Independent People by Halldór Laxness
Bjartur of Summerhouses is obsessed with being independent. A sheep farmer in early 20th century Iceland, he lives a life of hardship and deprivation, dogged by the spectres of legends, encumbered by his family, which he forces into his lifestyle as well, only uplifted by the poetry he creates, and … [Read more]
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
I read The Charm Offensive back in July and I'm sad I didn't sit down to write a review right away because I really loved this one, and it deserves a more nuanced discussion than I'm about to give it. This book was vaguely on my radar when I put together my 2022 Read Harder Challenge TBR, and a … [Read more]
Cryptid Club by Sarah Andersen
CBR14Bingo - White Elephant: OK, this is stretching this one, but this is the perfect sort of thing to actually use in a white elephant gift exchange. It's weird enough to make people go ??? but also interesting and cute enough to make them go !!! Sarah Andersen brings her signature humor and … [Read more]
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
This was recommended to me by a friend almost a year ago--we met up after years (like, 5+? 10+?) and realized we both shared a fondness for fantasy novels, which are apparently thin on the ground in Paris--and I ended up hemming and hawing due to some vaguely unsavory tumblr posts from an author I … [Read more]
What’s your favorite piece of literature (or theory, technique, etc.) to teach to your college students? My favorite authors to teach are probably Charlotte Brontë and Virginia Woolf. Jane Eyre is of course a book with some plot elements that really raise our eyebrows (Edward Fairfax Rochester … [Read more]
Pebble and Wren by Chris Hallbeck
Pebble and Wren by Chris Hallbeck is an adorable story of friendship, finding yourself and your talents. And pancakes. Along the way we are educated on some fun science facts (at least one of I am with the dad: I am the adult and HOW did I not know that????) Granted, as an adult reader these science … [Read more]
