Number One is Walking

This was a fun collection of memoir inspired comics, written musings, flashbacks about working in the movie industry and a collection of one panel cartoons worthy of any newspaper. Number One is Walking is part biography, part movie industry inside news, and all comedy. Done in a fun comic style - this is unlike any other book I have read this year. Innovative and funny. 

Below Ambition

Eeessh - I mean I know this series is irreverent and weird and over the top and not exactly "literary reading" but this latest installment just seemed like a shitty rambling thrown together mess. Horse Mani is a shitty band consisting of Megg and Werewolf Jones. They go on "tour" and "play" at shitty dive bars - but really they are just ripping on other bands, getting fucked, and generally just fucking around. Not very exciting. 

A Christmas Courtship

This may be my favorite book in the series thus far. It's nice to read a romance about a widower and a man in his 40's, rather than Amish teens or adults in their 20s. Those are fine to read about, but it's nice to read about some more "realistic" relationships. There are two relationships unfolding at the same time, a bachelor trying to woo his neighbor and two teenagers who have long crushed on each other. Of course there are ups and downs, missed opportunities and mistakenly hurt feelings - but all eventually turns out for the best. Sickeningly sweet and charming - perfect for the holidays. I hope there are more in this series!

Lore Olympus vol. 3

This series ages like fine wine. Even if it's been a few months since I read the previous installment - it all comes rushing back so quickly! The illustrations are downright gorgeous and the characters are so fun and catty - exactly how you would imagine Greek gods and goddesses to be. I can't wait to see where the next installment goes. It's such a slow delicious burn!

Ex-Yakuza and Stray Kitten

Cute concept, but overdone and tedious.

A Merry Little Meet Cute

I am a huge Hallmark Christmas movie fan so I was jacked to read a book that was a play on one of my favorite guilty pleasure. Teddy, a pornography producer decides to "diversify" and wants to produce a clean Christmas romance for the Hope Channel. He makes a new LLC and everything so no one can link him back to his real "business." A few days before shooting is set to take place, disaster occurs. A lot of the production crew and the female lead are out. In a hasty move he fills the slots with some porn crew and even casts Bianca von Honey, a plus size porn star as the lead. He is praying to god no one will catch on and the filming will go off without a hitch. Only there is one hitch, the reformed bad boy pop singer, now lead actor on set, knows EXACTLY who "Bee" is, he has subscribed to her content for years. How can they keep this all under wraps?! Sexy, full of positive sex work, and cute. Would definitely read more like this!

A Cat Cafe Christmas

I was sold on the title alone. Kara is looking for a fresh start so she decided to co-open a cat cafe with her best friend as she tries to hide from her past. When Ben, a fresh faced reporter new to the area, decides to promote the cat cafe as part of a new promotion their paths cross although it is not quite love at first sight. Ben has some baggage and Kara doesn't want any attention. But when a little kitten lands on Ben's doorstop Kara has no choice but to help him out and there is no denying the attention that starts to blossom between them. Can they both move past their trust issues and look towards the future? Sweet, but a little over the top at times. Romance is closed doors which is a shame. A fun, fluffy read. 

The Philosophy of Modern Song

Nobel Prize winning singer-songwriter, musician, and American icon, Bob Dylan, pens his first book in nearly two decades. The Philosophy of Modern Song is a collection of more than sixty essays that breaks down big music hits, overlooked ballads, and music staples; from Elvis Presley to Elvis Costello and from Bobby Darin to The Clash - Bob Dylan shares musical knowledge, philosophy, and insight that he has accrued over the past 80 years. Each essay looks at a different songs lyrics, beats, history and more; written in Bob Dylan's signature rambling, fast paced style. While the book contains over 150 beautifully curated photos; the audiobook features an amazing full cast performance of celebrities. Jeff Bridges, Renée Zellweger, Oscar Isaac, Helen Mirren, Steve Buscemi, John Goodman, Rita Moreno, Sissy Spacek, and Bob Dylan himself are just a few of the narrators in this all star line up which makes for some spectacular listening. Of the 66 songs discussed only 4 are sung by women - which is shame - but is also Bob Dylan's prerogative. Nearly half of the songs are from the 50's and the others songs go as far back as 1924 and all the way up to 2003 (after which presumably - good music stopped being made). This collection doesn't encapsulate Dylan's all time favorite songs - they are just strong songs that inspired him to write about them (and not always for good reasons!). Listeners won't necessarily agree with all the selections but will certainly enjoy learning about some obscure songs as well as some chart toppers. The all star narration makes this audiobook shine.

The Belle of Belgrave Square

Regency romance lovers will swoon over the second offering in the Belles of London series. Bestselling author, Mimi Matthews, pens another fun regency romp sprinkled with fairy tale references and outrageous situations. Julia Wychwood is an heiress desperate to be free of her demanding parents and the confines of London - she is much more at ease in a book then she is at a ball or society soiree. Captain Jasper Blunt is in London in search of a wealthy wife who can offer him a cash influx to save his crumbling estate in the English countryside. Both their problems can be fixed with one minor event, marriage. They decide to eschew the opinions of the London elite and wed – Julia’s sizable dowry will go to Jasper and in return she asks for freedom – freedom to read, ride, and wander the estate. Jasper readily grants her that but she can’t wander everywhere on the estate. There are some off limit areas that certainly pique Julia’s interest – especially when she learns what kind of man the Captain really is. Charmingly narrated by both Ell Potter and Sebastian Brown – this audiobook is oozes, fun, charm, and growing sexual tension. A must listen for fans of the Bridgerton series, fairytale spin offs, and regency romance. 

The Most Wonderful Time

Four short Christmas stories about finding love under the Christmas tree. From a forlorn widow to an injured war hero to a Nashville fiddler to an old fling - all four were cute and hopeful. Obviously all four had ups and downs but ended on high notes - it's Christmas after all! Some stories are a little stronger than others - but they all were nice to listen to in audiobook form. Mostly clean - but there are steamy closed door scenes.

A Very Merry Bromance

I freaking love this series. It's ridiculous - over the top - highly unbelievable - yet so so enjoyable. A Very Merry Bromance is the 5th book in the Bromance Book Club series and highlights Colton, the Nashville country superstar. He falls hard for Mack's ex, Gretchen and they spend one unbelievable night together. After which she ghosts him and he spends the next year pining after her. Little does he know that she really Nashville royalty herself she comes from the prestigious and ultra rich Winthrop family, a fact that most aren't aware of. She refuses to have anything to do with her family's frivolous lifestyle and spends her time practicing immigration law pro bono to try and make the world a better place. Does she think that Colton is too privileged to be considered? Or is there romance in the air. Set against a Nashville Christmas scene. Lots of fun. 

The Christmas Backup Plan

An extremely quick and fluffy read. Also, surprisingly steamier than I thought it would be. Due to a concussion, Aria needs a chauffeur to a town 8 hours away. She is a wedding planner and has to travel to help set up for the wedding. All her siblings and helpers are occupied so Remington is volunteered as a driver. Aria and Remington are oil and water but there is no alternative -she has to get to that wedding. When an ice storm strands them in a small town they spend an unexpected night together and things get complicated quickly. Remington is all about having order, Aria is more of a fly by the seat of her pants kind of girl - could the Christmas magic somehow tie them together? It was decent til the end - it was too over the top for me.