Read some stuff! Bought some books (the sideways stack)! Did some knitting! Brainstormed and plotted a book! Many things this month! I was wrapping up my horror/romance quests, so that's mostly what's accounted for here (with a NaNo prep nonfic fungal aside).
Photos with reviews linked:
CRAFT ★★★★ Horror Quest Adjacent (I think it's cute that the author didn't think this was Horror™ when she finished writing it lol). I'm definitely keeping an eye out for her future work--great little collection, loved the frame narrative.
THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS ★★★★ Reread for Horror Quest! Holds up very well, does neat structural things. I love SJG.
SPREAD ME ★★★½ I will follow Sarah Gailey to the ends of the earth, which apparently includes a terrifying patch of desert. Erotic horror isn't usually my jam, but I am here for body horror, so. Net win.
THE LADY'S GUIDE TO CELESTIAL MECHANICS ★★★½ (Stand-in pages out book for this; I returned my library copy already.) More Romance Quest! Historical! Science and art! Lesbians! Legiblest of genre beats!
ENTANGLED ★★★ I wanted this to be Good, and it was Just Fine™. Had promise, didn't deliver for me :/
AMBER BEACH ★★ Last structural installment of Romance Quest! I got what I wanted out of it but I can't say that I recommend it haha.
WHIRLWIND ROMANCE - 169/269 pages read. Enjoying these weird dark little stories so far (though I did think it was A Novel when I put it on my list this year and uh. It's not.)
Now, if y'all will excuse me, I have my own weird dark little book to write this month, I'll see you on the other side >:D
Under the Cut: A Note About ~*★Stars★*~
Historically, I have been Very Bad™ about assigning things Star Ratings, because it's so Vibes Heavy for me and therefore Contingent Upon my Whims. (Example: I don't like that stars are Odd, because that makes three the midpoint and things are rarely so truly mid for me)(I have hacked my way around this with a ½, which is really only applicable for me at ★★★ and up). Here is, generally, how I conceptualize stars:
★ - This was Bad. I would actively recommend that you do NOT read this one, no redeeming qualities whatsoever, not worth the slog. Save Yourself, It's Too Late For Me. Book goes in the garbage (donate bin).
★★ - This was Not Good. I would not recommend it, but it wasn't a total waste or wash--something in here held my interest/kept my attention/sparked some joy. I will not be rereading this ever. Save Yourself (Or Join Me In Suffering, That Seems Like A Cool Bonding Activity).
★★★ - This was Good/Fine/Okay/Meh. I don't care about this enough to recommend it one way or another. Perfectly serviceable book, held my interest, I probably enjoyed myself (or at least didn't actively loathe the reading). I don't have especially strong feelings. You probably don't need to save yourself from this one--if it sounds like your jam, give it a shot! Just didn't resonate with me particularly powerfully. I probably won't reread this unless I'm after something in particular.
★★★½ - I liked this! I'll probably recommend it if I know it matches someone's vibes or specific requests, but I didn't commit to a star rating on Goodreads. More likely to reread, but not guaranteed.
★★★★ - I really enjoyed this!! I would recommend it (sometimes with caveats about content warnings or such--I tend to like weird fucked up funny shit, and I don't have many hard readerly NO's). Not a perfect book for me by any means, but Very Good. This is something I would reread! Join me!!
★★★★★ - I LOVED THE SHIT OUT OF THIS, IT REWIRED MY BRAIN, WILL RECOMMEND TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE AT THE SLIGHTEST PROVOCATION (content warning caveats still apply--see 4-star disclaimer). Excellent book, I'll reread it regularly, I'll buy copies for all my friends, I'll try to convince all of Booklr to read it, PLEASE join me!!
Final installment in the pre-NaNo romance quest!! I borrowed this (from the same coworker who recommended DCC so...fear), and found out when she brought it to my cube that she is Brutal On Reading Copies haha. However: I needed something that would hit more of the tropes that elicit my Aro Rage, and this was perfect for that! How about those '90s, babyyy.
It's technically "romantic suspense," so it shouldn't have been surprising that it was styled like a thriller. I kept thinking of THE KILLING FLOOR, which I read last year--it's got that same kind of stripped down dialogue that moves quick. But where Reacher focused on threat assessment, Jake and Honor's exposition asides would be mostly about each other, or about boating or amber--stylistically a match, just differently flavored content. (You could still tell it was a romance because they were so horny for each other, and he was very thoughtful and attentive to her needs in bed lol. Jack Reacher WISHES.)
I thought it was interesting how much more developed Jake was as a character, but: I suppose that tracks, if the target audience is reading these primarily as self-insert wish fulfillment material. If you want your very own Jake, it's easier to impose yourself into the story if Honor has less going on (besides love for her brothers and her stubbornness and artistic asides).
Overall: This was a fun exercise in broadening my reading horizons (I really do need to read other structural genres more intentionally, I think--I love me some fucked up SF, but my thriller skills are. lacking.), and it gave me some good material for NaNo, but...yeah I wouldn't have enjoyed it if I didn't go in with ulterior motives lol. I'm just reporting, here, I can't say I recommend this one (unless you want exposition on boats and amber and deeply 90s ideas of what's hot, in which case: Go For It!).
NEWS! Finally, there will be a follow up to Monsters Are Everywhere! Co-written with my husband, R.A. Smith and illustrated by illustrator Amber Beach, Spiders Are Everywherewill be available this summer. We have so much talent in our local area. Amber, a young artist born and raised in Northwest Florida, has lived in Crestview for the last ten years. She aspires to be a concept artist or…
Power Force Exclusive: Dino Super Charge Episode 19 Production Stills
Power Rangers Dino Super Charge episode 19, “Edge of Extinction” airs this Saturday! Saban Brands has given Power Force members two new exclusive behind-the-scenes stills.
When a mysterious egg is discovered in Amber Beach, the Rangers must determine what it is before it hatches. Tune in this Saturday to find out what happens, only on Nickelodeon!
Click to download the full high res pictures from this week’s new episode.
Power Force Exclusive: Dino Super Charge Episode 19 Production Stills was originally published on Ranger Command Power Hour
I cannot remember who in Romancelandia recommended Elizabeth Lowell’s Amber Beach, but thank you! I read it this past week while on vacation, and it was sooo good!
Readers' Advisory 2: Amber Beach. Elizabeth Lowell
Readers’ Advisory 2: Amber Beach. Elizabeth Lowell
Quick Facts
Author: Elizabeth Lowell
Published 1997 by Avon Books. 97803807775842
364 pp.$6.99US, $8.99CAN
Romance, suspense
Available in print, eBook, and audio
Why I Read It
Way back when I first read Amber Beach, I read it because the cover caught my eye, I was bored, and I was steadily making my way through my library’s romance novels. It was the first Elizabeth Lowell book I’ve ever read,…
Amber Beach
A coast just a ten minute walk west of town. The water is cold year-round but clear, with smooth tides. Typhoons do not always reach the town but they do bring lots of wind and rain in the summer.
After any storm, shards of amber and other wash up onto the coast. Legend has it that these are the tears of the Harvest Goddess and to collect them wards off a bad energy, opening one's heart to unconditional love.
