Book Review: The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard #1) by Scott Lynch
Scott Lynch creates a fantastical world with intriguing characters in The Lies of Locke Lamora. As the first in a series, he must do plenty of world-building in his island city of Camorr. But that never overshadows the action and excitement of the story line. And his...Book Review: The X-Files: Cold Cases by Joe Harris
I’ve loved the X-Files since Scully was first assigned to debunk Mulder’s work on all things supernatural and paranormal. It started the year before I met Mr. Bibliophage, and we both remember talking about it together fairly early in our relationship. Watching...Book Review: Slade House by David Mitchell
David Mitchell creates a “head scratcher” of a horror story in Slade House. It’s not a long book, but it’s got plenty of story depth and oddities. Reading Slade House is like watching a horror movie. In both cases, you just want to scream to the kind, innocent...Book Review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
The Graveyard Book from Neil Gaiman is a charming, middle-grade, coming-of-age story. I listened to the full-cast audiobook, and followed along via ebook. Nobody Owens (called Bod by his friends) is a human, orphaned boy who just happens to live in a graveyard. His...Book Review: The Broken Girls by Simone St. James
The Broken Girls from Simone St. James is part mystery, part ghost story, with a little historical fiction thrown into the mix. It’s creepy but not terrifying. And it’s got enough twists to surprise you a time or three. Fiona Sheridan is a sympathetic main character,...Book Review: The Book of the Unwinding by J.D. Horn
(New Orleans Witches #2)
The Book of the Unwinding is a chronicle of several families in present-day New Orleans. It’s also the second book in J.D. Horn’s Witches of New Orleans series. It’s creepy and chilling, which is just right as I head into the Halloween reading season. The Marin Family...
Book Review: Ophelia Immune by Beth Mattson
Beth Mattson introduces us to Ophelia Immune in her sometimes shocking but always innovative debut novel. Ophelia and her Family survived the Zombie apocalypse. As the novel opens, they are Drivers. Which is the alternative to being Hikers, and means they are living...Book Review: Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler (Earthseed #2)
Parable of the Talents cements Octavia Butler as one of my favorite speculative fiction authors. The second and final in the Earthseed books, Talents offers a disturbing view of the near future. At the end of Book #1, Parable of the Sower, Lauren Olamina, her husband...Book Review: A Pomegranate and the Maiden by Tamara Agha-Jaffar
Tamara Agha-Jaffar just released the audiobook version of her first novel, A Pomegranate and the Maiden. The story draws directly from Greek mythology, particularly the story of Demeter and Persephone. Young Kore is the daughter of the Goddess Demeter and Zeus, King...Graphic Novel Review: Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniels
Ezra Claytan Daniels is both author and illustrator of the new graphic novel, Upgrade Soul. In it, Hank and Molly decide to undergo an experimental procedure to regain their youth. Daniels tells how this long-married couple makes such a momentous decision. He shows...Book Review: Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell
Eight quirky stories fill the pages of Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell. Looking back over the list of titles, I only was drawn into three of them. And I had major objections to one. So it often goes with short story collections. But I expected more from...Book Review: The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (Earthseed #1)
I have a love / hate relationship with The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. I love the book and hate how much I think her speculative fiction feels like our 21st century reality. Butler creates a world, set in our near future 2025, where anarchy reigns. I also...Book Review: The Sea Was a Fair Master by Calvin Demmer
Calvin Demmer creates a gruesome collection of flash fiction in The Sea Was a Fair Master. With 23 stories, the book numbers just 83 pages. Each word is considered and not one is wasted. I’m in awe of the atmospheric, creepy tales he creates in so few words. The...Book Review: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
In Norse Mythology Neil Gaiman takes readers to the worlds of Asgard, Midgard, and Jotunheim. It’s a fun romp with gods, giants, and dwarves. If you’ve watched the recent Marvel Comics movies, you’re familiar with the names Odin, Thor, and Loki. And Freya’s name has...Book Review: The King of Bones and Ashes by J.D. Horn (New Orleans Witches #1)
J.D. Horn begins a new series with The King of Bones and Ashes. Set in post-Katrina New Orleans, Horn introduces us to the Marin family, young, old, and not entirely alive. This is definitely an atmospheric, Southern gothic-tinged fantasy. The Marins are part of the...Currently reading
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I will definitely recommend Kick Pain in the Kitchen to my patients: Those who are looking to avoid pharmaceutical treatment and those who want to combine western medicine with alternative therapies.
Jane A. Swartz
ARNP, MSN, Rheumatology Nurse Practitioner
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