Friday, April 30, 2021

Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard and narrated by Rebecca GibelSplintered (Splintered #1) is the first novel in the 'Splintered' trilogy and it falls into the young adult genre with dystopian, paranormal romance, and science fiction/fantasy elements mixed in for good measure.

Listening time for Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard is 12 hours, 41 minutes.

Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard is a fun read!! I enjoyed the storyline, characters, the author's writing style and creativity quite a bit. If you love the novel, Alice In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, and/or reading a unique, creative retelling of a classic novel/tale, then Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard may be just the novel for you.

Additionally, I was really impressed with Rebecca Gibel's narration skills for Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard and now have a new favorite narrator to add to my list of favorite audiobook narrators.

Below is the plot summary for Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard from Audible:

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of Underland, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers - precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

I am giving Splintered (Splintered #1) by A.G. Howard 4 stars out of 5 stars. I look forward to listening to the two remaining novels in this trilogy.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

The Myth of the Self-Made Man by Rubén Reyes

 

The Myth of the Self-Made Man by Rubén Reyes is a short story I listened to in audio format, which I downloaded for FREE from Audible and is approximately 51 minutes in length. 

Below is my honest, unbiased review of The Myth of the Self-Made Man by Rubén Reyes.

I enjoyed listening to The Myth of the Self-Made Man by Rubén Reyes. This short story is well narrated by Inés del Castillo, Eric Yves Garcia, and Christian Barillas. I liked that The Myth of the Self-Made Man combines the genres of science fiction with some elements of mystery. I also found The Myth of the Self-Made Man to be a fascinating read as I wanted to know the truth about Felipe's life and the other cyborgs.

Below is the summary for The Myth of the Self-Made Man by Rubén Reyes from Audible:

From a stunning new Latino voice, Myth of the Self-Made Man is a wildly inventive story - part sci-fi, with echoes of Get Out - that plunges us into a brave new American landscape.

More than a hundred years into the future, as the US approaches its 400th anniversary, Tomas, a young graduate student, searches for the real identity of one of the cyborgs that maintained American homes. He has been haunted for years by an audio clip of a cyborg named Felipe and is intent on writing Felipe’s biography. In the clip, Felipe can only recite that he was made in America, but Tomas must find out: Where was the Self-made Man really from?

In the National Archives, Tomas uncovers a trove of articles, depositions, and interviews about many other cyborgs, boys from El Salvador and Guatemala kidnapped, detained, and reengineered at a monolithic New England company.

As we follow Tomas’ determined investigation into these lives, their voices echo through our own past, present, and future with unsettling clarity.
I am giving The Myth of the Self-Made Man by Rubén Reyes a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next, post happy reading!

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

35 Tips For Writing A Brilliant Flash Story by Kaye Linden

 

I read 35 Tips For Writing A Brilliant Flash Story by Kaye Linden, which is short nonfiction book at 96 pages in length. 35 Tips For Writing A Brilliant Flash Story gives writing advice on how to write flash fiction or flash nonfiction.

35 Tips For Writing A Brilliant Flash Story by Kaye Linden is a very quick read with VERY LARGE PRINT!! I have mixed feelings about this book. It's short and to the point, which is a good thing. However, the first 35% of this book didn't resonate well with me in helping to write flash fiction with confidence. I think there is some good stuff in the remainder of this book that may be helpful for writing flash fiction and flash nonfiction.

Below is the summary for 35 Tips For Writing A Brilliant Flash Story by Kaye Linden from Goodreads:

A step by step guide with prompts on how to write a successful fiction or nonfiction flash story.

I am giving 35 Tips For Writing A Brilliant Flash Story by Kaye Linden a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Monday, April 26, 2021

Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda

 

I received an advance reader's paperback edition of Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda through the Goodreads Giveaway program earlier this year. Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda will be released later this year on July 13, 2021.

Below is my honest, unbiased review of Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda.

To the best of my recollection, Such A Quiet Place is the first novel I've read by Megan Miranda. I'll readily admit that I was drawn to the plot summary for Such A Quiet Place as who wouldn't be drawn to a contemporary thriller with an interesting storyline? 

This novel centers around Ruby Fletcher who had been convicted of murdering two of her neighbors, then released from prison over a year later on a technicality only to return to the neighborhood/community she left and tries to mesh back in with her neighbors. 

No one knows why Ruby has returned and moved back in with her former friend and roommate, Harper Nash... Even Harper Nash is surprised by Ruby's return and isn't comfortable with Ruby's presence back in the neighborhood or in her home... But Harper can't bring herself to confront Ruby with the answers she needs and wants or ask Ruby to leave... There is a sense of fear, concern, guilt, and not truly knowing if Ruby Fletcher is innocent or guilty as charged. Ruby's return sets off a lot of uncertainty and fear for the resident's within the neighborhood of Hollow's Edge.

Initially, I liked the this novel at the very beginning, but things quickly went south fast for me. I didn't like the character of Harper Nash as she was spineless and seemed to be easily manipulated by others. In fact, I didn't care for many of the other characters in this novel either. Too much drama as well as a cloak and dagger feeling for me to enjoy this book. Chapter 25, one of the last chapters of Such A Quiet Placefelt like a soap opera to me and not very realistic. I also found it rather unbelievable that Harper was able to piece together what really happened all on her on as she seemed an unlikely candidate for this task at the start of this novel.

I also didn't like the author's writing. I felt like Megan Miranda was too busy trying to manipulate the reader by trying to get them to feel a certain way or creating a certain atmosphere that felt forced to me. This feeling left me wanting to ditch the novel several times, but I carried onward hoping for a satisfying ending that didn't come.

Below is the plot summary for Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda from Goodreads:

We had no warning that she’d come back.

Hollow’s Edge used to be a quiet place. A private and idyllic neighborhood where neighbors dropped in on neighbors, celebrated graduation and holiday parties together, and looked out for one another. But then came the murder of Brandon and Fiona Truett. A year and a half later, Hollow’s Edge is simmering. The residents are trapped, unable to sell their homes, confronted daily by the empty Truett house, and suffocated by their trial testimonies that implicated one of their own. Ruby Fletcher. And now, Ruby’s back.

With her conviction overturned, Ruby waltzes right back to Hollow’s Edge, and into the home she once shared with Harper Nash. Harper, five years older, has always treated Ruby like a wayward younger sister. But now she’s terrified. What possible good could come of Ruby returning to the scene of the crime? And how can she possibly turn her away, when she knows Ruby has nowhere to go?

Within days, suspicion spreads like a virus across Hollow’s Edge. It’s increasingly clear that not everyone told the truth about the night of the Truett’s murders. And when Harper begins receiving threatening notes, she realizes she has to uncover the truth before someone else becomes the killer’s next victim.

I am giving Such A Quiet Place by Megan Miranda a rating of 2 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Saturday, April 24, 2021

A Vineyard Valentine by Nina Bocci


I enjoyed listening to A Vineyard Valentine by Nina Bocci and narrated by Amanda Ronconi

Listening time for A Vineyard Valentine by Nina Bocci is 1 hour, 40 minutes.

I was able to download A Vineyard Valentine by Nina Bocci for FREE to my iPad from Audible. Below is my honest, unbiased review of A Vineyard Valentine by Nina Bocci.

I think A Vineyard Valentine is a cute, fun, romantic short story with a good ending! I liked the characters, the writing, and the narration for this short story.

Below is the plot summary for A Vineyard Valentine by Nina Bocci from Audible:
The annual Valentine’s Day singles soiree is always a big money-maker for Eloisa Giordono’s winery. What could be more romantic than looking for love at a quaint family vineyard on the most romantic night of year? Well, just about anything as far as Eloisa is concerned. She’s a Valentine’s Day Grinch who thinks it’s the lamest, most clichéd holiday ever invented.

Fortunately, she’ll get to hang out with like-minded folks this year by hosting an Anti-Valentine’s Day party on the same night. She’ll just need to alternate between events to keep them both running and she’ll be raking in the profits. But Eloisa is thrown for a loop when a sexy, self-described hopeless romantic shows up at the singles soiree and keeps her captivated. Will he change her mind about the holiday...and about love?
I am giving A Vineyard Valentine by Nina Bocci a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Friday, April 23, 2021

The Five Year Hitch by Melissa de la Cruz

 

I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Five Year Hitch by Melissa de la Cruz and narrated by Rachel Boston & Daniel di Tomasso.

Listening time for The Five Year Hitch by Melissa de la Cruz is 1 hour, 10 minutes.

I was able to download The Five Year Hitch by Melissa de la Cruz to my iPad for FREE from Audible. Below is my honest, unbiased review of The Five Year Hitch by Melissa de la Cruz.

I enjoyed listening to The Five Year Hitch by Melissa de la Cruz. It's like listening to a radio talk show where a couple discusses their love life from it's inception to current state. The couple is Sam & Miles and they have know each other for most of their lives. They are in love... However every five years something happens that causes them to break up and move on to greener pastures before reuniting once again... Hence, the five year hitch. 

The Five Year Hitch by Melissa de la Cruz is a cute, engaging story. I enjoyed learning about Sam and Miles and their love life. The narration was also good.

Below is the plot summary for The Five Year Hitch by Melissa de la Cruz from Audible:
When Harry Met Sally meets One Day, The Five-Year Hitch is the story of two friends who have known each other all their lives - falling in and out of love. Sam and Miles belong together, except every five years, there’s a hitch and they don’t end up together. Now, as they tell their story to a reporter at a momentous occasion, will they finally break the five-year curse? Can these two friends and lovers find their happily ever after?
I am giving The Five Year Hitch by Melissa de la Cruz a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Monday, April 19, 2021

Upon Reflection by Sting

I remember during my middle school days that the music band, The Police, were extremely popular. Sting was, of course, the lead singer of The Police before he went on to a solo musical career. 

So, I decided to listen to the unabridged audio version of Upon Reflection by Sting to hear him talk about his life and hear him sing. I learned a lot about his life... much of the information I didn't know previously. Plus, found it fun to listen to Sting's songs I hadn't heard in years. Overall, Upon Reflection was a good listen.

Listening time for Upon Reflection by Sting is 1 hour, 26 minutes.

I was able to download Upon Reflection by Sting for FREE from Audible. Above is my unbiased opinion/review of Upon Reflection by Sting.

I am giving Upon Reflection by Sting a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Sunday, April 18, 2021

You Are the Guru by Gabrielle Bernstein


I listened to the unabridged audio version of You Are the Guru by Gabrielle Bernstein and narrated by the author. 

Listening time for You Are the Guru by Gabrielle Bernstein is 3 hours, 32 minutes.

I loved this self-help audiobook!! I love the 6 different messages and exercises to use to help one through difficult times. It would have been extremely helpful to have access to this audiobook at the start of 2020 when the Covid-19 global pandemic first took off, along with the social isolation/shelter at home orders in place, and the social distancing began. 

I personally found 2020 to be an extremely stressful year with the all the uncertainty surrounding the novel Coronavirus, the lack of information, and the onslaught of Covid-19 cases, rising death toll and hospital emergency rooms and ICUs on overload due to Covid-19 outbreak.

Nonetheless, I am glad I discovered You Are the Guru by Gabrielle Bernstein last month. I look forward to putting the strategies set forth by the author into action to help overcome any anxiety, worry, doubt, fear, etc. in the future. The messages Gabrielle Bernstein has given is all about empowerment.

Below is a summary for You Are the Guru by Gabrielle Bernstein from Amazon:
You Are the Guru: 6 Messages to Move You Through Difficult Times with Certainty and Faith

Whether you’re having a moment of minor overwhelm or find yourself in a state of panic, you can turn to this Audible Original for solutions and support.

These six messages are simple, reliable, spiritual solutions that will free you from fear and inner turmoil. In order to show up for life and all its challenges, we must be able to regulate our nervous system, calm our mind, and trust our inner wisdom to give us clear direction. This Audible Original will teach you how to guide yourself back to peace at any moment.

Let the number one New York Times best-selling author Gabrielle Bernstein show you how to be your own guide, tapping in to a deeply unifying awareness and empathy you may not realize you possess.

Gabrielle will impart the six simple, memorable messages that will illuminate the spiritual solution inside each of us and guide us through tumultuous times:

See through the lens of love.
Surrender to creative solutions.
Inspired action clears the path.
In stillness, we receive.
Compassion creates connection.
You are the guru.

Filled with personal, illustrative examples and warm, practical encouragement, You Are the Guru is the guide for finding your compass in challenging times.
I am giving You Are the Guru by Gabrielle Bernstein a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne


I listened to the unabridged audio version of Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne and narrated by Tim Curry

Listening time for Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne is 8 hours, 10 minutes.

Journey to the Center of the Earth is the third novel I've read written by Jules Verne. I first read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which I've read 2-3 times by the way and love it. Next I read, The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne, which featured Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in a minor role. And finally, I read Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

I enjoyed Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne. It's reminiscent of his previous novels, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island, in that Journey to the Center of the Earth felt like both a travelogue and a scientific exploration. I enjoyed the main characters of Otto Lidenbrock and his nephew, Axel. I loved their adventure in journeying to the center of the Earth. I loved the fantastic things they discover while traveling to the center of the Earth too.

Tim Curry does a great job of narrating Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

Below is a summary for Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne from Audible:
Journey to the Center of the Earth is one of literature’s earliest works of science fiction. It vividly animates a fantastical subterranean world as an intrepid crew, led by the eccentric Otto Lidenbrock, traverses the planet’s core and its various bizarre obstacles: giant mushrooms and insects, a herd of mastodons, prehistoric humans, a treacherous pit of magma, and more.

Tim Curry, narrator of the customer favorite A Christmas Carol, returns for an encore performance that delivers a range of distinct character voices and captures the energy and enthusiasm of a time when scientific exploration was a brand new adventure.
I am giving Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne a rating 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Friday, April 16, 2021

Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes



I listened to the unabridged audio version of Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes and narrated by the author. 

I like reading memoirs and also learning about the lives of those born and raised in different countries and cultures... And Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes fit the bill. As a side note, I am also particularly interested in Filipino culture and Filipino lives as my husband is Filipino-American. Learning about the country, people, and culture he came from is fascinating to me. Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes is written by a woman born and raised in the Philippines, so I was drawn to her coming of age memoir.

Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes is a tough read as we learn about the author's family rise and fall from grace and their life of extreme riches to extreme poverty. Life turns on a dime for the author's family as the life of opulence beyond imagination goes south fast and the family is torn apart. It's a story of resilience and overcoming the horrors one is forced to live with as a child due to parents that make poor choices when difficult times come their way. 

It's really the children who seem to suffer the most when their parents make poor choices/decisions after hard times hit. But the author finds a way to overcome the lifestyle mistakes/choices made by her parents and pulls herself out of circumstances that seemed insurmountable. For that I applaud Cinelle Barnes.

Listening time for Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes is 9 hours, 1 minute. I didn't like the audio quality for this book. I also wish someone else had narrated this memoir instead of the author as I felt her reading of her own memoir was bland.

Below is a summary for Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes from Audible:
Told with a lyrical, almost-dreamlike voice as intoxicating as the moonflowers and orchids that inhabit this world, Monsoon Mansion is a harrowing yet triumphant coming-of-age memoir exploring the dark, troubled waters of a family’s rise and fall from grace in the Philippines. It would take a young warrior to survive it.

Cinelle Barnes was barely three years old when her family moved into Mansion Royale, a stately ten-bedroom home in the Philippines. Filled with her mother’s opulent social aspirations and the gloriously excessive evidence of her father’s self-made success, it was a girl’s storybook playland. But when a monsoon hits, her father leaves, and her mother’s terrible lover takes the reins, Cinelle’s fantastical childhood turns toward tyranny she could never have imagined. Formerly a home worthy of magazines and lavish parties, Mansion Royale becomes a dangerous shell of the splendid palace it had once been.

In this remarkable ode to survival, Cinelle creates something magical out of her truth - underscored by her complicated relationship with her mother. Through a tangle of tragedy and betrayal emerges a revelatory journey of perseverance and strength, of grit and beauty, and of coming to terms with the price of family - and what it takes to grow up.

I also came across this YouTube video of Cinelle Barnes being interviewed by Nia Ita. 

I am giving Monsoon Mansion by Cinelle Barnes a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Wanda Coleman reads her poem "Prove It Why Don't You"


Wanda Coleman (November 13, 1946 – November 22, 2013) was an American poet. and was known as "the unofficial poet laureate of Los Angeles".

Monday, April 12, 2021

Three New to Me Little Free Library Finds!

Earlier this month, my husband I found three new to us Little Free Libraries on April 2, 2021!

Two of the Little Free Libraries were in Danville, California and one was in San Ramon. California. I left behind nine books total at the Little Free Libraries we discovered, but didn't take any home with me. I have so many books to read, it isn't even funny!!

In Danville, California, we actually saw three wild peacocks roaming
the neighborhood where we discovered the second Little Free Library. I actually captured video footage of one of the
peacocks strutting around with plumes on display. It was quite a sight to behold!! Unfortunately, I can't seem to upload the video of the peacock.

1072 Ocho Rios Drive, Danville, California 94526

1056 Westridge Avenue, Danville CA 94526

2128 Estrella Court, San Ramon CA 94583


 Have you visited any new to you Little Free Libraries recently?

Sunday, April 11, 2021

The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy

 

I love a good cozy mystery novel! And The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy sounded like a good fit for me as it is not only a cozy mystery novel, but also mixes the paranormal element to it and is set during the 1800s for a historical fiction vibe too.

I liked the main character of Ophelia Wylde as she is no nonsense and is psychic. She is a widow, use to be con artist and does dress in men's clothing, which is unusual for the times. I also like a few of the other minor characters as well.

The writing is decent overall for The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy. Initially, I thought this cozy mystery novel started off kind of rocky as the first few chapters left me wondering where it was headed. The focus seemed to be on a variety of different characters and events that seemed to be unrelated to each other, however things changed several chapters in and the novel became more cohesive.

Below is a summary for The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy from Amazon:
In the Old West, murder is a way of life. But psychic detective Ophelia Wylde is dealing out her own brand of justice by talking to the victims . . . after they’re dead.

Ghost In The Machine

It’s one of the strangest trials in Colorado history. A “spirit photographer” is accused of fraud, and Ophelia Wylde agrees to examine the man’s ghostly portraits and testify in court. In a sealed room, she is presented with five photographs. Four are obvious fakes. But one photo—featuring a powerful politician, Jackson Miles, with a sorrowful ghost in chains behind his shoulder—is the real McCoy. When Ophelia makes contact, the spirit is in such agony that she’s unable to learn anything but his name: Angus Wright. Intrigued, Ophelia sets out to learn more about the wronged Mr. Wright and discovers he was murdered nearly twenty years ago during the Gold Rush. The politician is somehow involved, and Ophelia has to watch her step. Because the living are much more dangerous than the dead . . .
I am giving The Spirit is Willing (Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery #2) by Max McCoy a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!

Saturday, April 10, 2021

The Ranger, and Other Stories by Zane Grey

 

The western genre is one I am normally not drawn to or one I find very captivating. However, in an effort to expand my reading horizons, I decided to read something from the western genre this year. Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour are the two biggest names I know of in the western genre arena. I decided to go with a short story collection written by Zane Grey dealing with the themes of love and adventure.

I ended up enjoying the audio version of
 The Ranger, and Other Stories by Zane Grey and narrated by Robert G. Slade. There are a total of four short stories in this collection, which include the following stories: "The Ranger", "Canyon Walls", "Avalanche", and "From Missouri". Both "Avalanche" and "From Missouri" were my two favorite short stories.

Listening time for The Ranger, and Other Stories by Zane Grey is 6 hours, 50 minutes and is well narrated by Robert G. Slade.

Below is a summary for The Ranger, and Other Stories by Zane Grey from Audible:
Four tales of love and adventure in the Old West introduce a cast of characters that includes a brave Texas ranger who risks his life against avenging outlaws to rescue the woman he secretly loves; a beautiful seductress who comes between two brothers; a desperate fugitive who seeks sanctuary with a peace-loving people; and a daring young schoolteacher who journeys West to meet the man who has captured her heart.
I am giving The Ranger, and Other Stories by Zane Grey a rating of 3 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Ethel at 100 by Ishmael Reed

 

Here is another awesome poem titled, Ethel at 100, which is written and read by Ishmael Reed.

Saturday, April 3, 2021

La Conchita by T. C. Boyle

 

Yes, to finally reading something written by T. C. Boyle!! He's been on my radar for more than a decade now

I listened to the unabridged audio version of La Conchita by T. C. Boyle from Audible, which was narrated by the author. Listening time for La Conchita by T. C. Boyle is 29 minutes.

La Conchita by T. C. Boyle is a short story set along the central coast of California between the cities of Ventura and Carpinteria in the hamlet of La Conchita, California.

For sixteen years, my husband and I lived in Carpinteria, California. The community of La Conchita is nestled between the mountains and the Pacific Ocean just a few minutes south of Carpinteria as you drive along the 101 Freeway southward towards Ventura.

Because I am familiar with La Conchita and the mudslide that hit this small community, I couldn't resist hearing T. C. Boyle read his short story, La Conchita. It's a fun, suspenseful and engaging short story and I am glad I listened to it.

Below is the plot summary for La Conchita by T. C. Boyle from Audible:
Gordon is a delivery driver with a predilection toward road rage, and he's on the most important delivery of his life. In Santa Barbara there's a mother of three on life support waiting for Gordon, waiting for the liver he's transporting from Los Angeles. But there's a mudslide, and cars are being swept away, people being buried in the sludge. And Gordon, who's as far from a hero as they come, has to find a way to get the liver to Santa Barbara.
I am giving La Conchita by T. C. Boyle a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars!

Until my next post, happy reading!

Friday, April 2, 2021

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey


I had Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey on my reading wishlist for quite a while. I finally read the ebook edition of this novella last month during Women's History Month.

I really enjoyed reading Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey. It's described as a 'pulp western' novella by the author and is set in the USA in the near future after society has collapsed into a military state. 

Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey deals with queer identity and how fascism/fascist governments can control the flow of information within a society, etc. This novella focuses mainly on queer identity and what that means for the main character, Esther Augustus. Esther is a young woman who runs away to escape being forced into an arranged marriage by her father to an older man she does not love. 

To make matters worse, Esther has witnessed the hanging of her secret lover, Beatriz. Beatriz was hung for deviance and for possession of unapproved materials prior to the start of Upright Women Wanted. Before Beatriz had been hung, she had been betrothed to the older man that Esther found herself betrothed to after Beatriz's public hanging. 

Esther becomes a stowaway on a wagon belonging to the female librarians that deliver approved reading material by the state throughout the region. These female librarians are considered to be morally upright women. Esther feels shameful about her queer identity based on the approved reading material she has read over the years about queer identity. She is hoping to become a morally upright woman like the librarians. Little does Esther know what's really in store for her. Let's just say, Esther has a change in perspective by the end of Upright Women Wanted!!

Below is a 54 minute video I discovered on YouTube where the author, Sarah Gailey, reads the 1st chapter of Upright Women Wanted. Sarah also discusses how she came to write Upright Women Wanted. I thoroughly enjoy hearing authors discuss their books/writing, so I hope you enjoy watching this video as much as I did.
 


Below is the plot summary for Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey from Amazon:
In Upright Women Wanted, award-winning author Sarah Gailey reinvents the pulp Western with an explicitly antifascist, near-future story of queer identity.

“That girl’s got more wrong notions than a barn owl’s got mean looks.”

Esther is a stowaway. She’s hidden herself away in the Librarian’s book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her―a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. Her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda.

The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing.
I am giving Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey a rating of 4 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my next post, happy reading!!

Thursday, April 1, 2021

If by Rudyard Kipling read by Sir Michael Caine

 

Happy National Poetry Month! I found this video of Sir Michael Caine reading his favorite poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling and thought I'd share it to kick of National Poetry Month.