How to be Perfect: The Correct Answer to Every Moral Question
Michael Schur
“The most important part of becoming better people, I’ll say yet again, is that we care about whether what we do is good or bad, and therefore try to do the right thing.”
When television writer Michael Schur first conceived of the show that would become The Good Place, he had no idea that philosophy would take over his life. But time and time again he found himself confronting the most important questions: Can I still enjoy great art if it was created by terrible people? What’s the actual point of being good? Can I punch my friend in the face for no reason? This book is the result of Schur’s years-long study of popular philosophical approaches as he attempted to determine how we can become better people — and why that matters.
As someone who relies mostly on virtue ethics to get through life, I’m always interested in learning the practical aspects of other philosophies. I loved Schur’s clear explanations of how deontologists, utilitarians, existentialists, and others approach the question of how to be good. The whole book was great and kept me engaged, and my favorite chapter was about if — and how — we should separate the things we love from the (occasionally deeply) problematic people who created them. This one’s going on the reference shelf next to Seneca and Hadot!
Pick this up if you’re looking for a down-to-earth approach to learning philosophy and how you can use it to be and do better.
Pride and Prejudice in Space
Alexis Lampley
“Mrs. Long says that Netherfield Landing has been claimed by a young man of large fortune—from Kaels, if you can believe it. Such a distance, I must say. He descended on Monday in a Chase-N4 to inspect the land, and was so pleased with it that he ordered his brand-new starcruiser be named the Netherfield in its honor.”
Miss Elizabeth Bennet lives with her family on a small moon in the Londinium lunar system. Her mother’s fondest wish is that she marry well; hers is piloting her own starship. Mr. Bingley is indeed rich and kind, but the proud Mr. Darcy seems determined to be disagreeable to everyone — including Elizabeth. How could there be a happy ending for anyone?
With Jane Austen’s 250th birthday happening this month, I figured now was the perfect time to pick up a retelling of my favorite novel. I love that readers are still drawn to this story, and was curious to see how a modern author approached yet another retelling. Did the space setting add much to the story? Eh, not really. The aspect I found most interesting was how Rosings is described as mimicking “historical Londonium” architecture, with real stone, vintage sconces, and acres of tended green space — the tactics an incredibly wealthy person would employ to showcase that wealth in such a society. Jane, Lizzie, Bingley, Darcy and even the
indefatigable Mr. Collins remain as they always have, because no one can improve on perfection. The illustrations, depicted as sketches or diary entries, are well done and visually pleasing — they add flavor to the space aspects without detracting too much from Austen’s original tale.
Add this to your TBR if you like classic stories in an artsy package.
Murder by Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery
Rachel Ekstrom-Courage
“As she stepped forward to pull out the first tray, her foot hit something icy and hard. Then Rose looked down and screamed.”
Dorothy, Rose, Blanche, and Sophia are longtime roommates and friends. They’ve been there for each other through thick and thin. So when Rose needs to host a traditional St. Olaf wedding in Miami, it’s all hands on deck. Unfortunately missing dresses and a herring shortage turn out to be the least of their problems — nothing ruins a cheesecake quite like a corpse. Dorothy’s the main suspect, Rose needs enough loofahs for the bridal shower, Blanche has her eye on a younger man, and Sophia’s hired the wrong (or right?) kind of clown for the bachelorette party. Can the Girls band together to solve a murder and pull off a winning wedding?
I was tickled pink to spot this at the bookstore. As a kid I spent many an afternoon watching reruns of The Golden Girls, enjoying the humor and camaraderie of four fabulous women. So combining that with my other favorite genre, murder, is like catnip — I couldn’t not grab a copy. This cozy mystery series probably won’t win any literary awards, but it was well-crafted, fun, and gave me a fresh dose of some of my favorite sitcom characters.
Give this a try if you like cozy mysteries with familiar, funny, smart characters.
Murder at Holly House (Frank Grasby Mysteries #1)
Denzil Meyrick
“Though, for some reason, as I stride through the village of Elderby, a street lined with houses and shops, I’m gripped by fleeting anxiety. It’s as though there are eyes—many eyes—on me, boring into my soul. I put this down to another imminent brush with the aristocracy and a religious upbringing, so carry on.”
Thanks to a tricky gate lock and some expensive escapees, Inspector Frank Grasby finds himself banished to the wilds of North Yorkshire. His dream of becoming a local hero by solving petty crimes is spoiled almost immediately by the appearance of a body in a chimney. Frigid snow storms blow, his landlady won’t let him shower more than once a week, and the tavern’s dinner options linger somewhere between dubious and totally inedible. And the bodies keep piling up. It seems like everyone in the village is hiding something, and it’s up to Grasby to uncover which secrets someone would kill for — before he becomes the next target.
‘Tis the season for murder stories! This is the first book featuring Frank Grasby, a dedicated but bumbling inspector who finds himself entangled in a deadly mystery. The story was well-structured and kept me guessing, and there were many “small towns are quirky” moments that made me giggle. That said, I didn’t end up enjoying it as much as I’d hoped. Maybe it’s because I don’t really care for Frank as a character, or because it ended up being less “cozy” than I was expecting. I liked the story, but not enough to continue the series.
A nice addition to your TBR if you like a slightly inept but funny detective and mysteries that are deep without being too violent.
Garlic & the Vampire
Bree Paulsen
“Doesn’t garlic ward off vampires…?”
Of all the vegetable helpers created by the witch Agnes, it’s Garlic who has the hardest time being brave. Her favorite spot is the garden, where everything is predictable and safe. But when a vampire takes up residence in the local abandoned castle, everyone decides it should be Garlic who investigates. Does she have what it takes to defeat a monster?
As a bit of an anxious bulb myself, I’m always glad to read stories about characters finding their bravery through adventure. The illustration style and overall plot makes things feel cozy and low-stakes, but I still felt Garlic’s fear as she undertook her journey. I loved watching her overcome her fears and grow a little bit more into who she wants to be.
Adorable and perfect for middle-grade readers.
Garlic & the Witch
Bree Paulsen
“Maybe that’s what being human will be like… It’ll be scary but not all the time. That wouldn’t be so bad.”
After an adventure involving a castle and a vampire that forced her to confront her fears, Garlic is feeling brave enough to travel to the Magic Market in search of rare herbs for the witch Agnes. But on the way she discovers something totally unexpected: she seems to be turning human.
This second in Paulsen’s graphic novels series is a sweet but potent reminder that while change is scary, it can be good too. I enjoyed rooting for Garlic as she figured out how to stay calm, recognize her strengths, and enjoy the journey.
Excellent for younger readers…and older ones who may appreciate the reminder that change doesn’t have to be scary.
The Magic All Around
Jennifer Moorman
“There was nothing usual about the century-old Victorian…this was why the house was never treated as a thing but rather as another member of the quirky, slightly eccentric Russell family. The house was very much alive, and when it had something to say, it found interesting ways of letting you know.”
Mattie Russell has always been happy living a nomadic existence. But when her mother dies unexpectedly, Mattie knows she needs to return to the small southern town of Ivy Ridge. There she discovers that the Russells’ ancestral home is more than just a house, and that her mother had one last trick up her sleeve. As Mattie works through the tasks laid out in her mother’s will, she finds herself torn between her old life and the one she’s beginning to build in Ivy Ridge. Maybe listening to her heart will help her find her way home…
I picked this up at the end of the year when my attention span was short as a flea’s belly button. I honestly expected it to be a little too sweet, so was pleasantly surprised to encounter a gentle story that didn’t tip over into cloying. The southern weather descriptions and food details were lovely and added texture to the story; the mystery and romance were interesting without being scary or smutty. Plus I’m an absolute sucker for the “their family home is alive and has snarky opinions” trope, which Moorman leans into heavily. All in all, this was a quiet but fun read that I savored.
A good option if you’re looking for a pleasant read about family, love, and what it means to be home.
Bait and Witch (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries #1)
Angela M. Sanders
“Below me, books held the world’s knowledge and imagination—oceans of it. Even a few feet of shelf told stories of generations of love, war, comedy, and tragedy. People were lost at sea, flew to the moon, crossed the Sahara in caravans, and dawdled in Queen Elizabeth’s court. They grew wiser—or not. They survived—or not. The experience a single page could communicate awed me.”
It’s out of the frying pan and into the fire for librarian Josie Way. After fleeing to rural Oregon to avoid a vengeful Congressman, she’s hired to run a library that’s just a few weeks away from being demolished to make way for a retreat center. The town quickly starts feeling like home, especially as she realizes that the books and the building are awakening something powerful within her. And then she finds the body. Now it’s up to Josie, a cat named Rodney, and the library itself to uncover the truth.
I received this book as a gift, and I must admit that the cover didn’t inspire confidence that it would be anything other than a punny, sugar-coated little tale. Fortunately I was mistaken — the mystery was well-crafted, the secondary characters real and multi-dimensional, and it’s clear that the author knows the power of books to change lives. I enjoyed this one thoroughly, and am glad to see it’s part of a series (that I’ll be adding to my TBR).
Pick this up if you’re looking for a not-quite-cozy magical mystery series featuring a smart protagonist and a charming setting.
Photo by Tessa Rampersad on Unsplash
