Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Title: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Author: Susanna Clarke

Publisher: Bloomsbury 2008

Genre: Historical Fiction; Fantasy

Pages: 782

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; NPR Scifi/Fan; 21st Century Women Authors; A to Z - J; Books to Movies; 52 Books - W41

English magicians were once the wonder of the known world, with fairy servants at their beck and call; they could command winds, mountains, and woods. But by the early 1800s they have long since lost the ability to perform magic. They can only write long, dull papers about it, while fairy servants are nothing but a fading memory.

It's taken me years to get around to reading this giant volume, but I finally did it this week! And it was great! Clarke's writing reminds me of Jane Austen or Charles Dickens. I love the old-fashioned style of writing. The writing put me into the time period. And the story was great. I loved diving into Strange and Norrell and their strange personality quirks. The side characters were also very interesting. I loved Stephen and Arabella. The book meanderings through topics, stories, and characters, but somehow everything comes together in the end! The book is long, but I very much enjoyed it.

We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Title: We Should All be feminists

Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Publisher: Anchor Books 2015

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 52

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; Feminism; 52 Books - W40

What does “feminism” mean today? That is the question at the heart of We Should All Be Feminists, a personal, eloquently-argued essay—adapted from her much-viewed Tedx talk of the same name—by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the award-winning author of Americanah and Half of a Yellow Sun.

This reads very much like the TED talk is is based on, but I still really enjoyed reading her message about feminism. Her argument is strong but clear. Her examples are personal enough to give her some emotional connection to the audience while illustrated her points. At 50 pages, this short essay packs a lot of ideas and discussion points. Now I need to go read one of her novels...

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Title: Dark Places

Author: Gillian Flynn

Publisher: Broadway Books 2009

Genre: Thriller

Pages: 349

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; 52 Books - W39

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” She survived—and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, the Kill Club—a secret society obsessed with notorious crimes—locates Libby and pumps her for details. They hope to discover proof that may free Ben. Libby hopes to turn a profit off her tragic history: She’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club—for a fee. As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started—on the run from a killer.

The last of Gillian Flynn's books and this one made me feel just like the others: icky! Al three of Flynn's book made me feel sick while reading them. In that respect, her psychological thrillers work. And I hated most of the characters. They were well-written characters, you just don't like any of them. Libby was probably the least hated character of all her books, but I still wanted to smack her around many times throughout the book. This sounds like a very negative review, but it's not. If you're looking for a psychological thriller, Dark Places is the perfect choice.

1491 by Charles Mann

Title: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus

Author: Charles Mann

Publisher: Borozi Books 2005

Genre: Nonfiction - History

Pages: 464

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); Ebook; 52 Books - W38

In this groundbreaking work of science, history, and archaeology, Charles C. Mann radically alters our understanding of the Americas before the arrival of Columbus in 1492.
Contrary to what so many Americans learn in school, the pre-Columbian Indians were not sparsely settled in a pristine wilderness; rather, there were huge numbers of Indians who actively molded and influenced the land around them. The astonishing Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan had running water and immaculately clean streets, and was larger than any contemporary European city. Mexican cultures created corn in a specialized breeding process that it has been called man’s first feat of genetic engineering. Indeed, Indians were not living lightly on the land but were landscaping and manipulating their world in ways that we are only now beginning to understand. Challenging and surprising, this a transformative new look at a rich and fascinating world we only thought we knew.

Our book club selection for October. The volume has been on my radar for years, probably since it was published, but I somehow never actually read it. I consider myself fairly versed in history and I learned so much from this book. I found the new theories about life before European contact in the Americas to be fascinating. My favorite chapter involved the ways that native populations shaped the land for their needs. Fascinating! And on every subject, I deepened my knowledge. I can't wait to discuss this book with my friends.

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

Title: The Distant Hours

Author: Kate Morton

Publisher: Atria 2010

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 562

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; 52 Books - W37

It starts with a letter, lost for half a century and unexpectedly delivered to Edie’s mother on a Sunday afternoon. The letter leads Edie to Milderhurst Castle, where the eccentric Blythe spinsters live and where, she discovers, her mother was billeted during World War II. The elder Blythe sisters are twins and have spent most of their lives caring for their younger sister, Juniper, who hasn’t been the same since her fiancé jilted her in 1941. Inside the decaying castle, Edie searches for her mother’s past but soon learns there are other secrets hidden in its walls. The truth of what happened in “the distant hours” has been waiting a long time for someone to find it. In this enthralling romantic thriller, Morton pays homage to the classics of gothic fiction, spinning a rich and intricate web of mystery, suspense, and lost love.

I loved Morton's The Forgotten Garden and was hoping to love this one also. Thankfully I did love this one. The story of the Blythe Sisters twisted and turned in all the right places. I kept second guessing my assumptions about what had happened to Juniper, Percy, and Saffy. I loved finding the truth right along with Edie. But my favorite part of the book was the atmosphere. Morton creates something special with her writing. I could almost feel myself traveling the drafty old Castle along with the characters. Although it took me almost two weeks to finish, I really enjoyed this book. I hope to read more from Morton in the future.

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Title: Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl #1)

Author: Eoin Colfer

Publisher: Scholastic 2001

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 280

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Top 100 YA; TBR Reduction

Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl is a millionaire, a genius-and, above all, a criminal mastermind. But even Artemis doesn't know what he's taken on when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit. These aren't the fairies of bedtime stories; these fairies are armed and dangerous.
Artemis thinks he has them right where he wants them but then they stop playing by the rules.

This was our book club selection for September. The funny thing is that this entire series has been sitting on the twins' shelves for years now. So all I had to do was walk in their room to pick up the first in the series.

I gave this book three stars. If I was a 12-year-old boy, I may have absolutely loved this book. It has a fun story, decent characters, and magic! But alas, I am a 33-year-old woman. The book just didn't speak to me at all. It's the same quality at the Harry Potter or Percy Jackson series. For that reason, I am rating it 3 stars. I may end up reading the rest of the series at some point, but it's not high on my list.

Artemis Fowl:

#1 Artemis Fowl
#2 The Arctic Incident
#3 The Eternity Code
#4 The Opal Deception
#5 The Lost Colony
#6 The Time Paradox
#7 The Atlantis Complex
#8 The Last Guardian

First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen

Title: First Frost

Author: Sarah Addison Allen

Publisher: St. Martin's Press 2014

Genre: Magical Realism

Pages: 291

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; 52 Books - W36; Fairytale

It's October in Bascom, North Carolina, and autumn will not go quietly. As temperatures drop and leaves begin to turn, the Waverley women are made restless by the whims of their mischievous apple tree...and the magic that swirls around it. But this year, first frost has much more in store.
When a mysterious stranger shows up and challenges the very heart of their family, each of them must make choices they have never confronted before. And through it all, the Waverley sisters must search for a way to hold their family together through their troublesome season of change, waiting for that extraordinary event that is First Frost.

I love Sarah Addison Allen's books. Every single one of them is a breath of fresh air. I love diving back into her fairy tale world of subtle magic and great characters. First Frost was a sequel of sorts to Garden Spells. I loved checking back in with Claire and Sydney Waverley 10 years on. And we get a story that revolves around Bay. I sped through this novel not wanting to wait to see how the story progressed. Loved it!

Don't Know Much About Mythology by Kenneth Davis

Title: Don't Know Much About Mythology

Author: Kenneth Davis

Publisher: HarperCollins 2005

Genre: History - Mythology

Pages: 545

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; ebook; 52 Books - W35; Dewey Decimal

Employing the popular Don't Know Much About® style, with its familiar question-and-answer format, DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT MYTHOLOGY will explore the myths of the world, their impact on history, and their continuing role in our lives. It will offer listeners a wide-ranging, comprehensive, entertaining and listenable survey of the great myths of world civilizations, how they came to be, what they meant to the people who created them, how they influenced society, literature and art through history, and how they still speak to us today. Mythology is alive today in our art, literature, theatre, dreams, psychology--and certainly our language. "Pandora's Box," "Golden Fleece," "Labor of Hercules," and "Wheel of Fortune" are just a few of the words and phrases that come from a world of mythology and still color our speech. Using humor, contemporary references, and anecdotal material from mythology, extensive research based on recent archaeology which often reveals the history behind mythology and surprising information that breaks down conventional wisdom, DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT MYTHOLOGY will ultimately be about stories--the great and timeless tales that have fascinated people around the planet for several millennia.

I love Davis' Don't Know Much series. In the past, I've particularly enjoyed volumes on U.S. History and the Civil War. This one was very enjoyable, if a bit broad for me. I found myself skimming through multiple chapters as I have studied those cultures and their mythology. This isn't to say that it's a great book. It is! Especially for someone not knowledgeable in mythology. I like Davis format of question and answer with a "who's who" for each culture/area. My favorite chapter was on the mythology from India. Fascinating!

Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara

Title: Gods and Generals

Author: Jeff Shaara

Publisher: Ballantine Books 1996

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 512

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; Mount TBR

In this brilliantly written epic novel, Jeff Shaara traces the lives, passions, and careers of the great military leaders from the first gathering clouds of the Civil War. Here is Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, a hopelessly by-the-book military instructor and devout Christian who becomes the greatest commander of the Civil War; Winfield Scott Hancock, a captain of quartermasters who quickly establishes himself as one of the finest leaders of the Union army; Joshua Chamberlain, who gives up his promising academic career and goes on to become one of the most heroic soldiers in American history; and Robert E. Lee, never believing until too late that a civil war would ever truly come to pass. Profound in its insights into the minds and hearts of those who fought in the war, Gods and Generals creates a vivid portrait of the soldiers, the battlefields, and the tumultuous times that forever shaped the nation.

Good book, but I'll admit that war history is not my interest area. I wasn't as engaged with this book as others I have read. Or maybe it's because I have a fair knowledge of the players of the Civil War that I didn't really dive into this book. I can see the value of the book and it is well-written. It's just not my cup of tea.

Interest by Kevin Gaughen

Title: Interest

Author: Kevin Gaughen

Publisher: Kevin Gaughen 2015

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 297

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W34

It’s all the news channels can talk about: the White House has been bombed, there's chaos in the streets, and the United States has found itself in the throes of a violent revolution.
Surrounded by panicked people, washed-up journalist Len Savitz takes the crisis in stride. It’s nothing that a stiff drink won’t cure. After all, bad news only hurts optimists.
But when the mysterious leader of the rebels cherry-picks him to acquire certain information for her, Len is forced to go on an investigative mission where he uncovers millennia-old secrets and unwittingly triggers a chain of disturbing events that will determine the future of humankind.

A book club friend gave this to me to read. She thought I would like it and she was right. It was very interesting read. I loved the explanations of control by the Dranthyx (actually makes a sort of sense). I loved the discussions about the different types of people. And the main character, Len, was entertaining. The book was a quick read but packed with action and suspense. The only issue I had with the book was that the ending (last 40 pages or so) felt very rushed. Other than that, I really did enjoy this self-published piece of fiction.

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Title: Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Author: Maria Semple

Publisher: Back Bay Books 2012

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 330

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: TBR Reduction; Mount TBR

Bernadette Fox is notorious. To her Microsoft-guru husband, she's a fearlessly opinionated partner; to fellow private-school mothers in Seattle, she's a disgrace; to design mavens, she's a revolutionary architect, and to 15-year-old Bee, she is a best friend and, simply, Mom.
Then Bernadette disappears. It began when Bee aced her report card and claimed her promised reward: a family trip to Antarctica. But Bernadette's intensifying allergy to Seattle--and people in general--has made her so agoraphobic that a virtual assistant in India now runs her most basic errands. A trip to the end of the earth is problematic.
To find her mother, Bee compiles email messages, official documents, secret correspondence--creating a compulsively readable and touching novel about misplaced genius and a mother and daughter's role in an absurd world.

This book was a delight. I laughed, I cried, it had everything. I was skeptical reading the first 25 pages, but quickly got hooked with the amazing characters. Bee is such a great character and Bernadette is even better. I loved learning bits and pieces about them through the emails, journal entries, and notes from other character. The story structure really held my attention. And of course, I wanted to find out what happened to Bernadette. A great quick read.

Common Phrases by Myron Korach

Title: Common Phrases and Where They Come From

Author: Myron Korach

Publisher: The Lyons Press 2001

Genre: Nonfiction - Language

Pages: 188

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); Dewey Decimal - 400s

In the tradition of Eats, Shoots & Leaves and Anguished English, Common Phrases is a fascinating guide to the origins of our language. Wonderful stories reveal the real meaning of Adam’s apple, nick of time, stool pigeon, armed to the teeth, raining cats and dogs, at sixes and sevens, dog days of summer, and scores of others. With nearly 35,000 copies sold, this classic begins a new life with a fresh package and a new audience for entertaining reference books.

Not quite so fascinating. Or maybe it would be if I didn't already know the stories behind many of the phrases in the book. I think I've read too much to fully enjoy this volume. Not bad, just not for me.

Young House Love by Sherry and John Petersik

Title: Young House Love

Author: Sherry and John Petersik

Publisher: Artisan 2012

Genre: Nonfiction - Home

Pages: 336

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; OLW Home

Packed with 243 tips and ideas--both classic and unexpected--every project pictured was exclusively executed for the book. With more than 400 photographs and illustrations, this is a book that readers will return to again and again for the creative projects and easy-to-follow instructions in the relatable voice the Petersiks are known for. Adding a little wow factor to your home has never been more fun!

A nice little home decorating book. Packed full of ideas and projects. I had a nice few hours flipping through the projects and getting some ideas for our own house. Unfortunately renting has its limitations. Thankfully there were some easy cheap projects that we could do in our rental. Nice book although I could have done without the incredibly peppy commentary.

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Title: Bitterblue (Seven Kingdoms #3)

Author: Kristin Cashore

Publisher: Dial Books 2012

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 563

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: NPR Teen; Top 100 YA; TBR Reduction; What's in a Name - Color; Seriously Series; 52 Books - W33

When Queen Bitterblue took the throne of Monsea, she was a child, and her advisers ran the kingdom for her. Now she is beginning to question their decisions, especially how they handle the legacy of her father Leck, who who ruled through his Grace—a special talent for mind-altering—and his taste for darkness and violence. Bitterblue needs to know Monsea’s past to lead it into the future, so she begins exploring the city streets at night, disguised and alone. As she does, she meets two thieves, who hold a key to the truth of Leck's reign. And one of them, with a Grace that he hasn't yet identified, holds a key to her heart.

Not as amazing as Fire, but better than Graceling. This book grew on me throughout the 500+ pages. I'll admit that it started slow. I wasn't quick to love Bitterblue, but over time I could see her as more than the little girl you meet in Graceling. Once she meets Sapphire and Teddy, I was hooked. I loved seeing Bitterblue navigate the mysteries surrounding her kingdom and people. I love seeing more of Katsa and Po and even Fire! I loved getting to know Giddon. And the storyline held me until the end. I had to see who was responsible for the fires and killings and who was lying and who was telling the truth. A very good conclusion to the trilogy. (Just hang on through the first 50 pages or so)

Seven Kingdoms:

#1 Graceling
#2 Fire
#3 Bitterblue

Art Journaling Books Review

Instead of reviewing them individually, I'm doing quick reviews for these three crafting books.

Title: The Complete Decorated Journal: A Compendium of Journaling Techniques

Author: Gwen Diehn

Publisher: Lark Crafts 2012

Genre: Nonfiction - Art

Pages: 240

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); 52 Books - W32

Now two of the most successful books by Gwen Diehn, The Decorated Page and The Decorated Journal, are bound together into one comprehensive and inspiring volume. The combined contents offer readers an unmatched collection of great ideas and techniques, from the latest supplies (papers, adhesives, paints, pens) to innovative layouts (mandalas, diagonals, cutouts, grids). Sidebars highlight specific genres, such as pillow books, nature journals, and illuminated manuscripts. Plus, newly added content includes journaling artist profiles along with galleries of their work, new techniques, and a new project where readers learn to make a journal from a butter box.

Interesting ideas, but I don't think that art journaling is for me.

Title: Creative Lettering: Tips and Techniques from Top Artists

Author: Jenny Doh

Publisher: Lark Crafts 2013

Genre: Nonfiction - Art

Pages: 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual)

Hand-lettering techniques are a popular and visually dynamic way to add textual elements to crafts, from journals to mixed-media art. Sixteen accomplished contributors—including calligraphers, painters, collagists, card makers, fiber artists, and graphic designers—give their personal perspectives on lettering. They all offer their favorite tools, how they use them, their signature technique with step-by-step instructions and photos, and an alphabet sampler of their own font. Gorgeous gallery images of each contributor's work are also included.

I love reading about the featured artists and techniques. The examples are amazing and beautiful. After reading the book, I am going to keep creative lettering in mind. Right now, my creative plate is full, but this is a great book to get started.

Title: The Crafter's Devotional

Author: Barbara R. Call

Publisher: Quarry Books 2010

Genre: Nonfiction - Crafts

Pages: 324

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual)

There is something elemental shared among artists and crafters, regardless of chosen medium: creative energy. Crafters dabble, collaborate, muse, and make, all in their own way and on their own timeline. For all crafts, there are established techniques to follow but wild, innumerable ways to experiment, using the basics to launch crafters to new heights. Crafter’s Devotional can aid that launch. Each day of the year is given its own focus, on which the reader will find a daily dose of craft content that inspires, instructs, and illuminates.

A fairly interesting book. I liked flipping through the pages and reading snippets of the entries. Unfortunately, this book is just not to my style. So interesting, but not amazing.

The Secret Museum by Molly Oldfield

Title: The Secret Museum

Author: Molly Oldfield

Publisher: Firefly Books 2013

Genre: Nonfiction - History, Art

Pages: 352

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); Dewey Decimal - 0s

In fact, a great many of the world's most precious objects are kept in secret locations, protected from public view and safe from harmful conditions. Too fragile to be handled or exposed, too likely to be stolen, or too big to display, they hide in secure darkness or locked rooms, waiting for an obsessive treasure hunter to find them.
Museum enthusiast and researcher Molly Oldfield is just that. Consumed by curiosity about what is behind the closed doors of museums' back rooms, she spent two years touring the world in search of the most extraordinary inventions, legacies and artifacts hidden from the public. She has curated the best of what she found into this remarkable collection.

The subject matter was fascinating. I loved learning little tidbits of hidden museum artifacts. Now I want to visit all these museums and see these fascinating items. Unfortunately, the writing was clunky at time. I found myself stopping often to marvel at the strange sentence constructions. Because of the writing I had to knock off a few stars. Still a very fascinating subject matter!

Leaving a Trace by Alexandra Johnson

Title: Leaving a Trace: On Keepinga Journal

Author: Alexandra Johnson

Publisher: Back Bay Books 2002

Genre: Nonficiton - Writing

Pages: 272

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); Dewey Decimal - 800s; OLW Home

Highly personal (in fact, almost intimate), Johnson's long essay centers on the discipline of keeping a journal and the effect reading other journals has on a creative life. The essay is broken into chapters that provide some organizational structure; threaded throughout are exercises and activities to motivate, encourage, and inspire. Further, each chapter features stories and journal entries from well-known writers as well as everyday people.

I really enjoyed this slim volume. I've been thinking about starting (or really restarting) daily journaling for awhile now and this book helped to kickstart that idea. The first half focuses on journaling, types of journals, what journals can tell us, how journals help our everyday lives. I would give the first half of the book 5 stars. I read and read some of the passages. I haven't tried the writing exercises, but they are perfectly paired with each chapter. The second half of the books wasn't as successful for me. The chapters focused on turning your journal entries into published works. I am focusing on writing a journal just for me. I have no intention of publishing anything or using it for fiction ideas. I just want to use the journal as a cathartic exercise. But I will say that the second half is nicely written with more great writing exercises. I just didn't connect to the second half like I did to the first half.

How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson

Title: How We Got to Now: Six Innovations that Made the Modern World

Author: Steven Johnson

Publisher: Riverhead Books 2014

Genre: Nonfiction - History

Pages: 304

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); 52 Books - W 31

In this illustrated history, Steven Johnson explores the history of innovation over centuries, tracing facets of modern life (refrigeration, clocks, and eyeglass lenses, to name a few) from their creation by hobbyists, amateurs, and entrepreneurs to their unintended historical consequences. Filled with surprising stories of accidental genius and brilliant mistakes—from the French publisher who invented the phonograph before Edison but forgot to include playback, to the Hollywood movie star who helped invent the technology behind Wi-Fi and Bluetooth—How We Got to Now investigates the secret history behind the everyday objects of contemporary life.

A decent book focusing on a few key innovations. I liked some parts more than others. I especially enjoyed the chapter on cold. Fascinating read about the novelty of cold things in hot places leading to our use of cold technology today. I sure do love my ice and air conditioning. However, some of the chapters felt very dry. Overall, I didn't love this book. But the right person might!

The F Word by Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner

Title: The F Word: Feminism in Jeopardy

Author: Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner

Publisher: Seal Press 2004

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 332

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure (perpetual); Feminism; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W30

Many young women today consider "feminism" a dirty word, an antiquated term that hasn’t expanded to accommodate the diverse needs of a new generation. In addition, decades of negative campaigns, excessively "messaged" issues, and hanging chads have all combined to make political apathy appear not only smart, but sexy. The result is that while they still bemoan the state of gender politics, gender equity, and the agendas of their local, state, and national politicians, nearly 19 million young women chose not to vote in the last presidential election. Yes, the face of feminism is changing, but to what end? Is a new generation taking for granted the rights hard-won only a generation before? And by focusing on cultural–not electoral–politics, are young women giving their power away? In this pivotal book, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, political and environmental consultant (and wife of Washington State’s Republican senate majority leader), asks these critical questions, tracing feminism’s distinguished past and asking what can be done to protect and further women’s rights and freedoms.

My main reason for giving the book 3 stars was because it felt very dated to me. To be fair, it was published in 2004, so a lot of her examples are dated. I felt that for someone who reads a lot of current events, social politics articles and books, the information was a repeat of what I already knew. I would recommend this book for someone who is interested in learning more about third wave feminism and an overview of the sociopolitical situation. Just not going to be the best book for someone like myself.

The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Title: The Mad Scientist's Daughter

Author: Cassandra Rose Clarke

Publisher: Angry Robot 2013

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 391

Rating: 45 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; What's in a Name - Familial Relation

Finn looks and acts human, though he has no desire to be. He was programmed to assist his owners, and performs his duties to perfection. A billion-dollar construct, his primary task now is to tutor Cat. As she grows into a beautiful young woman, Finn is her guardian, her constant companion… and more.
But when the government grants rights to the ever-increasing robot population, however, Finn struggles to find his place in the world.

Mixed feelings about this book. I really loved the storyline and most of the characters. Finn was a great character... He was definitely my favorite. Cat was a bit hit and miss for me. There were a few times that I wanted to smack her, but overall she was a good character. The storyline was a bit predictable, but I still really enjoyed. My issue with the book came with the choppy writing in the first part. I stopped multiple times because of the writing. By the second half, the writing improved dramatically. Overall a good book even with my minor issues.