NB: This edition of Kickass Women in History is paired with a review of Eighty Days, a nonfiction account of Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s competing journeys around the world. While many people have heard of Nellie Bly, Bisland’s story is somewhat less known. In 1889, newspaper reporter Nellie Bly set off to travel around the world in eighty days. Her paper, The World, kept interest high while she was gone, and when she came back, … Continue reading Kickass Women in History: Elizabeth Bisland →
Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland’s History-Making Race Around the World is a nonfiction book without a single boring moment in it. It’s a great portrait of the two women and of a world experiencing change at a dizzying rate. In 1873, Jules Verne published Around the World in Eighty Days. In this novel, Phileas Fogg and his servant Passpartout make a bet that they can go all the way around the world in … Continue reading Eighty Days by Matthew Goodman →
This has been a week for news (much like many other weeks, alas). With the deaths of Kate Spade and then today Anthony Bourdain, I’ve been thinking a lot about empathy, about how the creative work of an individual can make you feel such powerful emotions. Kate Spade’s designs made so many people, myself included, feel confident, empowered, stylish, and in many cases like an adult. I can’t count the number of times I read … Continue reading Sending You Love and Comfort →
Welcome to Lit Wicks! This is where we pair an author’s backlist with candles to really immerse yourself in the reading experience. All of the candles featured in these post are from Etsy, which means there is often worldwide shipping and that you’re supporting independent crafters and sellers. The Etsy candle rabbit hole is one I have gone down many times. For June, I’m pairing candles with the series of one of my favorite authors, … Continue reading Lit Wicks: Ilona Andrews →
Fresh from the fresh hell that is the Javits Center, Amanda and Sarah chat about Amanda’s adventures at BEA, better known as Book Expo America, and BookCon, which happened last week, May 30-June 3. Sometimes I can record, edit, and produce an episode in a few days, and I’m lucky to be able to do that this week. We talk about what BEA and BookCon are, what the differences are between them, and what or, … Continue reading 302. The Value of Talking To Book People: Amanda Reports on BEA and BookCon 2018 →
RECOMMENDED: Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly is $2.99! This is a Kindle Daily Deal, so if you missed the sale a couple months ago, you have a second chance. Carrie read this one and really loved it, giving it an A. However, she warns of a cliffhanger, which means you might want to get the next book ASAP.
Continue reading →
I’ve been a rom-com mood lately, a void that Hollywood (despite their plethora of Chrises) refuses to fill, so I picked up I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting. It was described to me as a romantic comedy with a case of mistaken identity and a lot of sexy fireworks. The problem was, I wouldn’t say this book is actually very funny and some of the devices used to try and make it humorous didn’t work … Continue reading I Flipping Love You by Helena Hunting →
When Sarah asked me in an upcoming podcast episode how I felt about The Kiss Quotient, I had a sudden spout of verbal constipation. All of the words tried to escape my mouth at once. Sarah also would not let me submit a review that simply read, “Buy it. Read it.” I apologize for the squeeing that is about to coat your eyeballs, as I tell you a million reasons why this book is the … Continue reading The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang →
It’s Wednesday! And it’s June! When did that happen? I’m back from my trip to New York for Book Expo America and BookCon, and my body is not having it. I apologize in advance is this post turns into a stream of consciousness fever dream! … AudioFile has announced the 2018 Audies winners! You can check out all the finalists and winners from previous years. And I believe they have samples, which is fantastic. I … Continue reading Links: Pride Reading Recs, Kristen Bell, & Spooky Stories →
Soulless by Gail Carriger is $2.99 and a Kindle Daily Deal! This is the first book by the Parasol Protectorate series and for many readers, this book ignited their love for Carriger’s writing. I loved the first book, especially the heroine, but I agree with other reviewers in that there’s a lot of different things going on that conflict with one another. If you’re looking to get the entire series, it’s available for $16.99.
Continue reading →
