January 2025 Reads

TL, DR above

My links are all going to The StoryGraph now, since that's what I'm using instead of GoodReads for tracking (I still have some updates on GoodReads for Netgalley purposes). 

StoryGraph is Black-woman owned. GoodReads is Amazon owned. 

Please for the millionth time I beg of you, do not buy physical books on Amazon unless they are available literally nowhere else.  

You can find me on StoryGraph here: 

Engrossing Reads

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson - I got approved for this title quite a while ago but saved it to read in January to kick the year off right. I believe I did the same with Wilkerson's first novel, Black Cake, which I also loved. This story and this family will stick with me. The kind of book where the story is so vast and good you don’t want to finish it, and the writing is so good you want to write something yourself. I loved this, which seems inadequate in summation. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, and to Barnes & Noble Philly for bringing Charmaine Wilkerson in for a book talk at the end of January - thrilled to be there for that and to own a signed copy of this one

The Note by Alafair Burke - I typically tear through Alafair Burke books, and this one was no exception. They're not deep and they're not perfect, but books don't need to be for entertainment. OCNJ library hardcover

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen - I always think of myself as a reader not that interested in historical fiction until I read books that remind me that I *do* like historical fiction. Partially set in a time in history I haven't read many perspectives of is always a bonus, and that was the case here - the impact of country, politics, and position on the lives of these people through many decades and changes, from Shanghai to Hong Kong, Taiwan, New York, California. This was engaging, heartbreaking, hopeful. OCNJ library hardcover

The Fourth Monkey (4MK Thriller #1) by J.D. Barker - I'm late to this series. I believe we arrive at books when we are supposed to, most of the time, and my only regret about being late to this is that I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the rest. OCNJ library paperback

The Cove (Detective Erica Sands 1) and The Trap (2) by Gregg Dunnett - Read in preparation for an advanced copy of the third in the series because I'm not starting a series on the third book. I enjoyed these two, the first more than the second - at first I was confused as to what was happening with the shifts and absence of the main character which are not my favorite parts or arcs of these books - but I did eventually get into the story within the story and see how it pieced things together. Digital copies, own

Passed the Time Just Fine

Saltwater by Katy Hays - Entirely unbelievable but that was part of what spurred the story forward. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Hunt (Detective Erica Sands #3) by Gregg Dunnett - This book passed the time just fine, but was my least favorite of the three so far. Still invested and looking forward to the next one! Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes February 21.

Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff - Reads like Fitzgerald fan fiction, which I didn’t mind. Feels a little overwritten in spots but passed the time just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Brothers by Alex Van Halen - Did I immediately both a) listen to Van Halen the rest of the day and b) spend time googling various things mentioned in the book as well as things studiously avoided (Sammy) after finishing this? Yes. This was not a tell all in any sense, more of Alex claiming his role in the thing which is Van Halen and telling a lot about his family and how they grew up with music and nothing, where that music took them, and as is typical in these books - how the record industry wants to suck the blood of artists and pay them in sand. OCNJ library hardcover

Not For Me

A Forty Year Kiss by Nickolas Butler - I loved that the main characters were older in age and youthful in  heart, and I do love a second chance redemption arc and gentle storytelling. I think if I didn't compare all of his novels to Shotgun Lovesongs, one of my favorite books of all time, that I would have liked this one more, and the fault in that is mine. I know better than to think the feeling evoked by one reading experience can translate to every other one by that author.  It's earnest, but not in a way that felt authentic to me. It also contains everything plus the kitchen sink, which is I think one of the ways it went off the rails. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Bookseller by Valerie Keough - Love a story set in a bookstore, love a main character who loves books as much as I do. That's about the end of my love for this one - I think I'm an outlier but this was not for me. I could not deal with Helen. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 3

Nowhere by Allison Gunn - This was a little out of my preferred zone - I thought it was more mystery/thriller but maybe a little more horrorish than I bargained for. Likely a good for you, not for me read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes March 25

The Perfect Home by Daniel Kenitz - I don't think this is a thriller, or anything remotely related to Gone Girl so if that is an expectation, you should adjust. I was not thrilled with the consistent "her looks are just okay what is he doing with her" themes. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Did Not Finish

The Business Trip by Jessie Garcia - Advanced copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

Things I've been meaning to tell you 1.17.2025

Long time no talk, mes amis. 

I thought I'd pop in on the eve of the inauguration weekend from hell. I know it's been a while, but this is not a space and I am not the one for trump lovers. I'm not out on the internet arguing over human decency in 2025. If you've been around for a while, this will not surpise you. Some things have changed, but that has not. I will not be getting on board, bending the knee, licking the boot, acquiescing. 

trump is still a misogynistic, cruel, manipulative, lying, racist, rapist grifter who is only interested in serving his own bank account and catering to the whims of his billionaire lords both foreign and domestic; and absolutely not interested in anything in service to the American people or in line with the United States Constitution. He's got the architects of draconian policies clicking their fingernails together waiting to implement Project 2025 and it will be quickly apparent that overall cruelty to everyone who's not a white male and control of women have always been the points and remain the points. He's now a felon too which means referring to him as FOTUS instead of POTUS as we enter into this new era of oligarchy in the open. What a time to be alive!

But alive we are, and will continue to be, the universe willing. And there is no sense in being alive without leaning into joy and connection. 

Which is why my winter plans do not include catastrophizing, doom scrolling, worrying out every possible scenario, walking through the world in fear of what might come down. All of those things are a waste of my energy. And I'm just not cedeing any of my power or energy to these people. Fuck that.

I'd rather talk about some things I'm doing this winter and some things I plan to do to get through the chaos that's about to roll down. 

As we saw immediately after the election, non rich-people did not fully grasp what tariffs would mean for them, or why a ruling class of billionaires would make them poorer or impact programs like the ACA, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, etc. trump voters sold us all out over the price of eggs which trump has already said he cannot do anything about (never mind that there was an also imperfect candidate who had an actual plan to deal with corporate price gouging, never mind!). We're all about to feel these impacts the hard way, but until then, as a starting place/quick catchup, we are here:

I'm not going to spend time today talking about how to move forward politically. I'm watching what plays out. I'm almost as unhappy with corporate democrats as I am with the MAGA fake christian nationalists that have taken over the republican party. Fucking chill, I said almost. Don't salivate like I'd sacrifice any of my convictions to meet in the middle between Everyone Has Human Rights and Deserves Liberty, Love of their Choice, Freedom, Food, Shelter, Healthcare, Education, and Bodily Autonomy and the MAGA position on the same that is so goddamn far down from mine, it's in the devil's crusty unused basement. We are too far apart on human rights and we're never ever ever getting back together. I'd prefer that everyone realizes the social issues are not what's going to kill us, but the wealth gap, temper tantrums of mediocre white men throughout the ages, and prioritizing power and greed over everything else is absolutely going to kill us. 

Overall right now with very few exceptions, my prevailing sentiment is fuck the government/we take care of us/eat the rich. Clear? Clear.

Since I will not be catastrophizing, mismanaging my energy, or sending my cortisol levels through the roof, what will I be doing? Maybe you need some alternatives to fretting as well. 

Creative outlets

I've felt pulled to write recently and I've ignored it long enough so I'm trying not to ignore it anymore. 

As has been well documented over the years, I'm not a crafter and don't consider myself creative in things that require hands and like...actual creation. But the last two months of 2024, thinking I'd need to occupy myself because idle hands fret, I bought some wood pieces I am going to use in conjunction with my beach trolling collections to make some things. No one has to see it but I will benefit from the process of doing it. 

Music

If you want to see what my inside sounds like, I will refer you to my The winter of my discontent playlist on Spotify. I am not a typical sharer of playlists but this is hitting so hard for me, I feel like a magician for creating it. Music is a great place to lose yourself, always has been.

Social Media

Twitter: I got off Twitter as soon as Elon bought it so, next. 

Meta: I'm not ready to abandon Meta (specifically my chosen platform, Instagram) because I think breaking apart communities and access is part of the masterplan of Zuck's recent changes to his platforms. 

What I've done is erase my past off meta activities and disallowed access to future activities. You can do this by going to your facebook account, settings and privacy, See more in Accounts Center, click your information and permissions, click your activity off meta technologies, then two things: 1) clear previous activity and 2) manage future activity and disconnect. 

I will be goddamned if I click on anything and buy it through anything Meta shows me. This is an absolute no.

Align Practices with Principles

I can't boycott everything that gives money to administrations with policies I find abhorrent and against my own interests because then I'd be naked in the street eating my own feet since so much unethical and gross shit goes on in the lobbyists/corporation/politician threesome in this country, but in my life what makes the most sense right now is

- Not allowing my Amazon prime to renew. In general I will try to avoid Amazon, but if I can only get something there, I can get it without prime shipping

- Switched from Goodreads (owned by Amazon) to Storygraph

- Low buy year. I am sick of our overconsumption as a society, mortified at what it's doing environmentally, and pissed I've normalized it in my own life

- Shopping local for anything I do need 

- I don't need one goddamn item of clothing, so aside from the boots I just bought for our upcoming trip and replacing my birks that are beat to shit, no new clothes. Used okay.

- Attempt to borrow or buy used before buying new

- I've long been a no food waste lady. That's on steroids now. 

- Think about how I'm buying groceries - specifically, their packaging. My convenience is not the priority anymore. 

- Community and mutual aid. What do I have that I don't need that others in my community do need?

Get outside

Even when it's cold, outside is always the best side. 

Joy. Beauty. Travel. Friends. Books. In house. Self. 

- Recklessly pursue small joys because what the fuck is the point without them.

- See the beauty all around, and when it's hard to find, make a point to look for it. 

- We have a trip in February we've tried to take twice since 2015 and it's finally fucking happening. Family trip in June. Weekends with family and friends. 

- Friends are life. 

- Reading. Always. To escape this world, to learn more about it, to put myself in someone else's shoes, to keep up with fictional serial killers.

- This is a joint commitment with MFD. Shit will swirl outside as it does. If we're good inside our house, we're going to be okay. We always have been. You will be too.

- My relationship with myself is the most important relationship and the one every other relationship feeds from. My whole health - mental, physical, spiritual - comes before everything else. That doesn't change regardless of what's going on externally.

Standing Strong.

In my convictions. 

Under the moon.

With my face pointed toward the sun.

In the mighty shadow of hope.

When it is time for reflection.

When it is time for action. 

With my people.

In loving community. 

Behind people who need me behind them. 

In front of people as a shield when my privilege is greater than theirs.

Beside people like you, doing what we can to bring a better world for everyone into being.

Don't all those things sound like much better ways to spend energy than catastrophizing?  

Hang in there, folks. We've got us. Go Birds.

Favorite Reads of 2024

December 2024 Reads

TL, DR above

Engrossing Reads

The Wolf Tree by Laura McCluskey - Just under a five. I loved George and Richie and thought this was interesting as hell. I couldn’t put it down.Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 2/11/25

The Moonlight Healers by Elizabeth Becker - A little magic never hurt anyone - loved this story of a line of women and their strengths through the years. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 2/11/25

The Big Fix by Holly James - This was cute. I liked all of the characters and the storyline. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 3/25/25

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall - The blurb says for fans of Paper Palace, and I found that to be true. I was sucked into this from start to finish. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 3/4/25

Everybody Says It's Everything by Xhenet Aliu - Interesting and surprising in places, with all characters. Jackie’s backstory was simultaneously matter of fact and compellingThanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review 3/18/25

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Silver Squad by Marty Essen - A bit of unexpected, easy fun with the antics of the Silver Squad. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, publishes 1/17/25

Hello, Juliet by Samantha M. Bailey - A quick read that passed the time just fine - it read a bit like a Nickolodeon documentary and I didn't mind that at all. Thanks for the free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/29/25

The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha - I enjoyed the premise and the family dynamics. Thanks for the free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 1/21/25

Name Not Taken by Madeleine Henry - This was a little bit bananas, I could not believe the main character put up with some of this. Red flags are flying. Passed the time just fine. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest reviewThanks for the free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 3/1/25

Not For Me

I'll Tell You Everything by Rebecca Kelley - Good for you, not for me. Thanks for the free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 1/14/25

Did Not Finish

The Obsessive by Nykkie Baldwin - Publishes 1/1/25

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What have you been reading?

November 2024 Reads

TL, DR above

Election aftermath stunted my reading this month. Fascism effects focus, you know?  

Engrossing Reads

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor - There's a sci-fi/futuristic bent to this book which is typically not my favorite but the characters and overall story and humanity won me over - loved this read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 1/14/25

Crescendo by Joanna Howat - Very impressive for a debut novel - vulnerable characters, symbolism with the piano. I read this quickly, which is not always the case with novels like these. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder - A re-read. Seemed timely. Check it out. Paperback, own - bought a few additional copies to place in Little Free Libraries

Johnny Careless by Kevin Wade - Haves and have nots, beach town, treachery, murder? Sign me up. This is a really good debut novel. At points it reminded me of some passages from Pat Conroy books.  Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 1/28/25

Passed the Time Just Fine

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego - On a star system I have this as a 3 but it's closer to a 4 - this was a ride. I like a locked room mystery. Several confusing points and a few weak backstories but I had no idea who was pulling the strings, and that propelled me through nicely even though I was reading this over Election Day. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy, book publishes 2/11/25

The Perfect Boyfriend by S.E. Lynes - This was pretty clever and quick moving, and I liked the characters which doesn't always happen in a psychological thriller. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 1/6/25

The Hunter (Cal Hooper #2) by Tana French - These books read as very Ireland to me. A little slow, but that's okay. Always an interesting supporting cast of village characters, which I love. OCNJ library hard cover

Blood Moon by Sandra Brown - Standard Sandra Brown fare, which I like because I know it will be a dependable read. It is still always weird to me to have romance mixed with murder, but that's life, baby. If I was sitting on the beach with a paperback copy, I would finish it in three hours. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 3/4/25

Not For Me

Did Not Finish

The Receptionist by Kate Myles - Own on Kindle, this was maybe an Amazon First Reads at some point? 

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What have you been reading?