My links are all going to The StoryGraph now, since that's what I'm using instead of GoodReads for tracking (I still have some updates on GoodReads for Netgalley purposes). StoryGraph is Black-woman owned. GoodReads is Amazon owned and fuck billionaires. Please for the millionth time I beg of you, do not buy physical books on Amazon unless they are available literally nowhere else.
You can find me on StoryGraph here.
Engrossing Reads
Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi - Loved this perspective, writing, and story. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
Wait for Me by Amy Jo Burns - I took my time with this one, and it was worth it. Elle Harlow was a great character and easy to root for. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 3/3
The Johnson Four by Christina Hammonds Reed - I’ve never read anything quite like this - Christmas (insert heartbreak/crying emoji) - loved the writing, intricacies and nuance and layers, characters…this family! I was celebrating with them and getting my heart broken with them. Some pacing issues but I couldn’t put this down. Thanks to the publisher for a free copy via Netgalley
The Creek, the Crone, and the Crow by Leah Weiss - There was a little repetition and I didn’t gel with the writing in spots or one of the main characters but loved the setting, story, overall cast of characters, and themes and flew through it. A timely reminder of nature and the e power and magic of women and how those things connect. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 3/24
James by Percival Everett - I left this out of my reading plans for a long time because I am not a fan of its companion book or any book by Mark Twain. This was good. Do I think the sun rose and set out of its binding like many people everyone else? I do not.
Passed the Time Just Fine
The Pillagers' Guide to Arctic Pianos by Kendra Langford Shaw - Quirky, and a great concept, but it felt like wading through words at points and that's not my most enjoyable reading experience. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/12
Liberty Island by Virginia Hume - I expected to slide right into this one like I did with Haven Point, but alas that was not the case. It was a long slow intro - lots of characters up front and that felt chaotic. After it settled in, it was a reliable multi generational family saga with a Maine backdrop and an examination of how women and girls define freedom and carve out places and scenarios for themselves in times when freedom is not meant for them. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/5
The Cat Ate My Gymsuit by Paula Danziger - I found this childhood book at an antiques store and had to go home and give it a re-read. At this age, that took under an hour.
Only Spell Deep by Ava Morgyn - I never win when I play the I'm reading this book by this author but in the back of my reptilian brain comparing it to another of the author's. I loved her last book so much, and this one was fine but didn't compare, and honestly how can it when it's a different book, I'm a different person than even just yesterday let alone a few months back when I read sothe last one. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 3/17
Good Intentions by Marisa Walz - Cady was a lot, and became increasingly more throughout. I think I would Have liked this more with a heavier handed edit - it could be 50-75 pages shorter if I had to estimate. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
This is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman - I love a family drama and this delivered on that - pacing a little slow in spots. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
Not For Me
The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis - Loved the setting and I thought the overall story was good but the pacing was off and the characters felt flat. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book comes out 6/16
Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson - When JJ hits, she hits. When she doesn't, she doesn't. This was not a hit for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book comes out 3/3
Dollface by Lindy Ryan - I like Lindy Ryan’s writing but the horror crossover is not my sweet spot. Definitely not related to Scream either, which it's been billed as. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review
Did Not Finish
The Bookstore Diaries by Susan Mallery - via Netgalley, out 3/3
Harmless Women by Rebecca Sharpe - via Netgalley, out 4/7
Westward Women by Alice Martin - via Netgalley, out 3/10
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What have you been reading?
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