Book Reviews

By Adam Aleksic
7/15/25
256 pages
$29
Knopf

‘Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language’

Every generation gathers its own stew of slang to scandalize their parents and, eventually, grows up to be those scandalized parents. Endless concern and overblown reactions to the evolution of expression is as old as humanity. Just ask the ancient Romans. All that aside, the introduction of the internet and, specifically, social media has sped up and changed the process an taken most everyone by surprise, regardless of generation.

In this well-researched and lively book, linguist Adam Aleksic, an influencer in his own right, tackles the changes we have seen in just the last few years. Discussing how the algorithm influences word-choice amongst the chronically online, and how a word can go viral from even the smallest of circles, Aleksic shows the massive influence social media has had not just on our habits and trends but even on how we think and communicate IRL (in real life). 

The examples provided are both fascinating and even a little scary (or maybe I’m just old). What this means for the future, only time will tell, but this is a fascinating peek into the forces that are changing just about everything. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich

By T. Kingfisher
8/19/25
368 pages
$28.99
Tor Books

Hemlock & Silver

Oh, this is a fun book — escapist, heartwarmingly cozy, and funnier than it has any right to be. Retelling fairy tales is not the newest trope on the block, but when it’s done well, the subversion of expectations is just the ticket for me to get swept away. And there are few out there doing it better than T. Kingfisher.

Anja is a healer, of a sort. She specializes in poisons, lost causes, and strict scientific discovery. Her ingenious methods and unique style have already saved lives, but she is not at all expecting a visit from her bereaved king who finds himself at a loss for how to treat his very ill daughter, Snow. Anja is forced to use all of her tricks and invent some new ones as she discovers the strange magic threatening not just the princess but the entire kingdom.

I adore a fantasy heroine who isn’t a teenager and isn’t a perfect model of femininity. If you are looking for something easy to read that isn’t bogged down by pages of romance, this sweet little story is definitely worth your time. Be warned though, you will never look at mirrors in the same way again. ♦ — Review by Julie Goodrich