June 2025 Reads

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 and fuck billionaires. 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

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid - Possibly the best TJR book I've read. I zoomed through this and hung on every word. Loved this cast of characters, plotlines, and general subject. OCNJ library hardcover

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman - I’d read 100 more Mrs Blossom books. I read everything by Laura Lippman, but you get it. I heard Laura Lippman discuss this in person on a book tour (with Jana!) and dove right in. A super quick read, I enjoyed it on the beach. Read signed/owned hardcover copy, also got free advanced copy via Netgalley

The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley - Heavy, and a continual gut punch, but damn good.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Rage (Kate Burkholder #17) by Linda Castillo - Loved the story and characters as much in 17 as I did in 1. More Kate! Thanks to the invite from Minotaur via Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 7/8 

We Don't Talk About Carol by Kristen L. Berry - I was glued to this - good writing, really good story. I’m glad this highlighted the disparity between missing white girls and missing Black girls Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

A Family Matter by Claire Lynch - I loved this, read the whole thing with my heart in my throat. I had no idea what it was about. An appropriate book to finish on the first day of Pride month. Thanks to the publisher for the invite and free advanced copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Final Episode by Lori Roy - I couldn’t put this down despite some extra suspension of belief required and several plot lines that felt unnecessary. Read in a few hours on the beach. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Homemade God by Rachel Joyce - I loved the Harold Fry series, and while I liked the writing in this, I feel like it drug on and on and on. I didn't love the siblings, and the dad sucked (which is part of the point). Love the Italy setting. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Kill Your Darlings by Peter Swanson - The character of Wendy was whewww. She kept me reading, as did the story in reverse. It did feel a little repetetive at points and I had to read the last chapter twice to make sure I got it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott - This skirted the edge of its potential - loved the three sisters and the parts that read like a chorus narrator, but wish some aspects of the story were fleshed out more

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Someone Knows by Vi Keeland - This stressed me out, which is not a bad thing in a book like this. Several surprises. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery by Clarence A. Haynes - Stories with supernatural elements are not my typical, but I liked this a lot and loved Gwendolyn as a character. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown - I liked the story and man is a lot of the subject matter timely. The middle drug a little bit, and I was frustrated with the main character at points but realized I was expecting adult behavior from a kid. I wanted more at the end - it felt like it wound down quickly. 

Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Not For Me

Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell - Slow mover and some inconsistencies. Still quick, so I read through. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 7/22

Don't Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - I like an alternating POV, which this had, and added bonus of alternating first/third person. There was more repetition than I’d like. Not my favorite Lisa Jewell by a wide margin. Books by her typically do not hit my "not for me" category. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Boney Creek by Paula Gleeson - The main character got under my skin, and the story didn't do enough to take away from that. I finished but considered not finishing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

A Sky Full of Love by Lorna Lewis - No. Free advanced copy via Netgalley. 

Did Not Finish

The Secrets We Keep by AJ Wills - Free after pub copy from Netgalley, original pub in 2022

It Happened on the Lake by Lisa Jackson - Free advanced copy via netgalley

The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb - Truly an "it's not you, it's me" do not finish. Wally Lamb is Wally Lamb, and the writing shows it. The story is good. I couldn't stomach the incarceration storyline (which he does very well given his work with incarcerated folks through writing workshops) in this increasingly incarcerated nation and under the rule of an administration that is kidnapping people off the street and locking them up without cause OR due process. Free advanced copy from Netgalley

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What have you been reading?

May 2025 reads

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 and fuck billionaires. 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

One Golden Summer by Carly Fortune - I think I've read a Carly Fortune at the end of May for three years in a row. This one was by far my favorite. Easy and quick. OCNJ library hardcover

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy - Love love five star love. I devour her books and this was no exception. Climate crisis timely, be prepared. OCNJ library hardcover

The Original Daughter by Jemimah Wei - I had to keep reminding myself this was a debut. Good writing, character driven with one I started liking and ended up hating. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

The Love Haters by Katherine Center - I'm a solid fan of Katherine Center and this one filled my yearly desire to read something only she produces. I love to go in knowing sort of what I'm getting, liking the story I've read nothing about in advance, and finishing it in a few hours. She always delivers. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. 

Home of the American Circus by Allison Larkin - This was like being cut and healed on every other page. I five star loved it, and love even more when that happens with a book I know nothing about and picked based on the title. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Daughters by Kirsty Capes (this appears to sometimes be called Girls?) - Heavy as hell and hard to read at times due to that and hard to say it was enjoyable due to that but it was a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

By the Time You Read This by Brianna Labuskes - Raisa Susanto #1 - love this series - I hope it continues. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers - This was a train running off the tracks several times, and the ending felt abrupt and also like a kick in the nuts, but still passed the time just fine and was a quick read. OCNJ library hardcover

Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I think I've read one of hers at the end of the past two Mays as well? This one tied up nicely which I need sometimes. I put up with the teenager POV chapters but as I've said many times underage narrators are not my favorite. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune by Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe - What a despicable line of small people with great and squandered wealth. Audio, listened in car

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley - I found the beginning of this really repetetive, but if my Dad was Elvis and died early in my life I'd probably repeat a lot of things about my time with him when he was alive too. I've always felt very sorry for Lisa Marie and this added to the cause. Thankful to her daughter for picking this up and completing it after Lisa Marie's death. Audio - started in March, finished in May because audio is not my preferred format to consume a book, ever, and I can usually only manage nonfiction

The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr - A slow roll with a lot of town personality. Love an Irish story, and I liked it told by the town. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Spider's Web by Mike Omer - I standardly like Mike Omer books with one or two exceptions. It took me a bit with this one, but I will continue on in the series. Used paperback, own

A Thousand Natural Shocks by Omar Hussain - Snappy and intense. Loved the writing. Cults and serial killers and a tender examination of a father/som relationship? In a debut novel? Whew. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest reviews 

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark - An intriguing story, if a little sluggish at points. The end was worth it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 6/3

 

Not For Me

The Best We Could Hope For by Nicola Kraus - Generational trauma and dysfunction, whew. Some very hard to read things. About midway through, I had to go back and read the first chapter again. It felt overwritten and I lost a bit of the plot in it when I first read it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

All We Lost Was Everything by Sloan Harlow - I maybe overdid it on YA the past few months as this was a slog to get through. Teen romance folks & lovers of a plot twist, this may be for you. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Marguerite by the Lake by Mary Dixie Carter - This one opened with a bang but was a little hard to stick with and left me with several questions due to dangling plot lines. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

The Griffin Sisters' Greatest Hits by Jennifer Weiner - I'm a standard Jennifer Weiner fan but this was not it for me. I know weight is one of her themes but it felt forced and dusty in this one. I also did not like anyone. OCNJ library hardcover

Did Not Finish

n/a

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What have you been reading?

April 2025 Reads

A good way to boost your reading and absolutely eat books is to find yourself awake in the night hours due to a sundowning dog. 

Annnnyway.

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 and fuck billionaires. 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

Poetry is Not a Luxury: Poems for All Seasons by Anonymous - Maybe you're familiar with the Instagram account? Loved this collection and its dedication to Audre Lord. Also loved seasonal categories. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, pre-ordered to own, book publishes 5/6

Old School Indian by Aaron John Curtis - I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this, it felt fresh. Harmoniously brutal and beautiful. Loved the writing and the story and the things it made me think about regarding native lives and what we’ve done to them on this soil. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/6

Tell Them You Lied by Laura Leffler - I couldn’t put this down, which is few and far between these days. A constant scrunching up and unraveling of characters and plot. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/26

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff - For about 30% of this book, I was thinking it was one that was going to build to nothing but be one I enjoyed anyway, because the writing and characters were hitting. 

But the last 45% of the book was like being attacked in the best way possible.  I didn’t know what to expect after a plot trigger point and it was all the things. Like simultaneously being gut punched and also bear hugged. I loved this book and stayed up until 1 on a school night to finish. Appreciate the care the author took in writing about alcoholism and the conflicting feelings that come with loving an alcoholic.  Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Heartwood by Amity Gaige - I couldn’t put this down. Read it in a day and stayed up late to finish. Thanks to Netgalley for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Kills Well with Others (Killers of a Certain Age #2) by Deanna Raybourn - I'd read 100 books about this crew of osenior female retired hired killers. OCNJ library hardcover

When She Was Gone by Sara Foster - This felt a little like coming in on the second book in a series, but we were caught up on the background quickly. If it was a series, I’d continue with it. Well paced and a little more character focused than a thriller typically is. I liked The story and layers. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review 

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Thrashers by Julie Soto - Definitely YA but definitely kept me invested. There were some parts that were a little draggy and heavier topics than I was expecting. I'd read an entire other book of JodiJulian even if the genre was different. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/6

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein - Lots of old pain and new pain in here. Several characters were difficult to like and made awful decisions but I appreciated their growth throughout. A quick read. 

Thanks to Netgalley via publisher invite for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/13

Disco Witches of Fire Island by Blair Fell - I love a crew of eccentric characters, which helps when I don't love the main character. I’m not typically a fantasy reader, but was pulled in by the title. No regrets. Deeply weird, funny, and touching as hell at points. A quickly consumed read in a few hours on the beach on Easter. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/6 

Things Left Unsaid by Sara Jafari - I love a book set in the publishing world, and this one had added depth as the main character brought an Iranian woman POV to overlay on that world. I appreciated the UK POV on ethnicity and aggressions in the workplace vs. the American POV I typically see. I also liked the relationship of the two main characters and the writing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Somewhere Past the End by Alexandria Faulkenbury - I love a cult book and enjoyed the two perspectives. A little slow and trips over itself in spots. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/20

Parents Weekend by Alex Finlay - Lots of moving parts here, and I’m  not sure all of them were necessary.  This could’ve used more of a backstory on some pieces. My least favorite Finlay so far, the pacing felt off in comparison to previous books. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/6

Every Sweet Thing is Bitter by Samantha Crewson - This was a tough read - just awful on awful family shit in here. I  was rooting for Providence. A few lags in the pacing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Night Swimming by Aaron Starmer - I loved the 90s vibe and the nostalgia of that summer between high school and college which, at this point, is hazy in my mind as best so it was nice to poke at those memories through this book. And a little magical realism never hurt anyone, I've not read a book like it. I wish more time was spent on the friend group dynamic. Definitely reads YA, as that's what it is. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Not For Me

Midnight in the Orchard by the Lake by Matthew Sullivan - I feel like I missed something here. Maybe the mysticism is beyond me, or I wasn't in the right mood. This felt slow and confusing. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni - I’m a fan of this series, but this was probably my least favorite. I think The pacing was impacted by the spaghetti western shooting points and all the shooting in general. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/27

Did Not Finish

The Safari by Jaclyn Goldis - Free advanced copy via Netgalley, invite from publisher, book publishes 5/20

Discipline by Marc Avery - Free advanced copy via Netgalley, book publishes 5/27

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What have you been reading?

March 2025 reads

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 and fuck billionaires. 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

What Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey Lange - I read this in a day and it had a hold on me. Emotional, like leaking tears a little close to the end without even realizing it. OCNJ library hardcover

Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker - Dark and honestly not my typical as I don't delve much into horror-ish books but I loved the writing and sped through this. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/29

Fun for the Whole Family by Jennifer E. Smith - The morning I started this, I wanted to take the day off of work and read it through but alas life happens and that's not always possible. I loved The Unsinkable Greta James by this author and this one was a love too. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/8

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney - I've not had a good go of it with recent Alice Feeney books so I was pleasantly surprised by the hold this one had on me. It's quick moving and held my interest throughout. OCNJ library hardcover

The Dark Hours by Amy Jordan - I'd read a series with Julia Harte, but I'm not sure that's in the cards here. I love a mystery set in Ireland and this one was a speedy read for me. OCNJ library hardcover

Trust Me on This by Lauren Parvizi - I grew to love these sisters despite what initially annoyed me about both and always love a road trip as a setting for a book. Even if it's actual big life check things off the list road trip over the see these things road trip. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/8

Husband Missing (Josie Quinn #22) by Lisa Regan - At 22 books in, Regan continues to deliver in the Josie Quinn universe, and when I reach the end of a book I'm happy she puts them out regularly because the cliff hangers get me every time. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

The Bane Witch by Ava Morgyn - While a woman estranged from her family reconnecting with them to find out magic runs through her bloodline is not anything new, this was an interesting take on the particular power of a line of witches. Feminism, protection of women in community, justice meted out in what could be construed as revenge? No chance I'm going to dislike it. I liked it a lot. The strangler storyline was a good pairing with those themes. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review 

Passed the Time Just Fine

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick - I loved the storyline and the characters, but it is down here instead of up there because it felt a little slow at times. I also think we're not too far from where these women were in the 1960s and that pisses me off, but not the fault of the book or author. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/22

Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley - This did not blow my socks off and felt overindulgent at points but it also felt super familiar and made me text Amanda, Frank, Mark, and MFD immediately - the backbone of the book is people and their relationship to music and with each other through the lens of music and man if it didn't feel like revisiting hundreds of conversations and debates we've had over the years at bars and backyard parties and the like. Sometimes a book strikes a chord even when it's not a perfect book. OCNJ library hardcover 

Serial Killer Games by Kate Posey - It's weird to read something that feels like a budding romance against the backdrop of serial killing, is it not? It propelled me to finish despite spending a good portion of the first half wondering what type of book this was. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/29

A Killing Cold by Kate Marshall - Whew, what a family of nutters. That kept me going through this even when there were holes or the urge to consistently shout THEO YOU IN DANGER GIRL throughout. OCNJ library hardcover

Eat, Slay, Love by Julie Mae Cohen - This was a fun little darkly humorous revenge on a conman scenario that read quickly and don't require overthinking. We love these types of books for being a smooth ride not requiring a literary dissertation. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/8

Not For Me

The Sirens by Emilia Hart - Sad to categorize Hart's sophomore effort as "not for me" since I was so looking forward to it after reading and enjoying Weyward, her first. Loved the ties to the past and memory and water, but this did not do it for me otherwise. Lucy was an impossible character to like, and that didn't help. I'll definitely give the next Hart a go though. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/1

Julie Chan is Dead by Liann Zhang - Likely a good for you, not for me scenario here. I've had it up to my chin with hearing about wellness influencers and their toxic bullshit so that really hampered my enjoyment here. The story tends young, and 25 year old me surely would have liked this if social media was a thing when I was 25. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 4/29

Did Not Finish

 n/a

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What have you been reading?

Birthday Eve

This week I got a little calcium score for my heart (very good, no issues), discussed cholesterol with my doctor, had a laser treatment for face redness, and walked and stretched a lot as a perimenopausal woman turning 48 tomorrow does. 

I am a month-long birthday celebrator, and that holds true as I age. As it turns out, it's harder to feel consistently celebratory as my country is dismantled from within by people who have no idea what connects to what and make cruelty the point, being cheered on by people who also have no idea what connects to what and seem okay with cruelty until it reaches their doorstep. The horrors persist, but so do we, and finding joy is a must or what is the point. Truly. 

If you'd like to celebrate with me in spirit, you're invited! Here are some things I'll be doing this weekend. 

1. Stand for something. Today! This morning. Now, actually. Government officials work for US, not the other way around. Call your democratic Senators and tell them to vote NO on the stopgap funding bill/continuing resolution AND NO on cloture -  this is the only chance to put a CHECK on Elon Musk from continuing his "work" gutting and privatizing agencies and programs Social Security before it's too late, and that should be enough for all of us. My calls say, "I'm a constituent calling from (zip). I am telling the Senator to vote NO on the Republican Continuing Resolution and NO on cloture. I would typically never advocate for a government shutdown but while it will hurt people, passing this CR will do much more damage to those same people long term and our country. I need the Senator to hold the line for a government funding deal that includes ironclad protections to keep trump and musk from hijacking federal spending - this is your only chance to rein in DOGE before it does any more irreparable harm and we continue our descent into fascism." If you don't want to say all those things just say "I'm a constiutent from (zip) asking the Senator to hold the line and vote NO on the Continuing Resolution and NO on cloture." The Capitol Switchboard is (202) 224-3121. Follow the prompts.I am not typically an advocate for calling people who are not your elected officials, but you can certainly call a party "leader" especially if they are in the midst of a spectacular leadership FAIL like Chuck Schumer is.

And above all else, if democrats follow that old ass cowardly Schumer and let this pass without changes, do not give a fucking dime to ANY Senate Democrat. Not one fucking dime to ANY of them. 

2. Hit the library. I'll be among the senior citizens throwing elbows hellbent on getting their books first at the library book sale today - it's quite a scene - and also picking up a book on hold. Go give your library some love this weekend! Check out books, enjoy the quiet, see what they have to offer besides books. Take the kids! Get the kids library cards if they don't have them. Get yourself a card if you don't have one. It's freeeeee. Free is for me.

3. Go for a walk. Put a coat on and join me. Look at the sky! A great regulator for your nervous system. Heart healthy! Fresh air. Fun for the whole family! Outside is the best side. Outside is freeeee

4. Mail a petty postcard. Dropping a postcard in the mail on the Ides of March tomorrow to participate in the Ides of trump postcard avalanche event? As an Ides of March baby? Hell yes. This taps into my love of postcards and small acts. Some messaging ideas and printable postcards through that link, but I'm just using postcards I have and sharing some non-threatening facts with the fascist posterboy occupying the White House. By that I mean trump...I know that could be taken as either trump or musk. Actually I'll send our unelected president musk a postcard as well, to the same address: 

White House Occupant donald j. trump

The White House 

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW 

Washington, DC 20500

My from address will be the Supreme Court as shown on the link: 

Supreme Court Bldg.

One First Street, NE

Washington, DC 20543

5. Bake a cake and eat as much as you want. I will be baking a seventies-style strawberry cake fit for a 1977 baby with strawberry buttercream icing (or whipped cream icing, I haven't decided yet). I will be eating as much as I want. I advise you to do the same. MFD is making steaks, and we're also having crab and shrimp stuffed ravioli from Aldi and asparagus if you need a dinner idea. 

6. Drop some food off to a local food pantry. They need donations now more than ever. Which is truly a source of shame for this country as a nazi fuckup and his orange sidekick sell said nazi's cars on the front lawn of the White House like an infomercial from hell.

7. Paint your nails. One color, or two. I am a standard two colors at once lady.

8. Tell a fascist to fuck off. It's the only way to greet them. Speaking of, this is my new garden flag:

9. Look in the mirror and smile at yourself. Those laugh lines and forehead wrinkles are proof of life, not something to fret over. 

10. Get eight hours of sleep. Revolutionary in these times, am I right?

TGIF.

SMD