In the small town of Schongau in the 1660s, a hangman and a physician work together to find the true murderer when a midwife is accused of killing orphans. Insanely suspenseful and full of wildly interconnecting plotlines, this book is a fascinating foray into the world of witches and hangmen and superstition without being sensationalized. I found it fascinating that Potzsch himself was descended from the Kuisl of the tale, and that the Kuisl's were a real dynasty of executioner's in Bavaria. Would highly recommend if you are in the mood for a suspenseful, historical, and unexpected tale of humanity.

This terrifying novel should be read in one sitting, ideally in high sunshine by a crystal clear pool.

The story is ostensibly about a girl meeting her boyfriend's parents for the first time, but the strange conversations, abnormal inner monologues, and disjointed dialogue make for a seriously uneasy reading experience. The chapters are broken up by an italicized conversation that doesn't make much sense but adds heavily to the suspense -- until you get to the end

Spoiler

, and realize the italicized conversations are the only thing that is real in the whole book

. Highly creepy, and well-crafted.

Schwab has managed that rarest of things: a sequel that is just as good as the first book. Red London takes center stage as Lila flits around the world, and the two other major kingdoms are introduced, even as magic sprouts in Grey London, and White London becomes a little less white. I enjoyed learning more of the ins and outs of magic and politics, and I was on the edge of my seat practically every chapter. Highly recommend.

This book fell flat for me because it didn't solve any of the mysteries left from the first book. I didn't learn how to kill Dorothy, I didn't learn if Amy was good or wicked (though she spent half the book metacognating about this very thing), and I didn't learn if she could trust any of the characters from the first book. Despite this lack of development, the action scenes were fun and the scenery was thoroughly inventive and alive. Paige writes great side characters, and mediocre main ones.

I liked this book in spite of myself. My thought process was basically "Ugh, an orphan? An orphan who complains about her red hair? And uses big words, some of which are made up? And a pair of siblings who love her in spite of her glaring flaws? And it's set in Canada in the early twentieth century? This is so precious I'm gonna vomit." But this book had so much heart I fell in love with Anne (but Diana and Marilla most of all). The characters were all fleshed out so well that you knew who was speaking with Montgomery saying so, and that's a hard trait to find (especially in a children's book from 1908). Would recommend to anyone looking for a lighthearted, sweet, childish tale.

This wry and unusual book follows Ignatius Reilly, an autistic 30-something man living at home with his mother in 1980's New Orleans as he struggles to maintain his life of masturbation and journaling while his mother demands that he get a job and his not-girlfriend demands he gets out of the house and experience life. It's funny in a hipster kind of way, but the characterizations are lacking and it inspired more head-shaking and cringing than actual amusement. I can see the appeal, but found it forgettable.

I felt like I learned a lot, but definitely had to re-read several sections as Hawking went right over my head as he was explaining things. The diagrams helped a lot! It's fascinating subject matter, and a quick read.

Absurd and hilarious.