The Singing Hills Cycle #1 & #2 by Nghi Vo and Sweet Bean Paste [Reviews]

13 February 2024 / brief reviews / 6 Comments
The Singing Hills Cycle #1 & #2 by Nghi Vo and Sweet Bean Paste [Reviews]

The Empress of Salt and Fortune/ When the Tiger Came Down the Mountainby Nghi VoSource: Paperbook/libraryPublished: Mar 2020/Dec 2020Publisher: TorDotCom (MacMillan)Length: 121/125 pages Series: The Singing Hills CycleGenre: FantasyTarget Age: Adult (suitable for 13+)Representation: Nonbinary protagonist, China-analogue fantasy world, WLW Sweet Bean Pasteby Durian SukegawaTranslator: Allison WattsSource: Paperbook/libraryPublished: Oct 2017Publisher: OneWorld Length: 218 pagesGenre: ContemporaryTarget Age: Adult (suitable for 14+) **Spoilers ahead: Contains discussion of Tokue’s past**

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10 Books to Read When Time is Short [Top Ten Tuesday]

6 February 2024 / top 10 tuesday / 15 Comments
10 Books to Read When Time is Short [Top Ten Tuesday]

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is Quick Reads/Books to Read When Time is Short (books under 150 pages or books you could read in a day/single sittting). I could easily pack this list with the SFF novellas that have fluorished in recent years. Wayward Children and The Singing Hills Cycle, among others, are well positioned to fill up this topic! So instead, I’m going to try to look farther back. 5 […]

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January 2024 Month In Review

3 February 2024 / month in review / 14 Comments
January 2024 Month In Review

It’s been a busy start to the new year. At work, I was in an acting role originally until Jan 19, but it’s been extended to Feb 9. It’s alway a little stressful finding yourself in a new position with greater responsbilities, but this role is accompanied by a pay increase, so I won’t complain much, lol. Reading and blogging has been carrying along at a nice steady pace. Although, […]

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Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka [Family Reads]

31 January 2024 / family reads / 0 Comments
Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka [Family Reads]

Why we chose Danya Kukafka’s Notes on an Execution Ash had a lot of library books checked out at the end of 2023, including this one. She had checked it out because she’d seen it on several “Best Reads of 2023” lists. When I asked her which book we should do for Family Reads, she suggested I choose a book from her current check outs. I went with Notes on […]

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Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino [MG Review]

26 January 2024 / review / 2 Comments
Alice Austen Lived Here by Alex Gino [MG Review]

Alice Austen Lived Hereby Alex GinoSource: Hardcover/libraryPublished: June 2022Publisher: Scholastic PressLength: 176 pages Genre: Contemporary fictionTarget Age: +8Representation: Nonbinary protagonist, Black nonbinary supporting character, various queer supporting characters Summary 💬 Sam is very in touch with their own queer identity. They’re nonbinary, and their best friend, TJ, is nonbinary as well. Sam’s family is very cool with it… as long as Sam remembers that nonbinary kids are also required to clean their rooms, do […]

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