A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them (2023) by Timothy Egan is described as a “historical thriller” and that is true–I couldn’t stop listening to it at every opportunity, even though I knew the outcome. What is most horrifying is that itContinue reading “A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them”
Author Archives: bbwesquire
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (2020) by V.E. Schwab seems to inspire either unwavering devotion or bitter hate in what I’ve seen online. It was also a nominee for a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy in 2020 and was a nominee for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. Adeline/ Addie LaRue isContinue reading “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue”
Such a Fun Age
Such a Fun Age (2020) by Kiley Reid was recommended to me a long time ago, so I finally listened to it, and was mostly impressed by the author’s work, and infuriated with the white characters. Reid introduces us to Emira, a 20-something black woman who is a little adrift after college, not sure whatContinue reading “Such a Fun Age”
A Delicate Deception
A Delicate Deception (2019) by Cat Sebastian is the third book in the Regency Impostors series, set in 1824, and it is so much more than the cover shows. The cover seems to show an opposite-sex couple, both with an “ideal” body-size. (I use “ideal” in quotes because I don’t believe in an ideal bodyContinue reading “A Delicate Deception”
When Women Were Dragons
I”m a little behind, as When Women Were Dragons (2022) by Kelly Barnhill, was a nominee for a Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Fantasy that year. I loved the concept, and have come to realize that I especially enjoy historical fantasy. Told from the perspective of Alex Green, who is recalling her childhood in aContinue reading “When Women Were Dragons”
The Centre
The Centre (2023) by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi was an interesting listen, though it has some flaws and it may not be for everyone. I’d call it character-driven horror with themes of colonialism. Anisa is a Pakistan-born Londoner, supported by her parents but halfheartedly doing Urdu translations for Bollywood films, when she meets Adam at aContinue reading “The Centre”
The Sound of Stars
The Sound of Stars (2020) by Alechia Dow blew me away! I wish I remembered how I found out about it, given that it’s been out nearly 4 years and I want to read more just like it. Ellie (Janelle) Baker is 17, living in a building in New York with her parents, after anContinue reading “The Sound of Stars”
Pod
Pod (2023) by Laline Paull was completely unique, gripping, and heartbreaking. It’s Paull’s third novel, and I’m going to put her other books on my TBR list, as I understand they are unique as well. The book starts out from Ea’s perspective. She is a young adult spinner dolphin, part of a dolphin pod whoContinue reading “Pod”
Full of Myself
Full of Myself: A Graphic Memoir About Body Image (Pub. Date April 2, 2024) by Siobhán Gallagher is a nicely-done, visually-appealing memoir in graphic form, dealing with difficult topics, such as body image, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Siobhán starts off with her childhood in the Canadian Maritimes, as she began keeping a diary asContinue reading “Full of Myself”
Elsewhere
Elsewhere (2005) by Gabrielle Zevin was a delight! You wouldn’t think that a book that opens with a 15-year old girl, Liz, who dies in an accident on her bicycle would be so uplifting, but Zevin (Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow; The Storied Life of AJ Fikry) is a magician, and this is one ofContinue reading “Elsewhere”
Reading While Fat 