February 2025 Reads

TL, DR above

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. 

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

Nobody's Fool by Harlan Coben - The second Sami Kierce novel. I love the Sami Kierce universe, and this book did not disappoint. I think I love the cast of supporting characters more than Sami himself. Can't wait for the next. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree by India Hayford - A recommendation from Shelby - thank you, my friend (follow her on IG to get links to Shelby's own writing) - I loved Genevieve and her whole story. Women of strength and magic vs. cruel men hits right now. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley - I loved The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by this author, and this next did not disappoint. I like how Oakley tells a story, and I loved the quirks of the characters in this one. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 11.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo - Obsessed with this book, I couldn't put it down. Loved the way it was told, through alternating accounts and interviews, and the characters and wild actions. All the good figure skating drama stories rolled into one. OCNJ library hardcover

Passed the Time Just Fine

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead - I was compelled to finish this, although several things bothered the shit out of me. True crime folks might dig this more. An interesting premise, entirely unrealistic in its unfolding, but that's reading, am I right? Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Antidote by Karen Russell - This one is a little outside of my preferred reading genres, but felt like a timely read right now despite being set in the Dust Bowl era. Well written and I loved the Prairie Witch angle. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 11. I also won this in a giveaway so I read the paperback version instead of the digital then passed it on to a Little Free Library

Black Woods, Blue Sky by Eowyn Ivey - Loved the writing. Ivey does a fantastic job of incorporating the setting of Alaska almost like it's a character itself, which is what I loved about Kristin Hannah's The Great Alone. A lonely novel. Thanks to Netgalley for the free after publication copy in exchange for an honest review

When You Are Mine by Michael Robotham - I always enjoy a Michael Robotham book, particularly his Evie Cormac books. This is the first in a series I am delving into and I look forward to the others. OCNJ library hardcover

Killer Potential by Hannah Deitch - This was a ride - and a well written one with a solid pace that only lagged in a few spots. Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley invite for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 18

A Hired Kill (Garrett Mann #2) by Steven Konkoly - I'm pretty sure the first in this series made my top reads of last year. I didn't like the follow up as much, as you can see. I felt like the first one was more focused on the characters and this one...too much government intrigue shit in a time when man I fucking hate hearing about the government and I'm up to my neck in its lying intrigue shit. So this is definitely an it's not you, it's me moment. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes May 27

Not Another Rockstar by Kate Callaghan - Is this a mystery? A romance? A mymance? Whatever it was, it was a quick read and passed the time just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

The Wildelings by Lisa Harding - I am probably an outlier on this one, but it didn't do it for me. The story was not strong enough to overcome my extreme annoyance with Jessica through most of the book - difficult to take a ride alongside a character like that in a character-driven story even when it serves a purpose. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes April 15.

Did Not Finish

 n/a

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What have you been reading?

Economic Blackout February 28

This costs you literally nothing and you don't even have to leave your house to participate. It's a 24 hour action that is testing our limits. Americans are very into convenience. Will we sacrifice convenience tomorrow, and at points in the future, in order to put a stick and some grit in the wheels of the fascist oligarchy before they steamroll us?

Absolutely nothing happening at the federal level is business as usual. It's not "just politics" or "how politics works" and should not be treated as such. I'm sorry people did not ever learn or have conveniently forgotten how the United States government works or was set up to work. Me, and others like me, are not overreacting. If anything, we are very seriously underreacting as a population. We're tired, we're overloaded, we're overwhelmed, and we're reliant on convenience and have forgotten how to live near the edges - all of that by design, so we don't rise up when fascism comes slithering in. We've been told we have no power, there's nothing we can do. Both of those things are a lie. Wake up. Do not let your American exceptionalism - "it can't happen here, we have safeguards, the courts are doing their jobs, " etc lull you into doing fuck all.

I'd like to say I'm surprised at how many people appear to be in support of DOGE and cutting alleged waste and fraud in government spending thaving absolutely nothing to say about the fact that tax cuts for the .01% - which you will never, ever, be, babe - are going to increase while our taxes go up AND programs like Medicaid get defunded, but I'm not suprised. DOGE is not auditing the government and finding waste/fraud, either. They're taking a chainsaw to agencies and departments they don't like and steering clear of any that gives Elon Musk's companies subsidies. 

And it is in the budget resolution to cut Medicaid completely - Republicans are banking on Americans not being able to read a budget resolution, but it's in there, so save me from the lie of it not being cut just because they say it's not going to be cut. These people fucking lie to cover the asses of the billionaire broligarchy. The resolution as it stands requires the Energy and Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion dollars. The vast majority of that Committee's jurisdiction is over Medicare and Medicaid...so where exactly will that $880 billion dollars come from if not from Medicaid? Even if the Committee cuts EVERYTHING not related to healthcare to ZERO, it will still be more than $600 billion short from the required $880 billion in cuts. Think critically, friends - I know some of us are out of practice on that skill, but let's do it - the Republicans are a step away from cutting Medicaid completely, relying on us not to understand the budgeting process. I understand it, and you need to understand it too. Thanks to Jess Craven for breaking it down on IG and spurring me to go read it.

Incidentally, if you were unaware, Medicaid covers:

- Nearly half of all children in the United States

- Over 40% of births in the United States. 

- Low income elderly folks

- Veterans! You guys remember them when they need services or payback for what they've given to this country, or do you only trot them out when you wave your flag on the holidays or need to feel something in your tipsy heart before major sporting events? 

- People with disabilities

- Working adults in lower-wage jobs that don't offer affordable coverage

- Medicaid is also a major source of funding for hospitals, community health centers, physicians, and nursing homes

- People you know and love. They will not be spared. 

You all cool with those people losing access to healthcare and a lot of them dying so the billionaires you will never be can get more tax cuts? Be for fucking real with yourself right now. Answer that question. You good with no National Parks, nothing beautiful and wild left? You cool with some ketamine fueled immigrant with zero qualifications aside from getting rich off of other people's ideas, being a nazi, and  running everything he touches into the fucking ground cutting federal civil servant jobs that literally keep the country running in ways you cannot possibly comprehend until you lose access to services or information that you need so, again, billionaire and corporate welfare can continue on as it has? You all don't think THAT is waste, giving the people who have more money than god even MORE money while cutting funding for everything good that helps regular people like YOU and people you know? The people who make under $100k a year being billionaire bootlickers is fucking wild. Stop punching down and sideways and punch up at the people who don't give a shit if you live or die let alone if you can afford to do either or have any joy in the process. 

I'm sick of seeing people I know applaud DOGE and ghoulish cuts across the board because they've  eaten misinformation and hatred for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the past 20 years held up to their mouths on a spoon fed to them by by male podcasters,  Fox entertainment hosts, and lying liars who fucking lie and made it their personality, like they are a bastian of leanness and cutting spending. Bros...if your billionaire's tax breaks and corporate welfare are not your first battle cry for cuts, you're propping up the real bloated pigs sucking from the teat of the American taxpayers. This unwillingness to untether yourselves from this has made you the ushers of fascism and oligarchy in a country that is supposed to be a democratic republic. And that is damn hard to live with. 

It's not too late. Connect the dots. Know that when people get desperate, when they're unwell, when the cost is rising and they can't keep up, when they're hungry, when they cannot provide for their kids, when they're losing jobs (what republicans are proposing to cut will impact MANY industries, federal workers won't be the only ones without jobs) - crime, homelessness, deaths, violent reactions will all rise. Every single one of us will feel this pain in our communities. 

A rising tide lifts all boats. We have the money to pay for all the services if the .01% pay their share and corporations pay theirs. Are you on the side of people, or profits that you'll never see? 

SMD

January 2025 Reads

TL, DR above

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. 

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

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson - I got approved for this title quite a while ago but saved it to read in January to kick the year off right. I believe I did the same with Wilkerson's first novel, Black Cake, which I also loved. This story and this family will stick with me. The kind of book where the story is so vast and good you don’t want to finish it, and the writing is so good you want to write something yourself. I loved this, which seems inadequate in summation. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, and to Barnes & Noble Philly for bringing Charmaine Wilkerson in for a book talk at the end of January - thrilled to be there for that and to own a signed copy of this one

The Note by Alafair Burke - I typically tear through Alafair Burke books, and this one was no exception. They're not deep and they're not perfect, but books don't need to be for entertainment. OCNJ library hardcover

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen - I always think of myself as a reader not that interested in historical fiction until I read books that remind me that I *do* like historical fiction. Partially set in a time in history I haven't read many perspectives of is always a bonus, and that was the case here - the impact of country, politics, and position on the lives of these people through many decades and changes, from Shanghai to Hong Kong, Taiwan, New York, California. This was engaging, heartbreaking, hopeful. OCNJ library hardcover

The Fourth Monkey (4MK Thriller #1) by J.D. Barker - I'm late to this series. I believe we arrive at books when we are supposed to, most of the time, and my only regret about being late to this is that I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the rest. OCNJ library paperback

The Cove (Detective Erica Sands 1) and The Trap (2) by Gregg Dunnett - Read in preparation for an advanced copy of the third in the series because I'm not starting a series on the third book. I enjoyed these two, the first more than the second - at first I was confused as to what was happening with the shifts and absence of the main character which are not my favorite parts or arcs of these books - but I did eventually get into the story within the story and see how it pieced things together. Digital copies, own

Passed the Time Just Fine

Saltwater by Katy Hays - Entirely unbelievable but that was part of what spurred the story forward. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Hunt (Detective Erica Sands #3) by Gregg Dunnett - This book passed the time just fine, but was my least favorite of the three so far. Still invested and looking forward to the next one! Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes February 21.

Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff - Reads like Fitzgerald fan fiction, which I didn’t mind. Feels a little overwritten in spots but passed the time just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Brothers by Alex Van Halen - Did I immediately both a) listen to Van Halen the rest of the day and b) spend time googling various things mentioned in the book as well as things studiously avoided (Sammy) after finishing this? Yes. This was not a tell all in any sense, more of Alex claiming his role in the thing which is Van Halen and telling a lot about his family and how they grew up with music and nothing, where that music took them, and as is typical in these books - how the record industry wants to suck the blood of artists and pay them in sand. OCNJ library hardcover

Not For Me

A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler - I loved that the main characters were older in age and youthful in  heart, and I do love a second chance redemption arc and gentle storytelling. I think if I didn't compare all of his novels to Shotgun Lovesongs, one of my favorite books of all time, that I would have liked this one more, and the fault in that is mine. I know better than to think the feeling evoked by one reading experience can translate to every other one by that author.  It's earnest, but not in a way that felt authentic to me. It also contains everything plus the kitchen sink, which is I think one of the ways it went off the rails. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Bookseller by Valerie Keough - Love a story set in a bookstore, love a main character who loves books as much as I do. That's about the end of my love for this one - I think I'm an outlier but this was not for me. I could not deal with Helen. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 3

Nowhere by Allison Gunn - This was a little out of my preferred zone - I thought it was more mystery/thriller but maybe a little more horrorish than I bargained for. Likely a good for you, not for me read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz - I don't think this is a thriller, or anything remotely related to Gone Girl so if that is an expectation, you should adjust. I was not thrilled with the consistent "her looks are just okay what is he doing with her" themes. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia - Advanced copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

Things I've been meaning to tell you 1.17.2025

Long time no talk, mes amis. 

I thought I'd pop in on the eve of the inauguration weekend from hell. I know it's been a while, but this is not a space and I am not the one for trump lovers. I'm not out on the internet arguing over human decency in 2025. If you've been around for a while, this will not surpise you. Some things have changed, but that has not. I will not be getting on board, bending the knee, licking the boot, acquiescing. 

trump is still a misogynistic, cruel, manipulative, lying, racist, rapist grifter who is only interested in serving his own bank account and catering to the whims of his billionaire lords both foreign and domestic; and absolutely not interested in anything in service to the American people or in line with the United States Constitution. He's got the architects of draconian policies clicking their fingernails together waiting to implement Project 2025 and it will be quickly apparent that overall cruelty to everyone who's not a white male and control of women have always been the points and remain the points. He's now a felon too which means referring to him as FOTUS instead of POTUS as we enter into this new era of oligarchy in the open. What a time to be alive!

But alive we are, and will continue to be, the universe willing. And there is no sense in being alive without leaning into joy and connection. 

Which is why my winter plans do not include catastrophizing, doom scrolling, worrying out every possible scenario, walking through the world in fear of what might come down. All of those things are a waste of my energy. And I'm just not cedeing any of my power or energy to these people. Fuck that.

I'd rather talk about some things I'm doing this winter and some things I plan to do to get through the chaos that's about to roll down. 

As we saw immediately after the election, non rich-people did not fully grasp what tariffs would mean for them, or why a ruling class of billionaires would make them poorer or impact programs like the ACA, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, etc. trump voters sold us all out over the price of eggs which trump has already said he cannot do anything about (never mind that there was an also imperfect candidate who had an actual plan to deal with corporate price gouging, never mind!). We're all about to feel these impacts the hard way, but until then, as a starting place/quick catchup, we are here:

I'm not going to spend time today talking about how to move forward politically. I'm watching what plays out. I'm almost as unhappy with corporate democrats as I am with the MAGA fake christian nationalists that have taken over the republican party. Fucking chill, I said almost. Don't salivate like I'd sacrifice any of my convictions to meet in the middle between Everyone Has Human Rights and Deserves Liberty, Love of their Choice, Freedom, Food, Shelter, Healthcare, Education, and Bodily Autonomy and the MAGA position on the same that is so goddamn far down from mine, it's in the devil's crusty unused basement. We are too far apart on human rights and we're never ever ever getting back together. I'd prefer that everyone realizes the social issues are not what's going to kill us, but the wealth gap, temper tantrums of mediocre white men throughout the ages, and prioritizing power and greed over everything else is absolutely going to kill us. 

Overall right now with very few exceptions, my prevailing sentiment is fuck the government/we take care of us/eat the rich. Clear? Clear.

Since I will not be catastrophizing, mismanaging my energy, or sending my cortisol levels through the roof, what will I be doing? Maybe you need some alternatives to fretting as well. 

Creative outlets

I've felt pulled to write recently and I've ignored it long enough so I'm trying not to ignore it anymore. 

As has been well documented over the years, I'm not a crafter and don't consider myself creative in things that require hands and like...actual creation. But the last two months of 2024, thinking I'd need to occupy myself because idle hands fret, I bought some wood pieces I am going to use in conjunction with my beach trolling collections to make some things. No one has to see it but I will benefit from the process of doing it. 

Music

If you want to see what my inside sounds like, I will refer you to my The winter of my discontent playlist on Spotify. I am not a typical sharer of playlists but this is hitting so hard for me, I feel like a magician for creating it. Music is a great place to lose yourself, always has been.

Social Media

Twitter: I got off Twitter as soon as Elon bought it so, next. 

Meta: I'm not ready to abandon Meta (specifically my chosen platform, Instagram) because I think breaking apart communities and access is part of the masterplan of Zuck's recent changes to his platforms. 

What I've done is erase my past off meta activities and disallowed access to future activities. You can do this by going to your facebook account, settings and privacy, See more in Accounts Center, click your information and permissions, click your activity off meta technologies, then two things: 1) clear previous activity and 2) manage future activity and disconnect. 

I will be goddamned if I click on anything and buy it through anything Meta shows me. This is an absolute no.

Align Practices with Principles

I can't boycott everything that gives money to administrations with policies I find abhorrent and against my own interests because then I'd be naked in the street eating my own feet since so much unethical and gross shit goes on in the lobbyists/corporation/politician threesome in this country, but in my life what makes the most sense right now is

- Not allowing my Amazon prime to renew. In general I will try to avoid Amazon, but if I can only get something there, I can get it without prime shipping

- Switched from Goodreads (owned by Amazon) to Storygraph

- Low buy year. I am sick of our overconsumption as a society, mortified at what it's doing environmentally, and pissed I've normalized it in my own life

- Shopping local for anything I do need 

- I don't need one goddamn item of clothing, so aside from the boots I just bought for our upcoming trip and replacing my birks that are beat to shit, no new clothes. Used okay.

- Attempt to borrow or buy used before buying new

- I've long been a no food waste lady. That's on steroids now. 

- Think about how I'm buying groceries - specifically, their packaging. My convenience is not the priority anymore. 

- Community and mutual aid. What do I have that I don't need that others in my community do need?

Get outside

Even when it's cold, outside is always the best side. 

Joy. Beauty. Travel. Friends. Books. In house. Self. 

- Recklessly pursue small joys because what the fuck is the point without them.

- See the beauty all around, and when it's hard to find, make a point to look for it. 

- We have a trip in February we've tried to take twice since 2015 and it's finally fucking happening. Family trip in June. Weekends with family and friends. 

- Friends are life. 

- Reading. Always. To escape this world, to learn more about it, to put myself in someone else's shoes, to keep up with fictional serial killers.

- This is a joint commitment with MFD. Shit will swirl outside as it does. If we're good inside our house, we're going to be okay. We always have been. You will be too.

- My relationship with myself is the most important relationship and the one every other relationship feeds from. My whole health - mental, physical, spiritual - comes before everything else. That doesn't change regardless of what's going on externally.

Standing Strong.

In my convictions. 

Under the moon.

With my face pointed toward the sun.

In the mighty shadow of hope.

When it is time for reflection.

When it is time for action. 

With my people.

In loving community. 

Behind people who need me behind them. 

In front of people as a shield when my privilege is greater than theirs.

Beside people like you, doing what we can to bring a better world for everyone into being.

Don't all those things sound like much better ways to spend energy than catastrophizing?  

Hang in there, folks. We've got us. Go Birds.

Favorite Reads of 2024