Monday, January 27, 2025

Book 7 of 2025

Title: Blood Defense
Author: Marcia Clark
Published: 2016
Format: eBook
Date Started: 1/25/25
Date Finished: 1/27/25
Days to read: 3

This is a re-read for me to refresh my memory before I read the other 3 books in the series. I picked this up when it came out in 2016 and loved it. Fast moving, thrilling ending, and yes, the author is *that* Marcia Clark. I was excited for the next book in the series and then spaced out, but now I have my hands on all of them so it’s time to binge read some crime novels!!


Friday, January 24, 2025

Book 6 of 2025

Title: Onyx Storm
Author: Rebecca Yarros
Published: 2025
Format: eBook
Date Started: 1/20/2025
Date Finished: 1/24/2025
Days to read:4

I’ve been looking forward to this book for months! I had a few issues with the writing - the first seven chapters had me completely lost, and I think the text could’ve used a bit more strenuous editing, but the story was enthralling, and I loved rejoining these characters on their adventures. As I expected it would , the book had a great cliffhanger, and I can’t wait for the next one!



Sunday, January 19, 2025

Book 5 of 2025


Title: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J.D. Salinger
Published: 1951
Format: Paperback
Date Started: 1/18/2025
Date Finished: 1/19/2025
Days to read: 2

 One of my book challenge prompts this year is to read a book I’ve been avoiding… And I feel like if I’m 46 and I haven’t read this yet, I’ve definitely been avoiding it. My favorite part was definitely Holden’s clear narrative voice, but damn, what a narcissistic twit he was. It was a good book, but maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it as a teenager? Who knows. 



Friday, January 17, 2025

Book 4 of 2025

Title:Lifting as we Climb
Author: Evette Dionne
Published: 2020
Format: eBook
Pages: 170
Date Started: 1/15/25
Date Finished: 1/17/25
Days to read: 3

Ever since I saw Suffs on Broadway last summer, I’ve been eager to learn more about the US suffragist movement. This excellent book brings the stories of oft-ignored Black women to the forefront, and explains how suffrage, abolition, anti-racism, & anti-lynching movements were intertwined. Many of the women featured were authors - I’m excited to read their books!



Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Book 3 of 2025


Title: The Guncle Abroad
Author: Steven Rowley
Published: 2024
Format: eBook
Date Started: 1/10/2025
Date Finished: 1/15/2025
Days to read: 6

I loved The Guncle, so it was great to reconnect with the characters in the next part of their story. This wasn’t quite the emotional gut punch that the first book was, but I still really enjoyed it! 
I was so glad that it continued to address the  experience with loss - because grief never really goes away. Also I want to be friends with all these people. They’re messy but fun!



Thursday, January 9, 2025

Book 2 of 2025

Title: Traces
Author: Patricia L Hudson
Published: 2022
Format: Kindle
Date Started: 01/06/2025
Date Finished: 01/09/2025
Days to read: 4

This tells the story of the women connected to  famed explorer Daniel Boone - focusing on his  wife and two eldest daughters. The stories of so many women from this time were lost, so this was  fictionalized, but it was an enthralling read. I was especially interested in this because I am descended from Boones - so the folks in this book were my cousins! 



Sunday, January 5, 2025

Book 1 of 2025

Title: Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil 
Author: Ananda Lima 
Published: 2024
Format: Kindle
Date Started: 1/1/25 
Date Finished: 1/5/25 
Days to read: 5 

 I primarily read novels, so short stories often leave me wanting more. This collection, though, is woven together so expertly, and once I figured out what parts were from the writers perspective vs the short stories she was writing, l loved it (The first story confused me a lot!). I’m still thinking about it after finishing it, so I will probably re-read this!








Friday, November 29, 2024

Merry Happy

Merry Happy, everyone! For your holiday listening pleasure - be sure to play on shuffle!




Monday, November 25, 2024

Book 91 of 2024 - Keep It In The Family by John Marrs


Title: Keep It In The Family
Author: John Marrs
Published: 2022
Format: Ebook
Date Started: 11/21/24
Date Finished:  11/25/24
Days to read: 5

This was a twisty thriller that kept me guessing the whole way, but man, the subject matter was rough. Generational trauma abounds. Don't get me wrong - I thought the book was good - but check the trigger warnings before you read.

Friday, November 15, 2024

Book 87 of 2024 - Nutshell by Ian McEwan

Title: Nutshell
Author: Ian McEwan
Published: 2016
Format: Audiobook
Date Started: 11/11/24
Date Finished: 11/15/24
Days to read: 5

This crime story has the most unconventional narrator... and also one of the funniest first lines of a book ever! I enjoyed the parallels to Hamlet, but there were a few spots where I zoned out a little. Even with that, it was an overall fun and quick listen!

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Listening to:

Monday, November 11, 2024

Book 86 of 2024 - The Guncle by Steven Rowley


Title: The Guncle
Author: Steven Rowley
Published: 2021
Format: Digital
Date Started: 11/4/2024
Date Finished: 11/11/2024
Days to read: 8

This book ended up being much more serious than I expected, dealing with themes of belonging, grief, and healing, but I really really loved it. It was a delight to read, and it even made me cry a little!

Thursday, October 31, 2024

Book 83 of 2024 - Little Weirds by Jenny Slate

Title: Little Weirds
Author: Jenny Slate
Published: 2019
Format: Digital (Library)
Date Started: 10/26/24
Date Finished: 10/30/2024
Days to read: 5

I love Jenny Slate, and I had no idea she had written a book! I expected this to be funny (since she is a hilarious comedienne), but it was something else entirely. She has a unique style of writing that took a second to get used to, but once I did, i could not put this down. Some chapters had me in tears, some made me feel rage, some made me feel warm and fuzzy. You should read this.

FIVE STARS.


Wednesday, May 1, 2024

From Facebook:


Oh wait sorry -