5 Stars • "You Killed Me First" by John Marrs is a psychological thriller about three women—Margot, Anna, and Liv—whose lives collide in a suburban neighborhood. Starting with a woman waking up bound in a burning bonfire on Guy Fawkes Night, the story rewinds eleven months to reveal their secrets and escalating conflicts. What begins as a shaky friendship unravels into blackmail, attempted murder, and a deadly climax.

Seriously.

3 Stars • Zachary Ezra Rawlins, a graduate student, finds a mysterious book containing a story from his childhood, leading him to the Starless Sea—a magical underground library of stories. With allies like Dorian and Mirabel, he explores this labyrinthine realm, uncovering nested tales of pirates and bees, and facing threats to its existence. As he navigates love, fate, and storytelling, ⬇️

3.5 Stars • In The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry, set in 1980s Smiths Hollow, teenage Lauren grapples with her dad‘s unsolved murder while the town ignores the gruesome deaths of two girls. As her friend Miranda drifts away, Lauren‘s visions of a monster reveal a dark secret: a witch‘s curse demands sacrifices for the town‘s prosperity. With a curious new cop in town, Lauren must face the evil herself in this eerie, bloody coming-of-age story.

3.5 Stars • "The House of Cross" (Alex Cross #33) by James Patterson follows FBI contractor Alex Cross as he investigates a serial killer targeting Supreme Court candidates amid a president-elect‘s inauguration. When his wife Bree and partner John Sampson vanish while pursuing the murderer, known as "M" or "Maestro," Cross must unravel a conspiracy threatening the judicial system, rescue his loved ones, and survive a deadly trap. ⬇️

5 Stars • "Do Not Disturb" by Freida McFadden is a tense thriller about Quinn Alexander, who, after killing her abusive husband, seeks refuge at the creepy Baxter Motel during a snowstorm. Run by the suspicious Nick Baxter, the motel harbors dark secrets and odd characters, like a fortune teller. As Quinn unravels the truth, twists reveal a dangerous web, culminating in a shocking finale.

#DoNotDisturb #FreidaMcFadden #Bookish

Read in February 2025...
18 Books
Three 5-Star reads this month:
• The Push
• The Overnight Guest
• The Collected Regrets of Clover

#Goodreads #Bookstagram #OUABC #Litsy #Libby #Everand #Audible #Kindle #Bookish

5 Stars • The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer is about Clover Brooks, a death doula in NYC who helps dying people while collecting their regrets. Her work with an elderly woman named Claudia forces her to face her own isolated life, past losses, and fears, leading her to new relationships and a chance to embrace living fully.

#Bookish #TheCollectedRegretsOfClover #MikkiBrammer

3.5 Stars • "The Sequel" by Jean Hanff Korelitz follows Anna Williams-Bonner, a widow enjoying her late husband‘s success as a novelist. When she writes her own hit book, "The Afterword," someone starts sending her threatening messages hinting at a dark past involving her brother and husband. Anna fights to protect her new life in this suspenseful, satirical take on publishing.

#TheSequel #TheBookSeries #JeanHanffKorelitz #Bookish

3.5 Stars • Frank O'Hara's "Selected Poems" is all about capturing life's moments as they happen, especially in New York City. His poems are like personal chats or diary entries, mixing everyday life with art and culture. He writes about things like having lunch or hearing about Billie Holiday's death, making everyday stuff seem poetic. ⬇️

4 Stars • "The Change" by Kirsten Miller follows three women in their late forties—Nessa, Harriett, and Jo—who gain unique powers in midlife. In Mattauk, Long Island, they unite to solve a teenage girl‘s murder, ignored by police, uncovering a dark network of privilege. Part mystery, part fantasy, it‘s a fierce tale of justice and empowerment.

#TheChange #KirstenMiller #Bookish

4 Stars • In "The Hidden Child," Erica Falck finds a Nazi medal among her mother's things, sparking an investigation into her family's past. This leads to the murder of a retired teacher, intertwining with Detective Patrik Hedström's case. The story alternates between WWII and the present, revealing secrets of espionage, romance, and murder linked to Nazi activities in Sweden

3 Stars • "Good Energy" by Casey and Calley Means argues that metabolic health is key to preventing and reversing diseases. They link modern lifestyle issues to metabolic problems and offer a practical four-week plan to optimize health through diet, sleep, exercise, and stress management. It's a blend of science and actionable advice for better health.

#GoodEnergy #CaseyMeans #CalleyMeans #Bookish

4 Stars • In "The Twist of a Knife," Anthony Horowitz is struggling with his latest novel when he's drawn into the premiere of his own play, which ends in disaster. When a renowned drama critic, Harriet Throsby, is murdered shortly after publishing a scathing review of the play. Detective Daniel Hawthorne, with Horowitz as his reluctant chronicler, dives into the investigation. ⬇️

4 Stars • "None of This Is True" by Lisa Jewell is a psychological thriller where podcaster Alix Summer becomes entangled with the mysterious Josie Fair. Josie convinces Alix to feature her dark, possibly fabricated life story in a podcast. As Alix investigates, she uncovers disturbing secrets, leading to manipulation and murder, with the truth becoming increasingly elusive.

#Bookish #NoneOfThisIsTrue #LisaJewell

4 Stars • "The Mothers and Daughters of the Bible Speak" by Shannon Bream explores faith lessons from nine Biblical families, focusing on the women. It's aimed at readers seeking spiritual guidance through historical female perspectives in the Bible.

#Bookish #ReadHappy #TheMothersAndDaughtersOfTheBibleSpeak #ShannonBream

3 Stars • The Night Olivia Fell centers around Olivia, who is found at the bottom of a ravine, critically injured with no memory of how she got there. Her mother, Abi, is desperate to learn the truth behind the accident that leaves Olivia on life support until her baby can be born. Abi had no idea that Olivia was even pregnant and wholeheartedly believes that this was not an accident ... will she be able to uncover suspected foul play?

3 Stars • "Flora Macdonald: The Most Loyal Rebel" by Hugh Douglas is a biography that delves into the life of Flora Macdonald, known for aiding Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape post-Culloden in 1746. It provides background on the Jacobite Rising and its aftermath, emphasizing Macdonald's role in Scottish history. While famous for helping Charles Edward Stuart, ⬇️

4 Stars • Yet another fantastic thriller by McFadden. "The Crash" by Freida McFadden is about Tegan, who's pregnant and trying to escape her problems by driving to her brother's. She crashes in a snowstorm in Maine and gets rescued by a couple. But things get creepy; she suspects they're not good people, leading to a tense, twisty tale of survival and suspicion.

#Bookish #ReadHappy #TheCrash #FreidaMcFadden

Perfect read for Valentine‘s Day ?

4.5 Stars • "Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love" by Marianne Cronin tells the story of Eddie Winston, a 90-year-old man who has never been kissed. Eddie, described as a true gentleman and incurable romantic, volunteers at a charity shop in Birmingham, where he sorts through donations, preserving items of sentimental value. ⬇️

4 Stars • In "Jordan Peterson 100 Inspirational Quotes of Wisdom," you'll embark on a transformative journey guided by the profound wisdom and insights of renowned psychologist and bestselling author, Jordan Peterson. This thought-provoking ebook compiles 100 powerful quotes that encapsulate Peterson's teachings on personal growth, responsibility, meaning, and resilience.

5 Stars • I don‘t know why people often overlook this author. But, I think her books are amazing. I‘m fairly sure this one will give me nightmares.

The Overnight Guest dives into three interconnected stories: ⬇️

5 Stars • "The Push" by Ashley Audrain is a mind-bending thriller about a mom, Blythe, who's not quite clicking with her daughter, Violet. She starts to think there's something off about Violet, especially after her infant son Sam is killed in a freak accident. It's all about the dark side of motherhood, inherited pain, and whether what we see is real or just in our heads.

#Bookish #ThePush #AshleyAudrain

#WeekendReads.
@rachelsbrittain

3 Stars • "True Places" by Sonja Yoerg centers on Suzanne Blakemore, whose teenage daughter, Brynn, has run away from home. This event triggers a deep introspection for Suzanne, leading her to set out on the Appalachian Trail, a trail Brynn was known to love, in an effort to find her. The narrative alternates between Suzanne's journey and flashbacks to her life, revealing the complex dynamics within her family.

#TruePlaces #SonjaYoerg #Bookish

Read in January 2025...
16 Books
Three 5-Star reads this month:
• Prophet Song
• Hell Bent (Alex Stern 2)
• The Little Liar

#Goodreads #Bookstagram #OUABC #Litsy #Libby #Everand #Audible #Kindle #Bookish

4.5 Stars • "False Witness" by Karin Slaughter is a gripping thriller that explores the story around sisters Leigh and Callie, who share a dark secret from their childhood. Leigh has become a successful lawyer, while Callie has struggled with addiction and various personal issues. The plot thickens when a long-buried crime resurfaces, threatening to destroy the life Leigh has built.

5 Stars • Dystopian, Political, Speculative Fiction, Ireland ??

"Prophet Song" by Paul Lynch is a dystopian novel set in a near-future Ireland turning totalitarian. It follows Eilish Stack as her life unravels with her husband's arrest. Themes include authoritarianism and family. Lynch's intense style won the 2023 Booker Prize.

#ProphetSong #PaulLynch #Bookish

4 Stars • A must have for all avid Austen fans -- This book takes all the best quotes from Jane Austen's works and letters to her sister, Cassandra, and puts them together in one small volume. Subjects include love, life, how people act, and her thoughts on books.

#JaneAustensLittleBookOfWisdom #JaneAusten #AndreaKirkAssaf #Bookish

4 Stars • England in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years and marry Anne Boleyn. The pope and most of Europe opposes him. Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell: a wholly original man, a charmer and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people, and implacable in his ambition. ⬇️

4 Stars • Translated from the Hebrew by Stuart Schoffman • "The Tunnel" by A.B. Yehoshua is about Zvi Luria, a retired engineer, obsessed with an unfinished tunnel in Jerusalem. It explores themes of dementia, identity, and the connection between personal and national history in modern Israel.

#TheTunnel #ABYehoshua #StuartSchoffman #Bookish

Two books I‘ve been putting off reading merely because of their size … thinking of starting one today

5 Stars • Fantasy, Mystery, Dark Academia • "Hell Bent" by Leigh Bardugo is the second book in the Alex Stern series (also known as Ninth House). The story continues with Galaxy "Alex" Stern, who is now more deeply entangled in the occult underworld of Yale University. After the events of the first book, "Ninth House," Alex and her mentor Darlington must navigate dangerous magical societies to save Darlington's soul from Hell.

3.5 Stars • "Reasons to Stay Alive" by Matt Haig is well-written and is both a memoir and self-help book detailing Haig's experience with depression and anxiety. It offers advice on managing mental health, emphasizing recovery and small victories. It‘s relatable and focuses on helping reduce the stigma around mental health.

#ReasonsToStayAlive #MattHaig #Bookish

4 Stars • "Sign Here" by Claudia Lux is a novel that blends dark humor with elements of the supernatural. The story revolves around Peyote Trip, a character working in Hell's bureaucracy. Her job involves managing the intake of souls in a highly bureaucratic afterlife system. The plot thickens as she navigates through the complexities of her job and a peculiar case that could potentially change her eternity. ⬇️

#OUABC Once Upon a Book Club December 2024 Monthly Box (Chasing Waves and Waterfalls)

4 Stars • "The Maui Effect" by Sara Ackerman is a romance novel where 'Iwa, a biologist, fights to save Maui's forest from becoming an eco-resort. She's drawn to surfer Dane, challenging her no-surfers-dating rule. Themes include environmentalism, surfing culture, and love against Hawaii's backdrop.

#Bookish #TheMauiEffect #SaraAckerman

3.5 Stars • In this fifth installment in the series, Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, deal with another murder mystery when a dead body is discovered in the backyard of their elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, the nosy president of the neighborhood watch. Mrs. Haggerty, initially a suspect, is cleared by the police but her house becomes an active crime scene, leading her to stay at Finlay's house across the street. ⬇️

3.5 Stars • "If This Book Exists, You're in the Wrong Universe" is the fourth installment in Jason Pargin's "John Dies at the End" series. This novel continues the adventures of Dave, John, and Amy in the city of "Undisclosed," where they confront various supernatural phenomena including interdimensional parasites, paranormal cults, and a possessed toy. ⬇️

5 Stars • "The Little Liar" by Mitch Albom is a novel that explores themes of truth, deception, and the consequences of lies. The story revolves around a young boy named Nico who, during World War II, is manipulated by the Nazis to spread false information. His ability to lie convincingly leads to tragic outcomes, affecting his life and those around him long after the war. ⬇️

3.5 Stars • "The Reaping" by Jess Lourey is the second in the Steinbeck and Reed series. It follows forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck and BCA agent Van Reed as they investigate a chilling cold case in Alku, Minnesota, involving the murder of a family in 1998 and recent child disappearances. The setting adds a spooky backdrop to the thriller, though reviews are mixed on pacing and plot engagement.

#MMDBookClub 2023 Fall Book Preview

3.5 Stars • "The Last Devil to Die" is the fourth in Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club series. It involves the club solving a murder linked to drug smuggling, set in their retirement village. It explores aging and dementia, with the usual mix of humor, warmth, and mystery.

4 Stars • "Before We Forget Kindness" by Toshikazu Kawaguchi is the fifth book in the "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" series. It features a mysterious café in Tokyo called Funiculi Funicula where customers can travel back in time under strict conditions. Focusing on themes of regret, forgiveness, and human connection the narrative follows four new characters:
⬇️

4 Stars • "Truths: The Future of America First" by Vivek Ramaswamy is a book where the author, a former presidential candidate, outlines his vision for the conservative movement. It critiques the modern Republican Party for failing to articulate a clear alternative to progressive policies and emphasizes bringing the nation together through principles like country over politics, merit over grievance, and truth over lies. ⬇️

Read in December 2024...
17 Books
Five 5-Star reads this month:
• The Life Impossible
• James
• Illuminations: A Novel of Hildegard von Bingen
• One
• The Echo Chamber

How I‘m spending New Year‘s Eve. Happy 2025, y‘all.

5 Stars • "The Life Impossible" is a novel by Matt Haig, released in 2024. It follows Grace Winters, a retired math teacher, who inherits a house in Ibiza from a long-lost friend and embarks on a journey of discovery, dealing with themes of grief, new beginnings, and the interplay between magic and reality. ⬇️

3.5 Stars • The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent is a psychological suspense novel about two sisters, Wren and Sage, who were raised in isolation in upstate New York. Their secluded life is upended when their mother leaves with their sick younger sister and doesn't return, leading to a series of mysterious and chilling events as they confront the secrets of their upbringing. ⬇️