Bedside Companion for Book Lovers

I read this every morning after putting on my face. Some of these quotations and excerpts were great, some were meh, and some were.... lacking. I was hoping there would be a good mix of modern and classic authors sampled, but alas it was about 80% from authors in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The book is heavy and bulky so this would be hard to read in bed. Again this was ok, but this isn't one I will re-read in the future. 

Song of a Blackbird

Absolutely heartbreaking and inspiring this graphic novel is a powerful reminder of the cost (and rewards) of resistance as told by two narratives on in 1943 and one in 2011. In 1943 Emma Bergsma is seeing firsthand the horrors of the Nazi occupation in Amsterdam. When she sees Jewish families being forcibly loaded onto trains she decides to join the Dutch resistance. In 2011, Annick has discovered that her grandmother needs a bone marrow match to live and her siblings aren't a match. It turns out they aren't blood related to her at all. Annick is determined to find her Oma's real family to see if any of them are a match. All she has to go on are a couple of art prints and some of he oma's shaky memories of the war. Absolutely stunning storytelling, the graphic novel format really helped bring the story to life and the afterward with the real photographs and history is captivating! 

The Little Wartime Library

I absolutely adored this book. Every time I think there can't possibly be another WWII book featuring something I didn't know, I am quickly humbled. The Little Wartime Library is a fictionalized account of Britain's only underground library during the war. A shelter and library (and many other things including a theater!) were put underground in an uncompleted railway tunnel. Told with dual narration, the story centers on Clara, the "head" librarian after her mentor and boss was killed when the aboveground librarian was killed and Ruby her best friend and library assistant. Both women have their fair share of trauma. Clara lost her husband at Dunkirk and has thrown herself into the library; Ruby's sister was tragically killed with over 100 others when people stampeded down the stairs and deals with an abusive stepfather. The two women prove that a library is more than just books, it's a community. Fantastic, heartbreaking, and inspiring. A wonderful novel!

A Book for Christmas

Enchanting and captivating, I adored this collection of winter themed stories and folktales. At only 100 pages, this is a super quick read so I think I may have to read it every Christmas (or winter). From saints to thieves, to the fear of not getting a book at Christmastime, this little collection has something to delight every reader! 

Good Spirits

I ADORED THIS BOOK! BK Borison has lived up to the hype. Obsessed is an understatement. Good Spirits follows Harriet, a young woman who loves her cozy existence working in an antiques shop. She loves the holidays and is a genuinely good person. When she is suddenly visited by the ghost of Christmas past she is so confused. What has she done wrong. Her ghost, Nolan is also confused, every memory they visit makes him like Harriet even more. The two find themselves drawn together and soon the attraction is palpable. Of course with her luck she would fall in love with a ghost. Steamy, witty, and wonderful. I can't wait for the next book in the series! 

The Wager

I love a good nonfiction read and this historical telling of the Wager was captivating and horrifying. It got a little slow at times, but maybe I just haven't read enough seafaring books. As the subtitle summarizes, the Wager's voyage was beset with one calamity after another: typhus, scurvy, violent weather, wrecks, starvation, death, mutiny, and murder. Pretty much everything that could go wrong, went wrong. There were very few survivors left, but the ones that survived the horrors all seemed to have conflicting stories. Was there really a mutiny? Was the captain at fault? After reading this recounting I can tell you that I would last about 1 second on one of these 17th century British warships. Absolutely not. Hard pass. Don't read this before you go on a cruise to the Cape of South America. 

Sweet Silver Bells

I want to start off with the positives. This book was a very quick read and the cover art drew me right in. The earth magic was cool and I thought the book did an alright job addressing what grief looked like.... A quick and dirty summary is a young woman (Olivia) who possessed earth magic was embarrassed at a Christmas Eve Ball hosted by her family. She was taunted for being a witch and exposed. She decided to run into the woods and escape her family and tormentors. Her father followed and she wanted him to stop so she used her magic to create a dense foliage barrier in the woods and accidentally killed her father in the process. She then entombed herself in a tree and has "lived" there ever since. Cut to the modern day. We have a 40 year old teacher just going about life. He is a widower and doesn't have much going for him. While on a field trip to a beautiful old estate (not only was it where he and his wife had a wedding, it was the estate the "witch's" family owned) he stumbles into the woods and encounters the beautiful "tree siren" as he likes to call her. He becomes enamored with her and convinces her to leave the woods. He greatly underestimates her power though and a trail of destruction follows. He can't help himself though, he hasn't felt this alive since his wife was alive and he'll do anything to stay with this beauty. This book.... could have used a lot more substance, a lot more editing, and just a lot... more. Hunter seemed very two dimensional. He contained so much grief but then it just went out the window whenever he is around Olivia. He knows how dangerous she is yet he continually puts his friends and family in danger by exposing them to her and he just makes excuses for everything. Also, there is an alarming lack of sex (the cover looked so spicy, I was let down!). This was definitely gothic but the comparisons to Nightmare Before Christmas were an extreme stretch. 

Duma Key

The narration of this audiobook was top tier. TOP TIER. I will listen to anything John Slattery performs, I am now a mega fan. He truly brought the characters to life, especially Wireman. I love Stephen King, I've probably read 40 to 50% of everything he's ever written. This one however is not one of my top reads. Don't get me wrong, i loved the characters, I loved the writing, I just had a hard time with the plot. A man gets crushed nearly to death, loses his arm, his wife, and the life he had worked so hard to build. He decides to try for a new life and moves to Duma Key and starts painting for fun. Well, the paintings are more than just good; they are GREAT. But there is something sinister about the paintings. Sometimes he feels an itch to paint and he doesn't know what's overcoming him. It's up to his new found friends Wireman and Jack Cantore to dig a little deeper and find the horror lurking beneath the paintbrush. The horror in this book does not start until you are over 70% of the way in. And even then, this horror didn't really grab me. A good King book, but not my favorite. 

The Dogs of Venice

Big fan pf Steven Rowley and his writing so I was super excited to check out this novella. It was short, sweet, and emotional. Paul and his husband have been planning a Venetian Christmas getaway for months. The only problem is Paul's husband has just decided that the marriage is over. Distraught, Paul decides to still go to Venice to try and soothe his broken heart. While there he discovers the stray dogs of Venice and is besotted with their carefree existence. Maybe there is something to it? A short and sweet novella. 

Mate

STEAMY! I loved it! I almost might like it more than the first one! This had all the tropes I like, plenty of steam and fun quirky characters. Werewolves, mates, unrequited feelings, a poor hybrid girl stuck in the middle, who coincidently just might be going through heat. What could possibly go wrong. It turns out, a lot. Love, love, love it!

The Score

Not going to lie, this series is legit good. I am continually surprised how much I enjoy the characters and the plots. The spice level doesn't hurt either! The Score is the third in the series although you can easily read this as a standalone. It follows Allie as she navigates her senior year and what she wants her future to look like. She and her boyfriend of three years have just broken up because he expected her to drop her dreams so she could help him pursue his (rude). But now she must decide between Hollywood and Broadway. To further complicate matters she has a passionate steamy night with campus' biggest player. He's a big hockey star, loaded, and handsome. The problem is Allie doesn't do casual, and Dean doesn't do relationships. What could go wrong?! Cute, sexy, and fun. 

Devotions from the Front Porch

I really enjoyed this devotional. Each day there was a Bible verse, a real life reflection (most of which were very relatable!), a beautiful photo, and a prayer. They were succinct but packed a punch. It was an energizing way to start each morning. This is definitely a devotional I will save and re-read again in the future because I enjoyed it so much. 

Lore Olympus v. 9

I don't know if the series is dragging on too long, but I am slowly caring less and less. Not only that, I forgot to reread book 8 before this and man I definitely had to look up what happened in that book because I forgot a lot and it made it harder to read this one. My favorite part of this series is the illustrations, they are top notch and so vibrant. I feel like we are getting closer to the end so I plan on sticking around to see it completed, I'm just losing a little steam.

How to Protect Bookstores and Why

This was an important read that every book lover/consumer should read. I love the format that follows 12 bookstores and talks about issues they face, ways they've overcome obstacles, and ends with ways for readers to get involved. I loved learning about these book stores in the process and I want to visit them all! Obviously one of the biggest threats to bookstores is Amazon, followed closely by healthcare affordability, and lack of government support. Ways to help independent bookstores thrive include: writing reviews, buying books, going to author events, helping change legislation, wearing store merchandise in public, not using Amazon and not using Goodreads.... Sorry, I have a Librarything and a Storygraph as well, but Goodreads is my bread and butter. I love being able to easily see what my friends are reading, have multiple shelves, and see reviews in real time. I know, I know. I am part of the problem! But. Nothing comes close to this interface, sorry. I know Amazon is ripping large amounts of free data off of me, but.... I'll allow it. Necessary read for all and it definitely has spurred me to action! 

The Love Haters

It sickens me how much I love all of Katherine Center's books. I eat them up every time, I have yet to be disappointed. She could write a book about two kitty litter executives falling in love and I would think that was the greatest thing since sliced bread. I FLEW through this rom-com. I couldn't put it down. The witty banter was top tier and I don't care how unbelievable or cheesy the plot was I drank it up like dehydrated man lost and wandering in the desert. Katie Vaughn has been sent to the Keys to film a promo for the US Coast Guard. She is a little nervous for two reasons, 1. her job is on the line so this has to be her best piece of work ever and 2. she has no idea how to swim. She loves being behind a camera but not when the stakes are so high. When she arrives in the Keys she immediately falls in love with Rue her landlady and aunt of the Hutch, the coast guard subject she is being paid to film. Hilarity follows along with some wrong assumptions, and a side of love. Perfect fluff. I'll have another!

Fairy Tale

What can't Stephen King do? This epic quest starring a 17 year old boy and his ailing dog is masterful; it's a wonderful homage to fairy tales and legends. When Charlie helps the grumpy old man down the street he has no idea what he has gotten himself into. He's convinced that he has to help this grumpy old man and his adorable dog and despite his initial thoughts, comes to like the crotchety old man and adore his dog Radar. Little does he know that another world awaits and an adventure beyond anything he's ever read or seen in the movies is about to occur. So much fun, Fairy Tale combined so many elements from the Wizard of Oz, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Shrek, Rumpelstiltskin, and more. Dark at parts, but come on, it's a fairy tale. The audiobook narration was SUPERB. Do yourself a favor and listen to this one! I don't want to spoil anything, but it's so good!

Secret Indiana

As a Hoosier I enjoyed reading this fun little travel guide about the weird, quirky, and hidden gems in the state. I was aware of maybe a dozen or so of the locations (I happen to live by two of them) and was really intrigued by the others. Some of the locations were kind of meh, but some were super interesting and I hadn't heard of. Will I go out of my way to visit all these locations? No, but if I am ever near one of them I may pop over (especially if it is one of the free ones). I feel like I am better equipped to win Hoosier Jeopardy now. This is a great little coffee table or bathroom book because you can read a few locations at a time. Each location has a two page spread with photos, the address, a little write up, accessibility features, and information on whether or not it's free. Interesting for sure. Now I know that Indiana is more than the RV capital of the world, we are also the goldfish capital of the world. Who knew?! 

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

Why did I wait so long to read this book?!?! So freaking good. And I have to give props for Grady Hendrix, a male, for doing such an amazing job writing from the female perspective. His portrayal of young women going through pregnancy and childbirth was done so well and nuanced; so kudos to him! 

Fern is sent to Florida to live in a "women's home" with other young unmarried women while waiting to give birth. This home is where parents send their shameful daughters for a few months as a guise for "going away to camp" or "staying with an aunt for the summer," while in reality they are just waiting to give birth and adopt out the babies. It's the summer of 1970 and the Florida heat is stifling. With no access to news of the outside world and not much to do other than chores, Fern cannot wait for the bookmobile to come. When the librarian gives her a book on witchcraft, she and some of the other girls finally have something important, power. Can Fern and pregnant friends turn things around? Or are they getting involved in something that will place them in even more precarious straights? Delightful, wonderful. I could not put it down!

Made to Be She

This is a complicated review to write. There were a lot of areas I wholeheartedly agreed with and areas that I was appalled at. As a Catholic, one of the things I try to do most, is love thy neighbor. It's easy to judge others, but easy isn't right and we are not the judge, only God is. This book held a lot of judgment toward others - working mothers, divorced women, transgender individuals, non-Christian women, and more. It ruined a lot of the good message the authors were trying to get across. I love that they discussed the harm that the purity culture movement caused, the snares of the beauty industry, and falling into religious ditches. As another reviewer mentioned, some of those chapters could have been greatly expanded and been whole books. The authors chose to dedicate a lot of time however on transgendered men and women and casting judgement their way. Trans women existing doesn't diminish me as a woman. I love that I am a woman. Trans women aren't trying to take my rights away, but you know who is... men. All the time. Another chapter talked about how important it was to be a mother and to stay at home with your children. Well wouldn't that be nice. But in this economy... Come on. Nowhere in that chapter did the authors talk about the rising cost of housing or food. They mention how sad they felt for single mothers ONCE. The rest of the chapter was lamenting how much moms are missing out on by working. What about the dads? They are missing those moments too! If we are called to go forth and procreate in this awful American economy then most mothers will have to work. We unfortunately live in a time that demands that both parents work. We CAN'T have it all. Most women I know would love to stay home but can't. Most women I know would love to have more kids but can't afford to. The authors mention none of that. Another point I took issue with was that the authors villainized every wave of feminism and gave an awful over simplified view of them all. No mention of the benefits we got, only the negative downsides. We can own property, we can have credit cards, we can get custody of our children. They mentioned women getting the right to vote like it was a bad thing because the men should get the vote of the household... but even if that were the case what about unmarried or widowed women?! The final thing I take issue with is the oversimplified science of sex. According to the authors there are only males and females with absolutely NO VARIATIONS WHATSOEVER. However, intersex variations and hermaphroditism demonstrate that sex exists on a spectrum, and in some species, individuals do not fit neatly into a simple male/female binary. So I guess people born intersex can go jump off a cliff? I mean, what the heck. They are people too. Sorry they don't fit neatly in your little box. Not everything is black and white. Love one another. So actually now that I've typed all this out... maybe there wasn't that much good in here. 

We Know Your Secret

This was a fun and quick teen thriller, perfect for the Halloween season. This is essentially a Fear Street novel, but set in the 90s. Two best friends are looking forward to their weekly sleepover on Friday night, not knowing that it will be the last time anything is normal. Lisa and Katie have the house to themselves, two new releases from Blockbuster, pizza, snacks, and Cosmo magazine. Everything is perfect. That is, until they start prank calling people. What starts out as a funny joke, quickly goes dark. Maybe being home alone isn't the wisest move. Told through multiple perspectives, this fun little thriller was cute but could have had another rounds of editing. Some things weren't consistent. That being said it was still a fun little romp that any millennial or child of a millennial will enjoy. 

The Women of Bandit Bend

This was a quick and engaging historical read about two sisters who must learn what it takes to survive on their own. Ivy and Talley pack up and head to Sutton Creek, Colorado in search of their father. They haven't heard from him in months and are concerned about him. When they arrive at his homestead they are appalled at the state of things. The house is barely livable and it looks like the barn is about to fall down. They have to make the homestead livable so the government won't take it back so they decide to put in the work to fix it up and hope that their father will turn up. Unfortunately, calamity upon calamity befalls the sisters. Is someone trying to undermine their claim to the homestead? What really happened to their father? Compelling and quick. This was a satisfying read!

The Irish Goodbye

This was a good Thanksgiving read filled with lots of sibling drama and heartache. It's heavy, but it's short. This could easily be read in one sitting. Three sisters come back home to share a Thanksgiving with their elderly parents. Things have been uneasy in the years since their brother ended his life. There is a lot or hurt and resentment and rather than face it, each of the sisters (and their parents) have pushed down the grief and dealt with is in pretty unhelpful ways. Freshly divorced, Cait is flying in from London with her twins and she has some secrets that she doesn't know how to deal with. Maggie is bringing her girlfriend home for the first time much to the dismay of her staunchly Irish Catholic mother. Alice is feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated. As the one who lives closest to her parents she helps take care of them and her two boys and all she wants is to be seen and get a chance to do something she wants for once. Reunited for the first time in years, this family is about to have a Thanksgiving they will never forget.

Mapping the Interior

Yeesh. This was deeply unsettling and disturbing and I found myself having to reread parts of this novella because I was getting confused as to what was actually happening. I love Stephen Graham Jones but this was not a win for me. A twelve year old thinks he sees his dead father in full fancy dress regalia while sleepwalking. Is his father there to help, or is he there for a more sinister reason? All around upsetting and confusing, but as promised, full of horror. 

A Fever in the Heartland

Man, I really wish this book was fiction. Horrifying, compelling, and SO RELEVENT! Swap out the Ku Klux Klan for MAGA and it reads.... pretty much the same. Wanting Bibles in school, wanting to end immigration, wanting to squash diversity, wanting to take over all levels of the government. Wow. I knew a little about the KKK in Indiana because of a Hoosier history class I took in college. We spent a whole week talking about the Klan's prominence and downfall. This book expanded on that so much. I knew what a piece of trash DC Stephenson was, but to read in detail about the crime and the trial in the mid 1920s. Horrifying. As a Hoosier this is a necessary read. I'm glad Hoosiers eventually came to their senses and the Klan fell away to the shadows. Unfortunately the hate they harbored still seems to be there as evidenced by our divisive politics and fascist leanings. Scary read but so so relevant. 

The Art Thief

This is really a 3.5 star review for me. I was so intrigued and appalled by this book. The gall of some people. I cannot believe that this is a real story. This French art lover/prick spent years visiting museums and galleries all across Europe stealing items and hoarding them in the attic at his mother's house. Stéphane Breitwieser didn't just love art; he coveted art. When he spotted something he wanted he took it. His girlfriend would sometimes help by keeping watch or putting items in her purse, but she didn't get the joy that he got. Over nearly a decade Stéphane stole around 250 items valued around 2 billion dollars. And these weren't crazy heists, he would steal them calmly during open hours. What set him art from literally every other art thief is that he wasn't trying to sell or offload these pieces for money. He just wanted to be able to admire them from home. My takeaway is.... you could get away with a lot in the the 90s and.... what an asshole. 

The Mistake

I honestly think I enjoyed this book more than The Deal! I really enjoyed Logan's storyline and I thought the problems he had with his homelife were compelling and sad. Grace could have been a little more fleshed out as a character, but I am glad she grew a little as the story progressed. This is the second book in the off-campus series but you don't have to read the first one to follow along (you just get some background on some of the friends). John Logan is an elite hockey player at Briar and he has a lot of fun on and off the ice. He enjoys the ladies, but the one he wants the most is taken by his best friend. He is so hung up on her that he is content to bone his way around campus to forget her. That is until he meets Grace. Grace is cute, nerdy, and talks a ton. She's also a virgin. For some reason he finds himself drawn to her and then he goes and ruins it all. Will she ever forgive him? Cute, wildly unbelievable, super sexy, and fun. 

Throne of Betrayal

Local author (Franklin, IN), Brianna E. Wilson has penned a daring and fast paced romantasy novel that will appeal to those who loved strong heroines and brute men with big hearts. Adelaide is her father's only heir and is looking forward to ruling the kingdom of Tellus someday. When her father is accused of poisoning a neighboring kingdom's queen (who also happened to to be her betrothed's mother) war erupts and Adelaide is forced to flee the castle and seek help from an unlikely source; the broody, over-confident brute of a king from Mare. There isn't much known about the mysterious island of Mare; whenever merchant ships travel that way they never return. With no other options, Adelaide must trust this king if she wishes to avenge her father and reclaim the throne. Full of twists turns, shocking reveals, and smoldering slow burn romance; readers will be clambering to read the next book in the series, Throne of Wings and Ash. 

The Gingerbread Bakery

Finally! I have been waiting for Annie and Mac to get together for forever and I am thrilled they finally got to have their moment. It was a little lackluster in my opinion and Annie was WAAAY to unwilling to talk about what happened in their youth. They could have gotten back together like three years ago, but she is the most stubborn person on the planet. Annie and Mac had one magical Christmas together when they were 19 and then he went and ruined it all and left Dream Harbor. Annie has never forgiven him and he won't give up on proving that he is more than his worst mistake. It's a second chance romance set during Christmas. It's cute and emotional but I really was over Annie. Just listen to the hunk already! Cute, cheesy, slightly spice. Give me the next one already!

The Marigold Cottages Murder Collective

This was such a cute cozy mystery and I loved the characters so much! In sunny California there is an idyllic little cluster of cottages filled with a wide assortment of eclectic individuals. Mrs. B is the proprietor of all the cottages and charges a modest sliding scale rent. Ocean is a single mother and artist, raising two teenage children after her wife left her. Sophie is a young theater employing trying to write the perfect screenplay that will help her get her life back on track. Hamilton is a recluse who refuses to leave his house. Lily-Ann is a perfectionist who loves working and organizing. Nicholas is a finance guy with lots of secrets and refuses to mix with the other tenants. Finally, there is Anthony, an ex-con who everyone except for Mrs. B seems suspicious of. When a body is found outside of Sophie's cottage everyone is on high alert. Anthony is quickly arrested but Mrs. B swears up and down that he is innocent. The cottage dwellers decide that they will try to prove his innocence for Mrs. B's sake and their little detecting brings them all closer together. Cute and charming, I didn't see the ending!

It's Not Easy Being Green

Every time I learn something new about Jim Henson I like him even better. What a wonderful, inspirational, and zany man. As a kid I loved Sesame Street and the Muppets and The Dark Crystal and The Labyrinth and as an adult I am still taken in with his creations. For not being human they have a wide array of emotions and can share that with their viewers. To this day, I tear up whenever I hear The Rainbow Connection. It's so pure and comforting and after having read this book, I think Jim Henson was pure and comforting. What a gift. Filled with wonderful quotations and illustrations this book is a love letter to Jim and to humanity. Heartfelt and exactly what I needed to read today! 

The Hallmarked Man

I didn't want this book to end! Robin and Strike are my two favorite detectives and the sexual tension burning between the two of them was so good in this book. SO GOOD! I want them to get together, but I also don't because I think that is part of the allure. They always pine for each other but the timing is never right. This is the 8th book in the series, and I have to say they keep getting better. i was totally invested in finding the identity of the body in the vault. I had an inkling of the murderer's identity but I didn't have all the pieces put together on the identity of the body in the silver vault. Intriguing and filled with lots of moving pieces and red herrings. Also the ending!!! I hate that I am going to have to wait over a year (or two) for the next one! I need it now!

You Like it Darker

Chef's kiss. No notes. Stephen King ages like fine wine and his short stories keep getting better. These hooked me and didn't let me go. It did of course help that it was narrated by Will Patton phenomenal narration. I don't think anyone else (except perhaps Tim Curry) does it better. Rattlesnakes really stood out as one of the best in this collection and I LOVE that King throws in an old friend (the father from Cujo). That one was dark in twisty in a a truly grotesque way. I also loved the characters in Danny Coughlins bad dream. I was sad when that story ended. All in all, fantastic collection and amazing narration (King also narrates two of them!). 

What Moves the Dead

This was such a wonderfully envisioned gothic horror novella. It's a quick and creepy read inspired by The Fall of the House of Usher. It also reminds me so much of Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia. Set in the late 19th century Easton goes to check on his friend after receiving a troubling letter. Upon arrival Easton realizes that the situation is worse than he could have imagined. Maddy is near death's door and her brother is not far behind. There is an American doctor present but he seems at a loss to discover what the root of the problem is. Little do they all know that the problem has roots and it's all around them. Creepy and wonderful. The perfect book to get me in the fall mood!

The Queen's Spade

This book was gripping from page one. Captured by the British as a child, Ina is a kidnapped African princess who vows revenge on those who took her and killed her loved ones. Gifted to Queen Victoria, she was presented to the British as Sally, a goddaughter of the Queen. Sally minds her manners, plays nice, and plots revenge. Readers are instantly cheering her on and she tries to undermine, ruin, and kill all those who took part in bringing her to the Queen. Loosely based on real events, this story is captivating and troubling. A perfect blend of Bridgerton and John Wick. While, meant for teens - this story also appeals to adults. 

The Summer Book

This book embodies hot summer nights, warm sea breezes, and the bond of family. Young Sophia, her grandmother, and father live in a small house on a small Finnish island. On this island both everything and nothing happens. Told in a series of short stories (some accompanied by precious illustrations) this little book is a true joy. I tried to rush through reading this book, but this is one I will definitely re-read and savor in the future. This is a good camping or vacation book. Read a little at a time and savor it. It's somehow timeless. 

Atmosphere

Stunning. I was already sold that is was a Taylor Jenkins Reid book. Add in Julia Whelan as the audiobook narrator and I knew that this would be killer. It was. Amazing. Wonderful love story, I loved characters, hated others (looking at you Barb!), I would even give up an organ to have an epilogue. Soo good. Soo freaking good. This romance hits all the right notes. I also love that it is set during the 80s and is about Nasa's astronaut program. Phenomenal audiobook. Would recommend to everyone! 

The Mystery of the Haunted Dance Hall

A charming, albeit slow, retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses that will appeal to middle grade students. While this is set in the 1960s, it could have honestly been set in modern times. There wasn't much that made you think this was set six decades prior. Young girls are at a sleepaway birding camp and newcomer Bee (short for Phoebe) teams up with social pariah, Zippy, to discover what the older girls are up to. There is a mystery with the Hawks (the 15 year olds), every morning their batteries are completely drained. Are they sneaking out? Where are they going? Bee and Zippy make a great pair; Bee has ultra sensitive hearing and Zippy is really good at seeing in the dark. Together they will be unstoppable, when their little duo gets busted by popular and bossy Felicity, things take an interesting turn. A fun adventurous read. The length may deter some younger readers though. 

Twenty Four Seconds from Now

Is there anything Jason Reynolds can't write?! I love how this book was formatted and kept going back in time. It's a beautiful love story of two teenagers deciding to consummate their relationship. It sounds racy, but it is really well done, beautifully stated, and respectful. A wonderful love story for teens that shows real depth and understanding!

Funeral Songs for Dying Girls

This took me a little bit to get into, but man I really did love this young adult novel about love and loss. Set in Toronto, Canada, and featuring a sixteen year old teenager who lives in a cemetery with her father, readers will fall in love with Winnifred. Her mother died in childbirth, her father grows more distant by the day, and her only friend Jack has turned into a real jerk. Just when Win thinks she is all alone she is visited by a real ghost. At first she is just terrified but soon the two start conversing and Phil starts telling her about her life and eventually her death. Haunting, heartbreaking and beautifully written. It's definitely worth sticking it out (the beginning is slow) to get to the end!

The Skull

Short, sweet, and charming. This reimagining of a folktale is both creepy and wholesome. A girl named Otilla runs away and gets lost in the woods. Deep in the woods she finds a beautiful old house inhabited by a skull. The two hit it off but the skull is harboring a secret. Can Otilla help him out with it? Beautifully illustrated and short and sweet. A Beautiful little story for young readers who like things a little more on the macabre side. 

Vixen 03

Another installment in the Dirk Pitt series. Vixen 03 had a lot of moving components and was compelling, but honestly the rampant racism and sexism is too much to warrant a higher rating. When Dirk Pitt finds an oxygen tank and nose gear in his lovebird's cabin he desperately wants to know how they got there. He discovers a sunken plane at the bottom of the lake not far from the cabin. It's a military plane with no real records. Why? And what is up with the mysterious cargo? I will still probably continue with this series. It's exciting enough. 

Enchantra

I honestly think I may have enjoyed this more than the first one! This sequel follows Ophelia's younger sister, Genevieve, as she gets herself into a bigger pickle than her sister did in Phantasma. Unbeknownst to Ophelia, Genevieve has been corresponding with an old magical family in Italy. She is desperate to find others like her and her older sister never tells her anything. When she arrives at Enchantra though she discovers that she has been deceived and now she has to play a deadly game where her life is at stake. This is a very spicy enemies to lovers romance with lots of dark paranormal vibes. Demons, vampires, devils and more watch the game and Genevieve must learn to trust the Silver family if she wants to keep her life. Steamy, smutty, and fun! 

Start with Hello

I absolutely loved everything about this book. This should be required reading for everyone. A quick and dirty summary is, this book will help you be a better neighbor, will help you get out of your own head, will make you want to grow your empathy, take action and open your eyes to all the unused connections around you. Fabulous and inspiring. I definitely plan to recommend this to others and to re-read again. 

The Keeper of Lost Things

Heartwarming, sad, and affirming. This tale of lost items and second chances really pulls at the heart strings. Laura has loved working for Anthony Peardew. He is the perfect boss and being his "writing assistant" at his beautiful British estate gives her a sense of purpose. Her elderly employer is a bit of a recluse and spends a lot of his time in his study. After he passes and she discovers that she has inherited his entire estate, she finally ventures into the mysterious study and is amazed by what she finds. Tucked away on shelves and in drawers are hundreds, perhaps even thousands of small items carefully cataloged. A biscuit tin, a puzzle piece, an umbrella, a teddy bear. The contents o the study are all lost items that Anthony discovered and took home to keep safe, hoping to reunite them all with their owners. The Keeper of Lost Things isn't just Laura and Anthony's story however, we get glimpses into the lives of so many others, Sunshine the overly friendly neighbor, Eunice and Bomber, Freddy the gardener and so many more. Touching and heartfelt. Such a genuine story!

A Girl Walks into the Forest

I really enjoyed this dark fairy tale-esque teen horror novel. Honestly, it could have been an adult novel, it was deliciously dark and disturbing at times. When a teenaged girl has been selected to be the new count's bride, she is sent through the dark and dangerous forest to meet him at his castle. She is not looking forward to marrying a stranger, but she is looking forward to a life of luxury and maybe making some female friends. While on the way to meet the Count she is viciously attacked by a being of the forest and her once beautiful face is now destroyed. To make matters worse, life in the castle is far from what she imagined it to be. There is something evil and menacing lurking within her walls. She used to be scared of the forest, but maybe it's what is inside the castle walls that should concern her the most. Lush writing, this folk tale is definitely a memorable one. Loved it!

Out of the Ordinary

Ugh. This was a slog! I listened to the audiobook and it felt like SO MUCH DIALOGUE and so little movement. Hardly anything happened, there would be huge chunks of talk, talk, talk and then a little scene movement, back to talking. Maybe it was more noticeable because I was listening to the audiobook version, but man, I just wanted there to be a little more action! Miss Gertrude Cadwalader is a paid companion of a shifty lady, Miss Davenport. Miss Davenport is forever getting into shenanigans and Gertrude is always having to clean up the mess. When a sticky fingers incident puts her in an awkward place with the man of her dreams, Gertrude isn't sure how she will be able to get out of the mess. Banal, boring, and very predictable. I like Christian romance, especially historical romance but this New York drama wasn't it for me. 

I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com

Humorous and irreverent, but also... really pointless? I loved Lemming's Mead Mishaps trilogy; it was so much fun! This was full of humor, quips, and insanelt weird scenarios. It was ok but nothing I will ever feel the urge to pick up and read again. A wildlife biologist is filming meercats when a lion comes out of nowhere to attack her. Rather than being eaten, she finds herself beamed up onto an alien spaceship. She finds out that she has been selected as part of a breeding program for another alien species. Oh and they have only studied humans for three days, so these aliens have made the most bizarre planet for their captured humans and humanoids. There are dinosaurs, giant animals, and no women, that is except for Dorothy. What could possibly go wrong?! Steamy, smutty, irreverent and banal. 

With a Vengeance

Definitely a fast paced book, but it wasn't the Riley Sager that I've come to know and love. First off, I was disappointed because I've gotten his first 8 books through Book of the Month Club and he declined to make it available that way so I had to go to a bookstore to buy (but I did score a signed copy!). This was a bit unique because it's a historical murder mystery, not his usual thriller flirting with paranormal elements. It's very much a love letter to Agatha Christie. If Murder on the Orient Express and Then There Were None had an American baby, this would be it. It's a closed door murder mystery that takes place on a train. You will suspect everyone and be somehow both wrong and a little right. There were almost too many twists. Not bad, but definitely not my favorite Sager book. 

The Amalfi Curse

I adored this book! It had fantasy elements, underwater archaeology, dual timelines, and a beautiful Italian backdrop. Haven Ambrose flies into the gorgeous Italian coastal town of Positano eager to lead her first big underwater archaeological project, she has an entire female team behind her and she is eager to get started. She also selfishly chose the location because it was the last place her father dived before he passed and he was convinced that he was close to finding treasure there. Nearly 150 years prior in the same area a group of Italian Streghas (sea witches) find themselves struggling to protect their coastal town from pirates, bad weather, and other threats. The two timelines will find themselves linked in ways that neither could ever imagine. Inventive and wonderful! I want more!

The Third Gilmore Girl

I adored this audiobook narrated by the actress herself. It was charming and engaging and wasn't too long. The perfect memoir. I only knew Kelly Bishop from Gilmore Girls so it was a real treat getting to learn more about her life, her career on Broadway, TV, and films. Kelly seems like such an enduring and insightful person and I love that she didn't just gloss over her life, she bared a lot. Listening this really makes me want to do another Gilmore Girls re-watch!