What would it be when you took the Dust of His Dark Materials and covered it in sin? That would be Dan Vyleta's Smoke. Mr. Vyleta has written a Dickensian tale of class structure, ethical theology, and coming-of-age in the most naked and brutal of ways. What if every sinful thought and compulsion you had were … Continue reading Book & Book
Category: Book Reviews
Language as Lesson
In this Book & Book, two classics with an ambassador to a new world, whether by choice or force, demonstrate the lessons of language and their bearing on interpersonal power dynamics. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin sees an ambassador on the faraway planet of Winter where he must navigate shifgrethor … Continue reading Language as Lesson
Annihilation & Rosewater
Ever read a book and think, wow...this is super a lot like something else I've read, but also super different and they might be cousins or maybe it's more like the Fibonacci sequence in a sunflower and a seashell meeting in a constellation. Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer This was my second time reading the book. … Continue reading Annihilation & Rosewater
Two Tales of Revenge
Sometimes, a woman needs to wield anger like a weapon. For some, that's a dagger in the dark, for others it's a blazing torch. In these two debut novels, the heroines grapple with the meaning of justice, the price of war, and the ravages of revenge. They both know power is the key. The Traitor … Continue reading Two Tales of Revenge
Unboxing Montana Mouthful
Earlier this year, I entered Montana Mouthful Magazine's 406 flash contest. I won third place, and they sent me a check and a contributor's copy. I thought it would be fun to do a little unboxing video to celebrate! I'm thinking of making a series of videos related to the writer's life. Wouldn't that be … Continue reading Unboxing Montana Mouthful
100 Demon Dialogues – Review
I stand at the window every morning and watch the creek flow past. While I wait for the coffee to brew, I either read a poem or contemplate a Demon. Okay, sometimes I just stand there and try to get both my eyes to go in the same direction. Lucy Bellwood has illustrated a wonderfully … Continue reading 100 Demon Dialogues – Review
Secret Ingredients – 11
I'm starting a new series on here about the books that influenced me growing up. These are the books that shaped my brain. Gave me my fears, values, and passions. The Julie Secret Ingredients! Well, we've slipped into the yellow part of the year. The light weakens, the flowers fade, and I come in from … Continue reading Secret Ingredients – 11
Strange Practice vs. Soulless
If you read enough books, they all start to be family. A second-cousin might remind you of an aunt you met at a party once. You wish you could have a giant reunion to get everyone in the same room to compare faces and laughs. Book vs. Book is as close as I can get … Continue reading Strange Practice vs. Soulless
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms vs. The Goblin Emperor
You ever read a book and think...wow, this sounds a kinda familiar...like looking into two mirrors at once and watching your otherselves move? Sometimes, you think one of the mirror people is a shard different and you concentrate until you're dizzy to see if you can spot the difference. You get mesmerized by the way … Continue reading The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms vs. The Goblin Emperor
Gilead
I'm reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. It had been on my TBR list without any memory on my part of why I put it there. I often don't like to know anything at all about a book before I read it. I won't even read the inside flap. By page 51, I was sobbing. Stories … Continue reading Gilead
