The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

December 23, 2024

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

Before the city of Troy fell, the invading Greek army destroyed the cities on the Trojan plain, killing the men and boys and taking the girls and women as slaves. The wife of a high ranking noble, Briseis was given to the warrior Achilles as a war prize. Achilles treats her kindly if indifferently, but his close friend and charioteer Patroclus becomes a friend to Briseis.

The story of the Trojan War is usually told by the men who were the victors: Odysseus, Achilles, Agamemmon, Menelaus. Rarely are the voices of the losing side heard, and almost never the women. This is the first book in Barker's trilogy about the women and girls who were the real victims, forced into slavery or prostitution by the conquering Greeks. Highly recommended for readers of historical fiction and mythology. Also recommended are The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller and Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati.

Ruins believed to be part of ancient Troy

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman

December 21, 2024

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman

Lucas lives a happy life. He lives alone, works from home, enjoys pizza and a glass of good red wine, and plays video games. His secret to happiness: just say no. When other people want you to do something, either politely refuse or just ignore them. He has no interest in changing his life, and it's a great system until someone in his apartment complex discards an old skillet next to the garbage dumpster, and then the trouble begins.

A short story by the author of A Man Called Ove, filled with Backman's signature humorous view of the human race. Enjoyable.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

And yes, pad thai should have peanuts in it.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

December 20, 2024

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Megan Chase lives on a pig farm in the Louisiana Bayou with her mother, stepfather and half-brother. She is an outcast but her best friend Robbie, another outcast, has always been there for her. On her 16th birthday, like a miracle, the quarterback of the football team asks her to lunch, only for Megan to become the victim of a vicious prank. Things only get worse when she arrives home to find that a changeling has taken the place of her half-brother who has been spirited off to the land of Faery. Megan is determined to go after him and bring him back, whatever the cost.

First book in the Iron Fey series. These faeries and elves aren't the Disney variety, more like the Eoin Colfer type (see the Artemis Fowl series). Many well known characters such as Puck and Oberon, and Grimalkin the faery cat is a great character. There are some fun and creative parts, like the road back to Faery through a dance club in Detroit. Many of the settings in the Iron King section have strong overtones of The Lord of the Rings. Note to fey folk: if you know that iron can kill you, maybe it's not the best idea to go into a land made of iron. Will appeal to readers of YA fantasy/romantasy.

The land of Faery

Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn

December 19, 2024

Kills Well With Others by Deanna Raybourn

The four middle-aged supposedly retired assassins from Killers of a Certain Age are back for another adventure. The son of the target of their first kill is methodically tracking down and killing the people responsible for his father's death. It's up to the four assassins to take him out before he finds them. But how will they find him, and how does he know where they are?

The Golden Girls meets Charlie's Angels. Despite being in their 60s, the four female assassins are still evolving and growing. They are smart, sassy and sexy. I do like the recommendations for using common household items as killing or torture tools. Also, I would like Taverner if Billie is finished with him. A worthy sequel to the first book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Venice

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson

December 15, 2024

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians by James Patterson

A collection of stories from librarians and booksellers about the magic of reading and making books available. One of the best stories is from a Charlotte, NC, bookstore owner who brings her rescue Corgi to the bookstore with her every day and the dog is so well-known at the city newspaper does a story about her (several stories feature dogs or cats). Another is the bookseller who tells people it's okay to not finish a book that they are struggling with. There are stories about librarians surviving hurricanes, the 2008 recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommended for anyone who loves books, libraries, bookstores, and reading.

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley

December 14, 2024

Sleep in Heavenly Pizza by Mindy Quigley

It's the holiday season in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and against her better judgment, Delilah O'Leary, proprietor of the town's gourmet pizzeria, is catering a swanky holiday party. It's a pretty standard party: obnoxious party goers, drunken arguments, guest sneaking around near the bedroom, drama. The next day, Delilah witnesses an angry confrontation between the party's host and an unknown older woman, right before a dead body is found in the middle of the snow sculpture competition.

Fourth installment in the Deep Dish mystery series. Typical cozy where the bad guys get caught, the good guys prevail, and it all works out in the end. Recipes at the back. Recommended for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a food theme.

Many thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Who doesn't love a deep dish pizza?

The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

December 11, 2024

The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

Cecily Alcantara and her family have been living in Malaya under Japanese occupation. Before that, it was the British occupation. They manage to stay under the radar, until Cecily's son Abel disappears along with a number of other teenage boys. Cecily believes this is her fault - for years before the war, she was an informant for the Japanese, believing that they would restore Asia to Asian rule, and now she considers this to be her punishment.

A different perspective on World War II, set in Malaya (now Malaysia) and told from the perspectives of the residents of a suburb of Kuala Lumpur. There are many layers to the story and the plot started to drag about halfway through. I started skimming until the last 50 pages when the threads of the story come together. Will appeal to readers who enjoyed The Shadow of the Banyan or When the Elephants Dance, which I thought were much better books.

A Malayan town under Japanese occupation