Any book that places you squarely into the head of a protagonist who is, to say the least, a despicable person and keeps you there, fascinated by what this person will do next, is definitely worth reading. Base Notes is not just about murder and perfume; it's about artists trying to find a space for their art in a world that doesn't support creativity.
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I'm a writer of tech articles and science fiction / fantasy, and a lover of all types of speculative fiction, 19th century literature, and whatever interesting books I can get my hands on.
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Barbara Krasnoff's books
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Barbara Krasnoff reviewed Base Notes by Lara Elena Donnelly
Barbara Krasnoff reviewed Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (The Locked Tomb, #1)
Review of 'Gideon the Ninth' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
I read this by chance and I'm very glad I did. I wasn't sure what to make of it at first - all those bones! - but I was completely drawn into the story to the end. I also loved the matter-of-fact voice of the narrator, Gideon. A really fun read.
Barbara Krasnoff rated Interior Chinatown: 5 stars
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
Willis Wu doesn’t perceive himself as a protagonist even in his own life: he’s merely Generic Asian Man. Every day, …
Barbara Krasnoff reviewed Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre
Review of 'Dreamsnake' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Like many shorter pieces that are made into novels, this sometimes feels stretched out. The first part, "Of Mist, and Grass, and Sand," which was the original story, is absolutely marvelous, and is totally worth reading; after that, it's up to you.
Barbara Krasnoff rated Persuasion: 5 stars
Persuasion by Jane Austen
Persuasion is the last novel fully completed by Jane Austen. It was published at the end of 1817, six months …
Barbara Krasnoff reviewed Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries, #6)
Review of 'Fugitive Telemetry' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
A fine follow up in the Murderbot series. Murderbot themselves has become one of my favorite ongoing SF characters, and an excellent commentator on the humans around them.
Barbara Krasnoff reviewed Wendy, Darling by A.C. Wise
Review of 'Wendy, Darling' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This is indeed a dark retelling of the Pete Pan story, and it is an excellent one. Very well written; we follow the story from the POV of Wendy now, Wendy then, and Wendy's daughter Jane, and each voice is distinctive. It is hard to put down, and gives you a good deal to think about after.
Barbara Krasnoff rated Remote Control: 5 stars
Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor
The day Fatima forgot her name, Death paid a visit. From hereon in she would be known as Sankofa--a name …
Barbara Krasnoff rated Up Front: 5 stars
Up Front by Bill Mauldin
Up Front is one of the most famous books to emerge from the Second World War, a classic in every …
Barbara Krasnoff reviewed Infinitum by Tim Fielder
Barbara Krasnoff rated Breakdown (V.I. Warshawski, #15): 4 stars
The Pale Horseman (The Saxon Chronicles Series #2) by Bernard Cornwell (Saxon Chronicles (2))
Uhtred is a Saxon, cheated of his inheritance and adrift in a world of fire, sword, and treachery. He has …
Barbara Krasnoff reviewed Network Effect by Martha Wells
Review of 'Network Effect' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This is one of my favorite books of 2020. I love the shorter novelas (novelettes?) that feature Murderbot, but I loved having a entire novel featuring the introspective, TV-loving bot who doesn't quite understand humans, but is trying to learn -- if only for its own survival. Highly recommended.