Book Review: Said the Dead by Doireann Ni Ghriofa

 

This book is a treasure.  It is an excellent combination of an interesting topic, brilliant writing, and clever imagination. 

In this mixed genre book readers experience something magical- part memoir, part history and part imaginative fiction, this mash up works to transport a reader across decades. 

In Cork, Ireland, a derelict Victorian mental hospital is being converted into modern apartments. Our writer, calling themselves "the reader" throughout, is inexplicably drawn to this building and it's history. 

The building itself seems to have called to her. 

Our modern reader takes on a task to discover what she can about the buildings inhabitants, the residents, workers and physicians all come under her careful scrutiny.  No stone is left unturned to discover the voices of these people- previously unheard. In this way, the inhabitants of this building are laid to rest as a new generation and building take over. 

The reader continues to live in the modern world, but is increasingly also "in" this Victorian timeframe, experiencing the daily lives of the mental hospital. 

The lines between past and present seem blurred, and as a reader myself, I did start to question the sanity

of "the reader" 

The reader does indeed follow the threads of existence to the very end, to give closure to all of us readers, and perhaps herself. 

      I had an advanced copy of this on Audio- as well as an Electronic version, and I read the entire thing immersively.  Highly recommend.  The audio is narrated by the author, so every phrase, and every inflection seem so pointed and perfect allowing a certain atmosphere to be created.  The print novel has actual photos from this asylum, which further immerse readers, and helped me to understand exactly how "the reader" could be so drawn to these persons, long dead, who spoke to her through history, photos and the barest of physical artifacts found at the demolition site! 

 

I did not expect to love this book, but by the end I was entranced.  This one is a must read. 

It asks focus and attention from the reader, but the reward is immense! 

Vibes alone- 5 stars! 

First Published :  9/2/26

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes  ~ 9 hr 

Trigger Warnings: Death, misogyny, Irish politics, mistreatment, mental health,  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Harbour of Hungry Ghosts by Eliza Chan

 

I was delighted by Eliza Chan's Harbour of Hungry Ghosts. I feel like I've been reading more and more ghostly stories, despite my outer Space Theme, alas. I do not regret for one moment this one.  

Spoiler Free Summary: Because spoilers are just the worst! 

Kiamling is a young demon hunter. She's being trained under the very strict eye of her remaining family. (Demon hunting, of course, has risks!) Kiamling is certain that she's on top of things and finds the constant training and criticism to be exhausting. She's become prickly, angry, and suspicious of anyone offering good will. She knows the British are coming in droves to Hong Kong and she's not a fan, but she does take all opportunities to earn a buck off these dunderheads. 

During a Hungry Ghost Festival things go awry when the British officers fail to respect the local customs. A beast, unlike anything she's seen before is on the loose. It takes something precious to her, and leaves her vulnerable.  Can Kiamling conquer this beast? She'll need to figure it out first. As she's battling, it seems these creatures don't play by the old rules. To win, she'll have to rely on more than just herself. As a reader, I did finally sit down for a mega 3 hour reading session to finish this one, because I needed to know what happened ASAP. 

This is a unique and inventive "East Meets West" novel where frightening British fables mix with terrifying Chinese folklore. 

I loved the action scenes- on par with any RPG lit type novel,  a funky love triangle which IS safe for work and for young adults, and learning a little bit more about the intersection of British and Chinese culture. 

This is one to pop on your TBR.  It comes out July 28 and if the cover is as gorgeous as the cover on the E-galley, I am also going to love it for it's artistic cover! 

First Published :  7/28/26

Pages: 400

Available as an Audio Book :  Yes

Trigger Warnings: Death, monsters, brothels, kidnapping, paranormal happenings, law enforcement, drug use/abuse,  (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: For Services Rendered by Will Thomas

 This may honestly be the most 'mainstream' book I've read and reviewed all year.  

Will Thomas' Barker and Llewelyn series set in Victorian England is a long running series with Barker- an eccentric Enquiry Agent sort of rescuing Llewelyn in his misguided youth and eventually making him a partner in the Enquiry business.  (private detectives).

I started this series several years ago and while I always had a few misgivings about the possible accuracy of Barker's ties to China, and the Chinese in London during this time, I also have to admit, I didn't really have an knowledge to ascertain if it was accurate or not. It turns out, based on some conversations and the mildest of google research that Thomas appears to have done his research. 

SO- I'm not going to spoil the story but I might reveal a bit more than normal. 

     In this novel we meet historical figure Sun Yat Sen.  (Yes the SUn Yat Sen we recall from history classes).  He's on a trip to London when he finds himself rather indisposed and missing.  In fact, he has been kidnapped. Who better to look into this than Barker and Llewelyn Enquiry Agents? Barker speaks Cantonese and has deep ties within the London Chinese population. Llewelyn is, as always, along for the ride. 

    And what a wild ride it is!!! An arch-rival nemesis arrives after being declared dead, adding even more stakes to the mystery.  Llewelyn's by now raising a young family that must be protected, and Barker's mysterious lady friend becomes more prominent in this novel. 

  There is a fair amount of swashbuckling, gun slinging, and adventures on the river with the historic River Police. Interspersed, long time readers of the series will be delighted with the back story that Llewelyn is FINALLY able to squeeze out of the reticent Barker! This was the bit that I adored the most.  In addition, Llewelyn has a bit of an addition to his family that was most unexpected, and also delightful in it's own way. 

  Antony Ferguson does the narration for this novel and I appreciated that he was able do all of the accents without exaggerating them, making it a fun an interesting listen that flowed easily through my ears. Many Thanks to Macmillan audio for this copy. 

    If this piques your interest but you have not read the entire series, rest assured, Thomas does a nice job of summing up the situation, so that the reader can read this as a stand-alone. 

STATS

First Published  August 18, 2026

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book : Yes ~ 9 hours 

Trigger Warnings:  death, violence, poisioning, gun violence, kidnapping, unlawful arrest,   

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)  

Book Review: The Salvage By Anbara Salam

 The Salvage is a hold over from last year's water theme.  

I bought the actual physical book because the blurb was amazing and I LOVE the cover. 

 I mean, look at that cover. 

  The blurb was also amazing. It's 1962.  Marta, a female marine archeologist travels to Cairnroch, a small island off Scotland. She's there to dive a Victorian shipwreck. The ship and it's crew had personal significance to the small community on the island, especially the one family with wealth. Marta is struggling with the wreckage that is her personal life, which is also tied to her employment and thinks that her service in the community can bring her some sort of redemption. 

    Things start off well, but quickly turn a bit sour as odd things start happening, and Marta is not sure if she's seeing things, or if things are really just a bit creepy. Things get even stranger as a record setting cold and snowstorm settle in, at the same time as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Ferries and trains aren't running. Fuel is frozen, and Marta has some things she must do to right her personal ship. 

    Salam tells the tale of the winter of 1962-63, but also tells, vaguely, the tale of the Victorian fleet in interspersed chapters. She then deftly ties the situation created up into a bow that still left a reader with some thought provoking questions. 

   The writing is tight and paints a grim, eerie picture of Cairnroch, Marta and the sea. I admit the writing itself paints such a picture, that I did start to feel a bit melancholy while reading the novel. I honestly did not enjoy it as much as I had hoped, but after waiting over 6 months for it on hold on audio at the library, I knew I was going to finish it. I loathed Marta.  She was a sad little hard character who created more drama than needed, but as the book unfolds, I realized that she wasn't the only pot stirrer, and I was glad that things seemed to come to a solid resolution there at the end. 

Do I recommend this novel?  YES - for those who enjoy literary fiction, and historical fiction, as it fits both genres pretty well. If you are primary horror reader, this horror might be too mild for you, are it might tickle your brain as something suspenseful but quite different. Did I enjoy this novel?  Kindof...but also not really. I recognize that it's well constructed, interesting and unique, but I can't say I Had a good time while reading it. I do wish I knew more folks who had read the novel so we could talk about it! 

STATS

First Published :  10/7/25

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book :  YES ( ~ 12 hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: violence, death, prejudice, racism, LBGTQIA themes, alcohol use, nudity, references to attempted religious conversion, religious trauma. Historical event references. 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: River Spirit by Leila Aboulela

 

It seems like quite some time since I finished a book.  I did finish River Spirit earlier this week but I didn't have time to sit and write a review. Work has been - not good at all. I am hopeful it will improve. My dream job more and more is just... Retirement. 

Anywhoo.

This book was so interesting and engaging. This is a bit of historical fiction, but if you are thinking of various poorly written romances with a historical setting- be prepared to have your socks blown off! 

Aboulela is truly a master.  The prose is readable and the story she weaves is compelling. 

In short - this is an epic tale set in 1880's-1890's Sudan. Using SEVEN points of view (count them!!!) Aboulela gives readers a rich and textured account of Sudan in the time of Mahdi wars.  Not only do we explore the view points of the major players, (known generals and revolutionaries), readers also meet "regular" characters of all social stations, giving a glimpse into all aspects of society at this time. There is love, treachery, fanaticism, conniving and thriving throughout the book.  I will freely admit that at the start I did have some trouble following all the points of view in the audiobook, but I suspect had I read it on page this would not have been a concern.  The audio narrator did use different voices, but I still struggled a bit. I am now VERY interested in this time period in Sudan, as it seems so eventful! 

As the perspectives unfolded, I was oddly reminded of a different Multi-POV story - There There by Tommy Orange. Although these books are set in wildly different times and spaces, they both do explore themes of identity/belonging, and violence and colonialism. I don't know that I recommend reading these in tandem but I do think if you like one of these, you will likely find the other to be interesting.  

This was my first read of Leila Aboulela.  I found myself interested in reading more of her work, so I expect I will continue to pull books of hers throughout this year. 

This is a great read, if you've set a goal to "read around the world" as it gives a good story and also explores culture of the area. 

STATS

First Published :  03/07/2023

Pages: 320

Available as an Audio Book :  YES (~9hrs) 

Trigger Warnings: Dubious consent, sexual activity, violence, religious fervor, War violence, violence against women, poison, racism (this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Burn Down Master's House by Clay Cane

 Wow!  Just WOW!!!

I had this book tagged on Libby and thus I was able to borrow it almost immediately with it came out. 

It's kind of unique that it is the first book I have finished in February, Black History Month in the United States. 

This is a really unique piece of writing.   I was initially attracted to the cover, because it is a piece of art that really grabs the attention. 

Ray Jean-Giles is the cover artist.   And I really am awe of the cover. 

I honestly did not know what I was getting into, which tells you the power of a cover.  I put that book on "Notify me"  and borrowed it asap. 

It could have been anything. 

The author starts off by explaining that indeed this is going to be an uncomfortable book for some. I wasn't sure exactly where I'd fall in the comfort zone, but I decided to give it a go. What I got is a deeply engaging and at times very satisfying piece of quasi-historical fiction. It was not a comfortable read, and in this era where readers are looking for cozy fiction, this one is not that. 

Readers follow 4 loosely interconnected enslaved persons as they face absolute horror in every day life. 

If anyone ever trots out the narrative that slavery had some kind masters and that it couldn't have been all bad, etc- this is the book to point them to. Because I felt that this laid bare the brutality- both intended and thoughtless-that characterized American slavery. 

The stories contained in this novel are based on detailed research of actual persons. The characters, like enslaved persons who lived years ago had varying reactions- some defied their masters outright, others in smaller ways, and others slipped away to freedom while exacting a precise revenge.  The story that held my attention the most was of Charity and Larkin where one feels a relief as Charity becomes free, only to have that relief torn away in one short moment.  While these interconnected stories are based on real events, it's also true that no one can really know all the exact thoughts and feelings of another. It is plausible that a bit of a modern feel pops in here and there, but to be honest, I felt like this only added to the depth of the novel. Cane isn't trying to recreate a history, as an author, I felt that he was almost partnered with these figures to bring this period to life in real, agonizing detail so that readers might really take a pause to examine all that we've been taught about slavery in the US. 

The results are a combustible novel that sizzles with revenge, tender love, and defiance. 

In short, I loved it, could not stop reading it, and also hated it.  it took me about 5 days to read it, which is really... a record for me for speed. 

Should you read this book?  Yes. It likely isn't a great one for Book club, but it SHOULD BE.  It's one to put on the TBR. 

   I did the audio book, and it is narrated by Clay Cane himself.  I admit, I didn't really like the hesitating way that he read his work, but I'm assuming that, like everything else, this was a deliberate choice. It did make me sit up and listen carefully. 

First Published :  January 2026

Pages: 288

Available as an Audio Book : Yes   ~ 11 hrs

Trigger Warnings:  poverty, racism, classism, bugs, medical issues, body horror, slavery, SA, 

(this is not a full list, read responsibly)

Book Review: Irehide by DeAndrea Pete

 Irehide is a novel that's been out since October 2025.  I saw the cover on NetGalley and, although I am not doing many ebooks this year, the cover and the premise drew me in!  I'm very appreciative of the author and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy to read and review for you! 

Irehide sits firmly in the historical fiction/romance genres, but it really more firmly falls into that odd genre "women's fiction".  This is most assuredly a book that so many book clubs would enjoy as there are so many themes and relevant ideas to unpack- set within a very engaging romance between two somewhat broken characters, Florence and Ben. 

     With no Spoilers- (hopefully)  Irehide is set against the backdrop of 1968 America, a time of great change and strife. Our main characters are essentially two sides of a coin, with their determination to be more than the status quo bringing them together. 

Florence is an ambitious young black woman who is making her way in a world that would rather minimize her to an expected stereotype. She's determined to not settle in life, even as she knows this determination may make her life more challenging. Despite her determination, Florence, like many people, experiences lots of second guesses, as opportunities present. She's walking on a tightrope as she navigates her life. 

Ben, on the other side, has been raised with all advantages, and all expectations placed on him.  He sees the injustice in the world and is determined to use his position to balance out some of this- regardless of the costs to his personal and professional life.  A new veteran of the Vietnam war, he's faced a lot and is ready for change.  He makes many mistakes attempting to be a changemaker, and in many ways, finds himself also walking on a similar tightrope- though decidedly with a more cushioned fall- should he fall. 

As this pair orbit each other, coming closer and closer with each rotation, I was on the edge wondering the age old question- Would LOVE be enough to overcome backgrounds, social expectations and norms, and personal forces designed to pull them apart? 

Obviously you'll want to read to find out! 

I can say that the ending was quite satisfying. 

This is a well crafted novel - that does contain some minor pacing issues which were easily overcome.  Recommended if one is looking for historical romance with nuance, book club reads, indie authors or just a good story in a somewhat unique time setting.

 STATS

First Published : 10/07/2025

Pages: 336

Available as an Audio Book : No. 

Trigger Warnings: racism, sexism, bullying, violence  (not a complete list- be responsible!)

Book review: The Poet Empress By Shen Tao

 

   I am so appreciative of Macmillan audio for the Advanced listener copy of The Poet Empress! 

I give this one 5 stars! 

         This is an original dark fantasy that draws on ancient Chinese history - particularly court politics and poetic traditions - while telling a fictional story of Wei- a daughter of rice farmers, and a particularly cruel prince- Terran.  Wei enters the court almost by accident and is chosen by Terran to be his wife. Power plays, intrigue and desperation abound in the Azalea court, and Wei- raised far outside of this arena must rely on her wits, to position herself to succeed and stay alive. Magic abounds in the Azalea court, with poetic blessings that can change the world.  What is to become of Wei, Prince Terran, the court and the nation as a whole?  Set in a time of change, you'll want to read - or listen - to find out!  I enjoyed the personal relations, the action, court politics, and overall arc of the story. It is a rare instance where the characters are so well developed that I found myself rooting for  BOTH the Hero/heroine and the villain in the story as each layer of development was peeled back through the novel.  The novel allows a reader to explore what makes a person "morally good" or not and the effects of the sum of our experiences on their future actions and choices.  A great book for certain book clubs, because there is a lot to unpack and discuss.

The story takes quite a few dark and unpredictable turns (Check those trigger warnings), which were heartbreaking and brought up all the emotions.  I especially enjoyed the conclusion which was, again, unexpected, but perfection for this reader. I loved that it did not conclude with the ending I expected! 

 This book is not suitable for all audiences due to some of the very heavy content.  It will be important to review for potential triggers prior to cracking that spine or putting on your headphones. 

In short, this was an excellent combination of historical elements, ghostly influences, and magic. It is an excellent book for those who enjoy Dark Romantasy but want something that doesn't follow the usual storyline.  I'm not going to lie, this is a book that literally made me cry in rush hour traffic. I found it was hard to put down and finished it off in record time.  Eric Yang and Katharine Chin were the narrators and voiced the novel perfectly.  I felt entirely immersed in the story through the audiobook and was never distracted by the narration.  

STATS

First Published: Coming January 2026

Pages: 400 pages

Available as an Audio Book : YES  (~ 15 hours) 

Trigger Warnings:  violence, grief, murder, war violence, death, near death, body injury, food insecurity, classism, Child abuse.

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

Book Review: And the Ancestors Sing, By Radha Lin Chaddah

   A  big thanks to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing  for the Advanced Reader Copy of this novel, coming out in February!  

As always, I am a sucker for a good cover, and this one really has a lot of very interesting elements, so I had to request it. 

   In short, this is a historical fiction novel that spans generations in China during the cultural revolution.  Readers are swept into a multigenerational saga, and into the Chinese setting with attention to character development and cultural and societal norms.   

      We follow Lei and her husband as they move from a rural area into the city - with so many others. In the city, we meet Lulu a plucky 16 yr old who's keeping her family afloat, but also trying to live her own life and be true to her own self. The story, flows naturally and I was quickly immersed and invested in the characters and setting.  I really had to know how things were going to go for each character! 

 This will appeal to readers who enjoyed Min Jin Lee's Pachinko.  The themes of family, ancestors, identity progress, and change are similar, but the stories, and the setting are quite distinct.  Highly recommend. 

                                         First Published :  COMING: 2/2025

Pages: 384

Available as an Audio Book : Not at this time. 

Trigger Warnings:  Sex work, domestic violence, sexism, 

Not a full TW list, please read responsibly

 

Book Review: Telex from Cuba by Rachel Kushner

   This was a journey.  I picked up this book from the offerings on my library's Libby app.  I had been hoping to get the new history of Cuba but that is on hold. Honestly, I'm probably not going to love the new history of Cuba simply because I don't do that well with Non-fiction that doesn't have a "hook" if you will.  But, I have always been a little bit fascinated by Cuba, so I am still hoping to give that a go when it comes off hold at the library.  For now, the library suggested Telex from Cuba, and I thought... why not! 

   I was attracted by the title- the Telex is one of those odd parts of history that isn't well known, but was my ticket to the outside world when I was working in South Sudan. I did kind of wonder then, why Rachel Kushner  was writing a novel about Cuba.   Kushner's mother lived in the Oriente province during what seems to have been the heyday of the United Fruit Company.  So based on this, Kushner was able to flesh out a full novel which is both personal and historical in scope.  It's a bit of a feat to address this volatile time in Cuba's history, without straying into dramatic maudlin territory, but I think Kushner succeeds. 

      In this novel, readers are able to enter the American community in Cuba in the years preceding Castro's revolution.  We see the beauty and problems of the Cuban environment through the children of executives and leaders sent to Cuba to head the Fruit company and mining operations. It feels very much like a slice of tropical life. Telling the story through a multitude of viewpoints gives us a full immersion into the tense, frenetic situation leading up to the American expulsion in 1958. 

    What I enjoyed most about the novel was the "follow up"- we see the lives post revolution, and get to experience the odd sensation of having had something taken that was more precious now that it was gone. 

   While this book isn't the most popular, I really enjoyed the writing, the stories and the conclusion and do recommend it for readers interested in historical fiction, Cuba, and even the 1950's. 

First Published : 7/1/2008

Pages: 322

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: violent events, war violence, death, poverty, gun violence, drug and alcohol use,  bullying.  

Not a full TW list, please read responsibly. 

Book Review: The Imposter King by Eli Hinze

    I snagged a copy of this novel (audiobook!)  on Net-Galley!  I was not entirely sure about it, but I think I can recommend it for certain readers! 

 In short, this is a fantasy set in Mesopotamia. Our protagonist Ahsan starts of at death's door- where he hovers through most of the novel. He's snatched from the proverbial gallows to serve as an imposter king during a most inauspicious time. He's given an imposter wife, and between the two of them, they work to thwart the possible plot against the actual king. I'd tell you more, but of course reading the novel would be better!

   As a person with only a mild interest in this time period, I really cannot comment on the accuracy of the historic elements of the novel. I did enjoy the descriptions of the accoutrements of life in that time period, the markets, and the relationships. Nothing felt off or inaccurate, but I'm no expert and possibly a true expert would likely find lots to quibble with here. Luckily, I'm no expert!

  The plot unfolded well, with a solid conclusion and a nice twist there at the end. The romance that occurred was super closed door and in a way this was a total relief from pages of descriptions of eggplants and the like. Kudos! 

  My two issues were with some of the language used by the characters- it was very modern seeming and felt like it was out of place, like the characters themselves were used to living in the 20th century but were now cos-playing in Mesopotamia. For the most part, I was able to put that dislike aside and enjoy the story.  I did feel like the story could be told in multiple time settings just by interchanging the details. (Imposter kind in medieval times?  sure, Imposter Mafia king- also ok, Imposter emperor, yes...Imposter Head of a Dude Ranch also ok).  The details were there, but somehow they did not entirely meld into the novel making it impossible to imagine any other setting/premise. 

That said - this was easy to read, I finished it in record time. Hinze is an Indie author, and I don't read a lot of indies.  This is a very easy read, the plot is understandable, and progresses in a natural way. Although this is book one in a series, the conclusion is a gentle cliff hanger with the major plot points of book one resolved, with a new issue pointing the reader to book two- which I do want to enjoy!  Definitely recommend for readers who want to enjoy a good story in a unique setting.  

First Published : 05/2022

Pages: 322

Available as an Audio Book :YES

Trigger Warnings: medical situations, poverty, bullying, drugs/alcohol, violence, death, monsters, animal hunting, blood. Regicide. 

                                        Not a full TW list, please read responsibly.   

     

Book Review: Canticle by Janet Rich Edwards 5 stars

  I picked this book up as part of Net Galley's Summer Camp reads!  I was immediately attracted to the cover, but I was not sure how I would feel about the book. It is historical fiction, and I'm very hit or miss on historical fiction.  But, I am a sucker for a good cover, and this is a really really nice cover! Though the more I gaze at it, the more the hand looks... kind of odd.  A little too large and doesn't quite match the person it's attached to.  I have not been able to unearth who did the cover, but... maybe I'll have a bit more time to seek it out soon.  I am hoping it isn't an AI piece. 

It's a debut novel for Janet Rich Edwards, and if you're a historical fiction type of reader, this is worth putting on your TBR. 

Spoiler free review- because Spoilers are just.. NOT IT. 

    Readers dive into the 13th century Bruges  where wealth is measured in wool and social station is highly prized and protected. We meet Aleys- a young girl who's prone to visions and deep passionate feelings, specifically related to the church. I'm unclear if she would have been prone to religiosity in a different time or if that was simply because that was what she had exposure to in her sheltered life.  Her only exposure to books is her Mother's richly illustrated psalter which Aleys covets. 

I imagine the psalter may have looked a bit like this:

Printer Of Teghen Die Strael Der Minnen, Printer, Prosper Louis Arenberg, and Lessing J. Rosenwald Collection. Alle die Epistelen end Euangelien metten sermonen vanden gheheelen iare. [Gouda Printer of Tegen die strael der minnen 23 June, 1484] Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/65058916/.

Aleys is smart, passionate, and also stubborn and proud. On the eve of her wedding (which would secure her and her families social standing) she runs to join a religious order. There she is tasked with an almost impossible seeming task and to make progress she must reexamine many of her notions about others, God, and her place in society. Change is afoot in the religious community (and the world as a whole).  Forces greater than Aleys and her local religious organizations are at play. Aleys must confront her place within this complex situation and, like all young people, make the choices that will determine her life.

   As a novel, this book does move at a leisurely pace, with a lot of room for Aleys, and the reader to reflect on religion, prayer, and community. (It is not a religious book, but a book about persons who were highly involved in the religious life at the time- so readers be assured, this is not a religious propaganda type of novel at all.) I found I enjoyed it best by absorbing a few chapters at a time. 

   Strengths of this novel are the richly detailed descriptions of life in that time period, and the insight into the Catholic church in that time period. I often felt as if I could step right into the Beguine's dormitory, or touch the wool prepared for the market. As a non-Catholic, the explanations regarding different orders and roles flowed easily and did not feel didactic.  Aleys herself is a compelling character, though I can't say she is particularly loveable, she was peculiar and interesting and I did want to read on to see how things would play out for her and the community.   This is an excellent read for book clubs as historical fiction is very book club popular, and this is a unique time period that isn't well represented in the historical fiction landscape. 

This book is scheduled to come out in December, just in time for holiday gifting!  While I have an electronic copy (Thank you to Spiegel and Grau and Net Galley for the advance reader copy)  I suspect this one may make it on to my wish list. (I'm on an economical book buying ban, but I know I can use all the holidays and birthdays for book hauls!!!  Hint hint!) 

Editing now to add that the audio book has come out, narrated by Lucy Rayner and she gives the book a great read without becoming distracting from the narrative! 

STATS

First Published : December 2, 2025 (Scheduled) 

Pages: 368

Available as an Audio Book : YES! 

Trigger Warnings: Medical content, fire, confinement, death Sexual assault, violence, sexism, mental illness,sexism, animal death - as always this is likely not a complete list, so please read responsibly. 

Book Review Oromay By Baalu Girma 5/5 Stars

 First Published in Amharic in 1983, (and then banned rapidly after publication) Oromay has now been translated into English in it's entirety.  And as a BONUS - it is now out in a very listenable audio-book as well! 

  I would like to thank both Penguin Random House and Highbridge Audio and of course Net Galley for the Advanced Listener copy.It was an honor to read/listen to this important novel. 

 I  loved this cover, and was so excited to dive into this one.  I had very few expectations, though I admit I did have some, given my personal experiences with Eritrea. 

No Spoiler Summary (because spoilers are just the WORST) - Oromay ( an Eritrean word adapted from the Italian oromai  meaning pointless or finished) tells the story of a fictional journalist's experiences embarking on the Red Star campaign in Eritrea. Set in Asmara, the reader is embedded into all the wild nights, political intrigue and exploits and front line action in what was a long, bitter conflict occurring over decades. Girma was a journalist and it seems this very personal novel is a fictionalized account of the actual Red Star Campaign and true events.  (For those unaware, the Red Star Campaign was a large effort on the part of the Ethiopian Government to eliminate the Eritrean insurgency.) To call this a "historical fiction" novel somehow, seems incorrect, however. It has a much different feel to it, and- overall, I'm not sure what to call it.  It's being sold as a Spy/Thiller, but that somehow doesn't quite capture the essence of this novel.  This is more like autobiographical fiction, rather than historical fiction- and it's autobiographical fiction that the author may have paid for with his life.   It's hard to tell though, what is fact, and what's fiction so, likely best to enjoy as fiction. Oromay surprised me with a compelling narrative of revolution, love and betrayal.  This book was banned (In Ethiopia) very soon after it was published, and Girma himself, vanished soon after, which solidified interest in both the author and the novel itself.  

 I consumed the novel like a sweet delicious coffee. There's treachery, intrigue, gruesome battles, romance, and a dramatic ending that leaves the reader thinking about the nature of life and death for a long time to come. 

The narration was performed by Beru Tessema and it was perfection.  For many English readers- the amount of unfamiliar names with unusual spellings will be daunting. With Beru Tessema,  these all rolled off the tongue naturally and kept the story moving forward.  Some readers may find the way the story unfolds to feel a little slow- but I'm going to encourage readers to stick with it. The sort of slow measured feel seems to reflect how the campaign itself rolled out over Asmara. The novel pulls the reader in deeper and deeper, just as the Red Star officials were pulled into Asmara and Eritrea, not all at once, but slowly over a period of weeks. One warm evening at a time. 

Did I find myself rooting for one character in particular?  Not really- this isn't that sort of novel where a hero emerges out of rubble.  instead, as a reader I found that my understanding of life and death and the choices made in difficult times broadened with each unfurling chapter - making this a rather remarkable piece of fiction.  It is a book in translation - David DeGusta and Mesfin Felleke Yirgu are the translators, and I did have to check a few times to be sure it was a translation. I can't speak to the accuracy, but I can say that it was very readable. 

  For me this novel is as much of a love song to Eritrea, as it is a an anti-war statement.   Oddly, Eritrea was the first place I worked in Africa - kicking off multiple trips across the continent to provide medical education and care over decades. My experiences in Asmara were full of adventure, drama and joy. I was very young and had an incomplete understanding of the politics of the region. (which may be part of the reason I enjoyed my time there so much.) Girma's descriptions of Asmara took me back to the city. His descriptions of night life within Asmara brought back a lot of memories of a city that has strongly held on to some Italian influence. Indeed, I experienced some chills and surprise as I realized the hospital he described was the very same hospital I have worked at- decades later. As is noted in the novel, Asmara is a small place, and to know I'd been in literally the same places gave the novel a bit more meaning as I devoured it.  

  This novel is perfect for book clubs, students, readers of John Lecarre, and Phillip Kerr.  I wish I'd had the opportunity to read it prior to jetting off to Asmara myself, as the conflict there is nuanced and a bit difficult for outsiders to fully grasp. If you're looking for a book in translation, or a book to diversify your shelf- I recommend this as an option!

  

STATS

First Published  February 2025

Pages: 416

Available as an Audio Book : Yes

Trigger Warnings: war, violence, grief, infidelity, body horror, body injury

(this is not a full list, read responsibly) 

The Architect's Apprentice By Elif Shafak- Book Review 4.25/5

 I told my family that I wanted any book  by Elif Shafak  for Christmas and this arrived from a special Santa Claus.  It was not the book I expected, but I really enjoy Shafak's writing so I was delighted with it. 

   I finally got around to reading it  (via audiobook) this month.  I dove in without any real preparation or thought about this beyond knowing that it would be somehow a story of an architect and an apprentice. In hindsight, I wish I had done a tiny little bit more investigation prior to reading. 

  This is essentially historical fiction- Ottoman Empire style. It feels fanciful- if one is not familiar with the Ottoman Empire.  I am not familiar with the Ottoman Empire so I really for some time thought that maybe this was just sort of a made up Ottoman Empire. This showed mostly my lack of education in world history. Yikes! 

Spoiler? - It is not.  The majority of the characters in the book are indeed actual historical figures from this time period. I suspect had I known that, I might have enjoyed the book quite a bit more. 

    Jahan is a 12 yr old boy who arrives in Istanbul on a ship in 1540- he's befriended an elephant who was intended for the Sultan, and becomes the Mahout- the Elephant keeper.  Chota, the elephant is smart and affords Jahan many opportunities, including the opportunity to get to know the daughter of the Sultan.  Chota is beloved by Jahan, and the entire empire it seems.  (As a side note, there was apparently quite a menagerie in Istanbul back in the day- something that would no longer be looked on favorably, but I was somewhat impressed that they were able to have lions, birds, apes, etc and that they sort of survived in that time period. 

Children Exploring an Elephant. Japan, 1875. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2005678564/.

Through the eyes of Jahan, the reader is able to experience life in the Empire, within the walls of the palace and beyond.  Jahan eventually becomes an apprentice to the architect - Mirmar Sinan  and he's about to again see the process of building some of the fantastic famous structures that we know today.  We experience wars, travel, unrequited love, a cross dressing apprentice, magic, deceit, palace intrigue and deception. Jahan, being pure of heart and a little naive no matter how old he gets, is an interesting lens to view the happenings through.  He is - it seems- always about 3 steps behind, and is often the victim of treachery, but somehow still bumbles on through momentous events and change- mostly by clinging to the elephant. I kept expecting Jahan to have more of a hero's journey type experience, but now that I've finished the novel, this really wasn't a hero type novel, and while Jahan is the central character, he has no "Main character Energy"  and he's more our eyeballs as we observe the Empire change and grow.  With a different expectation, I likely would have enjoyed this a tiny bit more.  I honestly kept waiting for "something" to happen. In truth, so much happened, but it was not packaged into that neat Hero's journey arc that we are very familiar with, so it felt more like a river flowing steadily through time than a tale with certain well known punctuations. 

     Shafak's writing is - as always- immensely readable, and engaging.  She always punctuates her stories with very thoughtful observations that are quite quotable. This book would be an excellent choice for a slow reading book club, where a guide would take the reader chapter by chapter through the fiction and the facts because the overlap is wonderful and for many of us, I suspect, not well known. It certainly made me want to explore Istanbul! 

While I enjoyed the Island of Missing Trees more overall, I think The Architect's Apprentice is also a worthwhile read.  I am also super pleased to have it on the shelf of "read" books in my home now! I can not wait to read more from Shafak, and I love that there's a nice Back list to choose from. 

                                                                                         STATS

First Published : January 2013

Pages: 432

Available as an Audio Book : YES 

Trigger Warnings: child abuse, pandemic, animal mistreatment, death

As always - this is not a complete list, read responsibly! 

  

January Reading Wrap Up!

 Reading Friends. We made it through January!  What was your favorite read this month? 

  I finished 28 books in January. 

This seems kind of extreme.  But some were shorter reads, and many - were books that require less concentration to enjoy. 

   As the Book Tok crowd would say - "Lets get into it!"

Firstly - Statistics! 

Books in translation:  3/28 A fairly low number, but it's definitely more than many people read in a year. 

Books by Diverse authors: I have a goal to really increase my diverse author reading. Last year about 27% of my reads were  by diverse authors, so lets see how I did for the Month of January?

46%  of my reading was a book with an identified "Diverse author" I did have to actively search out Alexandria House, a Black romance writer- her books are as engaging as any other romance on the market, but they aren't something I came across naturally. Many people think of diverse authors as people who write on only the struggles of various marginalized people, but of course, diverse authors write in all genres, one just has to look a bit further to find them. I love being able to recommend these books to readers when they say "I'm looking for..."  We'll see how my percentage goes through the year.  

Coming in at my TOP PICK: 

RED QUEEN  By Juan Gomez-Jurado

Translated by Nick Caistor.

English Audio Book Narrator Scott Brick. 

While browsing at the library,  I impulsively checked out  Black Wolf  by the same author - only to realize Black wolf is book 2 in this series, so I started with Red Queen.  A psychological thriller/police procedural  set in Spain. Antonia  is a genius who is also specifically trained to mentally sift through debris and solve difficult, high profile crimes.  John is a disgraced cop who's coerced into being her shield,  which he initially feels is babysitting duty,  which - Antonia definitely  needs. 

I was wholly engrossed  by Red queen (and also Black Wolf  which I also finished this month.)  Both Antonia and John are relatable characters who I came to feel quite attached to.  The author uses a few leitmotif's through the book which give the reader this delightful feeling that they, along with the author and other readers, are in on a bit of a secret.  I am  not often a fan of male authors having a female main character- but in this case, Gomez-Jurado does it well, mostly because Antonia is not only  "not like other girls" she's also- not really like other humans in general. As we read we also discover that Antonia is indeed very much like other girls/humans but that she is not always treated that way. 

Scott Brick  has an audiobook legacy of over 800 books narrated.  He wasn't known to me, but his theatre training shows, as he was able to inject suspense, humor and anticipation as he read this, as well as Black Wolf in a way that added to the book, rather than made a listener cringe. 

I loved both books, and the narration so much that I requested White King - which comes out in March 2025 via net Galley and I'm currently about 65% finished with that. More to come, I do not think readers will be disappointed!  

Highly recommend - and clearly- others enjoyed this one as it's been made into a series on Prime as well. 

Out of all the books I read this month, this one, along with Black Wolf had the combination I look for: compelling story, broad appeal, well executed with... (yes I'm a bit shallow) a great cover.  I recommend this to anyone who enjoys this genre. 

  Ok onward! 

I read one Non-fiction book in January: I Contain Multitudes by Ed. Yong. 

 

I did fully enjoy this book, and recommend it as easy to read, and understand science.

Mr. Yong is an incredible science communicator.  This book was published in 2016 and some of the latter chapters seem now a bit dated, but for the most part, it's still an excellent read. 

BOOKS I READ FOR MY WATER THEME 2025:

 Surprisingly, these were all, without exception, well written, interesting, thought provoking books that addressed the human experience in one way or another. I am sure at some point, I am going to choose some less good ones... as one always does.  

If I had to pick one that might be my favorite I think I'd pick All the Rivers by Dorit Rabinyan. I felt this book gave me a better understanding of the conflict in Gaza - which has been in the forefront of news cycles in the past year.  The author put such a human face on the suffering even though the story itself was not about the conflict exactly, --I feel that more people should go take a look at this one.  

What else did I read? 

In the genre of Science Fiction, I had a hodge podge of what I consider real Science Fiction,  and that of romance set in space.  The two are wildly different.

In the actual Science Fiction category we have:

Heavenly Tyrant  by Xiran Jay Zhao

And  Death of the Author  by Nnedi Okorafor

And: Intrastellar MegaChef by Lavanya Lakshminarayan

All excellent reads.  Okorafor is by far the more polished writer, but Zhao brings it with heart stopping battle scenes and Lakshminarayan  brings popular culture to social commentary in a fairly easy to read format. 

In romance set in space, I outdid myself: 

I enjoyed all of these, though I will say Surrender to the Cyborgs probably hits the bottom of the list.  It was... OK. 

Ruby Dixon is the queen of Space Based romances, and she continued to deliver with When she Dances. Space for Love champions a plus sized heroine that was easy to love, for readers and her love interest as well!  Dianne Duvall's Aldebarian Alliance does a fairly good job at building a world but again the main story is an action/adventure romance. 

 I do love a good romance in a space setting. 

I  Buddy read 2 books.  And honestly Buddy reading was the way to go for both, unlikely I would have finished either one without my trusted Buddy reading  friend. 

Emily Rath has written better things, and Rebecca Yarros.... well. I read them, I enjoyed both of these books as "ok" but mostly really enjoyed reading them with friends. Yarros is a problematic author in many many ways (I dislike how her main character Violet is supposed to have a debilitating condition, but she's been able to somehow always, steadfastly be the heroine- involving many fantastic physical feats, and mental task that require a great deal of concentration, all while being worshipped by a demon man who has entirely bombastic language that if used in real like might cause a girl to just ask "what?"  This isn't how debilitating conditions work, Also noted that the writing and such in a lot of this new book made it seem like, almost a different writer, which made me wonder so so much about this whole situation.  The publisher is making bank though. 

Book club Books!

The Stabby and Smoochy Bookclub on Fable read quite a bit in January. We like our heroines stabby and smoochy and there are no shortage of such books.  We loves the Broken Bonds series and that will continue to feature until we finish it in February, so come join up if you also want a stabby/smoochy heroine. 

 My more staid Library  book club read this piece of historical fiction: 

Which was interesting and educational, and got I think, a solid 3 stars from the group. 
 

Books that found their way into my finished shelf that didn't really relate to any other books:

Her Body and Other parties  by Carmen Maria Machado  is a collection of well written short stories that could provoke a lot of discussion. For the most part- I don't like short stories, and par for the course, I didn't love these. To me there was a bit of the MFA voice (if I recognized it with my paltry reading skills, you know it was heavy in there)  and I did not enjoy that. Many many other people have enjoyed these so don't let an avid reader of Space Alien romances stop you from picking it up! 

And then She Fell  by Alicia Elliott 

I felt like this was a really excellent read for me.  I maybe could have popped it into the Sci-Fi realm but it doesn't seem to be shelved by many as Sci-Fi. I feel that it helped me to see myself especially through another's eyes and expanded my own horizons. Recommend. 

And then.... there are the audio books that were available at the library that I picked up to... read in the background. I enjoyed every single one of these not great literature type books and recommend them. 

Did you make it to the end? Whew! Let me know if you've read any of these and your thoughts!!! 

What was your favorite read of January?