excavatingmytbr's reviews
673 reviews

Women in the Valley of the Kings: The Untold Story of Women Egyptologists in the Gilded Age by Kathleen Sheppard

adventurous emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

This is a history of the great many accomplishments of a multitude of women in Egyptology. These women achieved much, with little early recognition, despite the overshadowing of their male colleagues. Fighting pay inequality, gendered field expectations, and access to education these women dazzled in their field and remade it to be what we recognize today.

I appreciated the recognition and discussion not just on the science done by these women, but also their friendships and relationships with each other. The trope of “and they were seen as two friends” in historical works can be exhausting, especially when paired with passionate love letters, so having that outright acknowledged was refreshing. We’re in a time in archaeology where our discussion of queer interpretation of evidence, or bare minimum keeping an open mind to queer expressions, in our sites and subjects is part of regular consideration, so having that done here so well was delightful. 

I especially found myself frustrated, though, reading examples where they would disappear from history after a heterosexual marriage, or where they would assume womanly duties and caregiving tasks for a husband or parent. Even worse, the reality of recognizing a woman’s indispensability to the field, only to take her for granted. One example in particular, Caroline Ransom Williams, who was the best educated, trained, and experienced Egyptologist in the US, but couldn’t get museums to hire replacements for her in the form of male colleagues. Why you may ask? They couldn’t afford to pay a man’s salary. It’s one thing to know that happened (happens still), but to literally see academic work NOT get done because of it? Damn. 

Overall the descriptions of fieldwork to the landscape were engaging. The scholarship here is clearly high marked and was wonderfully written as well. As an archaeologist myself I was also lost in the dream of Egypt’s beauty and promise early in my education, and this made me wish to go back, and maybe push 19 year old me not to listen to how dangerous it might, but and to go explore. 

Ghost Island by Max Seeck

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thank you @berkleypub for this gifted copy! 
Once again we join the complicated Detective Jessica Neimi as she solves a decades old mystery and series of crimes. Sent away on mandatory vacation after a video is posted of her “attacking” a man in the street (he deserved it y’all), Jessica goes to what she thought would be the middle of no where to stay out of trouble. But things are not as they appear. 

This book has a dark history, ghosts, serial killer, and next level clues that will lead any thriller lover down the obscure path of discovery. I love the character of Jessica, she’s so brutally herself in all her complicated, brusque, emotional glory and I thoroughly enjoy her thought processes as she investigates. As always the story is multilayered, the scenes vibrant and moody, and the endings satisfying. I was kept guessing throughout and honestly had settled on a totally different killer! 

I appreciated the emphasis on supporting adoption and fostering of children by using the tragedy of the children sent away for safety, whose parents then died during WWII. Those children then needed homes and it was difficult to support and remains today a culture concept that in the surface everyone seemingly supports, but in reality is made very complicated and not always appropriately governed. I hope this amazing addition to this series draws readers to seek out more information on this current issue and its history.

Holding Out for A Gyro by Mary Ann Marlowe

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

The Hotel by Louise Mumford

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Midnight on Beacon Street by Emily Ruth Verona

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Classic horror movies always play a role in culture and how some of celebrate Halloween. From the classics of Nosferatu to the cult classics of Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street, we wouldn’t be the same without them. This novel is a nod to the timelessness of horror films. I enjoyed the back and forth POV and timelines, they add a sense of confusion that I felt fed the anxiety in the story. The classic babysitter trope was a win for me, but doesn’t do what you expect! Overall a fun, quick read for those devotees of Horror.

Searching for Savanna: The Murder of One Native American Woman and the Violence Against the Many by Mona Gable

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

3.0

Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Incredible. This book brings to life the fear and heartache impacting so many indigenous families who have had loved ones ripped from them, while dipping into the rich stories surrounding indigenous cultures. I found the interweaving of myth with the rolling head and the thriller elements of the missing girls to be a unique, effective storytelling method that kept you guessing and connecting all the various points throughout the book. 
I especially love Anna though. She is the main character, of course, but her journey, struggle, and discovery of self was reflective of what so many LGBTQIA2S+ youth work through, and I can only hope they reach the beautiful equilibrium of their own making the way Anna did. 

The Anthropologist in me loved the representation of Two Spirit gender identity, and how that can be embraced by the community to hold a sacred place. It’s so rare to see this represented in such a dynamic fashion, this is the representation of diversity the world needs! 

The attention clearly brought to MMIW’s (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) is essential. Indigenous women experience violent crime at a rate twice as high in the US and 6 times as high in Canada than the national averages. These women are brushed over by twisted laws and fuzzy jurisdiction, and it is up to those with a voice to bring as much attention to this crisis as possible. Visit https://mmiwusa.org to learn more and support your local indigenous communities wherever possible. 

The Retreat by Sarah Pearse

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Retreat is the second of Sarah Pearse’s Elin Warner series, and it is another fabulous notch in her belt. This book sees Elin solving a series of baffling crimes at the atmospheric retreat Lumen which is on an isolated island(already a great setting to start). There is also a mystery tied with the island’s history and the creepy, natural rock formation in the shape of a grim reaper. 
I love the Dual POV the author uses to weave two narratives to the same events, so you’re chasing details throughout and end up with two twists in the end. The characters for this one were all interesting, and as intended for the story, my least favorite was Jo. Pearse designs her baddies to be so easily disliked, it’s like you pull someone out of your own world. The ending for the main mystery with Elin was satisfying, but the ending for the other group of guests… was NOT expecting that but I’m so glad it went down like that! 

The Maya by Michael D. Coe, Stephen D. Houston

adventurous dark informative reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

If you are wanting a comprehensive overview of Maya history, culture (past and present), ruins, beliefs, art and more then look no further. Michael D. Coe, now sadly deceased, was and still is the foremost expert on the Maya and his book The Maya showcases that body knowledge beautifully. The organization of the book fits a functional and narrative understanding of their development and history while liberally sprinkling archaeological excavations and research into the chapters. The addition of Stephen Houston allows for a fascinating development on the topics to update them to the most recent edition. This book will have you ready to go explore the glorious world of the Maya, both past and present, and give you a base knowledge to research further on your own.