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! 

The One-in-a-Million Boy

Such a heartwarming and heartbreaking book that really tugged on my heartstrings. Ona Viktus is a feisty 104 year-old and she doesn't know what to make of the 11 year old boy who is been sent to help her out every Saturday. He likes things to be organized by tens, chores to be done in a certain order, and knows practically every single Guinness World Record. He gets it into his mind that he has to help get Ona in the running for oldest woman and the two of them find themselves looking forward to every weekend. She even agrees to let him interview her for a class project. They are an odd pair, but they both find themselves becoming friends despite their nearly 100 year age gap. One Saturday, he doesn't show up, his father Quinn does. What unfolds next is tragic, heartwarming, and a wonderful journey. Loved this story so much!

A Night Without Armor

This was a blast from the past. I remember this poetry collection being HOT when I was in middle school. That being said I never got around to reading it. I enjoyed this collection, but I wasn't in awe of it. It was ok for a singular read but I didn't find myself bookmarking any pages or wanting to save this to re-read it. Again, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. This was good for a singular read. 

The Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson

I have only read a few of Emily Dickinson's poems in the past so this was the first time I sat down and dedicated myself to actually exploring her work. It's undeniably beautiful and her use of language and prose is masterful. It's not all perfect though, there were some real standouts and some that felt rushed or just didn't feel right. She is without question one of the greats, but I don't know anything about poetry so I'm not exactly the best judge. Happy that I finally read her poems though, I felt as though I had gaps in my reading history. 

The Deal

Don't get me wrong, I liked this book, I enjoyed this book! I thought it was steamy and sexy and wonderful BUT... the second that Garrett mentioned he needed a fake ID.... it was a bit of a mood killer. I am in my mid-thirties and I just had in my head that they were older than that. I was picturing fifth year seniors or something but I got a reality check real quick when I read that. I was getting a little TOO invested in some 20 year old's sex life. Storyline was good and really reminded me a lot of Icebreaker. I wonder if the author was inspired by this book and decided to mimic it. Hot romance, but my age cooled that down real quick. 

Sunrise on the Reaping

Just as good, if not better than, the original trilogy. This prequel featuring Haymitch had me locked in from page one. It's SO GOOD! And it explains so much about how he got so jaded and critical in The Hunger Games. I read this in one day, it was an emotional rollercoaster. Obviously I went into this book knowing that he would win (because he's a mentor), but wow - his journey is insane. And the ending. My heart could hardly handle it. SO SO GOOD! 

Prophecy

The first in a trilogy, Prophecy focuses on two outcasts, Azriel and Persephone as they try to trust each other and figure out the riddles surrounding their future. Azriel is a handsome thief who spirits away Persephone from her owner. She may have been a slave but Persephone is an independent thinker; while she may have been "rescued" by Azriel but that doesn't mean she is beholden to him. At every turn she tries to evade him and forge her own path, but that pesky little prophecy is keeping them together. Too bad, the prophecy doesn't have any concrete details. This political intrigue has slight elements of fantasy and is perfect for older teens and adults. It starts off quite slow, but really picks up when the duo reaches the castle. The chemistry and undercurrent of romance between Persephone and Azriel is also a smoldering slow burn. Of course the book ends on a cliffhanger so you have to read the next book in the series to find out what happens. 

Lore Olympus v. 8

One of the best in the series so far! We got the outcome of Persephone's trial and the aftermath. The ending was awesome an we're finally getting closer to Hades and Persephone getting together together. Love it! As always, the artwork is amazing as is the way Rachel Smythe updates the classic mythology to fit the story. I can't wait for the next one! 

The Murderer Across the Hall

A haunting memoir about living with a man who turned out to be a murderer. When Chrystal and her boyfriend Tom found a cheap place to rent they were thrilled to get out of their crappy apartment. Tom had recently reconnected with an old friend and he had offered them a bedroom to rent. Chrystal wasn't thrilled with the house or with the owner, Johnny; but her boyfriend was all in so she tried to be happy about it. From the get go things were weird with Johnny, he was always on drugs and his behavior was getting more erratic. He practically trashed the basement including all the new paint they had purchased to spruce it up. He was always trash talking his ex and just seemed off. When they got the call that their house was a crime scene, little did Chrystal and Tom know what it was about. They thought it was for drugs. When they learned the truth they were horrified. This slim book is only 25 pages and holds the perspective of Chrystal. It is not an exhaustive true crime book, there is hardly anything about the murder of Hannah, it is mostly about Chrystal's experience. While good, it is very short and would be best served as a chapter in an exhaustive book about the incident. This is just one small angle. 

A Talent for Murder

First off, I loved the straightforward murder mystery aspect. This relatively slim novel hooked me right away and was a fast paced read. This was the third in the series, I had no read the previous two, but the story was still easy to follow. Martha Ratliff, a sedate librarian living in Maine has begun to suspect that her husband is up to no good when he travels the coast selling his wares. She doesn't think it's infidelity, but she does think it involves murder. Is her charming husband a serial killer?! Marth enlists the help of Lilu Kintner, a former college friend to help her dig deeper, she doesn't want to come out and accuse her husband, what if she's wrong? What Lily and her partner Henry discover goes much deeper than anyone thought. Chilling and dark, I need to check out the rest of the books in this series. 

The Spy Coast

Maggie is a retired CIA operative and she is enjoying the slower pace of life. For the past two years she has lived on a small farm in a small town in Maine. She tends to her chickens, drinks horribly bitter coffee with her neighbor Luther, and has meet-ups with a few other CIA retirees who conveniently live in the same town. When a body of a woman ends up in her driveway, Maggie knows something from her past has caught up to her. When she is shot at a few days later she knows that her time in Maine is at an end. She along with her retiree friends must get to the bottom of who is out to get her before the nosy police cop gets in the way. To uncover the threats, Maggie is finally going to have to tell her friends what happened sixteen years ago and maybe, maybe, they will be able to figure out who is after her and why. A fine book, but I didn't love the characters. I don't think I will continue with the series. 

How to Tell a True Story

This middle grade story about a teen girl losing everything but her family in a house fire is heartbreaking and full of hope. Amber Price is used to having to worry about studying for math or if the cute boy in her class has noticed her, but when a fire upends her life she hardly knows what to think. Her older brother Gage rushed into the house to save her from the attic and suffered sever burns. Everyone is calling him a hero and wants to help their family. But some things can't be helped. Their dad's stress about the insurance, their parent's deteriorating relationship, the lack of cute clothes to wear. This contemporary novel will make teens think twice about what kindness and the truth mean. 

The Paradise Problem

Christina Lauren books just keep getting better. I don't know how, but let me tell you I am here for it. The premise is borderline absurd, unbelievable, yet works SO GOOD! Anna and West got married in college so they could get cheap lodging. It was never consummated and as roommates they hardly ever saw each other. When they graduated Anna signed the divorce papers and they moved on their happy separate ways. That is until five years later. Anna has just been fired from her crappy convenience store job when West shows up asking for a favor. Turns out they had never actually been divorced and he needs her to pretend to be his wife for a tropical 10 day wedding. Oh and by the way his family is worth billions. Of course she says yes because he is willing to pay her 100,000 and that will pay off so much of her medical debt. What could go wrong? She's a broke adult who has no idea what it's like live with wealth, she can pretend to be a rich bitch.... right? Things start to go sideways when West's brother gets suspicious and when she starts to develop feelings for West. Over the top, witty, and wonderful. Christina Lauren at their best! 

Death in the Jungle

This book was so compelling and so heartbreaking. I was riveted. I knew about Jonestown, the Kool-Aid, Jim Jones, and the works. Or at least I thought I did. After reading this compelling narrative nonfiction title, I realized that it was so much worse than I ever realized. I only knew the broad strokes and author Candace Fleming did an amazing job of connecting the dots and focusing on a few key survivors to tell the story. Obviously the story starts with Jim Jones, but it goes so much more deep than that. This title is geared towards teens, but really I think it's a perfect place to start if you want to know about this tragedy. It is SO in depth and uses the testimonies of some key survivors to help set the scene and make readers understand how normal people could find themselves caught up in the web of deceit. Very well written and includes photos (none of the massacre itself thankfully). Truly moving, a fitting tribute to the survivors and a glimpse into something truly terrifying. 

A Curse Carved in Bone

The shield maiden Freya discovers that not all is what it seems. After Bjorn's betrayal in at the end of the last book, she is more than pissed. She wants answers and she wants them know. She goes with Harald and Bjorn to Nordeland so she can meet Saga and hear from her what the prophecy is and if there is a way to change it. The story definitely floundered the first half of the book and there were so many missing pieces. When the pieces all fit together it was quite a shock. A fitting conclusion to this duology. It's made me want to learn more about Norse mythology. The ending was great and I will be sad to let these characters go. 

Devotions from the Garden

This devotional has been a wonderful way to start each morning. Not only is it filled with beautiful reflections, but the accompanying garden photos showcasing the Lord's beauty is breathtaking. Each devotional opens with a piece of scripture, is followed by a devotional and ends with a prayer. I love how perfectly it tied into gardening!

Monsters in Your Head

Percius is sick and tired of being bullied. He gets it, he is an outcast. But liking monster movies, the local haunted house, and monster magazines isn't that strange. Why can't people just leave him alone?! With no friends and emotionally absent parents; Percius turns to his monsters for comfort. While at his lowest he creates three fictional monster friends and they make him feel stronger and more in control. When he decides to confront his bully, Marcus at school, he takes comfort in their presence, no mater how imaginary. But later that night when Marcus comes seeking vengeance, Percius discovers that there may be more to his imaginary friends then he realizes. Fast paced and well written, this horror novella is a love letter to every kid who was bullied. A new and inventive monster story!