Review: The Jack Smith Report: Final Report on Efforts to Interfere with the Lawful Transfer of Power Following the 2020 Presidential Election by Donald Trump and Others

The Jack Smith Report: Final Report on Efforts to Interfere with the Lawful Transfer of Power Following the 2020 Presidential Election by Donald Trump and Others by Jack Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read some of this when this came out earlier in the year.  When it was announced that it would be published by a small publisher, I wanted to support that.  And have a copy in the event it is purged later in DT's purge of anything that is critical of him.  

As someone who is fairly politically engaged.  I get my news from a wide variety of local, national, and international sources.  I do periodically check out what is on Fox, Newsmax, OAN to see/hear/read what things are being put out there.  And I am the record here (even though I live in a deeply red state) of where I stand on DT, Musk & his DOGE goons, all of DT cabinet picks, and the spineless elected officials who rubber stamped it.  Risch, Crapo, and Simpson all know I personally despise what is going down in DC.  

Back to this.

Bottom line is the Special counsel's investigation found sufficient evidence to convict Donald Trump in a trial for his election subversion crimes.  There is more than enough here and I am so angry, frustrated that he will never stand trial for it.  Or see jail time.  

I think those who don't care or have an opinion would feel differently if they picked this up.  I'm not saying you would need to read all of it, but Special Counsel Jack Smith's letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the results of the investigation would be the sections to read if you didn't want to read the whole thing.  Sadly, I don't think this would make a difference to MAGA and change minds there.  

Melville House Publishing is also publishing the DOJ's report on the Tulsa massacre of 1921.  

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Review: How to Charm a Nerd

How to Charm a Nerd by Katherine Garbera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5*

Liberty has never had a relationship with or known her dad.  She learns her dad's name by accident from her grandma who has dementia.  Her mother had offered in the past to tell her some info on him, but Liberty was not interested.  For some reason, this sets Liberty on a mission to find out more about him, without asking her mom (which would have made things so much easier).  She enlists Merle, her crush and computer expert to help. 

Merle also has a crush on Liberty and they've had a friendship.  Merle is Poppy's cousin (Poppy co-owns the store where Liberty, Poppy, and Sera each have their own business).  Merle also has issues with his family; he feels like he doesn't quite fit in.  His parents are super sporty and competitive and never tell their kids they love them as they are (or just a simple I love you).  It felt like their love was conditional.  

Anyway, I did like this.  Liberty is sure of herself even if I thought she should have involved her mom.  I knew much more about Liberty, but much less about Merle.  It would have been nice to have a little bit more on him.  I enjoyed the friendship with Poppy, Liberty, and Sera.

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Review: The Secret Bridesmaid

The Secret Bridesmaid by Katy Birchall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Think of the movie "The Wedding Ringer," but with a professional bridesmaid instead.
Sophie is a professional bridesmaid, she loves weddings. She gets an opportunity to advance her career when, the Marchioness of Mead's daughter Cordelia is getting married. Sophie is hired by Lady Mead.
It starts out rocky, Cordelia is a huge bitch and I hated her. But, yes but, things aren't as they seem and there is a reason for why she does what she does. Sophie also develops feelings for Cordelia's brother Tom, who is not only nice, but super hot. I liked Sophie, but thought she was a little too perfect, a little too nice.

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Review: Wickedly Dangerous

Wickedly Dangerous by Deborah Blake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Barbara Yager is a Baba Yaga, the fairytale Russian witch. The US has 3 of them and they travel when summoned.  She is summoned when a child goes missing.  Liam is the town's sheriff and is frustrated that there hasn't been any trace of the missing kids (3 of them).   

Nice mystery, there is more going on then meets the eye.  In addition to the missing kids, there are nasty councilmen who question your every move and do not support you, suspicious town folk, and a shady business who wants to take the town over so he can frack and make some money.

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Review: The Message

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

His writing is very lyrical and flows. In this he talks about his travels in Africa and Palestine. He also talks about the education system here. It's amazing how freaked out people get by the written word which leads to book bans. I felt we were going in the right direction (teaching history- the good, the bad, the ugly & being honest) and now we are backsliding. A lot.
"When you are erased from the argument and purged from the narrative, you do not exist."

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Review: The Secret Loves of Geek Girls

The Secret Loves of Geek Girls by Hope Nicholson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nice variety of mediums; this had comics, short graphic novellas, and the more traditional short stories.
Standouts: Margaret Atwood's comic, Erin Lossar's, Cherelle Higgins's short stories, and my favorite Diane McCallum's Four Fictional Happy Endings.

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Review: The Austen Playbook

The Austen Playbook by Lucy Parker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Freddy is an actress in her 20s.  She has been working as a teenager.  She comes from a family of actors/play-writes.  Her dad has a vision for her career that doesn't quite match what she wants.  

Griff is a theater critic.  He and his family have some financial concerns.  He does what he can.  

This had a lot going on.  There is Freddy's family legacy and breaking free of expectations and doing what you want.  There are good sibling interactions.  Two people who can't help but fall for each other.  Fun HP references too.  Sadie was a bitch.    

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