allium enjoyer
@festiveandrestive.bsky.social
Words and letters kind of person. Sorry, can't help you.
103. Florenzer by Phil Melanson. Three Renaissance-era Italian twinks vie for power, influence, and love. The plot and its movement felt facile and the characters thin. I couldn't bring myself to get all the way through.
bookshop.org/p/books/flor...
bookshop.org/p/books/flor...
Florenzer
Check out Florenzer - Leonardo da Vinci, twelve years old and a bastard, leaves the Tuscan countryside to join his father in Florence with dreams of becoming a painter. Francesco Salviati, also a bast...
bookshop.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
103. Florenzer by Phil Melanson. Three Renaissance-era Italian twinks vie for power, influence, and love. The plot and its movement felt facile and the characters thin. I couldn't bring myself to get all the way through.
bookshop.org/p/books/flor...
bookshop.org/p/books/flor...
102. Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd. Amateur detective murder mystery in 1950s seaside English town. CW for an episode of SA against a minor, which felt unnecessary (but not graphic). I liked the characters and setting and it was a good mystery too.
Murder at Gulls Nest: A Novel
A Novel
bookshop.org
November 24, 2025 at 4:57 AM
102. Murder at Gulls Nest by Jess Kidd. Amateur detective murder mystery in 1950s seaside English town. CW for an episode of SA against a minor, which felt unnecessary (but not graphic). I liked the characters and setting and it was a good mystery too.
101. Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory. 1920s British espionage with a queer romance. I found it a little cartoonish as a thriller, but a decent historical fiction.
Can't find it on bookshop dot org so get it from your library I guess!
Can't find it on bookshop dot org so get it from your library I guess!
November 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
101. Eleventh Hour by Elin Gregory. 1920s British espionage with a queer romance. I found it a little cartoonish as a thriller, but a decent historical fiction.
Can't find it on bookshop dot org so get it from your library I guess!
Can't find it on bookshop dot org so get it from your library I guess!
100. Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene. Recommended by a character in the Ministry of Time. I love this kind of wartime mystery, and a pretty stunning ending. I thought I had it all figured out!
OMGosh that's 100 books whatwhat
OMGosh that's 100 books whatwhat
The Ministry of Fear: An Entertainment
An Entertainment
bookshop.org
November 19, 2025 at 8:34 PM
100. Ministry of Fear by Graham Greene. Recommended by a character in the Ministry of Time. I love this kind of wartime mystery, and a pretty stunning ending. I thought I had it all figured out!
OMGosh that's 100 books whatwhat
OMGosh that's 100 books whatwhat
99. Pan by Michael Clune. Coming of age, panic attacks, loneliness. A novel that starts by taking itself a bit too seriously, then asks, "What if I could take myself even seriouser?" Happiest moment for me was accidentally reading a book called Pan at the same time as I read a book called Bi.
Pan: A Novel
A Novel
bookshop.org
November 16, 2025 at 6:11 AM
99. Pan by Michael Clune. Coming of age, panic attacks, loneliness. A novel that starts by taking itself a bit too seriously, then asks, "What if I could take myself even seriouser?" Happiest moment for me was accidentally reading a book called Pan at the same time as I read a book called Bi.
98. Bi by @drjuliashaw.bsky.social . This was recommended to me and I really enjoyed it. Concise but thoughtful, approachable but opens new areas for critical exploration. And, despite frank discussion of the erasure, harassment, and persecution of bi+ people, it's also very affirming.
Bi: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality: The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality
The Hidden Culture, History, and Science of Bisexuality
bookshop.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:10 PM
98. Bi by @drjuliashaw.bsky.social . This was recommended to me and I really enjoyed it. Concise but thoughtful, approachable but opens new areas for critical exploration. And, despite frank discussion of the erasure, harassment, and persecution of bi+ people, it's also very affirming.
97. Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton. I really enjoyed the author's 7-1/2 Deaths novel, but I struggled with this one. The world building felt clumsy and I felt like I could hear the author saying "This will be important later!" The ending was pretty unsatisfying too. Ah well.
The Last Murder at the End of the World (Standard Edition)
Check out The Last Murder at the End of the World (Standard Edition) - <p><strong>"A gripping tale that reads like a Sherlock Holmes novel set in a broken future...Turton is an exciting writer with a ...
bookshop.org
November 13, 2025 at 12:50 AM
97. Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton. I really enjoyed the author's 7-1/2 Deaths novel, but I struggled with this one. The world building felt clumsy and I felt like I could hear the author saying "This will be important later!" The ending was pretty unsatisfying too. Ah well.
96. Herculine by Grace Byron. A woman is lured by her ex to an off-grid trans cult compound. Demons ensue. Can get a bit gory, but not as focused on body horror as some other trans horror novels I read this year. Honestly a pretty fun read! I loved the main character's sarcasm.
Herculine: A Novel
A Novel
bookshop.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 AM
96. Herculine by Grace Byron. A woman is lured by her ex to an off-grid trans cult compound. Demons ensue. Can get a bit gory, but not as focused on body horror as some other trans horror novels I read this year. Honestly a pretty fun read! I loved the main character's sarcasm.
95. 42nd Parallel by John Dos Passos. First book I've read by JDP. It's certainly gotten a bit dated but still tools with chaos and energy and a country on the edge of something transformative. I can see why he was so well regarded and hope to read more of his work.
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The 42nd Parallel
Check out The 42nd Parallel - <strong>The first in John Dos Passos's acclaimed USA trilogy—a “linguistically adventurous national portrait for a precarious age—his, and ours” (<em>The New ...
bookshop.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:07 AM
95. 42nd Parallel by John Dos Passos. First book I've read by JDP. It's certainly gotten a bit dated but still tools with chaos and energy and a country on the edge of something transformative. I can see why he was so well regarded and hope to read more of his work.
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
94. Stag Dance by Torrey Peters. A short novel and some stories from the author of Detransition, Baby. A lot of these went in directions I wasn't expecting, and some got dark, but were ultimately pretty satisfying. Themes of gender and the trans experience, sometimes as a (effective) metaphor.
Stag Dance: A Novel & Stories
A Novel & Stories
bookshop.org
November 3, 2025 at 8:17 PM
94. Stag Dance by Torrey Peters. A short novel and some stories from the author of Detransition, Baby. A lot of these went in directions I wasn't expecting, and some got dark, but were ultimately pretty satisfying. Themes of gender and the trans experience, sometimes as a (effective) metaphor.
James was the last of the books I intend to read from the Tournament of Books long list. I read a bunch of them in 2024 so they won't be in this thread. I also tried and gave up on a few, which I'll talk about at the end of the year, probably. Meanwhile the thread continues...
October 28, 2025 at 1:45 AM
James was the last of the books I intend to read from the Tournament of Books long list. I read a bunch of them in 2024 so they won't be in this thread. I also tried and gave up on a few, which I'll talk about at the end of the year, probably. Meanwhile the thread continues...
93. James by Percival Everett. A very wonderful American novel. Almost aches to read it, as it should.
bookshop.org/p/books/jame...
bookshop.org/p/books/jame...
James (Pulitzer Prize Winner): A Novel
A Novel
bookshop.org
October 28, 2025 at 1:36 AM
93. James by Percival Everett. A very wonderful American novel. Almost aches to read it, as it should.
bookshop.org/p/books/jame...
bookshop.org/p/books/jame...
92. Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household. A cracking and lively thriller, marred slightly by the expectation that the reader can envision a very particular confluence of hedgerows, English gorse, and other detritus that makes up the protagonist's hideout. Read by a character in Ministry of Time.
Rogue Male
Check out Rogue Male - 1930-something: a professional hunter is passing through an unnamed Central European country that is in the thrall of a vicious dictator. The hunter wonders whether he can penet...
bookshop.org
October 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
92. Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household. A cracking and lively thriller, marred slightly by the expectation that the reader can envision a very particular confluence of hedgerows, English gorse, and other detritus that makes up the protagonist's hideout. Read by a character in Ministry of Time.
91. The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami. I'm invoking the 50% rule on this, I just can't stomach reading it all the way through. Metaphysics and dead-end metaphors. I'm glad Murakami is part of the world, but this work doesn't feel timely today.
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The City and Its Uncertain Walls: A Novel
A Novel
bookshop.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:50 AM
91. The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami. I'm invoking the 50% rule on this, I just can't stomach reading it all the way through. Metaphysics and dead-end metaphors. I'm glad Murakami is part of the world, but this work doesn't feel timely today.
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
90. The Jaws Log by Carl Gottlieb. Wanted to read after seeing the movie again this summer. What an amazing time capsule of movie making. Spielberg was 26! Nearly all of the effects were practical. They don't make them like they used to.
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Jaws Log: Expanded Edition
Expanded Edition
bookshop.org
October 22, 2025 at 11:41 PM
90. The Jaws Log by Carl Gottlieb. Wanted to read after seeing the movie again this summer. What an amazing time capsule of movie making. Spielberg was 26! Nearly all of the effects were practical. They don't make them like they used to.
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
89. Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. Really enjoyed this one, just the right blend of intrigue, romance, thrills, and sci-fi. I doubt there will be a sequel but I'd read it.
The Ministry of Time: A Novel
A Novel
bookshop.org
October 22, 2025 at 7:12 AM
89. Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. Really enjoyed this one, just the right blend of intrigue, romance, thrills, and sci-fi. I doubt there will be a sequel but I'd read it.
88. Ghostroots by 'Pemi Aguda. Stories set in Lagos, themes of mother-child bonding, animating spirits, families and communities in disorder. Not usually a short fiction person, but good stuff.
Ghostroots: Stories
Stories
bookshop.org
October 13, 2025 at 10:38 PM
88. Ghostroots by 'Pemi Aguda. Stories set in Lagos, themes of mother-child bonding, animating spirits, families and communities in disorder. Not usually a short fiction person, but good stuff.
87. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden. Historical fiction with a queer romance and a wonderfully paced twist. This one took a while to grow on me but the last third was very good.
The Safekeep
Check out The Safekeep - <b><b>* SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 BOOKER PRIZE *</b></b><BR> <b>* WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION *</b><BR> <B>* WINNER OF THE 2025 </B><b>WOMEN&rsqu...
bookshop.org
October 13, 2025 at 4:02 AM
87. The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden. Historical fiction with a queer romance and a wonderfully paced twist. This one took a while to grow on me but the last third was very good.
86. Dawn by Octavia E. Butler. I know that I read this because a character read it in another book, but I can't find my notes as to which. I remember them saying they liked the third book in the series the best, but I don't think I'll read more of these. Good, but a bit pedantic.
Dawn
Check out Dawn - <b>One woman is called upon to rebuild the future of humankind after a nuclear war, in this revelatory post-apocalyptic tale from the award-winning author of <i>Parable of the Sower. ...
bookshop.org
October 12, 2025 at 6:14 PM
86. Dawn by Octavia E. Butler. I know that I read this because a character read it in another book, but I can't find my notes as to which. I remember them saying they liked the third book in the series the best, but I don't think I'll read more of these. Good, but a bit pedantic.
85. All Fours by Miranda July. I can see why reactions to this one were divided, but I am here for this kinky and quirky and frank novel. Audiobook performed by the author, and main character is clearly a stand in for the author, so felt very intimate.
bookshop.org/p/books/all-...
bookshop.org/p/books/all-...
All Fours: A Novel
A Novel
bookshop.org
October 3, 2025 at 8:22 PM
85. All Fours by Miranda July. I can see why reactions to this one were divided, but I am here for this kinky and quirky and frank novel. Audiobook performed by the author, and main character is clearly a stand in for the author, so felt very intimate.
bookshop.org/p/books/all-...
bookshop.org/p/books/all-...
84. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky. I thought this was going to be a murder mystery with robot main characters but it ended up being much more. Lots of delightful scenes in this post-humanity Earth. I'll be looking for more from this author.
bookshop.org/p/books/serv...
bookshop.org/p/books/serv...
Service Model
Check out Service Model - <p><b>Murderbot meets <i>Redshirts</i> in a delightfully humorous tale of robotic murder from the Hugo-nominated author of <i>Elder Race</i> and <i>Children of Time</i>.</b><...
bookshop.org
October 1, 2025 at 5:40 AM
84. Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky. I thought this was going to be a murder mystery with robot main characters but it ended up being much more. Lots of delightful scenes in this post-humanity Earth. I'll be looking for more from this author.
bookshop.org/p/books/serv...
bookshop.org/p/books/serv...
83. The Son by Philipp Meyer. Sweeping intergenerational cowboy saga, absolutely my jam. Some pretty graphic scenes of torture and other atrocities that some may want to avoid. The audiobook is narrated by some pretty premium talent, like Will Patton and Kate Mulgrew.
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Son
Check out The Son - <p><strong>A TV Series on AMC starring Pierce Brosnan and co-written by Philipp Meyer.</strong></p><p><strong>Now in paperback, the critically acclaimed, <em>New York Times</em> be...
bookshop.org
September 27, 2025 at 6:12 PM
83. The Son by Philipp Meyer. Sweeping intergenerational cowboy saga, absolutely my jam. Some pretty graphic scenes of torture and other atrocities that some may want to avoid. The audiobook is narrated by some pretty premium talent, like Will Patton and Kate Mulgrew.
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
82. Mimickry of Known Successes by Malka Older. Murder mystery set on Jupiter. Short but still felt kind of dense. Good pacing and conclusion. And there are two sequels already!
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
The Mimicking of Known Successes
Check out The Mimicking of Known Successes - <p><b>“Every once in a while, a book comes along that is both a comfort read and a rousing, fist-pumping adventure, and <i>The Mimicking of Known Successes...
bookshop.org
September 20, 2025 at 3:42 PM
82. Mimickry of Known Successes by Malka Older. Murder mystery set on Jupiter. Short but still felt kind of dense. Good pacing and conclusion. And there are two sequels already!
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
81. This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud. Honestly I'm almost angry at how forgettable this book is. The author must have done a ton of research, even oral history, and wastes it on a directionless drawn-out sigh of a novel. I realize I'm an outlier here.
bookshop.org/p/books/this...
bookshop.org/p/books/this...
This Strange Eventful History
Check out This Strange Eventful History - <p>Over seven decades, from 1940 to 2010, the <em>pieds-noirs</em> Cassars live in an itinerant state--separated in the chaos of World War II, running from a ...
bookshop.org
September 14, 2025 at 6:11 PM
81. This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud. Honestly I'm almost angry at how forgettable this book is. The author must have done a ton of research, even oral history, and wastes it on a directionless drawn-out sigh of a novel. I realize I'm an outlier here.
bookshop.org/p/books/this...
bookshop.org/p/books/this...
80. Wild Houses by Colin Barrett. There was a lot to like in this one - colorful characters, great dialogue, relationships that were fleshed out well, and good pacing - but ultimately I think it needed a more satisfying conclusion, maybe even another 100 pages.
bookshop.org/p/books/wild...
bookshop.org/p/books/wild...
Wild Houses
Check out Wild Houses - <p><b>The riotous, raucous and deeply resonant debut novel from "one of the best story writers in the English language today" (<i>Financial Times</i>) <i>Wild Houses</i> follow...
bookshop.org
September 2, 2025 at 5:05 PM
80. Wild Houses by Colin Barrett. There was a lot to like in this one - colorful characters, great dialogue, relationships that were fleshed out well, and good pacing - but ultimately I think it needed a more satisfying conclusion, maybe even another 100 pages.
bookshop.org/p/books/wild...
bookshop.org/p/books/wild...