Four star review, originally posted here on May 21st, 2025: I read this book in preparation for a recent vacation to Shropshire. Not much to say here- the book is exactly what it advertised itself to be: a nice little introduction to and reference material for all things Shropshire. I admit there were entire sections … More Goodreads Review: The Little Book of Shropshire by John Shipley

Four star review, originally posted here on May 20th, 2025. This is exactly the book I needed. I learned virtually nothing about African history in school. A light look at Egypt in 5th grade, and beyond that, literally nothing. In adulthood, I’ve only picked up very small tidbits here and there, usually in a book … More Goodreads Review: An African History of Africa: From the Dawn of Humanity to Independence by Zeinab Badawi

Two star review, originally posted here on March 7th, 2025. Yet another book with a great concept but lackluster execution. I was really hoping to ignore the outside world for a few moments a day by escaping into some fiction. I didn’t need it to be good. I just needed it to suck me into … More Goodreads Review: Shelterwood

Three star review, originally posted here on January 31st, 2025. What an absolutely spectacular premise, with such disappointing execution. I’m not going to say anything here that isn’t already mentioned in other reviews. The general idea here is great, and after the 1st chapter, I thought this might just be a wonderful read. I was … More Goodreads Review: The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier

Four star review, originally posted here on January 19th, 2025. I believe this is the 3rd child star memoir I’ve read, and the 2nd where I’d never heard of the author before. I don’t know how I keep winding up reading these or what draws me in, but they’re always fascinating. At first this book … More Goodreads Review: I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Five star review, originally posted here on January 18th, 2025. OMG do I love me some DumbRunner! Lord knows how many times my husband and I have sent each other Dumb Runner comics. I was very excited to hear there was a book, and even scored myself a signed copy! The book appears self-published, based … More Goodreads Review: Was It Fun?: A Dumb Runner Comics Collection by Mark Remy

Four star review, originally published here on January 9th, 2025. I’m not sure why I’m having a hard time thinking of something to say about this book. It pretty much is exactly what I expected. It is a history of how various branches of medicine have seen and treated women through history. There’s plenty of … More Goodreads Review: All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women’s Bodies and Why It Matters Today by Elizabeth Comen

Four star review, originally posted here on November 24th, 2024. Ah, good, reliable Anne Applebaum. Why do I keep reading her when everything she tells me is absolutely terrifying? I’m not entirely sure. I think it’s because she somehow still sounds calm and somewhat positive while telling me about how the entire world is burning … More Goodreads Review: Autocracy, Inc. by Anne Applebaum

Three star review, originally posted here on November 23rd, 2024. Dude, I don’t know. I just don’t know what to make of this book. Just… sigh… huh? This is my second time attempting to read a Neil Gaiman book (first was American Gods) that, at first blush, SEEMS like it should be right up my … More Goodreads Review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Five star review, originally posted here on November 23rd, 2024. I decided to read this book after visiting the Josiah Henson museum in Maryland (museum review coming soon at helgawithouttheh.com.) I had never heard of this guy before, but a friend recommended the museum and I had some time to kill, so I popped in. … More Goodreads Review: The Life of Josiah Henson: An Inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom by Josiah Henson