September 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

You Belong Here by Megan Miranda - I always enjoy a Megan Miranda book, and that was true in this case. They're quick reads and they always pull me in. OCNJ library hardcover

Heart the Lover by Lily King - This book, this book. I sunk into it and loved it. It spoke to the English major in me - heaven for lit nerds. Gorgeous writing. Shattered me in the best way, several passages will live inside of me forever. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Fox by Joyce Carol Oates - I love a boarding school book. She's a master, no notes. Well, maybe one note? The books are long as hell. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Women, Seated by Zhang Yueran - Read almost like a short story or novella. This depressed me to no end but I liked it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Boom Town by Nic Stone - I couldn't put this down. Loved the characters. The psycho character was even well done. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Keep This for Me by Jennifer Fawcett - Solid quick hitter beach read. It was wild, and unbelievable, but it was engrossing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Librarians by Sherry Thomas - I loved these people and the setting, obviously. A quick beach read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham - Elin's book with her daughter, more YA-ish but still identifiable as a Hilderbrand book. This was a quick, engrossing read. OCNJ library hardcover

Passed the Time Just Fine

A Killer Motive by Hannah Mary McKinnon - Lots going on in here, but a quick mover and read on the beach in a few hours. I knew who it was early on but didn’t know the why or how, and that felt a little thrown together Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 

At Last by Marisa Silver - This sounded like the setup for a great story, and I still believe it is. The execution of it fell a little flat though, and the pacing was off.  Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards - This drug quite a bit in places, and seemed convoluted as well. I still wanted to know what happened so I stuck until the end. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas  - A little laggy in spots, and lots of suspension of belief, but as an afternoon beach read it passes the time just fine. Also the twist and outcome were wild Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Fulfillment by Lee Cole - This took me quite a while to get into, but I eventually did and saw it through although I considered putting it down a few times. I got a free digital copy from Netgalley but also won a copy in a giveaway and read the paperback

The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy - I liked the atypical structure of this, and threading the pieces together through these women and their friendships over the years. I originally thought this was about a sister relationship (Desiree and Danielle, which could have been a separate novel) but really liked how everything was woven in. A quick read, good writing Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

N/A

Did Not Finish

American Werewolves by Emily Jane - copy via Netgalley

The Belles by Lacy Dunham - copy via Netgalley 

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What have you been reading?

Weekending September 2024

September 6-8

Started at the shore with the always delicious Luigi's special bake on Friday evening, some beach time Saturday before heading back to Philly where we saw the most beautiful rainbow before taking the River Line from Pennsauken into Camden for The Killers concert which was fantastic - both the method of transport and the concert. Despite wearing long pants and long sleeves, I was freezing. Sunday I headed back to the shore to clean after weekend guests left - very late, so that was not that cool - but I did sit on the beach for a bit and ran through the Corvette show on my way back to the house.

September 13-15...long wedding weekend 

Friday we made our way to an ABB rental in Chester, MD. So fantastic to spend a weekend with Gwen and Aaron and Gena and Meem and Doug for Tess's wedding. Friday we hung out outside, got dinner on the water at The Dock House then met Meem and Doug and wedding folks at The Big Owl Tiki Bar before heading home to sit out back for a bit under a lovely moon. Saturday we laid low at the house, Aaron cooked for us, and then we went to the wedding. Everything was beautiful and the food was great. It's sort of nice to be the older people who can leave before the end LOL. Sunday we sat out on the dock before going our separate ways. MFD and I caught some of the Phillies game and after he went down the shore and I headed back to Philly to melt into the couch after a full peopleing weekend.

September 20-22 family shore weekend 

Friday I made my way back to the shore. Mom and Rich were already down there. We hit the beach later in the afternoon. Saturday Mom and I did Asbury and more beach but this time as twins in East Coast tees - thanks Mom! I slept upstairs for the first time in ages as Mark, Sarah, and Harry arrived for an apartment stay. We all hung out on the driveway at night. Sunday Kate, Dan, and the kids came down. Some boardwalking and beaching, a great relaxing weekend all around! 

September 27-29 

Friday I did trip prep and made salmon for dinner. Saturday more trip prep before Frank and Amanda picked us up to finally see Stevie Nicks in Hershey (postponed from June 19). We made an attempt to flip the continuum back to where it should be and clearly failed. We stopped at a great restaurant in the middle of nowhere on the way. We secured VIP parking with a straight face. Stevie was fantastic and has really adapted her music for her voice as its aged. It's been a long ass time since I saw so many people absolutely shitcanned drunk in public. Frank said it was like they started drinking on the original concert date and never stopped. Hilarious and true. Sunday I had to go back and forth to the shore to clean the house after weekend guests since we had people check out Sunday and new people check in while we were on vacation.

SMD

September 24 reads

About to leave for a CO/NM road trip, so just a list this month.

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What have you been reading?

September 2022 reads

End of summer and we're entering the slow time of year for me reading-wise. I've already read over 110 books, my brain is full, and so is my calendar. I'm good with it. 

Here's what I read in September:

Engrossing Reads

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt - Five star. My heart. Love love love. I devoured it in a few hours and sort of wish I had spaced it out because it was a great reading experience. OCNJ library hard copy

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen - Also five star. A SAA book always hits the spot, and this was no exception. Show me something real that you can’t see, write of connections poetically. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna - Super cute. Perfect for an October read. OCNJ library hard copy

Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert - Also perfect for an October read, but not cute in the slightest. Creepy AF at times. Back on that bad bitch witch shit. OCNJ library hard copy

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young - Okay last time I'll say this but this is also a perfect October read. I was looking forward to this for months and it did not disappoint. Dare I say a sublime contrast of the light and dark of a place in the pages of this novel. It kept me invested because the atmosphere of the island delighted me. The story itself not as much, basic small town mystery shit. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Last Move (Criminal Profiler #1) by Mary Burton - The pace was great in this and I loved the characters. I don't often like romance injected in my crime novels but this worked here. Kindle, own

Passed the Time Just Fine

Her Last Word (Criminal Profiler #2) by Mary Burton - I thought this was a continuation of #1 but sadly it was not. I did not like it as much. Kindle, own

The Shore by Katie Runde - Takes place up the coast from my shore, but the shore all the same. I had to skim some parts because it was so repetitive in spaces but overall it passed the time just fine. OCNJ library hard copy

I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers - Writing on point as always from Courtney Summers. This was not my favorite of hers, but I tore through it all the same. In a book like this, I think we want resolution and action and the point of the world women live in is that there really usually isn't any. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

The Rise by Shari Lowe and Ross King - This is on Goodreads as Taking Hollywood, so that's where the link will take you. I'm assuming Shari wrote Taking Hollywood and Ross came in and edited or re-wrote parts? And they are issuing as a new title? I don't know. Anyway this was Jackie Collins (who has gloriously seedy books I love to read) with a dark background that was not quite as I thought it was. A ridiculous ride but definitely readable. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me/Did Not Finish

Ithaca (Penelope, #1) by Claire North - DNF OCNJ library hard copy

The Best Friend by Jessica Fellowes - NFM A bit confusing, and unfortunately not rewarding when you wade through the beginning. I hate seeing female friendships portrayed this way even though I know some are Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney - Could not, would not, did not finish DNF OCNJ library hard copy

What have you been reading?

TWTW - the long Labor Day one

Friday Our last guests of the season checked out. On my lunch I cleaned the house. MFD went to the laundromat and refilled water jugs. Dad and Carol arrived before 5, Stephen soon after, and Aubrey and the kids by 6:30. We got pizzas from Angelo's and had leftover cake from my dad's official official retirement. He "retired" last year, but was still working eight days a month to transition out this year. Friday was officially his last day of work ever. He was with his company for 45 years. Congrats Dad! We were celebrating that and MFD's ability to smoke in his own driveway again.

Saturday We were on the beach early, and my dad and brother biked down to see a high school football game since my brother's school was playing in it. It was a great long beach day Debbie arrived in the middle of followed by a boardwalk night. And my first pumpkin/cinnamon swirl of the season. 

Sunday Aubrey did her chalk art driveway sign for the September 1 birthday babies and we were on the beach early again but hooo boy the winds. It was excessive and untenable but we did last much longer than I thought we would. In the end we left around two and the ladies did some Asbury shopping while the boys did party prep and arcades. 

Driveway Party 2021: Guess what time Mike will be home, rain delay, charcoal grill smokeout, roasting marshmallows, bingo, pin the teeth on the shark (all three Stephens placed), chalk art (Aubrey, family artist), pie eating contest I was sure I would win but Dad won, and prizes for all. It was a great time. Thanks to our family Activities Director Carol for another fun Driveway Party!

Monday We did masks per Lola's request, then headed to another perfect beach day. Debbie left in the afternoon and we did a family photo before my brother had to take off  earlier than planned due to BatteryGate 2021. I went up to the boards with Aubrey, the kids, Dad and Carol and we got curly fries, lemonade, chicken fingers, and Opa for dinner before doing two rides and the arcade and walking back. 

Tuesday The best day off is the day after Labor Day. Carol and I got donuts from Nauti Donuts, we did the beach, Aubrey and the kids and Mike left, and Dad and Carol and I cleaned up, had 16th Street Seafood for dinner and ice cream cake. I was laying down by 9:30. 

Consider this Thursday Thoughts as well? I love our Labor Day weekend time.

TWTW - the one with no title

Friday was finishing cleaning the house before 7 am, working from the shore with my canine coworkers, painting my nails (Rimmel Red Hot Chili Pepper) at lunch, meeting weekend renters, a visit to the angry sea and boardwalk bike ride after work, making a vat of chicken salad and hanging with the dogs on the porch. Since I was up at 5, I was in bed by 7 and asleep by 9. 

Saturday was a beautiful day, a full day, yet not an easy day. I'll try to write more about that tomorrow. Started it out with a 5 am walk with all dogs, then sunrise on the beach with Bruce.

A visit to Dog Beach for all dogs, much to Mae's dismay.

An hour plus reading on the windy AF beach and watching a fool get whistled off the slippery AF pipe.

A bike ride to the bay for sunset.

Lots of dog time including their favorite time (bone time), finishing a book, starting another, and caprese for dinner. 

Sunday was cleaning up dog poop at 4 am but then sleeping in until 6:20, walks, and porch time. Just Bruce at Dog Beach while the old dogs rested. Cleaning up the apartment before a bike ride and beach afternoon for the Air Show where I finished a book and also had ice cream.

Cleaning up the house after the renters left (late). I didn’t get home until 10:30 and to sleep at midnight. 

Weekly food prep: breakfast is breakfast burritos from the freezer (will also be making more of those to freeze this week), lunch is PB&J, snacks are bananas and cucumbers and celery, dinners are Mexican stuffed shells from the freezer and whatever soup I happen to pull out of the freezer. 

I'm off today watching my niece and nephew and it's the one year anniversary of Geege dying so their funny little selves will be a good distraction. I know he's with me, but I miss the touchable presence of my soul mate dog as much today as I did in the weeks after. 

Local friends, are you around Wednesday night? MFD is having a fundraiser at Katie O'Donnell's near Franklin Mills with Ed Rendell and Larry Arrata. Committee people $15, Student $10, supporter $27, Sponsor $100, host $2500. Light apps included, drinks are on you. Will I see you there? Buy tickets here.

Happy happy birthday to my friend Shelby today! 

Hope you all had a great weekend! I need to change my tag after TWTW. After over seven years of TWTW, I'm running out of the one withs.

TWTW - the one with the anniversary

I commuted to work from the shore on Friday, which meant I had the dogs walked and fed and was on the beach reading in time for magic hour.

Dinner at Ike's, homemade lemon meringue ice cream from George's, and a stop in Shriver's for salt water taffy. Their windows are done up for fall, y'all.

Saturday was gray, so it was only me and the birds on the beach at dawn. I took the dogs for a long walk and hung out for a bit relaxing.

We spent 2.5 hours on the Cape May Whale Watcher. We saw a humpback whale right out of the gates and followed it around a little. We also saw some playful dolphins on the way back in. No whale pics, I was holding on for dear life in the 4-6 foot seas and after glimpsing the majestic whale in its natural habitat took refuge at the back of the boat...upper deck, since the lower was full of people puking over the back. The captain was awesome and we both said we'd definitely go out again.

My Dad and Carol were in Cape May with her parents and her brother and Sue, so we stopped to say hi to them. We were going to get a bite then head out to Beach Plum Farm, but Cape May was crowded as hell and I was hangry so we steered towards home.

We had a late lunch at the Tuckahoe Inn with all the other old people there for the early bird special. Great views, good food, and we crossed another thing off my 40 before 40: leave a 100% tip.

We attempted to take a nap, but Gus was being a dick, so we rode our bikes to get massages instead, then settled in on the couch to read and do nothing. It was lovely.

Sunday was our sixth anniversary, so we were up with the birds to see the sun rise on a beautiful day.

Breakfast sandwiches from Sunrise Cafe and some lolling around, followed by some shopping at Blue Eden for lotions and potions and Peace of Wood for original art. I hung the wave photo upstairs at the house here and the quote is going to my office at work. I also commissioned a Buddha quote which I'll pick up in two weeks. They have an awesome vibe. One of the things I love about being down here is consistently supporting small businesses that are our neighbors.

We spent the afternoon in Corson's Inlet, MFD fishing and me reading and minding the assholes. Mae whined relentlessly, Gus was rummaging through my bag for food, and Geege was my best good boy as always. He is the only suitable for public dog.

We dropped them off, cleaned the sheets and towels out of the house from renters, then headed back to the beach for a few more hours. On the beach on a Sunday night at 6 pm is the best life. For you Shit MFD Said fans, he actually brought his own toenail clippers and didn't even ask me if I had any. This is also a good example of something he does that I hate with a passion and makes me want to barf but heyohhh, we're still married. We ate salad at home, then biked the length of the boards and had gelato at Shriver's.

I slept like a rock for over 10 hours and lounged in bed until 9:30 on Monday. It was fucking glorious. Breakfast at Jon & Patty's - I got the PB&J stuffed french toast - and a bike ride rounded out what was left of the morning.

A little work in the house and a little work work on the porch then it was beach time. You could not beat this beach day for it being September 26. We took what will certainly be my last swim of the season. The water was warmer than the air and perfect. What's not perfect at the shore, ever? My hair. Don't care.

Cleaned up, packed up, and rolled out by 6:30 Monday night.

Weekly food prep: breakfast burritos from the freezer for breakfasts, salads with grilled chicken for lunches, baked chicken breasts and roasted sweet potatoes with steamed green veg for dinners.

September is my favorite month at the shore by far. This weekend proved it a million times over. 

Linking up with Biana at B Loved Boston for Weekending