Im going off vibes here but before diving in to this months #AuthorAMonth (Dorothy L Sayers), I‘m thinking these two that I picked up on a whim at my local book festival two years ago might work as a fun pairing with my Sayers pick? 🤷🏻‍♀️🤞🏻

BOTM got me. I used to get their boxes years ago but stopped when I felt like books were just piling up. I‘m at a place where I‘ve conquered quite a bit of my TBR stack, gifted, or given away to local LFLs….so timing felt right to try it again. We‘ll see if it holds.

#BOTM

This has been on my TBR for so long!!

Interestingly, I‘m diving in for #WithTheBanned by getting a copy from my local library - there was a short wait because several copies were set aside for a local school assignment! Makes me hopeful that meaningful conversations are being held locally at least!

Fitting that this was my first completed read of the year, given….the state of America currently, I guess. 😵‍💫🤷🏻‍♀️😂

I loved ‘The Power‘ and I do think it was the stronger of the two novels but I‘d argue this was more accessible. This does get a bit repetitive to hammer in the point but ultimately it‘s effective. Strangely lighter than ‘The Power‘….despite being about global climate catastrophe. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Last year I had a formal book planner but it felt like a chore to fill out. This year I‘m trying something different.

I got this pretty embroidered journal on clearance from Rifle Paper Co during Black Friday — planning on jotting thoughts about each read as I finish/as I go. No minimums, just feelings and thoughts. 😍🫶🏻

#RiseUpReads

This is actually a re-read for me but I read a few years ago and recall it being chock full of great info. I‘m about a quarter in. Current stand out:

“The bullets that didn‘t hit me still change me”

The accuracy of this is so real to our current moment - esp in social media. An age of misinformation that isn‘t being solved because “engagement” is valued over truth.

Was able to fit in one more with this quick read bringing 2024‘s total to 87. Not my best, but definitely not my worst.

My goal for 2025 is to continue to challenge myself out of my comfort zone, and to keep crushing physical books on my TBR rather than going to my audiobook crutches.

What a strange novel. Admittedly it took some pushing to get through the back half. So many ideas were present — grief, depression, complicated mother/daughter dynamics, the beauty industry. I‘m not sure it fully came together for me, but it certainly offered a lot to think about!

Mona Awad loves to play with truly weird ideas. I‘m not sure what‘s going on right now but it‘s both creeping me out and making me laugh. 🤷🏻‍♀️ ♥️

I get why this author is so beloved, I just think I wasn‘t in the headspace for his type of comedic writing. I enjoyed this well enough (especially the Granny character at its center) but I personally think his style probably isn‘t for me. 🤷🏻‍♀️🧙🏻‍♀️

#AuthorAMonth

Wanted to share that my friend‘s candle company is launching a bookish set that includes three themed candles in a cute book themed package *today* !! It‘s been a labor of love for over a year and I‘m so proud of her.

Just bought a set as a Christmas gift to myself. 💖 Link in the comments if you‘re interested!

I love/hate how this novel blurs the line between sci-fi elements and real history. So much mentioned in the footnotes is factual. There‘s a Netflix doc about Cyntoia‘s case.

I‘m 3/4ths through and kind of fear the ending of this book. 🫣

Wow. 🫨

No words. I finished this audiobook on my train ride to visit my family for the holiday. This is a memoir about this young actress falling victim to a nefarious religious cult based in Idaho while on a popular CW TV show. I wasn‘t familiar with the show but that doesn‘t really matter. The crux of the story is about how easily vulnerable people can fall prey. So important for this moment.

I really enjoyed this book - blend of descriptive and well researched history of the “Y2K Era” of 1997 through 2008 in the US with personal commentary. The author is a year younger than me, so much of what she wrote rang familiar to my own formative years from middle to high school and college.

Trying to decide between these two for my long train ride home during Thanksgiving.

Opinions?

🎯

Well, gosh. Sometimes a novel can sneak right into your heart when you‘re in an emotional place, almost like the author themselves knew you needed it.

That was this book for me, a warm hug. A reminder to care about the people around you. What a gift. Another shining example of finding a new favorite author through #AuthorAMonth. 💖

Spitballing for any kindred spirits here.

Is anyone planning a book challenge based on activism, education, creating conversation? Maybe a list centered around “Banned Books”? A re-read of 1984 and/or The Hunger Games? If you know of one, point me to it. Or if you‘d like to start one with me, sound off.

I feel like we should use these emotions in a constructive way. ❤️‍🩹

You know, sometimes you see your sign.

Glimmers are important. 💙

This week has been heavy to say the absolute least.

Grateful I have books — and you all — to keep my mind off some of the frustrations I feel. Distractions and Joy are not nothing in difficult times.

Wishing everyone peace and empathy. 💙

Library run to pick up my #AuthorAMonth choice (no hold list required for once, found it on the shelves 💪🏻) and grabbed the one on the right on a whim from the New In shelf. Seems like everywhere I turn people are in a frenzy about the upcoming Wicked film(s) — there‘s even Starbucks drinks in its honor. 😂

Happy Halloween! We were the only ones who “dressed up” at work today. 😂 Not sure if I count, I only put Mouse ears on. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤪

I have a lot of complicated feelings about this novel but I think perhaps that was the author‘s intent. It felt like a fever dream.

The prose was so poetically written and was so vivid with its intense dark imagery. It would make an excellent film. Elements felt predictable but the ending truly lived up to the grim fairy tale theme in a way that felt sad and impactful.

Truthfully? This was very slow. It felt like it took ages to get to the meat of the mystery — and once it did, it was largely revealed quickly and anticlimactically. I wouldn‘t even label this as a mystery really - more like a crime novel with social commentary sprinkled about. French‘s trademark insane detail didn‘t do this favors because it just felt bogged down. Same story could have been told more succinctly. 🤷🏻‍♀️ #AuthorAMonth

Three years ago I saw this show Off-Broadway (and cried). I had always planned to see the Broadway upgrade but when I heard it‘s leaving in January, I knew I had to see it before voting this cycle. Keep Marching! The Young are at the Gates!

Went to the first ever NYC preview performance of TEETH last night. Maybe the wildest piece of theater I‘ve ever seen.

Based on the film of the same name. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

I‘ve only read one title from this author years ago but I loved it so so much. Wanted to start at the beginning of her main series for #AuthorAMonth but no copies were available at my library - so a standalone it will be.

Fast paced and definitely a quick read. I just think the scant lack of detail irritated me. I enjoyed the cast of characters, I just wish there was more world building or it was fleshed out more.

For my first Bardugo, I get why she‘s so hyped.

Power of the pomegranate.

I feel like this short story nailed the spooky feel of childhood imaginations - inventing wild nonsense to purposely scare your friends (and you in the process), but fell short in overall tone. The whole time I was unsure if it was obvious to the kids they were playing a game or not. It just felt too muddled.

What a lovely surprise to see this ARC waiting for me at NetGalley! I really enjoyed her book ‘Little Weirds‘ so I really looked forward to reading more of her whimsical brand of personal vulnerability in ‘Lifeform‘. The primary focus here is her marriage& the birth of her baby (during a global plague). In my opinion, the best way to enjoy Slate‘s written work is through audiobook, because her voice truly makes her work sing, if that makes sense.

The end pages! 🥰🫶🏻

Photo is a blurry still from a live performance I saw of JoJo almost ten years ago. After reading her memoir, I realize this performance was a week and change before her father passed away.

Her memoir was candid - especially regarding her personal life and choices. While a part of me wishes more light was shed on her career setbacks, I appreciate her candor and definitely feel like I know her better now as a human, rather than just as an artist.

The music industry is more slippery than an eel sometimes. 🫣

This short story got swallowed by how unnecessarily convoluted it was. It tried to tackle too much all at once and toppled over from the weight of it all. I don‘t recommend.

This short story blended Carrie with Halloween. A bit repetitive with pacing but the ending was sad all the same, even when it became clear where it was headed (complete with final scare coda). Poor Hannah.

TW: bullying, child death, suicide

Finished this past the deadline due to not feeling so hot but I don‘t regret pushing through. This had a slow start and elements did feel repetitive and predictable but overall, this was a heartwarming read. It was clear the author was in a place where he needed to get this down for their own personal reasons. #AuthorAMonth

I‘m home today, feeling slightly under the weather. Getting a move on my second #AuthorAMonth pick. The reference to his other work (and so far my fave after having read three titles by Klune) made me smile.

I‘d be remiss if I didn‘t also post this. Well said, indeed. #AuthorAMonth

What a delight this was.

Did it lack some climactic elements? Yes. Was it as good or better than the first? No. Was it a warm hug during a crazy time politically? You betcha.

#AuthorAMonth

Morning LOL courtesy of Lucy.

(apologies if you‘re from Florida 🤪)

#AuthorAMonth

Happy First Day of Fall! Enjoying seeing Halloween deco pop up in my neighborhood.

JoJo is one of my absolute fave musicians, I‘ve been following her career since her debut when I was in middle school. She‘s just a few years younger than me. Can‘t wait to step into this. Splurged on a signed copy from the Strand (wanted to go in person but the event sold out immediately).

Went to pick up my second Klune selection from my library and spied this on the New In shelf — I couldn‘t help myself.

I‘ve never read Bardugo before but I‘ve only heard good things. Plus it has spooky black sprayed edges! 😆🤩

In todays political climate, this feels like a warm reassuring hug to me. I get it may come off as preachy to some, but there‘s so much to be said for inclusivity, positivity, and warmth in a time of so much uncertainty.

Basically, I needed this right now. Ideal timing for #AuthorAMonth 💖

Sprayed edges! 🤩🫶🏻😍 #AuthorAMonth

I perhaps over committed myself to too many book clubs this month but despite myself, I‘m enjoying this little short story set - it feels vaguely Brothers Grimm with a moral left to your own implications.

Stopped in to my local bookstore to pick up TJ Klune‘s latest for #AuthorAMonth 🌊💙 but their mug selection always tempts me.

Where to begin? This book felt like a car crash in motion. You felt it the entire time. The central character is infuriating, willfully destructive, sometimes pathetic, sometimes woefully misogynist/ageist. She‘s always on the verge of seeing her behavior for what it is, blinks, and continues doing it. But isn‘t that life for some people?

Frustrating? Yes. Thought-Provoking? If you can stomach it, yes. The Litsy rating makes sense. 🤷🏻‍♀️😅😤