I’m Judging You by Luvvie Ajayi
While cleaning the dishes, dusting, and doing the laundry, I listened to Luvvie Ajay’s (Lovey Ah-Jah-Ee) essays on everything from washing your bras to why Black Lives Matter matters. They are hilarious and heartfelt, with a narration feeling like she’s talking to you over coffee.
This book will get a re-read in print in the future but if you have an Audible account, spend the credit. If you like print, get the book.
Ghost Talkers by Mary Robinette Kowal
Imagine a WWI brigade of mediums tasked with receiving information from the dead, operating in secrecy, and now in danger of getting found out? It’s a nugget of the whole plot and does not mention the twists and turns taken towards its climax.
This novel was a fun read and ends with the possibility of another book, at least it looks like it. (Does it? Please, please, pretty please.) The detail and research look spot on and does not shy away from the inequality rife within his majesty’s army in all its forms.
Need a page-turner on a snowy evening? This is the book.
Birdie by Tracey Lindberg
From the moment the last page turned over in this novel, I have not stopped thinking about Bernice ‘Birdie’ Meetoos. Perhaps it’s the common touchstone found in the classic, Canadian show The Beachcombers or the times she takes to her room to read. Most of all it’s the journey to carve out meaning after trauma using myths and a writing style inviting readers to open their hearts as well as their minds.
Even that description doesn’t do the novel justice. Seriously, go read it.
The Midnight Texas Trilogy by Charlaine Harris
The word ‘bust’ appears in the post title but disappointment happened after closing the last page on book two and three.
The books comprise of Midnight Crossroad, Day Shift, and Night Shift, the first telling the story of psychic Manfred Bernardo moving the small town of Midnight, Texas. The novels have a sliver of connection to the Sookie Stackhouse books with Manfred the psychic going from bit player to one of the main characters in the trilogy.
The first book served up a great setting and cast of characters but seemed rushed in the latter two books. The third person narration not only reads clunky to the imagination but violates the show don’t tell the maxim, along with some instances of repeated descriptions. (I get it, the Magical Portal tech company helps the little town get excellent Wi-Fi.) Why should you read it? Well, I wanted to finish the trilogy, and like the first book so, reasons will vary for other readers.
Unpaused Life 