June 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

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Possibly the best TJR book I've read. I zoomed through this and hung on every word. Loved this cast of characters, plotlines, and general subject. OCNJ library hardcover

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman - I’d read 100 more Mrs Blossom books. I read everything by Laura Lippman, but you get it. I heard Laura Lippman discuss this in person on a book tour (with Jana!) and dove right in. A super quick read, I enjoyed it on the beach. Read signed/owned hardcover copy, also got free advanced copy via Netgalley

The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley - Heavy, and a continual gut punch, but damn good.

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

Rage (Kate Burkholder #17) by Linda Castillo - Loved the story and characters as much in 17 as I did in 1. More Kate! Thanks to the invite from Minotaur via Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 7/8 

We Don't Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry - I was glued to this - good writing, really good story. I’m glad this highlighted the disparity between missing white girls and missing Black girls Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch - I loved this, read the whole thing with my heart in my throat. I had no idea what it was about. An appropriate book to finish on the first day of Pride month. Thanks to the publisher for the invite and free advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Final Episode by Lori Roy - I couldn’t put this down despite some extra suspension of belief required and several plot lines that felt unnecessary. Read in a few hours on the beach. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce - I loved the Harold Fry series, and while I liked the writing in this, I feel like it drug on and on and on. I didn't love the siblings, and the dad sucked (which is part of the point). Love the Italy setting. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson - The character of Wendy was whewww. She kept me reading, as did the story in reverse. It did feel a little repetetive at points and I had to read the last chapter twice to make sure I got it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott - This skirted the edge of its potential - loved the three sisters and the parts that read like a chorus narrator, but wish some aspects of the story were fleshed out more

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

Someone Knows by Vi Keeland - This stressed me out, which is not a bad thing in a book like this. Several surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes - Stories with supernatural elements are not my typical, but I liked this a lot and loved Gwendolyn as a character. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown - I liked the story and man is a lot of the subject matter timely. The middle drug a little bit, and I was frustrated with the main character at points but realized I was expecting adult behavior from a kid. I wanted more at the end - it felt like it wound down quickly. 

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

Not For Me

Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell - Slow mover and some inconsistencies. Still quick, so I read through. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 7/22

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - I like an alternating POV, which this had, and added bonus of alternating first/third person. There was more repetition than I’d like. Not my favorite Lisa Jewell by a wide margin. Books by her typically do not hit my "not for me" category. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Boney Creek by Paula Gleeson - The main character got under my skin, and the story didn't do enough to take away from that. I finished but considered not finishing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

A Sky Full of Love by Lorna Lewis - No. Free advanced copy via Netgalley. 

Did Not Finish

The Secrets We Keep by AJ Wills - Free after pub copy from Netgalley, original pub in 2022

It Happened on the Lake by Lisa Jackson - Free advanced copy via netgalley

The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb - Truly an "it's not you, it's me" do not finish. Wally Lamb is Wally Lamb, and the writing shows it. The story is good. I couldn't stomach the incarceration storyline (which he does very well given his work with incarcerated folks through writing workshops) in this increasingly incarcerated nation and under the rule of an administration that is kidnapping people off the street and locking them up without cause OR due process. Free advanced copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

February 2024 Reads

I'll be going back to my regular long-format monthly reads post, but not this month. 

This is what I read in February - lots of advanced copies from Netgalley mixed with some library books. I've got two author events coming up in March and I'm pumped!

What have you read and liked lately?

December 2023 Reads

Here we are at the end of the year again. I finished a book last night and likely won't start one today. 

What I read in December: 

Engrossing Reads

The Shark (Forgotten Files #1) by Mary Burton - I devoured this one, which is always a happy thing when you've purchased it because you got a series book from Netgalley and it is against your religion to read a second when you know there's a first. Kindle copy

The Dollmaker (Forgotten Files #2) by Mary Burton - I enjoy the characters and setting of this and the previous Forgotten Files - I would read more of them! Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Face Her Fear (Detective Josie Quinn #19) by Lisa Regan - Great job by Regan while taking her series outside of a typical setting - I am not always into that but I think it worked here and serves as a good clear the air bridge for the transition of the Denton PD core team. Thanks to Netgalley and Boukouture for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - since this series is a favorite, I also pre-ordered a copy! Book publishes January 30

The Weight of Water by W.A. Schwartz - Rounded up from a 3.5 - I liked this even though it was overfilled with things during the 1970s POVs that ended up superfluous to the story which might have been better spent providing more context to some of the players and depth in general in the other two timelines around Katrina and present day. Also, this is sand and not dirt on my feet which drives MFD crazy but sand doesn't bother me LOL Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson - Started slowly and picked up around the middle. Layered and interesting with possibly like one or two extraneous plot threads that could be thinned to make the pacing better. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes Feb 20

Things that Cause Inappropriate Happiness by Danila Botha - I don't always read short stories, but when I do I like them to be a little on edge and these were - you can take that a number of ways and it's meant a number of ways. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, collection publishes April 1

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears - Sound the alarm as the woman who never listens to books has listened to a book thanks to several multi-car accidents on a rainy December Sunday returning to the shore. The book itself did not set anything on fire, but I would set the possessions of Britney's parents and sister on fire without thinking twice. These people are abusive, criminal grifters and this woman paid the price while the world watched. Michelle Williams was an excellent narrator except I was caught up on tour. My accent means tour rhymes with your. Michelle says too-or. Spotify free audible

Keep Your Friends Close by Leah Konen - A super quick read that felt a tad bit off-center? I would have liked it more I think if it was primarily Willa's POV. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes Feb 20

The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman - Nothing wrong with a little bit of magic! This didn't pick up for me until about halfway through, so something to know going in if you are not in the mindset for that. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes January 16

The Guest by B.A. Paris - Did I not say the last time I read one of their books that I should stop? I should have stuck. These characters are maddening. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review - book publishes Feb 20

Not for Me

Please Tell Me by Mike Omer - Like, did Mike Omer actually write this? The writing itself was awful, the pacing was off, and the story was not good. Kindle first reads

Silent Girls (Agent Tori Hunter #1) by Roger Stelljes - A good concept. My beef with this book is mostly editorial issues, both for grammar and content. I might give another in the series a go to see if it was just poor timing for me on this one, and if I can get over using boisterously twice in the span of three pages. LOL why am I like this. Kindle book

Did Not Finish

The Seafarer's Secret by Carol Ann Collins - Netgalley, publishes January 30

Her Last Summer (Veronica Lee Thriller #1) by Melinda Woodhall - Kindle first

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What have you been reading?

SMD

September 2023 reads

The annual Girls Weekend with my BFFs of over 30 years is upon us, so I am quite certain I will not start and finish another book today or tomorrow. 

What I read in September: 

Engrossing Reads

The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl - I've read VERY few nonfiction books this year. Here's one! This was beautiful. I pre-ordered a copy to own before I even finished and plan to read it as in like read that season as we enter the season: it has 52 chapters that follow the natural world through the year. Free advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book comes out Oct 24

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll - This was powerful, smart, and very well done. Very different reading experience than her first novel for me. Good writing and characters. A surface good story, and deeper a social commentary on so much! Lots to unpack on feminism and sexuality and violence against women and what is acceptable to society through the arc of the book. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

 I bought the book to own and saw the author in conversation with Kate Baer in September! 

I also saw Jennifer Weiner in September on tour for her latest - The Breakaway - which I had an advance copy of and read in July. Check it out! 

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange - A very passable family drama, quite messy and across the line in some spots, but a good reading experience overall. OCNJ library hardcover

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I'm not sure exactly what I thought this book was going to be, but it wasn't this LOL. I ended up liking it, as I do most books about friendship even when one of the friends is possibly in line for several punches. And you romance lovers will surely like it I think. OCNJ library hardcover

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff - Do you ever read an author and recognize their mastery of their craft but consistently do not actually enjoy the books they put out? I think that is me and Lauren Groff - cannot say a bad thing of her writing, but damn I do not enjoy reading her books. This book in particular was hard to swallow - the pain of surviving, the agony of existing is a main character throughout. It is quite compelling, but that comes at a cost. OCNJ library hardcover

Not For Me

The Last Exchange by Charles Martin - I know a lot of you are fans, but his books are not really for me. I was bored throughout, everything was so obvious, and I think I'm the outlier here. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book comes out 10/3

Athena's Child (The Grecian Women Trilogy #1) by Hannah M. Lynn - This was an engrossing read, then a passed the time just fine read, then a not for me read. How far things can fall in one book read within a few hours. Lots of promise, an abrupt change of direction in the middle with literally zero connectors, and a super abrupt ending, like one was needed as an afterthought versus part of the novel, make me not want to read anymore which I assume there will be since this labels itself as #1. This was courtesy of Netgalley, apparently originally published in 2020 and is now out again as a reworking?

Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena - I need to stop reading her books. I feel like she has carte blanche to put out stories that aren't even good. OCNJ library hardcover 

Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney - I need to stop reading her books. I feel like she has carte blanche to put out stories that aren't even good. OCNJ library hardcover 

One Last Kill (Tracy Crosswhite #10) by Robert Dugoni - I've read all the Tracy books and usually enjoy them, albeit less so once she moved to cold cases. They're typically subtle on the political bend of people. Dugoni doesn't need to introduce talk of wokeness and defunding police, but he leans on it more in this latest. This is the only standard police procedural series that I read that's gone that way, and I hate it. We can have differences in opinion on police funding versus all other community funding, but if you use the term woke like it's an insult the chasm is too wide. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 10/3

Did Not Finish

Family Lore by  Elizabeth Acevedo - Whew, I wanted to but this was just a no for me. Free advanced copy from Netgalley 

Cities of Women by Kathleen B. Jones - Super pumped by this title. Actual experience, not so pumped. Free advanced copy from Netgalley 

The Lost Girls of Penzance (Cornwall Murder Mystery #1) by Sally Rigby - I tried to give this a lot of leeway to settle itself as what appears to be the first in a series and the interactions between the characters were grating to me Free advanced copy from Netgalley 

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What have you been reading?

Happy birthday to my cousin Tyler today!