Those of us who read a great deal have all hit stretches when it seems like every book we pick up is not to our tastes, for one reason or another. I, on the other hand, have been enjoying a month of excellent books.
In no particular order:
When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamin Labatut, trans. Adrian Nathan West (2020)
A slender collection of short stories about real-life twentieth-century eccentric geniuses of physics and math, and how their pursuit of new understandings has led to both beauty and immense suffering. purchasing link (I get no kickbacks, btw. I just want to share.)
The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler (2024)
A gripping novella with well-drawn characters and lovely language about an effort to restore an ecosystem by bringing back woolly mammoths, and defending them from ivory-hungry poachers. I’m looking forward to reading Nayler’s The Mountain in the Sea. purchasing link
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher (2020)
A middle grade/YA fantasy about a young wizard whose only magical skill is manipulating dough, but who still finds herself called upon to save her city from invaders. Included with the exciting story are thoughtful observations on what it means to be a hero, and the inevitable failings of even the best leaders. I wish I’d read this book before moderating a panel on cozy fantasy at last year’s ArmadilloCon so I could have included it in my recs then. purchasing link
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench with Brendan O’Hea (2023)
A book of Q&As between Dame Judi Dench and her friend and collaborator Brendan O’Hea about each of the Shakespeare plays in which she has performed. Come for the hilarious stories of backstage antics, stay for the fascinating analysis of Shakespeare’s language and characters from an actor with decades of experience playing these roles.
It has also come in handy as I’ve worked on adding some small verse bits to my current book. I wish so much to share more with you eventually! purchasing link
Becoming Duchess Goldblatt by Anonymous (2020)
The story of how beautiful wisdom and humor arose from one person’s deep sorrows and grew to lift the spirits of so many. Also many samples of her lovely tweets.
I don’t regret having avoided Twitter for as long as I did, except that I did not get to experience Her Grace’s grand wit in her heyday, with such gems as
I’m headed up a mountain today to see a famed holy man about some faith healing. I’m not sure what his ailments are, but I’ll do what I can for him.
Observe the 1-2-3 punch of the humor! It’s delicious, and I hope that all of you can experience this book. purchasing link
That’s all, peaches. More soon.
Elizabeth Cobbe 
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