Reading Post-Apocalyptic Fiction During a Pandemic

by Donna Huber

My post-apocalyptic book club has continued to meet. We had already met in March before everything started to shut down and we quickly pivoted to meeting via Zoom in April. We've even added a mid-month meet up to just chat about life which has been a great opportunity to get to know each other as our book club meeting is really focused on discussing the book (I know some book clubs are more social at their meetings but we spend the entire hour talking about the book we read). You might think we wouldn't want to read post-apocalyptic fiction while it seems like we are living through an apocalypse, but I'm really enjoying these books. And, for me at least, our current experiences help me understand more how the fictional society could get to the point they are at. Also, one of the reasons I've always liked about post-apocalyptic fiction is that there is hope - the world has collapsed but at least a few have survived and try to create a life for themselves in the "new normal". 

The Christmas Swap by Sandy Barker ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

Do you like the movie The Holiday? If so, then you are going to love Sandy Barker's The Christmas Swap. 

4 New & Notable Fantasy Novels

by MK French

I read a lot of fantasy novels, both for adults and young adults. If you love fantasy as much as I do, I have four recently released novels you'll want to read now.

Out of the London Mist by Lyssa Medana: #Steampunk novel review

by Alison DeLuca

Lyssa Medana approached me to write an honest review of her book, Out of the London Mist, and I'm so glad she did. I'm always up for well-written and exciting steampunk.

Jingle All the Way by Debbie Macomber ~ a Review

by Donna Huber

"Everly Lancaster was ready to explode. Her assistant, Annette, the very one Jack Campbell, her business partner and CEO, had highly recommended she hire, who also happened to be his niece, had made yet another crucial mistake. One in a long list of costly errors. This time, however, this Gen Z, spoiled, irresponsible, entitled young woman had gone too far." (p. 3)

The Outlook for Earthlings by Joan Frank ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

"The outlook for Earthlings was not good, as it turned out - not good at all, and all of Shakespeare and the saints and poets  too, couldn't change that  None of us, thought Scarlet, could give her the larger hope, against the inexcusably shitty learning curve of a wretched species." (p 227)

2 New Superhero Comics from DC Comics

by MK French

Comics have a long history. According to Wikipedia, European comics trace back to 1830s, but they became a popular medium in the 1930s. While often thought of something for kids and somewhat second-class on the literary scale, the introduction of manga in the U.S. and the graphic novel, illustrated texts have seen a rise in popularity and also in acceptance as a literary form.