I’ve finished four books since mid-June. I was going to say that can’t be right, but also the summer slump is real, so.
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
2.5 stars, rounding up
I really liked the characters in this book, and I think it has a great narrative voice. I just feel like it took me so long t read and finish it, so there was something that kept me from engaging with it completely. Part of it, I think, is that there’s A LOT going on in the book and it’s not always clear how all the threads go together or Hernandez spends a lot of time on one thing and takes too long to get back to the other. So, pacing, basically.
Murder 101: Essays on the Teaching of Detective Fiction by Edward J. Rielly
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m teaching detective fiction in the fall and read this to get some assignment ideas and see how other people approach teaching the genre. Lots of good stuff here, and it made me wish I teach architecture (!) so that’s a win.
Paper Girls: Book One by Brian K. Vaughan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I got hooked by the female friendship before I realized this was sci-fi WITH TIME TRAVEL, so that’s a thing that happened.
I enjoyed this! Lots of humor, great artwork, and enough twists and turns that I honestly had no idea what was about to happen next. I’ll read the next volume, so there you go.
Strong Female Protagonist. Book One by Brennan Lee Mulligan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I liked the premise of this a lot (a former superhero wants to find long-term solutions to human problems instead of just beating up bad guys), but I found the weird DVD director-like commentary running across the bottom of the pages distracting.
I’m currently reading Murder with Fried Chicken and Waffles by A.L. Herbert for book club.
I’m more than halfway through, and I won’t be able to make it to next week’s book club, so it’s engaging enough for me to keep reading anyway.
Have a great week, everyone!
The Englishist 