We Need More Shelves…

Why This Blog is Waning

By Jan

on November 21st, 2020

I haven’t posted here in several months, obviously. Not only is this the ann0 horribilis of 2020, which explains almost everything these days, but I’ve given up on publishing my reviews here. No one reads them and it’s silly to add to my to-do list when there is so much else going on. If I write a review now, I…

Fun Gifts for Readers and Book Lovers

By Jan

on July 9th, 2020

I like Etsy.com, where crafters and artists sell their wares. Here are a few items I like for those who love to read and who love books. Enjoy your shopping! Things I Do in My Spare Time t-shirt – as if we HAVE any spare time! I’m too busy reading… Tabletop bookshelf – personalized and great-looking accessory: Reading Passport book tracker –…

Review: The First Girl Child

By Jan

on June 7th, 2020

The First Girl Child Author: Amy Harmon; Genre: YA Fantasy; Format: Audiobook; Narrator: Rob Shapiro; Publisher: Brilliance Audio (2019); Rating: . An excellent coming-of-age fantasy with a lovely romantic subplot (or two). I had to force myself to pause the recording and go about daily life, but I rushed back to the book whenever I could. Excellent characterizations throughout, the…

Review: The Society of the Sword Trilogy

By Jan

on June 7th, 2020

Society of the Sword Trilogy Author: Duncan M. Hamilton; Genre: Fantasy; Format: Audiobook; Narrator: Derek Perkins; Publisher: Podium Audio (2017); Rating: . I listened to the audiobook of this series, narrated by Derek Perkins, who did a fabulous job. He’s definitely going on my “favorite narrators” list. The first book of this fantasy trilogy was really fun. A young thief…

Review: Children of Time

By Jan

on June 7th, 2020

Children of Time Author: Adrian Tchaikovsky; Genre: Science-fiction; Format: Audiobook; Narrator: Mel Hudson; Publisher: Audible Studios (2017); Rating: . Publisher’s Description: “…An epic story of humanity’s battle for survival on a terraformed planet. Who will inherit this new Earth? The last remnants of the human race left a dying Earth, desperate to find a new home among the stars. Following…

Review: The City & The City

By Jan

on June 7th, 2020

The City & The City Author: China Miéville; Genre: Fantasy/Mystery/Thriller; Format: Audiobook; Narrator: John Lee; Publisher: Random House Audio (2009); Rating: . I’ve had this book on my TBR list for years, but some comments on Goodreads reminded me of it recently. I grabbed the audiobook and was off. As you can see by my “genre” choices above, this book…

Review: The Monastery Murders

By Jan

on March 31st, 2020

The Monastery Murders (Stanton & Barlings #2) Author: E.M. Powell; Genre: Historical Mystery; Format: Audiobook; Narrator: James Langton; Publisher: Brilliance Audio (2018); Rating: . After giving the second book a chance to change my mind about this series, I’ve given up. It’s not a bad mystery or a badly written story, but it just didn’t catch me. Also, the body…

Review: Patient 3

By Jan

on February 27th, 2020

Patient 3 Author: Chris Chau; Genre: Science-fiction, apocalypse; Format: Audiobook; Narrator: Coy Dugger; Publisher: Chris Chau (2019); Rating: . In the near future, the main character is put into a coma-like state to wait for a cure for a mysterious disease. He wakes after seven years to an alien-destroyed world and a quest to survive. There are lots of surprises…