Book Reviews
This is the main category for my book reviews. Every book I've reviewed will be listed in this category. If you wish to fine-tune your search, try searching by a specific category, such as cookbooks, fantasy, historical fiction, etc. (the category list is at the bottom of this page).
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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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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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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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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…
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Book Review: AFK
AFK by Huckleberry Hax My rating: 3 of 5 stars AFK will only make sense if you’ve been in the virtual world of Second Life for quite a few years, as this ‘SL…
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Book Review: History is Delicious
History Is Delicious by Josh Lurie My rating: 5 of 5 stars History is Delicious will entertain any young person who enjoys food, while sneakily educating them. As a bonus, this book just…
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Book Review: Johannes Cabal the Necromancer
Johannes Cabal the Necromancer by Jonathan L. Howard My rating: 5 of 5 stars I suspect that author Jonathan L. Howard has never painted himself into a corner. Or if he has, he…
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Book Review: Fridge Love
Fridge Love: Organize Your Refrigerator for a Healthier, Happier Life—with 100 Recipes by Kristen Hong My rating: 5 of 5 stars If you loved The Home Edit, How It Works and Alton Brown’s…
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Book Review: The Hands On French Cookbook
The Hands On French Cookbook: Connect with French through Simple, Healthy Cooking by Elisabeth de Châtillon My rating: 5 of 5 stars Qu’est-ce que c’est? A cookbook that would not only teach me…
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Book Review: Green with Milk and Sugar
Green with Milk and Sugar: When Japan Filled America’s Tea Cups by Robert Hellyer My rating: 3 of 5 stars Written in a decidedly academic style, this book may not appeal to the…
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Book Review: Mint Condition Murder
Mint Condition Murder by Ellery AdamsMy rating: 4 of 5 stars Molly Appleby is a New England reporter for an antique collector’s magazine. But when she finds her next interview subject dead, she’s…
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Book Review: Chasing His Own Tale
Chasing His Own Tale by Marc Vun KannonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars His Muse is on strike…His Hero hates his lines…His Villain has sworn revenge…The Editors are in revolt…What’s an Author to…
