10/10 Reviews, Book Reviews, Family Life, MemoirLeave a comment

And Now We Have Everything: On Motherhood Before I Was Ready

The Perspicacious Bookworm

The macabre was everywhere, once I started looking. Breathability was advertised on all the baby products we bought, a word that used to mean fabric that didn’t cause a yeast infection but now referred to the lifesaving mesh in the sides of the bassinet or playpen. The baby’s crib came with a big warning about keeping it away from window blinds to avoid strangulation. I read it and froze where I was standing, visions of my baby, stiff and blue, flashing through my mind. Which I guess was the point. Thank God it was summer, so the omnipresent receiving blankets … Continue reading And Now We Have Everything: On Motherhood Before I Was Ready

Articles, Top 10 Lists10 Comments

Top 10 Books on my Fall TBR

The Perspicacious Bookworm

We have finally made it to autumn! The weather is still pretty warm here in Kansas, but I have seen a few trees with their leaves turning already, so I am ready – and am already filling our October weekends with Halloween-themed plans. This Top 10 (hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl) is timed perfectly because I have finally gotten through my most recent reading slump and am ready for some great horror and thriller books. There are some great books coming out in October, too, so here are my top 10 books on my Fall TBR. 1. The Outsider by Stephen … Continue reading Top 10 Books on my Fall TBR

Reading and Literature, Top 10 Lists7 Comments

Top 10 Popular Books that Lived Up to the Hype

The Perspicacious Bookworm

I have been burned by the popular vote just enough times that when I hear that a book is really popular, I usually decide that it isn’t for me. However, on occasion I do cautiously decide to read a book that has done really well. Here is a list of books that have really worked for me. Top 10 Tuesdays are hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. 1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling Harry Potter was, to my recollection, the first book I ever refused to read because it was so popular. My mom actually talked … Continue reading Top 10 Popular Books that Lived Up to the Hype

Articles, Family LifeLeave a comment

Raising the Next Generation of SFF Readers

The Perspicacious Bookworm

Somehow in the last six years, I have ended up with a six-year old daughter (What?? How does that happen??). When Annabel was born, I remember thinking about all the books I could read to her when she got to this age. When she was six months old, I read Shakespeare sonnets to her, and imagined that she “liked them” (it’s amazing how delusional parents can be sometimes). When she was three, I tried The Light Princess and we got about two chapters in before she declared “I just don’t think this is a book that I like.” These days, though, we … Continue reading Raising the Next Generation of SFF Readers

Book Reviews, Science Fiction2 Comments

Station Eleven

The Perspicacious Bookworm

“So there’s this initial group of patients – the Moscow passengers. Then, this afternoon, a new patient comes in. Same symptoms, but this one wasn’t on the flight. This one’s just an employee at the airport.” “I’m not sure what you’re – “ “A gate agent,” Wa said. “I’m saying his only contact with the other patients was speaking with one of them about where to board the hotel shuttle.” “Oh,” Gevan said. “That sounds bad.” The streetcar was still trapped behind the stopped car. “So I guess you’re working late tonight.” “You remember the SARS epidemic?” Wa asked. “That … Continue reading Station Eleven

Articles, Reading and Literature, Top 10 Lists4 Comments

Top 10 Books I’ve Read in 2018

The Perspicacious Bookworm

I can’t believe we are already past the halfway point for 2018! This year has gone crazy fast, you guys. It has been a year full of some fantastic releases and some great re-reads too, though, so here are my top 10 favorite reads of 2018. Top 10 Tuesdays are hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.   1. The Queen of Hearts by Kimmery Martin This was a crazy fast read for me, and is a great book for almost everyone. It is a medical drama about two friends who find themselves facing the lies they told years ago in medical school. … Continue reading Top 10 Books I’ve Read in 2018

Book Reviews, FantasyLeave a comment

Beast: A Tale of Love and Revenge

The Perspicacious Bookworm

“I know God will punish my wickedness-“ “Ptah! That’s a matter for the priests to debate,” she interrupts me with a careless wave of her hand. “It has nothing to do with the lives of women. Why should you suffer when you’ve done no wrong?” I glance up, shocked, to see so much wisdom and understanding in her eyes – black eyes, like small, ripe olives. It’s as if she knows all the secrets of my heart. Fairy, witch, or wisewoman, she knows everything about me. “The young Chevalier de Beaumont,” she goes on calmly, nodding at the badge on … Continue reading Beast: A Tale of Love and Revenge

Articles, Top 10 Lists5 Comments

Top 10 Red, White, and Blue Covers

The Perspicacious Bookworm

It’s almost the 4th of July, everybody! Those of you outside the US are probably less than thrilled, but our house is getting pumped for the fireworks. A couple of years ago we started letting my oldest learn responsible firework use, and now she loves the thrill of setting something on fire and running like crazy. In honor of the 4th of July, the Top 10 for today is covers that are red, white, and blue. So here are some of my favorites! Top 10 Tuesdays are hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.   Continue reading Top 10 Red, White, and Blue Covers

Articles, Author Interviews3 Comments

An Interview with Curtis C. Chen

The Perspicacious Bookworm

If you have been following my blog for awhile now, you have probably figured out that I am a huge fan of Curtis C. Chen’s Waypoint Kangaroo and Kangaroo, Too. I had the chance to speak with Curtis a little about his reading and writing life. Once a Silicon Valley software engineer, Curtis C. Chen now writes fiction and runs puzzle games near Portland, Oregon. His debut novel Waypoint Kangaroo (a 2017 Locus Awards and Endeavour Award Finalist) is a science fiction thriller about a superpowered spy facing his toughest mission yet: vacation. The sequel, Kangaroo Too, lands our hero on the Moon to confront long-buried … Continue reading An Interview with Curtis C. Chen

Book Reviews, ThrillerLeave a comment

Watching Edie

The Perspicacious Bookworm

I’m entirely unprepared for what’s waiting for me beyond the heavy, wide front door and when I open it the world seems to tilted I have to grip the doorframe to stop myself from falling. Because there she is, standing on my doorstep, staring back at me. There, after all this time, is Heather. And I have imagined this, dreamed of this, dreaded this, so many hundreds of times for so many years that the reality is both entirely surreal and anticlimactic. I see and hear life continuing on this ordinary London street on this ordinary afternoon – cars and … Continue reading Watching Edie