Astro by Manuel Marsol
First, the only image from Astro I will be showing in this review is the cover. As that is probably more than enough to keep you occupied. Second, I must admit, I almost didn’t read Astro when I first saw the online reader copy because of that cover. It is just odd. Bizarre. Weird. And I like odd, bizarre and weird, but it was almost too odd, too bizarre, and of course, too weird. But then I said, “Girl, your goal is to try new […]
House of Frank by Kay Synclaire
A cozy fantasy about grief and found family, and the first book I’ve read from the relatively new publishing experiment, Bindery Books. I would read further books from this author for sure, but I also think this one was pretty flawed. I actually think it needed at least one more round of edits, if not two. I have no idea how Bindery’s editing process works in comparison to traditional publishers, but this needed to be worked over for clarity, both in the writing itself (some sentences […]
The Book of Love by Kelly Link
Absolutely perfect. No one can harness both the magic and ennui of being a teenager like Kelly Link. People will be handing this down to younger siblings for generations. Susannah and Laura are sisters. They are also band mates. The third member of their band, Daniel is their best friend and next-door neighbor. Oh, and Susannah’s friend-with-benefits. On the night of Daniel’s birthday, at a wild dive bar with a real carousel on stage, something happens: Susannah kisses Laura’s crush. Laura kisses Daniel. Susannah’s best […]
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
The first time I tried Intermezzo, I didn’t last ten pages. This was the fault of Conversations With Friends. I read it earlier this year in anticipation of Intermezzo and found it disappointing. I gave it a reluctant 4-stars but with more distance, I find myself continuing to dislike it. I never cared for the central relationship and while Rooney has talent, it’s evident that this was her first book and she was not yet fully confident in telling stories like this. My first go round with Intermezzo, I’m again introduced […]
Every Peach Is a Story: A Picture Book by David Mas Masumoto
I have been reading picture books coming out in 2025 from online reader copies recently. Every Peach Is a Story: A Picture Book by David Mas Masumoto, Nikiko Masumoto, and Lauren Tamaki (due in March 2025) is one of those. The cover was a bit awkward, being busy and (frankly) a bit messy looking. Yet, I knew that if I didn’t like it, I didn’t have to finish it. And while it is not my favorite read this year, it has a strong place. It […]
Beach Read by Emily Henry
I love books that have banter — the sassier and snarkier, the better. While Beach Read doesn’t quite hit that banter to the extent that some of my favs like Get a Life, Chloe Brown or Red, White & Royal Blue do, it does have those moments, especially in the beginning. January Andrews is stressed about her writer’s block and grieving the death of her father a year ago, so when she comes across former college rival Gus Everett, she has no qualms about sniping […]
