Book Review: All The Rivers By Dorit Rabinyan 5/5 Stars

Choosing water as a theme for 2025  has REALLY  had me choosing some books I might not have read before. All the Rivers by Dorit Rabinyan probably would not have been on my list, but it SHOULD have been.  It should have been on my list in 2014 and it probably should be on your list also. Let me tell you all my reasons why! 

This novel ripped me apart emotionally and really opened up my thoughts.

All the Rivers is a bit like an onion there are so many layers. This book, written by an Israeli woman, has been banned in Israel for young persons as inappropriate content.  (for my US readers, that may sound a little bit familiar).

   The premise of the novel is a love story of Liat (an Israeli) and Helmi (an Arab)  who meet unexpectedly in NYC  and have a deep and passionate love affair. (the book itself, in case anyone is concerned- does not contain on page love scenes or anything of that sort). 

   The writing is really high quality, this is an infinitely readable novel, and although it doesn't have a plot of a typical romance (couple meets, falls in love, faces some challenges, reaffirms love with a Happy Ever after ending) , it draws the reader in to the story.   Having survived the brutal winter that I believe the author is referring to, I could deeply relate as she described the mountains of snow and ice and unending gray skies, as she and Helmi navigate a relationship that is overshadowed by the Middle Eastern Situation.  I felt drawn in and could relate to the life she and Helmi build for themselves. The fact that the writing was still excellent after translation speaks to the skill of Rabinyan and the translator Jessica Cohen. 

   While we explore Liat and Helmi's growing relationship- and the challenges it brings-  the reader is given space to think about and explore concepts of love, cultural identity, prejudice, family, sacrifice and more.  This isn't a true "Love conquers all" story, which makes it all the more attractive.  Liat struggles to not view Helmi as as "enemy", Helmi struggles with Liat's very strongly held beliefs, and neither is able to exactly put these parts of their identity aside in favor of their relationship.  It is indeed a wild dance where they are both it seems about to lose their balance and fall wildly into an ocean of chaos. In fact, I could barely put the book down because I had to know how it would end. 

I will tell you the ending shocked and surprised me and figuratively tore my heart right out of my chest. And after finishing, reading that it was based on a "true story"  I felt so much more sorrow.  But of course, I'm not going to tell anyone how this love affair plays out. 

This is an excellent read for persons interested in the current conflict in the Middle East, 

Folks wanting to read/support banned books, and those who are  interested in reading something that's well written, which will settle into your brain like a thick heavy snow. 

Let me know if you've read this book and what your thoughts were, or if you're going to be requesting it from the library! If you like this post, please share it, as it helps books - even books published some time ago- get discovered and rediscovered. 

STATS

First Published 2014

Pages: 288

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  death, war, inter-racial relationships, political conflict, family turmoil  

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)

How Many is TOO many?

    Reading friends - how many books do you usually have "going"  at one time?  Do you have a limit? 

How much can we reasonably process from our outrageously enormous To-Be-Read piles? Do you have a strategy, or just wing it? 

Thank you to Tim's public domain pictures for this gem. 

  I used to be a one book at a time person, and was pretty happy if I finished 12 -15 books a year.  I was also - at that time focusing on a certain type of reading material. Books that made me think, made me take action, or otherwise somehow make a change in life, gain a new perspective, or learn something. Not Self-Help,  but more along the lines of Isabel Wilkerson, or Min Jin Lee.  Then I discovered  books that are on the frivolous side like Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarians,  Viano Oniomoh  and Marilyn Barr  and I added those into the mix.  These books also make me think and see things from a different perspective, but they require a bit less mental energy from me. 

So... there is a lot of space between Spooning my Chuchunya (5 stars in that genre)  and   say, James Baldwin's  The Fire Next time (Also 5 stars)   and - YES - pretty much the only thing those two books have in common is that they are books.  But, I believe all reading is valid,  one just gets something different from every reading escapade. And YES if you're only going to read one book, I'd go with James Baldwin every time.   

But as I was reading around, I realized that I really did want to be reading more than one book at a time because there are ALOT of books to be read out there and there is only so much time.  I wanted reading experiences that made me think, expanded my horizons, but also ones that I could giggle with my friends about over brunch, and those that we could just loathe together. 

  And then!  Friends.....  I DISCOVERED AUDIO BOOKS! 

This opened a whole new avenue of reading to me, and I was suddenly able to read audio in the car, at the gym, you name it. It became my preferred way to read most material, and due to Libby and Cloud Library, I am constantly supplied with books of all sorts and genres. 

So currently, I have one book on my Kindle for my "Stabby and Smoochy"  bookclub at Fable .  One physical book I'm making my way through (The Demolished Man)  and about 4 different audiobooks going.

Is it too many?  Not really.  I don't know why but I rarely get confused, as long as I get a bit read each day, I can recall the plot lines.  I try to make sure they are all different genres-  but I do wonder if I'm just gorging too much.  I see some popular Influencers making jokes about how they forgot everything they read, and I find I don't generally have that problem. 

How many are you reading?  What's your strategy for getting through the massive TBR? Do you switch up the genres? Do you listen to audio at 2/25x? read a chapter of each book daily? Do you dedicate yourself to one book at time and just zip through each one and on to the next? Feel free to share this post around, and  Let me know your strategy in the comments! 

Book Review: Skull Water By Heinz Insu Fenkl 3.25/5 Stars

Skull Water by Heinz Insu Fenkl was a book my local library had, and, being a spooky kind of person, I was entranced by the cover, and the title.  I may have gotten more than expected!

Firstly, as I perused several other reviews by people more literary than me, I started to see the words that are frequently brought out when a novel defies conventional norms "Sweeping" "ambitious"  "courageous" So, to be honest,  I did not find this to be exactly "Sweeping" Nor did it seem "ambitious" or full of courage.  It really seemed as if Fenkl had a story within him that needed to be told, and thus, he was getting it out there. 

  In short, Fenkl takes us between two timelines that are interconnected, Big Uncles timeline during the Korean Civil War, and Insu's timeline in 1970's Korea. 

Insu has lived in many countries as he is the son of an Serviceman in the American Army, but his mother is Korean, so he is adept at straddling both worlds.  He visits his Big Uncle, who has a gangrenous foot, and learns that "Skull Water" could be a cure for is ailment.

(Now, I've searched the interwebs and I can't find out too much about this Korean Myth, so I'm not sure if it is one that's super widespread.  But I suppose, it's also one that people might not be wanting to talk about as it involves somehow aging a newly dead body and then drinking what's in the skull? YIKES!) DO NOT DO THIS - it seems fraught with infectious problems, plus there is no proof it works. 

Insu decides, with his friends that they will be getting some skull water.  We follow him as he travels about the black market in Sinchon, camps out in forbidden areas and experiences a terrifying ancestral ghost while he is also preparing to go back to the US so his father, who is ill can receive medical treatment.  Insu  knows without a doubt that his father is dying, but he never really confronts that fact full on.  It's more of a shadow over everything.   Will he obtain this Skull Water? Will Big Uncle be cured? What will become of his friends? If you read, you'll find out all of this, and more. 

Overall, this is a coming of age story for both Insu our main character, but possibly also in part for South Korea. Both Insu and S. Korea were experiencing this blending and clashing  of American and Korean culture in the 1970's. (Did this really Happen?  YES, yes it did,  the war was "over"  but the American influence was not, click link for videos and discussion).  I don't think I realized how many troops were still in S. Korea in the 1970's   and remain there today as this area is hard to demilitarize.  Not my specialty. 

  I felt like this book really hits home in the way it describes how  war really just upended societies, and forever changes the dynamics of life. As I read about Insu making deals with government cheese and medical supplies, all while absorbing legends and folk beliefs and making sure to use auspicious numbers, I was struck at how delicate this coming together could really be, and how unique it is- outside of this reality, it would be hard to explain to anyone, while we all have similar emotions, we don't all have similar experiences.  

Towards the end of the novel, Insu visits with a monk and this is probably the best part of the book where he and the monk discuss karma, and outcomes. It doesn't really quite fit with the rest of the book, but I feel like that may also be part of what's being conveyed  Lots of things didn't exactly FIT as an ordered society, but they all had a place in that point in time.  One thing I did not like, and this is just me, is that while the author kind of ties up the ends of Insu's pals lives, his is left fairly open ended, leaving me to just want to KNOW... What happened after Insu went to California? Did he ever go? 

So... for me this was worth the read, I hesitate to recommend it to just anyone, due to some graphic animal abuse discussion/description.   But for readers interested in Korea, coming of age, and Military child experiences, this might be one for you!

STATS

First Published 2023

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  sexism, war, animal abuse, child SA, SA, drug use, alcohol, death  

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor 5/5 stars

 I'm a big fan of Nnedi Okorafor's writing  and when I saw Death of the Author up at Net Galley, I immediately requested to read it.  I was not disappointed! 

      Initially, judging from the cover, I was expecting a some sort of magical tale older than time, but this is not really that book, or maybe it is, just not in a sense of a fairy tale or legend

   The plot - without too many spoilers:  Zelu, our main character is a disabled Nigerian-American writer who after a series of hard knocks, writes a novel that become wildly successful.  This success, of course drastically changes her relationships and threatens to change her life forever. This is told basically as a story within a story and it is an amazing look at the publishing process, family life, and Chicago. Some have wondered if this work is a bit auto-biographical, but I'd argue that most novels of this sort are a bit auto-biographical and it probably isn't good to attach that label to a work by an author, unless the author herself attached the label. 

So... does all of this change lead to a forever life change?  A rendering with family and friends? Well... you'll need to read to find out.  Along the way you'll be thinking about AI,  robots, Nollywood, and a host of things that will likely tickle your brain in that spot that just wants new, new, new ideas!

Death of the Author is quite a provocative title as Okorafor has noted that she doesn't ascribe to the Death of the Author theory put forth in Roland Barthes essay from 1967 which argues persuasively (but for me not very successfully) that the meaning of a written work shouldn't be determined by the author's intent but rather by the reader, or the reader's experience of the work. 

  I fully believe that the author's intent, and the reader's experience fully shape a work or writing, how could one really try to separate the two?  Don't you agree? 

  Who should pick up this book?  Students of literature, for certain. Readers of Speculative fiction and Science fiction as well.  People looking to diversify their reading list- sure! 

This is probably not a book for someone looking to read a simple story with one general plot line. 

I am so grateful to Net Galley and William Morrow for the chance to read and review this fantastic novel. 

 Are you also a fan of Okorafor?  What's your favorite? Will this book be making it's way to your TBR?  Let me know in the comments! 

STATS

First Published 2025

Pages: 448

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  sexism, culture erasure (whitewashing), abelism, attempted genocide,Gore, Death, suicidal thoughts 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Who goes to Book Club?

     Are you a local book club member? After much wailing gnashing of teeth, I threw myself into the fiery furnace, and attended (crashed it seems)  my local public library's Book Club.  Admittedly, it was only a furnace for 1.5 hours, so I thought I could probably manage it. 

(this image is from Museo Nacional de Artes - Mexico Unidentified artist "the pains of Hell" ca. 1780)

This is indeed the text I sent as proof. So let me tell you all the story of how I kind of crashed my local public library's club. (which is of course open to the public, so there is only the perception of crashing....) 

     Last year, we were actually invited  by a waitress at one of our favorite breakfast spots,  but when I looked up the book selections, I just... knew it wasn't going to be for me.  This year, however, the selections seemed better, and I REALLY like to discuss books, so I decided to try it out. Keep in mind, I live in a pretty small town, that's still quasi-rural. 

     Lets talk about the good,  the bad and the ugly.

   The good!  The discussion was solid.  Most participants had read the book, and had opinions and follow up questions and wanted to chat a bit about the book. Almost everyone had comments, and thoughts and information that did enhance my enjoyment of the book. Many people were friendly, and I can see myself making a few new book club buddies. There seemed to be enough space for everyone to jump in without talking over each other, and the readers did have a lot to say. 

The bad?  Well- I live in a fairly diverse community and the club-was really just a lot of older white women, which makes me think they don't really do a lot to get people interested in being a member. The club looked more like a DAR meeting - and most definitely did not represent our community as a whole.  So, while there were a lot of interesting perspectives, I kept thinking about all of the other folks I know in town who would have had a different perspective, and what a more interesting conversation we might have had.  The woman in charge was friendly, but in kind of a weaponized way- if you will.  She really...seemed to want to come off as cute and friendly and fun, but she was none of those things. I did feel like I was crashing a party she planned, and she was trying to be gracious, but didn't really want to be. I took an immediate dislike to the lady but luckily the women I sat near were very friendly and I liked them a lot. 

The Ugly? They have all the books planned for the year. 10 books.  2 of them are written by Non - white authors.  No fun Non-fiction.   This definitely kind of bummed me out.  I admit, my reading can be hit or miss, but I make an effort to really look for diverse authors. It's a great way to get a new perspective, and expand my thoughts. 

  Was it worth it? 

   Yes  and no. 

Yes-  because i did spend time in the company of other readers, and I met at least two people that I really liked  and I could see myself spending more time with them. 

No- as I didn't feel particularly challenged by the group and at least one woman made me feel actively unwelcome.  (BUT- for someone like me- who is incredibly awkward-  1 person out of like 15... is pretty good) 

Will I go back?  I wasn't sure, but next month's book looked OK, so maybe I'll keep trying. 

What's been your Book Club experience?  Do you go to a local one? Have you made one yourself that's more invite only?  Let me know in the comments!

Book Review Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Xhao

   I've just finished the much awaited sequel to Iron Widow, Heavenly Tyrant, and honestly my head is still spinning. 

  Like the cover?  you can see more from this amazing artist  HERE 

  

This book has gotten quite a lot of mixed reviews.  Readers think it is too political.  Readers dislike Zhao's writing style.  Readers dislike the power dynamics displayed in the book.  Readers believed it too long. Readers are concerned it is too sexual for YA readers.  Other readers think it didn't have enough sexy times. Some readers loved the female rage, and others, felt it was contrived. Reader's felt the portrayal of some things was not realistic, and others thought it was TOO realistic.  

      I find myself in the middle of the road.  I liked it,  but did not exactly... love it. 

I like Zhao- as a personality.  I've never met them so I can't say I like them personally, but I do like that she is bold, and not afraid to upset the apple cart in publishing and in life.  I really always want to support this, and so maybe I have a bit of a rose tint to my glasses as I read her books.  The prose can be a bit jarring, but... I have read much much much worse. 

    In summary this is the second book in a series in which our main character Zetian has come into power in Huaxia. She has to share this power, however, with an Emperor man who is, oh only about 200 years older than her. He likes her a lot, except when he doesn't.  He's interesting, and maddening in equal measure. Zetian learns fast about the difficulties of maintaining power and order, and that even when intentions are noble and pure, the execution of these intentions can be... messy.  Zhao draws on history using several notable challenges within revolutions and rebellions across the ages- to illustrate the difficulty in moving forward for a more just world.  I was struck at the many examples that wove their way into the book, and I was a little bit sad, as I saw multiple reviews- which indicated that most of the readers had no idea these were most definitely examples from already past revolutionary governments.  Does that matter?  Well no, but at the same time, I'd like (especially YA readers) to realize that these wild edicts aren't just fantasy but mostly things that actually occurred over the history of humanity.  Just so no one gets an idea that "it would only happen in a book".   I asked a few people if they were familiar with some policies discussed in the book that I for certain identified with other prior governments around the globe, and many adults were like - No way did that happen... when it so clearly "yes way" did happen.  At the end, we are left on a bit of a gentle Cliff Hanger wondering what may become of Zetian and her merry band of people. 

    This was a chonker and I was very very glad to get to the last page.  Zetian is kind of ... not the most likeable character at all and the story line felt all over the place to me, but to the author's credit, it does come together nicely there at the end. This book overall wasn't bad.  It just wasn't stunning either.   What was good about this book?  This is A PERFECT BOOK for discussion of Politics, body autonomy, feminism, independence, power, and justice.  It emphasizes all the way through that these concepts are fluid, environment dependent and not at all black and white.  I liked the messiness of it, no one character was all good or all bad, which kept me on my toes a bit, and of course reflects our world so well. 

   Will I go in for book 3? Probably. 

Will I prioritize it above other reads?  Probably not. 

Have you read Iron Widow or Heavenly Tyrant? What were your thoughts?  Was it a 5 star for you or a half a star?  Let me know in the comments! 

STATS

First Published 2024 

Pages: 544

Available as an Audio Book : YES

Trigger Warnings:  Surgery, pregnancy, miscarriage, war violence, Executions, family death, loss of partner, body horror, abuse,  child abuse, assault, mention of pornography, suicide, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

  

Book Review: Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala 4.5/5 Stars

 

 Wow!  this was such a surprise!  The fact that I was surprised, was really all my own issue. I was happily adding all sorts of water/ocean/lake/river and pond books to my list and the Librarian suggested this short memoir, Wave.  I started it entirely blind, and was not entirely prepared for the depth and sorrow communicated within. We often think of water in terms of warm baths, sun-kissed beach days, or a storm, viewed from indoors with a cozy cup of tea, but Wave reminds us that water can be wild, dangerous and changemaking. 

Lest anyone feel they might want to jump in unawares, I'll note that this is a beautiful memoir told by a woman who - with almost no warning- lost much of her family to the historic tsunami in Sri Lanka in 2004. This is a story of grief, loss of parents, children and partners. It is, however, also a story of recovery and new beginnings. 

Deraniyagala tells her story of loss, grief and recovery with a direct and unapologetic prose that is so welcome, as it is a difficult story to absorb, without any added literary "flair" 

   She highlights the capriciousness of both nature and life, and gives the reader a clear view of the many pieces of grief- the good (where she is able to connect with old friends and memories), the bad (when she decides to haunt the renters of a former home)  and the healing (moving on to a new environment and taking her memories with her, rather than escaping them).

   This is a worthy read as we have all experienced loss and grief. Deraniyagala- an Economist by trade- allows us in to experience a "worst things imagined" real life situation, and in a way, she shows us all that there is a way out and forward, even if it isn't straightforward, or clear.  I didn't feel a "Happy ever ending"- but I did have a sense of satisfaction and peace at the conclusion. 

    

STATS:

First Published: 2013

Pages: 256

Available as an Audiobook: YES

Trigger warnings: Child loss, Partner loss, Parent loss, alcohol use, depression , natural disaster

 Have you read this book? Do you have another similar book you'd recommend? Let me know in the comments! 

Book Club Book Review: Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini 3.25/5 stars ⭐

So- with the new year, I promised myself, that even if I didn't love the book choice at my local public library, I was going to try out Book Club, so I could maybe meet a few more readers in my community.

Hence: 

.This is a really good and predictable choice for my local library

  Why would I say this?  Well, it encompasses a time in history that easier to talk about than our current times, and is a topic that's bound to interest woman (as more women attend book clubs than men...)  and thus it's one that people can pretty safely discuss without anyone feeling a need to throw hands over a book.  (except maybe me). 

Upon finding it available in Audiobook format from my library, I decided to at least TRY. 

 I did enjoy the novel.  Chiaverini follows the journey of Switchboard operators who were recruited to operate the switchboards installed across Europe during World War One. 

I had not thought much about switchboards at all, and so I definitely learned quite a bit about these, the operators and their role in the eventual victory.  Learning about their training, deployment and service was engaging and interesting. I do wish I had skipped the book and just read this shorter article, which gave me the same information in 1-2 pages. 

Why a 3.25 rating? Chiaverini falls into a trap that almost all historical fiction seems to dip into, or fall  *SPLAT* into.   She admittedly "made up"  a few characters, and these are the characters that she has discussing segregation in the Army, with of course, the characters being flatly against it.  I didn't find any information about Signal Girls championing racial equality during WW1 (it might be there but it is not easily accessible) and it's telling that these more progressive ideas of equality are espoused by the fictional character, and not pulled from the research done on the non-fictional persons featured in this book.  

    Why is this harmful?  I'm not sure it's harmful, but it gives the reader a pretend idea about who was serving.  While it makes the characters more relatable and likable to the modern reader, it sort of allows the reader to not confront the issue, as after all their character just spouted some views from 1982!  Unfortunately it is indeed possible to be a pioneering first woman in the Army and be indifferent to the racial segregation that also occurred at the same time.   While I am sure some women were against this,  a quick search revealed there is no evidence that this was an issue that consumed their time.   Though possibly the author came across a small diary entry or two? But then wouldnt she have attributed that to the diarist, not her fictional woman? 

I did find the women to be pretty "cool"  over all, especially given the historical time, and it led me to wonder what I would have done if I had lived in 1918. I could have done without the modern values overlaying the historic setting, in spite of the cool factor of these ladies. 

But, this is not a Chiaverini problem.  It's the main reason I don't read a lot of historical fiction. A bunch of the story is fiction, with some historical facts and settings used, and in the end it all feels sort of weird because the main characters in most historical fiction are always - it seems- "perfect"   Even today we can probably think of neighbors and friends who support one societal change, but ignore another. 

    My second issue with the book was that basically everyone seemed to be quite chummy and all conflicts alluded to were resolved fully and amicably.  And Again,  1918 or not... this is not the way the world works.  I felt nostalgic all of a sudden for a world of work where everyone respected each other,  but then, I remembered this is fiction! 

So... read at your own risk.   I think it's been widely enjoyed by most.  I'm going to TRY to go to Book club discussion this week, and I promise to stick to my amazement at the sheer number of phone operators they found who were fluent in French and English! 

Do you know a Historical Fiction novel that doesn't fall into the pitfall of ascribing modern belief systems over a historic veneer?  Please- recommend me a book!!!! 

Book Review: I contain Multitudes by Ed. Yong 4.5/5 stars

 

    This book has been on my TBR since it came out in 2016.  I kind of kept putting it off, despite seeing it get great reviews and good press all around. 

Well, I finally finished it and it is getting some more good press. 

     Although I do this little blog for bookish things, my main job is as a sort of "infection wrangler" for hospitals, so I am a little bit familiar with microbes. I don't really have a favorite one, but I am partial to those that I can easily spell (no thank you to B. Theta.)  So possibly I  was holding off because I really have sometimes had enough with Pseudomonas or E. coli and particularly C. difficile. 

 But, here we are 2025, and the book finally hit my Libby Hold Ready list! 

    The reader is taken on an instructional but also fascinating journey through the history of microbes, our interactions with them, current uses and possible future ways humans and the world of microbes might "mutually benefit" each other. Or might eliminate each other....really, things could go either way I am sure. 

     As I was reading this, I was reminded of Adrian Tchaikovsky's  Alien Clay  and several other Science Fiction concepts and stories.  Yong skillfully brings in symbionts and looks at our developing understanding about how our microbiome seems to be controlling our digestion, some parts of our immune system and possibly even our mood.  CREEPY! FASCINATING! STRANGER THAN FICTION? YES! 

Reading this book almost ten years after publication, I did feel it needed possibly an "update" as this is such a rapidly evolving field, some of the info which was mind blowing in 2016 is now considered part of our daily lives. Despite that, I think it is still a good introduction to microbes, and their affects on living beings. I feel like it's a great read for authors of Sci Fi, and possibly other genres.  (One section of the book addresses how every person really does have a signature scent (which is microbe related)  - though it isn't typically that of "leather and sea salt and "Man"  that the romance writers love to put in every book. 

So 4.5/5 Stars.   Ed Yong is a fantastic journalist, and health writer, and communicator- making difficult concepts understandable and interesting. Go and check out his other work

       While this entire book wasn't really themed on water, it did have a great section on coral reefs, and their microbes- so... I'm counting it among my watery theme books for 2025. 

  Have you read this book?  What were your thoughts?  Let me know in the comments! 

Book Review: And Then She Fell, by Alicia Elliott 4.5/5 Stars

 

As I tend to do, I've veered off a bit from my Water theme, but in all fairness, I started this one prior to deciding on a theme. 

   This book is a wild wild ride. 

I did a little bit of examining other folks reviews before I started mine because I wasn't entirely sure how I felt about it. Oddly one of the biggest complaints was a very abrupt point of view change that occurs in the latter part of the book.   I puzzled on this because lots of books have POV changes and this one certainly wasn't confusing at all. Some of the concepts that the POV change introduced were unique, but...I think, people were just feeling uncomfortable with some of the things brought up by our main character Alice, that they seized on something that was socially appropriate to challenge. 

   In summary (no real spoilers), Alice is a new Mom (a Mohawk woman raised on Six Nations) living in a upscale white Toronto neighborhood.  Like many new Moms, she's exhausted and although a lot of people are well meaning and trying to be helpful, she's noticing their major shortcomings.  In these moments, I felt that a lot of readers (myself included) might have seen themselves and found themselves lacking.  SO UNCOMFORTABLE.  I did take a few moments to really see myself from Alice's point of view, and then try to adjust my own perceptions. I'd like to think I learned some things. 

Alice has support, but it isn't the support she needs,  (and truly one issue I think a lot of new mothers face is that people only offer things they want to offer, not always what's needed- this could be said for folks suffering many sorts of stressors or crises.) She breaks down, and this is where this dreaded POV switch occurs. 

 In this point of view switch, something amazing happens and the reader is immersed in an alternative environment/universe if you will, leading to an exploration of what might have been or what could be. The conclusion brings the reader to a realization that no life is truly fully full of comfort or ease, and that all options and choices will encompass various hardships.   

This is all done with the help of a cockroach, and the story of Skywoman. 

This was the debut novel for Alicia Elliott, who is a Mohawk woman and based on reading a few interviews it seems she did gain inspiration for much of the novel from various personal experiences. 

The gorgeous cover design was done by Chippewar, and they are worth checking out here  I note that this book has had a few covers, so I hope I'm crediting the right artist with the correct cover, feel free to correct if you know otherwise, I can easily edit. 

As a book that addresses many women's issues, mental health, and Indigenous issues,  it shines as a debut, and I'm interested in reading more from this author.   

Let me know if you've read this and what your thoughts are! 

Book Review: Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant - 5/5 Stars

   Moving along with the 2025 Theme of Water/Ocean, I chose to pick up a quick read - Rolling the Deep by Mira Grant.

Take a moment to appreciate this cover. It just promises a story that will give a reader the creeps. It was created by American Artist Julie Dillon. 

Mira Grant (who also writes as Seanan McGuire) really delivers. 

As someone who distractedly watched a few "Faux-umentaries" and was annoyed to learn I'd just basically been watching a weird fantasy...I was immediately drawn in by the story of the Imagine Network making a new attempt to locate mermaids in the remote ocean, above the Mariana Trench. 

   Imagine network brought real scientists, actual mermaids (as real as we can get), and a full TV crew to catch every moment.  

     No one,  however,  expected was to find actual mermaids, and when to do find them, they find themselves entirely unprepared for them. What happens? Well of course-  chaos ensues and I am definitely not giving away any of the delicious horror that awaits a curious reader.  

  In this slim volume Grant has perfect pacing.  I mean, perfect.  I read this book in about 2 hours, and felt that I knew the characters well, and had a full feel of being in the middle of the ocean.   I have not been a huge fan of McGuires more ethereal fantasy style books,  but this, I really enjoyed. 

 The novella also has an array of disability representation (with some uncomfortable examples of ableism noted as well), diverse characters  (age, sex, orientations), and just touches on humans and their environmental effects- wherever we go, we do seem to make things less good. 

Have you read this book?  Have any thoughts?  Any recommendations for what to read next? Let me know in the comments! 

Book Review: An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim 4 of 5 stars!

 BOOK REVIEW: An Ocean of Minutes  by Thea Lim  4/5 stars 

      
   As part of my 2025 theme of Oceans/Water, I picked up this book from 2018 - which reads as if it was published post Pandemic!  

Spoiler alert- there is really no ocean or water involvement, and this is sometimes how it goes, my yearly themes are broad and allow for sort of "fails"  this book however, doesn't fail. 

   This is a science fiction, time travel ,dystopian novel  which explores relationships, the meaning of home, as well as race/class issues.  To me it is a classic "you can't go home again" story. 

We meet a very ordinary couple, Frank and Polly as they vacation in Galveston Texas. Frank contracts a deadly virus and Polly decides in a rushed fashion to sign a contract with a time travel company so Frank can get the treatment. They romantically vow to meet up at a hotel landmark when 12 years have passed. 

As one might imaging, things do not go exactly as planned. 

Polly is rerouted to a different year but her protected status as a skilled worked seems to have her believing that things will be alright, she moves along in her job as she attempts to locate Frank but things seem to go from bad to worse, and she is demoted to a lower status, extending her time of service to the company.  She continues her search for Frank, however which gives her gives her a deep focus.  Around her others are also looking for relatives in similar fashion.  Communication is fraught with difficulty and deceit and honestly it was entirely reminiscent of a current day refugee camp.  (I have never lived in a refugee camp but my job has taken me to a few and I really felt it as I moved through this book).  People all want to locate family, they don't all have correct information, finding information may have a large financial or human cost, and even after expending the effort, the result may be fruitless. 

Polly indeed is reunited with Frank after some thought provoking adventures- but is it the reunion she always imagined?  Well- you 'll need to read to find out. 

Overall  this was a really unique, and interesting story.  I did not particularly like Frank or Polly- and found them to be just...a little dull, but I forgive the author that, because it was after all a tale of the everyday person. I did knock it down one entire start for a vague ending that hints and hopes for a positive outcome but stubbornly refused to commit. (not even an epilogue!) 

Great Book club book  as it supports both tough thought provoking questions  about immigration, class, and wealth inequalities, and also some fun ones, such as- which year would you want to visit if time travel were to become a regular occurrence. 

Have you read this book?  Let me know you thoughts in the comments!  Which year would you visit?  I think after reading this, I probably would avoid even travelling one week forward or backwards! 

  Happy 2025!   

This year I plan to start reading all the Hugo award winning novels in order- providing a review and context regarding the novel, it's significance in the book world and the real world,  as well as my own interpretation and if this is "worth it" or maybe one to put on a back burner. 

 I also like to have a theme for each year of reading. 2023 was Pirates which was a blast. 2024 was monsters - and I consumed an unhealthy amount of monster Romance...

2025 theme is Water: oceans, rivers, puddles, bathtubs... you name it, I'm going to try to cram it in. 

Beware though, some pirates and monsters will likely pop up as I find them,  book club books as well as some things I simply couldn't resist (Hello- Intra-stellar megachef!?) 

Please join me!  Give me your recommendations, hot takes and all the discussion. Let's add to our shelves (or Library/Libby loan lists) together.