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Seattle Stories: Fat Tuesday
Fat Tuesday, 1977. Seattle's first one! My roommate and I wandered around in a happy, slightly-tipsy daze, not looking for anything in particular, yet somehow finding plenty of everything.
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Book Review: Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen
Eruption: Conversations with Eddie Van Halen by Brad Tolinski My rating: 5 of 5 stars “Conversations” is no exaggeration. Most of this book is comprised of transcripts taken from over fifty hours of…
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Book Review: Carefree Black Girls
A collection of essays that pivot around the hashtag #carefreeblackgirl which was first used by Zeba Blay in 2013.
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Book Review: Posts of a Mid-Century Kid
A charming ramble of childhood memories, interspersed with thoughts about present-day life.
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Book Review: The Maid: A Novel
The Maid by Nita Prose My rating: 5 of 5 stars At first glance, Molly Grey’s world seems just like the rooms she cleans at the Regency Grand Hotel—in a state of perfection.…
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Book Review: Illustrated Step-by-Step Baking Cookbook for Kids: 60 easy and delicious recipes
Illustrated Step-by-Step Baking Cookbook for Kids and Teens by Skye Wade My rating: 4 of 5 stars Everyone should know how to cook. Any child that’s able to reach the kitchen countertop (stepstools…
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Book Review: Cyrus LongBones and the Curse of the Sea Zombie
Loads of thrilling adventure, violent fights, and fantastical worldbuilding excitement for teenagers. I have a few issues with this one, though.
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Book Review: Hell of a Book
How do I even start describing the most powerful book I’ve read in years? I know I won’t be giving you a synopsis of the story. If you’re hoping for a clear-cut, concisely…
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Book Review: Whose Fault, Kismet or Impediment?
Whose Fault, Kismet or Impediment? carries the subtitle, "Difficult queries about the realness of the human fate amidst obstacles", which is an accurate summing-up of the poetry you will be reading.
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Seattle Stories: Lattice Entertain You
This story is a bit long but I hope you find it worth the read. There’s a twisty ending and shocking photos, oh my!
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Book Review: Herb of Grace
I am not Amish, so why did I choose to read Herb of Grace?
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Book Review: The Cluttered Corpse
The Cluttered Corpse by Mary Jane MaffiniMy rating: 4 of 5 stars My interest was piqued by the promise of a story about a professional organizer turned amateur murder investigator. I got what…
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Book Review: Bookbinding and How to Bring Old Books Back to Life
Bookbinding and How to Bring Old Books Back to Life by Aimee SpillmanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve always been a crafter, and a reader, so finding a book that promises to…
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Seattle Stories: Credit Where Credit’s Due
The misadventures of a young independent woman in the mid-1970s trying to get a credit card.
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Seattle Stories: My Year of Living Dangerously
It's the Summer of 1978. I'm at the edge of Lake Washington along with hundreds of other revelers. It's Seafair.
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Book Review: Gwynn Place
This short story is the fourth and final book of the “Manor House” tales. To read all my reviews for the Manor House series, here are the links. Book One: Carrick House ~…
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Book Review: Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil
Tia Lugo Speaks No Evil by Danette Vigilante My rating: 4 of 5 stars Tia is a thirteen-year-old Latino girl growing up in a close-knit family in Brooklyn. Her best friend lives close…
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Book Review: Teatime at Grosvenor Square
Teatime at Grosvenor Square: An Unofficial Cookbook for Fans of Bridgerton—75 Sinfully Delectable Recipes by Dahlia Clearwater My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is Bridgerton fanfiction for foodies! Now you can bring…
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Book Review: Holly Cottage
Holly Cottage: A short steampunk adventure by Shelley Adina My rating: 5 of 5 stars The third of four “Manor House” tales, Holly Cottage may be a short story, but I believe it…
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Book Review: Selwyn Place
Selwyn Place: A short steampunk adventure by Shelley Adina My rating: 5 of 5 stars Selwyn Place is the second of four “Manor House” short stories. The series makes a fine introductory ‘taste…
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Book Review: Carrick House
Carrick House: A short steampunk adventure by Shelley Adina My rating: 5 of 5 stars I recently finished reading the fifth book in the Mysterious Devices saga, The Judge Wore Lamp Black, which…
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Book Review: A Short History of Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce
A Short History of Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce by Massimo Montanari My rating: 4 of 5 stars I always enjoy learning about the origins of food and drinks that are usually taken for…
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Book Review: The Judge Wore Lamp Black
The Judge Wore Lamp Black: Mysterious Devices 5 by Shelley Adina My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve eagerly anticipated book five in the Mysterious Devices mystery series. After traveling around the Americas…
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Book Review: A Long Spoon
A Long Spoon by Jonathan L. Howard My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’d recently read Johannes Cabal the Necromancer with my book club, and loved it. During the club’s discussion, I was…
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Book Review: Low Carb Yum: Simple Keto Meals for Beginners
Low Carb Yum Simple Keto Meals for Beginners: 125+ Low Carb Recipes for Two or More by Lisa MarcAurele My rating: 5 of 5 stars In the past, I’ve shied away from the…
- Black Authors, Book Reviews, Detective and Mystery, Historical Fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance, This Writer's Life
Book Review: Dead Dead Girls
Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa AfiaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars This can’t-put-it-down novel gives a vintage twist to the ‘ordinary citizen teams up with police to fight crime’ trope. But while that…
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Dead Dead Girls Excerpt
“Lovie,” the bartender, Rafael Moreno, greeted her. He leaned over and kissed her forehead. “Everything copacetic, baby doll?” Louise smiled and pulled her hair from her lipstick, her pulse slowing. “Everything’s jake, babe.”…
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A Conversation with Nekesa Afia
A conversation with Nekesa Afia Author of Dead Dead Girls
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Book Review: Fish Heads and Duck Skin
Fish Heads and Duck Skin by Lindsey Salatka My rating: 1 of 5 stars I very much wanted to love this book. I had a preconceived notion that it might be in the…
