Review: Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a graphic novel about the author's relationship with her father.  Before this book, the only thing I knew about Alison Bechdel was that she was the one to coin "The Bechdel Test" for entertainment (ie: does a movie have more than 2 female characters and they do have at least one conversation that isn't about a dude(s)).

Anyway, her father was there, but wasn't.  He wasn't demonstrative with his love and kept his family at arm's length.  He also had a secret (he was gay).   I feel like I should have liked this more than I did since it's about trying to make sense of a life (and death) of a loved one.  And that loved one not being able to fully accept/acknowledge who they truly are.  

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Review: Why Dukes Say I Do

Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Isabella is a widow who was in an abusive marriage.  Her sister, Perdita, was also in an abusive marriage.  The book opens with Peridita's husband, the Duke of Ormonde, holding a knife to Peridita's throat.  Georgina, their friend was also there.  What happens next forms one of the plot points of this book (and the next 2).  Someone knows their secret.

Isabella is tasked with going to the countryside to retrieve Trevor, the new duke.  She goes to help her sister who is being romanced and is thought to be in love with a new person; the dowager duchess has enough power to end it or let it be.  Trevor's dad was the exiled second son of the old duke, the current dowager's grandson.  And as a result, he does not like that side of the family.

Anyway, Isabella does well out in the country and forms friendships with Trevor's younger sisters; Eleanor and Belinda.  She and Trevor gradually give in to their attraction and fall in love.  She confides in Trevor her abusive marriage, the threatening notes she is getting, and her abusive marriage.  There have also been attempts to injure/kill her (a damaged carriage, a cut strap on a saddle for example).

I did like the slow burn.  The characters were also likable.  However, I did find my attention drifting at times and this was easy to put down (and pick up later).  And while we do find out who was behind the notes/"gifts" Isabella was getting, we do not know who the primary person is behind the notes that Georgina and Perdita have also gotten.  

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Review: Low-Hanging Fruit: Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda

Low-Hanging Fruit: Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda by Randy Rainbow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so enjoy his cleverly crafted videos to songs; they are unique and funny.  So when the second book came out, I had to check this out.  This is hilarious.  While the first was probably more about his childhood and trying to make it in show business, this one was more about stories from the time after he made it.

There is so much in this.  There's a story about someone he slept with that had a Google fetish (really!).  A chapter from his feline's point of view (so true).  I loved the banter between his mom and him.  His comments to comments made on social media- hilarious!

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Review: True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between

True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between by Gretchen Whitmer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gretchen Whitmer was elected the governor of Michigan in 2018, officially taking office in 2019.  We all know this was at the time of Trump's presidency (hopefully the first and only presidency or we are well and truly fucked) and some dark times were ahead.  She dealt with a lot of shit; heightened because she was a woman and called out bullshit when she saw it.   This was interesting, told from her perspective.  I liked that she knows (and admits) to mistakes or things that she would have done differently.  

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Review: Heartstopper: Volume One

Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charlie and Nick both attend a boys only school.  Charlie was outed the prior year and was bullied because of it.  Things are a bit better this year.  They meet when they sit together in one of their classes.  A friendship begins.  Nick is able to relax and be himself around Charlie.  Nick, who is a bit of a jock (he is a rugby player), is a very sweet person.  Charlie develops a crush.  

This was a delightful graphic novel, but does end on a bit of a cliffhanger.  

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Review: Dalliances & Devotion

Dalliances & Devotion by Felicia Grossman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Amalia is on her way back home to Delaware to claim her part of the family fortune.  She needs the money for her charity which helps women divorce abusive or negligent spouses.  She also happens to be divorced herself (twice) and knows how hard it is.  She also writes a beauty column.  

David is an ex-soldier turned Pinkerton agent with eyes on a promotion.  He also has a history with Amalia, she was his first love.  As things are wont to do, things happened and they went their separate ways.  Now he is her bodyguard since she has gotten some threats and will accompany her back to DE.  

I had a hard time getting into this.  Amalia came across (at first) as shallow and it just took too long for me to see that she wasn't.  David was pretty decent.  This is the second in a series (the first was Amalia's parents' story), but works just fine as a stand-alone.  

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Review: It Takes a Witch

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Darcy and her sister Harper are Wishcrafters; witches that can grant wishes assuming the wisher has a pure heart, wish is genuine, and does no harm. After getting a call from their aunt Ve, they've moved to MA and are learning about their abilities from their aunt. Ve owns her own business, As You Wish.
I liked the various magical abilities of various Crafters. They are able to live in plain sight and the "normal" human has no idea. Interesting town and townspeople. This is told in first person, from Darcy's POV and she is a likable character. Decent mystery, a lot of self discovery.
Nice twist at the end.

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Review: Coming Home

Coming Home by Brittney Griner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'm on a roll with spectacular back to back reads.
I remember when Brittany Griner was arrested in Russia. This is her story of her captivity there and the trauma associated with it. Things she continues to deal with today. There were lots of details in this. Other women (and men) who were held for ridiculous reasons. BG also fully acknowledges other Americans held captive wrongly and who were still (and many others still are) captive at the time of her release. She was an advocate before, she is an even bigger one now. I admire her.
I LOVED the epilogue.
https://www.bringourfamilieshome.org/

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Review: On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service

On Call: A Doctor's Journey in Public Service by Anthony Fauci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, wow, wow. I admired Dr Anthony Fauci during his appearances during the Covid pandemic briefings. I liked how he articulated the facts as he knew them to be at the time and kept the public updated as things inevitably changed. As we all know, things changed quite often as we learned more.
AF has lead a full life with a focus on public service. I wish more people had his mindset. It was interesting learning more about the AIDS/HIV, Ebola, MERS, SARS research during his tenure at the NIH (National Institute of Health) as part of NIAID (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases).
Anthony Fauci is a perfect example of what a NON-PARTISAN public servant who has worked with numerous Presidential administrations. And what we stand to lose should Trump win in Nov and Project 2025 is implemented (even partially). VOTE.

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Review: The Rivals of Casper Road

The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bram moved to WY from WA after a devastating breakup. He loves the outdoors and like to work with his hands, making many interesting things. Zachary and his family moved to Garnet Run for a fresh start after his sister's disappearance. Zachary has always been a loner and different, forgotten by his parents. He also is an architect and works from home dressed in a suit and tie. Zachary loves horror and Halloween and has won his neighborhood home decorating contest 6 years in a row.
Bram moved next door and they start a friendship that also turns into a prank contest with each other and a neighbor. That friendship gradually grows to more. With Bram's support, Zachary is able to eventually do what he really wants to do. It was incredibly sad that Bram was only the 2nd person to tell him he loved him (after his sister). Other characters from the Garnet Run series make appearances, this does work as a standalone.

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Review: Time Thief

Time Thief by Anna Hackett
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Huh.  Minimal world building and I didn't particularly connect with (or like) either of the lead characters.  I thought Sean was a bit stupid (ex-military who decides to work for a crime Lord?  really?).  The romance was fast and I didn't buy it.  

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