Redshirts by John Scalzi

I think knowing the conceit of this book, since it was recommended to me by at least two people, took me a little bit out of the story itself.

Andy Dahl is about to join the spaceship Intrepid. He's going to added on with four other people, two he knows. But there's something strange on board the ship. The crew tend to scatter whenever the officers come around. And four is a large number of people to replace at one time. As Andy and his crewmates begin to explore, they begin to realize that not all of them will survive to a happy ending.

Three and a half stars

This book came out June 5, 2012

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

The Labors of Hercules Audiobook edition Agatha Christie with Hugh Fraser (Narrator)

Hercule Poirot is feeling like he is in a rut. Then a friend mentions that he is not very like his namesake, Hercules. So he decides to undertake the Labours of Hercules before he retires. In fact, he will only take cases that relate the the labors. So, a Pekignese dog becomes the Nemean lion. The multi-headed Hydra becomes a rash of gossip. He even has to descend into Hell.

During the short stories, we see familiar characters like Miss Lemon, George, even the Countess, Vera Rossakoff. An interesting mix of stories; some stretch quite a bit to be added to the original labors while others (like the last) are almost spot on the nose. 

Four stars

Hercule Poirot #26

Follows The Hollow

Followed by Taken at the Flood

This  book came out in 1947

Borrowed as audiobook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Age Happens by Jim Davis

Most of the book is dedicated to various birthday strips. Mostly Garfield's but some of Jon's. There are also sections with quizzes, fan art, and even an interview with the cat himself. The best, in my opinion, were Jim Davis's favorite strips with explanations of why. 

Four and a half stars

This book came out June 19, 2018

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Garfield Bigger Than Life by Jim Davis

This book includes veterniarian and love interest Liz as well as the diner and Irma. We also get introduced to one of Garfield's great enemies, the world's cutest cat, Nermal. Although, he doesn't seem to mind Nermal too much in the first visit. 

There are a LOT of turkeys and chicken legs consumed and furniture scratched by our favorite orange cat. Unfortunately, not all of the furniture belongs to Jon. 

Four stars

Garfield #3

Follows Garfield Gains Weight

Followed by Garfield Weighs in

This book came out in 1981

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own 

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees by Patrick Horvath, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Sam is a simple bear. She lives in her quiet town, runs her hardware store, and kills people to muffle the voices in her head. Of course, she doesn't kill anyone in town. That would be way too obvious. So why does a body show up during the local parade? And why does she think it may only be the first.

Suddenly, Sam is under the gun herself in a bid to find out who is a serial killer before her own misdeeds are uncovered.

This was an interesting story and I was bemused to see Sam encounter bears in the wild as opposed to herself. There was an interesting difference between the somewhat cheerful drawings with mainly pastel colors and the grim storyline.

Four stars

This book came out October 18, 2023

Borrowed as ebook from Hoopla

Opinions are my own

Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Oh Susan Elizabeth Phillips, you do make me smile. In this book, Dean Robillard, quarterback for the Chicago Stars, picks up a woman on the side of the road dressed in a beaver suit. Blue Bailey hsd been dumped by her boyfriend and had her accounts cleaned out by her humanitarian mother, her car died and the woman who was supposed to pick her up from her recent roadside advertising gig never showed up. Instead, she gets picked up by a gorgeous man whose perfect body is splashed over billboards all around town. The two are not immediately attracted but definitely intrigued. Dean needs relief from boredom and Blue needs a ride to Nashville. She agrees to ride with him to his farm where he's resting up for the next football season. What neither of them knows is that Dean's estranged mother has been masquerading as a housekeeper in order to fix the house up for him. When his half-sister and estranged father also show up, a family special it is not. 

Love the book. Made me laugh. Witty banter and real family problems kept me interested. Will definitely read again (and again, and again...)

I wrote this in 2010 and have, indeed, read it again and again. Don't love it as much as I did in the beginning but still enjoyable.

Four stars

Chicago Stars #7

Follows Match Me if You Can

Followed by First Star I See Tonight

This book came out February 6, 2007

Hard copy I own

Opinions are my own

Says Us! Scripts and Quips from Says You! Vol. 2: The Words Spread by Richard Sher

Such a fun way to consume one of my favorite radio shows. It's even better to listen to them but this wasn't bad. Twenty games of six rounds each, consisting of games like defining words, guessing the best definition, and terrible (-y good?) puns. 

Best consumed slowly. 

Five stars

This book came out in October 2012

Hard copy I kept

Opinions are my own