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I liked the first book better. For some reason, I couldn’t wrap my head around how “reading” and “writing” minds worked—and I read lots of comics with telepathy power sets. Also had a hard time following the story, which makes me think I was distracted since Maxwell’s other Gays-In-Space book didn’t carry such issues. I wanted more from the central relationship here. Still a fan of Maxwell though.

Four (mostly) charming animal stories written for bedtime for her own children. Expected to enjoy them more than I did. A quick read at least.

Challenging in every sense of the word. The unrelenting abuse inflicted on Jude felt like torture porn. I threw my hands up repeatedly wondering if such extremes were an intentional choice. Alternately exploitative and compelling to explore the mindset of someone so mistreated as well as those around him. Goes on too long. A genuine art experience from a book. I’m grateful for it but don’t need to repeat. Both 5 stars and 0, so no rating.

I like when stories employ sci-fi elements while remaining otherwise ordinary. Here, a mother keeps traveling backwards in time, trying to prevent her son from murdering. Her identity as a mother anchors the narrative, giving it an emotional heft, albeit, sometimes cloyingly. But I skimmed it immediately after to admire the craft of cause & effect. The explanation at the end for time travel was corny.