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This is the second book I‘ve read by Emily Austin, and I just really enjoy her writing and characters. There‘s an alchemy in the way she mixes comedy and heartache, which results in a compulsively readable, heart-piercing, uniquely tender narrative.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
The premise of this book was such an intriguing mental chew toy! In practice, it got repetitive and didn‘t have the depth I had hoped for. Some of the husband situations stressed me out. Still a fun, light read! #BOTM
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
I enjoyed reading a story inspired by Norse mythology and the audiobook narration was great! I didn‘t really connect with Freya, though, and this dragged for me a bit in the middle. I probably won‘t continue with this series, but I‘m glad I gave it a try! 🎧
pan⭐️⭐️
A fast and twisty read, but a little predictable at some points and too implausible at other points. The characters‘ motivations were underdeveloped and didn‘t always make sense. I loved Peter Swanson‘s “The Kind Worth Killing” and preferred that “Strangers on a Train”-inspired book over this one. 🎧
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I was surprised by how short this read is, and despite that, these coming-of-age vignettes really pack a punch. The prose is very poetic and there were many beautiful, quotable passages that I wanted to highlight. I can see why Sandra Cisneros is a celebrated Latina author.
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Extended family vacations can literally be hell! 😆 Haunted house stories aren‘t always my thing, but this one had an amazing Italian setting, really interesting family dynamics, and a serious creep factor. It was so cinematic - I could see the book play in my mind like a movie. My brain immediately cast The White Lotus actors as these characters, with the brilliant Aubrey Plaza as Anna.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was fun to be whisked away on an adventure in the Pacific Islands, complete with pirates, sentient tattoos, and sea dragons! I wanted more from this, but I can appreciate it for what it is. 🎧
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A book‘s great gift is that through its pages, you can be transported to another time and place and gain insight to a life different than your own. My favorite historical fiction novels teach me something about our past and inspire me to research more on my own while also delivering a memorable story. ⬇️
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The first book is definitely the best, but I still enjoyed the conclusion to this trilogy! It was fun to see the characters return to the aunties‘ homeland in Indonesia, and of course, follow the chaos that ensues. The humor and heart of Meddy and her aunties will stick with me!
pick⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫
It‘s a great feeling when you can‘t stop reading a book (even willingly doing some extra chores to give yourself more time to listen)! It ends a bit abruptly, but the second half is full of suspense. The interesting characters are well-developed and the social commentary is sharp. I enjoy listening to Joshilyn Jackson narrate her own books, and her daughter also does a fantastic job with the narration of the protagonist‘s daughter.🎧
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Short stories aren‘t really my favorite format, but I‘ll read anything GennaRose Nethercott writes with delight and awe. This collection is hauntingly beautiful - enchanting, weird, and deep. They‘re the kind of stories that are so interesting to see what others took from them, the kind that would reveal another layer with each re-read. My favorites were “A Diviner‘s Abecedarian”, “The Thread Boy”, “A Lily is a Lily”, and “Homebody”.
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Overall, this was a compelling read examining class, race, and gender inequities in the academia and art worlds. It was also interesting to go down an internet rabbit hole learning about Ana Mendieta, the Cuban artist whose life (in part) inspired Anita de Monte‘s character. Anita‘s sections were passionate, vivid, and urgent; I thought they were the most impactful. 🎧 #reesesbookclub
I‘m looking forward to this #BOTM pick, which I hear will also be the Read With Jenna pick for this month! 🥰
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Annie Bot is incredibly immersive, emotional, and timely. I couldn‘t help but picture Margot Robbie as Annie (even though she‘s not described as looking that way), and “What Was I Made For?” could have been this book‘s soundtrack. Packing a feminist, empathetic punch, it left me with more food for thought than concrete answers. #BOTM
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I‘m fairly certain that if I were lucky enough to travel to Ireland, I could stop by the fictional Ardnakelty and step right into this story with Cal, Trey, and Lena. This novel is definitely a slow burn, but in Tana French‘s expert hands, it‘s worth it. I read that she is working on a third book with these characters, and although I miss the Dublin Murder Squad series, I‘ll gladly follow her wherever she wants to take her readers! 🎧
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“Why would I ever let someone who drafts make-believe football teams make me believe I should be embarrassed by my interests?”
Listening to this book is like having a sleepover with your wise and hilarious best friend, your late-night heart-to-hearts brimming with nostalgia and epiphanies. I wasn‘t familiar with Kate Kennedy before listening and we‘re not quite the same age, but I felt instantly connected. ⬇️
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This book has an addictive quality, and because of the podcast element, really shines in the audio format! For a twisty murder mystery, I was surprised to also find myself chuckling throughout the book. I think it‘s a solid, fun, standout read for fans of this genre. 🎧
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A feel-good read, this is not - but it certainly made me feel! Hazell describes Piglet‘s story as “domestic claustrophobia”, richly exploring themes of class, cuisine, control, and the things we crave and consume. What will it take to feel satisfied? It‘s visceral, messy, and ravenous - full of tension that ratchets up to a show-stopping croquembouche crescendo!
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The information in this book didn‘t really surprise me, but it was affirming and inspiring. I enjoyed learning about the science and research and feel newly energized to prioritize the arts and aesthetics in my family‘s life. ⬇️
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Welp, I was knot expecting that! I really wasn‘t sure what I would think about a Vampyre and Werewolf romance, but this was so much fun! Sexy, snarky, primal, sweet… I‘ll devour the next one if she makes this a series! 🎧
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Tropey, twisty, witchy fun! The cat and mouse element was entertaining, the characters were compelling, and the world-building was interesting. I‘ll definitely check out the second book and will look forward to seeing how everything develops! 🎧
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A glittering, provocative champagne cocktail of a book that both entertains and challenges readers. I thought it was such a heady, razor sharp examination of power, desire, class, shame, and religion. If beauty can be a weapon, who really wields it?
“I can admit it. It feels good to be wanted, to be delectable, delicious. But if I‘ve learned anything it‘s that I don‘t want to be consumed. I have teeth of my own.”
I have seen great reviews for Abby Jimenez‘ books, but for some reason, I‘ve never read any of them! I‘m looking forward to finally giving her a try as the “2023 Book of the Year” winner for #BOTM.
The other two I picked look so interesting, thought-provoking, and unique to me. I‘m going to look for a few other picks through the library. 🥰📚
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Prepare to be immersed in another striking, high-stakes romance from Tia Williams! Can you hear the 1920‘s jazz music playing from that beautiful antique piano? Can you smell the (strangely out of season) night-blooming jasmine? Can you visualize the glamour of Harlem, past and present? Can you feel the inevitable magic of the leap year? A modern day fairytale, it might just make you laugh, cry, blush, and swoon!
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This book captures the art and heart of baking in a literary form, offering comfort, inspiration, connection, celebration, and remembrance. I love that we‘re getting more stories featuring protagonists of all ages. As the equally lovely Mr. Quinn points out, older age doesn‘t mean you have to live a smaller life, and dreams can be achieved because of our age rather than in spite of it. 🎧
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If you‘d like a different take on a romance for the month of love, this book is like an autopsy of a relationship. Being in Andy‘s head was relatable, funny, and cringeworthy. I also really enjoyed Morris‘ character. Although this story is about a breakup, there is a lot of love found in these pages.🎧
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Very character-driven, but the characters were just so interesting it kept me hooked! I work with college students, so I found the messiness and complexities of this slice of campus life particularly compelling. Unexpected and cringeworthy at times, this book offers sharp observations and a reminder that we‘re all more than our worst mistakes. The audiobook narrator is also amazing. 🎧
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was entertaining enough if I didn‘t think about it too much and just consumed it as a creepy and wild popcorn thriller. I respect the author‘s personal journey with addiction and sobriety (although thankfully her rehabilitation center was not like the one in this book). #Aardvark #AardvarkBookClub
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
This had a dreamy Italian setting, delicious food descriptions, a cute romance, and sweet friendships. There are even some recipes at the end of the book, which was a fun bonus. However, Stella‘s character was frustrating at times and everything fell a bit flat for me. #amazonfirstreads
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If you liked the first book, I think you will like this follow up! I did enjoy the first one more, though. Everything came together in a clever way, but it was a bit convoluted and I didn‘t feel as invested in the cast of new characters. It also had some similarities to “The Mystery Guest”, which I listened to within the last couple of months, so it didn‘t feel quite as original to me as the first one did.🎧
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I thought this book was a beautiful blend of humor and pathos. Enid‘s voice was wonderfully weird and engaging, but could also stop me in my tracks at times with the poignancy and vulnerability of her words. I wish I could give her a hug - “parasite” and all. #BOTM
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I wouldn‘t have picked up this book on my own - it was selected for a professional book club - but I‘m really glad I read it. Geronimus‘ work is extraordinarily illuminating and paradigm-shifting, positing “health and aging have more to do with how society treats us than how well we take care of ourselves”. ⬇️
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A reread of a favorite - this time via audio. I think Tana French‘s entire murder squad series is stunning, but to me, this one is the best. The tragic romance, the complex family dynamics, the layered emotions, the beautiful writing! It‘s mesmerizing. She doesn‘t simply create characters; they feel like real, breathing people whose story unfolds before your eyes, shattering your heart in the process. 🎧
I haven‘t gotten an #Aardvark box in a couple of months, so I‘m treating myself to three books! So excited for these!! #AardvarkBookClub
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
I‘m happy I went outside of my normal genres to give this a try, even if the testosterone-fueled quest didn‘t fully captivate me personally. It was also interesting to read her author‘s note about her grandfather‘s true story, which inspired her to write this book. #BOTM
I loved “The Night Tiger”, so I‘m really looking forward to Yangsze Choo‘s newest! 🦊
We are going to read “The Women” this spring for our work book club, so I‘m happy this was also a pick! 😊 #BOTM
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A mysterious inheritance, riddles and puzzles, four charismatic brothers... this one was fun! The audiobook narration was fine, but she sounded older than the characters and I didn‘t love the accents/male voices she used. I think it will be a great TV show! 🎧
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I think this will be a breakout thriller of 2024! It‘s chock-full of action and surprises and the payoffs are smart and satisfying. The protagonist is such a badass. Fingers crossed Reese adapts this one for the screen! #BOTM #reesesbookclub
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“Other Birds” is my favorite Sarah Addison Allen book that I‘ve read so far, but this one is second! It glistens with snowflakes and the scent of peppermint. It twinkles with friendship, romance, and self-discovery. There‘s a sprinkle of magic and melancholy. It warms your soul like sipping hot chocolate after playing in the snow. ❄️
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sweet as pie and filled with Southern charm, but also a bit predictable and trite; I know I won‘t remember the details. 🎧
so-so⭐️⭐️💫
I was into this at the beginning - I especially loved the vivid imagery of the Kingdom of Sweets - but it lost my interest by the end. The author writes in the acknowledgements that writing for her has become “an often grueling exercise in endurance”, and I feel like that shows. It‘s kind of also how it felt to read it. 😬 #BOTM
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I‘m here for fiction that explores the darkness of the beauty and wellness industry. “Natural Beauty” additionally delves into cultural identity. The most moving parts of the story for me were with the protagonist and her immigrant parents. The true horror is found in contemplating that these storylines aren‘t implausible… how far are people really willing to go for beauty and power? Who sets the standards? Who pays the price? 🎧
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Super endearing, man! I was captivated by all of the characters, but especially the radiant and relatable Mary Jane, during her perspective-shifting, life-changing summer. The audiobook narration was perfection. 🎧
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“I see that life itself is often more fantastic and terrible than the stories we believed as children, and that perhaps there is no harm in finding magic among the trees.”
What a wonderful, wintry read to start out the year! The Alaskan setting sparkles and the characters jump off the page. I would recommend this to anyone looking for an atmospheric and emotionally resonant story with a touch of a mystical, snowy fairytale. 🎧
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A unique, witty murder mystery. I liked the punchy writing style and the colorful characters. I didn‘t see the ending coming. It sets itself up as the start of a new series; I would definitely check out the next one!
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My last audiobook of 2023 was a good one! This felt overly long, but it paid off. It was a multilayered story with an intriguing mystery, nuanced characters, and a moving ending. I always love Caroline Lee‘s narration. 🎧
I love seeing people‘s roundups of their favorite reads of the year, so here are some of my favorite fiction reads in 2023! Lots of #BOTM and #Aardvark picks! 🙂
Plus a few favorites that I read via ebook:
Midnight is the Darkest Hour
Big Swiss
Tell the Wolves I‘m Home
Wishing everyone lots of five star reads in 2024! 🎉
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