Chapter Two Hundred Thirty-Two: Who Is Vera Kelly?

I don't read many spy novels (honestly, I can't think of the last one I did read), but Rosalie Knecht's Who Is Vera Kelly? caught my eye on the new book shelf at work, and I'm so glad I gave it a go.  I was intrigued by the setting--mostly Buenos Aires in the early 1960s, not a time and place I know much about--and Vera's character drew me right in, piquing my curiosity and inciting my empathy.  I read this in one sitting.  (I was on an airplane, in fairness, so I didn't have much else to do, but I think I would've wanted to blaze through it even if I had had other options!)  I don't know whether it would appeal to people who normally read spy novels, since I don't know that genre well enough to gauge how typical this one is, but if you like a book with a strong female protagonist and plenty of intrigue and action, definitely consider Who Is Vera Kelly?

Chapter Two Hundred Thirty-One: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet is the first in a sci-fi series by Becky Chambers, and I certainly plan on reading the others that have been published.  The short version of this review is that if you like Firefly, you should definitely give The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet a try: it's got a small, familial crew--with all of the inherent emotions--a somewhat ragtag but very lovable ship, and high-stakes adventures. 
If you haven't seen Firefly, or if that description didn't hook you, let me also add that I really appreciate this novel for its apparently effortless (and therefore probably very intentional) world building: it gave me everything I needed to know without bogging me down with too much.  I felt like the alien cultures were dynamic and deeply considered, and I could believe how humankind had evolved in the few hundred years between now and when the story takes place.  I also appreciate the variety of relationships--romantic and otherwise--depicted.  Plus, it's got an original plot and a pleasantly fast pace with a nice balance between action and character building.  If you like sci-fi, or if you want to give this genre a try, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet would be an excellent choice.