Finished reading Stormsong
book
<div>3 stars would be a bit generous, but I did learn some things. This look at Scotland's history and influence as it relates to the modern world (well, as of 2001, when this was published) is a dry read, and I didn't always agree with Herman's assessments. He takes too light a hand in matters of colonialism and capitalism, and there's barely a woman to be found. However, he does lay out a timeline well, and it's interesting to learn about the ways in which Scotland prioritized education and freedom, and I could see some through-lines when it comes to my own family's ancestry (those ex-Orkney Canadians/New Englanders and Carolina/Tennessee "rednecks" are both in my background). So, for a book I picked up because I happened to notice it at the library, it's not bad, but it definitely wasn't love.</div>
Wants to read In the Shadow of Lakecrest
Finished reading Raising Steam
Finished reading Sourcery
Finished reading Wyrd Sisters
Wants to read Mirrored Heavens
Finished reading Guards! Guards!
Rated I Loved You More: A Novel 10/10
Briefly, I debated between <i>The Price of Salt</i> by Patricia Highsmith and this book for my favorite read this year, but what gave <i>I Loved You More</i> its edge was my visceral reaction to it. This book fucked me up in the best way, right when I needed it. While Highsmith keeps a certain amount of narrative distance from the love, lust, loneliness, and longing, Spanbauer dives right in. Mercilessly.<br><br>The Goodreads plot description doesn't really do the book justice. The friendship between these two men — Ben, more-or-less gay; Hank, more-or-less straight — is intense and beautiful. For a time, they drift apart, and their reunion is full of its own complications. Because it's partially set in 1980s New York, illness and caregiving play a central part of the story as well. <br><br>I cannot recommend this book enough.<br><br>(See the rest of my Top 10 Favorites from 2015 at <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2015/12/glorified-love-letters-top-10-favorite.html">Glorified Love Letters</a>.)
Rated Jago & Litefoot: Series 5 7/10
<div>Wasn't as into this one as some of the previous offerings, but it was still good.</div>
Rated Network Effect 8/10
<div>Very much enjoyed this novel-length installment of the Murderbot series. I listened to the audiobook, which I think adds to the humor.</div>
Rated proxy 8/10
My review appears at <a href="http://therumpus.net/2013/11/proxy-by-r-erica-doyle/">The Rumpus</a>.
Finished reading Equal Rites
Rated Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You're Too Scared to Watch 10/10
<div>Loved this. I am not overly a weenie when it comes to horror, but!! There are certain body horror elements, and sometimes animal harm, that I do not want to see on screen, and Horror For Weenies definitely let me know that reading a summary of The Thing, but not WATCHING The Thing, is probably for the best. Same for The Fly.<br><br>Emily C. Hughes hits the highlights of the horror genre mainly starting with standouts from the 1960s and moving forward all the way to 2018's Hereditary (another one I probably won't watch. Love you nonetheless, Toni Collette!) Some of the films I'd seen before, some not in a long time, and others I meant to get around to, but never have yet. The summaries are great, the jokes are good, and if you're the type that can read some horror elements, but can't watch them, she helpfully provides a few books at the end of each chapter that might be more up your alley. I've also read several of the recommendations, and they are good ones. So you can trust this book, is what I'm saying.<br><br>Emily and I are internet-acquainted, so admittedly, this is what got my attention at first, but I still think that even if you're a stone-cold, nothing-bothers-you horror fan, you'll find something to enjoy with this book. Weenies forever!</div>
Rated How to Get into the Twin Palms 8/10
<i>How To Get Into The Twin Palms</i>, in a way, is an atypical mystery novel. Though we know what Anya wants, everything else isn't clear and we are left to make our own conclusions. I like that it isn't tidy, but like life, which is to say sometimes sad and always full of desire. I'm so very glad I read it.<br><br>(My full review appears on <a href="http://glorifiedloveletters.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-get-into-twin-palms-by-karolina.html">Glorified Love Letters</a>.)
Wants to read How to Solve Your Own Murder
Rated Papercraft 2: Design and Art with Paper 10/10
Papercraft 2 is certainly a book I would recommend to anyone with an appreciation for the visual arts, no matter the discipline. The artists featured explore what is possible with the material in such wide-ranging ways, and it almost makes a non-crafty person like myself want to pick up an x-acto knife and fool around with some cardstock. This is expert, beautiful work, and I will often revisit it.<br><br>(My full review appears on <a href="http://persephonemagazine.com/2013/01/09/book-review-papercraft-2-design-and-art-with-paper-edited-by-robert-klanten-and-b-meyer/#">Persephone Magazine</a>.)
Rated Professor Bernice Summerfield and the Secret of Cassandra 6/10
Not my favorite of the Benny stories, but it was fine.
Rated Professor Bernice Summerfield and the Skymines of Karthos 8/10
Okay, now this feels like a proper Benny story, plus that terrible theme song is replaced.
Finished reading Carpe Jugulum
Finished reading Moving Pictures
Wants to read Inside Updown The Story of Upstairs, Downstairs
Finished reading Going Postal
Rated Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body 10/10
Pretty much everyone should read this.