Beautiful Thing By: Jonathan Harvey

What a sweet play!  A vaguely remember the movie when it came it out, but never saw it.  The play is very simply written, which I think adds to its charm and lends the characters a sense of reality. 

 

Our Town By: Thornton Wilder

A re-read of this, in conjunction with a The Skin of Our Teeth re-read. Wilder's ability to write this beautifully quiet and simple piece and also The Skin of Our Teeth is an outstanding achievement.  Both pieces are presentations of life; this one is deceptively simple in its presentation, and full of warmth, heart and real sense of community. The Skin of Our Teeth is the complete opposite. And yet both present life brilliantly.

The Skin of Our Teeth By: Thornton Wilder

A re-read of this, in conjunction with an Our Town re-read. Wilder's ability to write this completely bizarre and hectic piece and also Our Town is an outstanding achievement.  Both pieces are presentations of life; this one is completely over the top, bizarre, and all over the place, and yet brilliant in its complete picture of perseverance. Our Town is the complete opposite. And yet both present life brilliantly.

Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries By: Heather Fawcett

A little bit fantasy, a little bit action/adventure, a little bit romance-and none of it muddled.  Enchanting is the only was to describe this book.

Rock Paper Scissors By: Alice Feeney

Woah!  This was SOOOOOO Good! I can't really discuss the characters or the plot, for fear of given something away.  Suffice it to say, it's exceedingly well plotted, full of shocking twists and turns that will leave your jaw on the floor and simply a damn good read!

 

Crime Ink: Iconic Edited By: John Copenhaver and Salem West

I do love a good anthology.  I've read some really great anthologies.  This is one the most diverse and creative and engaging anthologies I've ever read!  All Queer authors writing short mysteries with a Queer Icon tie in.  These mysteries are set within different time periods and within different genres. I've always felt that short stories are master classes in plotting and character development, and this collection proves me right!!  I can't gush over this anthology enough! 

Scorched Grace By: Margot Douaihy

One of the most interesting protagonists that I've come across in a long time.  One of the most intricately written, hard boiled mysteries I've read in a long time.  Reads like a poetic Dashiell Hammett where the femme fatale is also our heroine.  Sister Holiday is a deeply flawed character and when her layers are peeled back we learn to understand, forgive and love her. As she struggles with her demons she struggles to protect her school, her home and her community all while trying not to lose her faith or herself.  An extraordinary read!

 

Murder at the Wham Bam Club By: Carolyn Marie Wilkins

Jazz, a murder mystery and history...these are a few of my favorite things!  Set in the 20's in Southern Illinois, our heroine, Nola has moved home to put her life back together after losing her husband to the Great War.  She's charming, smart and a little psychic.  No she has to save a young lady and in the process her small town.  Full of fascinating characters, jazz music and glorious descriptions of food, this novel is the perfect starting point for Nola's further adventures!

Redwood Curtain By: Lanford Wilson

An interesting look at those children born of US soldiers and Vietnamese mothers, family and search for belonging. 

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches By: Sangu Mandanna

I can't even with this book!!!  SO charming, so sweet, laugh out loud funny and heartfelt.  Wonderfully drawn characters, such great and diverse personalities and a great plot...I mean this is just a gift of a read!  I can't recommend this book enough!