Slayer

I didn't know what to expect out of this book. On one hand I was really excited that it was from the world of Buffy, but on the other hand it's been quite a few years since the show ended and I didn't want too much of it to get lost in translation when adapting it to a teen novel in 2019. I was disappointed at first that it didn't feature Buffy as the main character, but later I was glad for it. The novel centers on Athena, affectionately called Nina, and her twin sister Artemis. They are training to be Watchers in an isolated castle in Ireland. Their father had been Buffy's first watcher (before Giles) and had died young. Their mother wants to keep the Watcher tradition alive, but with only one of her daughters it would appear. Artemis is cunning, active, and fearless; Nina on the other hand has never been allowed to train so she studies to become a medic. She's everything her sister isn't; shy, weak, and defenseless. Even her mother has always preferred Artemis over her. One day, something happens that will change everything, she becomes the chosen one, the last slayer ever. Fun and unique, I can't wait to see where this story goes, it looks as if it will be a series.

Gulp

Gulp is one of the most disgusting books I have ever read. Disgustingly brilliant and fascinating! Mary Roach is the queen of taking taboo subjects (death, sex, war, the alimentary canal, etc.) and breaking them down into compulsively readable books that everyone can appreciate. Gulp takes a look at everyone's favorite organ, the alimentary canal (I mean who doesn't love the poop emoji?!), and takes a deep fascinating look at it. There is a chapter on the properties and uses of spit, a chapter on constipation (learn more about Elvis!), a chapter on on overeating or over chewing, studies on competitive food eaters. Everything you could ever want to know about what happens to food between when it enters your mouth until it gets shit out (so much about poop!), is covered in this fascinating nonfiction book. Read it! Soo interesting and hilariously (yet reverently) written.

Daisy Jones & The Six

I freaking LOVED this book. It had been getting a lot of hype, but I try not to listen to that too much so I don't get disappointed. However... it damn well lived up to the hype. This is an oral history for the best band that never existed. The whole time reading this, all I wanted to do was listen to their songs. And they don't have songs, because it's clearly about a made up band, but I wanted it to be real so damn much!! The lyrics awesome. The characters are all flawed, yet have redeeming qualities that make you root for them (most of the time). If you like Janis Joplin, rock and roll, the seventies, and I Am Spinal Tap, you will love this book. It reads easy, but is effortlessly compelling, I could not put it down! Taylor Jenkins Reid is fast becoming one of the hottest authors around. Two amazing books in a row. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

The Two Tails

Much more fleshed out and realized than the first in this series, Impeccable Petunia really hits its stride with this second installment. Double in size to it's predecessor, The Two Tails introduces several new characters: Felix the dog, Winchester the raccoon, and Thatcher the Possum. Petunia finds herself really preferring the luxuries and the friendships provided in the big house and starts to spend less and less time with her peers. She's grown close to Max the cat and prefers to stay out of the dumb drama that comes from the chickens. When Max is taken away and foxes start attacking the hen-house, chaos breaks out and the pecking order is upended. A new hen is rising to the top and things will never be the same. Petunia has other troubles though, she must find Max and restore order to the hen house balance. The other hens may be to dumb to realize what's really at stake, but Petunia isn't. She has to put on her big girl panties and put faith in creatures she would have shied away from a few months prior. This series is very reminiscent of Charlotte's Webb or other animal based literature. Very fun and I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

Claws, Paws, Feathers, & Jaws

Deceptively simple, yet surprisingly deep; this story of a young hen battling the hierarchy of the hen-house and trying to find her place in the world will resonate with readers young and old. Petunia has always stood out from the other chickens. She appreciates the little things in life, cultivates her own tiny garden in the corner of the yard and is always questioning things. When their new lonely owner takes Petunia inside the big house one day, the other chickens are aghast. Will Petunia get eaten? To Petunia's delight she and Silkie (her human) get along thick as thieves, content with each other's company. Petunia even finds herself getting along with the cat, once her deepest enemy. Every night though Petunia has to go back to the hen-house to face the other chickens and they are not amused. They find her behavior weird and they aim to do something about it. Petunia thought she couldn't get any lower in the pecking order but she's about to be proved wrong. Each chapter has an accompanying illustration that helps bring the story to life. Fun and endearing; for readers of all ages!

The Edible Woman

Marian is coasting through life. Things aren't great, but they aren't bad. She has a boring job, an interesting roommate, and a tolerable boyfriend. But deep down she knows something is off. When she and Peter get drunkenly engaged it really starts to show. Suddenly certain foods start to taste off, then they become completely un-consumable. At first it's just meat - fine, she'll become vegetarian. But then it starts spreading. Soon it's certain vegetables, puddings, eggs, cake. The list keeps growing and her waist starts shrinking. But Marian starts to feel as if she's no longer in control of her own life. She feels as if she is the one being consumed. Interesting characters, even though all are unlikable and very neat concept. Superbly written.

Decaffeinated Corpse

I jumped right into this series on book 5, skipping the preliminaries and the first four in this cozy mystery series. That being said I didn't feel like I missed out on anything. Most cozies read fairly well as stand alone novels. This series takes place in a quaint coffee shop in New York. One of the co-owners has a knack for solving mysteries but her ex-husband (the other co-owner) never seems to appreciate her efforts. Business at the coffee shop is about to grow as they get exclusive rights to the world first decaffeinated coffee bean. Customers can't even tell the difference it's so good. Things take a weird turn though when her ex-husband's old friend and the creator of the new strain of coffee is found mugged right outside their coffee shop. The characters are pretty fun, it's a neat setting, and all the coffee talk made me extremely thirsty. It was alright, but not the fastest paced cozy I've ever read.