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THE FOUR TREASURES by David Dunne

January 16, 2017

INTENSE IRISH THRILLER combines ancient mythology with a very modern conspiracy. Lots of action, local color. B PLUS

THE FOUR TREASURES: AN IRISH CRIME NOVEL
David Dunne
2016

Grade: B PLUS

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THE CURATED CLOSET by Anuschka Rees

January 13, 2017

THOUGHTFUL GUIDE TO personal style has sound (if sometimes elementary) advice, attractive illustrations. B PLUS

THE CURATED CLOSET: A SIMPLE SYSTEM FOR DISCOVERING YOUR PERSONAL STYLE AND BUILDING YOUR DREAM WARDROBE
Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony
2016

Grade: B PLUS

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GHOST SONGS by Regina McBride

January 9, 2017

WISTFUL, DELICATE MEMOIR of a family haunted by ghosts, memories, and nostalgia for places real and imagined. B PLUS

GHOST SONGS: A MEMOIR (PAPERBACK)
Tin House Books
2016

Grade: B PLUS

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THE INVISIBILITY CLOAK (PAPERBACK) by Fei Ge

January 7, 2017

A HUSTLING, BUSTLING BEIJING, observed from the sidelines by a melancholy audiophile. Gentle social satire. B PLUS

THE INVISIBILITY CLOAK (PAPERBACK)
New York Review of Books
2016

Grade: B PLUS

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CONCLAVE by Robert Harris

January 5, 2017

A SPELLBINDING VATICAN THRILLER! Somehow, Robert Harris infuses an arcane Catholic ceremony with suspense. A MINUS

CONCLAVE
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
2016

Grade: A MINUS

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BOOKTWEETING’S TOP TEN: SELF-PUBLISHED AND SMALL PRESS BOOKS

January 1, 2017

Welcome to 2017! If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to read more self-published and small press books, here are my ten favorites (out of a really strong field) from 2016. Keep watching Booktweeting.com and @booktweeting on Twitter for more reviews of indie books.

DIRE: SEED by Andrew Seiple

A SUPERVILLAIN WITH A CONSCIENCE? Sharp SFF thriller set in a “Teslaverse” where costumed heroes are real. A MINUS

STAR NOMAD by Lindsay Buroker

SMART SPACE SHOOT-’EM-UP stars a fighter pilot desperate to get back to her war-torn planet. High action! B PLUS

YOU DON’T BELONG HERE by Tim Major (Snowbooks)

A STOLEN TIME MACHINE is the last desperate hope of a haunted man on the run. Fascinating SF thriller. B PLUS

STAY CRAZY by Erica L. Satifka (Apex Book Company)

INTERDIMENSIONAL MONSTERS IN RUST BELT America? Or just a schizophrenic’s bad day at work? Brilliant punk SF. B PLUS

THE UNPLEASANTNESS AT BASKERVILLE HALL by Chris Dolley (Book View Café)

WODEHOUSE MEETS STEAMPUNK meets country-house murder mysteries in a delightful mix of fantasy and fun. B PLUS

THE APOTHEOSIS BREAK (SKYSAIL SAGA, VOLUME 1) by Josh Rhoades and Mike Rutledge

SWASHBUCKLING AIRSHIP ADVENTURE with lots of action, set in an intriguing steampunk/Ruritania SFF world. B PLUS

THE LOVED ONES by Sonya Chung (Relegation Books)

TWO FAMILIES’ STORIES, linked by a moment of tragedy, unfurl in all their richness. Heartbreaking, lovely. B PLUS

WITCH IS WHEN I SAID GOODBYE by Adele Abbott

A WITCH TURNED DETECTIVE solves mysteries with magic in this charming twist on traditional English cozies. B PLUS

HITS & MRS. by Karen Stollznow

SHARP, FUNNY MYSTERY follows a reporter turned detective trying to expose a Casanova of a TV psychic. Clever! B PLUS

MOSES by Balogun Ojetade (Roaring Lions Productions)

WILD, ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURE set in a “Steamfunk” universe where Harriet Tubman is a superhero. Fun SFF! SOLID B

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PETS ON THE COUCH by Nicholas H. Dodman

December 29, 2016

THE WORLD OF ANIMAL PSYCHIATRY, explored by a distinguished veterinarian. Thought-provoking and delightful! B PLUS

PETS ON THE COUCH : NEUROTIC DOGS, COMPULSIVE CATS, ANXIOUS BIRDS, AND THE NEW SCIENCE OF ANIMAL PSYCHIATRY
Atria Books
2016

Grade: B PLUS

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PETS ON THE COUCH by Nicholas Dodman, DVM

December 28, 2016

THE WORLD OF ANIMAL PSYCHIATRY, explored by a distinguished veterinarian. Thought-provoking and delightful!

Grade: B PLUS

PETS ON THE COUCH: NEUROTIC DOGS, COMPULSIVE CATS, ANXIOUS BIRDS, AND THE NEW SCIENCE OF ANIMAL PSYCHIATRY
Atria Books
2016

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ANAXAGORAS by Aaron Ward

December 27, 2016

GRACEFULLY CYNICAL FANTASY set in antiquity, on a Mediterranean island ravaged by a vast monster. B PLUS

ANAXAGORAS
Aaron Ward
2017

Grade: B PLUS

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ANAXAGORAS by Aaron Ward

December 26, 2016

GRACEFULLY CYNICAL FANTASY set in antiquity, on a Mediterranean island ravaged by a vast monster.

Grade: B PLUS

ANAXAGORAS
Aaron Ward
2016

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