A bit overdue, but here we are. 2021 has definitely ended. Probably. If you perchance wish to bury your face in a book (which would be weird, considering how great the world is right now), hopefully you can find some here that pique your interest — or that you might now know to avoid. I also left in more books that I would have left off in past years, which is to say hope you’re a fan of romance novels too. Or just skip over those. The list order is roughly the order in which I read them, which is of precisely no help to anyone, so have fun!
Side note, my notes don’t really bother with actually, uh, summarizing the books or anything. That’s what publishers are for (especially since they aren’t even doing their own promos for their books anymore?? But that’s another issue for another time).
Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews
This is the first in their spin-off series from the Kate Daniels series and, look. I will read anything that they write, and they write a lot. Some of their books are a little weaker, especially earlier in their oeuvre. This book? I need more. This is my kind of book. Well-established world, fantasy, weirdly strong people, magic, humor, hidden identities, dramatic irony, it’s got it all. 10/10 recommend… starting with the Kate Daniels series though.
Quiet by Susan Cain
Ok this was published in 2012, and Mom remembers it being revolutionary at that time. For me, reading it in 2021, a lot of it seemed just kind of… obvious. And this is honestly in its favor: it had a significant influence on the public discourse. “The book that started the quiet revolution.” Of course not everyone is outgoing and gregarious naturally — and throughout history, there have been periods of time where that has not been the assumed default as it is now. A lot of the default/assumed extroversion that Cain talks about is still very much present in society today, but based on her writing I would hazard a guess that it is no longer pathologically bizarre to be an introvert as it seems to have been (to her?). And still, her insights are useful, and combined with her engaging writing, this makes for a good read. She also has a knack for highlighting systemic absurdities that come with the Extrovert Ideal. Introvert power!
Begin Again by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.
Racial commentary through the lens of James Baldwin’s writings and life. It’s not exactly a biography, more of an homage and continuation/lit crit. In the main, it discusses and breaks down “The Lie” that underpins our society: that the white man is the superior being, using both events from Baldwin’s life and current events. Glaude hones in on the issues with unflinching clarity and diagnoses ruthlessly. The kid gloves that white Americans are accustomed to are off, and rightly so. The anger that Glaude diagnoses in Baldwin also appears in his own writing. I found that it drags slightly in the middle, but then it picks back up and roars to a deeply compelling close. Very much recommend.
Veronica Speedwell series by Deanna Raybourn
A series of mystery novels set in Victorian England, following the adventures of the (young and attractive, of course) lepidopterist Veronica Speedwell.
A Curious Beginning
The writing was a little clunky, and the mystery relies on characters withholding info. Still, very fun and good characters — hard to put down (in fact I did not, as I read it in one sitting).
A Perilous Undertaking
Again, a mystery that relies on withheld information, but I guess that’s most mysteries? So not an actual critique? Maybe? We meet some good new characters, and overall the book is character-driven (good).
A Treacherous Curse
Finally just suspects not showing their hand instead of friends withholding information! Modern (anachronistic?) view of Victorian Egyptology, unusual but nice enough. Story engaging, not the best but good.
A Dangerous Collaboration
Bringing the story back home, vaulting the love story forward. [Note from the time of posting this: I don’t know what I meant by “bringing the story back home.” I think this book is the one that explores the main character Veronica Speedwell’s backstory?] Plot was more focused on characters than on the mystery, but great setting too.
A Murderous Relation
Brings the plot back home to Veronica and her family. [Ok maybe I was mistaken with my last editor’s note? Man I should really take better notes. But I won’t.] Much adventure, from a sex club to many murders (and we finally get an implied brush with Jack the Ripper, which, can you even have a Victorian murder mystery without him making a cameo?) and finally love triumphs. They really took their time, eh?
An Unexpected Peril
This is, I believe, the latest currently published. Shenanigans + bury your gays + Roman Holiday in reverse. Not the best of the series but still good. [View from the editor’s couch: I’m pretty sure I remember more from this book than from any of the others, for what that’s worth, and I remember really enjoying most of it.]
Through the Storm by Beverly Jenkins
While this is ostensibly (and definitely actually, don’t get me wrong) a romance novel, but it has lots of end-of-the-Civil War history packed in. Loved the characters, and the plot felt just right for the setting.
The Lady’s Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
Delightful Regency romance, complete with aspiring women academics getting maddeningly shut out by loutish men. Definitely a feel good (in spite of that).
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
THIS IS EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER WANTED. Space necromancers (which I didn’t know I wanted, but I do now). Portal 2 fever dreams. Hot sword ladies. Much humor. A lot of characters to keep track of, but the author does provide a handy guide (handier if you have a physical copy, maybe [which I, uh, now do]). Well written and a good plot, as long as you trust things to be eventually explained. Recommend.
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
NO I LIED THIS IS EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED. Hoooo boy. Vanishingly rare use of 2nd person narrative to devastatingly good effect. Slower read than book 1 owing to tangled narratives (and brains), and a lot of complex motives to follow. Excellent. (Bonus points awarded for the tactical use of the phrase “sacrificial parsnip.”)
A Libertarian Walks Into A Bear by Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling
The story of Grafton, NH’s libertarian “Free Town” experiment and its corresponding bear problem. MHH takes a deep dive into the history of the town and into the actors involved — including some very unexpected ones. Libertarians probably aren’t thrilled with their depiction (oh nooo), but the result is an entertaining, if rather long and convoluted, tale of peoples’ relationships to each other and the world. Maybe grab the Blinkest copy. [Is Blinkest still a thing?]
The Care and Feeding of Waspish Widows by Olivia Waite
I wanted to like this more, but the feel-good parts were frequently drowned out by stuffing in all of the social injustices of the time: anti-gay + Six Acts + women as property + class inequality is a bit much for one romance to overcome, and this isn’t one of the stronger romances.
The Witches Are Coming by Lindy West
Collection of sharp, smart, funny essays on racism, feminism, and the future of this country and the world. The theme throughout — the Witches are coming — grounds the ideology in the rising tide of the oppressed against those who have long held the reins of power. Overall very good.
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
Mostly good, some excellent points but also some highly questionable ones that get a little, hmm, girlbossy. Fairly quick read, especially through the bite-sized chapters. Overall recommend, but not glowing.
Archer’s Goon by Diana Wynne Jones
Catching the few novels of hers that I missed growing up. This is classically delightful DWJ: vivid characters, plenty of confusion, and magic that is both never explained and completely intuitive. Loved it.
Witch’s Business by Diana Wynne Jones
This is her first published children’s novel — fun, strong characters, good plot if a little messy.
Wintering by Katharine May
Loved this. Some of the “wintering” ideas seemed a little forced, but that’s my main quibble with an otherwise very thoughtful and beautiful read. The last third-ish was a little less engrossing to me, but still excellent. Highly recommend.
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet
Beautifully written once it gets going. Many emotionally poignant moments, good introspection, and strong characters. It’s in roughly chronological order, dates included, but I struggled a bit to remember them (that’s a me problem). Weakest imo was Kennedy’s later storyline.
Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne
Novel in verse (!) about a Black girl finding herself in an unfriendly world, and also school. Quick read and engaging. Excellent ending. Recommend.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
So I watched the Netflix show based on this book, and I liked it enough to read the book. The book has a decent story, but I have to say it’s not very well written. To be a cliche of every editor ever, it’s very tell instead of show, and I never felt like I really understood any of the characters. The TV show was better and more intriguing.
Seige and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
First novels are hard, I get it. Unfortunately. I feel like I deserve a medal for finishing the second installment. Seriously, nothing happened for 70% of the book, except like casual horrific Frankenstein experiments and more telling without showing. Also needed some editing love, because scenes were ROUGH.
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Ok at least things happened in this book, even if the author clearly needs to try standing in a “rushing” river that is CHEST HIGH?? EXCUSE ME?? NO. Ending was acceptably satisfying, although by saying that I am also forced to say that I am very against honoring mass murderers* (?!). The style of starting and ending each book in the trilogy with the “boy and girl” narration was… fine. I guess. It didn’t really do anything for me. Would not reread. I want that time back.
*I am very pro redemption arcs, but the have to be full arcs. There are elements that have to be present for them to work, crucially: the character has to want redemption. Wanting redemption means that they know they done goofed, they acknowledge that, and they know they need to take steps to try to atone. There was no redemption arc that I could detect in this trilogy. Ergo, it’s just honoring a mass murderer. Which is bad.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
Great premise. Honestly really solid until the end: I just wasn’t quite sold by the very last chapter.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Big improvement on the previous series. Sharp plot, fun characters, good heist. Really enjoyed.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Unfortunately, this was weaker than book one: more convoluted, and not to its benefit. Still entertaining, but it just kept going and getting bigger and higher stakes and also worse while also pulling inward and becoming more personal? Idk how to describe what happened, and I kind of think neither did the author.
Circe by Madeline Miller
Honestly I spent the whole book both intrigued and also not really caring about any of the characters, so that’s pretty impressive I guess. Really wasn’t terrible. I guess.
We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
I got queer baited by this book, and I’m pretty sure I have only myself to blame. But honestly, the version that was happening in my head was much more interesting than what was in retrospect really going on. It started pretty strong (in my head at least), then the last third was just a downward slide. The end was aggressively meh bordering on actively bad. Should’ve let me rewrite it.
