Tallent‘s novel about a young girl grappling with physical and sexual abuse from her father is dark, brutal, and bleak, but also lacks a deeper context and believability in the protagonist. I wanted to understand Turtle on a deeper level and the third person narration created a lot of distance and discomfort with her character. Turtle had the makings of a literary heroine, but Tallent‘s strange choices detracted from that potential. 3⭐️

Trying to finish up my May #LMPBC read while my daughter paints pottery. Sorry #GroupB!! Life has been really busy with my kids‘ birthdays, so I‘ll put this in the mail on Monday!

My four year old wanted to use some of the birthday money he got from his grandparents at Half Price Books, so he purchased books with his own money for the first time today! He loves books and said as we were walking up to the store, “I‘m going to smile so big when we go inside and see all the books!” Me too, buddy. Me. Too. 📚

How is it June already?! And my first born turns 8 tomorrow?! Life is moving so fast - thank goodness for #bookspin and the kickoff of summer reading!

King‘s first collection of short stories holds a special place in my heart. Thus far, King was purely a horror writer to me, but a few stories here really show the breadth of his imagination and writing abilities. There are plenty of delightful chills here, but The Last Rung on the Ladder” and “The Woman in the Room” are especially poignant and remind that horror can permeate everyday life without the need for things that go bump in the night. 4⭐️

Mediocre thriller with an annoying and daft protagonist. This has an interesting plot, but was executed poorly with amateur writing, ludicrous character choices, an underwhelming twist, and absurd ending. A very quick read, but I only kept going because I was on vacation and in a generous mood. I also really disliked the portrayal of the protagonist as a “crazy” postpartum woman. As some one that had PP anxiety, I found that really gross. 2⭐️

Soft pick. This novel was a mixed bag for me. I think the novel solidly portrayed mental illness, grief, and toxic family dynamics, but in other ways it fell short. Maddie has had to grow up fast with many responsibilities foisted on her, but she was also strangely juvenile in a lot of unrealistic ways for a 25 year old. Some of the side characters had more personality than her. In the end though, I was rooting for her as she found her voice. 3⭐️

I‘m on a solo trip to Astoria, OR! First stop is beer and a book at Astoria Brewing Company. 🍺 📚

This is a fact driven account of Vallow, Daybell, and the murder of Vallow‘s two young children. If you‘ve been following this case, then most of this book is probably known to you and doesn‘t offer new information. You won‘t find new insights on the psychology of cults or end times paranoia, but if you are looking for a fast-paced true crime novel to get you up to speed while Vallow and Daybell are tried, this will do the job. 3⭐️

I‘m definitely in the minority, but this was so disappointing. Three ghosts working together to bring down a serial killer sounds like a hit, but I found Ihli‘s novel to be so generic and boring. There was nothing gripping or suspenseful about this. I also found the three young woman characters barely fleshed out and almost indistinguishable from each other. Even the serial killer was basic. Even if the premise grabs, you can skip this one. 2⭐️

I‘m not sure how to feel about this one. King famously asked for this novella to fall out of publication, so it enjoys an allure as most King fans try to locate/read it. I was pulled into the story at first despite it‘s uncomfortable subject matter, but was left disappointed and confused with the ending. There are no redeeming characters or meaning. Ultimately, I think King was right to pull this story. It doesn‘t add anything to his omnibus. 2⭐️

Willingham enters the genre with more of a whimper than a bang with her debut about a woman grappling with her traumatic past and increasingly distressing present. I found Chloe to be a frustrating main character - a lot of her choices were illogical and her misuse of prescription medications was unnecessary. And I guessed a major plot point 25 pages in. Overall, underwhelming, but something to get you through a vacation or plane ride. 2.5⭐️

My #bookspin list for May! Hoping to get back on track this month. April was a bit of a slump for me.

Kingsolver‘s epic about a missionary family brought to the Congo by their evangelical patriarch is an undertaking, but well worth it. Her ability to give each of her five narrators a unique voice and perspective on colonialism showcases her talent as a writer. She also tackles the themes of freedom, faith, and feminism. A thoughtful novel with impact, this gives the reader a story and characters they‘ll think about long after the last page. 4⭐️

This was a struggle. I was intrigued by the Caribbean setting and enjoyed the depiction of life in Trinidad, but ultimately I didn‘t connect. The treatment of one of the twins is so hard to stomach, I almost DNF. I‘m glad to have learned about this part of the world (I went down a rabbit trail about India‘s history with the island), but it was a slog. Better character development would‘ve helped the author make the emotional impact she wanted. 2⭐️

V.E. Schwab kicked off a tour for the paperback release of Addie LaRue in Seattle this evening! She was absolutely amazing and I am so inspired to start writing again (something I haven‘t really done since I was a kid). if you ever have the chance to hear her speak, don‘t miss it. I‘m moving her other titles up in my TBR now! #townhallseattle #irememberyou #veschwab

Everyone knows about this haunted hotel, and likely has images of the movie seared into their brain. But, King‘s novel is superior. The tension and isolation when reading this is palpable. One feels Jack‘s sanity teetering with each weird event. Was Jack a bad man destined to destroy his family, or did the hotel prey upon a man with a weakness as it would upon any of us? Perhaps the scariest thing is knowing The Overlook could get into us too. 5⭐️

Here is my #bookspin list for April! Looking forward to this month‘s picks!!

I made great progress during this month‘s #20in4 #readathon! I started and finished “The Shining” and got further with “The Great Mortality.” I think I read about 1000 pages and very much enjoyed my weekend of morbid reading. 😀🖤

The homophobia, casual racism, and violence are hard to stomach, but I ultimately enjoyed this crime novel centered around two men seeking vigilante justice for their murdered sons. Ike and Buddy Lee are an unlikely pair, but I found myself rooting for them as the story moved forward. Buddy Lee in particular made me laugh out loud with his quips. Cosby‘s writing is superb and I‘ll read his other novels just to savor it some more. A solid 3.5⭐️

For this month‘s #20in4 #readathon, I will be trying to make progress on “The Great Mortality” and finishing “The Shining.” “TGM” is about the Black Death, so it will be a weekend of morbid reading. LOL. 🖤

My daughter had an awesome experience last week. Our school participated in an “all school read” of Shurtliff‘s “Rump,” which culminated in the author visiting the school! We read a few chapters together each night, and Josie was so into it she wrote a letter to the author and gave it to the school librarian. The librarian passed it on, and Josie got to have lunch with Ms. Shurtliff and received this signed copy of another one of her books! ⬇️

I enjoyed this sequel, and liked it just a tad more than the original. Picking up immediately from the previous book, the peculiar children embark on a journey to save one of their own. There is more action and the stakes are higher. This installment also fleshed out the world of peculiardom more by giving history and world building. The pictures continue to add depth and I was devastated by the twist at the end. Excited for the next book! 3.5⭐️

I went to my second Silent Reading Book Club tonight and represented #LMPBC! 😀

I finished three books during the #marvellousmarch readathon and have read 20/100 books so far in 2023. Looking forward to the rest of the reading month. 😀

This gripping and fast-paced thriller had me at the edge of my seat. The plot was intriguing with a fresh spin on the premise of a missing person returning after 11 years. The twist was shocking, heartbreaking, and dark. Even if the ending was a little abrupt, this is the kind of thriller I love - one that keeps you turning pages long after you should be in bed (or ending your lunch break). I will definitely be reading more from Berry! 4⭐️

It took me a little bit to get into this story, but did find it an easy and enjoyable read. The writing was average and a bit saccharine at times. Cussy Mary‘s voice was also inconsistent throughout. I am grateful to this book for bringing the WPA Pack Horse Library Project and the Blue People of Kentucky to my knowledge, but the potential for this to be a great historical novel is marred by too much sentimentality and a melodramatic ending. 3⭐️

King‘s classic tale of vampires infiltrating small town America is just as creepy as I remember. This is slow burn horror at its finest, and when things start to ramp up, you‘re stuck on the rollercoaster until it‘s time to get off. King creates just as many lovable characters as evil ones, and The Lot‘s ragtag band of heroes is no exception. A remarkable second novel with impact. I won‘t be looking out my bedroom window at night anytime soon. 4⭐️

I did something new today and went to a silent book club! The event was held at a local bar and was book ended with chatting/mingling for 30 minutes before and after an hour of silent reading. It was really nice, and something I will absolutely be doing regularly! There are several chapters around me that meet monthly, so lots of opportunities to make new bookish friends! 📚

I am in denial that it is March, but excited for this month‘s #marvellousmarch readathon! This time I‘m focusing on a mix of #bookspin backlog, #lmpbc, and two TikTok book clubs I belong to. It‘s still very much winter here in the PNW (again), so lots of cozy reading time! 😀

Another month of no bingo, but it‘s fun to try! I definitely took some liberties this month to get books on the board (I decided that Carrie Soto FOR SURE has a messy bun), so don‘t look too closely. 😂😂 Thanks @Clwojick and @TheAromaofBooks for adding more fun to my reading goals! #ispybingo

I‘m a little concerned with how fast this year is going, but I‘m always excited for the next round of #bookspin!! Here is my list for March. 📚

I met my #20in4 goals this past weekend by finishing one book and reaching 50% on my February Stephen King pick. With this, I am on track to meet my 2023 of 100 books! Thanks for the inspiration, Littens!

The premise of this was promising, but it ended up being pretty boring. The characters were unlikable, bland, made ridiculous choices, and refused to accept reality. The writing was really simplistic and repetitive. I figured out the “twist” early on and it‘s been done better by other authors. I think this tried too hard to be clever, resulting in an anticlimactic mediocre thriller. Bummed that this was my first Kubica, but I‘ll try another. 2⭐️

It‘s Steinbeck‘s birthday today! He is one of my favorite authors and I‘m really excited to read the tagged book for March‘s #authoramonth! Happy reading, everyone!

A readable coming of age story that follows best friends growing up in a New York crime family. Though I did enjoy the character development and exploration of the role of family in one‘s fate and life choices, I think I wanted it to be more gritty and action packed than it was. Not much happens for most of the novel, and then the cliff hanger ending is just too implausible. Krupitsky does get an extra star for her poetic and lyrical prose. 3⭐️

I‘ve made the goal of finishing two books for this month‘s #20in4 readathon. Finishing these will keep me on track toward my goal of reading 100 books this year. 😀

This freaked me the hell out. A haunted house story set amidst the more sinister realities of gentrification and racism, Jackson creates an immersive experience that left me ready to keep the lights on all weekend. As Mari unravels the mystery, we watch her grapple with the ghosts of her own past, as well as, her community‘s. Jackson tackles a lot of relevant topics ably, but the abrupt ending left me wanting more. Overall, a compelling read. 4⭐️

Well told recounting of the 1959 mysterious deaths of 9 Soviet hikers. I‘m pretty familiar with this case, and found Eichar‘s desire to solve the mystery to be earnest and humble. He pays homage to the hikers respectfully, even traveling to Russia to meet the group‘s lone survivor (which I didn‘t know about!) and trek the same path as the unfortunate group. I also found his theory of infrasound as an explanation to be intriguing and plausible. 4⭐️

I love Alice Feeney and I loved this book. This thriller about a couple trying to save their marriage at a remote chapel in the Scottish Highlands really packs a punch. I loved the plot devices of anniversary letters never shared, words of the year, and traditional anniversary gifts. The secrets and twists were shocking and the remote setting amped up the sense of foreboding. I love being creeped out by this woman. Keep it coming, Alice. 5⭐️

Here are my #LMPBC #GroupM choices! Tried to give us true crime, horror, and thriller options. Say Nothing might be a little too long, but I included it for kicks. Let me know what speaks to you. 😀

This isn‘t a book I would‘ve read had it not been written by TJR - I‘m not an athlete and have close to zero interest in tennis. 😂 Carrie Soto is a hard character to like, but I found myself rooting for her on and off the court. Her personal growth and realization of the freedom in letting go can resonate with anyone. Not my favorite from TJR, but still worth the read for “completionists” of her work. 3.5⭐️

Here are my choices for #LMPBC #GroupB! Let me know what sticks out to you/what you‘ve read already! 😀

I finished three books during #fabulousfebruary and made progress on my current nonfiction reads. None of these blew my socks off, but these readathons will help me get to my goal of 100 books in 2023! 😀

I have mixed feelings about this. I wouldn‘t classify it as a thriller. The twist comes too early taking the wind out of its suspense sails, and making it more of a domestic fiction novel. I was hoping for a jaw dropping twist to present itself at the end, but not much else happened. It‘s hard to say more without spoilers. 😬 I did enjoy Day‘s writing, but there were some issues with how mental illness was portrayed and some tired tropes. 3⭐️

Had I never read The Handmaid‘s Tale, this would be getting a higher rating, but Erdrich‘s try at dystopian fiction felt derivative to me. The three parts of the story are disjointed and feel like different novels that don‘t quite fit together. The world was not fleshed out, and the open ending left me underwhelmed. However, Erdrich‘s prose can‘t be ridiculed. Her writing is deeply satisfying even when the story leaves something to be desired. 3⭐️

Readathons are a great motivator for me! This time I‘m focusing on a mix of #bookspin, #authoramonth, and a “morbidly curious” non-fiction book group I belong to (plus, I still need to finish “The Facemaker”). It‘s really rainy here today in the PNW (again), and it‘s putting me in the reading mood. 😀 #fabulousfebruary

I didn‘t get a bingo, but it was really fun playing #ispybingo in January! Two of the books I read last month didn‘t really match any of the prompts, but maybe February will be more fruitful for me. Thanks @Clwojick and @TheAromaofBooks for the fun challenge!

Here is my February #bookspin list! I had a great start to my reading year (I read 8 books), so I hope to continue the momentum this month!