A Study in Scarlet Women

 A Study in Scarlet Women BK 1 by Sherry Thomas 323 pages

Synopsis: With her inquisitive mind, Charlotte Holmes has never felt comfortable with the demureness expected of the fairer sex in upper class society. But even she never thought that she would become a social pariah, an outcast fending for herself on the mean streets of London.

When the city is struck by a trio of unexpected deaths and suspicion falls on her sister and her father, Charlotte is desperate to find the true culprits and clear the family name. She’ll have help from friends new and old—a kind-hearted widow, a police inspector, and a man who has long loved her.
But in the end, it will be up to Charlotte, under the assumed name Sherlock Holmes, to challenge society’s expectations and match wits against an unseen mastermind.

My Thoughts: This book was a fun book to read for book club. I loved the fresh take on Sherlock Holmes as a woman instead of a man. The stereotyping of women during this time forces Charlotte to hide the fact that Sherlock is a fake person. There were a ton of characters that were hard to keep track of, but overall it was a fun read. 

The Ever King

The Ever King BK 1 by L.J. Andrews, 462 pages

Synopsis: They stole his crown. So he stole their daughter....
For years, Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm.
Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge.
She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.
Unless she steals his heart first.

My Thoughts: This book did have a lot of trigger warnings at the beginning; however, it wasn't as bad as I expected, even with the trigger warnings. The start was slow and boring, but then it got more interesting, and now I can't wait to read the next books in the series! The characters, world-building, and magic were all so fascinating! The banter between the two main characters was funny at moments but also could pull on your heartstrings at other moments. 

Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History by Serah-Marie McMahon & Alison Matthews David

 Killer Style: How Fashion Has Injured, Maimed, and Murdered Through History by Serah-Marie McMahon & Alison Matthews David -- 48 pages

I read this book as preparation for a homeschool class. It was fascinating.  It covered various style choices that proved to be hazardous and/or dangerous throughout history.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in nonfiction.  The kids enjoyed learning about the different fashions as did the adults.

The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury

The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury, 322 pages

From the MARC: "On Halloween, it is always wise to expect the unexpected... But no amount of planning could have prepared Eve for that particular night. Fleeing an unpleasant orphanage, she's saved by someone who she never believed was real... the fabled Pumpkin King himself. Throwing caution aside, Eve accepts the offer to become his daughter and is whisked away to the misty Hallowell Valley -- home to witches and vampires, ghosts and goblins, and all that go bump in the night. But just when she believes she's found her place among the undead, a sinister scheme unearths itself, threatening to take everything from Eve unless she can stop it."

Hallowell Valley was a wonderful place to visit. The characters, even the ghosts, are substantial. Following Eve on her adventures felt like living in Halloweentown, which was a fervent daydream of younger me. And it ends with some wholesome found family feels.  

 

The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen

The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen, 94 pages

Two Victorian gentleman slowly assemble the story of the horror of who--or what--is Helen Vaughn.

The Great God Pan is considered to be one of the foundational strories of modern horror. Horror is a hit-and-miss genre with me, but when it's good, it's really good. This novella was interesting. We never "see" the horror, only the aftermath, as Mr. Clark and Mr. Villiers piece together the story. 

 

A Little Book of Language by David Crystal

A Little Book of Language by David Crystal, 260 pages

A Little Book of Language is an excellent primer to linguistics. Crystal approaches the subject heartily with humor and playfully in a way that only language can be. He uses straightfoward language that's easily understood, breaking down some of the core concepts of linguistics so it can be understood by laypeople. The author makes a point of showing the utlity of not just language itself but also the study of linguistics, and how it can directly impact our past, present, and future. I highly recommend if you're at all interested in the subject. 

 

Cat Massage Therapy, Volumes 1-3

Cat Massage Therapy, Volume 1 - 128 pages

Cat Massage Therapy, Volume 2 - 128 pages

Cat Massage Therapy, Volume 3 - 128 pages

Haru Hisakawa, Ahn Kiet Ngo (Translator)

Series Summary (From Volume 1 on Goodreads)

Nekoyama, worn out after another long day at the office, stops at a therapeutic massage parlor—only to discover that it’s run by a cat! Not only that, but the cat actually does the massaging?! As the professional “meowsseur” digs soft toe beans into Nekoyama’s aching muscles, his heart warms and his worries melt away. This is only the beginning, as he and other world-weary workers are about to meet the other feline professionals who have mastered pawfully cute techniques to reduce human stress.

Review

This series was so cute and relaxing to read!  It's a purr-fect choice if you're in the mood for a light and fluffy read!