The Healing by Gayl Jones
CBR14Bingo - Star The star here is in reference to our narrator's work as a manager for a contemporary rock and roll singer, the ways in which this relationship shapes the narrative, and the discussion is elicits. Gayl Jones tips her hand late in this book when one character calls … [Read more]
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
A.k.a. the time that a weaponised use of Freddie Mercury had me sobbing at 1am with the book pressed against my forehead, begging for a happy ending. Yeah. In my defence, the reason I was doing that was that the book would not let me put it down until I have finished, after I had brazenly decided … [Read more]
Buy Yourself the Fucking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life From Someone Who’s Been There by Tara Schuster
Best for: Anyone looking for some ideas for how to take better care of themselves. In a nutshell: Writer Schuster had a bit of a rough childhood, and so has been essentially exploring how to parent herself, and grow into the person she wants to be. Worth quoting: ‘Life is not always a list … [Read more]
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
BINGO - SNAKE Secrets and hidden identities abound in this debut novel from Sue Lynn Tan. Xingyin is the titular daughter of the moon goddess, Chang'e, but she shouldn't be alive. Her mother has hidden her existence from the Emperor and Empress of the Immortal Realm in order to keep her safe from … [Read more]
My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
TW: abuse, alcoholism, self-harm, suicide BINGO: COLD [a portion of the story takes place in the frozen Idaho winter; also there are some cold-blooded murders] Jade is obsessed with horror movies. Specifically she loves slashers. She knows everything there is to know about the movies, the … [Read more]
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
BINGO: ADAPT/CAMEL I originally "read" this book when I was in high school for my World History AP class. I use quotes there because I read the literal text of this book, but I didn't actually try to immerse myself in the writing, characters or story. I thought that it was time to fix that … [Read more]
