I originally checked this book out many years ago from my hometown library. Although I forgot the title and author for awhile, it made a pretty big aesthetic impression on me, and eventually I decided to track it down and reread it. I can see why it appealed to my younger self, with its cemetery setting and the mystery of vaguely-explained occult workings, and the creepy atmosphere generally holds up even if the plot is a bit unsatisfying.

More of the rollicking adventure, eldritch horrors, and witty quips that I enjoyed from the first one. It was fun to see Whyborne thoroughly out of his element but coming through to help save the day, and I really hope that the series carries him further into his occult studies. There are the makings of a big ethical dilemma there that I would absolutely love to read about.

Spoiler

I do feel compelled to say that the mining company's actions would be exploitative and evil even without some of the major players having their brains replaced with an alien consciousness, and that the Pinkertons have a terrible history of breaking strikes and protecting capital over the lives of workers.

This is a sweet and steamy sapphic romance full of diner food, drag shows, music, and kisses on subway cars. Reading it felt good; it's just such a welcoming and affirming book that let me know I was in good hands. All of the characters feel youthful, exuberant, queer, and real, and while I love all of them, Jane is the star: a '70s punk with a heart of gold stuck in time, always ready to throw a punch or offer a kind word as the situation dictates. Yeah, this one lived up to the hype for me.

Maybe it seems odd that I enjoyed this book so much, when it's a mlm romance and I very much live a wlw kind of life. But there is so much fun to be had here: a creepy museum, a highly relatable bookish hero (to paraphrase: "I don't dine out much, both for reasons of economy and because someone might try to talk to me"), a lady Egyptologist who shoots guns and takes zero shit, Lovecraftian cults and horrors, angst, murder... And yes, a sweet/steamy romance that I definitely cheered on, because how can you not cheer on two goobers who just seem destined to smooch each other but flail around for half a book before they get around to it?

Perhaps my new favorite book about writing. Charlie Jane Anders gives solid advice about craft (pacing, characterization, world building, etc.) and about the more feelingsy aspects of writing, particularly how to believe that anything you're writing matters in a world that is constantly on fucking fire. I'm glad that I decided to read this during NaNoWriMo. It's provided welcome encouragement, helped me to feel comfortable writing messy and nonlinear drafts, and prompted me to think more about my characters' interiority and desires and to let that shape my stories.

Oh, so this is what it feels like to genuinely enjoy a historical romance novel without just focusing on the heroine and trying to ignore the hero as much as possible! Gimme 100 more books like this, please.

This is an ultra-slow-burn historical romance with two middle-aged heroines and an ambitious level of immersive detail. Readers looking for more of a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am pace will find mostly frustration here, but I loved watching Agatha and Penelope's relationship build in trust and intimacy. I also loved seeing how they fit into their community and getting to know all the minor characters. There's a reveal that made me quite literally gasp aloud, much to my girlfriend's amusement. And there's enough yearning to sink a ship of lesbians. Onward to the next--and sadly, last--in the series!

A lovely little memoir, though it makes my heart ache for anyone to consider coming out at 21 late. I found some parts deeply relatable, while others were depressingly foreign to me, but that’s my own baggage to deal with. (Imagine having accepting parents! Who want to meet your girlfriend!) A bittersweet read for me, but a worthwhile one.

I wish this book had been longer, so I could have enjoyed the development of the central relationship and gotten to know the characters better, but this was still a fun and satisfying romance. All the better for the labor organizing and swindling of rich men!