Is it a pick? Yes, of course. Nothing really new per say to be gleaned from this optimistic lil pick me up of a book but hope is always a lovely thing, especially these days.

Apparently this YA novel is getting a lot of hype on Tik Tok. I‘m not totally sure why since the storyline is kind of cliche (perhaps beyond the gay romance/star crossed lovers angle which was admittedly cute even if it was predictable).

Theres an unrelated reference to Moulin Rouge in the novel - which I literally just saw on Broadway.

I enjoyed this. There were aspects that really bothered me, though — like why was Bodie so invested even though she was tertiary at best to the situation. I kept waiting for a big detail to drop right at the end. But ultimately, this left a lot unanswered, with a ton to bemuse and think about. Some things were done so well, post-#MeToo, and yet so much was brought up as a crumb to be totally ignored.

This was exceedingly strange that only got weirder by the page.

Obviously this is a lot of jokes — but they are funny ones. TW for some frank & honest talk about sex work towards the end.

I tried on this for #AuthorAMonth but I had to DNF. I‘ve tried two other books by him before - as much as I enjoy nonfiction, his style I just can‘t get into. 🥺🤷🏻‍♀️ Will redouble my efforts for next month.

This book was the current Book Club Pick for my workplace — but surprise! It was a bit of a rouse to throw a baby shower for a coworker. (We all read the book, too - though 😂)

I enjoyed Eleanor‘s growth - although by a third in you kind of knew where the novel was headed and the *turn* at the end wasn‘t surprising either. 🤷🏻‍♀️

What a debut. Excellent pacing, utter vulnerability and honesty, and at its heart a sweet love story found in friendship both platonic and more than. This novel is about finding your “people” that allows what makes you you really shine through. ✨ 🐦

I‘m about halfway thru with this tearjerker of a Coming-Out-Story novel but this section got me on the train this AM. TW for suicidal ideation, homophobia, assault. This book is intensely *real* but in so many heartwarming (& heartbreaking) ways.

This was fantastic: richly written, human women striking back at injustice complete with dark humor. TW for mentions of r*pe and assault.

👯‍♀️

Like most sequels, this doesn‘t outpace the original. There‘s still plenty of clever (and funny if you‘re a horror nerd like me) references, lots of descriptive gore, and a return to an epic setting: rural Idaho. But the characters‘ arc gets lost by having a rotation of POVs, so other than Jade & Leitha, it‘s hard to care about anyone else.

(Still looking forward to Part III, tho)

Ok, so now three Ware novels under my belt, I can firmly say her brand of mystery isn‘t for me. This had a fun set up that took *ages* to get cooking. The turn (of the screw) wasn‘t much of a leap or a surprise. The dangling of a carrot isn‘t good suspense to me because all things being true, Rowan isn‘t a character you want to root for throughout. I probably liked this best but wish it was more…*more*. #AuthorAMonth

This felt like a breath of fresh air. TW for references to suicide/depression - but ultimately this book attempts to tackle the tough questions in life, especially in an age of social media when it‘s quite easy to compare yourself to others and feel you come up short. A nice reminder that every action has a consequence so be kind. 🐈

My work calendar for today so I couldn‘t *not* share 😂

Yesterday was it‘s US publication day (I think it‘s out tomorrow in the UK?) ✨💕

Picked up my copy at my fave local bookstore. The author is a friend. I can‘t wait to read it! 🎊💖

Eh. I‘ve only read one other Ware novel before and I didn‘t enjoy that one. This I enjoyed marginally more. Intriguing set up, but the back half is a slog. Not nearly as twisty as a mystery should be in my opinion. Also, I feel bad for Isa‘s husband. 🐑 💧 🔥 🎊 #AuthorAMonth

I‘ve never been to the Cloisters so I can‘t accurately speak of the atmospheric authenticity here - but this novel made me want to go. ⛪️

That being said though, this plot was snails pace, had little to offer, and wasn‘t even a real spooky mystery despite the ambiance. Even the POV character was a snore.

Photo above was taken at The Met.

I spied this in my fave Little Free Library (the book, not the wine 😂) - not sure why there‘s such a low rating. Def a little hokey but very fast paced. And after this week of news, I‘d like to hope our government has this type of moral compass. 🤷🏻‍♀️🗽

I wouldn‘t recco - even as a quick read. The pacing is really its shortcoming because the way the plot is laid out is entirely lopsided. Without giving it all away, appearances are deceiving.

This book was so cheesy it made me seek out a salad (just kidding, kind of).

Other than the obvious that the depictions of KPop stars in this is overblown & at times ridiculously inaccurate, the plot was very surface level. I‘ve read plenty of YA romances that had more at stake with more richly personified characters - this just wasn‘t it. 🤷🏻‍♀️✨🫰🏻

The first half? Loved it. Devoured it. Second half felt hokey and far too easy. And the ending? Why? Why?!?!!!

Anyway - if the film happens, I hope they make a few modifications to the script to “clean” up some things (ba dum dum).

This photo was spied during one of my daily walks during quarantine in mid 2020. Butterflies are such a powerful metaphor used often in this novel/poetry. How one person‘s action/lack of action/choice has so many unforeseen consequences. 🦋

This book was way darker than I was expecting so enjoy the lovely Italian pastries above instead. 😅

I def recommend this one - gritty & unflinching for YA but definitely not for the faint at heart. If you‘re at all squeamish with body horror, animal attacks, or language, this isn‘t for you. Despite minor grievances, I‘d rank this a solid Pick.

I mean…hard not to feel this *could* happen in the US. So obviously, this was enraging. My issue was the sheer flippancy and “lol whatever, do what I say” of some of the men…it took some of the teeth out of it. Also the science felt too easy. Of the many novels Handmaid‘s has inspired, this wasn‘t my fave but also wasn‘t my least fave.

What a great lil palette cleanse! Highly recommend if you love Cheno (and even if you aren‘t familiar) — she‘s so bubbly and kind. The audiobook is a treat for her voice & demeanor but I need to grab a hardcover copy too…

You can‘t really go wrong with Toni.

I‘ll be honest, this did nothing for me.

I haven‘t read this since I first did in the 7th Grade. I didn‘t remember much. Reading it now, I‘m horrified this was taught at my school without any context or nuance. This was truly painful to get through. I understand Steinbeck is a product of his time but it‘s not for me. #AuthorAMonth

I know this book isn‘t everyone‘s cup of tea but I adored it. Can‘t wait for this to be Gen Z‘s “Heathers” / “Mean Girls”. 🐰

This was great - it was written in the form of a play and I could easily picture it as such. #AuthorAMonth

This was my first time reading this - I initially thought it‘d be more of an uplifting parable. Should have known better. 🥺 Sad but honest when it comes to greed. #AuthorAMonth

This novella was translated from Japanese so I think some of the nuance got lost but overall I enjoyed. Tells the story of a young girl who pins all her hopes & happiness on a popstar who ultimately - through his own human faults - reminds her of her own humanity.

As an idea, I think this is important (if not a little heavy handed tbqh) but as a mystery, even as a YA one, this felt obvious from the jump. Each teenage character was fleshed out well but the rest fell flat for me.

Trying to plow through my TBR on my bookshelf a little at a time.

You tell me, Litsy… which should be next?

More a character study than mystery as the whodunnit aspect was relatively obvious on all accounts. Surprised by the low rating here. This was more of the stronger “Reese Picks” to me.

I was ready to write this off as predictable and slow but the ending earned it points. Not enough to give it a “Pick” though. Easily my least fave by Hawkins - felt very “buzzword soup” (despite a main character teasing the other for the same thing).

Most of this felt predictable and the few twists it had felt cheap and kind of mean.

If you‘re into mysteries where absolutely no one is likeable, this is it.

I really enjoyed this even though the ending was…muddy. It‘s the start of a trilogy - the sequel is out in a few weeks. If you love/have knowledge of horror films (esp Scream, Friday the 13th, and Jaws), this was super fast paced horror with lots of references.

This firmly walked the line between real & unreal - casually using magic as metaphors for believable debauchery & faux glamor of (Old) Hollywood that still feels quite relatable. A bit confusing but that‘s because a lot is left up to interpretation.

I worried this month would be a struggle bc I‘ve already read two of this author‘s most famous works and hated them. I enjoyed this enough, altho again - people don‘t really talk like this and the bulk of the plot is just tennis scores. But as a complete noob to tennis, I learned a lot about it.

#AuthorAMonth

Quick lil read - a bit like a long essay, detailing growing up non-White in multicultural Queens. Got my copy autographed by the author. 💖

I feel flummoxed. This was my first Hoover and while I give it props bc I flew through it (in 4 hours), I don‘t know what that says about the quality of the writing. What started as epically dark just got cartoonish as the pages went by and don‘t get me started on the lack of characterization & the over abundance of porn. Seriously. Every chapter porn. And not even good porn, like Wattpad-porn. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

I‘m thinking Hoover‘s not for me.

Spending time listening to Lauren gab is like my fave Brooklyn bakery - it‘s just fun. There‘s nothing really ground breaking to be gained from this little book, just funny stories & occasional life lessons. If you‘re a fan of Gilmore Girls, she‘s basically Lorelei in real life. If you haven‘t seen Gilmore Girls and also are a book nerd, I highly recommend it. 💖

I mostly enjoyed this but the plot had no urgency considering how important the two crucial climactic elements were. Had it been a little better paced, I would have enjoyed more. #AuthorAMonth

I expected this to be more sci-fi Handmaid‘s Tale…and it was almost there. But the timeline being so rushed took me right out of it (perhaps the pandemic has shown this both can & can‘t change overnight?). I also hate that the science was not explained - everyone was just reacting to things on fear (but I suppose that‘s believable).

#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

Cute lil short stories collection. I loved Fangirl - it‘s clear this style of adorkable romance is this author‘s specialty.

This is a modern “retelling” of ‘Carrie‘, in which the catalyst is rooted in racism. I wish there was a bit more of a departure because this does follow ‘Carrie‘ almost beat for beat with one minor twist.

A subtle, heartwarming quick read. Reminded me of Tuesdays with Morrie. #AuthorAMonth

Side Note: a whole year complete for the #AuthorAMonth challenge. Really enjoyed it — looking forward to discovering new authors next year.

I loved how music was a thru line for this book. The plot was a little slow but well described. A true noir mystery even tho the “turn” wasn‘t much of a surprise. Pic is from a concert I went to this week for ATEEZ.

Right under the wire yesterday for #AuthorAMonth