Sourdough

While Lois’ story inspires readers to try something new in their lives, it also makes it clear that no journey will ever be like hers. Robin Sloan’s writing has improved so much since Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore. I was impressed by the depth and stylistic choices he made in Sourdough. For example, there’s the lovely…Continue Reading Sourdough

The Calculating Stars

when the space program kicks into gear after the meteorite disaster, the program’s leaders assume that only men can be astronauts. Elma York challenges this assumption, determined to become the first “lady astronaut” Imagine if a meteorite were to destroy the place you live, killing nearly everyone you know and love, but you survive because…Continue Reading The Calculating Stars

A Court of Thorns and Roses

“What do you want?” I demanded. “A moment of peace and quiet,” he snapped, rubbing his temples. Book one in the Court of Thorns and Roses series is a staple to any fantasy bookworm’s shelf. From start to finish the series is groundbreaking and illustrative, with beautiful language for everyone to love. A Court of…Continue Reading A Court of Thorns and Roses

The Impossible Fortress

“There are plenty of things that a teenage boy doesn’t tell his mother. As we get older, there are more and more things we hold back, things too hard to say or too embarrassing to explain. We do this to protect our mothers as much as ourselves, because let’s face it – most of our…Continue Reading The Impossible Fortress

On The Come Up

Sometimes I dream that I’m drowning.  It’s always in a big, blue ocean that’s too deep for me to see the bottom.  But I tell myself I’m not going to die no matter how much water gets in my lungs or how deep I sink, I am not going to die.  Because I say so.Suddenly,…Continue Reading On The Come Up

Fruit of the Drunken Tree

  “Pablo Escobar had turned himself in at the exact moment the law making extradition illegal had passed. Some believed he had been inside the Government Palace, the reporter said, begging the question: who, really, is the president? Petrona was blowing a bubble of pink gum. Mamá pointed to the passing cars and noted that…Continue Reading Fruit of the Drunken Tree

Children of Blood and Bone

” ‘Each maji was born with white hair, the sign of the gods’ touch.  They used their gifts to care for the people of Orïsha and were revered throughout the nation.  But not everyone was gifted by the gods.’  Mama Agba gestures around the room.  ‘Because of this, every time new maji were born, entire…Continue Reading Children of Blood and Bone

Less

“By his forties, all he had managed to grow is a gentle sense of himself, akin to the transparent carapace of a soft-shelled crab.  A mediocre review or careless slight can no longer harm him, but heartbreak, real true heartbreak, can pierce his thin hide and bring out the same shade of blood as ever. …Continue Reading Less