Book Review: In Between Spaces

Author: Rebecca Burke

Title: In Between Spaces

Genre: Anthology, Nonfiction, Short Stories, Poetry

Format: paperback

Pages: 264

Published: November 1, 2022

Where I got It: My shelf (Given as a gift)

Summary: 

In Between Spaces, Stillhouse Press’s first ever anthology, centers the experiences of thirty-three disabled poets, short-story writers, and essayists as they navigate the physical and emotional complexities of disability, chronic illness, neurodivergence, and mental illness. Compiled by an editorial team of disabled writers, this timely collection of often-overlooked voices celebrates joy, freedom, and the power of agency, while at the same time confronting and challenging the stigmas and barriers, visible and invisible, that too often come to define life with a disability.

Review:

Someone gave this to me as a gift a while back and I'm finally diving in!

This is a collection of 33 pieces of work from people with disabilities. From poems to short stories to essays. These all navigate the physical and emotional complexities of disability, chronic illness, neurodivergence, and mental illness. 

I took my time with this because I wanted to enjoy each and every story. I found myself re-reading some of the passages since they were just so good. 

There was for sure a huge variety of style and messaging. I really enjoyed that! You never knew what story would be told next and in what format. Refreshing!

Not sure if I could really pick a favorite though since they were all good. Maybe the poems? I have a soft-spot for a well written poem! Especially if the format and style is different and unique....count me in!!! There wasn't any I didn't like which is RARE for an anthology. They were all good on some level. 

All-in-all, this will make you think, make you smile, make you want to cry. The poems were especially good, but everything else was good too. I for sure recommend this. 5/5 stars! 

Book Review: Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower

Author: Amanda Flower

Title: Crime and Poetry

Series: A Magical Bookshop Mystery #1

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Thriller

Format: Ebook

Pages: 364

Published: April 5, 2016

Where I Got It: Borrowed from library

Summary: 

Rushing home to sit by her ailing grandmother’s bedside, Violet Waverly is shocked to find Grandma Daisy the picture of perfect health. Violet doesn’t need to read between the lines: her grandma wants Violet back home and working in her magical store, Charming Books. It’s where the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you...

Violet has every intention to hightail it back to Chicago, but then a dead man is discovered clutching a volume of Emily Dickinson’s poems from Grandma Daisy’s shop. The victim is Benedict Raisin, who recently put Grandma Daisy in his will, making her a prime suspect. Now, with the help of a tuxedo cat named Emerson, Violet will have to find a killer to keep Grandma from getting booked for good...

Review:

Randomly found this at the library while just scrolling away. Books, magic, murder....some of my fave things ;) 

We follow Violet who rushes home to sit by her ailing grandma's bedside. However, when she arrives her grandma is completely fine. She had lied to get Violet to come back home and help her in her bookstore. This store...the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you. Violet won't be tricked into staying and has every intention of hightailing it back to Chicago, but when a dead man is discovered clutching a book she sold him and then her grandma is arrested and is a main suspect, she is forced to stay and help find the killer. 

This started off okay but I found I couldn't really get into it. 

Violet is kind of stuck up and Grandma was rude AF to lie like that. The mayor can F off. 

I liked the cat and I liked the chief of police. That was it. The small town didn't give me the small-town feels I was asking for. 

I stuck around for the mystery and the cat....and the chief of police *wink*. That was it. Maybe Violet gets better in the next one? IDK...I struggled with her. She was def on a high horse.

All-in-all, slightly rough beginning but I am willing to read book 2. I have hopes because I love the concept so much. Can I own a bookstore like this? PLEASE!? I'll give this 2 stars.