books, books, books: 2018 sept-oct

[meiface]

My To Read list keeps getting longer, but I make progress...in some fashion, though I'm easily distracted. I've picked up Nirvana in Fire because I got hit with a sudden nostalgia for Chinese historical dramas and have been told repeatedly this is the best ever. My mom has seen it (among many, many others) and agrees it's good; so far, I'm enjoying it a lot! At some point in the future, I may attempt The Story of Yanxi Palace. We'll see though.

1. Point of Sighs by Melissa Scott - A new Astreiant book no one expected! It was nice to revisit this world and new mystery; I liked the combo of myth and reality causing problems. The relationship is steady, though there was like half a scene that got real close to emotional id fodder with potential jealousy. But the relationship was never really meant to play that kind of starring role in these books. It was kind of nice to see them established and comfortable with each other, working together to solve the mystery.


2. Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior by Judith Martin - Reviews said it was surprisingly entertaining and it was! I largely agree with her, though we have our differences. She can surprise you at times on what is considered "good etiquette" though. It was entertaining to read the reasons behind things.


3. Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch - For some reason it's titled this in the U.S. even though it's "Rivers of London" everywhere else. So this is the first book in the series and it was okay. I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would by the end; I did not really like the main character at first as a dude lusting over his female coworker/cop partner. And just generally being a horndog. Nightingale was also not as interesting as I thought it'd be. But the feel of London as the backdrop was real (and apparently very detailed and accurate) and I liked the backstories given to the mystery and to the rivers.


4. To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han - I wasn't sure I'd like the book but it was actually a sweet, fast, charming read. It probably helped to picture the cute actors as I was reading, but it was nice to flesh out the movie relationships a little bit. Lara Jean and Peter were cute together and had a little more history/bonding than in the movie. I'll eventually read the sequel.


5. Herding Cats by Sarah Andersen - I think I'd read most of these comics as they were posted online, but they are always charming and relatable. Cats and introversion and dealing with self-doubt and the internet and the world!


6. Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann - I had planned on reading this book anyway, and then it became the first book of my work group's book club. Everyone thought it was silly, because the premise is sheep solving the mystery of their shepherd's death. And it is silly! But well-written and enjoyable and has made me fond of sheep now. The slow reveal of the mystery was at first confusing because obviously you are getting the human world and foibles described via sheep perspective, and what do they know, but the ending felt fitting. I liked this book a lot.


7. Totally Captivated by Hajin Yoo - Reread this whole damn manhwa and really it is just so good to all the things I crave. Asshole mafia dudes with their tragic angsty backstories and ongoing hang-ups, and their absolute possessiveness with the snarky dude caught in their sites. But the nice thing in this seris is that the snarky dude is also a fucking asshole (he's so bad to his exes/relationship partners) and he's got his own damn issues that are woobified, sure, but also manifest in him being a jerk who has to own up to being a jerk. Plus they both sleep around and are jerks and unfairly jealous! It's great.


8. Lord Lynster Discovers by Adella J. Harris - This was strange, frankly, because it's a cross-class relationship between an earl and his butler and everyone is just A-OK with this, or supportive. I don't need wailing and gnashing of teeth and fear of being hanged, exactly, but a little more secrecy or tension would be nice. Actually, the whole thing was lacking a sense of tension and urgency -- in the sex and feelings and in the plot. I got this as part of the Traitor Lord series, so there are two more books, but I'm not sure I'm going to bother with them.


9. Shade by Pete Souza - A book using photographs to throw shade on current news/the events of the Trump administration by showing, often without words, what a contrast Obama was. It made me miss those years and it feels so long ago. How did we live through it and take it for granted? And it reminded me of a lot of the scandals and terrible things we've been through with Trump that we've already forgotten, becaus every week there's 3 new news items. God. Some great photos too, just generally.

Currently working on finishing the Kate Daniels series (2 more books to go!).