Anne

What is the murder mystery version of romantasy? Murderomance? Romurder? Trope city where every one has sex with each other and then beats each other, sometimes to death, and yet it's somehow sexy and funny. If women are going to be killed in horrific ways for fictional podcasts now too I'd at least like a bit of introspective commentary and thought.

I tried to read it as slowly as possible so I could savor it. Incredible. I think RJB is writing the most interesting fantasy told in years. Also, as an uncelebrated public servant quietly toiling in a hard and sometimes bleak job for people who often hate us for existing for some reason. Thanks for making us the heroes, at least in a fantasy setting.

I am going to make everything, starting with the mango pie. I like the approachability of this book for American audiences. It's probably too simple for the experienced Indian chef, especially if you've grown up with these recipes. But I find many authentic Indian recipes a little intimidating and sometimes I want to cook Indian for my (Indian) husband! Super excited for the fusion food too. That Mac and cheese? Be still my heart.

4 starts for female friendship and feminist vengeance. It is not particularly eloquent and I think there were a few too many leaps, but I read it in two days and it was fun. I'm glad it had a happy ending. I needed it right now.

A strange book about the politics of rural France, our connection to the ancient versions of ourselves, and cave-dwelling philosophers. Despite my complete lack of knowledge (and lack of desire for said knowledge) about these subjects, I was drawn in by the author's style and humor and consumed it quickly. I detract one star because I did not consent to know this much about Neanderthals.

Read Harder Challenge Categories: read a middle grade book with a LGBTQIA+ character, read a book solely based on the title

Adorable! I loved this witchy book with intersex representation, a fat raccoon familiar, and surprisingly spooky angry Scots-Irish zombies. I also liked the themes, which focused on accepting yourself and reaching out for help, even when it's scary and hard. I would probably deduct half a star for the constant folksy Appalachian speak. Though I didn't grow up there, both sides of my family are from Appalachia—including right across the Tennessee border from the book's Appalachian North Carolina setting. The accent is real but in my experience real Appalachians don't use folksy sayings every other sentence. But for a middle grade book I get it, and it's fun. BUT...my mom actually does say cattywampus unironically and I love it.

Read harder category: read a cozy fantasy

I loved it. No notes except make the giant cat the main character of a future story. I need to know the lore.

I loved this story. I thought it was thoughtful and hopeful. I of course wanted to know more about what happened on Earth, but that wasn't the point. Though: I read it with a book club and one of the members (a former Air Force mechanic) completely destroyed the sections about them parking in water for months on the sucker planet. She also said the science behind taking off was wrong. Don't anger the mechanics!!

Read harder category: read a book about books.

A self-help book disguised as a library fantasy. I hate self help books. 3 stars for the depressed character whose dying brain takes her to a library. I don't like her at all, but we can agree on that one.

Read harder category: read a book recommended by a librarian

I liked this book. I know nothing about colonial Louisiana and I found the fictionalized version of it to be really fascinating. It also brings home how hard the first settlers had it when they decided to, ya know, raid and steal the beautiful untouched land of a native people. It was a little long and I wanted more about the indigenous and enslaved people. But overall an interesting read.

Read harder category: pick a challenge from a previous year

I did not like this at all. I am a big horror fan. I found these stories to be unpleasant not in a horror way (though they were and I approve, hence the two stars), but rather I just had an unpleasant reading experience. I think I'm just not a fan of this author's writing style, or maybe it's the translation? It's very abrupt and dismissive, almost. I'm having a hard time explaining myself. I just think if I heard these read out loud, the text would have a rude and snooty voice.

Read Harder Categories: read a comic that was banned, read a manga.

I've never read a manga before. Honestly...I don't get it. But that's okay. I am a literary fiction reader in a strange land. But I'm glad manga gets a bunch of kids into reading! I just really am not a fan of the pacing; it jumps around a lot. 3 stars because I did like the lil freak. He has good taste in snacks.

Read Harder categories: read a genre book by a disabled author; read a romance with neurodivergent characters.

DNF. Hot poor biracial guy with shadowy evil dad saves hot rich Tesla-owning autistic woman with his magic professional dick. I will give the author props where props are due: the foreplay scenes are pretty hot. But I immediately veered from getting hot and sweaty into cringing at the one-dimensional characters and the notion that people on the spectrum can release themselves from the chains of autism if only they find the right kind of penis.

Read Harder Categories: Read a picture book published in the last 5 years

5 stars for a big bear unwilling to accept that he may have had a little accident...

10 million stars for the adorable big foot in the story!