Space Station Mir

 Oops, it has been a while! Consequences of not having a personal computer, and I've had a lot going on. I did, however, read a lot in June and July, so here's the breakdown! Books Read in June 2026 The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (Book club read)-- I enjoyed learning about the life of Mary McLeod Bethune and her relationship with Eleanor Roosevelt. I didn't learn much I didn't already know about the latter. I was also disappointed about how much was changed historically because I don't feel like it was necessary for this novel, but at least it was very well researched and well explained in the author's note. Game Changer by Rachel Reid--Everyone loves Heated Rivalry but Kip and Scott were actually my fave so I loved reading a book about them. Will probably read the rest of the series at some point but maybe when the craze has faded a bit more. The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson (Another book club read)--An i...

 Mostly finished book club reads but one just for myself;  Katabasis was a really fun and immersive read. Thought I'd also add some books I'm currently reading, since we're getting well into June! Books Read in May 2026 The Good Good Pig: The Extraordinary Life of Christopher Hogwood by Sy Montgomery (Book club read)--This is the second of Montgomery's books that we've read in this book club. Highly, highly recommend--Hogwood's life, the silly, sweet, social, and genuine life of a pig that lived out his natural years--is healing and inspiring and a fun joyous read. Dear Debbie by Frieda McFadden (Other book club read)--The character is literally a psychopath and plot twists very contrived. It's a feminist revenge fantasy which some people may like but I did not. Katabasis by R. F. Kuang--Two graduate students at an alternate magical version of Oxford descend to the underworld to retrieve their dead advisor. Nerdery, academia, and chthonic adventures ensue. H...

 Hey! It's been a while. Happy Top Ten Tuesday! I think last week's topic is a bit easier so I'll take the opportunity to catch up. Still writing from my phone so sorry for the plainer entries lately! Books I Can't Believe I Haven't Read Yet Wuthering Heights--I don't know how I never got assigned this but I somehow missed it in school and it's one of the few books I picked up as an older kid/teen that I just couldn't get through (before I embraced DNFing lol). It sounds pretty awful though so I'm not really mad but it also feels weird I've never read it. Anything by Annalee Newitz- I love everything by their partner, Charlie Jane Anders, and I love their podcast together but I haven't gotten around yet to any of Newitz's work. I just bought Automatic Noodle though! Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell--I loved Carry On and now I need to get to the rest of the series! Pachinko by Min Jin Lee--I attended and loved a talk by the author on this boo...

It's been a busy month and a half or so, plus my laptop conked out, but here are the books I read in April. May is shaping up to be busy as well, as is June. Many good things, but lots of overwhelm. I'm doing a lot of escapist reading right now, but writing about it on the blog may have to wait. Books Read in April 2026 Shadows We Carry by Meryl Ain (Book club read)--Follows the lives of Holocaust survivors' children--appreciated the more uncommon topic but the writing/structure was not for me.  How to Read a Book by Monica Wood (Other book club read)--Quick read, a bit saccharine, but enjoyed the characters and the Maine setting. Revolves around a book club in a women's prison, and how a young former prisoner reestablishes her life when she gets out. Featuring African grey parrots--they are pretty cool! Working the Mound by K. Iwancio (eARC review): Read my review here The Potency of Ungovernable Impulses (The Investigations of Mossa and Pleiti #3) by Malka Ann Older--...

Working the Mound (Philly Sillys #2) by K. Iwancio Release Date: March 25, 2026 Link to Buy: Kindle When this post (below) came across my Threads scroll, I couldn't say no. Fortunately, the author said yes to my review request, and my absurd descent into the world of entertainment baseball romance (yes, you read that right) began. K. Iwancio writes hilariously self-aware smutty romance. While the book absolutely showcases her and the characters' love for baseball, the Savannah Bananas , and Philadelphia, it is foremost a tribute and an exemplar of romantic smut. I was mostly tempted to read due to the amusing rarity of an entertainment baseball/romance mashup--a subgenre that may at this point in time be exclusive to this author. Although I was repeatedly warned about the spice level on Threads and in trigger warnings at the beginning of the book, I persisted in reading. I'm not-not glad I did just because it absolutely was so funny but the spice was too high for my taste, ...

Happy Passover to my fellow celebrants! My favorite read this month is not at all what I would have expected. I was really looking forward to Yerba Buena , by one of my favorite authors, Nina LaCour, and to reviewing The Magic Seeker  by another one of my favs, Jane Buehler. And while I absolutely enjoyed those, it was My Friends that still has me thinking. Maybe I like literary fiction again?! Books Read in March 2026 The Magic Seeker by Jane Buehler (eARC book review)-The 6th book in the delightful cozy fantasy romance Sylvania series. See my review here Gold Coast Dilemma by Nana Malone-Picked up this literary romance for my birthday and so glad I finally read it. "Gold Coast" is misleading since it's set mostly in NYC but "Crazy Rich Ghanian-Americans" gives you a good idea and frankly it's the most realistic depiction of someone in the publishing business I've ever read since the protag, Ofos, is openly supported by her parents/trust fund and theref...

I'm trying to post but take it easy, so I'm including my reactions to some of the example buzzwords Jana used in the prompt, plus any more I think of. I had some very strong and immediate reactions, probably since these buzzwords are so common, especially in romance and the romantasy that's ultrapopular these days! Happy Top Ten Tuesday! My Reactions to Common Book Buzzwords or Phrases Phrase: "Morally grey characters" My Reaction: NO. Why?: I'm thoroughly sick of this trend, especially because it typically means "morally grey male love interest" which typically actually means "I fell in love with a serial killer BUT HE LOOOOVES ME." No. Don't get me wrong, I can and do enjoy genuinely nuanced characters and I do not expect anyone, much less a fictional character, to be perfect nor do I want them to be, but if I see that phrase, I think Rhysand, or, at best, Christian Grey, and I'm just not into that. (But if you are, you're ...