Reading Challenged

Friday, November 11, 2022

You Don't Know Us Negros

Title: You Don't Know Us Negros and Other Essays

Author: Zora Neale Hurston

Publisher: Amistad Press

ISBN: 9780063043855

Thoughts: Very interesting to read Hurston's non-fiction work and I did appreciate how it was organized by topic, but some felt (and a few were) unfinished.

Rating: 3/5

Zombie Daze

Title: Zombie Daze

Author: K.E. O'Connor

Publisher: self

ISBN: n/a

Thoughts: Fun cozy with a zombie twist and a likeable main character, even if the mystery elements where not fleshed out enough.

Rating: 3/5

Three Lords and Three Ladies of London

Title: Three Lords and Three Ladies of London

Author: Anna Faktorovich

Publisher: Anaphora Literary Press

ISBN: 9798750094424

Thoughts: Confusing Renaissance allegorical comedy by William Percy that did benefit from Faktorovich's "translation" (aka summary), even if that portion was very long and dry with theories that seemed far-fetched based on the evidence presented in the form of the play.

Rating: 2/5

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

Title: Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

Author: Shea Ernshaw

Publisher: Disney Press

ISBN: 9781368069601

Thoughts: What could have been a very cool exploration of the other towns (even the new one) was hindered by very flat writing with a very morose main character whose motives seem directionless.

Rating: 2/5

Nebula Awards Showcase 2009

Title: Nebula Awards Showcase 2009

Author: Ellen Datlow, ed

Publisher: Roc

ISBN: 9780451462558

Thoughts: Wonderful collection of outstanding sci-fi and speculative fiction work - some standouts are "The Merchant and the Alchemist's Gate" by Ted Chiang and "Pol Pot's Beautiful Daughter (Fantasy)" by Geoff Ryman.

Rating: 4/5