Review: THE HOUSE GIRL, by Tara Conklin

This book had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, and I was sorely devastated to see it end. Tara Conklin did a fantastic job of combining history, modern social issues, and the timeless search for oneself into a single book that transcends expectations. I was equally in love with the stories of Josephine and Lina, both of which were told with such a vivid exploration of emotions that I found myself relating in various ways to their important struggles. Perhaps my favorite part of the book was the way that history and the present day collided as we watched Lina explore historical documents about Josephine.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Anyone interested in the history of slavery and/or the 19th century south, and anyone who enjoys pondering tough race questions that have evolved ever since first plaguing America centuries ago.

Review: THE LOVE INTEREST, by Cale Dietrich

I really wanted to like this. Really, really wanted to. I love the premise (especially the new take on the love triangle) and had looked forward to this book for a long time. Unfortunately, I had to give up around the halfway point. The dialogue was awkward and unrealistic, and it suffered from "As you know, Bob" syndrome--and that added up to me rolling my eyes more often that I should've. Because the premise intrigued me so much, though, I did jump to the end after I decided to set this down (Spoiler alert: I found even more disappointment at the end). This book is unique and interesting, but I'm unable to give it a glowing review.

Stars: 2.5/5
Recommended for: People interested in YA spy stories and LGBTQ characters.

Review: THE GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE, by Mackenzi Lee

I've wanted to read The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue ever since I first heard about it, and I'm kicking myself for waiting so long. It. Was. Fantastic. Pure and simple.

Mackenzi Lee has taken a fascinating, sexy time period and thrown her readers into it with such oomph I'm surprised any of us have made our way back to the 21st century. The author has truly done her research in European 18th-century politics, familial structures, science, and queer culture, and taken literary liberties only where absolutely necessary--and never in a way that compromises conceivable authenticity. The three main characters (Monty, Percy, and Felicity) are a true pleasure to read about, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and desires that make them stand out as underdogs in their time period without being anachronistic. There are no three characters with whom I'd rather take an extensive tour--be that as it may--across Europe.

I wish I had a time machine so I could go back a decade and think of this story first, though certainly I'd never achieve it with the same finesse as Mackenzi Lee. It's precisely what I've been missing all my life. Also: Relatable sympathetic pirates for the win.

Stars: 6/5. I would give this book eleventy billion stars if I could.
Recommended for: Anyone who remotely enjoys young adult books should pick this up immediately. Especially anyone interested in 18th century European history and/or swoon-worthy queer relationships with more tension than a stretched rubber band.

CNN's "The Nineties": A Millenial's Perspective

I’ve recently been enjoying CNN’s The Nineties, with new episodes every Sunday night.* As a 1988 baby, my perspective of the 1990s is a little skewed. So when each new episode of The Nineties lights up my television screen, I find myself in awe at the nuances I’d missed as a child. It’s not that I wasn’t there for those major 90s events—it’s that I viewed them through the filtered lens of my parents.

Here are a few glimpses of what I mean:

• I knew the O.J. Simpson trial was happening, only because my mom kept complaining that it was on allll the time.
• I knew Bob Dole was running for president, only because my dad’s house was plastered in Dole signs and my dad was livid when Dole lost.
• I remember the Oklahoma City Bombing not because of the intensity of what happened, but because my mom spent the day scanning through the crowds on TV, trying to find my uncle (who was in Oklahoma City and hadn’t yet checked in with any family members).

Distance, maturity, and college have helped me fill in the gaps of the major events of the 1990s, but none of that is the same as being at a reasonable age to experience it firsthand. Now, as a 29-year-old who likes to think she’s up-to-date with current events, I’m left watching The Nineties on CNN, fine-tuning what I thought I knew and adding context to the moments that affected my parents so strongly.

*Of course, I watch the episodes on Demand on Monday evenings, because Game of Thrones trumps all. But that’s neither here nor there.

Review: HIDDEN FIGURES: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, by Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures is a fascinating story that deserves to be told. I really enjoyed the intrigue laced throughout this book, and I appreciated the author's thorough research and relatable word choice. The only downside was that the book's structure made it difficult to keep track of the women. The author jumped often between the "characters" and the chronology wasn't entirely linear; I often had to stop and pause to wrap my mind around the shifts in direction.

Stars: 4/5
Recommended for: Anyone interested in science-related history and/or the exploration of race relations in America

Review: KILLING SEASON, by L.T. Vargus and Tim McBain

Killing Season is my favorite book so far in the Violet Darger series. Dare I even say it's my favorite yet from Vargus and McBain? It doesn't have as much violence and gore as their other books, so be warned if that's your only reason for reading these authors (but don't worry, there are still plenty of delicious atrocities to go around). This book has a ton of character development and relatable what-ifs, making it easy to get into and easy to keep going. Violet Darger is one kick-ass heroine, and the side characters throughout the book are so gritty and real that they pop off the page. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I look forward to future books in the series.

Stars: 5/5
Recommended for: Anyone interested in thrillers with unique twists and solid writing.
Bonus Points: Although all books in the Violet Darger series are connected, it is not necessary to read them in chronological order.

Review: DRAGON TEETH, by Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton's DRAGON TEETH, published posthumously, checks all the boxes for "early novel written while trying to hone his craft." This is certainly not one of Chrichton's strongest writing attempts, making me wonder if there's a reason it was never published during his lifetime. Still, I was intrigued by the idea of what might happen to the characters, and that's what pulled me along to the end. The end was better than the beginning, but I was ultimately left feeling unsatisfied.

Stars: 2/5
Recommended for: Fans of Michael Chrichton. That's about it.