The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

Title: The Cartographers
Series: n/a
Author: Peng Shepherd
Source/Format: Purcahsed; Hardcover
More Details: Contemporary Fantasy
Publisher/Publication Date: William Morrow; March 15, 2022

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Synopsis from Goodreads...

What is the purpose of a map? Nell Young’s whole life and greatest passion is cartography. Her father, Dr. Daniel Young, is a legend in the field and Nell’s personal hero. But she hasn’t seen or spoken to him ever since he cruelly fired her and destroyed her reputation after an argument over an old, cheap gas station highway map. But when Dr. Young is found dead in his office at the New York Public Library, with the very same seemingly worthless map hidden in his desk, Nell can’t resist investigating. To her surprise, she soon discovers that the map is incredibly valuable and exceedingly rare. In fact, she may now have the only copy left in existence... because a mysterious collector has been hunting down and destroying every last one—along with anyone who gets in the way. But why? To answer that question, Nell embarks on a dangerous journey to reveal a dark family secret and discovers the true power that lies in maps...

Peng Shepherd’s The Cartographers was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Right from the start, I was intrigued by the premise—the maps, the reason for Nell’s firing, and what it had to do with her father’s eventual death. This book gave me everything I was looking for; the kind of slow moving story where the details are in the history. Told through alternating chapters, set between the past and present, The Cartographers is a new favorite.

In a way The Cartographers kind of reminded me of Piranesi. Both were contemporary fantasies set in modern times, heavy on secrets, light on magical elements, but thoroughly engrossing reads. The magical aspects tweaked reality in minute ways—just enough to give the story something of an edge, and explained just enough to be logical for the book—but it wasn’t a hard magic system (and it didn’t have to be) for the story to work.

Peng Shepherd’s writing style offered an easy entry into the book, and my instant intrigue toward the synopsis carried over to when I actually started reading. There was something of a somber tone to the story mixed in with a mystery and academic themes. But, with as many secrets the characters had, I knew pretty early on what kind of story I was in for. And it was great!

Part of what made the story for me were the characters. Nell had every right to be angry over what happened, but I could easily see how her suspicions and the mystery of the map could end up consuming her life. And I know the story was laser-focused on Nell, her family, and lots and lots of maps (some far more important than others). But the secondary cast was an interesting bunch, and I wished there was a little more about their lives outside the main events of the story; particularly for the time skip—I was so curious about what they were up to too. That being said, it didn’t impact my overall enjoyment of the story.

The Cartographers was a book about ambition, secrets, lies, broken bonds, and maps. The synopsis asks, “What is the purpose of a map?” The characters and the story grappled with that question. The conclusion, I think, provided an answer that brought the story to a satisfying end.

 

Music Monday (211): Kelsey Lu, Alice Francis & Gene Stovall x Geenpool, Tom Holkenborg

Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Recently, I've been listening to Kelsey Lu's music again. I realized I never mentioned her stuff before. One of my favorite songs is Foreign Car.

Adri: At the end of Club Noir there's this (what I assume to be) bonus track. It's different from the rest of the album, but I like it. It's Not so Well Hidden Track by Alice Francis and Gene Stovall x Geenpool.

Andrea: Hi all! This week I'm listening to Blue Menace by Tom Holkenborg.

What are you listening to this week?

The Friday 56 (220) & Book Beginnings: The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

What is the purpose of a map? Nell Young’s whole life and greatest passion is cartography. Her father, Dr. Daniel Young, is a legend in the field and Nell’s personal hero. But she hasn’t seen or spoken to him ever since he cruelly fired her and destroyed her reputation after an argument over an old, cheap gas station highway map. But when Dr. Young is found dead in his office at the New York Public Library, with the very same seemingly worthless map hidden in his desk, Nell can’t resist investigating. To her surprise, she soon discovers that the map is incredibly valuable and exceedingly rare. In fact, she may now have the only copy left in existence... because a mysterious collector has been hunting down and destroying every last one—along with anyone who gets in the way. But why? To answer that question, Nell embarks on a dangerous journey to reveal a dark family secret and discovers the true power that lies in maps...

Beginning: "In the dim light of her desk's single bulb lamp, the map nearly glowed."

56: "She didn't even know for sure if he had the same number. But a few long minutes later, her phone buzzed."

Comments: There's nothing better than a highly anticipated book turning out to be a new favorite. The Cartographers lands right in that category. What are you reading this week?

I Listened to Special by Lizzo

I’ve been a fan of Lizzo for a while now, and one of my most anticipated albums of the year was her follow-up to 2019’s Cuz I Love You. It was one of my favorites during its release year, and that album (and the ones before it) set the bar pretty high for the kind of fun and quality music I expect from Lizzo. (Don’t even get me started about her 2016 EP, Coconut Oil. I still love it.)

Lizzo’s latest release, Special, more than continued with that trend, delivering catchy retro 80s pop and disco beats, mixed with hip hop and funk. In terms of lyrics and messaging, Special is a pretty positive album overall, especially in its tone. However, it was also reflective and heartfelt too, especially with songs like 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready), Break Up Twice, and Special, just to name a few.

There are no features on the album, but honestly, Special didn’t need any. Lizzo’s artistry was on full display. What I thought was interesting was how she used a variety of samples to really drive home the aesthetic of the album, but they didn’t overpower the tracks.

The hype for Special was more than deserved. It really is one of my favorite albums of 2022, and I look forward to whatever Lizzo releases next.

Have you listened to Special yet? If so, what did you think about it?

Music Monday (210): Audrey Nuna, Deb Never, Beyoncé, Khalid, Ne-Yo

 Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: I really like this collaboration between Audrey Nuna and Deb Never. It's called Sardines.

I'm also listening to Beyoncé's new album, Renaissance. It's so good! One of my favorites is All Up In Your Mind.

 

Andrea: Hi all! I'm currently listening to Talk by Khalid and Handle Me Gently by Ne-Yo. Have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

Short Stories I Read in June

It’s the twenty-ninth of July. So it’s time to talk about the short stories, miscellaneous posts, and podcast episodes I read or listened to in June.

Mycelysis by G.G. Diniz; Art by C.A.P. Ward (Strange Horizons; Issue: 30, May 2022)

Mushrooms/fungus and speculative fiction/SFF seems to go hand in hand. The first of the two short stories I read this month was Mycelysis by G.G. Diniz. It was a fantastic work of flash fiction. The story can be a little haunting, as it talks of gods coming and going, and a nameless narrator who goes to a temple and joins a group of disciples. It was short but exceptionally interesting, especially with the imagery painted by the writing and the overall point of the story. (The little note at the beginning was an interesting look at how the illustration correlated with the story, and I recommend reading that as well.)

The Fruit of the Princess Tree by Sage Tyrtle (Apex Magazine; May 17, 2022)

The second and last story I read in June was Sage Tyrtle’s The Fruit of the Princess Tree. There’s no shortage of fiction that challenges that princess and prince charming narrative, and this story falls into that category. What makes it unique is its approach to it, by adding a fantasy aspect into the fray with princesses that grow on the titular tree. There was an undeniably somber tone to the story, but it was fitting. I also enjoyed the ending. This was a good one.

From around the web…

• Print Run Podcast Episode 151: The Pettisode
• Maps, Worldbuilding, And The Journey In Fantasy (Noemi Arellano-Summer; Strange Horizons, Issue: Fund Drive 2022)
• The End Of Winter (Daniela Viçoso; Strange Horizons, Issue: 30, May 2022)
• Our Opinions Are Correct Episode #108: How Science Fiction Sold Us The Automobile 

Music Monday (209): Angel Haze, Lauv & Chapel Hart, Alice Francis

Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: Over the weekend, I was listening to Angel Haze's Ep, Girl With The Gun. One of my favorite songs is Bullet. I always enjoy music that's influenced by funk, and I really love what Angel Haze did with this song.

  

 

Adri: I've been listening to Alice Francis' recent album Club Noir. My pick for today is the titular track.

Andrea: Hi all! This week I am listening to Who (feat. BTS) & All 4 Nothing (I'm So In Love) by Lauv. Is everyone familiar with Dolly Parton's song, Jolene? If not you can click on the link to listen to it. This is one of my favorite songs by Dolly Parton. Now there's a new song entitled You Can Have Him Jolene by Chapel Hart. I really enjoyed this take on dealing with Jolene. Have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?

The Friday 56 (219) & Book Beginnings: Clash Of Steel by C.B. Lee

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

Synopsis from Goodreads... 

Two intrepid girls hunt for a legendary treasure on the deadly high seas in this YA remix of the classic adventure novel Treasure Island.

1826. The sun is setting on the golden age of piracy, and the legendary Dragon Fleet, the scourge of the South China Sea, is no more. Xiang has grown up with stories about the Dragon Fleet and its ruthless leader, a woman known only as the Dragon Queen, all her life. Xiang desperately wants to set sail and explore—mainly to find her father, a presumed dead crew member of the Dragon Fleet. Her only memento of him is a pendant she always wears, a simple but plain piece of gold jewelry.

But the pendant's true nature is revealed when a mysterious girl named Anh steals it, only to return it to Xiang in exchange for her help in decoding the tiny map scroll hidden inside. Rumor has it that the legendary Dragon Queen had one last treasure—the plunder of a thousand ports—hidden away on an island shrouded in mist that only can be seen once in a blue moon.

Xiang is convinced this map could lead to the fabled treasure. Captivated with the thrill of adventure, she joins Anh and her motley crew off in pursuit of the island. But the girls soon find that the sea—and especially those who sail it—are far more dangerous than the legends led them to believe.

Beginning: "The wild storm seems to have no end, the heavens above unleashing a relentless torrent as the sea rises and falls in response."

56: "I'm alone, and I whisper the city's name to myself like a promise."

Comments: Hello, I'm taking over The Friday 56 & Book Beginnings this week! I loved of Clash of Steel so much that I end up speeding through it. I especially loved getting to know the world and the main (and many side) characters. So what are you reading this week?

Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall by Alexandra Lange

Title: Meet Me by the Fountain, An Inside History of the Mall 

Series: n/a
Author: Alexandra Lange
Source/Format: Publisher; Paperback ARC
More Details: Nonfiction
Publisher/Publication Date: Bloomsbury; June 14, 2022

Goodreads     Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Book Depository

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Few places have been as nostalgized, or as maligned, as malls. Since their birth in the 1950s, they have loomed large as temples of commerce, the agora of the suburbs. In their prime, they proved a powerful draw for creative thinkers such as Joan Didion, Ray Bradbury, and George Romero, who understood the mall's appeal as both critics and consumers. Yet today, amid the aftershocks of financial crises and a global pandemic, as well as the rise of online retail, the dystopian husk of an abandoned shopping center has become one of our era's defining images. Conventional wisdom holds that the mall is dead. But what was the mall, really? And have rumors of its demise been greatly exaggerated?

In her acclaimed The Design of Childhood, Alexandra Lange uncovered the histories of toys, classrooms, and playgrounds. She now turns her sharp eye to another subject we only think we know. She chronicles postwar architects' and merchants' invention of the mall, revealing how the design of these marketplaces played an integral role in their cultural ascent. In Lange's perceptive account, the mall becomes newly strange and rich with contradiction: Malls are environments of both freedom and exclusion--of consumerism, but also of community. Meet Me by the Fountain is a highly entertaining and evocative promenade through the mall's story of rise, fall, and ongoing reinvention, for readers of any generation.

When I saw Meet Me by the Fountain on offer for review, I thought “why not?” It seemed like a fascinating subject to delve into—it’s also far outside the nonfiction books I usually gravitate towards, but I went into it with an open mind. And I’m pleased to say that my initial assessment was right on the money. I loved the book.

Meet Me by the Fountain was an incredibly interesting look at the ways malls went from concept to reality; from cultural hubs to asserting more restrictions; and then into decline during something that can only be described as a boom-and-bust cycle. Lange expertly laid out the long history—well into more recent years too—in succinct and engrossing chapters. They delved into everything from layout, anchor stores, and the (often) narrow scope of who these places were meant to cater to. It was an interesting dichotomy between expectations and the actual needs of the community it was placed within—especially in urban areas.

There was a heavy emphasis on architecture and interior design throughout Meet Me by the Fountain. Many of the malls were described as using design to create an experience to entice shoppers to stay for longer periods of time.

I also appreciated the wide array of architects and development firms that were mentioned. Most of them I just never bothered to look up, but reading so many quotes about the process behind developing a project of the size of a mall was interesting. So there was a lot to learn from this book.

Meet Me by the Fountain is, hands down, one of my favorite nonfiction reads of 2022.

About the author....

Alexandra Lange is a journalist and an architectural historian. She is a contributing editor at New York Magazine and writes articles about architecture, design and urban planning for Metropolis, Domino and The New York Times. She received her PhD from the Institute of Fine Arts at New York University and has contributed essays and articles to peer-reviewed publications such as the Journal of Design History and the Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. Alexandra has taught architectural criticism at New York University and delivered papers on her research at the Society of Architectural Historians 59th Annual Meeting and the 2005 Buell Dissertation Colloquium at Columbia University.

Goodreads     Website     Twitter     Instagram

Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher (Bloomsbury) in exchange for an honest review, thank you! 

Music Monday (208): Lizzo

 Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: This week, I'm listening to Lizzo's long awaited new album, Special. One of my favorite songs is 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready). I could go on and on about how good it is. Instead, just give it a listen!

Adri: Since my co-bloggers are listening to Lizzo, I decided to join in. My pick for today is Coldplay.

Andrea: Hi all! I'm listening to Special too, and my pick is the title song. Have an amazing week!

What are you listening to this week?