March 2023 Reads

I know it's not a typical month for me when I have to ask myself what I'm even reading and many times the answer is a blank mind. Life LOL

March reads: 

Engrossing Reads

Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent - This is super dark with some really depraved shit in here but injected with some levity here and there. I feel like I saw it compared in some way to Eleanor Oliphant and man this is definitely more disturbing. Free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 18

The Bitter Past (Porter Beck #1) by Bruce Borgos - What a cast of characters. It's hard to pick a favorite! They made the book, and the story was decent too. Will definitely read the next in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review, book publishes July 18

The Long Way Back by Nicole Baart - An interesting idea for a story, and I loved that I thought the book was about so many things that it was not really about at all. Thoughtful and interesting writing as I’ve come to expect from Baart. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes June 13

Killing Me by Michelle Gagnon - This was an interesting story - drug a bit at the end but overall enjoyed and I don't think I've read anything like it before. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes May 16

The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop (Whistle Stop #2) by Fannie Flagg - Reading a Fannie Flagg with characters you know from previous books is like getting a hug from someone who has loved you your whole life even if you don't see them often. I never want them to end. OCNJ library hardcover

Passed the Time Just Fine

All the Blue-Eyed Angels (Erin Solomon Mystery #1) by Jen Blood - I was reading this late and night and it was on 5% for an eternity and I was like this is terrible then realized it was because I somehow have all five kindle books and it is tracking them as a whole. I always love a cult component and that's why I delved into this. It was fine if not a little bumbling and Erin Solomon herself is mildly on my nerves so book two will either make it or kill it for me reading the rest. Sometimes I think the first book in a series is mainly to work out kinks. Kindle, own

Have You Seen Her by Catherine McKenzie - This was sort of plodding along and then the last little over a quarter of the book I was like huh. Never saw this shit coming. I didn't mind that. The plodding along I did mind a little. Free ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes June 27

You Can Trust Me by Wendy Heard - I enjoyed the chosen family relationship here. A quick read that kept me on my toes with a few what is this doing in here scenes Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes June 13

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai - I was pumped by the premise but it fell short in a number of ways and felt like the reading experience itself drug on for three years. Me at the point in the picture below: "I started reading this book four score and seven years ago." A better editor would have this shipshape. OCNJ library hardcover

Hidden Pieces (Misty Pines Mystery #1) by Mary Keliikoa - I got this because I have the second one from Netgalley. It was fine but I'm hoping for better from the second and wondering if I should have broken my cardinal rule of read all series books starting with one but alas here we are, the rule stands. Kindle, own

Not For Me/Did Not Finish

Stone Maidens by Lloyd Devereux Richards - Yes, of course I purchased a copy of the book a daughter shared that her dad  had worked on for a million years. He's a good writer but this is definitely detail-heavy in forensics (and I don't think always super accurate?) and that will be a heavy lift for a lot of people who pick it up and are used to reading or watching thrillers that provide forensic details and make people feel like they are CSIs but absolutely gloss over them in reality. The main character is a little bit of a mess which I don't have a ton of patience for either. A+ story of how this book got into the mainstream, lower marks for the reading experience. Paperback, own, NFM

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I saw Harlan Coben in conversation with Liz Moore this month and that was fantastic. I've read every Harlan Coben book and two of Liz Moore's. 

What have you been reading?