Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears --ed. by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling

Fiction / Retold fairy tales

436 pages / 5003 KB

4 Stars

This is a collection of fairy tales retold, put in modern times, or from a different point of view. The contributors are all excellent writers, and most if not all, are probably on your favorite's list from Neil Gaiman to Joyce Carol Oates to Tanith Lee. 

Of the 20 or so stories, I enjoyed all but three, and those may have just caught me in a mood. Some were outright funny. And some were like meeting an old friend after a long absence.

To be honest, fairy tales have never been my favorite story, and I can't tell you why, because I don't really know. Every so often, I buy a book in a genre that isn't my favorite, but the author is, and I always learn something, and often enjoy the book. I did enjoy most of this book. I laughed in some places, and cried in a couple. Mostly I just enjoyed the story.

If you're a fan of fairy tales, by all means, buy this. The writing, of course, is superb.

Styx & Stoned (The Grim Reality Series Book 2) --Boone Brux

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

638 pages / 1587 KB

4 Stars

I so loved the first book, and I would have totally loved this one if someone had edited it. The number of minor grammatical errors were enough to continuously throw me out of the story. Fortunately, I could get back into it, and still enjoy it. But she only gets 4 stars instead of 5.

Our heroine is offered an all-expenses-paid trip to Vegas. Well, of course, there's a catch. And oh, what a marvelous catch it is. We meet new characters I hope continue into the next books. Her porter (he transports the souls to their ultimate destination) is the original grumpy old man. And the demons and angels she meets are wonderful. Oh, and the part-time job she's offered sounds pretty good – Ferryman on the River Styx. Time is different over there. What seems like hours on the River is actually only seconds in our mundane world. She could be home with her kids more, get her housework done, and still make a chest full of money. Daily. What's not to like?

I will order Book 3 soon but must finish packing first, otherwise, I'll sit and read, and not be ready when the movers arrive in September. Yep, these books go on my shelf next to the Moonlight Dragon books and the Reaper's Inc books. Fun reads, all.

To Catch Her Death (The Grim Reality Series Book 1) --by Boone Brux

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

223 pages / 1415 KB

5 Stars

This was a fun book. I got books one and two at the same time, and read them back to back. I am in the process of packing to move 1,000 miles, and I needed escape. Boy Howdy! Did I get it. And lots of laughs. And I needed those laughs.

To Catch Her Death is, I assume, an introduction to the main characters which I surely hope show up in the other books. I love the beginning. A young widow, depressed, finally coming out of it and gets caught up in an attempted robbery and homicide. I mean, what would you do? I'd go to the murdered, and check to see if he's still alive, even if some hunka hunka told me not to touch him. I'd touch him (how else does one ascertain if the fallen still lives?) Normal, right? Except the newly deceased's soul attached to her. Ewwwwww.... Welcome to her new normal. 

If you're a fan of Angela Roquet's Lana Harvey, Reapers Inc series and or Tricia Owens and her Moonlight Dragon books, I think you'll love these books, and having them sharing your bookshelf .

The Home Front: Collected Stories by Margaret Craven

Fiction 

359 pages

5 Stars

One of my all-time favorite books is I Heard the Owl Call My Name. I have now read all four of her books, and they are all full of delight. 

These short stories start off in a small-town, on a single street, and are about the people who live on that street. They are in chronological order as they were written and published, giving us a unique insight into small town America starting in the 1940s. A special treat is the short story which was the impetus to I Heard the Owl Call My Name.

These are marvelous bedtime stories. No nightmares will ensue. Each story is its own, though many, especially in the beginning, are connected. Stories I will read again. 

I heartily recommend this book. For that matter, I heartily recommend her other three books. One of America's truly great writers right along with Willa Cather!

Storm Cursed (A Mercy Thompson Novel, Book 11) --Patricia Briggs

Fiction / Urban Fantasy

368 pages / 1538 KB

5 Stars

Had my book arrived in the morning, this would have been a one-sit, one-day read. Alas, it arrived in the late afternoon, so it two sits and two days.  Aaaah, two days of Mercy and the gang.

The body count rises, some you'll know, some you'll be surprised at if you've followed the series. And if you aren't a follower of the series, I recommend you start at the beginning, although I think you could pick up anyplace in the series and not be confused, it's just that there is backstory that will make it more interesting, I think, if you understand it.

In the last book, Mercy loudly declared that the Columbian Basin pack would defend the tri-cities from all evil, and they are now called upon to do that. Favorite witch Elizaveta makes a return, as do Marsilia, Stefan, and Wulfe--our favorite vampires--to some new and rather startling situations. 

If you're a fan of Mercy, quit reading the reviews and read the book!

Intersections --by Mark Fleisher

Nonfiction / Poetry

148 pages

5 stars

This is a collection of poems about the intersections of life; everyday things from toothbrushes in an otherwise empty clam shell to the Viet Nam war to the last poem, a most beautiful poem to his one true love, Merle.

Fleisher is a consummate tour guide, whether through a flea market in Havana Cuba, a Vietnamese restaurant in Washington DC, or along the road to love. This is a book to keep by your side of the bed and read/reread often. Intersections will safely guide you through life's wonders. 

How to Build a Dinosaur: Extinction Doesn't Have to be Forever --Jack Horner & James Gorman

Nonfiction / Science 

256 pages

5 stars

I would be lying if I said I found this a page turner. I didn't. But it was fascinating. Perhaps due to the fact I would read a bit, put it down and cogitate what I had read. 

Although I don't think I'd care to visit, let alone live in, Jurassic Park, I find the idea of reverse engineering a chicken to a dino for dinner absolutely fascinating. 

As other reviewers have noted, the first part of the book was more about paleontology than embryology. While I don't think a background in science is necessary to read and enjoy this book, I do think a wee bit is a help. The book is written so a lay person can understand it without getting a headache.

If you're interested in the world we inhabit, this is a book to read. And reverse engineering a chicken to a dino will add to our knowledge both in general terms and perhaps more importantly in medical terms.