This one was very dark and will stick with me for a long time. This bleak look at what is left of humanity also offers a look at the importance of love. Add in the fact that this story is based around a cult, which made it a book I knew I would sink into. Bazterrica explores feminism, power, and morality in only the way she can, and this book feels highly fitting in the times we are currently in.

I love Riley Sager's books because their twists are some of the best in the thriller genre, and this one delivers. It is a mystery wrapped in the summer camp trope, with a final girl play on top of it all. Told through both the present day and Emma's perspective 15 years ago, Sager creates an atmospheric whodunnit that will keep the reader guessing until the very last page.

When I first moved here about 4 years ago, I knew nothing about this city and its extraordinary history. This photography and commentary in this book was in depth and really brought to life the importance of motels and the artistry of their gorgeous neon signs. This walk through the past will appeal to people that have never visited this city before as well as people who have been coming here for decades.

We all know Bill Gates as the man behind Microsoft, a technology leader who uses his billions of dollars and influence to address needs worldwide. But how did he get there, where did he get his foundation, and who helped him along the way?

Ooooh, I love a good locked-room mystery, and this one delivers in a new way. This time, the mystery writers are smack dab in the middle of a murder mystery! Author Ande Pliego uses many of our favorite tropes to turn the story onto the storytellers. This twisty, fun read utilizes the unreliable narrator to create a unique whodunit. You Are Fatally Invited is an invitation you don't want to turn down.

I had no idea this was a modern retelling of Wuthering Heights (one of my all time fav classics!) until I read other reviews about it. No wonder I loved it so much. For those who remember the classic ice skating rivalries, this modern twist on star-crossed lovers is a page turner, filled with scandalous tidbits, and is extremely entertaining. I loved all the backstabbing, sniping, and love triangles.

This is not your typical horror novel. This one creeps up on you. Filled with secrets, magical realism, and gothic terror, this novel captures the monstrous side of humanity and will leave you reeling towards the end of this story. This one will haunt me for quite some time.

Jeremy Renner takes us through his near-fatal accident in Reno, NV. On January 1, 2023, he was crushed by a 14000-pound snow plow as he saved his nephew from it, nearly dying at his mountain home. From emergency services getting there in the nick of time to his long ordeal as doctors and nurses battled to save his life and help him recover, Renner takes us through the physical scars and the psychological effects of surviving that much trauma.

You've got some of the best tropes: single dad, forced proximity, slow burn, grumpy/sunshine, and found family. I enjoyed Iris and Archer's love story, especially when you add Olive. Sometimes, including a child in a romance can be a little cumbersome, but Laurie Gilmore did a great job with Olive. The characters we love from the previous books all make guest appearances, but I liked that the main characters of this book were new to the reader.

This was a helluva good horror novel. What I like about horror, is that it asks the reader where the fear is coming from. And in this novel, the horror comes not only from the paranormal, but from the COVID virus and the racist attacks on the Asian community that happened because of the virus. I loved how the author took that reality at the time and mixed it with the Hungry Ghosts legends from China. The best horror has a message.

This was such a fun rom-com. It ticked all the boxes for me: romantic setting, friends to lovers, one bed, and a love triangle, all wrapped in a coming-of-age story. I also loved the psychic aspect, which gave this book a bit of a magical feel. Teller was such a cinnamon roll of a character, and I loved his interactions with Lo. This is a fade-to-black romance, making it even sweeter for me.

The Gift of Animals is a beautiful book of poetry celebrating our love of animals, great and small. The gifted poets who contributed to this collection take us through the different emotions that animals inspire in us: praise, companionship, fear, and lament, to name a few. This collection brought back memories of some of my pets, but also brought up recollections of animals I have experienced in the wild and the wonderful world of the oceans.

This is the perfect book for fans of thrillers and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although it is set in modern times, the atmosphere evokes the time of Gatsby. Author Sash Bischoff creates a lush, dark, and twisty tale with plenty of nods to F. Scott Fitzgerald while retaining dark psychological suspense.

As we watch the US government actively try to isolate and discriminate against the queer community, this was the book I needed to bring me joy and encourage me to continue fighting for them as an ally. Readers will recognize the same battles that are being actively fought against close-minded, bigoted people every day. You will laugh, cry, cheer, and find the strength to continue fighting for equality for all. Love is love!

This multi-generational story takes on many subjects, including the plight of Palestinians, the patriarchy, arranged marriages, feminism, and generational trauma, while remaining immensely readable, relatable, and even quite funny at times. I loved Arabella as she fought for what she wanted and what she believed in, and her strength was the driving force of this novel.

Kim Coleman Foote describes this as a biomythography because she draws from family history and in-depth research to place the reader into these family stories. This is a story about family and relationships, and I felt like I got to know all of the characters as they move through life, struggling to make it day to day. But I think what I will take away most from this novel is that the strength of women is like no other.

Sum 41's music is the soundtrack for many music fan's lives, thanks to the songs written by Deryck. I found this to be a fascinating look at the music business, not just from making musicians stars, but how predatorial these labels and managers can be. Deryck shines the light on both the good and bad parts of fame and success and does not shy away from how the scourge of addiction nearly took his life.

This was the perfect book for right now. Oddly enough, the story of an alien helped me find the strength to get through each day. This story is emotional, funny, heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. I felt the sincerity of this story on each page, once again proving that Matt Haig has a talent for writing that very few have. This story will resonate with readers as we struggle as a planet to survive the pain and suffering all around.

I loved this duology. Its fabulous mix of historical fiction, feminism, science, and romance made for an entertaining and powerful series. Hazel is a memorable and strong central female character, and I enjoyed the love story in both books. That being said, the romance is light, and the series focuses on how driven and intelligent Hazel is, making this the perfect series to encourage young women to pursue their dreams.

This is a beautifully written gothic novel. Ava Reid can create an atmospheric and immersive world, allowing the reader to sink into this story. I loved Preston and Effy's rivalry and how their relationship grew throughout the story. Magical with a dark academic vibe, this book is suitable for fantasy lovers with a touch of mystery and romance.

As many places worldwide are starting to understand and learn about what happened to indigenous culture at the schools, this book could not be more timely. Readers will understand the betrayal and abuse that native people everywhere were forced into to "fit in" to white society. These paths to what many sickeningly called "assimilation" are full of sin, racism, scars, and often death for children who had no control over where they went to school.

What a powerful book about grief in all its different forms, and the fact that it is a debut novel makes it even more incredible. I was completely wrapped up in this story and all the ins and outs of it. The characters are relatable and feel like people you would know in your own life. Kristin Koval's writing allows the reader to understand not only our interconnectedness with each other but also the effects that tragedy can have on those bonds.

Jane and Elijah found love when they were young, not just for each other, but for music. Her music and lyrics and his voice propelled them to fame as The Lightning Bottles. From the Seattle grunge scene to worldwide stardom, Jane and Elijah lose themselves to a world of fame, fortune, and, ultimately, addiction. When Elijah mysteriously disappears, the world is shocked, and Jane is blamed by their fans when he is presumed dead.

This is a lush and seductive book. This rich gothic novel immerses readers in Italy, the art world, and culinary pleasure. Crystal King's descriptions and narrative, mixed with the authentic creations of Dali and the actual Garden of Monsters, will make you want to visit Italy, an art museum, or both! The myth of Hades and Persephone is especially poignant in this story, and it left me craving pomegranate (if you know, you know).

Akeem and his father (the author) live on a farm and keep bees. From the arrival of a new hive by mail through harvesting the honey, young readers (and adults alike) discover new things they didn't know about our buzzy friends. Vibrant and beautiful illustrations make it engaging on a visual level. I love how author Kamal E. Bell advocates for Black farmers and teaches young Black people about the importance of farming to our society.

I just realized that I have finally surpassed 100k in Litfluence! As someone who joined this app in its early days, I can honestly this is my favorite community. Thank you all for your friendship, book recs and for being a safe space for all readers. Litsy is truly the best.

I received the best book mail today! A selection of trivia books and a coloring book to boot! I love trivia so these should be a lot of fun.

As the world feels scarier and scarier each day, I decided to find something to read that would be comforting and uplifting, and The Wild Robot was that book. For middle-grade readers (but frankly, anyone should be reading this), Peter Brown gives us a found family that will warm your heart and make you believe in unconditional love. I think it would be great for a family to read and talk about together. All the stars!!

From her role in the "Pitch Perfect" franchise to her journey towards physical and mental wellness, she puts a smile on faces with everything she does. But her path to the star we know today came with many twists and turns. Wilson opens up her life to readers as she chronicles her life. I appreciated her frank discussion of her health and fertility issues, something that many people can relate to as they struggle with those same things.

So often, especially in YA literature, you see main characters reflect the "chosen one" trope, highlighting extraordinary characters changing the world. Riggs creates a different feel with Leopold, who can be the hero just because of who he is. It reminded me that believing in yourself is its own magic.

On this National Day of Mourning, I want to dedicate my post to my hero, Jimmy Carter. Jimmy Carter was someone that lived his life serving the world, knowing he didn‘t need a title to do good. His faith and works speaks volumes about the man he was, and his marriage to Rosalyn was one for the ages.

I‘ve been collecting his books, all signed, for years now, and they mean so much to me. Thank you President Carter for your service.

This collection of 13 short stories is an exploration of horror and the paranormal. Dean brings fresh ideas to scare her readers, allowing them to reconsider the concept of fear. Dean does a great job building that feeling you get when you read horror - a combination of anxiety, fear, isolation, and terror. The atmosphere of each story creates a fantastic backdrop for the characters, allowing the unbelievable and unknown to take center stage.

Described as a horror novel, I think it is fair to say that Victor Lavalle defies genre with this book. It‘s western, gothic, horror, historical fiction and social commentary all wrapped into one work of art. Good horror asks “Is the monster the one you cannot see, or the one standing right in front of you?” and Lavalle pulls the reader in as his characters grapple with this question.

If you have read Kira Jane Buxton‘s books,you know she is a master of creating unforgettable characters with humor and feeling. This town is a "found family" like no other; you will fall in love with every villager, human and animal alike. Add in the beautiful setting and the food galore; readers will feel like they are a part of every delightful scene. Books like this, which strike every sense, are such a joy to sink into.

The drama, the talent, and the music still have an impact today. Rumors wasn't just an album, it was a once in a generation piece of art. Christine McVie and Fleetwood Mac created music inspired by their joys and pain, creating a pantheon of hits over the decades. Very few groups manage this kind of longevity, and Christine was the one who kept it all together. Can you imagine a world without songs like "Don't Stop" or "You Make Loving Fun"?

And what a year it was!!!

Poet Maria Zoccola takes the character of Helen of Troy and reimagines her in Sparta, TN, as a housewife in the 90s. Helen's life is not what she imagines it would be, as her day-to-day responsibilities as a woman in the South begin to force her to push back against these expectations. By setting this in a small town, Zoccola can take familiar settings like a Chuck E. Cheese or a Piggly Wiggly and keep this epic tale rooted in reality.

Shock Induction is such a Chuck Palahniuk novel, and if you have read him before, then you know what I mean. What a fever dream of a novel! Filled with his signature dark humor and writing style that makes the reader feel as if they are in the head of his characters, Palahniuk brings you into the insanity of this dystopian world he has created. It's a WTF book, with weird, cutting and trippy prose, and let me just leave it at this...avocado.

Matt Haig has such a way with a story, and this one is remarkable. As an author, he can mix emotion with magical realism and present the reader with a tale that strikes a chord every time. He deftly takes issues like aging, grief, guilt, the environment, family, and relationships and creates a story that readers will relate to in a deeply poignant way. Matt Haig's books have a way of hitting close to home no matter what stage of my life.

The holidays have legends from all around the world, and many of them are pretty terrifying! Enter the "Scary Book of Christmas Lore", a history of Christmas-time tales from around the world. From the well known Krampus and Yule Cat to lesser known tales from Japan and South Africa, this comprehensive volume shows us how many of these tales have developed over time and space. It's a fun holiday read for sure!

This rom-com was a lot of fun! Sophie and Joe make for a cute couple. Lindsey Kelk proves once again that she can take romance tropes like enemies to lovers and one bed and create a fresh romance like this. There are tons of nods to popular romance authors and books, and I also loved the secret identity aspect. Joe and Sophie got steamy, and I loved the HEA.

This is a brilliant masterpiece. Powers expertly weaves culture, class, technology and nature together to allow the reader to understand the impact we all have. His diverse characters reflects different viewpoints, especially poignant to issues we are facing and having to deal with. Powers has a magical way of writing that few authors can achieve, making Playground one of his crowning achievements.

As someone who has read all of Hillary Rodham Clinton's non-fiction books, I knew I had to pick this one up. What a thrill ride! State of Terror is the story of a newly appointed Secretary of State who is thrown into a massive worldwide terrorist plot. Clinton's own tenure as Secretary of State gives the story a realness that only someone on the inside would have experienced and Penny's sharp plot keeps the pages turning.

Laurie Gilmore continues to bring us cozy (and spicy) romance set in a small town, and many of us desperately want to be a real place. You've got all the good tropes: grumpy/sunshine, one bed, and a holiday atmosphere that inspires a steamy romance. I cannot wait to read the next one in this series!!

Gallery Books sent me a copy of this; honestly, I had never seen Matt Rife perform. So before I even cracked the spine on this, I watched his specials and watched his YouTube channel. His crowd work blew me away; it was some of the best I have ever seen and is genuinely funny and entertaining. His quick wit, rapport, and ability to relate to his fans are second to none. He also says things that many find controversial and offensive.

What a fun dark comedy this was! Not only are you along for the ride with David and Stacey, but I loved how this crazy situation goes completely off the rails into the writing of his next big novel. Art for art's sake, am I right? Loved the twist in this book and I cannot tell you too much more without giving it away. Highly entertaining, introspective and a total roller coaster ride!

The Puzzle Box is a fast-paced thriller with interesting characters and a twisty, fun plot. As I enjoyed the first book in this series, I knew I would be pulled into this story. I love how Trussoni mixes legends, cultures, and modern technology to create believable adventures that are true page-turners. Mike Brink is such a unique character, and his ability to solve everything thrown at him will keep readers invested in his unique solutions.

When you have held the most powerful job in the world, President of the United States, what do you do when you no longer have that weight on your shoulders but still want to do good in the world? Former President Clinton takes us along on this journey in his new book "Citizen: My Life After the White House." After two terms in office, President Clinton was only in his 50s and had a vision of what he still felt called to do.

Selected by Oprah for her Book Club, this book has also been honored by The Booker Prize, The Orwell Prize, and The New York Times. This novella packs power in its exploration of the Magdalene Laundries of Ireland, open until 1996. As you read this, your understanding of the small things we do for others is the only reason for living. Keegan is a voice for these young women who were victims of misogyny and the corruption of the Catholic Church.

With the continued success of the musical and the triumphant movie based on this book, I decided it was time to venture into this book. If you are living under a rock, Gregory Maguire's book delves into the life of Elphaba, otherwise known as The Wicked Witch of the West. His vision of Oz and the characters we all know and love is filled with heart, emotion, and societal and morality questions. What are good and evil, and who defines them?