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Feb Reading Wrap-Up

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My reading in Feb was a bit all over the place, particularly because I was on vacation for the second half of the month (Thailand and Vietnam, it was amazing!!!). I ended up reading a bunch of audiobooks and ebooks, and was very much mood-reading with some easier reads during my trip. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 8

New-to-me authors: 2

Physical books: 2

2025 releases: 3

The Village Library Demon-Hunting SocietyThe Hurricane Wars (The Hurricane Wars, #1)Come and Get ItA Rebel Without Claws (Southern Charm #1)Dream Girl Drama (Big Shots, #3)The Bones Beneath My SkinThe Deal (Off-Campus, #1)Director's Cut

The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon (4.5 stars) – I was expecting to enjoy this enemies-to-lovers romantasy, but I wasn’t necessarily expecting to love as much as I did. I thought that the Philippines-inspired worldbuilding was extremely well-done and easy to envision, and although I was fairly surprised when the war storyline ended so early in the book and the plot very much shifted gears, I ended up loving the direction that it took. Both main characters were well-drawn and interesting, and their romance is a true enemies-to-lovers where the protagonists begin the book on opposite sides of a devastating war and find themselves later on in an arranged marriage to preserve peace and save lives. Their chemistry is extremely well-done and propels the story; I’m so on board with their stories and can’t wait to pick up the sequel.

I received an eARC of The Hurricane Wars from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; I also purchased a physical copy for myself.

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (4 stars) – This was an interesting, character-driven, slow-paced campus novel following several main characters: an author/researcher acting as a guest professor while mining the campus students for ideas for her next book; a hardworking RA pursuing her dream of owning her own home; and a lonely transfer student dealing with anxiety and guilt. Don’t pick this up if you’re looking for a plot-driven book, but I enjoyed it.

The Deal by Elle Kennedy (4 stars) – A huge surprise for me. I picked this up because I heard it was going to be made into a movie; it’s a college sports romance featuring fake dating between a tutor and a hockey player, and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Kennedy’s writing gets you hooked and keeps you entertained; it was a great book to read while traveling. I’m looking forward to picking up more from her and watching the eventual movie.

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey (4 stars) – This is the third book in Bailey’s Big Shots series of contemporary sports romances, and it was my second-favorite in the series. This romance has been hinted about previously, and I really enjoyed the buildup to the main characters getting together, but found their eventual romantic reunion to be a bit of a letdown after all of that escalation. Still, Bailey’s writing is incredibly fun, and I’m looking to pick up books from her backlist in the near future.

Director’s Cut by Carlyn Greenwald (4 stars) – This follows one of the characters from the author’s debut Sizzle Reel, who’s a popular actress, director, and current guest professor, and her romance with a fellow professor she’s assigned to work with. It’s sort of a workplace rivals-to-lovers romance, and I like this author’s writing and character development.

A Rebel Without Claws by Juliette Cross (3.5 stars) – I really enjoyed Cross’s Savoie Sisters series, and A Rebel Without Claws is the first book in a new series following the next generation of the previous series’ characters’ now adult children and their own love stories. This was pitched as a good girl/bad boy romance, but the male protagonist has really already decided to reform by the time he meets his fated mate, so it was much more of a very sweet, insta-love romance. What was less enjoyable for me was the plot, which was based on a werewolf UFC-esque competition that I wasn’t really expecting to take over so much of the story. It was still a very fun read, and I’ll look out for the sequels.

The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society by C. M. Waggoner (3.5 stars) – A very unique concept that I don’t want to give away, but this is quite an original take on the older-lady-solving-murder-mysteries-in-a-small-town trope. It did drag for me at points, but I really didn’t know where it was going for a lot of the book, and I appreciate a book that surprises me so much.

The Bones Beneath My Skin by T. J. Klune (3 stars) – A bit of a disappointing and slow-paced character-driven science fiction that I listened to on audio via Book of the Month. It’s not a bad book, I just felt like this wasn’t really anything new conceptually, and I wanted more from it.

 

 

Reading Recaps

December Wrap-Up

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I finished out my 2024 reading with some excellent books, including a great mix of genres and re-reads. There were also several reads that were good and I rated 4 stars, but were disappointing because I was hoping for 5s. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 11

2024 releases: 5

Re-reads: 2

Nonfiction: 2

Holiday romances: 2

 

Reviews

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline HarpmanErasing History by Jason F. StanleyThe Hunger Games by Suzanne CollinsFunny Story by Emily HenryLegacy by Uché BlackstockCatching Fire by Suzanne CollinsThe Buddha in the Attic by Julie OtsukaSo Thirsty by Rachel HarrisonI'll Get Back to YouSame Time Next YearAssistant to the Villain (Assistant to the Villain, #1)

Legacy: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Healthcare by Uche Blackstock, M. D. (5 stars) – As someone who works in healthcare, I think this should be required reading; it’s a combination of memoir and discussion about both the history and present of racism in medicine. It’s excellently written, both emotional and informative, and I highly recommend it.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (5 stars) (re-read) – It’s been many years since I last revisited The Hunger Games, but hearing about the upcoming Haymitch novel put the idea in my head and I couldn’t get it out. It holds up so well on re-read, even so many years later.

Erasing History: How Fascists Rewrite the Past to Control the Future by Jason Stanley (4.5 stars) – An extremely relevant and informative nonfiction book. I’d definitely read more from this author.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (4.5 stars) (re-read) – I maintain my ranking on re-read, which means that I do think The Hunger Games is a stronger book than its sequel, but it’s still excellent.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman (4 stars) – This modern classic has become buzzy recently, and I’m not going to lie, I was hoping for a slam-dunk 5-star read. Although I did appreciate the interesting premise and writing style, it didn’t quite resonate for me the way I was hoping.

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (4 stars) – A short but strong historical fiction novel told in collective voice that I really appreciated, despite not normally being a historical fiction reader.

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison (4 stars) – I love Rachel Harrison, and I love vampires, so my hopes for her newest release were extremely high. I definitely enjoyed the read, but something was missing for me compared to some of her previous works like Cackle and Such Sharp Teeth.

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (4 stars) – This was a quite fun and funny romantasy read that I enjoyed more than I expected to; I’m planning to pick up the sequel in 2025.

Funny Story by Emily Henry (4 stars) – Another book I was hoping to love but ended up liking. The romance wasn’t nearly as strong as other Emily Henry books for me.

Same Time Next Year by Tessa Bailey (3.5 stars) – This was a very fun, New Years-centric holiday romance featuring a marriage of convenience.

I’ll Get Back to You by Becca Grischow (3.5 stars) – This was a cute college-age holiday romance that was a fun read for this time of year.

Reading Recaps

January Reading Wrap-Up

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I had a great reading month to kick off 2025, including three 5-star reads (!), one of which was a re-read of an all-time favorite, and a very fun romantasy from a new-to-me author. Let’s get into it!

Stats

Total books read: 6

BOTM: 1

Re-reads: 1

eARCs: 1

The SpellshopPotions, Poisons, and PoliciesStamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in AmericaHers for the Weekend (Carrigan’s Christmasland, #3)In Other LandsThe Ministry of Time

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan (5 stars) (4th re-read) – This is, and always will be, one of my all-time favorite reads, and due to a stressful time at work I was due for another re-read. Here’s my review:

5 stars is not enough. I loved the crap out of this book.

In Other Lands fits right into that niche genre of books that satirize and also pay homage to traditional portal fantasy stories, like Lev Grossman’s Magicians series, or Rainbow Rowell’s Carry On, or Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children series. If you liked any of those, you’ll also probably love this book. We follow Elliott, a young bisexual British boy, who’s given the opportunity to enter the fantasy realm of his dreams–except nothing there is as he expects it to be, and he finds himself constantly challenging society’s expectations and norms. Elliott is extremely intelligent but very difficult in social situations, and he’s constantly butting heads with everyone around him except for his crush, Serene-Heart-In-the-Chaos-of-Battle, a beautiful elf maiden who is also, like all female elves, a deadly warrior. The two of them form an at-first tension-filled friend group with Luke Sunborn, a seemingly perfect stereotypical male fantasy hero, with the three of them gradually becoming closer and learning more about accepting each other’s faults as they progress in their training to join the Border Guard, which acts as a military force policing both the fantasy realm and its border with the human ones.

I will say that if you are a stickler for structured plots, then you may have issues with this book. Personally, as long as I’m enjoying what I’m reading and I love the characters, I could care less about having drawn-out battle scenes or whatever, so it didn’t bother me at all, but I could see some readers taking issue with the fact that the story meanders without following a traditional conflict/resolution fantasy plot struture.

This book is a beautiful story about growing up and learning to challenge traditionally held beliefs, which may not be the right ones, and learning to understand and accept yourself for who you are. It’s about friendship and how people can complement each other while still being from very different backgrounds. It’s about learning your strengths and using them to make the world a better place. It made me laugh out loud continuously and also cry multiple times. It’s one that I can see myself re-reading and enjoying just as much each time. It’s honestly wonderful, and I really hope that more people read it.

Edit: Upon re-read, In Other Lands has become one of my favorite books of all time. You should all stop what you are reading and immediately read this instead, because it’s better.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley (5 stars) – I picked up this Book of the Month pick awhile back despite the fact that I wasn’t sure I would vibe with the premise of a time-travel romance, and was inspired to finally start it after seeing it on President Obama’s favorite books of the year and wondering how such a seemingly odd pick made it on there. It turns out that I had a lot of misconceptions about what this book actually is, which is a meditation on colonialism, government corruption, generational trauma, and racism. In this story, the British government has developed time travel technology, and they decide to test its safety and efficacy by bringing several people from history that they know are already about to die to the present day, so that their interference doesn’t impact the course of history. These “expats,” as they’re called, are assigned handlers to help acclimate them to modern society, and that’s where our protagonist comes in. We’re following a translator who applies to the program for its financial benefits and who is assigned to a British naval officer whose initial fate was to perish in a doomed Arctic expedition, but as we follow the relationship between these two characters, we’re also learning more about the fraught expedition itself, the insidious racism of the government, and the ways in which our narrator’s family history plays into her perception of the world. It’s an absolutely beautifully written, layered, and insightful book; I now understand why it was on Obama’s favorites list for 2024, and it will be making it onto my favorites list for 2025.

Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi (5 stars) – This was an extremely thoroughly researched and informative read tracking the history of racist ideas in America by focusing on several chief architects of racist–and later antiracist–thought over the course of the country’s history. It’s been on my TBR ever since the Black Lives Matter movement, and I’m glad I finally picked it up. It’s a challenging read, but an extremely worthwhile one.

Potions, Poisons, and Policies by Courtney Thorne (4 stars) – This was an extremely fun enemies-to-lovers romantasy set at a magical university. The romance has strong Dramione vibes, and the relationship dynamic had excellent chemistry. The plot revolves around a poison being disseminated around campus that increases romantic feelings, and from which only the protagonist seems immune. She finds herself teaming up with her mortal enemy/academic rival to come up with an antidote, while many hijinks ensue along the way. I’d definitely recommend this to romantasy and Dramione fans.

Hers For the Weekend by Helena Greer (3.5 stars) (eARC) – I’m finding this book difficult to review, since I liked some aspects a lot more than others. For example, I found Tara, a character who was introduced in the series’ first book, to be a fascinating protagonist. She’s dealing with the very conflicting desires of working to advance social justice causes in her career as a defense attorney, while still maintaining relationships with her Southern, old-money, racist family in order to facilitate career connections to better take care of her clients. She hates her family and the obligations she feels towards them, but also feels stuck and unable to truly rebel and create a life for herself, due to fear of what might happen if she did. Her character, and struggles, are complex and well-developed; I just couldn’t say the same for her love interest, Holly, whose personality and history was just not as fully drawn and realized as Tara’s. For that reason, and also for the fact that too much of this book was focused on side characters from previous books who honestly didn’t impact either protagonist’s life too much, I couldn’t feel fully invested in the romance or plot.

I received an eARC of Hers For the Weekend from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst (3 stars) – I seem to be in the minority by not loving this book. It has a very cute cozy fantasy cover and premise, but maybe cozy fantasy just isn’t quite my genre. The main issue, thought, was that the characters all felt very surface-level to me; there just wasn’t enough characterization to become invested in anyone’s story the way I wanted to. An unfortunate disappointment.

Reading Recaps

November Wrap-Up

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Stats

Total books read: 12 (!)

2024 releases: 11

Holiday romances: 6

 

Better Hate than Never (The Wilmot Sisters, #2)Just Mercy by Bryan StevensonThe Nightmare Before Kissmas (Royals and Romance, #1)Daydream by Hannah GraceEmily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather FawcettA Novel Love Story by Ashley PostonCruel Winter with You by Ali HazelwoodMerriment and Mayhem (Under the Mistletoe Collection, #4)Only Santas in the Building by Alexis DariaA Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie CathrallAll by My Elf by Olivia DadeMerry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

Cruel Winter With You by Ali Hazelwood (5 stars) – This month I found myself reading all 5 of the novellas in the Under the Mistletoe collection from Kindle Unlimited, which was a fun surprise of Christmas-themed contemporary romances from 5 authors I’ve previously read and enjoyed. Ali Hazelwood’s was my clear favorite; she made me care so much about these characters in such a short amount of time and become completely invested in their love story. She just does such a great job of creating characters that are completely obsessed with one another in a way it’s impossible for me not to root for. I think I’d enjoy this one as a full-length novel as well, but it was great as a novella.

Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett (4.75 stars) – It took me much longer than I anticipated to pick up the sequel to one of my favorite reads from last year, but it was extremely satisfying and just as well-written as its predecessor. I love Emily as a main character so much, and two new side characters joined for this book’s adventure, which definitely set it apart from book 1. I can’t wait for the next book in early 2025.

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson (4.5 stars) – This is a nonfiction book I think everyone needs to read. Heart-wrenching, infuriating, informative, and emotional. I have so much respect for Bryan Stevenson and the work that he does, and I’m so grateful that he shared these stories with us.

Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur (4 stars) – My second-favorite of the Under the Mistletoe novella series, I felt like this was a bit of a departure from Alexandria Bellefleur, but I loved the dynamic between the main characters. Definitely recommend.

A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall (4 stars) – An extremely creative and absorbing epistolary novel set in a world almost completely covered by water, and featuring two people looking into the mysterious deaths of their siblings, who had formed a romantic and intellectual bond before their disappearances in an explosion. I was fascinated by this one, and surprisingly found the audiobook to be excellent, with a full cast narration. I’ll be interested to pick up the sequel even though I assumed it was a standalone when I bought it.

The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch (4 stars) – A very cute and different fantasy take on a Christmas romance, featuring the princes of Christmas and Halloween falling in love in a world where holidays have their own royal courts, subjects, and even tabloids that are hidden from the mundane world.

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston (3.75 stars) – A romance reader finds herself mysteriously stranded in the small town from her favorite series in this contemporary fantasy romance. I enjoyed the meta takes on romance, as well as the main character’s journey and the backstory of the romance series she and her friends fell in love with. I think it’s a difficult task to get real life readers invested in a town based on a book series that doesn’t actually exist, but Poston did manage it.

Better Hate Than Never by Chloe Liese (3.5 stars) – After loving Liese’s first book in this series, Two Wrongs Make a Right, I had high expectations for its follow-up. Unfortunately, some things just didn’t work for me quite as well, including the mean treatment of the heroine by the hero and the fact that he’s an older brother figure who knew her as a young child.

Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey (3.5 stars) – This was a sweet and spicy entry in the Under the Mistletoe series that seems to really not be vibing with most readers, but I enjoyed it.

Daydream by Hannah Grace (3 stars) – This was my first time reading anything from this BookTok sensation author, and I wasn’t blown away; the book felt far too long and I had trouble keeping all of the side characters straight. Part of that might be my fault, since I didn’t read the first two books in the series, but I also wasn’t as invested in the romance as I’d expect from a book where that’s the central theme.

Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria (3 stars) – This was a cute contemporary romance featuring neighbors with secret crushes on one another, which finally comes to a head at the building Christmas party. I think I was just looking for a bit more depth from the characters.

All by My Elf by Olivia Dade (3 stars) – I wouldn’t say that I actively disliked any of the Under the Mistletoe novellas, but this was probably my least favorite. It involves the main characters getting snowed in in their work vehicle, which is honestly more of a dangerous issue where I live than a romantic opportunity, and the romance just didn’t work that well for me.

Reading Recaps

August Wrap-Up (very belated)

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Stats

Books read: 8

BOTM: 3

Women in translation: 1

2024 releases: 7

 

Reviews

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa BaileyA Magical Girl Retires by Park SeolyeonSanctuary by Ilona AndrewsJust for the Summer by Abby JimenezHow Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie CruzStand Your Ground by Roxane GayHum by Helen PhillipsThe Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo (4.5 stars) – If you’re looking for a great book with fall vibes, I’d definitely recommend this historical fantasy by Leigh Bardugo. It’s set during the Spanish Inquisition and the time period is meticulously detailed and crafted around the story of Luzia, who has to hide both her Jewish ancestry and ability to do magic while surviving a world impossible for a woman like her to survive, let alone thrive, in. When her magic is revealed, however, she finds herself in a magical competition organized by powerful men looking to gain even more power by finding someone capable of performing miracles. Luzia is a scrappy, smart heroine who’s easy to root for, and the plot, with a side of romance, kept me hooked.

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz (4.5 stars) – Highly recommend this audio, as the production is really well done with sound effects, etc. I loved how the story was slowly revealed through multiple monologues and the documents that were interspersed with the narrative.

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon (4 stars) – I love books that present thoughtful analysis and new takes on existing genres, without losing the love of that genre that prompted their writing in the first place. A Magical Girl Retires takes the trope of the magical girl but places it in a contemporary setting, dealing with real-world issues and moral complexities. Our main character is severely depressed and financially struggling when she’s told she’s the world’s equivalent of the chosen one, a magical girl who can stop the destruction of the planet–not by fighting a supervillain, but by tackling climate change. She quickly realizes, however, that her problems and insecurities won’t actually be resolved despite her new magical girl status, and that the magical girl union itself is about to be turned on its head. I really enjoyed this short, translated novel; it’s the first book in a long time I’ve been able to read in a single sitting.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez (4 stars) – I enjoyed this Abby Jimenez book more than Yours Truly; I thought it gave a thoughtful exploration of mental health issues and the importance of setting boundaries, accompanied by a strong central friendship and an enjoyable romance.

Stand Your Ground by Roxane Gay (4 stars) – This was a short-ish audiobook I listened to on Everand, featuring my favorite modern thinker’s musings on the 2nd amendment. I might have gotten more out of this if I hadn’t read Carol Anderson’s nonfiction book The Second earlier this year, but it was still a strong piece of writing and thinking.

Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews (3.5 stars) – Not my favorite Ilona Andrews by a long shot, but still a fun read. Dark wizard/priest Roman, a side character from the Kate Daniels series, is finally given his own story, aspects of which I enjoyed more than others.

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey (3.5 stars) – This was a really fun read that was a very solid 4 stars through the first 80%, but I really wasn’t a fan of the post-third-act breakup reconciliation, where it honestly seemed like the main characters shouldn’t be together anymore. I did really enjoy the Boston setting and grumpy/sunshine dynamic, as well as glimpses at the couple from book 1 and many hints for the upcoming book 3 couple.

Hum by Helen Phillips (3 stars) – This BOTM pick was a disappointment for me. The premise (a near-future setting where a new procedure is developed to hide one’s face and identity from AI) was interesting, but the plot was much more centered around motherhood themes. This wouldn’t have been an issue if the main character’s two children weren’t possibly the most annoying child characters I’ve ever read about. They were far too centered in the story for how frustrating they were.

Reading Recaps

September Wrap-Up

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Stats

Total books read: 9

BOTM: 1

eARCs: 1

2024 releases: 6

Fall vibes reads: 6

 

Reviews

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis BaldreeElizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey BellezzaBride by Ali HazelwoodThe Only Survivors by Megan MirandaDreadful by Caitlin RozakisLooking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire KannThe Pairing by Casey McQuistonGraveyard Shift by M.L. RioA Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis

Elizabeth of East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding (4.5 stars) – I absolutely love a Pride and Prejudice retelling; it’s one of the few stories that for me never gets old. After reading and loving Emma of East 83rd Street last year, I was so excited to see that Elizabeth was up next. The original story’s characters, plot, and themes are all translated into a modern Hamptons setting effortlessly and in a way that makes perfect sense and creates excellent fun; Mr. Wickham as a Fyre Festival-esque scammer was a particularly great touch. The central romance had all of the tension and banter that we’ve come to expect, but was still contemporary enough to feel fresh. I also enjoyed the appearance of Emma and Knightley from book 1, as well as hints that book 3 will be based on Persuasion.

I received an eARC of Elizabeth of East Hampton from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, I loved it enough that I also purchased myself a physical copy.

Bride by Ali Hazelwood (4 stars) – Ali Hazelwood does an excellent job with coming through with a great read. Although I didn’t love Bride as much as her contemporary romance novels (three of which I’ve rated in the 5-star️ range), this paranormal romance still delivered on the chemistry, tropes, and addictive writing style that makes me want to pick up anything she writes. The worldbuilding wasn’t as strong as I’d have liked, but I still enjoyed the heck out of it, and I do hope she comes out with a sequel romance starring the side characters that was hinted about at the end.

Graveyard Shift by M. L. Rio (4 stars) – Since If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio is solidly on my list of favorite books, I was always going to pick up whatever she wrote next. I wasn’t expecting a multiple perspective horror novella that takes place over a single night, but I thoroughly enjoyed Graveyard Shift nonetheless. The moments I was able to pick up this book during my brief Italy trip remain some of my favorites.

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda (4 stars) – This YA contemporary mystery about two teens working on a podcast centered around their town’s darkest period was absorbing and an easy listen on audiobook, but didn’t necessarily blow me away.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (4 stars) – The Pairing was a great book to read right as I was leaving on a trip to Europe; it flows through France, Spain, and Italy on a food and wine tour that had me reminiscing about featured places I’ve been to and stoking excitement about places still on my travel goals list. It’s a very sweet second chance romance between two people who are very deeply in love with and obsessed with one another, and I thought the audio was performed very well with the many accents and frequent dialogue in other languages.

Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis (4 stars) – Dreadful was a satirical and humorous take on fantasy featuring an amnesiac evil wizard who doesn’t actually want to be evil now that his memories are gone; a resourceful kidnapped princess; scarier, evil-er wizards that are also more than they appear; adaptable townsfolk figuring out how to eke out a living in the shadow of a malevolent castle; less than bright heroes; and a background cast of delightful goblins. I love fantasy that interrogates and questions the tropes and conventions of the genre while turning them on their heads, and therefore found this a very fun read.

Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree (4 stars) – I enjoyed returning to the adventures of Viv the orc in this cozy fantasy prequel; for me this as well as Legends & Lattes were definitely enjoyable reads but didn’t necessary strike as impactful a chord as they seem to with many readers.

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis (3.5 stars) – This YA contemporary mystery about two teens working on a podcast centered around their town’s darkest period was absorbing and an easy listen on audiobook, but didn’t necessarily blow me away.

Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann (3 stars) – This contemporary paranormal romance had a lot of potential, but unfortunately the writing, and therefore the characters and plot, fell flat for me. I liked the premise and early aspects of the mystery, but ultimately this didn’t work well for me.

 

 

Reading Recaps

May Reading Wrap-Up

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I feel like I had a great reading month in May, even if I didn’t have any 5-star reads. I’m particularly proud that I managed to read 2 of my NetGalley eARCs and also 2 books towards my Book of the Month reading challenge.

Stats

Total books read: 8

eARCs: 2

BOTM: 2

Nonfiction: 2

2024 releases: 4

#readmyowndamnbooks: 5

 

The Butcher of the Forest by Premee MohamedSociopath by Patric GagneInto the Wild by Jon KrakauerThe Other Side of Disappearing by Kate ClaybornYou, Again by Kate GoldbeckTruly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria BellefleurThe Seven Year Slip by Ashley PostonThe Gentleman's Gambit by Evie Dunmore

Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur (4.25 stars) – I’ve been a fan of Alexandria Bellefleur since the minute I picked up Written in the Stars. I love the sweetness and emotional resonance of her stories, and as a bi reader, I also love the frequency of her inclusion of bi main characters. Until now, Elle and Darcy’s story has been my favorite, with last year’s The Fiancee Farce as a close second, but Truly, Madly, Deeply has been making me question everything. Although the side characters in the story didn’t always work with me (particularly Truly’s parents, whose scenes were for me the weakest), I absolutely loved the adorable and spicy bi/bi romance at the book’s heart. It was such an enjoyable read that I’ll be recommending all over the place.
I received an eARC of Truly, Madly, Deeply from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, but I loved it so much I also purchased a physical copy for myself.

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck (4 stars) – Pitched as a milennial take on When Harry Met Sally, I happily enjoyed it a lot more than I did the movie (it’s just never worked for me personally). It’s sort of a chance meeting enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story that’s heavy on banter, quarter life crisis career issues, and emotional blockages on the part of both protagonists. Ari and Josh have a slow, complicated, messy love story that I nevertheless rooted for the entire time. Goldbeck’s writing is very solid, and I felt I got to know the characters extremely well over the course of the novel and the years in their lives that it covers; I also liked the glimpse into chef careers, since that’s a niche interest of mine in romances. It’s definitely more spicy than sweet, so as long as that’s what you’re in the mood for, I think you’ll enjoy.

I received an eARC of You, Again from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed (4 stars) – This was a creepy dark fantasy novella that I really enjoyed; it involves a mysterious and deadly forest and a mission the main character can’t escape. Definitely recommend and a great pick for a quick read.

The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn (4 stars) – When an audiobook involves podcast elements, it definitely makes me more likely to pick it up. The focus here was definitely more on the romance than the true crime aspect, but I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters as well as the relationship between the heroine, her younger sister, and their history with their estranged mother. I thought it was well-developed and a great audio listen; I’ll be looking for more from this author.

The Gentleman’s Gambit by Evie Dunmore (3.5 stars) – This may have been my least favorite installment in the League of Extraordinary Women series, but I did like how it wrapped up the quartet as a whole.

Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne (3.5 stars) – This was an interesting look inside the mind of a woman with a PhD in psychology who is also a diagnosed sociopath. I was intrigued by how Gagne described her thought patterns and interpersonal relationships, but the book became a bit less interesting as it went on and focused more and more on her relationship with her eventual husband.

Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (3 stars) – This was my third book from Krakauer this year and definitively my least favorite; I spent the entire time too frustrated with the protagonist to sink into the book the way I wanted to. I felt like the author’s narrative skills were much less on display compared to the other two nonfiction works I’ve read from him, which makes me really wonder why this one is so widely read and taught in schools.

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston (3 stars) – I didn’t enjoy nearly as much as my previous read from Poston (The Dead Romantics); I felt like the characterization wasn’t very strong, and that’s very important to me when I read a romance.

 

Reading Recaps

April Wrap-Up

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I had an extremely busy month in April, which included volunteering at two weekend free clinics (I’m an optometrist) in other parts of my state. I was determined not to let my reading slide despite my weekends being much more packed than usual, and I ended up reading 3 short pieces (2 short stories and 1 essay) to be able to participate in Dewey’s 24-hour readathon during a busy clinic day. I did find a new 5-star standout, but also read many great 4-star picks.

Stats

Total books read: 9

#readmyowndamnbooks: 3

Short fiction/nonfiction: 3

2024 releases: 5

 

Reviews

Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring BlakeDominoes by Phoebe McintoshTwo Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl StrayedGraceful Burdens by Roxane GayRosie and the Dreamboat by Sally ThorneBillion Dollar Loser by Reeves WiedemanAll the Hidden Paths by Foz MeadowsHere We Go Again by Alison CochrunAt First Spite by Olivia Dade

All the Hidden Paths by Foz Meadows (5 stars) – Sometimes it takes me a really long time to finish a book I love, and All the Hidden Paths by Foz Meadows, which I started about a month ago, was no exception. Its predecessor A Strange & Stubborn Endurance was one of my favorite books of last year, and you never know how a sequel will live up, but this one was just as intricately written, heart-wrenching, and full of action as the first. It delves more into court politics, which I love in fantasy books, and the central arranged-marriage romance continued to develop in a way that makes sense for each character’s history of trauma. I also felt that the ending was potentially setting up a spinoff featuring several prominent side characters we met in book 2, which I wouldn’t be at all mad about

At First Spite by Olivia Dade (4 stars) -I’ve loved every Olivia Dade book I’ve read so far, and At First Spite was no exception. It’s a difficult premise for an author to make work–our heroine is engaged until her fiance’s brother talks him out of going through with the wedding, ostensibly because he doesn’t approve of her, but also because he finds himself extremely attracted to her. She begins to fall for him as well in the aftermath, but our protagonists also have to deal with depression, burnout, and the aftereffects of family tragedy on their way to an HEA. Despite these darker themes, At First Spite still has plenty of funny and sweet moments, and I loved the dynamic between the two main characters and how much they loved one another. I received an eARC of At First Spite from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Dominoes by Phoebe McIntosh (4 stars) – This contemporary fiction was kind of a random pick for me, and I ended up finding it really interesting. I listened to the audio and the narrator was GREAT, I’d definitely recommend consuming it that way, and I’ll definitely be looking for more from this debut author.

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun (4 stars) – This was my third contemporary romance from Cochrun, and definitely my favorite. It features a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romance between two English teachers who are taking their mentor on a road trip as his dying wish, and who learn about each other and themselves along the way. It has great discussion on the importance and impact that great teachers can have on our lives, so I was recommending it to my English teacher friend within the first few chapters. There is sadness but it’s well-balanced with humor and romance, along with mental health discussion.

Two Women Walk Into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed (4 stars) – This was the essay I listened to during Dewey’s; I previously really enjoyed both Wild and Dear Sugar by Strayed and found this essay about the author’s relationship with her mother-in-law to be very well-told.

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne (4 stars) – A very cute short story with Thorne’s signature addictive writing style that involves a rescue from a sensory deprivation chamber.

Graceful Burdens by Roxane Gay (4 stars) – My second short story for the month was from a past favorite author, and the thing is that I love Roxane Gay so much that anything less than a 5 star is almost a disappointment. I just think this concept needed more room to grow and develop, although I did enjoy the read.

Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date by Ashley Herring Blake (4 stars) – I would say that I enjoyed this Sapphic contemporary romance second-best in the Bright Falls trilogy; I liked the depiction of anxiety and also that prickly Iris finally got her own love story.

Billion Dollar Loser by Reeves Wiedeman (3.5 stars) – This is the second book I’ve read about the downfall of Adam Neumann and WeWork, and it helped with my reading mood for a nonfiction book that feels like a podcast but wasn’t necessarily a very strong read.

Reading Recaps

March Reading Wrap-Up

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I’m a bit late, but determined to still make my March wrap-up happen! I finished several books that were very high on my TBR stack and I’m happy with how the reading month went.

Stats

Total books read: 6

Nonfiction: 3

#readmyowndamnbooks: 3

The Climb by Anatoli BoukreevCrying in H Mart by Michelle ZaunerThe Centre by Ayesha Manazir SiddiqiInteresting Facts about Space by Emily R. AustinThe Unbroken by C.L. ClarkI'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner (4.5 stars) – I found this memoir to be both powerful and beautifully written, as well as skillfully narrated by the author. I suggested it as this month’s pick for my in-person book club, however, and the other members didn’t seem to enjoy it nearly as much as I did.

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (4 stars) – I’ve heard so much hype about this book, but due to the subject matter, it took me awhile to actually pick it up. It was a very difficult read emotionally, but very well-written, and I thought the audiobook was narrated very well by the author.

The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi (4 stars) – This fabulist novel about a mysterious language education center that purports to be able to make a person fluent in a new-to-them language after only a week sounded right up my alley. I liked the main character’s inner narration and the slowly-building mystery, and although it did feel in ways like a debut novel, I definitely would recommend it.

The Unbroken by C. L. Clark (4 stars) – There’s always a point in the year where I suddenly get a powerful urge to read epic fantasy, and I kicked off that reading mood in 2024 with The Unbroken. I enjoyed the dual perspective, fast pace, and mixture of action and politics, and look forward to picking up its sequel, The Faithless.

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily R. Austin (4 stars) – I’ve had Austin’s debut novel on my TBR for approximately 5,000 years, but I ended up picking up her sophomore title first since it was a BOTM pick. It definitely moved at a slower pace and was very character-driven, with a solid payoff at the end. I’m looking forward to picking up her debut soon too.

The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt (3.5 stars) – My Mount Everest/Jon Krakauer continued with this read, which is somewhat of a refutation to several of Krakauer’s claims. It was an interesting read, but not nearly as well-written as Into Thin Air, and I found Krakauer’s essay in response to the book more credible than this book itself. I don’t regret the read, but I definitely don’t think it’s a necessary book to pick up after Into Thin Air.

Reading Recaps

Feb Reading Wrap-Up

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I really struggled with a reading slump throughout most of Feb; I’m not sure if it was because of my extremely productive reading month in January, winter malaise, or general stress, but I had a hard time focusing on most of the books I attempted to pick up. Nonfiction audiobooks were what worked for me the best (and continue to comprise a large portion of my 2024 reading in general), supplemented by next-in-series books from past favorite authors. I still enjoyed the books that I did manage to engross myself in, with one 5-star standout. Let’s get into it.

Stats

Total books read: 5

Nonfiction: 3

How the Word Is Passed by Clint SmithThe Second by Carol AndersonMagic Claims by Ilona AndrewsDead Mountain by Donnie EicharAll the Dead Shall Weep by Charlaine Harris

How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith (5 stars) – I’ve been talking this book up and recommending it frequently ever since I started it. It has a really interesting premise where the author tours historical sites and then discusses the accuracy or inaccuracy of the information given regarding the history of racism; he does so in an extremely engaging and informative way. I also thought the audio narration was really well done.

The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America by Carol Anderson (4.25 stars) – This is my third nonfiction read from this author, and for some reason I haven’t heard nearly as much about this one as her previous two. It explores the second amendment from the perspective that it has never equally applied to Black Americans and how it has caused and allowed for a great deal of racist violence. I’ve read about gun violence and gun violence prevention previously, but this was from a very different viewpoint, and I found it very interesting, if a bit clinically written.

Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews (4 stars) – I love that we’re continuing to get bonus, post-series Kate Daniels books, and I enjoyed the heck out of this one. I never get tired of these characters and this world, and can only hope for still more installments in the future.

Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar (3.75 stars) – I’ve previously listened to podcasts about this historical tragedy, but was interested in getting more information through a book. The writing wasn’t consistently engaging for me, nor was the narrative, but parts were quite interesting. I just wish that certain aspects and theories had been explored more thoroughly and that the quality of the writing had been a bit better.

All the Dead Shall Weep by Charlaine Harris (3 stars) – This isn’t my favorite series of Harris’s, but I enjoyed the dual narratives and sister team-up adventure in this one and will continue on to see how things go down in the next book, which sounds like it will feature a dramatic, deadly magical ball.