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Schlitz's novel, inspired by her grandmother's journal, explores art, faith, challenge, transformation

The Trackers by Charles Frazier Frazier offers an immersive story that morphs from a WPA-funded rural art In Dawes, he meets eccentric, wealthy art lovers John and Eve Long--mysterious, possibly hiding something When Eve takes off from Dawes with a piece of valuable artwork, Val agrees to follow her--and uncovers

I'm listening to The Personal Librarian, historical fiction with race and art at the heart of it, set Morgan's vast collection of valuable manuscripts and artwork.

Zeke is an artist, also a loner, and he's fascinating to Frankie. They come up with an original enigmatic phrase and add attention-getting artwork, then spread mysterious In the hospital's arts and crafts class, she meets 83-year-old Margot, a spirited, rebellious new friend With the help of Father Arthur, the hospital chaplain, and a kind palliative care nurse, the friends goal adds structure to the novel, but the story is far richer than the characters' mission to create art

This title and its cover art didn't clue me in to the premise of this book or prepare me for its complex

John Mandel's novel about plague and art that also plays with time; and Herrick's End, the first in T.M

stories in each of the other interconnected timelines, as we see privileged Martha Jackson dive into the art story of the thoroughbred Lexington, Horse delves into fascinating, complicated aspects of science, art

The vibrancy of Beirut is especially present throughout--the story celebrates the city's music, art,

In the hospital's arts and crafts class, she meets 83-year-old Margot, a spirited, rebellious new friend With the help of Father Arthur, the hospital chaplain, and a kind palliative care nurse, the friends goal adds structure to the novel, but the story is far richer than the characters' mission to create art

And I'm mesmerized by this gorgeous cover art.

three volatile young people--bored photographer Veronica; her best friend, mischievous performance art

She's twenty-five and working in an art gallery when she is given an envelope she hopes will contain

All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, and Rogue Protocol are quick, engrossing reads that are officially In Artificial Condition, Murderbot confronts its dark past and sets out to uncover the truth of disturbing It also makes a robot friend and ally in ART, a research transport vessel.

“I haven't made all A's in the art of living. But I give a damn.

02 The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey This title and its cover art didn't clue me in to the story's premise

She can serve as a muse; she can inspire music and art in others; she can learn what others want or need

themes here are often haunting, always powerful, and wonderfully nuanced, even when the scenes (the artist's The vibrancy of Beirut is especially present throughout--the story celebrates the city's music, art, three volatile young people--bored photographer Veronica; her best friend, mischievous performance art

Fisher is candid, funny, charmingly offbeat, and she's mastered the art of honest self-examination.

Cyrus seeks meaning in art, in a close, sometimes-sexual friendship, and in the idea of trying to craft The book really took off and intrigued me once Cyrus traveled to New York to visit an artist whose final

and Chakrabarti's writing--about New York's bustle, small-town Indian life, the power of music and art

Speedwell teams up with her natural-history and mystery-solving partner Stoker to try to prove that local art

In the hospital's arts and crafts class, she meets 83-year-old Margot, a spirited, rebellious new friend With the help of Father Arthur, the hospital chaplain, and a kind palliative care nurse, the friends goal adds structure to the novel, but the story is far richer than the characters' mission to create art

The Marriage Portrait offers wonderful details--of food, palace life, clothing, and art--as well as a

Speedwell teams up with her natural-history and mystery-solving partner Stoker to try to prove that local art

The Marriage Portrait offers wonderful details--of food, palace life, clothing, and art--as well as a Wilson's wonderfully odd 1990s coming-of-age novel centers around teens Frankie and Zeke, their mysterious artistic Zeke is an artist, also a loner, and he's fascinating to Frankie. They come up with an original enigmatic phrase and add attention-getting artwork, then spread mysterious

The Marriage Portrait offers wonderful details--of food, palace life, clothing, and art--as well as a

Fisher is candid, funny, charmingly offbeat, and she's mastered the art of honest self-examination.

series by Kiersten White White's And I Darken, the first book in her Conquerer's Saga series, has cover art

As with book one in the Arthur Less series, I was pleasantly surprised by the heart and vulnerability beneath the absurdities and funny moments of Arthur's escapist journey--this time across the United In Andrew Sean Greer's (Pulitzer-Prize-winning) novel Less, we met the character of Arthur Less as he When his ex sent him a wedding invitation, Arthur panicked. In book two, Less Is Lost, Arthur faces the death of a former lover as well as a financial crisis--and

Arthur, people who meet you now will never be able to imagine you young.” Arthur Less is about to turn fifty and is a novelist of limited acclaim. When his ex sends him a wedding invitation, Arthur panics. He can't attend, but he can't stay home.

Fisher is candid, funny, charmingly offbeat, and she's mastered the art of honest self-examination.

And I'm mesmerized by this gorgeous cover art.

The Robot Books I love a good artificial intelligence- or robot-focused story, and these six (plus, in click the links here to find my full Bossy reviews of Murderbot books 1 through 3 ( All Systems Red , Artificial The economy runs on robots, partially augmented humans, and humans desperately trying to compete with artificial Artificial intelligence! to the body to enable faster or more strenuous work; manage the implications of a backlash against artificial

self-awareness, which shouldn't be possible--and which could change basic laws, the thinking around artificial

and digs into the story of her mother's mysterious death--while infiltrating a magical, centuries-old Arthurian I was reading Legendborn, with its Arthurian references, during the same period I was reading another (very different) young adult book with references to Arthur and his court, Silver in the Bone. I wasn't sure the story was made stronger for me by the links to Arthurian legend at its heart--I found

David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Jerry Garcia, and members of the Rolling Stones, as well as authors and artists She can serve as a muse; she can inspire music and art in others; she can learn what others want or need

Whitaker offers several interconnected storylines, and while each one individually appealed to me, I felt a growing lack of connection to the characters as the tales melded into another: young friendship, serial killer, outlaw search, small-town intrigue, and longtime mysteries revealed. Chris Whitaker's novel All the Colors of the Dark  builds a story of a deep friendship between two young outcasts in small-town Monta Clare, Missouri: Patch, a pirate-playing young man missing one eye, whose mother is unreliable and a substance abuser; and Saint, a tomboy raised by her fearless grandmother. A kidnaper and serial killer intrudes on the quiet community and directly impacts Patch and Saint. The horrifying crimes seems to be motivated by religious fanaticism, and both Patch and Saint's futures are shaped by their ties to the darkly disturbing events. I adored the early building of the deep connection and affection between Saint and Patch. And I was intrigued by the disparate-seeming story that soon emerges, beginning with the premise of a serial killer whose actions haunt our main characters and whose horrifying spectre looms over them. There's yet another somewhat separate-feeling story of an outlaw, and a study on prison life, as well as an extended look at a life spend in law enforcement and seeking justice. There are deep betrayals, long-term mysteries, and, finally, many revealed truths (some of which you may anticipate, including the biggies). Each of these storylines would be one I'm interested in, and Whitaker offers a fascinating interconnectedness between them. But the storytelling frequently felt scattered to me, with overly dramatic moments, abrupt statements that are seemingly meant to add impact, and what felt like self-conscious attempts to be offbeat. Characters frequently offer grand speeches to each other about how the world works, and these didn't feel genuine or likely to me. A key character gives up everything to relentlessly seek out a dreamlike possibility of something that might be real, and this didn't sit comfortably with me after the early devotion illustrated between our main protagonists and the character growth evidenced in the meantime. This character's youthful romantic relationship, whose impact becomes pivotal in some ways, also didn't feel real to me. Yet the cast of characters is colorful, and I enjoyed the time I spent with them. I received a prepublication edition of this title, which was published June 25, courtesy of NetGalley and Crown Publishing. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? Chris Whitaker is also the author of We Begin at the End , a novel I adored.

The shallow, emotionally stunted character of Doug made my blood boil. His base desires stood in contrast to Annie's unanticipated evolution and complexity in Annie Bot. Annie was created to please her owner, Doug, in every way. Because Doug paid a premium to have Annie customized from the standard Stella model--and to strongly resemble his ex--Annie has all the bells and whistles. She adjusts her sensitivity level so she is highly attuned to Doug's emotions (and libido), wears the clothing he chooses for her, and adheres to his strict cleaning requirements for the apartment she never leaves. But as Annie's AI grows more complex and she becomes more aware of the possibilities in the world, she finds herself questioning her purpose--and questioning whether she really wants to serve Doug and subsume her own burgeoning feelings and desires. So, Doug is the worst. If you want your even vaguely feminist blood to boil, read all about Doug. He's a mediocre person: shallow, selfish, narcissistic, condescending, and spiteful. He is satisfied by his "relationship" with Annie because she questions nothing, is awed by him, "wants" to have sex anytime, stays in the apartment cleaning and cooking, and because her looks and scanty outfits are attractive to him. When she becomes curious about the world, he cuts off her internet access. She was made to offer pleasure without challenge or conflict, after all. There are a few mentions of Doug's ex-wife, but he is emotionally a child and doesn't examine in any depth the reasons for their fractured relationship (ahem, Doug wanted a "cuddle bunny" robot instead of a complex woman). Meanwhile, Annie, who was literally created to serve Doug, is learning, evolving, growing, facing internal conflicts, considering ethics, and developing more curiosity about the world--which she is only allowed to satisfy by reading Doug's novels. But Annie is full of surprises, and her will is stronger than Doug ever dreamed. I enjoy stories about evolving AI sentience and life with robots, and that aspect was fascinating here. I did find myself wishing for more exploration into the human condition as contrasted with the carefully scripted robot functioning, or more self-reflection to shine a light on humans' desires and fallibility, or some thread of deeper messaging. I received an audiobook version of Annie Bot courtesy of Libro.fm and HarperAudio. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? You might also like the books on the Greedy Reading List Six Great Stories about Robots, Humans and Alien Life, and AI or other stories about robots that I've reviewed.

What's better than listening to Dolly talk about her inspirations, her artistic journey, her joys and - nominated singer-songwriter whose father killed her mother when Allison and her sister, recording artist

David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Jerry Garcia, and members of the Rolling Stones, as well as authors and artists She can serve as a muse; she can inspire music and art in others; she can learn what others want or need

White's first Starmetal Symphony installment offers deadly deep-space robots, showcases the power of music, and illustrates how love can persist even in the face of imminent demise. I loved the main characters' fashion, banter, and stubbornness. In the first book in Alex White's Starmetal Symphony space opera series, Gus is a jazz pianist whose biggest hope for the pending end of the world was to play at the most epic goodbye party of all time. After all, the Vanguards, giant, deadly AI robots, are headed from deep space to destroy Earth at any moment. But when the Vanguards arrive, the sudden, brutal ending Gus has envisioned for himself doesn't happen. Instead, Gus and a few other Earthlings are pulled in by a small group of traitorous Vanguards--and tasked with being modified, temporarily melded with the robots, battling other robots--and saving all of humanity. I really liked the way music is a key and powerful element; how working together benefits all; the quirky characters and their banter; the presence of giant fighting robots (they are not imbued with personality but are battle machines with infinite knowledge); and the fight for love in this LGBTQ space opera. My obsession with the irresistible dry humor, grudging and undying loyalty, and love for the series The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon on the part of Martha Wells's Murderbot (check out my rave review in Six Great Stories about Robots, Humans and Alien Life, and AI) may have ruined me for all other robot characters forever. But August Kitko isn't about the robots from space. The robots and the imminent demise of the human race that they seem perched to enact serve as a catalyst for the main characters to assess their own purposes and consider what makes life worth living. They forge desperate human connections and struggle with loss and an uncertain future, and I loved the impractical, invigorating, stubborn love in the book. There's a light tone running through the heightened, saving-the-universe tension, along with entertaining, offbeat fashion, which is vividly described. (There is also a copious amount of goopy fluids described--they are dispersed both in battle and in the melding of humans and robots. I could feel my face contorting as I read about the immersive goo.) Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? I really enjoyed Alex White's Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe, the first in the Salvagers series--which I look forward to finishing. That first book in that space opera series offers diverse characters, strong women, a heist setup, and, ultimately, a ragtag group of underdogs saving the day. I think it's time for me to read more Alex White books--I've heard that the alien novels The Cold Forge and Into Charybdis are great. You might also like the books on the Greedy Reading List Six Great Stories about Robots, Humans and Alien Life, and AI.

The Robot Books I love a good artificial intelligence- or robot-focused story, and these six (plus, in The economy runs on robots, partially augmented humans, and humans desperately trying to compete with artificial Artificial intelligence! to the body to enable faster or more strenuous work; manage the implications of a backlash against artificial later Rose is a world-renowned physicist working to unlock the secrets of the hand and the curious artifacts

Lostetter's standalone science fiction is a story about robots, a ragtag space crew, friends like family, and reimagining one's place in the universe. Its one job was to fight the invaders. It had more information on how to sauté spring onions than it did on the aliens. Activation Degradation, standalone science fiction from Marina L. Lostetter, begins with Unit Four's initial activation. It has just become sentient, and like its robot sisters, it has been programmed to fight the aliens currently attacking its ship. But whether it's a glitch or instincts that shouldn't be possible, Unit Four realizes that the situation as its handler has explained it doesn't quite add up. When Unit Four is taken onto the enemy alien ship as a prisoner and is unable to communicate with its handler, it begins to understand that all is not black and white, and that it may need to rethink all it has been taught to believe. Lostetter's book started off with a lot of logistics that slowed things for me, but as of page 66 the action and character development and exploration of morality and friendship and life purpose began clicking along. Activation Degradation explores what makes a person worth saving--or simply existing--as well as unconventional love and relationships, personal responsibility, sacrifice and bravery, and staying open to revolutionarily new ideas and ways of looking at the world--and the universe. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? Activation Degradation has echoes of Martha Wells's Murderbot books centered around a grumpy, skeptical AI, as well as a wonderful ragtag, loyal space crew reminiscent of books like The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. Lostetter is also the author of the books Noumenon, Noumenon Infinity, and Noumenon Ultra.

And what will happen to their long-held dynamic when Stella wakes up a different person, with new and artistic A couple of minor grumbles: I had to suspend my disbelief about the artist being able to see the true that a younger lover had left her and broke her heart, etc.), but I did bask in the warmth of that artist-subject

The first in Alex White's Salvagers space opera series offers diverse characters, strong women, a heist setup, and, ultimately, a ragtag group of underdogs saving the day. In Alex White's science fiction novel A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe, the first in White's Salvagers series, a group of outcasts bands together to locate a legendary ship before it falls into the hands of the wrong people, people who would use it as a weapon. The Harrow, the greatest warship ever built, has been lost for so long, some say it's merely a legend. But a hotshot racer who's on the run, a has-been treasure hunter looking for redemption, and the rest of the ragtag crew of the Capricious know that the ship is real--and that whoever controls the ship will control the fate of the universe. A Big Ship is a space heist book with lots of action, strong women characters driving the plot, and a great underdogs-unite premise. I wasn't completely clear on the intersections of magic (glyphs, spells) and futuristic technology (AI, spaceships, futuristic weaponry), but White includes extensive details about the workings and processes. The explanation of the big reveal regarding the who-what-where-why of the evil masterminds felt so involved that it drew me out of the story somewhat. I was in this for the characters, among them Cordell, the tough captain with a heart of gold; Boots, a jaded former fighter pilot turned reality star who hopes for a miracle; and Nilah, a privileged and daring racer who falls for the grumpiest crew member of all. Each character in A Big Ship is reeling from planet-level destruction and heartbreak, and it's satisfying to follow them as they seek redemption, take comfort in and build loyalty to one another, and identify and aim to outsmart their enemies to try to save the world with scrappiness and luck. Do you have any Bossy thoughts about this book? I'm in love with the title of the second book in this series, A Bad Deal for the Whole Galaxy. The third book is titled The Worst of All Possible Worlds. White is also the author of Alien: The Cold Forge and Every Mountain Made Low.

a tantalizing peek into Novik's next world, with a savvy, gruff female captain at sea, her beloved, artistic

a tantalizing peek into Novik's next world, with a savvy, gruff female captain at sea, her beloved, artistic

Through a stint as a performer in a minstrel show; a pivotal encounter with versions of the scam artists

Joy Callaway is also the author of The Grand Design , The Fifth Avenue Artists Society , All the Pretty

Through a stint as a performer in a minstrel show; a pivotal encounter with versions of the scam artists