August 2025 Reads

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

Kiss Her Goodbye (Frankie Elkin #4) by Lisa Gardner - Love this series - this book’s new characters stole my heart. More Frankie Elkin please! Free advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham - I tore through this. So good, I was on edge the entire time

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan - Appalachian setting is one of my sweet spots. I couldn't put this down - great pacing. I'd read more from these characters and definitely from this author.

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

Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein - Absolutely loved this as a fan of women's sports in general and as a soccer adjacent person most of my life through family. Heartbreaking and amazing throughout - I really loved this. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Couple's Secret (Josie Quinn #23) by Lisa Regan - Not my favorite Josie but still a solid delivery and reading experience. They can't all be favorites, although most of the 23 books have managed to be. 

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

Passed the Time Just Fine

Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes by Sandra Jackson-Opoku - Easy and enjoyable. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth by Barbara O'Neal - Loved the components of this story, but the characters were frustrating and stuck in spots so it took me a while to get through Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 

One Dark Night by Hannah Richell - What actually happened here came a little out of nowhere, but I still couldn't put the book down. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

High Season by Katie Bishop - Just okay - old murder storylines relying on younger adults as witnesses are difficult, and this was no exception. Made more difficult by not liking any of the characters. 

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

Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje - I liked the writing - you could feel the yearning - and was fascinated by the relationships. Also enjoyed the Croatia factor Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Such Great Heights: The Complete Cultural History of the Indie Rock Explosion by Chris DeVille - Loved that the chapters began with a playlist. The book felt overloaded with info to me though, like nonstop, and it wasn't exactly a right fit for me music-wise, so I just skimmed the chapters/albums that were not for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 

First Light, Last Light by Glen Sorestad - I really enjoyed this, made my way through slowly. It might have been my first encounter with a volume of Canadian poetry. I preferred the nature poems over the people poems. Mid-Winter is a standout for me! Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Not For Me

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen - I standardly enjoy books by this author but this one was not for me. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

Ruins by Amy Taylor - Copy via Netgalley

The Perfect Murder by Amanda McKinney - Copy via Netgalley 

The Violet Hour by Victoria Benton Frank - Copy via Netgalley 

*****************

What have you been reading?

Weekending second half of August 2024

August 23-25

Coming off of two concerts - two close to 2 am bedtimes in a row - Friday was a struggle. I had to keep repeating to myself, "you can do this" as I worked through noon, put laundry away, packed up food and car and dogs, and drove down to the shore. I hit the beach late. Saturday we were the cleaners as our crew was doing back to college stuff. When we were finished I rode my bike to the library, then hit the beach later in the afternoon. Mozz sticks and ice cream, the dinner of champions. Sunday morning MFD and QV left before 6:30. I painted my nails, made iced tea and french onion dip, cut up veggies, cleaned my birkenstocks, and relaxed. Our niece Maddi and her boyfriend were down for the day so I saw them for beach tags and chairs, and I hit the beach myself in the afternoon. Otherwise lots of walking and reading and relaxing. 

August 30-September 3...long Labor Day weekend 

Summer hours Friday, people checking out Saturday and fam and friends arriving. Nice beach days, a goodbye to Wonderland Pier with a ferris wheel ride, and the 5th Anniversary of the Great American Smokeout with lots of smoke, games, etc. Also celebrated MFD's birthday and Michelle's birthday!

SMD

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

*****************

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

August 2022 reads

Another month gone. They fly.

Here's what I read in August:

Engrossing Reads

Stay Awake by Megan Goldin - This kept me up at night, in a good way! I devoured this. Good story and pacing Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Local Girl Missing (Josie Quinn #15) by Lisa Regan - Continual series excellence, I devoured this in a few hours. Pre-ordered kindle copy, own

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead - This is very heavy and psychologically dark. There is a trigger warning that precedes it for a lot of shit and if any of it applies to you, you should heed and not read. I could not put it down. OCNJ hard cover

All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers - When I turned this back in at the library, I said to the librarian, "people are going to be big mad about the ending," and she replied, "no spoilers." What do you think, I'm new? My statement stands. I liked the book though. People are going hard for it in reviews, and I think that's because it was written by what I understand is a fairly well known podcaster? I didn't know anything about her or the podcast when I got it, people on Instagram shared that with me. I saw it in an article back in April and put a hold on it. If this was a standard debut by an unknown author, they would not nearly be as critical or cutting, nor would they be donning their Literary Prof hats for a mystery/thriller. Just a small reminder that books can be what they are which is standardly not Pulitzer-worthy and you can enjoy them in their imperfect state and make no excuses or justifications for the books you enjoy. Ciao. OCNJ hard cover

Every Last Secret by A.R. Torre - It appears I've  had this on my Kindle for a few years and I wonder if it was an Amazon First Reads book? I have no idea. This caused me to raise my eyebrows a lot but it was a quick read that kept my attention quite nicely. Kindle e-book, own

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Family Remains (The Family Upstairs #2) by Lisa Jewell - Maybe I should have re-read The Family Upstairs before reading this, because this was a mess for me to wade through without good recall of that book. So if you do not have good recall of The Family Upstairs, maybe re-read that. If you have not read that, good to read them in quick succession. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Last Karankawas by Kimberly Garza - I requested this based on the title alone. For some reason it made me think of people at summer camp and this was absolutely, positively not that and about 508 pounds heavier in spirit. I loved the writing. The book felt a little stilted, and so I put it down. Then I picked it back up and started reading it almost like short stories which I had seen someone on IG say they did (was it you? let me know!) and I zipped through the rest. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Beach Party by Amy Sheppard - Not bad for a debut novel and definitely held some surprises for me. Passed the time just fine, which is what a book read on the beach in the summer should do. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Numbers Killer (An Agent Victoria Heslin Thriller #1) by Jenifer Ruff - Sometimes I get a book from Netgalley that is a series book which prompts me to go back and read from the beginning because only psychopaths knowingly start a series many books in. I rarely love the first in a series because I think the author is still feeling it out and the characters are stretching out. If I like it enough to read more, I do. That is the case here. Paperback, own

Not For Me/Did Not Finish

The Last to Vanish by Megan Miranda - NFM. Absolutely nothing happens the first half of this book. It's not bad, it's just....nothing. The action is all at the end. If I was star rating, about a 2.5. Standardly I am a Megan Miranda fan.  OCNJ hard cover

Haven by Emma Donoghue - DNF, Absolutely excruciating Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

The Couple at Causeway Cottage by Diane Jeffrey - NFM This felt like phoning it in and was super casual around rape not once but twice. I said several times in my head did someone really pass this through editing? Cheap "thriller" that was not Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

The Pallbearers Club by Paul Tremblay - DNF, due to writing style OCNJ library hard cover

What have you been reading?

TWTW - the last one in August

Friday I stayed in Philly to work and at lunch made breakfast burritos to freeze and after work power breakfast muffins to freeze & give away. I packed up and headed out to the shore with Bruce, Ben, and Mae by about 8 and was up until midnight reading. 

Saturday I slept in until 8:30, did the walking and the feeding of the dogs, cleaned up outside, turnover shit, made daily shower spray refills for upstairs, and MFD arrived around noon to do his stuff. The rest of the afternoon was a washout so I read and painted my nails (OPI I Eat Mainely Lobster and Essie Juicy Details), chatted with my neighbors, made a dozen hard boiled eggs in the air fryer, and sat with the animals. When the rain let up MFD and I walked down to the beach then sat on a bench on the boards people watching. We watched the Bob Ross documentary when we got back. Fuck those Bob Ross grifter people. 

Sunday I thought was going to be fine but a band of rain stayed stationary over Ocean City and we got pounded while other shore points were sunny. We flooded as bad as I've seen it yet this summer. The first photo is our corner and the second photo is from the apartment porch. So it was a reading and lounging and actually a TV watching day. We watched the first four episodes of Nine Perfect Strangers and all of Ted Lasso season one. We really liked both but Ted ugh so fucking perfect this show.

As I have put all over the internet Sunday was Gus's 16th birthday. He enjoyed many meals, a trip to dog beach, and the requisite birthday burger party which everyone attended event though Billy Cat is on a no burger diet. The excitement wore everyone out and we were all in bed by 10. 

Holding good thoughts for all of those in Ida's path. 

Heading into freaking Labor Day weekend already. Let's go.

Three Things - August

Songs that make me think of high school
-Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms
-Stay by Lisa Loeb
-No Rain by Blind Melon

Things I like to give
-Compliments. I don't make them up to have something to say, but if I admire something I don't hold it in even if I don't know someone
-Encouragement, the world has enough critics
-hell to people who deserve it

Things I like to receive
-All the information I need if I'm doing something for you
-iced coffee
-recommendations on reusable/sustainable items

Things I hate that many people like
-Podcasts and audiobooks. And no, recommending one you really like will not change my mind. I've tried. I listened to the first season of Serial and while I liked the content, I had to force it. I've tried podcasts by people I know and like The Broad Review and Influenced: The Podcast. I even did a podcast with Jana that I never listened back to. I just don't like listening to talking when I'm not in conversation. I listened to Michelle Obama's book and while I loved the content and her reading it the whole time I was wishing I read it instead.
-Cheeseburgers. I love cheese, but not on burgers or on sandwiches in general.
-Baths

Clothes I find uncomfortable aside from jeans and heels which I have mentioned 4092348 times

-crew neck tees (all vee all the time)

-khaki/twill pants or shorts
-sandals that have straps (t-straps okay, ankle coming up from the back or across the foot no)

Things I love seeing other people post
-Dorm room move in & first day of school pictures
-Links to things they love (not necessarily things that have to be bought, more like recipes, ways of doing things, books)
-Anything socially conscious - a problem in the world and what they're doing to combat it in some small way

  You might also like Three Things July 2019, Three Things May 2019, Three Things December 2017, Three Things the original, Three Things November, Three Things August, Three Things September