These books are just so effective, no matter how much I've already read/seen about the civil rights movement, the combo of Nate Powell's black & white illustrations + John Lewis's frank narration is so moving. Especially interspersed with the scenes from Obama's inauguration, especially considering the current political climate...just! so! much!

I'm often disappointed by comedian memoirs because they tend to be just their standup acts written out, and it's like, I already heard this? And it was better when you were performing it? But I keep trying to read them because I like standup comedy. And disappointment. But! This didn't disappoint! It was what I want from a comedian memoir--it gave a lot of backstory for the material from her amazing Live album, as well as some post-story. And it was very funny. And I cried.

Oh wow! This is one I'd love to re-read and see what I get out of it a second time but I still really enjoyed the first time through. I loved these characters (well...most of them) and Ursula's lives are so well-structured. I guess I that's what I want to say? It's very clever.

I can definitely acknowledge that this is well-done but it's not really my cup of tea. If you like more dark high-fantasy-type stories, check it out, esp if you're looking for more badass lady characters.

Oh I did like the talking cats a lot though, like, obv.

I could not put this down but also it was not very good. Also, someone needs to tell Jodi about Snopes.com!

http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers/episode-51-lone-wolf/

I would definitely only recommend this to fairly hardcore radio nerds, but I loved it. Really interesting look at different philosophies of storytelling/radio making. The kind of podcasting Kait and I do is pretty tangential to this book but it works not only as a guide for those who want to get into TAL-style storytelling but also just as a behind-the-scenes look for fans of those shows.

I think the graphic novel format works pretty well for this--they talk about how radio is a "visual" medium because for it to work well, the hosts have to describe things so that the listener can see them.

This was not terrible, but it was very strange. I wish Chris Harrison would have just written some UnReal fanfiction instead of this.

http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers/episode-42-the-perfect-letter/

This series is starting to get a littttle more fantasy-ish than I normally go for, personally. I liked the first book so much because it was all contained in the castle and I got some cool magical adventures/characters without having to learn the names of a bunch of made-up countries, but now it's FULL-ON fantasy. (Which I totally understand is a draw for many readers!) But I enjoyed this ANYWAY because at this point I'm pretty invested in the characters, even the new ones added this book. Well played, Sarah Maas, well played.

Also, uhh, this book is like, pretty non-sexually kinky, and I feel like all the stuff about Fae customs & mating rituals--whipping, collars, very intense naked tattoo sessions, biting, "complete submission", etc--is going to like, cause some sexual awakenings for teens. Or at some point they're going to look back on this series and be like "oh, huh." Anyway I'm not saying this book is BDSM erotica, but it's like... totally a gateway to BDSM erotica. JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE in case that serves as either a deterrent or an enticement.

(There is no actual sex in this book. Just a lot of elaborate kinks.)

anyway bye, off to put a hold on the 4th one

This book isn't for everyone but it's so solidly in my wheelhouse that I might have manifested it with The Secret. Just a beautiful, thoughtful, progressive meditation on our national parks. I especially appreciated her discussion with and representation of different Native American tribes & leaders with her activism.

This was hyped as "Mean Girls meets Fresh Off the Boat" and that's kind of true (in the best way), but also a bit reductive. I love Mean Girls and FOTB but this book was something less LOL-funny and more bitingly beautiful. Really lovely.