aka @kingrat@sfba.social. I'm following a lot of bookwyrm accounts, since that seems to be the only way to get reviews from larger servers to this small server. Also, I will like & boost a lot of reviews that come across my feed. I will follow most bookwyrm accounts back if they review & comment. Social reading should be social.
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Success! Phil in SF has read 54 of 28 books.
In this unforgettable meet-cute, Samantha Allen traces her story of self-discovery during gender transition and the life-altering partnership that began …
In this unforgettable meet-cute, Samantha Allen traces her story of self-discovery during gender transition and …
I walked through Indiana University's campus that Monday morning to the sprawling Gothic building that the Kinsey Institute calls home, prepared for yet another day of hibernation in the library.
— Love & Estrogen by Samantha Allen (The Real Thing Collection, #4) (2% - 4%)
It now occurs to me that the Kinsey Institute is located on the campus of a public university in a very red state. I really hope it isn't fighting for survival...
... and it is: Indiana University officials ditch plan to split off Kinsey Institute, known for its sex research
Goddammit. At least the university isn't rolling over.
Phil in SF
boosted
“That girl’s got more wrong notions than a barn owl’s got mean looks.”
Esther is …
I went into this book knowing nothing about it except that Sarah Gailey is the author, and I've liked a couple of her other books. I recommend this approach, it is so much fun.
Similar to M. A. Carey's approach to "The Book of Koli" that way.
In this unforgettable meet-cute, Samantha Allen traces her story of self-discovery during gender transition and the life-altering partnership that began …
Thrilled to spend the final hours of her spring break in the VIP room of …
Content warning mild spoilers that you could probably figure out anyway
I should probably nope out of crime fiction that involves sexually motivated serial killers. They feel so samey same. Not only motivated by some weird fetish, but they all just have to play games with the detective investigating them. Authors of these books also frequently use a device where they alternate between the detective's point of view and the killer's point of view, and it's obvious they are doing it to let you know the detective is on the wrong track.
In the year 2038, the earth has been ravaged by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Retroviruses …
I put this on hold at SFPL.
Phil in SF
boosted
In Jesmyn Ward’s first novel since her National Book Award–winning Salvage the Bones, this singular …
I was not expecting the emotional roller coaster going into this book. The turn that the book takes about half way through that suddenly throws some magical realism into the plot threw me off a little. I would recommend this, but just make sure that you're up for a pretty bleak book.
Thrilled to spend the final hours of her spring break in the VIP room of an elite Manhattan club, fresh-faced …
Thrilled to spend the final hours of her spring break in the VIP room of …
She tucked her card in the front pocket of her jeans and handed Gina her glass, then took a big sip from her own to bring the meniscus to a safer level.
— Angel's Tip by Alafair Burke (Ellie Hatcher, #2) (68%)
new vocabulary: meniscus
I've only heard meniscus used as a cartilage thing before now.
Phil in SF
boosted
Follow Odysseus after he leaves the fallen city of Troy and takes ten long dramatic …
Because he draws as much from the Aeneid and other sources as from Homer, this takes a long time to properly get to the telling of the Odyssey itself. I could perhaps have done with less of the context, though given it's those aspects of the story I had little if any knowledge of, it's certainly those I've learned most from!
The books rounds out the telling of the ancient Greek myths, and gently, lovingly explores the transitions of humanity from awe and fear of the world to hard work and negotiation both with the world and with other people. The grand canvas of the myth woven of very personal, often selfish, individual stories. I guess like the titular hero, it takes its time, but it does get there in the end.
Phil in SF
boosted
When you’ve been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to …
In honour of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes to compete in the fiftieth annual Hunger Games.
While I quite enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy back in 2012, “Sunrise on the Reaping” feels like a somewhat unnecessary addition. I found the romance annoying, the arena a dreary slog to get through, and the ending dismal but not enjoyably so. Also, too much song lyrics and poetry for my tastes. Not for me. However, all that is a “me problem”, and Hunger Games fans should thoroughly enjoy this latest entry in the series.
Squid Game meets The Left Hand of Darkness meets Under the Skin in this radical …
My Otherwise award list is complete with the addition of this book. On SFBA.club the list should have high resolution covers and book descriptions. YMMV when the list is copied to other servers.
(The Otherwise Award encourages the exploration & expansion of gender.)
At once a lush fairytale, an unforgettable queer romance, and a celebration of trans love, …
Very weird. This book does not come up in a search using the title, but it does come up in a search with the ISBN.
Phil in SF
boosted
"Bureau of Indian Affairs Special Agent Joe Evers still mourns the death of his wife …
Every time I searched for an Indigenous mystery on Libby, this book would come up front and given the starred reviewed I figured I should read it. Boy, was I not more wrong, what a terrible book. This man is a current FBI agent who used to investigate cases in the Reservations. First things that are off, a dog is killed by a cop ("but you didnt take care of it anyway" says the cop to the Indigenous person), then a coyote & her puppies are killed by an Indigenous Elder because Coyotes are a "nuisance", I have never heard of Indigenous people killing Coyotes especially pups. Final nail in the coffin was when his characters who were leaders of American Indian Movement decide to claim some current issue as a fake reason to raise money.
I refuse to read any book that does not respect & honor Indigenous people …
Every time I searched for an Indigenous mystery on Libby, this book would come up front and given the starred reviewed I figured I should read it. Boy, was I not more wrong, what a terrible book. This man is a current FBI agent who used to investigate cases in the Reservations. First things that are off, a dog is killed by a cop ("but you didnt take care of it anyway" says the cop to the Indigenous person), then a coyote & her puppies are killed by an Indigenous Elder because Coyotes are a "nuisance", I have never heard of Indigenous people killing Coyotes especially pups. Final nail in the coffin was when his characters who were leaders of American Indian Movement decide to claim some current issue as a fake reason to raise money.
I refuse to read any book that does not respect & honor Indigenous people especially when it is about them. Read a book by an Indigenous person any time. I really hope nobody decides to make an adaptation of this book for TV.
Thrilled to spend the final hours of her spring break in the VIP room of an elite Manhattan club, fresh-faced …
