Cultish

 

Cultish by Amanda Montell   Linguistics/Religious Cults

(from Amazon)  What makes “cults” so intriguing and frightening? What makes them powerful? The reason why so many of us binge Manson documentaries by the dozen and fall down rabbit holes researching suburban moms gone QAnon is because we’re looking for a satisfying explanation for what causes people to join—and more importantly, stay in—extreme groups. We secretly want to know: could it happen to me? Amanda Montell’s argument is that, on some level, it already has . .   Our culture tends to provide pretty flimsy answers to questions of cult influence, mostly having to do with vague talk of “brainwashing.” But the true answer has nothing to do with freaky mind-control wizardry or Kool-Aid. In Cultish, Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes all comes down to language. In both positive ways and shadowy ones, cultish language is something we hear—and are influenced by—every single day.  

(My Review)

I found this book fascinating.  Written by a woman who was raised in a cult, she writes about the language and tactics used by cults (of all kinds - from religious, to political, to cultural) to attract and keep members.  While it does discuss some cult groups, it is mainly about the tactics and brainwashing.  It’s a pretty quick read.

A Curious Beginning

 

A Curious Beginning by Deaana Raybourn (Book 1 0f 7:  Veronica Speedwell Mysteries)  Historical Mystery/Romance

(from Amazon)  London, 1887. After burying her spinster aunt, orphaned Veronica Speedwell is free to resume her world travels in pursuit of scientific inquiry—and the occasional romantic dalliance. As familiar with hunting butterflies as with fending off admirers, Veronica intends to embark upon the journey of a lifetime.  But fate has other plans when Veronica thwarts her own attempted abduction with the help of an enigmatic German baron, who offers her sanctuary in the care of his friend Stoker, a reclusive and bad-tempered natural historian. But before the baron can reveal what he knows of the plot against her, he is found murdered—leaving Veronica and Stoker on the run from an elusive assailant as wary partners in search of the villainous truth.

(My Review)

In the first book of this delightful series set in Victorian England, Veronica finds herself at the funeral of her spinster aunt who raised her.  A mysterious stranger appears and saves her and takes her to London where she becomes aware that her own life is a mystery and that people are out to kill her.  She ends up in the care of a broody natural historian, named Stoker, who helps to protect her and discover the secrets to her past.  I could not put this book down!  And, it’s a series!!!!

Finlay Donovan is Killing It & Sequel

Finlay Donovan is Killing It  by Elle Cosimano    Cozy Mystery

(from Amazon)  When Finlay’s overheard discussing the plot of her new novel with her agent over lunch, she’s mistaken for a contract killer and inadvertently accepts an offer to dispose of a problem husband in order to make ends meet...and she soon discovers that crime in real life is a lot more difficult than its fictional counterpart. 

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead also by Elle Cosimano     Cozy Mystery

(from Amazon)  With her next book's deadline looming and an ex-husband to keep alive, Finlay is quickly coming to the end of her rope. She can only hope there isn't a noose at the end of it.... 

(My Review)

These books are about a newly single mom, Finlay, and writer, who is struggling with parenting and writer’s block.  She is overheard discussing her book with her publisher in a Panera, and a woman mistakes her for a hitwoman, and propositions her to kill someone.  These two books are a wild ride, and so much fun.  I highly recommend them. 

The Maid

 

The Maid by Nita Prose   Cozy Mystery

(from Amazon)  Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by.  Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection.  But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?

(My Review)

After her grandmother dies, Molly is alone in the world.  She takes her job as a maid in a hotel very seriously, and due to obsessive nature she is very detail-oriented.  However, her lack of social skills gets her caught up in some mysteries that take place in the hotel, and she finds herself being implicated.  This is such a sweet, cozy mystery.  I enjoyed every minute!

Spin the Dawn

 

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim  (Book 1 of 2:  The Blood of Stars)   YA Fantasy

(from Amazon)  Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia makes the ultimate sacrifice and poses as a boy to take his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors in a cutthroat competition for the job.  Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.  And nothing could have prepared her for the unthinkable final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the sun, the moon, and the stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.  Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this fantasy novel is not to be missed.

(My Review)

Maia's family receives a summons from the royal family, looking for the best tailor in the land.  In a tale reminiscent of Mulan, she leaves her family for the palace, and gets caught up in intrigue as she competes.  I thought this was a beautiful story about tradition, family, and sacrifice, with a little romance thrown in.   I am looking forward to the sequel (Unravel the Dusk).    

Gallant

 

Gallant by V.E. Schwab            Children's/YA Fantasy

(from Amazon)  A darkly magical and thrilling tale of a young woman caught between the world and its shadows, who must embrace her legacy to stop the approaching darkness. The Secret Garden meets Crimson Peak, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black and Susan Cooper.  Fourteen-year-old Olivia Prior is missing three things: a mother, a father, and a voice. Her mother vanished all at once, and her father by degrees, and her voice was a thing she never had to start with. She grew up at Merilance School for Girls. Now, nearing the end of her time there, Olivia receives a letter from an uncle she's never met, her father's older brother, summoning her to his estate, a place called Gallant. But when she arrives, she discovers that the letter she received was several years old. Her uncle is dead. The estate is empty, save for the servants. Olivia is permitted to remain, but must follow two rules: don't go out after dusk, and always stay on the right side of a wall that runs along the estate’s western edge. Beyond it is another realm, ancient and magical, which calls to Olivia through her blood…

(My Review)

When Olivia receives a mysterious letter from her long-lost uncle, telling her of her family home, Gallant, she quickly leaves behind the school for girls she has called home most of her life. The family home is not quite what she expects. This  hauntingly beautiful story reminds me of the writing of Neil Gaiman, with hints of Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden.

Station Eleven

 

Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel  Dystopian Fiction

(from Amazon)  Kirsten Raymonde will never forget the night Arthur Leander, the famous Hollywood actor, had a heart attack on stage during a production of King Lear. That was the night when a devastating flu pandemic arrived in the city, and within weeks, civilization as we know it came to an end.  Twenty years later, Kirsten moves between the settlements of the altered world with a small troupe of actors and musicians. They call themselves The Traveling Symphony, and they have dedicated themselves to keeping the remnants of art and humanity alive. But when they arrive in St. Deborah by the Water, they encounter a violent prophet who will threaten the tiny band’s existence. And as the story takes off, moving back and forth in time, and vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic, the strange twist of fate that connects them all will be revealed.

(My Review)

This book is a hauntingly, beautiful story about what could happen...  I'm gonna be honest - I watched the HBO series of this before reading - and I'm not upset about it.  There are some things that are drastically different, and some parts follow exactly as they are in the book.  I can understand why they made the changes in the tv series, so they could flesh things out.  But to me, some of the choices in the series just made it drag out and get too weird.  But, perhaps that is what life would be like in an apocalypse.  I honestly recommend both.  The book gave me background information the book did not, but there were the things the series added that affected me emotionally.  This book will stay with me.