Book #5:

Scythe by Neil Shusterman (Length: 464 pages) This is a YA (12 and up) dystopian novel, the first of a trilogy. I’ve seen it on so many “Best of” lists that I wanted to finally read it and I LOVE it! The writing is excellent. The plot is similar to Hunger Games, but not as angsty. The premise is that 300 years in the future, thanks to Thunderhead (ie, a turbo-charged Cloud) there is no more death or disease or climate change, but as a result, the population explodes out of control. Enter these Jedi-type warriors called Scythes who have yearly quotas of people to kill. The plot is very memorable and this is fantastic. It’s violent but not gory and it’s an absolute must-read. It will make my top 10 books of the year.

Book #6:

The Last One by Will Dean (Length: 445 pages).  This novel has to be the most unique thriller I’ve ever read. 50 year-old Caz sets off on a week-long cruise from England to NYC with her new boyfriend. The first morning she wakes up and the entire ocean liner is empty of passengers and crew. The plot is propulsive–I read this in a few days. The writing quality is fantastic and it’s compulsively readable. I thought about it after setting it down until I was able to pick it up again which is my favorite kind of novel. I really enjoyed the resolution. I give it 4 stars.

Book #7:

Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano (Length: 361 pages). This is #2 in a series featuring Finlay Donovan, a recent divorcee with 2 young children and her sidekick/nanny Vero. In this novel Vero is harboring a mysterious secret and once again the pair stumbles into a murder and tries to solve it. More bumbling capers ensue. The writing is solid, the quips are smart and I enjoyed the side romance much more in this one. I will eventually get around to reading the 3rd book the next time I need a literary palate cleanser. A solid 3 star read.

Book #8:

A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djeli Clark (Length: 47 pages). I listened to this novella because I heard rave reviews about it on a podcast. Set in 1912 in an alternate universe in a “steampunk” Egypt where other-worldly creatures mix with humans. I loved the female investigator’s character/protagonist and found the plot to be super-propulsive. There’s not a dull moment. This is so inventive and you’re in this fantasy world immediately. The dialogue is snappy, the murder at the center is interesting and it’s just a lot of fun! If you’re looking for a quick audiobook or a quick read to act as a palate-cleanser between books, give this one a try!

Book #9:

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi(Length: 335 pages) This is a horror novel–think the Exorcist mixed with The Lord of the Flies. Truly the scariest novel I’ve ever read, this is set in a boys’ orphanage in the early 1900s in a remote Pennsylvania valley. There’s true evil afoot here. Please don’t read anything else about the plot online as it will spoil it–just trust me that this novel is beautifully written, with a gorgeous sense of place and a truly unforgettable plot. Not a word is wasted, and it’s simultaneously horrifying yet hopeful. A fantastic horror novel that will rank amongst the best I’ve ever read.

Book #10:

The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (Length: 153 pages). I’ve had this slim self-help book on my bookshelves for a while. It styles itself as “A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” and is organized around 4 simple agreements the author suggests one should adopt in their own life: 1) Be impeccable with your word; 2) Don’t take anything personally; 3) Don’t make assumptions and 4) Always do your best. There’s nothing ground-breaking here but this book contains several great reminders. I know of several people who swear by this book so I’m glad I finally got around to reading it.

Book #11:

Someone Else’s Shoes by JoJo Moyes (Length: 447 pages). This is SUCH an enjoyable book. The plot revolves around two women in London who mistakenly switch gym bags. One bag contains red Christian Louboutin pumps and the other, cheap black bumps. Ultimately both women experience what it’s literally like to walk in someone else’s shoes. The premise sounds a bit cheesy but I found a surprising amount of depth here and I really enjoyed this book a lot. The resolution of the plot lines is so satisfying to read and the plot is more memorable than the average rom-com. Definitely pick this one up–a great vacation read!

Book #12:

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow (Length: 312 pages). I‘m a sucker for a gorgeous cover and I ADORE this book. Set in a small town with a “creepy” old house and a family-owned coal mine turned power plant, the three main characters are Opal, in her mid-twenties, her younger brother Jasper, a high school junior and the man who lives in the creepy Starling House, Arther. The writing is gorgeous and so evocative, the characters are beautifully drawn and developed. This is part horror, part fantasy and I enjoyed every word. Five stars from me!

Book #13:

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (Length: 320 pages). This Hercule Poirot novel is often mentioned as readers’ favorite Agatha Christie mystery so I was excited to check it out. The plot is fast-paced, the clues are numerous and interesting and I didn’t figure out this locked room mystery at all. Such a fun read and Hercule Poirot is delightful here. I read this using the Serial App which I recommend–I use the free version and it’s nice to read classic novels bit by bit each day.

Book #1:

Congratulations, the Best is Over! by R. Eric Thomas (Length: 231 pages) This is a book of essays written by a gay black man wedded to a white pastor, living in Baltimore, MD. There are several LOL funny lines, but these essays are more often a poignant look at the author’s life journey–through the pandemic and after the pandemic, as well as his life-long battle with depression. This is SO well-written! I enjoyed the mix of fun, pop-culture references mixed with his deeper analyses of society and today’s political climate. This is a truly memorable book, and I hope you get a chance to check it out.

Book #2:

The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling (Length: 315 pages). This is the sequel to The Ex Hex, which I reviewed in September. This obviously has the same snappy dialogue, adorable setting and a mild mystery just like the first. I could see this series getting a bit repetitive, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride this time through just as much. This is an open-door romance and features the relatives of the romantic leads in the first book, so you’ll get to see those characters again, which is a nice bonus. I love all of the fall atmosphere and the witchy vibes, and the strong sense of place here. I give it a solid 3 stars–nothing phenomenal but definitely worth the time to read.

Book #3:

The September House by Carissa Orlando (Length: 352 pages). YES! This is a TRULY creepy horror novel with a very original premise. A couple finally moves into their dream house and quickly discover that each September, it becomes truly terrifying . . . think blood pouring down the walls, lots of dead children who clearly died in horrific ways walking about, and the entity in the basement grows even wilder. This a bit gory and violent in parts, but the payoff is truly worth it here. I will say in the beginning the plot jumps forward quite a bit in the second chapter–almost 2 years ahead–and that was pretty confusing, so if you find yourself similarly confused, just push through and it will make sense. At the 30% mark (in the Kindle edition), I was fully invested, and I could no longer put it down. This is a lot of fun and VERY scary in parts. An awesome read for sure!

Book #4:

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center (Length: 325 pages). I’m a big fan of this author’s work (Things You Save in a Fire is one of my favorite rom coms of all time) so I was excited to pick this one up. The premise here is that Sadie, a portrait artist living in Houston, Texas, is involved in an accident which results in her having possibly temporary face blindness, which is a real thing. This obviously causes problems for Sadie as it affects how she makes a living, and she’s a finalist in a national portrait show/contest with a monetary prize that could greatly improve her life circumstances. Sadie also happens to have two simultaneous new love interests which makes her life even more complicated. The central romance(s) are cute, and I enjoyed the different premise. I found Sadie to be a bit mopey and whiney, all things considered, and I would’ve liked to see the characters more fully fleshed out here, but overall, I enjoyed this closed-door romance. A solid 3 stars from me.

Thank you for joining me here!   I hope you enjoy this series and I’d love to hear from you about what you are reading these days.

Book #1:

Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler (Length: 344 pages) This is a lovely rom-com! The premise is that two young adults who are barely acquainted, Millicent and Hollis, are on an impromptu road trip from Washington D.C. to Key West after a missed flight. Millicent is heading to Florida to deliver the eponymous ashes of Mrs. Nash to her lost love, and Hollis is heading there for a romp in the hay with a casual lover. This novel is well-written, with fleshed out characters and very snappy dialogue (my favorite!). The plot is super memorable (rare with rom coms) and the central romantic device (curmudgeon and sunshine girl) is adorable. I give it 5 stars!

Book #2:

Heartburn by Nora Ephron (Length: 194 pages). For whatever reason, I never got around to reading this book which describes the protagonist, Rachel Samstat, a food writer who is very pregant, finding out about her husband’s affair. I listened to the audio because I read that it’s narrated by Meryl Streep and her narration is absolute perfection! The elements of the story here are a bit dated (ie, calling lesbians the “D” word) but much of the sentiments still resonate today. Allegedly this is loosely based on Nora Ephron’s second marriage (and divorce) from Carl Bernstein, the journalist. This is a delightful read, and chapter 2 (where Rachel describes her mother being in hospice) had me rolling with laughter. This is a super quick read (or listen) and since the audio is such a gem, I’d recommend going that route here.

Book #3:

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (Length: 512 pages). This is my book club’s October read, and it’s a BIG book featuring Ursula Todd, born in England in 1910. Over the course of the novel, Ursula lives and dies over a dozen times (a la Groundhog Day). While I found this plot device to be super-annoying in the beginning, about a quarter of the way into the novel, it grew on me. The novel actually begins with Ursula killing Hitler in the early days of the war, and then starts right at the beginning of her “first” life. So you’re told up front what the purpose of her multiple attempts of life is. The writing here is very skilled and the characters are fully fleshed out (eventually, of course). Again, it’s a bit slow to start but it builds up quite quickly and you’ll find yourself not wanting to put it down (always a good sign in a long novel such as this). I’d recommend skipping the audio on this in favor of the print version as the various timelines are confusing without the benefit of the chapter titles.

Book #4:

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (Length: 368 pages). This is a fun mystery that’s been on my TBR for way too long. The first in a series of 4, this features an aspiring mystery novelist who is the mom of two young children and who is recently divorced. While meeting with her literary agent and discussing the topic of her next novel, a diner at the table next to them is eavesdropping and assumes that Finlay is actually a killer-for-hire. With the prospect of a much-needed $50,000 payday and some mistaken steps taken, the plot is on. This is NOT believable at all, by any stretch of the imagination, but just go with it here. The relationship between Finlay and her nanny Vero is my favorite, and while I wasn’t a fan of the romance(s) here (they feel rushed and not necessary to the plot), I will continue reading the rest of the series as I enjoyed the ride in this first novel. Definitely recommend this one!

Book #5:

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (Length: 429 pages). As soon as I finished this cute rom-com, I immediately texted a few of my rom-com loving friends and recommended this to them. The writing quality is great, the dialogue is snappy without being too snarky and the love scenes are minimally open door. The premise is that one twin sister marries a brother, and the entire wedding party is hit with a virus, leading to the other twin sister and brother to use the honeymoon tickets (which are, of course, totally non-refundable) for 10 days in Maui. The kicker is that the latter two hate one another. I enjoyed so much about this, including the fun details about the island, how the two purposefully call each other by the wrong name and how their evolving relationship is truly believable and aspirational. I am a fan of this author writing duo and I haven’t found a book yet written by them that I haven’t enjoyed.

Book #6:

Truly Darkly Deeply by Victoria Selman (Length: 330 pages). This is a very well written and creepy mystery written from the point of view of a 12-year-old girl whose mother is dating a suspected serial killer in London in the 1980s. This isn’t gruesome as the murders happen off screen and many of the details aren’t made known; the murders aren’t the focus, but the narrator’s relationship with her mother and Matty are the focus here and it’s fascinating to read. There are a few twists and turns in the plot but nothing too surprising. I went along for the ride and I was glad I did.

Book #7:

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld (Length: 320 pages). I LOVE this book! Based on a Saturday Night Live type show called The Night Owls, this romance details a romance between one of the female comedy writers for the show who is of “average” beauty and one of the show’s musical guest stars/hosts who is stereotypically “hot.” I enjoyed the behind the scenes of the show which seems to be super accurate to the real thing, and the jokes and dialogue between all of the characters are often LOL funny. This is a rom-com that I’ll actually remember the details after reading and I’m already recommending it to several people in real life. Definitely pick this one up if you can!

Thank you for joining me here!   I hope you enjoy this series and I’d love to hear from you about what you are reading these days.

Book #1:

The Galveston Diet by Dr Mary Claire Haver (Length: 272 pages) I checked this book out of the library because I follow this doctor on Instagram, and she’s well-regarded in her field (menopause). This is a practical guide on navigating through menopause, so obviously this is targeted toward a very specific audience. I read some excellent tips that I bookmarked for my own purposes, and I recommended this book to a few of my girlfriends. It’s very well-written, not alarmist in nature and is packed with excellent tips, especially with regard to the optimal nutrition that will help mitigate menopausal symptoms.

Book #2:

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn (Length: 365 pages). I’ve had this on my TBR for ages, and I regret waiting so long to pick it up as this will absolutely make my Top 10 books of this year. Featuring 4 women “of a certain age” who go on a cruise sponsored by the spy agency from which they’ve all recently been retired from, this is the Golden Girls, but trained assassins when they discover someone wants them dead. The assassinations and murders aren’t gory at all, but they do occur here. The plot is propulsive, and I love all of the details about the places they travel to during the novel. I absolutely will keep reading books by this author–perhaps her Veronica Speedwell series?

Book #3:

The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling (Length: 318 pages). This is the first in a series, and it’s very appropriate for October reading as it’s set in a small town during a Halloween festival. The main plot is about a coven of 3 witches (all related) who must deal with an ancient curse that affects them and their town. The central romance is cheesy but cute (very closed door). The tone here is young adult, and while the writing is decent, it’s one of those silly books that makes you feel a little bit dumber for having read it . . . it’s a total brain break. I did like the central characters sufficiently that I purchased the sequel on a Kindle Daily Deal but I likely won’t rush to read it, until I’m ready for another mindless, fun read.

Book #4:

The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan (Length: 368 pages). I’ve read (and enjoyed) this author before, so when I learned about the premise (a book club-themed charming hotel) I gave it a try. The central story is cute, but the writing here is VERY basic–so much so that I was distracted by the writing and didn’t get absorbed by the story itself. The dialogue could’ve been more sharply drawn, and the writing style more elevated. Where this novel shines is in the details of the setting and of the characters themselves, and I’d absolutely visit a charming, book club hotel with my own girlfriends one day. I’d give this 2 out of 5 stars.

Thank you for joining me here!   I hope you enjoy this series and I’d love to hear from you about what you are reading these days.

Book #1:

Walking With Sam by Andrew McCarthy (Length: 257 pages) This is a non-fiction book by the Brat Pack author who walked the Camino de Santiago with his 19-year-old son Sam. I listened to this on audio as it’s narrated by McCarthy and it’s an excellent listening experience. Walking from Portugal to Spain, the duo followed the path of pilgrims to the shrine of the apostle James in Galicia, Spain. This book was so fun to follow along with their 500-mile, 5-week journey and I appreciated all of the little details, such as where they chose to stay, what they ate, and who they met along the way. This is a bucket list hike for me but the odds are slim I’ll ever be able to walk this road, so I very much enjoyed listening to others who have been lucky enough to do so.

Book #2:

Don’t Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino (Length: 334 pages). Set in 1960s Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore, Marilyn is sent to stay with her great aunt Ada, a 70-year-old Jewish matchmaker with a sharp tongue and a huge heart, after Marilyn crashed through a stained-glass window with the rabbi’s son during synagogue. While this is considered a punishment by her parents, Marilyn ends up finding herself and learning more about her great aunt’s incredible life. This is SO good! The character development is top-notch, and the dialogue is sparkling. This is a bit slow to start but keep with it as you’ll be so glad you did. The ending is perfection!

Book #3:

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (Length: 305 pages). Long walks must be a theme with me this month as this account of a walk on the Appalachian Trail written by the amazing Bill Bryson was such a fun read. I actually thought I had already read this, having enjoyed many of Bryson’s other books but when I realized I hadn’t, I tore through this in a matter of hours. I’ve been obsessed with this historic trail and this is one of the better accounts I’ve read, thanks to Bryson’s wit, and love of history and the environment. The pacing is perfect, and his ton is spot on. Definitely pick this one up if you are a fan of walking books.

Book #4:

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (Length: 530 pages). WOW. This incredible book has been on my TBR for way too long and I’m so glad I finally read it. It isn’t what I thought it would be like, and that’s a good thing. It’s even better! This is magical realism, set at the turn of the 19th century, and follows a circus that travels around the world. The first words, “The circus arrives without warning” set the tone and I was hooked. I will say, the first 10% of the book is a bit slow as it’s setting the scene but stick with it and enjoy the gorgeous and captivating ride. The words on the page are lyrical and the plot is propulsive, and I enjoyed every minute, especially the resolution. This is a book that I’ll remember forever, and it will possibly be on my top 10 books I’ve ever read.

Book #5:

I Hope This Finds You Well by Kate Baer (Length:96 pages). This is a slim, beautifully written volume of poetry that I very much enjoyed reading. The author picked out various words from Internet “troll” comments left on her social media to recreate words of beauty from words of ignorance and hate. This is a delightful book and it’s a keeper as I’ll want to turn back to it again and again. This would make a great little gift for someone in your life, even if they’re not poetry fans. 5/5 stars!