August 2024 reads

That slow slide into Labor Day weekend is here. I don't think I'll finish my current book today or tomorrow, I overdid it on reading this month and my brain needs a break.

TL, DR:

Engrossing Reads

The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett - This is no Circe or Achilles, but I still liked the story and was glued to it. Goddamn these idiot misogynistic men, even in ancient Greece. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 9/10

The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley - I love a rock and roll saga, and this surely was one. Gut punch in several places, covers addiction in a respectable way for fiction, and really zeroes in on music and what it means to us beautifully. Free advanced copy from Netgalley, book publishes 9/24

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn - This is my new favorite Kate Quinn. I love going into her books not knowing what they're exactly about and am always thrilled when it's not WWII. This was really good and will probably make my top five of the year. OCNJ library hardcover

Head Cases by John McMahon - My series loving heart wants every book I enjoy to become a series, and that is true here. I loved Gardner and his crew, and the story was good! Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes January 28, 2025

The Last Widow (Will Trent #9) and The Silent Wife (Will Trent #10) by Karin Slaughter - I'm taking the easy way out and combining two series books - It's been a while since I sat down with a Will Trent novel and I'm not sure if absence made the heart grow fonder, but I'd mark 9, 10, 11, and 12 as the strongest in the series so far. Bravo to the author for making that happen. OCNJ hardcovers

After That Night (Will Trent #11) by Karin Slaughter - I had planned to take a break between 10 and 11 and another between 11 and 12 but I had to steamroll through and stay living in Will and Sara's world for a while. OCNJ library digital copy

This is Why We Lied (Will Trent #12) by Karin Slaughter - Rounding out my recent Will Trent tear with the newest that published on 8/20. Loved the story though. Layered and clever. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Remember Her Name (Detective Josie Quinn #21) by Lisa Regan - Speaking of series that I love, it's Josie Quinn still strong as hell at #21. This expands on the newest team member a bit and I'm already impatient on the next book. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 9/17

The Salt Cure by Shelby Cohen - As usual when a short story is good, I have resentment that it's not a full book. I'd read more of these sisters and the local coven by my friend Shelby - you can read it in Suburban Witchcraft magazine, click on the title link and go to page 164.

Passed the Time Just Fine

Things We Never Say by Caitlin Weaver - I appreciate the growing friendship throughout this. These secrets, whew. Some heavier than others. A quick read. Free advanced copy from Netgalley, book publishes 9/27

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors - I mean one extra letter on my maiden name, how could I not read this. A tale of sisterhood, and a triumvirate of self destructive spiraling. There seemed to be a disconnect between chapters, which is what puts this at a 3.5 for me. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book originally published 5/23 and this version publishes 9/3

Guide Me Home (Highway 59 #3) by Attica Locke - The final installment of the Highway 59 trilogy is the best in my opinion - I love Attica Locke's writing style and style and substance delivered here. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult - Loved the concept of this book (incredible research by Picoult as usual) and despite not standardly loving historical fiction, preferred Emilia's parts to present day even though at points it seemed stuck on repeat to hammer home certain aspects of her life and the lives of women at that point in history. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon - The first half was better than the last. A flip was switched at some point on perspective and characters that required a bit of a leap but overall not a bad read. OCNJ library paperback

Rip Tide by Colleen McKeegan - I love a book set in a shore town, and this one did just fine. This was darker than I thought it would be and that suited me fine. OCNJ library hardcover

Not For Me

The Body at Back Beach by K.J. Sweeney - A good setting for a cozy mystery, which I don’t read that often. If you do, you'll like this. It's a not for me but cozy mystery lovers will likely like it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight - I've read every Kimberly McCreight book since Reconstructing Amelia waiting for it to rise to that level and it has not. This is no different. Not a goddamn likeable person to be found or a storyline interesting enough to drive it all together. OCNJ library hardcover

After Image by Jaime deBlanc - There was foreshadowing of things that led to that's it? scenarios, more tell me than show me, and plenty of no way would this happen in reality instances. If I knew at the beginning what I knew at the end, I might not have picked this up. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 10/8

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty - I will surely be the outlier on this - just a reminder that you can be that at any time, with any book, by any author - but this wasn't it for me. Not making it easier to like - for what it was, it was long as hell. The beauty of a Liane Moriarty book for me is the quick page turn and this didn't have it. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 9/10

Did Not Finish

n/a

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What have you been reading?

Weekending first half of August 2024

August 2-4

Friday I made my way down to the shore and hit the beach around 4. Shore house guests had rented a golf cart for the week - a first for our house. Saturday was an easy turnover - always love that when it's first time guests leaving, you never know what you're going to get - then painted my nails and hit the beach. I walked down to the Art of Surfing from the beach and got linner from the Promenade pizza shop, first time this year. MFD convinced me we had time to go to the boardwalk around 8:45 and be back before the rain at 9:30 but alas the sheets of rain came down at 9. I left him at cinnabon and beat feet home but had to pause under an overhang for about 10 minutes and completely change when I got home. Sunday I went to ShopRite, stopped by the fishing pier on the way back into town, then did the beach for a bit. Sunset was fantastic as it often is after a storm rolls through. 

August 9-11

Another Friday afternoon commute to the shore. It was cold and misty when I got here like I wore my raincoat on my 5 pm beach walk, but the sun did come out. Saturday was a super easy turnover with longtime guests leaving - they always leave the house in fantastic shape and they always leave gifts. It was a great beach day. Sunday I hit the library and the beach to do some more beachcombing and reading and walked down to the bay at sunset.

August 16-18

Do I love a summer Friday, yes. Even when people come to the beach after me and set their chairs right up my asshole until I turn around and stare at them three times to move. If you can touch someone else's chair (that you don't know) and there is available space elsewhere on the beach, you are too close. MFD took all the dogs except Mup home Friday afternoon just as Sarah, Harry, and Liz were arriving. Mup and I couched it with Harry and did turnover which was easy as longtime great guests were leaving - they always leave a gift. I was going to do the beach for a bit but headed back to Philly instead and made quick rounds to Produce Junction for veg and flowers and the grocery store for a few necessities. My first Harris sign came so MFD put that out for me, and he made filets and salad for dinner and I made brownies. Sunday he was working and I went to Mom & Rich's for lunch and a pool day. 

SMD

July 2024 Reads

July is over? Time flies. I'd say we're deep into beach reading season, but my true beach reading season if there is one is August and September as July is the month of the year I'm at the shore the least.

TL, DR:

Engrossing Reads

The Boy (Broussard and Fourcade #2) by Tami Hoag - The series settles into itself here, and this was a quick few hour read. OCNJ library hardcover

We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston - Hard to put this one down.Set in Waco with multiple points of view and a cult storyline, this simultaneously felt familiar and entirely new to me. I loved the characters, especially the Sheriff and his wife. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore - I can say with confidence this will be in my top five of favorite reads of the year. This is a big mama and I devoured it all in a few hours. Love Moore's writing and I really enjoyed this story. OCNJ library hardcover

A Clean Kill (Garrett Mann #1) by Steven Konkoly - I liked this, really liked the cast of characters and hope #2 follows quickly. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen - This one was stressful and I mean that in a complimentary way LOL. Super quick read. I enjoy Pekkanen's solo novels a lot. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 8/6

Passed the Time Just Fine

Till Death Do Us Part by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn - There's a LOT going on here. A lot. Which helped keep the book on a brisk pace, and I can never argue with that. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes 8/13

Wild Failure: Stories by Zoe Whittall - A good collection of shorts focused on women of all types with some dark humor thrown in for good measure. Super quick read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Strange Folk by Alli Dyer - This hits two of my sweet spots: set in Appalachia and a little mystical magic. It also features one of my detractions: a willful youth character who fucks things up. Good pacing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes 8/6

The Truth You Told (Raisa Susanto #2) by Brianna Labuskes -  A good sophomore effort in this series - I hope there are more, with more involvement from Raisa's sisters as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes 9/10

The Empress of Cooke County by Elizabeth Bass Parman - Based on the cover art, I definitely thought this was more along the lines of the lighter with a dip of serious themes Fannie Flag books but this was definitely heavier than I expected. A good reminder not to judge a book by its cover. I enjoyed the book I ended up reading, which is what matters. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Book publishes 9/3

A Thin Dark Line (Broussard and Fourcade #1) by Tami Hoag - It took me a bit to sink into this world, and the blatant sexism and misogyny in the work place was fucking frustrating to read through, but I liked it. OCNJ library paperback

No Road Home by John Fram - A good quick read full of nutters. Just what the doctor ordered for summer evenings reading in one sitting. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Teacher by Freida McFadden - This woman is wild and keeps getting away with it because we keep reading them LOL. Paperback copy, passed on to me, I passed on

Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown - This kept my attention and I could not really tell who was good and who was bad, which I enjoy. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The Bookstore Wedding (Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories #2) by Alice Hoffman - I mean if you're going to write two related short stories why not write six or eight or 10 and give us a novella? Come on, Alice. Amazon first reads free book per month

Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer  - I think this is being pushed as a romance? Loved the friendship trio in this book. Some parts of the story did not jive together but it was a quick and fine read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 8/6

Not For Me

Memories of the Lost by Barbara O'Neal - My least favorite of hers due to it reading more like a fairy tale, which is not my jam. Still a well written book I was happy to finish. Definitely a good for you, not for me book - many people will enjoy this and I look forward to the next Barbara O'Neal. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 

One Big Happy Family by Jamie Day - Not an easy read - it felt choppy and never found its rhythm. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell - The miscommunication trope is not for me. This will be for many people. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

Don't Tell a Soul by Jessica Huntley - book publishes 8/4, free advanced copy from Netgalley

The Bitter End by Alexa Donne - book publishes 10/15, free advanced copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

Weekending second half of July 2024

July 19-22

Friday morning I was a prolonged victim of the dreaded windows outtage. By the time I got back on it was Friday summer hours and I was taking them. Friday night I dropped QV off to her foster's for the weekend and attended a backyard hang for Beth's 40th in Media. Saturday morning we left by 8 for Dad & Carol's and headed into Lewes for a walk around. MFD found a new pipe with a D on it at the antique store so of course had to buy it. We had lunch at Agave, stopped at another antiques store, and hung around outside until my brother, Aub, and the kids arrived from their extended NC vacation. Hotdogs and hamburgers and crushed potatoes and ice cream, the Phillies, and bed. Sunday we had a big breakfast then went to Rehoboth to bop around - MFD went to the beach, I trolled some shops, everyone else did the games and then we had lunch at Rehoboth Ale House when the news hit of Biden dropping out. We headed back to Dad & Carol's before doing sunset on the beach complete with cartwheels and a dog living its best life before heading home and running down to see the Shook fam under the light of a full moon. Monday MFD and I left around noon, picked up QV, and got home around 4. I painted my nails and called it a day. 

July 26-28

Friday I had breakfast with a coworker at Pretty Bird in Yardley and took full advantage of summer hours in the afternoon, lounging around and watching the opening ceremonies. I was in bed before 8:30. Oop. Saturday MFD and I did a quick back and forth to the shore for turnover made awesome by soem gifts left behind by Melissa & Jim. Another trashcan maggot scenario, vomit. At least he was there to deal with them this time. We got back home at 3 something, showered, and headed to the annual Sannelli summer BBQ to catch up with our peeps and covertly root for the hotdog eating beagle BB. We got home around 12:30 and I was up another hour. Whew. Sunday I slept in and then felt off all day. I returned a bunch of shit to Nordstrom Rack, did a quick stroll through Homegoods looking for shore bedding with no luck, picked up a Target order, cleaned up my room and purged two drawers I've been meaning to purge for six months...of course this took 10 minutes. Why do I sit on this. I also cleaned the shower and put up a new organizer in there. We went to MFD's Gram's for dinner with her and his uncle, bringing Mark's fantastic lasagna from our freezer. Another early to bed night.

Weekending first half of July 2024

July 4-7

Lake - pitstop in Philly - shore long weekend that actually felt like a long weekend, which we love. Thursday Lori and I had our annual 9 am Fourth of July hotdog from the fire house at the Montrose celebration and wandered around the green where there were so many more tents this year than normal. I was feeling off and was happy to relax and read the rest of the day. Friday I woke up and knew I had a UTI even though it's been 10 years since I had one. Lori took the dogs, I did telehealth and lay back down, and we headed out to pick up my prescription and went out to Russel Farms where I got delicious peaches and tomatoes. I was operating at about 50% all day so lots of laying down, some snoozing and reading. If you are sick away from home, it's good to be somewhere that feels like home to you. Saturday I set off back to Philly for a pitstop to do a Target pickup and Aldi pop in, make pasta salad, unpack and re-pack my car, and left for the shore around 4:30. It was hotter than the devil's asshole in Philly and I was wearing long sleeves at the shore. Sunday I went to the library to pick up a much anticipated hold and had myself a beach day. Lots of reading and relaxing this weekend!

July 12-14

Friday my mom came over for a visit in the morning bearing the gift of bagels. A fresh everything bagel with cream cheese topped with cucumbers? Can't beat it. I had Friday hours which I ended up working through to get something done and also because I need to flex some time this coming Tuesday. I hastily threw together a bag and Saturday morning I was on my way to the shore solo while MFD held down the fort in Philly with all the pets. I did turnover, then went to the library, picked up a salad and some ice, and strolled down Asbury Avenue and back up the boardwalk, stopping for a Kohr Bros mint cone and people watching. Back at home I read and walked down to see the sunset. Sunday was a beach day, and I was happy to see my oldest friend Jen and Neil for a bit. More reading and nail painting and sunsetting and packing up to not be back for nearly two weeks and then early to bed. 

That'll do it. I still do reels on Instagram with snippets of the weekend and the musical accompaniment of a song I heard at some point...you can always find them here. 

SMD