August 2024 reads

That slow slide into Labor Day weekend is here. I don't think I'll finish my current book today or tomorrow, I overdid it on reading this month and my brain needs a break.

TL, DR:

Engrossing Reads

The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett - This is no Circe or Achilles, but I still liked the story and was glued to it. Goddamn these idiot misogynistic men, even in ancient Greece. Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 9/10

The Lightning Bottles by Marissa Stapley - I love a rock and roll saga, and this surely was one. Gut punch in several places, covers addiction in a respectable way for fiction, and really zeroes in on music and what it means to us beautifully. Free advanced copy from Netgalley, book publishes 9/24

The Briar Club by Kate Quinn - This is my new favorite Kate Quinn. I love going into her books not knowing what they're exactly about and am always thrilled when it's not WWII. This was really good and will probably make my top five of the year. OCNJ library hardcover

Head Cases by John McMahon - My series loving heart wants every book I enjoy to become a series, and that is true here. I loved Gardner and his crew, and the story was good! Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes January 28, 2025

The Last Widow (Will Trent #9) and The Silent Wife (Will Trent #10) by Karin Slaughter - I'm taking the easy way out and combining two series books - It's been a while since I sat down with a Will Trent novel and I'm not sure if absence made the heart grow fonder, but I'd mark 9, 10, 11, and 12 as the strongest in the series so far. Bravo to the author for making that happen. OCNJ hardcovers

After That Night (Will Trent #11) by Karin Slaughter - I had planned to take a break between 10 and 11 and another between 11 and 12 but I had to steamroll through and stay living in Will and Sara's world for a while. OCNJ library digital copy

This is Why We Lied (Will Trent #12) by Karin Slaughter - Rounding out my recent Will Trent tear with the newest that published on 8/20. Loved the story though. Layered and clever. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Remember Her Name (Detective Josie Quinn #21) by Lisa Regan - Speaking of series that I love, it's Josie Quinn still strong as hell at #21. This expands on the newest team member a bit and I'm already impatient on the next book. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 9/17

The Salt Cure by Shelby Cohen - As usual when a short story is good, I have resentment that it's not a full book. I'd read more of these sisters and the local coven by my friend Shelby - you can read it in Suburban Witchcraft magazine, click on the title link and go to page 164.

Passed the Time Just Fine

Things We Never Say by Caitlin Weaver - I appreciate the growing friendship throughout this. These secrets, whew. Some heavier than others. A quick read. Free advanced copy from Netgalley, book publishes 9/27

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors - I mean one extra letter on my maiden name, how could I not read this. A tale of sisterhood, and a triumvirate of self destructive spiraling. There seemed to be a disconnect between chapters, which is what puts this at a 3.5 for me. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book originally published 5/23 and this version publishes 9/3

Guide Me Home (Highway 59 #3) by Attica Locke - The final installment of the Highway 59 trilogy is the best in my opinion - I love Attica Locke's writing style and style and substance delivered here. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult - Loved the concept of this book (incredible research by Picoult as usual) and despite not standardly loving historical fiction, preferred Emilia's parts to present day even though at points it seemed stuck on repeat to hammer home certain aspects of her life and the lives of women at that point in history. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon - The first half was better than the last. A flip was switched at some point on perspective and characters that required a bit of a leap but overall not a bad read. OCNJ library paperback

Rip Tide by Colleen McKeegan - I love a book set in a shore town, and this one did just fine. This was darker than I thought it would be and that suited me fine. OCNJ library hardcover

Not For Me

The Body at Back Beach by K.J. Sweeney - A good setting for a cozy mystery, which I don’t read that often. If you do, you'll like this. It's a not for me but cozy mystery lovers will likely like it. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight - I've read every Kimberly McCreight book since Reconstructing Amelia waiting for it to rise to that level and it has not. This is no different. Not a goddamn likeable person to be found or a storyline interesting enough to drive it all together. OCNJ library hardcover

After Image by Jaime deBlanc - There was foreshadowing of things that led to that's it? scenarios, more tell me than show me, and plenty of no way would this happen in reality instances. If I knew at the beginning what I knew at the end, I might not have picked this up. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 10/8

Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty - I will surely be the outlier on this - just a reminder that you can be that at any time, with any book, by any author - but this wasn't it for me. Not making it easier to like - for what it was, it was long as hell. The beauty of a Liane Moriarty book for me is the quick page turn and this didn't have it. Free advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 9/10

Did Not Finish

n/a

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What have you been reading?

Weekending first half of August 2024

August 2-4

Friday I made my way down to the shore and hit the beach around 4. Shore house guests had rented a golf cart for the week - a first for our house. Saturday was an easy turnover - always love that when it's first time guests leaving, you never know what you're going to get - then painted my nails and hit the beach. I walked down to the Art of Surfing from the beach and got linner from the Promenade pizza shop, first time this year. MFD convinced me we had time to go to the boardwalk around 8:45 and be back before the rain at 9:30 but alas the sheets of rain came down at 9. I left him at cinnabon and beat feet home but had to pause under an overhang for about 10 minutes and completely change when I got home. Sunday I went to ShopRite, stopped by the fishing pier on the way back into town, then did the beach for a bit. Sunset was fantastic as it often is after a storm rolls through. 

August 9-11

Another Friday afternoon commute to the shore. It was cold and misty when I got here like I wore my raincoat on my 5 pm beach walk, but the sun did come out. Saturday was a super easy turnover with longtime guests leaving - they always leave the house in fantastic shape and they always leave gifts. It was a great beach day. Sunday I hit the library and the beach to do some more beachcombing and reading and walked down to the bay at sunset.

August 16-18

Do I love a summer Friday, yes. Even when people come to the beach after me and set their chairs right up my asshole until I turn around and stare at them three times to move. If you can touch someone else's chair (that you don't know) and there is available space elsewhere on the beach, you are too close. MFD took all the dogs except Mup home Friday afternoon just as Sarah, Harry, and Liz were arriving. Mup and I couched it with Harry and did turnover which was easy as longtime great guests were leaving - they always leave a gift. I was going to do the beach for a bit but headed back to Philly instead and made quick rounds to Produce Junction for veg and flowers and the grocery store for a few necessities. My first Harris sign came so MFD put that out for me, and he made filets and salad for dinner and I made brownies. Sunday he was working and I went to Mom & Rich's for lunch and a pool day. 

SMD