There were some flaws with this book, but it wasn't a terrible read. I did appreciate learning about Oneg Shabbat, which was a group of people that tried to document Jewish people's lives in the Warsaw ghetto during WWII. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/11/24/we-must-not-think-of-ourselves-book-review/

So glad I took a break from contemporary reads to pick up this classic! When a spooky carnival comes to town, two 13-year-old friends must fight to save themselves in a true tale of good vs. evil. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/11/18/something-wicked-this-way-comes-book-review/

This espionage thriller was missing the thrills for me. Action didn't pick up until 87 percent in, and the ending had way too many loose ends. ⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/11/09/the-helsinki-affair-book-review/

Wish I was taught more in my own education about what occurred when schools were ordered to desegregate, but this book was so educational and eye-opening.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/11/05/a-most-tolerant-little-town-book-review/

Was such a fan of “The Power,“ so I was excited to give this a read. It did not disappoint! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/11/02/the-future-book-review/

This was obviously going to be a must-read for me: short stories, Jordan Peele, African American writers, and horror. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/10/29/out-there-screaming-book-review/

Ward is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. This novel, about a young enslaved woman who connects with the supernatural, is both heartbreaking and powerful. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/10/19/let-us-descend-book-review/

This memoir was powerful but did remind me a lot of “Educated.“ Sinclair is a poet, and it shows in her lyrical work, but this definitely could have benefitted from stronger editing. #arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/09/21/how-to-say-babylon-book-review/

Loved the character development in this book and the plot itself was remarkable. I was just a little turned off by the slow pacing. #arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/09/16/the-museum-of-failures-book-review/

So excited to read this! And getting #bookmail is always fun! 😊

Thanks for the #arc, @simonbooks

Used to love his writing (as disturbing as it is), but this one just ended up being pretty boring to me. He still has his signature shock factor, but I needed more of a plot. #arc

⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/09/02/not-forever-but-for-now-book-review/

So excited to get this #bookmail today! Was obsessed with The Power so feeling pumped to read this.

My favorite time of the month! Excited to check out this one. ☺️

I guessed a few of the twists in this one, but it was still a fun thriller that kept me interested. Also, the plot made me rethink ever leaving a one-star book review ever again!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Why does seeing the confetti make me so happy when I ship my BOTM box?? (Plus, I love that it was hearts for this title!) ❤️❤️❤️

I completely fell in love with this book and these characters. Was so sad when it ended and I had to leave them behind!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2023/03/21/hello-beautiful-book-review/

Just started selling books on the Pango app. Everything is getting so expensive and I thought this might be a way to make a couple extra bucks. Anyone have any tips for actually selling??

Love when my birthday month arrives - nothing more exciting than free books!!! 😄
#botm

A new record for me! 😊 Can‘t wait to see what my TBR holds for 2023.

I would definitely recommend this collection to anyone who loves magical realism (especially when it strays to the dark side). But beware: there are some major trigger warnings – especially if you‘re squeamish around blood or gore.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2022/12/06/cursed-bunny-book-review/

This was perfection. Cried at least three times and have completely fallen in love with this book! Tahir has such a great grasp on the impacts of trauma and her storytelling is impeccable. Can't wait to see what she writes next.

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This was gonna be a four-star read until...I read the ending. Hated it with a passion!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Here's my full review: https://erinkonrad.com/2022/11/19/i-am-the-light-of-this-world-book-review/

This fantasy/magical realism YA novel completely has my ❤️. Can‘t wait to read more titles from this writer!

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Full review on Goodreads

Thought this book was absolutely fascinating! Maybe not everyone's cup of tea but it had a huge impact on me (as good books should!). ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2022/08/23/all-the-living-and-the-dead-book-review/

Serotonin boost activated! ✨✨✨

I remember reading “Go Ask Alice“ back in the day - the story behind it is super crazy! This was a definite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me! #arc

Full review: https://erinkonrad.com/2022/08/08/unmask-alice-book-review/

Absolutely stunned this was written by a teenager - such brilliance! So glad Oprah picked this for her book club so it might get a little more attention.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review on Goodreads

Definitely not for people who feel squeamish when reading about violence or forensics, but true-crime fans will enjoy trying to solve the case on their own. #arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2022/04/30/trailed-book-review/

I think I may have found a new favorite book! ❤ A 5 ⭐read for sure!

Here's a link to my full review: https://erinkonrad.com/2022/04/10/lessons-in-chemistry-book-review/

This true-crime story was absolutely riveting! I'm worried it's going to fly under the radar because I haven't heard too much buzz about it, but it was sooo good! #arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2022/03/29/the-other-dr-gilmer-book-review/

This was such an interesting premise - having writers compose a letter to a stranger who impacted their life in some way. However, the collection felt bogged down about halfway through with stories that were too similar. Perhaps a shorter compilation would have been better. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐.5 #arc

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2022/03/26/letter-to-a-stranger-book-review/

This collection made me remember why I love the short story genre so much! ❤ So many amazing writers gathered in one place!
#arc ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐.5

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2022/03/19/small-odysseys-book-review/

Such an important read about how racism negatively affects ALL Americans. Wish this would be required reading for students and politicians alike! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review on Goodreads

The only thing better than #botm is when it‘s your birthday month and you get a book for free! Yay!!! 🎉🎉🎉

Still stunned by how good this one was! It actually made me cry several times - a true sign of a good writer in my opinion. Such an interesting commentary on the pressure to be a perfect mother. Can‘t wait for people to read this one! #arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review at ErinKonrad.com

I‘m completely stumped by the low Goodreads score. I was utterly captivated and drawn to the story and couldn‘t wait to see how it would all end. An interesting perspective for someone in eating disorder recovery. I‘d highly recommend even though it looks like not everyone would! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

So happy I surpassed my goal! ☺️

Don‘t really get all the negative reviews for this one…thought it was a pretty solid read. Well-paced novel about a “farm” where surrogates for the uber-rich are monitored. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was absolutely fascinating and infuriating at the same time. Anyone interested in the opioid epidemic should read this. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This YA novel was a definite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. Loved the diverse, authentic characters. Need this to be a TV series now!

Obsessed with this new bookstore in Montrose, CA. They sell books and plants! Heaven!

An incredible prequel to “Lilac Girls” set during WWI. Love that some of these characters were based on real people and the historical details make you feel transported back in time. Just love this author! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was too much of a slow-burn for me...not really enough action in the plot. And the characters' decisions are kind of maddening! Loved the Ghana setting though. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2021/08/14/his-only-wife-book-review/

A fast-paced thriller with a fantastic unreliable narrator. Love a good tale of obsession! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review on Goodreads

I thought I'd love this combination of history and true crime, but the story structure just didn't work for me at all. Have seen other good reviews of this, so maybe it was just me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2021/07/17/the-case-of-the-murderous-dr-cream-book-review...

A fun YA short story anthology with inclusive, diverse characters that all get into some kind of mischief during the night! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review: https://erinkonrad.com/2021/07/11/up-all-night-book-review/

One of the best non-fiction books I've read in a while - such a captivating story of a woman who was committed to an asylum in the 1860s for basically disagreeing with her husband. Truly inspirational and fascinating account of a crusader for mental illness patients and women. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2021/07/03/the-woman-they-could-not-silence-book-review/

I was completely captivated by this memoir of a woman who spent her entire childhood on the run. It read like a fast-paced suspense novel for me - I was glued to each page. A super satisfying memoir! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2021/06/20/nowhere-girl-book-review/

Wish this was required reading for kiddos...such a great story about a young girl battling mental health issues. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #arc

Full review at: https://erinkonrad.com/2021/05/29/how-to-become-a-planet-book-review/

An insightful look at Natalie Wood‘s life - told from the perspective of her daughter. A must-read for any classic Hollywood lovers. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Full review on Goodreads