Oxford Exchange

Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood

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Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood
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Underwood’s bold reimagining of Penelope’s hanged maids cements her among the ranks of Rick Riordan and Jennifer Saint. Lies We Sing to the Sea is a a magical take on feminine rage that girls of all ages can empathize with. The love story is ephemeral, and my pages were tear-soaked by the end. I will never look at daffodils the same way.

Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood, (List Price: $15.99, HarperTeen, 9780063234499, April 2024)

Reviewed by Laura Taylor, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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The Werewolf at Dusk: And Other Stories by David Small

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The Werewolf at Dusk: And Other Stories by David Small
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David Small’s illustrations give life to three short stories about age. identity, and metamorphosis in the vein of Franz Kafka and Alfred Hitchcock. Each story positions a person beside a beast in some way, which aids in contextualizing our very human experiences. The illustration is dreamlike; and although the stories are short, they are abundant with depth.

The Werewolf at Dusk: And Other Stories by David Small, (List Price: $25, Liveright, 9781324092827, March 2024)

Reviewed by Isabel Agajanian, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler

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The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler
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The Tusks of Extinction hurt me, inspired me, and taught me in less than 100 pages. Through the lenses of an elephant-expert turned mammoth matriarch, a boy on a hunt with his father, and a man who can’t rise above his wealth, Nayler’s conservationist novella reaches into depths of human empathy and bares it all for examination. Nothing so short has ever made me cry so much.

The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler, (List Price: $26.99, Tordotcom, 9781250855527, January 2024)

Reviewed by Isabel Agajanian, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr

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Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle
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All the Fighting Parts is a much needed book. The verse format makes it a quick read, but it spares no punches, delving deep into the heart of one sexual assault survivor’s journey through grief, guilt, resistance, and reclamation. Healing is a journey through, not a journey’s end; and while the powers of her local church are stacked against her, her loved ones (whom she withdraws from in the aftermath) learn how to support her through every step. It’s poignant and oh-so relevant. Amina’s story is unlike anything I’ve read before, and I hope with all my might that All the Fighting Parts falls into the hands of those who need it most.

All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr, (List Price: $19.99, Amulet Books, 9781419762611, September 2023)

Reviewed by Isabel Agajanian, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle

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Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle
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Curious Tides centers a lush magic system unlike anything I’ve seen before. The celestial lore was beautifully crafted, and Lacelle’s prose is as captivating as a high tide. I deeply appreciated the subtle LGBTQIA rep and the care with which each interpersonal entanglement was treated. I’ve no doubt that Curious Tides will become a staple in the dark academia/fantasy niche, and I cannot wait for the sequel.

Curious Tides by Pascale Lacelle, (List Price: 21.99, Margaret K. McElderry Books, 9781665939270, October 2023)

Reviewed by Isabel Agajanian, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Doom Breaker Volume 1 by Blue-Deep

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The Prince & The Apocalypse by Kara McDowell
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Wow! Blown away! This has so much potential! I love the setting, concept, action, art direction, everything! I am so excited to keep up with this series!

Doom Breaker Volume 1 by Blue-Deep, (List Price: 19.99, WEBTOON Unscrolled, 9781990259883, July 2023)

Reviewed by Ethan Davis, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies by Elizabeth Winkler

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Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies by Elizabeth Winkler
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The myths of Shakespeare are so deeply ingrained that I didn’t realize how many of the things I "know" may not be correct. Winkler makes an excellent case that the Shakespeare we read may not be the Shakespeare of Avon, and she makes it very clear that not every anti-Stratsfordian is a crank. I am not convinced but I am intrigued, and I will keep digging for myself. To me, that makes this book successful–I am hooked and I want to know more.

Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies by Elizabeth Winkler, (List Price: 29.99, Simon & Schuster, 9781982171261, May 2023)

Reviewed by Tracy Bailey, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Hailstone by Rafael Scavone

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Hailstone by Rafael Scavone
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I thought I had it all figured out in the start. There are countless stories out there that start out in a similar way. However, this novel really does it’s own thing. I thought it was going to be a werewolf or wendigo type creature. Boy was I wrong. Never expected the climax that actually came!

Hailstone by Rafael Scavone, (List Price: 22.99, Dark Horse Books, 9781506730943, June 2023)

Reviewed by Ethan Davis, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 1 by Nikiichi Tobita

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Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 1 by Nikiichi Tobita
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I knew that someone was writing a comedy manga around the world of Elden Ring, but I didn’t know it was going to hit this level of scale! Following the journey that everyone who played the game also had, except this tale takes the world and twists the situations into joking situations. Very clever idea. I hope this is able to be continued until the conclusion.

Elden Ring: The Road to the Erdtree, Vol. 1 by Nikiichi Tobita, (List Price: 13, Yen Press, 9781975364892, May 2023)

Reviewed by Ethan Davis, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

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The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
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This darkly beautiful, otherworldly tale is dripping with gore-filled scenes and mesmerizing prose that is certainly not for the faint of heart.

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw, (List Price: 21.99, Tor Nightfire, 9781250830913, May 2023)

Reviewed by Kassie Weeks, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Eastbound by Maylis De Kerangal

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Eastbound by Maylis De Kerangal
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Jessica Moore perfectly encapsulates the thrilling genius of Maylis de Kerangal in this translation. The beauty of Eastbound‘s prose directly contradicts the dire circumstances of Aloicha, a young Russian soldier who quickly deserts, hiding on the very same train as his pursuers. Kerangal’s masterful control of his work and Moore’s faithful translation of the original French novel will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Eastbound by Maylis De Kerangal, (List Price: $18, Archipelago, 9781953861504, February 2023)

Reviewed by Lena Malpeli, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire

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Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire
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I believe that Oliver Darkshire could turn any non-reader into a bibliophile. Darkshire writes a wonderfully hilarious and witty banter about the unique and rather unknown process of selling rare books. I was traveling to London in the spring anyways, but now Sotherean’s is first on the stop all thanks to Oliver.

Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire, (List Price: $27.95, W. W. Norton & Company, 9781324092070, March 2023)

Reviewed by Lena Malpeli, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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The Survivalists by Kashana Cauley

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The Survivalists by Kashana Cauley
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Cauley cleverly constructs a story about how disenfranchisement cultivates a daunting landscape. Anyone who has been forced to make a decision with limited choices will instantly connect with and root for the main character Aretha. Even if it’s a bit stressful to witness.

The Survivalists by Kashana Cauley (List Price: $27, Soft Skull, 9781593767273, January 2023)

Reviewed by Eden Hakimzadeh, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Drinking Games by Sarah Levy

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Drinking Games by Sarah Levy
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A January 2023 Read This Next! Title

I loved Sarah’s very frank and honest recounting of her relationship with alcohol. Her self-aware and candid writing will be a much-needed voice for many who are re-considering the way we look at drinking as a culture. It is also a fantastic memoir about making hard changes for a better life.

Drinking Games by Sarah Levy (List Price: $28.99, St. Martin’s Press, 9781250280589, January 2023)

Reviewed by Laura Taylor, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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Afro Samurai Vol.1 by Takashi Okazaki

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Afro Samurai Vol.1 by Takashi Okazaki
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This was epic. I absolutely can’t wait to get more into this series. Gave me Black Swordsman Arc vibes from Berserk. I hope to see Afro develop more and maybe gain something to care for instead of being purely based on revenge. The setting in the end also gave me Fountainhead Palace vibes from Sekiro.

Afro Samurai Vol.1 by Takashi Okazaki, (List Price: $19.99, Titan Manga, 9781787739000, November 2022)

Reviewed by Ethan Davis, Oxford Exchange in Tampa, Florida

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