May 15 2025
Gosh, how long has it been since I’ve held a physical copy of a children’s chapter book in my hands? It was a genuine, nostalgic pleasure to read this in the company of my dog-nephew Mario, as he kept me company during downtimes in an otherwise frantic (if super fun!) performance week. Set in a …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/15/chip-and-chatti-save-the-farm-by-heidi-paul/
May 14 2025
Despite having one of my least favorite shared universe names, A G Slatter’s dark fantasy novels are one of my few can’t-miss series! And nowhere was I happier to have read almost all of the books in it than here in this latest installment, The Crimson Road. As the novel opens, heiress Violet Zennor is …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/14/the-crimson-road-by-a-g-slatter/
May 13 2025
This was a delightfully whimsical picture book about encouraging children to wonder about the world around them. Whether discussing science, art or feelings, it exhorts kids to stay curious and questioning about both realities and possibilities. Brenda Rodriguez’ illustrations are terrific: colorful, diverse and really bringing Gianna Davy’s questions to life. I also really admired …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/13/how-do-i-wonder-by-gianna-davy-brenda-rodriguez/
May 12 2025
subtitled A Graphic Memoir of Sorts. First, big thanks to Doug and Emily for holding down the fort while I went on what I thought was going to be a working holiday… that turned into a mostly devices-free holiday. It was thus a delight to come back to work, and read and laugh and cry …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/12/good-luck-to-us-all-by-karen-vermeulen/
May 06 2025
The Karma Sequence is a fascinating novel that blends mystery with philosophical and speculative fiction, asking: what if your genes know more about your future than you could ever imagine? Dan, an introverted computer genius, has fought his way back from a life-shattering crisis that left him isolated, powerless, battling addiction, and close to death. …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/06/the-karma-sequence-by-a-o-wagner-excerpt/
May 05 2025
As soon as I opened this children’s picture book and read the front flap, I knew that I, like Ralph Wiggum on the bus that one time, was in danger. It had been a long, stressful weekend already. Did I want to cry, which I knew I would most likely do reading this book? The …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/05/where-are-you-bronte-by-tomie-depaola-barbara-mcclintock/
May 02 2025
Happy May, dear readers! I’m in the hard middle of Performance Season, but at least I have a whole bunch of terrific upcoming reads to keep me company as I gallivant around the country. First on my list is the latest book from local-to-me author Nick Brooks, which I’m super looking forward to bingeing with …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/02/tantalizing-tales-may-2025-part-one/
May 01 2025
subtitled A High School Story. Ever since Susan Lomond beat Monroe Poole to the top of the Highwater High School Proficiency Listings, Monroe has been obsessed with taking her new rival down. It’s bad enough that Susan is the school’s star quarterback, someone so popular with her classmates that she’s just been elected prom queen …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/05/01/bring-me-the-head-of-susan-lomond-by-connor-b/
Apr 30 2025
translated elegantly from the original Japanese by Jesse Kirkwood. Looking back from my grand old age of mumble mumble, I can safely say that the transitory years to adulthood, when you’re no longer a student but expected to be able to mostly fend for yourself and make good decisions are genuinely some of the roughest …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/04/30/a-perfect-day-to-be-alone-by-nanae-aoyama/
Apr 29 2025
We have a fun excerpt for you this week, readers, as we dive into a comic take on your usual Scandinoir crime thriller. Translated from the Finnish by David Hackston, this darkly funny novel is the perfect balance of thrills, twists and laughter. Middle-aged Anni Korpinen is the top salesperson at Steam Devil. She’s worked …
Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2025/04/29/the-burning-stones-by-antti-tuomainen-excerpt/
Al Singh
Doug Merrill
Doreen Sheridan
Emily Lauer
John Pitzel
Lars N. Goldschlager
Laura Eilers
Professor X
Robert Maedgen
Sylvere Ap Leanan
The Shire