Tag Archives: reading challenge

#TBRChallenge – After the War: The Great Silence by Juliet Nicolson

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Victoria Janssen

The Great Silence: Britain from the Shadow of the First World War to the Dawn of the Jazz Age by Juliet Nicolson is nonfiction about, well, the time after the First World War. I took this month’s theme very literally! … Continue reading →

Posted in nonfiction, research, wwi | Tagged | 1 Comment

#TBRChallenge – Tales of Old: Trouble the Saints by Alaya Dawn Johnson

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Victoria Janssen

Trouble the Saints by Alaya Dawn Johnson is set in New York City before the United States has entered World War Two; it seems to be an alternate history in subtle ways. In this world, people of color with mystical/magical … Continue reading →

Posted in sf/f | Tagged | 1 Comment

#TBRChallenge – Location, Location, Location: A Spectral Hue by Craig Laurance Gidney

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Victoria Janssen

A Spectral Hue by Craig Laurance Gidney was on my TBR for two reasons: first, I know the author, and second, I knew it involved at least one fictional quilter, and I love reading about quilting. It’s mostly a ghost … Continue reading →

Posted in lgbtqia+, sf/f | Tagged | 2 Comments

#TBRChallenge – Grumpy: Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Victoria Janssen

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki blends: a detailed portrayal of a particular mostly-Asian neighborhood in California; the competitive world of classical music, including performers and luthiers; a transgender queer violinist; lots of lovingly described food; and Faustian bargains … Continue reading →

Posted in lgbtqia+, sf/f | Tagged | 5 Comments

#TBRChallenge – Fairy Tale: Wendy, Darling by A.C. Wise

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Victoria Janssen

Wendy, Darling by A.C. Wise is in conversation with Peter Pan, a story so familiar and entrenched in general English-speaking cultural consciousness that I’m counting it as fitting the fairy tale theme. Peter Pan is easily read as extremely creepy, … Continue reading →

Posted in sf/f, wwi | Tagged | 5 Comments

#TBRChallenge – Quickie: Instead of Three Wishes by Megan Whalen Turner

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Victoria Janssen

Instead of Three Wishes: Magical Short Stories by Megan Whalen Turner was the slenderest volume on my TBR shelves. I dearly love Turner’s “Queen’s Thief” series, marketed as Young Adult, that begins with The Thief. In my opinion this short … Continue reading →

Posted in sf/f | Tagged | 2 Comments

IHeartLesfic Reading Challenge

Posted on January 13, 2022 by Victoria Janssen

I Heart Lesfic‘s 2022 reading challenge features a themed list of books each week, which seems like a great way to encounter some new-to-me authors; it starts the week of January 10, 2022. My speculative fiction erotica collection Erotic Exploits … Continue reading →

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#TBRChallenge 2022

Posted on January 1, 2022 by Victoria Janssen

This year, I’ll again be participating in the TBR Challenge hosted by Wendy the Super Librarian. My goal is to post reviews of a themed book on the third Wednesday of every month. Feel free to join me! Tag your … Continue reading →

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#TBRChallenge – Festive: Cotillion by Georgette Heyer

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Victoria Janssen

It’s true! I’ve never read Cotillion by Georgette Heyer! Until now. This book was published in 1953, so I felt free to include spoilers in this post. I found the novel charming, with typical Heyer character types, plotlines, and shenanigans, … Continue reading →

Posted in historical fiction, reading, romance novels, writing | Tagged | 1 Comment

#TBRChallenge – Competition: The Galaxy Game by Karen Lord

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Victoria Janssen

The Galaxy Game by Karen Lord is a complex, far-future space opera that includes the sport of Wallrunning. The skills and implications of Wallrunning, it turns out, influence events on an interstellar scale. I was very pleased to re-encounter characters … Continue reading →

Posted in reading, sf/f, space opera | Tagged | 1 Comment