nomadreader

  A brief timeline of my relationship with Casey Duncan: Summer 2016: I keep reading and hearing about City of the Lost , the first in a new mystery series set in Canada featuring a woman named Casey Duncan. I should read that. It sounds really good. September 2016: Oh, right, City of the Lost . Let me check that out from the library. October 2016: [receives an early copy of A Darkness Absolute ] Wait, the second Casey Duncan novel comes out in February? I should really read City of the Lost. [reads City of the Lost. ] I should really write a review of City of the Lost  before I start A Darkness Absolute . [Decides the temptation to pick up A Darkness Absolute  is too strong.] [Reads A Darkness Absolute .] [Tells Mr. Nomadreader to buy  City of the Lost  for his mom's birthday.] I should write my review of A Darkness Absolute  even though it doesn't publish until February. March 2017: It's March already? Should I just wait until the t...

I've been slowly working on this post for two weeks, but it's finally here: my 7th annual Women's Prize for Fiction U.S. Reader's Guide! Longtime readers knows this prize, known for most of its history as the Orange Prize, is my favorite literary prize. The longlist announcement is always one of my favorite moments of the year, and it shapes my reading for the months and years to come. I didn't make predictions this year, partially because the prize announced it was trimming the longlist from its traditional length of twenty titles to only twelve. (The judges ended up with sixteen titles on the longlist.) For the seventh year in a row, I'm offering my thoughts on the longlist along with information on when U.S. readers can access these titles (see my U.S. Reader's Guide for the longlists in 2016 , 2015 , 2014 , 2013 , 2012 , and 2011 . The Ones Available in the U.S. Now Hag-seed  by Margaret Atwood Little Deaths  by Emma Flint The Mare  by Mary Gaits...

book quickie: when I want to talk about a book, but I don't have much to say Here's the description for this book: "America’s favorite recluse just got a life! With her distinctively funky drawing style and insightful wit, artist Rosanna Bruno presents a cross-generational Dickinson for the 21st century." This book is a collection of different things, some of which shine brighter than others, and some of which I'm certain I didn't fully understand the references because of my limited knowledge of Emily Dickinson. It's fun, funny, and clever. It's also pretty short and could be read in a single sitting. It left me wanting more. Rating: 4 out of 5 Length: 96 pages Publication date: March 7, 2017 Source: publisher Convinced? Treat yourself! Buy The Slanted Life of Emily Dickinson  from Amazon ( Kindle edition .) As an affiliate, I receive a small commission when you make a purchase through any of the above links. Thank you for helping ...

The backstory:   Moral Defense  is the second legal mystery in Marcia Clark's series featuring Samantha Brinkman, a Los Angeles defense attorney. I loved the first, Blood Defense ( my review .) I also loved Clark's first series, featuring Los Angeles prosecutor Rachel Knight . The basics: Blood Defense  ended with a lot of information, and Moral Defense picks up those storylines, while featuring the murder of a father and brother, and the attempted murder of the mother. Samantha is serving as the legal advocate for Cassie, the daughter who was not harmed in the crime. My thoughts: Moral Defense  features three  storylines, each one involving a different client. Two are holdovers from the first book, while Cassie's story is new and is the primary plot. The central mystery is who killed Cassie's family. All three storylines were interesting, and Clark is so good at incorporating expected and unexpected twists. I found myself somewhat let down by the Cassie ...