th century. She’s managed to make a decent life for herself as a thief – pretending just enough mystic powers to swindle rich people worried about their health out of money. She knows she’s different than her neighbors – she
The City of Brass – S. A. Chakraborty Read More »
A.J. Fikry lives above the bookstore he opened with his wife on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. Sadly, his wife passed away, and he’s at the point of the process of grief where he pretty much hates his life and doesn’t see a way past how he’s currently feeling. That’s when a two
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry – Gabrielle Zevin Read More »
Matilda has been brought up by the manor priest since her father, the lord’s clerk, died. But he’s been called to London, and she’s being left to stay with Peg, the bonesetter. It’s a completely different life than Matilda’s used to, and it takes some getting used to, but she learns to like the new
Matilda Bone – Karen Cushman Read More »
Jane is back in Bath, absolutely not enjoying herself, and is more than happy to accept a commission from Lord Harold Trowbridge to keep an eye on his niece, the Lady Desdemona. At a party given by Mona’s grandmother, a shocking murder occurs, drawing Jane into the world of the Bath theatre. Yes, this is
Jane and the Wandering Eye – Stephanie Barron Read More »
Daleina discovers her ability to control spirits when they come after her village. Unfortunately, she’s only able to save her family, but that opening leads her to pursue the training that may eventually make her the Queen. This is an interesting world. For some reason, there are spirits, and all they want is the destruction
The Queen of Blood – Sarah Beth Durst Read More »
I was familiar with the fact that most of Europe’s royalty is descended from Queen Victoria and her numerous children. And I knew she came from a background that linked her to other royalty (her uncle became the King of Belgium, and her consort, her own first cousin, was a German prince), but I had
Queen Victoria’s Cousins – Christina Croft Read More »
I wish I’d read this book some other time. I thought I was starting something else when I first picked it up, and it wasn’t what I was expecting. But, I’m enough of a completest, I couldn’t put it back, and had to finish it. I think I’d have liked it better if I’d started
Among Others – Jo Walton Read More »
This book’s another point of view from Klasky’s Girl’s Guide to Witchcraft, the Warder -David Montrose, instead of the witch, Jane Madison. It’s nice to see the male point of view of one of these stories, but this book was much busier than I remember Jane’s version being. David’s gotten himself into a little bit
The Library, the Witch, and the Warder – Mindy Klasky Read More »
