October 22, 2020

REVIEW: The Butterfly Effect by Edward D. Melillo

JayneB Reviews / Book Reviewsfood / History / Insects / nature / non-fictionNo Comments

A fascinating, entertaining dive into the long-standing relationship between humans and insects, revealing the surprising ways we depend on these tiny, six-legged creatures. Insects might make us shudder in disgust, but they are also responsible for many of the things we take for granted in our daily lives. When we ... more >

October 22, 2020

REVIEW: The Domestic Revolution : How the Introduction of Coal into Victorian Homes Changed Everything by Ruth Goodman

JayneB- Reviews / Book ReviewsBritain / Europe / History / non-fiction / social change1 Comments

“The queen of living history” (Lucy Worsley) returns with an immersive account of how English women sparked a worldwide revolution—from their own kitchens. No single invention epitomizes the Victorian era more than the black cast-iron range. Aware that the twenty-first-century has reduced it to a quaint relic, Ruth Goodman was ... more >

October 21, 2020

JOINT REVIEW: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

JanineA- Reviews / B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / C- Reviewsclass differences / competition / Fantasy / friendship / magical powers / magical school / prickly heroine / prophecy / survival / YA / YA fantasy12 Comments

Jennie, Sirius and I (along with Jayne), reviewed Naomi Novik’s last book, Spinning Silver, together. Our roundtable discussion was a lot of fun and the three of us decided to reunite for Novik’s recent release, the first book in her Scholomance series, A Deadly Education. –Janine. Janine: A Deadly Education ... more >

October 20, 2020

REVIEW: Death and the Maiden by Samantha Norman, Ariana Franklin

JayneB Reviews / Book ReviewsEngland / family relationships / Historical fiction / medieval / Mistress of the Art of Death / murder mystery / murder-investigation4 Comments

England. 1191. After the death of her friend and patron, King Henry II, Adelia Aguilar, England’s vaunted Mistress of the Art of Death, is living comfortably in retirement and training her daughter, Allie, to carry on her craft—sharing the practical knowledge of anatomy, forensics, and sleuthing that catches murderers. Allie ... more >