A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

"A House With Good Bones" is a southern gothic filtered through gen X and I loved it. Deliciously creepy (rather than outright horror), funny, and the most sympathetic portrayal of a vulture that I've ever read.

It's also about family and how sometimes we can recognize that family members were awful people and you don't actually have to forgive them for that and that's okay.

T. Kingfisher is one of my must-buy authors and I've never been disappointed (scared out of my ever-loving mind, I"m looking at you "The Twisted Ones"!) by a book of hers. I really cannot recommend this highly enough.

Maureen by Rachel Joyce

“Maureen” is a lovely conclusion to the Harold Fry series. Lyrically written, Joyce explores grief, how we grieve and how grief changes us. I could empathize with how Maureen feels and how she navigates her grief.

Through the novella, we come to understand more of Maureen's choices and to sympathize with her. This series is such a sweet read, I was very happy to return to it and now that it's complete, it's on my list to reread in its entirety.

NetGalley provided me with an e-edition of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

#Maureen #NetGalley

The 30 Minute Gardener by Greg Loades

Packed full of gorgeous pictures, both of plants and garden in progress, “The 30-Minute Gardener” is more of a philosophy than a how to manual.

Loades speaks movingly and lovingly of the process of gardening, taking you through a year in the life. Tips and lists for each stage of the garden are laid out and explained well, and Loades never assumes your level of expertise. I found this inspiring for my upcoming move and have taken note of rose varieties he particularly recommends. (Princess Anne, Felicia, Lady of Shalott, Roald Dahl, The Lady Gardener)

I appreciated his way of writing as he lives in Britain and I live in Southern Alberta (as I write this, there is a good 18 inches of snow and it's been well below freezing for the last month) and I find it not discouraging exactly, but a little disheartening when I get into a gardening book and realize part way through that the author lives in such a different climate than I do that there's no way I can grow what they do.

“The 30 Minute Gardener” is well worth a read, it's a lovely soothing book that makes you think that yes, you can do this!

NetGalley provided me with an e-edition of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

#The30MinuteGardener #NetGalley

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

I have to admit that I had picked up an earlier copy of this book based on a social media review and I was not disappointed! I love this book so much, it's turned into one of my comfort reads if things are crappy. The bonus story was a nice addition and helped with the backstory.

Baldree delivers a lovely "so what happens *after* the big campaign is over" novel. His characters are fully rounded and the plot absolutely works. (Also...COFFEE!!) I was amazed to find out that this is his first novel, the writing is that good. I could see this appealing to low teens and up, although a precocious tween reader might enjoy it as well.

Definitely pick this one up if you like fantasy, D&D, good writing or all of the above!

Hex Twisting by Diana Rajchel

I consider myself to be still learning about Wicca, so am quite open to reading all sorts of Wiccan books. I was taken aback by this at first, having internalized "an it harm none, do as ye will". However, after some deliberation, I can see where this would be a very useful book.

Most Wiccans (and indeed, most people) don't usually wish harm to others, nor seek to do harm. There are some people though...and if you've ever encounted them, Hex Twisting will be an invaluable resource. Rajchel talks about the different kinds of hexes and where you might want to use the different kinds and why.

Rajchel also discusses how you might be able to find out if you've been hexed and counter-hexes to perform. She also discusses general ways to keep you and your space clear of influences.

A good choice for any Wiccan or Pagan library!

#HexTwisting #NetGalley

Be the Serpent by Seanan McGuire

The latest in the October Daye series is another stellar book in the series. McGuire starts to tie off loose ends and solve those nagging bits from the previous books even if you had kind of forgotten about them. (guilty!) I love this series so so much and am always pleasantly surprised at how good it is.

As always, McGuire writes extremely well and tells a good story. Toby and her adventures are a major part of my life and I am always thrilled to read a new story. Included is another story about the Luidaeg, filling in more of her backstory.

As always, NetGalley provided me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

#BetheSerpent #NetGalley

Sam by Allegra Goodman

I loved this book. Sam is a real person in a very real situation. I was immediately invested in Sam’s story and could not put it down. I appreciated that Goodman did not pile on the ‘bad things’, as Sam’s story is heartbreaking enough. Real and nuanced, Sam copes the best she can and makes realistic choices. I saw myself in Sam and I suspect others will too.

I highly recommend this book to YA readers and up.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

#Sam #NetGalley