Yoshitaka Amano illustrates passages from The Tale of Genji (11th century Japanese novel of court life and possibly the first novel), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and catalogues of fairies. A short section at the end discusses fairies of the British Isles versus Japanese spirits. You won’t get much of a sense of Genji or Midsummer Night’s if you’re not already familiar with them. Really this book is just a showcase for Amano’s gorgeous art.

Donovan explores board games from ancient Egypt (senet) and Ur (the royal game of Ur) up to the biggies of the 21st century (Pandemic, Catan, and Ticket to Ride). He describes some less than ethical dealings by the big US game companies, but seems to downplay them. Trying to play nice, maybe? His chapter on Monopoly portrays the execs of Parker Brothers as being unfortunately duped instead of deliberately squashing The Landlord Game and its creator, Elizabeth Magie. It’s All a Game even touches on Google’s AlphaGo defeat of a (human) grand master go player, one of the big steps in AI development.

A new (or old) sentient spaceship is bringing a murder mystery fan convention to Eternity. Mallory’s agent signed her up to give the keynote speech and participate in a murder LARP. But bringing that many humans into Mallory’s orbit guarantees there will be a real murder, one that only Mallory can solve. The untrustworthy space wasps are back in the third Midsolar Murders book. Also a toddler sentient ship, the birth of a Gneiss, human-alien fusion cuisine, and all (okay just 85%) of the internet downloaded, backed up, and made real(ish).

I’m slowly making my way through the series. I loved ACOTAR and thought this series would be right up there with it, but I’ve been let down. There is a lot in the book that’s just page filler that’s unnecessary

Absolutely loved this book. Will for sure read more by this author. HEA plus hockey romance, what more could you ask for. Lots of spice also!!

Second book in the Shady Hollow Mysteries. Imagine animal characters like those of The Wind in the Willows in a cozy mystery series. Reporter Vera Vixen is on the case when the rabbits dig up a skeleton along with a dead apple tree. To her skunk of a boss old bones equals old news. Her beau, constable Orville Bruin, orders her off of the investigation. A slinky new mink in town seems to have Orville’s attention while the gossip columnist vents her professional jealousy.

The Marlow Murder Club unites 3 women of different ages and backgrounds who all know at least one victim and suspect in a string of murders. DS Malik discourages their involvement, of course, but she has to admit that Judith, Suzie, and Becks make more breakthroughs than her understaffed team. If you like the idea of The Thursday Murder Club but not the writing, see if The Marlow Murder Club is more your cup of tea (or tumbler of whiskey).

Herbert Lee Clark mixed folk wisdom with his own observations to write practical notes on all aspects of rural/farm life. Unfortunately good advice is mixed with very questionable or flat out bad ideas. Do not read the section on training pups to hunt coons or the having a stranger (to the dog) whip your dog as part of guard dog training. Do not inject Lysol into any animal for any reason. I discussed that tip with a vet; it’s too bad Clark didn’t before adding it to his journals.

Corinne Michaels has a way of grabbing your heart and never letting go. One of my favorite authors and a fantastic listen while washing dishes

I will for sure read this book again. I received it as a birthday gift because of my love of hockey smut and was completely engulfed while reading. Sleep was lost but pages needed to be read.