posts by Jayne S:
B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended ReadsAnthology / cats / non-fiction / short stories4 Comments
There’s no feeling quite like that of getting a second chance and a fresh start. When we adopt a homeless cat–or that cat decides to adopt us–we’re not just giving one of earth’s most beautiful and inscrutable creatures a chance at a good life, we’re giving ourselves the gift of ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviews#ownvoices / aromantic / asexual character / children's literature / Dragon / fairy tale / Fantasy / lesbian / LGBTQA / novella / spiders / transgender character / transsexualNo Comments
Every time something goes missing from the village, Sir Violet makes his way to the dragon’s cave and negotiates the item’s return. It’s annoying, but at least the dragon is polite. But when the dragon hoards a person, that’s a step too far. Sir Violet storms off to the mountainside ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviews1980s / Athletes / coming-of-age / female friendship / high-school / LGBTQA / POC / POC author / self discovery / teens / YA / young adult fiction4 Comments
Acclaimed novelist Quan Barry delivers a tour de female force in this delightful novel. Set in the coastal town of Danvers, Massachusetts, where the accusations began that led to the 1692 witch trials, We Ride Upon Sticks follows the 1989 Danvers High School Falcons field hockey team, who will do ... more >
B Reviews / Book ReviewsChina / dysfunctional family / family relationships / POC / POC author / post-apocalyptic / Science Fiction / short stories / space opera / VietnamNo Comments
Here is The Dragon that Flew Out of the Sun and Other Stories, a short compilation of Xuya universe stories: sentient spaceships, the dark between the stars, and–always–food and memory and family. Review Several reviewers here have read and raved about Aliette de Bodard but up until now, I’d not ... more >
B Reviews / Book ReviewsChef / Contemporary / dysfunctional family / family relationships / literary adaptation / omniscient voice / restaurants / Scotland / second chance at love4 Comments
Inspired by Jane Austen’s Persuasion. She returned to save her family’s dying legacy–but found the ghosts of her past alive and well. Susan Napier’s family once lived on the success of the high-end restaurants founded by her late grandfather. But bad luck and worse management has brought the business to ... more >
Book Reviews / C Reviews1880s / Aboriginal / accountant / Artist / Australia / Brindabella Secrets series / Historical / mixed-race hero / POC / self discoveryNo Comments
Despite their growing attraction, both Peter and Elizabeth have secrets that will come between them. New South Wales, 1887 Peter Rowe’s life is in the city, but his soul is in Australia’s southern tablelands – a place he’s never seen. Taking the new land manager’s position on the thriving estate ... more >