https://www.canisius.edu/academics/programs/biology“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”

– Jojen, in A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

My name is Daniel. I’m a microbiologist and an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Canisius College. Though I’m a scientist, reading and writing are my two of my most passionate hobbies. From my earliest years I’ve loved books and reading. I am rarely without a book close at hand, and typically am reading multiple volumes at any given time, averaging about 100 – 200 reads per year.

This site is a place to put up reviews of advanced reading copies that I am fortunate to receive, as well as select books I’ve purchased. My hope is that through this blog you might discover something new to read or greater insight into something you’ve also enjoyed. I am currently trying to get reviews up here twice each week, Monday and Thursday, but other priority obligations may interfere with that goal.

In addition to this personal blog I contribute reviews of Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror written by Persons of Color to the Hugo-nominated Skiffy & Fanty, and sometimes feature a book of note on one of my contributions to Small Things Considered, a blog from the American Society for Microbiology that I write for. I also contribute guest reviews to Speculative Fiction in Translation and Strange Horizons.

There is no single genre that I read, so the reviews and occasional news on this site will run across the spectrum. While there are certainly some kinds of books or genres that I am less likely to read or enjoy, I basically enjoy anything that is well done, interesting, entertaining: nonfiction or fiction. Certain kinds of fantasy and short stories in general are probably my favorite, but I like everything from literary, artistic works to genre pulp depending on the day.

So, no matter what your reading interests are, you will find something to appreciate here. I hope you’ll be able to use these reviews to inspire new finds and guide your reading selections.