Category: Book Recommendations

December Reads

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The Twelve Dates of Christmas

This was a cute book to kick off my Christmas month of reading. An easy romance, that had everything I love about a book. It was quirky, light-hearted, and the romance didn’t seem forced. I loved the conceit of the main character trying to find love at Christmas time through twelve blind dates, and I loved the backstory between her and her best friend.

In a Holidaze

I absolutely loved this one. After a disastrous day after Christmas, Maelyn Jones makes a wish, and suddenly it’s Groundhogs Day meets Christmas! Mae needs to try and get her life together, or else she’ll be stuck reliving the same holiday for all eternity.

This book was SO GOOD. I loved Mae and Andrew and the romance that bloomed between the two. And I’m a sucker for time-loop stories. Another feel good romance for the holiday season. (BOTM)

A Warm Heart In Winter

I NEVER skip a J.R. Ward book. And this year’s December release was billed as Blay and Qhuinn’s mating ceremony. FINALLY. But the book was so much more than that. In fact, the mating ceremony is such a small part of this heartbreaking book. If you’re caught up on the series, this is definitely worth the read. It adds to Z’s story, and we get some resolution to the Lesser attack on the Glymera from early in the series. But at the heart of the book, you get to feel and see Blay and Qhuinn’s love for one another, and that is just amazing.

This Time Next Year

New Year’s Eve, 1990, two moms labor together, when they have their babies at the same time, Quinn is the New Year’s baby! Minnie, who was supposed to be named Quinn, misses out by just minutes and also loses her name in the process. What proceeds is a life believing she is cursed at New Year’s. On the Eve of her 30th Birthday, she runs into Quinn, stealer of her name and her luck, and the two form a friendship that grows over the year. A beautifully written book about love, friendship and making your own luck, this is a book that I will probably try and read annually. (BOTM)

Dune

For YEARS, my husband has been trying to get me to read Dune. It’s one of his favorite book series. Over the summer, we learned how to play the board game, and everyone who had read the book understood what was happening, those of us who didn’t, had no idea. So, I finally read the book. I got the audiobook from the library, and I was HOOKED. This book is AMAZING! It’s like Game of Thrones, in SPACE! I was drawn in by the politics between the houses. The book was 21 hours long, and I DEVOURED it. My goal in 2021 is to finish the series.

Anxious People

I had heard a lot of good things about Anxious People, and it has made a lot of the best of 2020 lists, that I was really excited to finally have it come in at the library. And I have to say, this book lives up to the hype. It starts off slow, but keep reading. The payoff at the end is just amazing. The book is beautifully written and deals with so many different topics, and it does it with humor. Seriously, I laughed out loud multiple times. This book is a great study in character and relationships. (BOTM)

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark

If you know me, you know I love True Crime. This book is amazingly written. When she wrote it, The Golden State Killer, a name she coined, was still unsolved. Responsible for 12 murders and 50 rapes up and down the California coast between 1978 and 1986, The Golden State Killer, or also known as the East Area Rapist and the Original Night Stalker, was one of the most prolific serial killers, that no one was talking about. It wasn’t until the 1990s with the invent of more sophisticated DNA technology that all of the cases began attributing themselves to him, since he crossed jurisdictions. A collection of her research, this book puts humanity into the GSK’s victims, and turns them into people, and not just numbers. Make sure you lock your doors at night, and sleep with a light on, this book is going to make you paranoid of every sound you hear in your backyard at night.

No Time Like the Future

Michael J. Fox’s newest memoir discusses his life from about 2016 on. He talks about the back surgery he needed to remove a tumor from his spine, his recovery, his later career when he felt like he would never act again, and finally his decision to officially retire from acting. I listened to this on audiobook, narrated by the author, and you could hear the love he has for his family in his voice as he talked about all of the support they’ve given him over the years. If you are a fan of Fox, I highly recommend this book.

Ready Player Two

Definitely the most disappointing read of 2020. If I could unread a book, this would be the one. I loved the first book SO MUCH. But this one just made me hate Wade. I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you want to know specifically why I hated this book, you can find a spoiler filled review on my Goodreads page, or you can comment or send me a message and I will tell you in excruciating detail why this book is at the bottom of my list.

Love Lettering

This book was really cute. Meg is a professional at handlettering. Reid is an uptight quant on Wall Street. When Reid discovers Meg left a message in his doomed wedding programs, he comes to confront her about it. What follows is a story about finding inspiration in the most unlikely of places, and falling in love with the most unlikely of people. This book was fun, romantic, and you couldn’t help but root for Meg and Reid.

November Reads

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Sword of Destiny

I’m slowly making my way through all of the The Witcher books. This one is a collection of short stories that are a prequel to the main series, and it’s also what the Netflix series based part of its storyline on.

Some of the stories were okay. It was the last couple that really got me. I loved the story of Ciri and Geralt finally meeting. It makes me really excited for the second season of the show to see where they choose to take the story. Whether they’ll follow canon closely or not.

The Midnight Library

The Midnight Library is one of the most popular books this year, and I was seeing online that a lot of bookstores are sold out of copies. I went into it a bit skeptical, but I’m a sucker for a good story a la It’s a Wonderful Life.

At first, the story seemed a bit predictable as the main character moved through different versions of her life, and decided why maybe that version of her life wasn’t the best.

Then, the Librarian and the main character began talking about why life is worth living. And what life means, and what it takes to be happy in the life you have, and then did I see why this book is so popular.

The prose and ideas were so moving, so beautiful. The book is a quick read, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

City of Girls

This is another very popular book that I was excited about reading. I listened to it on audiobook.

I have to say, the book was okay. I enjoyed it, and I really liked the characters. I will say though, it is one that I probably won’t recommend to people off hand, but if someone were to ask me if they should read it, I will say they should.

The book has a weird format in that it’s written as a letter to someone who asks the main character how she knew her dad. And then the book is nearly 500 pages. I think I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if the author had left out the letter format.

I will say, don’t read this book if you don’t like books with a lot of sexual content.

The House in the Cerulean Sea

What can I say about this book? This book is magic. This book is brilliance. This book is my second favorite book I’ve read this year.

Linus and Arthur are easily some of my favorite characters I’ve read on the page. Watching Linus come to terms with maybe the status quo way of running the Department for the Control of Magical Youth, was breathtaking. Talk about watching a successful character arc.

The kids were also amazing. They brought the story to life, and I found myself falling in love with them along with Linus.

What a beautiful story about fitting in and prejudice. And a beautifully romantic story.

If you read one book from my list, have it be this.

Little Fires Everywhere

I chose to read this book because I’ve heard a lot of good things, and it was made into a Hulu series.

I will say, this type of book is not one I would typically pick up for myself to read, and while it was nice to read it, I don’t think I’ll be reading it again.

I like my books to be full of likeable characters and preferably with a happy ending, and this book didn’t contain either of those.

I also didn’t really like the prose, and I didn’t like the way the story was told. It felt clunky and confusing.

If you’re into tragic family stories where no one ends up happy, this book is for you. If, like me, you prefer books where there is hope and happiness at the end, then this is not for you. (BOTM)

You Had Me At Hola

One of the year’s most popular romance novels, You had me at Hola is a fun read about a soap opera actress and a telenovela star falling in love as they star together in a new show with a popular streaming service that will be their big break.

The book follows the romance formula, which is comforting, especially after reading Little Fires Everywhere. I love when the story is all about love, and a happy ending where every gets exactly what they want and they live happily ever after.

The characters are all likeable, and I loved them and their development. The prose was well written, and funny, and even when the characters aren’t communicating, you never truly get upset, you know they’ll work it out in the end. If you want a fun romance, this book is for you.

Hiddensee

This was our book club pick for December, but I decided to read it a little early. This book is supposed to be a retelling of the Nutcracker story a la Wicked, but it was a bit of a letdown.

The story felt very disjointed, and very slow. It was really hard to pinpoint what exactly was important and what was filler. Eventually you learn that it was all important, kind of, but again, it’s not the best at indicating it.

I liked that Dirk was really good with kids, and I liked the last part with Klara. Otherwise, the book was a little meh for me.

October Reads

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Lovecraft Country

I was watching the show, and really enjoying it, but very confused, so I decided to pick up the book, hoping it would make the show make some more sense. Spoiler Alert: it did not.

The book is vastly different than the show, and just as good. I couldn’t put the book down. If you want a good sci fi fantasy that also deals with race relations in the US, this is definitely a book for you. Especially if you enjoyed the show.

Night Swim

As a lover of the True Crime genre, and a listener of True Crime podcasts, the premise of this book appealed to me greatly. And I was not disappointed. This is easily my favorite book of the month. I couldn’t put it down. The best part was, by the end of the book, I hadn’t solved the “who did it” mystery of the past crime told throughout the book. I was honestly completely shocked. And that says a lot, because usually I can figure it out.

The book does deal with sexual assault, so please be aware of that if you prefer not to read books with that. There is a case where it’s just mentioned, and then there is one where the situation is not super graphic, but it’s not implied either. (BOTM)

Rebecca

This was our book club pick for the month. And I did not enjoy it. At all. It wasn’t the writing or the plot, per say, it was specifically the character of Mrs. de Winter. I couldn’t get past the fact that she didn’t stand up for herself, and she let herself be treated like garbage. I prefer books where the female protagonist is a lot stronger and can hold her own. And before you state it was written this way because of “the time,” remember that Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice are things, and their female leads wouldn’t take any crap from anybody.

The Boys Volume 2: Get Some

This book mostly was a lesson on the different factions of Supes around the world, and more lessons for Wee Huey. I really enjoy these comics because they’re fun, and a quick read.

Baptism of Fire

I prefer to listen to these books, so I took a break while there was no school for six months. But now that school is back in, I can listen to books in the car again, the toddler doesn’t have an opinion…yet.

This book furthered the action of the previous two. We are well and truly entrenched in the war with Nilfgaard. But Geralt is finally prominently featured in a book as he goes in search of Ciri. In fact, most of the action takes place around Geralt. Ciri and Yennefer making brief appearances. There is a huge section where they explain the genetics around Ciri and her powers, which is probably one of the most fascinating things I’ve read. The book ends with a cliffhanger, for the first time giving me a sense of urgency to read the next one.

No Judgments

I have loved Meg Cabot since The Princess Diaries series, so the fact that she has branched into adult romances thrills me to no end. Was this the best book I’ve ever read? No. Was it fun, romantic and an easy read? Yes. That’s why I gave it five stars. I love a book where I can devour it in one sitting, and walk away feeling a warmth in my chest. If you like Hallmark movies, you will love this one. Also, there’s a whole plot point about rescuing animals. If you’re an animal lover, you will feel your heart warm.

No Offense

Another quick, fluffy read from Meg Cabot. This is the second book in her Little Bridge Island series. I devoured the book in a day, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first one. But, still, it was a fun romance between a librarian and the sheriff. The plot was just a little messy with a few loose ends that don’t really get tied up at the end.

September Reads

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The Guest List

I’d seen a lot of buzz surrounding The Guest List, especially after Reese Witherspoon chose it for her book club, so I put myself on the list at the library. It finally came in, and I read it over the course of two days. I could not put it down.

The book is told through four different points of view, and is really good at spreading out the murder mystery throughout the book. By the end I was shouting at the book because I honestly had no idea 1) who was dead and 2) who had done it. I had thought for sure I knew both, but Lucy Foley did an amazing job at throwing you off the scent.

I highly recommend this book, and I am probably going to read more Lucy Foley books now. (BOTM)

Head Over Heels

This was one of my Book of the Month Club picks, and I found it a nice fluffy romance to help cleanse my pallet from a lot of heavier books I’ve been reading lately.

Head Over Heels tells a love story between two former Olympic level gymnasts who fall in love while coaching a young gymnast for the 2020 Olympics, which go on as planned because in this world, there is no pandemic.

The book is fun, and follows the romance formula, and I read the whole thing in 24 hours. If you’re looking for a fun, easy read, I highly recommend this book. I’ll even lend you my copy! (BOTM)

Home Before Dark

Home Before Dark is a haunted house story in the vain of Amityville Horror. The book tells of a family who fled their house to save their lives and then profited from the story. Years later, the daughter moves back into the house, and finds out whether the story her father wrote about was true or not.

The book was pretty good. It alternated chapters between current time and chapters from her dad’s book. I felt there were parts of the book definitely lacking, but it kept me interested enough to keep reading. I was honestly surprised with the way the author chose to end the book.

While this is the book I would rate lowest this month, I still recommend it, and will gladly loan you my copy. (BOTM)

The Picture of Dorian Gray

After several months of choosing new releases to read, our book club decided to choose a classic for September. We chose The Picture of Dorian Gray. At first I had a really hard time getting into the book, and then I found it at my library on audio, and I could not stop listening to it.

Earlier this year I listened to Oscar Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest and fell in love. This book was no different. There’s just something about the way Wilde tells a story. Yes, there was a whole section that dragged, but it really didn’t deter the story too badly.

I went into the book knowing this was what got Wilde arrested and imprisoned for homosexuality, and boy, could you really see it. He was not trying to hide it. The book was a good commentary on sin, and society, and had a good amount of suspense. I really wanted to know what was going to happen to Dorian. I highly recommend, and if you don’t think you can get through the text, get the audio!

The Boys, Volume 1: The Name of the Game

My husband and I started watching the show on Amazon Prime, and I immediately put myself on the list for the first set of comics. And after reading this I came away with a few takes.

  1. Casting Simon Pegg as Hughie’s Dad makes A LOT of sense
  2. They changed quite a bit between book and screen.
  3. Homelander is still a giant ass.

If you’re like me, and you’re enjoying the show, definitely check out the comics. Don’t be surprised if you see more on my list before the year is out.

August Reads

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The Vanishing Half

This was our book club pick for the month of August, and I had it read in two days. Not having power for a week due to a land hurricane called a derecho barreling through Iowa may have been a helping factor, but the book was so good.

The Vanishing Half tells the story of two identical twin sisters who leave their small home town. The sisters are Black, but they can pass for White, which is what one sister does. The two go their separate ways, and live separate lives, until their daughters cross paths.

The story is a wonderful journey in the lives of four women, the twins and their daughters, and I love how rich the story is. I became very invested in their stories, and could only hope things would work out for the women.

I highly recommend this story to everyone. (BOTM)

You Are Not Alone

I borrowed this book from a friend, and I have to say, out of all the books I’ve read so far in 2020, this is definitely near the bottom of my list.

Billed as a thriller, I never really felt like the main character was in any danger. Throughout the book the authors made it feel as if the socialites had some big secret society thing going on, and when everything is revealed, it felt like a bit of a let down.

If you’re going to try to read one book a month for the rest of the year, skip this one, it’s not worth trying to fit in. (BOTM)

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

I really wanted to like this one. I really did. And It was okay. I liked parts of it. However, there are a few things that made me frustrated, and things that I would have wanted to change.

The story is basically President Snow’s origin story, so it is expected to show how he became the sadistic man we met in The Hunger Games Trilogy. However, because we knew he would become evil, there really wasn’t anything too shocking.

The things I felt were interesting in the book were the 10th Hunger Games which helped show us how the games had evolved, and President Snow’s ties to District 12, which allowed us insight into why Snow did the things he did with Katniss.

Things I felt could have been better: I really, really, really wanted there to be an LGBTQ+ relationship between Snow and his rival. I wanted there to be some tragic story of loss and class difference between the two of them, and I wanted that to propel Snow into the man he became in the Trilogy.

That said, I think everyone should read it, especially if you’re a fan of the Trilogy, and I’m actually looking forward to the film.

The Jackal

I don’t have much to say about this one. I love basically everything J.R. Ward publishes. If you’re a fan, I recommend this book. I loved the love story, I loved the characters, and I’m interested to see where the story goes, since this is touted as Prison Camp Book 1, and seeing how this book ended, I wonder how there will be more.

July Reads

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Beach Read

I was on vacation while I read Beach Read and I read it in two days. Even while parenting my two children. I found this book irresistible and enchanting.

The premise of two writers challenging each other to right the other’s genre to get out of writer’s block was a compelling enough reason to pick the book up. The nuanced way the characters ultimately fell in love, was the reason I kept reading.

Not your typical romance, Beach Read pulls you along with its emotionally damaged characters as they begin to heal.

This was easily a five star read, and I have to stop myself from picking it right back up for a re-read. My TBR pile is much to large right now for that. (BOTM)

The Sun Down Motel

I borrowed The Sun Down Motel from a friend, and while it is not typically a genre I read a lot of, I found I couldn’t put this book down. The setting of a haunted roadside motel was incredibly terrifying. And the mystery of the woman disappearing from there in the 1980s kept me reading to find out what happened to her.

The only thing that kept me from giving this book five stars was I felt the ending was a little bit of a run down. The author built up the haunting and the ghosts and the disappearance, and it all sort of petered out in the end.

Still, this book was another I read on vacation, and I read it in two days. So even with the lackluster ending, I still really enjoyed the book as a whole, and would recommend it. (BOTM)

A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor

A very highly anticipated release, I was on vacation when this book got delivered to my doorstep and I couldn’t wait to get home to read it. The sequel to An Absolutely Remarkable Thing, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor finishes off the story of April May and Carl, while also allowing us into the minds of all the side characters we fell in love with in the first book.

Being about 250 pages longer than most books I read, it took me a little while longer to read this book than I would have liked. If only eleven month olds would entertain themselves while reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and it really gave you a lot to think about, especially around technology use and becoming addicted to new technology.

Where An Absolutely Remarkable Thing ended in an excruciating cliffhanger, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor wrapped up the story in a satisfying ending. That is not to say, I didn’t close the book not wanting more. I could read about Maya, Miranda, April, and Andy for several more books. Green did an amazing job creating characters you could fall in love with, and who you wanted to know absolutely everything about.

April, May and June Reads

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Quarantine happened, and I slowed WAY down on reading. And then I got too busy with helping facilitate distance learning for my first grader, that I totally lost track and didn’t post what I’ve been reading! So, now, in probably not the order I read them, here are the books I read in the last three months!

The Hour of the Assassin

If you’re looking for a quick political thriller, Hour of the Assassin is the book for you! Fast paced from the very beginning, this book is impossible to put down. The characters are engaging, and I found myself reading the whole book in about two days.

The author made an interesting choice to spread out backstory through most of the book, choosing to reveal relationships between the characters much later than I would have expected. The book maintains suspense throughout, and has a really good payoff in the end. (BOTM)

The Holdout

Another thriller that is impossible to put down, The Holdout gives a detailed look into the role of being a juror, being placed on a high profile case, and the ramifications on your life once that trial is put forward.

This is another book I read in a couple days, and it was one where I absolutely did not see the ending coming. The book changed points of view every other chapter, and we got to see inside the mind of all twelve people on the jury. All while trying to solve a current day mystery.

The book is already optioned to become a movie for Hulu, and I’ll definitely be watching. (BOTM)

How to Speak Dragonese

The Third How to Train Your Dragon book is just as fun, and hilarious, as the previous two. I love these books, because I listen to them as audiobooks, and they’re narrated by David Tennant, and they’re only a 2-3 hour commitment.

Toothless is kidnapped by Pirates, and Hiccup needs to get him back. That is the simplified plot of this installment. However, for the first time, the author has chosen to end the book on a cliffhanger, where you can only learn what happens next through reading the next book. I’m currently on hold to get the next book to find out what happens next!

The Kissing Game

Out of all the books I’ve read this year, The Kissing Game is the only one that I’ve read that I wouldn’t recommend. While it wasn’t terrible, it definitely isn’t one of my favorites.

I think the main problem with the book is it’s not made clear it is part of a series. It’s the third book in a series, to be specific. Therefore, the author just assumes you know the characters and she doesn’t flesh them out at all. After all, you’re supposed to know them as background characters in the other two books.

And I know romance books are usually contrived and follow a format, but I found this book a little too contrived, and I didn’t find myself rooting for the characters at all.

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird

If you love tragic romance, The Two Lives of Lydia Bird is for you! Telling the story of a woman (Lydia) whose fiance dies tragically in a car accident. Soon after, she realizes when she takes a sleeping pill, she can live a life where Freddy never died. While in her waking life, she moves through her grief, and eventually the idea that she may be able to love again.

While it starts off really depressing (I cried through about the first quarter of the book), the book really does give off a feeling of hope. As Lydia begins to function more, and is ready to move on, you can see her growth and her healing through the tragedy. (BOTM)

The Box is Protection Not Prison

I fell into a bit of a reading rut this spring, and in order to jump start my reading again, I picked up this short story written by a friend. I don’t want to say too much about it, because I don’t want to give anything away, but this story is very timely. If you want to read a story that has a commentary on mass media and biases that feels like you’re reading about what is happening right now, you should definitely check this story out.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

My favorite book of 2019 was Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six. I was supposed to see Reid at the Des Moines Book Festival back in March, but because of Covid, that was canceled. I put myself on the list for this book, and it was delivered right before I went on vacation, and this has easily become one of my top books I’ve read for the year so far.

Where Daisy Jones seemed to be a fictional story that included many elements of bands like Fleetwood Mac, Evelyn Hugo definitely felt like it took its inspiration from stars like Elizabeth Taylor. The book follows Evelyn Hugo as she navigates stardom through Old Hollywood and the studio system, the transition into the “New Hollywood” and as an aging actress in the industry.

Along the way we learn her story as it is told around her many husbands. The story is at once heartwarming, tragic, and includes a twist that made me gasp out loud. (BOTM)

March Reads

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Red, White, and Royal Blue

Red, White and Royal Blue is easily my favorite book I’ve read in 2020, so far. I went into it skeptically, like I do most books that have been overhyped, and then read it all in one day.

The book follows Alex, the son of the first female President of the United States, and Henry, a literal Prince of England. They start off at odds with one another, a feud if you will. But then it becomes very obvious that they are in love, and the book quickly becomes one of the most realistic, love stories I have read.

The book is achingly romantic, and I found myself rooting for the success of Alex and Henry’s relationship. I borrowed this book from the library, but I will probably end up purchasing it so I can re-read it over and over again. (BOTM)

The Alice Network

This month’s book club pick was The Alice Network. I listened to this book on audio, and I ended up strapping the blue tooth speaker to the waist belt of the baby carrier and spending four hours one day listening to the book while I cleaned. For perspective I normally just listen to audiobooks in the car. This book was that good.

The book follows two different women in two different times. Eve, a British spy in France during World War I, and Charlie, a pregnant nineteen year old American, who seeks out Eve to search for her missing French cousin, post World War II.

The book flips between both timelines and you get to see how strong both women are as they face different obstacles, while also watching the two form an amazing relationship with one another. Along for the ride in post WWII is Finn, Eve’s Scottish driver.

Each story has heartbreaking revelations, and the author really shines a light on PTSD following fighting in a war.

If you enjoy historical fiction, definitely check this one out.

Things in Jars

For Christmas this year, my sisters gifted me with three months of a Book of the Month Club subscription. Things in Jars was my pick for January.

This book was, different. I don’t know if I would have chosen it if it hadn’t been offered up to me in a curated pick of five choices, but it was right up my alley. Victorian London, supernatural aspects. Maybe? Ever since finishing the book, I’ve had a hard time figuring out if everything that happened was real, or if it was in Bridie’s head.

The book follows Bridie, a private investigator as she tries to solve the case of a missing child. She is joined by a handsome ghost, Ruby. As they solve the case, it becomes more and more surreal. I’m about a week out from finishing the book, and I’m still trying to figure out the ending. I will be passing the book to a friend so I can talk to someone about what it was exactly that we just read. (BOTM)

Time of Contempt

At first, I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this installment of The Witcher Series. The first half of the book is a lot of explaining about politics and movement in the universe. A lot. It’s pretty tedious.

And then about half way through the book, everyone converges together for the first time, and everyone is happy! And then everything happens. There is an epic battle, and for the first time the tide has turned against our heroes, and the book ends sort of on the morose note.

I currently have the next book on hold. It’ll be available in a month. It’s going to be a long month.

The Huntress

After reading The Alice Network I had high hopes for The Huntress, and I was not disappointed. The book had engaging characters and a plot that caused me to not want to put the book down.

The book follows three people: Jordan, an aspiring photograph, Ian, a former war reporter turned Nazi hunter, and Nina, a Russian fighter pilot. They are all affected by a woman who is known as The Huntress, and when you find out how each one is affected, really is the heart of the story.

Like in The Alice Network the second the storylines of these people converge, the story becomes even more interesting, and the plot moves even quicker.

If you enjoy World War II stories, or just historical fiction in general, I highly suggest you pick this book up.

The Sinner

The eighteenth installment of The Blackdagger Brotherhood series. While I didn’t completely fall in love with Syn like I normally do with any of the Brothers who is featured, I loved Jo, who we have been following for several books now. That and the conclusion of the Dhestroyer prophecy really made the book nearly impossible to set down.

Butch has always been one of my favorite Brothers, and his relationship with Vishous has been one of my favorites of the series. The focus on Butch and Vishous and their role in the war against the lessers, was touching and enthralling all at once.

Syn is flawed, and it took me a while to feel any sympathy for him. I was more in love with Jo, a half-breed waiting for her transition, even though she didn’t know she was a half breed. Once Jo was brought into the secret world, the book got infinitely better and I started enjoying her and Syn together. Maybe it’s because the last two romances of the series were so intense, but Syn is definitely no Muhrder.

February Reads

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The Boy Next Door, Meg Cabot

Told in a series of e-mails, I read The Boy Next Door in one day. I couldn’t put down. It’s been a long time since I had read a book where I just wanted to site and binge it all at once.

Telling the traditional boy meets girl, boy lies to girl, boy and girl fall in love, girl learns the truth, they get together in the end formula, this book is funny, light, and even though you know in the end they’ll end up together, it is a romance after all, you keep wanting to read and find out what happens.

I have loved Meg Cabot since I first started reading The Princess Diaries over a decade ago. She does not disappoint with this book. Even though everything is told through the confines of e-mail exchanges, you still get to know and love all the characters in the book.

The Call of the Wild

February’s book club pick was Call of the Wild. I had remembered vaguely reading this while I was in middle school, but I also couldn’t remember if we had read this or White Fang. It was this.

This was very difficult to get through at first. The writing is full of dry, complex language, and is told through the perspective of the dog. My friends recommended listening to the audiobook. I had it done in two days.

This book, while it was easier to listen to than read, was still hard to listen to. As long as you go into it only attaching yourself to Buck, you’ll be fine. While it was interesting to listen to the dog adapt from a spoiled house dog to a fully wild dog, the descriptions of the violence was really off putting.

The Last Wish

So, after I read Blood of Elves last month, I learned The Last Wish is technically the first book in The Witcher series. And I can see why.

The Last Wish introduces Geralt and explains who The Witcher is, along with giving us many adventures (it’s a collection of short stories) to get to know him in. If you have watched the Netflix series, this book is pretty much all of the Geralt portions.

The fun part of this book is noticing that each story is basically a popular fairy tale retelling. I had fun figuring out each story and which fairy tale it was tied to.

The best part of this book was getting to know Geralt better, and really seeing his personality show through, since he was barely in Blood of Elves. And if you’ve only watched the show on Netflix, you’ll be surprised by how funny and verbose he is.

January Reads

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Wayward Son

First book of 2020 was Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell. I had been looking forward to this book for over a year when I learned it was being release. And I wasn’t let down.

A sequel to the book Carry On, Wayward Son deals with the aftermath of being a child soldier, and what to do after your destiny is fulfilled.

The book moves between the points of view of Penny, Simon and Baz as they embark on a road trip across America to rescue Agatha, who has moved to San Diego to just get away from everything.

Fast-paced, and often heartbreaking, Rowell explores PTSD and depression as Simon and his friends struggle with their post-Chosen One life.

If you read and enjoyed Carry On, you will love this book.

Good Omens

Good Omens was the book my book club picked for the month. It was a light, funny read, and I enjoyed it, but, I think I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn’t watched the mini-series on Amazon Prime first.

Dealing with the Apocalypse, Crowley and Aziraphale, a demon and an angel respectively, try and find a way to stop it, because they love earth too much.

The book is full of humor and absurdity, and doesn’t take itself seriously at all, and I love that about the book.

You could tell Gaiman helped adapt the show for television, and was in fact the screen writer, as the books was very faithfully adapted, and the show follows not only the plot, but uses all the same dialogue.

The Blood of Elves

After bingeing the Netflix series with my husband during Christmas break, I absolutely fell in love with the high fantasy universe of The Witcher. I immediately put myself on the waiting list for the first book of the series at the library.

The book came in much quicker than I thought and I dove right in. Only to learn, this is in fact NOT the first book in the series, it’s technically the third (or second, depending on which list you look at). I didn’t let that deter me, I kept reading.

This book assumes you’re already familiar with the characters and the universe and just dives right into the conflicts. It is a quick read, full of lots of back and forth dialogue. Geralt is not featured heavily in the book, but Ciri and Yennefer are.

When Geralt is in the book, he is easily likeable, and there is always a fight scene that plays out so cinematically that I found myself holding my breath.

Now that I’ve finished this book, I’m waiting on pins and needles for the books that come before this one to arrive at the library for me to read.