This book impacted me. It was very spiritual but didn't quite cross into preachy or judgmental (though it edged closely here and there). I'm still sitting with my reactions and deciding how it spoke to me, which it what one should do after a good book.

Reading something by SarahAddisonAllen is like going on a short get-a-way to a familiar and much loved cabin. These characters weren't my favorite of her novels (though I very much liked and enjoyed them) but I adored this setting. Cabins, camp, a touch of magic, and people in all stages of life facing a transition. Comfortable, engaging, quick read.

4 stars because I couldn't put this down. Finished it in the space of 18 hours, distractions in the form of sleep and my children slowed me down or I'd probably read it in 6! Characters were relatable, empathetically written and the bit in Omaha's Old Market was spot on. My only complaint is that clues and pieces led almost exactly to the outcome I expected. It took some twists and turns getting there but overall, who "Woman" is was relatively clear from the get-go.

Question including spoiler below:

Did she fall from the hay rack and break her neck or did Jim truly attack her and break her neck that way? We know a bullet never hit her. I got a little lost in those details.

4.5 | This novel is a fictional mystery and a narrative about a 20 something startup failure working in a used book shop next to strip club - but it draws a beautiful metaphor and striking parallel between the development of the printing press and the rise of digitally stored data accessible world wide. What does immortality mean as our ability to literally leave our mark shifts? While is occasionally (ok, somewhat regularly) goes into overdrive trying to be "of the moment" with its tech references, this book is charming, smart, witty, a bit exciting, and thoughtful. Quick read, also. Epilogue is a bit over the top.

I truly enjoy the InCryptid novels by Seanan McGuire (and everything she writes), but boy, the covers are genuinely awful. More embarrassing than a Danielle Steele and these aren't even romance novels. Regardless, as per usual she has epic world building and extreme mythological detail. Only 3 stars because I didn't love Alex and this book felt a little forced. The death of a minor nameless character (trying to stay spoiler free) was the one part of that felt very genuine to me. I felt what Alex felt there.