Night Shifts Black By Alyson Santos

Goodreads Summary:

His name is Luke. But nobody knows that. He was an iconic musician before he gave up music. But nobody knows that either. They also don’t know he’s twenty-seven, that he used to have an infectious laugh, and that he’s way too young to be widowed. They certainly don’t know the rest of his tragic story. All they know is that he comes into their café at the same time every morning and stares at the same chair at the same table. They know he’s strange. They know he interrupts their breakfast with a cold blast of air as he hovers in the doorway, mustering the courage to confront a piece of furniture.

No one asks why. No one cares. He’s fine with that. He’s done with life. This isn’t even his story anymore. It’s actually Callie’s, the young writer who sat in his chair one day.

My Thoughts:

I wanted to like this book more than I actually did. That being said, I still did, in fact, like this book. Something about the storytelling or the situations felt off or more than unbelievable even for rock star fiction. 

Callie's (the tortured writer girl) character didn't feel genuine to me for some reason. Luke (the hottie rock star with issues) felt forced or cliched. Casey (Luke's best friend) was really the only character that I decided that I could get behind from the first time we met him.

But still, I read the whole book and immediately picked up the second book in the series. I will say that it was a good enough story that I wanted to know more. Luke's story is definitely sad. Callie's story is definitely sad. Casey's story is definitely sad. I like that this book didn't try to sugar coat the sad. I like that the characters came together and learned to help each other heal from the shit they had going on in their own heads. It is a reminder that friends, new and old, are important. It is important to pay attention to those around you, you never know when someone will need a hand in getting through something.

I would recommend this book to rock star fiction lovers. This isn't the classic rock star story, which isn't a bad thing.

While writing this review I was listening to myself sniffle as my allergies are winning hard today.

Midnight At the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber

****I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. ****

Goodreads Summary:

Heather Webber's Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is a captivating blend of magical realism, heartwarming romance, and small-town Southern charm.

Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.

It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her grandmother’s estate, but despite her best intentions to avoid forming ties or even getting to know her father’s side of the family, Anna Kate finds herself inexplicably drawn to the quirky Southern town her mother ran away from so many years ago, and the mysterious blackbird pie everybody can’t stop talking about.

As the truth about her past slowly becomes clear, Anna Kate will need to decide if this lone blackbird will finally be able to take her broken wings and fly.

My thoughts:

Each chapter started with a snippet of conversation between a reporter and someone from the town. This little exchange at the beginning of each chapter irritated me quite a bit. It felt jarring to be ripped out of the POV of Anna Kate or Natalie, which are the other two POVs that we experience through this book. This irritation was minor by the end of the book, but I still wish this element wasn't part of the book. That being said, overall, I enjoyed this book. There were parts that made me smile, laugh out loud, and sad parts which tugged at the few heartstrings I have left. I became fully invested in these characters, including all of the side characters. 

I don't want to give any spoilers as this book has not been published yet. So I will keep my review vague. The main person we follow through this book is Anna Kate. She is a relatable and likable woman figuring out how to navigate her life when the two most important people to her are no longer in the picture. In a way her story is a coming of age tail, but for adults. She has had a nomad existence and has been thrust into small town living without a road map on how to deal with being under a microscope.

Natalie is the other POV in this book. We learn through her that everyone has their own ways of coping and some are more healthy than others. I like Natalie. She is stronger than she realizes and I hope there are more books in this small town so I can see her grow further as a person.

I liked the small town of Wicklow. This town of weirdos and sweethearts was a balm to my disenchanted soul. It was nice to read a story about people coming together and loving one another. Additionally, I want to point out that I love the cover for this book. This is not something that I normally comment on but in this case, I just found the cover so attractive and therefore worth drawing attention to it.

I would recommend this book to fans of Sarah Addison Allen and readers of fiction who like a little pinch of supernatural in their reading. This is my first book by Heather Webber, I will likely see if I can get my hands on more of her titles. 

While writing this review I was listening to my dog growl at me for not giving her more attention. I should mention there is a dog in this read, and he is super cute. 

Beautiful Mistake by Vi Keeland

Goodreads Summary:

A sexy new standalone from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Vi Keeland

The first time I met Caine West was in a bar.
He noticed me looking his way and mistakenly read my scowling as checking him out.
When he attempted to talk to me, I set him straight—telling him what I thought of his lying, cheating, egomaniacal ass.
You see, the gorgeous jerk had wined and dined my best friend--smooth talking her into his bed, all along failing to mention that he was married.
He deserved every bit of my tongue-lashing and more for what he'd done.
Especially when that lazy smile graced his perfect face in response to my rant.
Only it turned out, the man I'd just told off wasn't the right guy.
Oops. My mistake.
Embarrassed, I slunk out without an apology.
I was never going to see the handsome stranger again anyway, right?
That’s what I thought…until I walked into class the next morning.
Well, hello Professor West, I’m your new teaching assistant.
I’ll be working under you…figuratively speaking.
Although the literal interpretation might not be such a bad thing—working under Professor West.
This was going to be interesting…

My Thoughts:
Dag yo, this book was sexy. I just wanted to get that out of the way. Besides the legit sexual tension to sexual attention, I enjoyed this book. It has a serious side and can definitely be triggering to some people, but I liked it. Rachel is a believable and likable female lead. Professor West is a sexy and lusty male lead. This is my first Vi Keeland book but definitely won't be my last.
I got this book on sale on audible so I need to give a shout out to the performances by Andi Arndt and Sebastian York. That Sebastian York can whisper sweet nothings in my ears all damn day long. Like for real, he is awesome sauce. Andi Arndt is a kick-ass narrator, you should listen to everything she does!

I liked Rachel and Professor West right away and I wanted them to work out. I will say that this book has the predictable happy ending but I am totally fine with that. There are some stereotypes in this book but again I am okay with that. I wouldn't mind another book with these two to check in with them.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something steamy and interesting.

While writing this review I was listening to a snoring wee Chiweenie and debating what I should have for lunch.

What Light by Jay Asher

Goodreads Summary:

From Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why, comes a romance that will break your heart, but soon have you believing again. . . .

Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other.

Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other.

By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb's past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love.

What Light is a love story that's moving and life-affirming and completely unforgettable.

My thoughts:

This book is not life altering and thank Joss (Joss Whedon is a god) for it! I was in the mood for something easy and relatively light to read. This book delivered. While Caleb has one bad incident in his past it isn't so bad that you get depressed reading about it. It adds just the right amount of drama for a sweet little love story between two teens. 

Sierra isn't whiny, nor is she annoying. I like her, she knows how to play along when needed but she also doesn't put up with people being dickheads. I feel for her as a character and she feels like a real person. We don't learn everything about everyone but we learn enough to feel like everyone in the story is authentic. 

I recommend this book to people looking for a mostly light holiday read. 

While writing this review I was listening to the washing machine. Yep, laundry is super interesting.

Undeniably Yours (Kowalski Family #2) by Shannon Stacey

Goodreads Summary:

One-night stand + two percent condom failure rate = happily ever after?

Bar owner Kevin Kowalski is used to women throwing their phone numbers at him, but lately he’s more interested in finding a woman to settle down with. A woman like Beth Hansen. If only their first meeting hadn’t gone so badly...

Beth’s tending bar at a wedding when she comes face-to-face with a tuxedo-clad man she never thought she’d see again. She tries to keep her distance from Kevin but, by last call, she can’t say no to his too-blue eyes or the invitation back to his room. Then she slips out before breakfast without leaving a note and, despite their precautions, pregnant.

Kevin quickly warms to the idea of being a dad and to seeing where things go with Beth. After all, he’s not the player she thinks he is. But she’s not ready for a relationship and, given his reputation, it’s going to take a lot to convince her to go on a second date with the father of her child...

My Thoughts:

So... I finished this book. It wasn't an easy read, or rather listen, for me. I have been on a romance novel kick lately and this one was available through the Romance Package on Audible. I liked the male lead Kevin, which please don't get all grumpy at me for not using romance novel abbreviations and shorthand. That is not how I roll yo! Kevin is a decent guy and pretty funny and considerate. But the female lead bugged the ever living shit out of me! Oh my god, I wanted to punch Beth in the throat. I get it, you don't want to be smothered, shut the fuck up about it already.

Also, I feel like this book is just a cautionary tale about not trusting just condoms when it comes to preventing the plague (aka pregnancy). I am not going to go on a rant about always having two forms of birth control when bumping uglies, but seriously, if you don't want a wee nugget in 9 months then you should really be using two forms of birth control when bumping uglies. These two people should never have gotten together for more than one night. I wasn't really buying into their connection at first sight. I don't think that was because of the Kevin perspective but rather Beth was so annoying and dull I couldn't see why anyone would want to do anything than ring her neck. Speaking as a strong independent woman who doesn't want to be smothered I could not connect to her bullshit. She felt forced and fake. I am not sure that the author knows enough strong independent women. She may want to work on that if she is going to attempt to write such a character.

I read the first book in this series, but I don't think I reviewed it. It wasn't my favorite book ever but I liked it well enough to give book 2 a go. I will not be reading any more from this author. I just don't think her style meshes with my particular reading preferences when it comes to romance novels. I do not recommend this book.

While writing this review I was listening to a random movie on the Hallmark channel, clearly, I am in the mood for romance these days.

Still Life Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #1 By Louise Penny

Goodreads Summary:

As the early morning mist clears on Thanksgiving Sunday, the homes of Three Pines come to life - all except one…

To locals, the village is a safe haven. So they are bewildered when a well-loved member of the community is found lying dead in the maple woods. Surely it was an accident - a hunter's arrow gone astray. Who could want Jane Neal dead?

In a long and distinguished career with the Sûreté du Quebec, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache has learned to look for snakes in Eden. Gamache knows something dark is lurking behind the white picket fences, and if he watches closely enough, Three Pines will begin to give up its secrets….

My Thoughts:

My best good friend (see what I did there? no? sad.) recommended this series to me. It is one of her favorites so I gave it a shot. Thankfully, the library (support your local library!!!) had a copy of the first book. I found some of the later books in the series for super cheap on Amazon but I dislike starting a series somewhere in the middle even if they are somewhat stand alone. I want to be introduced to the main characters the way the author intended.

I should preface this review with the fact that I don't tend to love who done it books. I am easily irritated with mystery books as they tend to be overly predictable, so I avoid them. This book wasn't overly predictable but I would say I figured out who the killer was within the first quarter of the book. 

I liked the quirky characters of the small village of Three Pines. They aren't your typical small town folk and I liked that I was never reminded of Deliverance. 

Yes, that is my judgy side coming out. I have a strong dislike for small-town folk and living.  I am definitely a homebody but I like having the option to change that on a whim. That being said none of the characters in this book made my skin crawl. In fact, I found that I quite liked a few of them. I can relate to an old grumpy poet who doesn't like to talk about her work (Ruth). I can also relate to an artist who doesn't enjoy showing her work for fear it won't be understood (Jane, the murder victim). 

Louise Penny has a distinctive voice and I liked her writing style quite a bit. I chuckled more than a few times thinking that a character was thinking like me or talking as one of my friends would. 

Here's what I have to say about Inspector Armand Gamache...Huh. Interesting. I can't say that I am in love with this guy. But I also can't say that I hate him. I feel like his character was slowly shown to us, but we still don't really know much about him. We do know that he tries to help those working for and with him to become better at what they do, but I am not sure he is the best teacher. A young detective is working for him for the first time for this murder and the inspector flips flops between wanting to help her and actively putting her down and telling her to take a walk. I guess the natural teacher in my soul was a bit miffed about the way that subplot developed though I don't hold it against Gamache on a whole. 

I have started the second book in the series. I am not sure that I will get through all 9 million books in this series. For now, I am enjoying an easy read with some character to it. I would recommend this book to mystery readers and to readers who like a little flair to the voice of an author.

While writing this review I was listening to the Dixie Chicks Everybody Knows.

The Book of Life (All Souls Trilogy #3) by Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

Bringing the magic and suspense of the All Souls Trilogy to a deeply satisfying conclusion, this highly anticipated finale went straight to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. In The Book of Life, Diana and Matthew time-travel back from Elizabethan London to make a dramatic return to the present—facing new crises and old enemies. At Matthew’s ancestral home, Sept-Tours, they reunite with the beloved cast of characters from A Discovery of Witches—with one significant exception. But the real threat to their future has yet to be revealed, and when it is, the search for Ashmole 782 and its missing pages takes on even more urgency.

My Thoughts:
This is the final book in the All Souls Trilogy. This book left me wanting more of Diana and Matthew's story but at the same time, it felt like a good way to end their story. Diana and Matthew are some of my all-time favorite book characters. This book did not disappoint. Diana has come into her own and Matthew has started to learn to be less of an overbearing butthead. I love the pacing of this book, you don't feel rushed through the story.
Diana has embraced her history and her future. She stops living in fear of those who wish her and Matthew harm. I love that this book can be applied to real life in that sometimes it takes a while but once you accept yourself you are unstoppable. We really should reach out to those who are different from ourselves, life is enriched by differences.

I have read this book three times now. I love the whole series and I can't recommend this series enough. I know a lot of people refer to this series as a "fangless" vampire series. I disagree with this assessment. I will say that this series isn't like other with or vampire series, but that isn't a bad thing. I never got tired or bored with these characters. I am so tired of the predictable vampire books and the overly quirky and annoying witch books. If that is what you are looking for, you may want to skip this series.

While writing this review I was listening to Let's See What The Night Can Do by Jason Mraz.

A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

*****I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy, this in no way impacted my review****

Goodreads Summary:
A Place for Us unfolds the lives of an Indian-American Muslim family, gathered together in their Californian hometown to celebrate the eldest daughter, Hadia's, wedding - a match of love rather than tradition. It is here, on this momentous day, that Amar, the youngest of the siblings, reunites with his family for the first time in three years. Rafiq and Layla must now contend with the choices and betrayals that lead to their son's estrangement - the reckoning of parents who strove to pass on their cultures and traditions to their children; and of children who in turn struggle to balance authenticity in themselves with loyalty to the home, they came from.

In a narrative that spans decades and sees family life through the eyes of each member, A Place For Us charts the crucial moments in the family's past, from the bonds that bring them together to the differences that pull them apart. And as siblings Hadia, Huda, and Amar attempt to carve out a life for themselves, they must reconcile their present culture with their parent's faith, to tread a path between the old world and the new, and learn how the smallest decisions can lead to the deepest of betrayals.

A deeply affecting and resonant story, A Place for Us is truly a book for our times: a moving portrait of what it means to be an American family today, a novel of love, identity and belonging that eloquently examines what it means to be both American and Muslim -- and announces Fatima Farheen Mirza as a major new literary talent.

My Thoughts:

It took me a bit to get into this story. I can't say that I can put my finger on the exact reason why. The writing is awesome, but I think I needed to be in a specific mindset to read this book. At times this read is hard to get through, only because you feel so badly about what is happening to the characters in the story. You get the chance to see complicated family dynamics from a variety of viewpoints. One small thing to one member of the family has huge consequences for another member of the family. 

I found this book very relatable. I am not Indian or Muslim but that didn't prevent me from connecting with each person. Lately, I have read a lot of books from the POV of white women so it was nice to get out of that space and see through the eyes of someone other than myself. 

I will say that I was disappointed by the ending of this book. Since I don't feel like giving a load of warnings about spoilers I will just say that it left me wanting more. Which I suspect is the point. We all are left wanting more or wanting closure or wanting something that will never be. Life is messy and rarely ends the way we want it to. I think that was part of the story but still, I was disappointed. I felt like the book was building toward something and then just didn't hit the goal. I am still thinking about the book a full 24 hours after finishing it. Clearly, it has lingered with me which is always a good thing.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a new and creative voice in fiction. 

While writing this review I was listening to the hum of the AC.

Shadow of Night (All Souls Trilogy #2) By Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

IT BEGAN WITH A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES.

Historian Diana Bishop descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library, she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires, and humans is dangerously threatened.

Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realize that the past may not provide a haven. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy for Queen Elizabeth, the vampire falls back in with a group of radicals known as the School of Night. Many are unruly daemons, the creative minds of the age, including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot.

Together Matthew and Diana scour Tudor London for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782 and search for the witch who will teach Diana how to control her remarkable powers...

My Thoughts:

So this book is written for the history buffs. This is the most historical fiction book of the series. All of the books have large doses of history but this book actually takes place in the past. Diana has serious power, so much that her Aunts can't help her and every other witch that she meets can't help her or sees her as a threat. 

Here's the thing about this book. It makes a statement about segregation in gene pools. If you limit where your genes come from it limits evolution. While Deborah Harkness is applying this to witches, daemons, and vampires it could also be applied to humanity. Just look at the weak-chinned royal families we know and it is a case in point that limited genes are not a good thing. I like that she is making this social statement. We shouldn't try to limit where love comes from and we should embrace it when it shows up for us.

Diana and Matthew have to figure out what their love means for themselves and they are given that chance while in the past. Diana can time walk, which hello, hella awesome skill to have. Can you imagine all the awesome times and places you could go?!? Obviously, Deborah Harkness wishes she could go back in time, but that is predictable seeing as she is a historian.

I felt like this read was true to modern characters while also being true to historical characters. I think we see people from the past as stupid, closed off, and incapable of understanding complex thought. This is not how Deborah Harkness writes her characters. They are full-bodied people of their time, open and understanding and whole people. A lot of historical fiction forgets that people are of a time and place, but they are also just people. I guess that is the biggest complaint I have with a lot of historical fiction, too much of it is over the top and not enough of it is relate-able. I like a story that I can see myself in, regardless of the time.

I would recommend this book to historical fiction lovers, history nerds, and anyone who loves a good story.

While writing this review I was waiting for my Indian food. Mmm naan. Also, I have a bitch of a cold and nothing helps a cold like Indian food.

A Discovery of Witches (All Souls Trilogy #1) by Deborah Harkness

Goodreads Summary:

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery, so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks, but her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries--and she's the only creature who can break its spell.

My Thoughts:

I love this book. Actually I should just say that I love this series but since I intend on reviewing each book separately I will start with, I love this book. First, you can tell that the author knows her shit. She is a straight up academic and she doesn't dumb anything down. I admit to having to look up some of the history mentioned and from my limited research I could see that this lady was a legit historian. After reading her books I wish I was still in college and I was in her class. She may have changed my mind on my major of Political Science to History. Enough fangirling and on with my actual review.

Diana has a stick up her butt about her family history. Which frankly I can't blame her. Who wants to grow up with an infamous witch's name anywhere near Salem, Mass? No one. Halloween would be a massive pain in the ass. Not to mention state history in elementary school, middle school, and high school. Long story short Diana didn't love her witch connection and it really didn't help that the family was still full of practicing witches. 

Our girl Diana grew up thinking that she was shit at witchcraft. She couldn't even light a damn candle, which is basically the shoe tying of spells. So she gave up and became a school nerd, as ya do when life is a pickle. She decided to focus on history, specifically alchemist history. While researching a key note speech Diana is in England working in an Oxford library when she comes across a witchy book. Since Diana hasn't been training as a witch, much the opposite, she doesn't understand the power she feels coming from the pages. I really liked that the way this interaction with the book was described in the book. Sometimes when opening an old book I like to put my hand on the cover, and in a way, introduce myself to the book. No, I don't think that I am of the witchy variety. I just love books. And so does Diana. 

This book was written for book nerds, who like a good story, can find bits of themselves in each character, and appreciates that the author thinks we can keep up. There is nothing worse than when an intelligent writer breaks things down for the peanut gallery. That might sound snobbish of me but I like that not everyone will appreciate the approach of this book. I don't think this book was written for those who exclusively read trashy romance novels. 

Diana and Matthew give us the romance but I like that the characters treat each other as equals with different strengths. Sure Matthew gets annoying with his manly shit, but I think in a lot of ways that furthers his development as a character. He recognizes that he is being a butt-head and then he works on fixing it. Not all characters act like real people who are self aware. I love this aspect of Deborah Harkness's writing, her characters feel like real people. They are flawed, they can can annoying and cliched but they recognize these parts of themselves along with the extraordinary parts of themselves.

I would recommend this book to lovers of vampire books, witchy books, romance books, and historical fiction books. It could be classified in some ways as all of those genres but at the same time it doesn't fully fit into any of them. 

While writing this review I was listening to the first episode of Grown-ish.

The Program by Suzanne Young

Goodreads Summary:

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

My Thoughts:

I started this book without reading the description or any reviews. Yep, I judged it off the cover and title. I wanted something that was a series book and dystopian, I got what I wanted.

So get this, teenagers are offing themselves in record numbers. All of a sudden a kid can go from totally normal to "infected" and committing suicide. The descriptions in the book make it sound like the normal roller coaster of emotions that teens go through will randomly accelerate and derail. The book doesn't really give an explanation for this, just some theories. I like that the explanation isn't handed to me up front. I like that I will have to figure it out with the characters in the book.

So here are the good bits of the book: decent character development, decent plot, decent storytelling.

Here are the bad bits: it is of course predictable, the author doesn't give us enough reason to thing Sloane is "infected" she just seems like normal teen boohoo (maybe that is my mean girl judginess coming out), and the love triangle bit is tired (though it is extra fucked up in this one so I will give props for that).

I like Sloane, I don't really connect with her as much as other leading ladies in other books but then they can't all be Lena (Delirium... you haven't read it? WTF get on that immediately). Sloane feels like a normal kid in a fucked up society. Which is both a good thing and a bad thing. I wish she was a touch more rebellious, but then I wish that for all teen girls.

It is interesting and totally fucked up that the program deletes memories and therefore people from your life. I would be horrified to know that whole chunks of my experiences were gone in the blink of an eye. I think it is interesting that in the books they accomplish this with pills. As we are a society so bent on popping pills to make us better I think it is important to remember that those same pills can cause serious damage. Also, this book brought up a lot for me in terms of what it means to have your free will taken from you. I don't think it is right that a 17 year old can be thrown into this deep of treatment without anything beyond the word of a parent. I have felt for a long time that consent in treatment, even for minors, is a sketchy grey area and that needs to be addressed. I can't say that the author intended me to think about these things or not. You may not pick up on that vibe when you read it.

I think Sloane's relationship and connection with James is believable. I do wish it wasn't soooooo traditional. For once can the girl be the strong one in a relationship? Cause hello, real life.

The ending of the book felt inevitable but not in a bad way. I believe we repeat things until we learn from them and if you delete lessons learned, you will have to relearn them.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I have gotten my hands on the second book. I will post about it when I have finished it and thought about it a bit. I would recommend this book to dystopian series fans. I am not sure the writing is strong enough to woo someone who isn't a fan of the genre.

While writing this review I was listening to my stomach growl. Clearly, I need chocolate.

Midnight, Texas Series by Charlaine Harris

Goodreads Summary:

Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It’s a pretty standard dried-up western town.

There’s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There’s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there’s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he’s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own).

Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

Goodreads Summary:

There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas, where the residents like to keep to themselves. Even in a town full of secretive people, Olivia Charity is an enigma. She lives with the vampire Lemuel, but no one knows what she does; they only know that she’s beautiful and dangerous.

Psychic Manfred Bernardo finds out just how dangerous when he goes on a working weekend to Dallas and sees Olivia there with a couple who are both found dead the next day. To make matters worse, one of Manfred’s regular — and very wealthy — clients dies during a reading.

Manfred returns from Dallas embroiled in scandal and hounded by the press. He turns to Olivia for help; somehow he knows that the mysterious Olivia can get things back to normal. As normal as things get in Midnight...

Goodreads Summary:

At Midnight’s local pawnshop, weapons are flying off the shelves—only to be used in sudden and dramatic suicides right at the main crossroads in town.

Who better to figure out why blood is being spilled than the vampire Lemuel, who, while translating mysterious texts, discovers what makes Midnight the town it is. There’s a reason why witches and werewolves, killers and psychics, have been drawn to this place.

And now they must come together to stop the bloodshed in the heart of Midnight. For if all hell breaks loose—which just might happen—it will put the secretive town on the map, where no one wants it to be...

My Thoughts:

So... I never read the Sucky Stackhouse books. No, I didn't spell that name wrong, I promise. I did watch the Sucky Stackhouse TV show aka True Blood. I wouldn't say that I really enjoyed the show. I thought it was mostly stupid, but I did like that attractive dudes took their clothes off. The show often gave me a good eye roll and from time to time a chuckle. 

When I saw that the same writer had another series adapted to a show I assumed it would be crap like True Blood. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the show. The NBC series isn't great TV but it does entertain and allow you to turn your brain off, if that is what you want. 

I thought I would give these books a go since the Midnight, Texas series is thus far better than the True Blood series. I checked all three out via my local library app and read them all in a couple of days. First, I should point out that this rapid reading was not due to the books being overly engaging. 

The first book was decent enough that I decided to continue to the second. The second was decent enough that I decided to continue to the third. If there was a fourth, I likely wouldn't have read it at the same time.

The first book I would give three out of five stars. It wasn't terrible, it wasn't great. I was for the most part interested in what was going on in the story. I will say that I prefer the TV characters better than those actually in the book. The characters in the book are lacking diversity and depth. The story is fine so long as you go in not expecting much.

The second book I would again give three out of five. Again, I would say I prefer the TV characters more than the book characters. The story again was okay but nothing special. I wouldn't say this book was well written, but I wouldn't say it was poorly written. 

The third book, again, would get three out of five stars. If I was prone to giving half ratings I would say I would give the third book a 2.5 rather than a full three stars. This is because Fiji had a larger part in this book. I want to smack Fiji. Girl, get a self esteem and learn to like your fat ass.

So over all, Charlaine Harris isn't a great writer. She does have interesting things in each book. She has some over the top and annoying things in each book. I found Fiji the most annoying. Manfred wasn't a fully developed person. Olivia's back story and current method of making money are linked but the link felt lacking some how. There are a lot of people who have fucked up childhoods who don't murder for money. I guess I would say I would prefer more in depth character development than these books offer. Also, I would prefer Manfred to be more like the NBC Manfred in description, ability, and action. 

It feels so weird to say that I prefer the adaptation rather than the source material. I am not sure I have ever felt that way before. 

I will say I don't regret reading the Midnight, Texas books. If she writes another, I will likely read it at some point. I am hoping for a season 2 of the NBC show. I don't really recommend these books unless you like a cheap fast read. I mean cheap in that you aren't expecting great literature. I wouldn't ever pay for these books. If you want to indulge in these read, do what I did, support your local library.

While writing this review I was listening to the Rachel Maddow show. My god I am glad that she is back from vacation. I don't love Joy filling in. Rachel is my kind of nerd. I have such a lady crush on her. I want her to be my second best friend (Obviously, first best friend position is filled).

Also, Happy New Year kids. I will attempt to update more often. Life has changed a bit for me these days. I am one of those adults who had to move in with their Parental Unit's house to work on paying down some debt. It has been a fucked up few months adjusting to living at home again. Who knew that at 36 you could feel like an angry teenager again? The Husband Unit is getting a greater understanding of why I am the way that I am. Yet to be determined if that is a good thing. I have been reading a shit ton and not posting about it. I will be catching up on some of my more recent reads but definitely not all. I don't think I remember everything that I read in the last year and some change since last I posted.

As a different side note I would like to say that while I am an American, Donald Trump does not represent my America. I haven't posted since the election that put him in office. Partially, because I just didn't know how to express all of the anger, fear, hurt, shock, frustration, disgust etc etc etc that I was feeling. I still don't. Just today the Orange One was flexing his nuclear dick at North Korea. Donald Trump very well could be the end of America. I hope he isn't. I hope we the people are stronger than him. I will fight against him and his bullshit agenda as long as there is breath in my body. I am glad that Sen. Orrin Hatch is retiring. We don't need more of congress getting on their knees to suck the cock of such a tyrant. I intend on using my voice, my vote, and my money to support the America that I love. It is hard to see that America these days, but sometimes I get a glimpse. If you too want a glimpse I recommend picking up What Unites Us by Dan Rather. I haven't finished it yet but so far he is making me feel better about my fellow citizens and country. 

AngelFall by Susan Ee

I received this book free through Goodreads First Reads. This has no impact on my thoughts or feelings for this book.

Goodreads Summary:

It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

My Thoughts:

I admit I received this book a while ago. I read the first chapter or two and then put it down. I wasn't in the mood for what I thought would be yet another run of the mill post apocalyptic teen girl hero story. Which this book does have some of that, but it has some other elements which made it stand out for me once I gave it a real chance. I read this book in its entirety in one day. Part of that is it is a really fast read, the other part is my curiosity of where this story would go.

Penryn is the stereotypical I didn't choose this I just want to be normal hero of the story. What I like about her is her faults. For instance he accidentally throws a rock at the person trying to help her. She just had bad aim. Which if this book were real I suspect things like that would happen more often, as real people don't always hit their mark.

Raffe is the totally hot totally broody angel who lost his wings. I don't hold that against him too much. He isn't an overbearing douche trying to control Penryn which is often the case in these books. I like that he bets on her and leaves her to fight her own fights.

Penryn's family is of course a broken family. Mom is craycray and little sister is in a wheelchair. The mental illness of Mom is interesting in that in a lot of ways the craycray are better equipped to handle life with angels trying to kill you. Her insanity if finally a strength rather than a weakness. Now little sister gave me nightmares after what happened to her. She is part of the book that totally creeped me out and I wasn't expecting the hair on the back of my neck to get the wiggins. I won't go into too much detail but mad doctors are doing things to angels and humans alike which is bad news bears. I don't read many books that could be considered scary sauce so I am probably extra sensitive to creepy concepts. I don't watch horror movies either and this would fit right in with a horror movie.

So overall, I would recommend this book to fans of the genre and maybe horror fans but note that the creepy stuff is much later in the book and I am a wuss. I would say that it was a fast and entertaining read, so if you want something that meets that criteria I would recommend this one. 

While writing this review I was listening to Giles sing from the Buffy musical episode.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Goodreads Summary:

Peyton, Sydney's charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion's share of their parents' attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton's increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.


My Thoughts:

I should say up front I love Sarah Dessen books ever so much. I look forward to each new book anxiously and then read them as soon as I can get my paws on them. I have never been disappointed and this book is no exception. It took me under 24 hours to start and complete this book and the slight hit my sleep schedule took was well worth it.

Sydney is every younger sibling who lived in the shadow of a brother or sister with a world of personality and problems. In a lot of ways I could relate to being "the little sister of..." This isn't a slam against my brothers but those experiences lead to me fully relating to this book. While my parents never over reacted with me the way that Sydney's eventually do I could still relate. I love this about Sarah Dessen books. I can always relate, learn something about myself, and remember how I got to where I am.

This book isn't complicated and that is part of why I love it. Straight forward and good story telling is so rare anymore, most people are trying to create the moment of shock or have a catch of some kind. Sarah Dessen doesn't fall prey to the trend of incomplete stories for the sake of selling more books. All of her books have a beginning, middle, and end with clear visions of the possible future. You leave her books feeling better and in a dark and twisty world I think she is a beacon of light.

I would recommend this book to Sarah Dessen fans and anyone looking for a light fast read.

While writing this review I was listing to One Republic - Love Runs Out.

Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

Goodreads Summary:
Now a New York Times bestseller.

From beloved bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen comes her long-awaited new novel, Lost Lake, about heartbroken people finding hope at a magical place in Georgia.

Suley, Georgia, is home to Lost Lake Cottages and not much else. Which is why it's the perfect place for newly-widowed Kate and her eccentric eight-year-old daughter Devin to heal. Kate spent one memorable childhood summer at Lost Lake, had her first almost-kiss at Lost Lake, and met a boy named Wes at Lost Lake. It was a place for dreaming. But Kate doesn't believe in dreams anymore, and her Aunt Eby, Lost Lake's owner, wants to sell the place and move on. Lost Lake's magic is gone. As Kate discovers that time has a way of standing still at Lost Lake can she bring the cottages—and her heart—back to life?

Sometimes lost loves aren't really lost. They're right where you left them, waiting for you to find them again.

My Thoughts:

Can I just say I love love love Sarah Addison Allen? She has never disappointed in enthralling me in her world for a few hundred pages and I am legitimately sad when I finish her books.

That being said, this book took me a beat to fall in love with, here you should read it took more than five pages but not more than 20. The writing was as beautiful as ever, but something felt different with this book. I couldn't put my finger on it at the time, just a shift of feeling. I got used to it, then loved it. I was going through some weird things in my own life while reading this book and I think in some ways it helped me work some shit out.

After reading this book I discovered that Sarah Addison Allen was going through cancerness while writing this book. That is to say she was either diagnosed or after her battle that she wrote this book. I intentionally didn't seek out the details because I didn't want that to taint my view of the book. As a writer I prefer when people take their own meaning from my work and don't focus too much on what I was going through. I don't pretend that all writer are like this but I want to respect the work as it is without a back story of the person writing it.

All of this being said, I still need to visit the South. I have always loved books with a southern flare, and these books help me get over some of my prejudice toward the south. I want to go visit a place like Lost Lake.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a little magic in their books and anyone needing a read they can connect with.

While writing this review I was listening to my dog sleep.

Mr. Kiss and Tell (Veronica Mars #2) by Rob Thomas, Jennifer Graham

Goodreads Summary:

In the second book in the New York Times bestselling mystery series, Veronica Mars is back with a case that will expose the hidden workings of one of Neptune’s most murderous locations.

The Neptune Grand has always been the seaside town’s ritziest hotel, despite the shady dealings and high-profile scandals that seem to follow its elite guests. When a woman claims that she was brutally assaulted in one of its rooms and left for dead by a staff member, the owners know that they have a potential powder keg on their hands. They turn to Veronica to disprove—or prove—the woman's story.

The case is a complicated mix of hard facts, mysterious occurrences, and uncooperative witnesses. The hotel refuses to turn over its reservation list and the victim won’t divulge who she was meeting that night. Add in the facts that the attack happened months ago, the victim’s memory is fuzzy, and there are holes in the hotel’s surveillance system, and Veronica has a convoluted mess on her hands. As she works to fill in the missing pieces, it becomes clear that someone is lying—but who? And why?

My Thoughts:

I read the first Veronica Mars book, but it appears I never reviewed it, which is a damn shame because I really liked it. But since it has been some time since reading it I don't think it would be fair to review it more than to say I enjoyed it and you should read it, even if you aren't a fan of Veronica Mars but definitely read it if you are a fan.

In this second installment of the series we pick up about where we left off with the first book. Veronica and Logan are still together and trying to figure out what that means. He is still in the Navy which isn't easy, but her dedication to her own dangerous occupation doesn't ease things along either.

The main mystery in this book is about a girl who is attacked at a local high end hotel. The girl doesn't have much of a memory about what happened to her. Veronica takes the case initially for the hotel, but ends up finishing the case for the victim. Classic Veronica seeking out justice when no one else will.

I liked this book, yes, I am a Veronica Mars fan, but on its own I think this series is pretty good and got even better with the second installment. I would recommend this book to mystery lovers and of course fellow Marshmallows.

While writing this review I was listening to Damien Rice.

The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith

Goodreads Summary:

Private investigator Cormoran Strike returns in a new mystery from Robert Galbraith, author of the #1 international bestseller The Cuckoo's Calling.

When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. At first, Mrs. Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days—as he has done before—and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realizes. The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows. If the novel were to be published, it would ruin lives—meaning that there are a lot of people who might want him silenced.

When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any Strike has encountered before...

My Thoughts:

Often I am let down by the second book in a series. In this case I was definitely not let down much to my delight. I really enjoyed this read.  I am not generally a huge fan of mystery but in the case of Robert Galbraith I am becoming a real fan. This is independent of my love of JK Rowling, who is actually Robert. Do not read this hoping for wizards.

The Silkworm picks up shortly after the first book so this book didn't have the tedious introductions to characters as the last. However, this book did give us a better view of Strike and Robin, our two detectives. I like the balance between the current mystery and the lives of Strike and Robin. We get to know everyone without the feel of being rushed through a story.

I will say that I didn't see who the killer was until it was revealed in the book. I was pleased I had guessed incorrectly. This book definitely improves on the first book and leaves me wanting the third. I would (and recently have) recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good read. This holds true to even non fans of mystery.

While writing this review I was watching Castle. 

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

Goodreads Summary:
"A fresh present-day story infused with an original take on popular history. Forget broomsticks and pointy hats; here are witches that could well be walking among us today. This debut novel flows with poetic charm and eloquence that achieves high literary merit while concocting a gripping supernatural puzzler. Katherine Howe's talent is spellbinding." --Matthew Pearl, author of The Poe Shadow and The Dante Club A spellbinding, beautifully written novel that moves between contemporary times and one of the most fascinating and disturbing periods in American history-the Salem witch trials.

Harvard graduate student Connie Goodwin needs to spend her summer doing research for her doctoral dissertation. But when her mother asks her to handle the sale of Connie's grandmother's abandoned home near Salem, she can't refuse. As she is drawn deeper into the mysteries of the family house, Connie discovers an ancient key within a seventeenth-century Bible. The key contains a yellowing fragment of parchment with a name written upon it: Deliverance Dane. This discovery launches Connie on a quest--to find out who this woman was and to unearth a rare artifact of singular power: a physick book, its pages a secret repository for lost knowledge.

As the pieces of Deliverance's harrowing story begin to fall into place, Connie is haunted by visions of the long-ago witch trials, and she begins to fear that she is more tied to Salem's dark past then she could have ever imagined.

Written with astonishing conviction and grace, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane travels seamlessly between the witch trials of the 1690s and a modern woman's story of mystery, intrigue, and revelation.

My Thoughts:

I read this book as the September pick for my book club. I knew that it would be a rough read for me as I don't generally enjoy historical fiction but I thought that would be a side note, and I think perhaps that was the case for some readers. I was seriously annoyed by the tone and time shift in this book. I wanted to stop reading it several times. I didn't even finish it in time for the book club discussion. Part of that was because of my new 6 days a week work schedule and part of it was a admittedly a motivation issue.

This book read like a grad student's paper (yes I am aware the main character is a grad student) in that it was dry and hard to swallow from time to time while randomly being really good.

As you can tell I didn't love the book. I think if you enjoy historical fiction you might like this read. Also if you have a thing for the Salem Witches you would likely enjoy this read. Be warned though, if you are like me and have PTSD from college, reading way way way too many academic articles you may be annoyed by this book. Also if you don't love it when a book flip flops between time and story lines you might have the same frustrations with this book. 

While writing this review I was listening to absolutely nothing and it was awesome.

Horns by Joe Hill

Goodreads Summary:
Ignatius Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke up the next morning with a thunderous hangover, a raging headache . . . and a pair of horns growing from his temples.

At first Ig thought the horns were a hallucination, the product of a mind damaged by rage and grief. He had spent the last year in a lonely, private purgatory, following the death of his beloved, Merrin Williams, who was raped and murdered under inexplicable circumstances. A mental breakdown would have been the most natural thing in the world. But there was nothing natural about the horns, which were all too real.

Once the righteous Ig had enjoyed the life of the blessed: born into privilege, the second son of a renowned musician and younger brother of a rising late-night TV star, he had security, wealth, and a place in his community. Ig had it all, and more—he had Merrin and a love founded on shared daydreams, mutual daring, and unlikely midsummer magic.

But Merrin's death damned all that. The only suspect in the crime, Ig was never charged or tried. And he was never cleared. In the court of public opinion in Gideon, New Hampshire, Ig is and always will be guilty because his rich and connected parents pulled strings to make the investigation go away. Nothing Ig can do, nothing he can say, matters. Everyone, it seems, including God, has abandoned him. Everyone, that is, but the devil inside. . . .

Now Ig is possessed of a terrible new power to go with his terrible new look—a macabre talent he intends to use to find the monster who killed Merrin and destroyed his life. Being good and praying for the best got him nowhere. It's time for a little revenge. . . . It's time the devil had his due. . .

My Thoughts:

I started this book after hearing about the movie with Daniel Radcliffe that is coming out, or is out. I admit I am not sure about that last bit. After reading the book I don't think that I will be seeing the movie.

I found the book interesting-ish at first, if not a little bit over the top with how depressing it was right from the beginning. The more I read the book the more I wished I hadn't started reading it to begin with. I found out about half way through the book that it was written by Stephen King's son. I suspect had I known that up front I would have looked into the story a bit more and likely would not have read the book. I am not at all a fan of Stephen King or similar writers. I just don't enjoy such heavy dark reads when there isn't something else to balance it out. This book is exactly that, too dark and nothing to balance it.

I disliked this book at best and totally hated it at worst. I was left with a grimy feeling in my head and I wish I could scrub it with a toothbrush. I had no reason to like Ig. Sure, the writer told me that Ig was a good guy, but I never really believed it. This book was just full of dark and twisty. Also, if I read the name Keith Richards one more time I was going to have to start a drinking game. The writing felt redundant and tired. It felt long and hard to finish. I never felt engrossed in the reading. It was never pleasurable. Mostly this book made me a bit sick.

So, to whom would I recommend this book? I guess to fans of Stephen King, though his fans on goodreads don't have nice things to say. If you like dark and twisty with no balance this is your book. I can't say I learned anything about myself or the world from this book and normally when I have finished a book I can at least say I got a new and interesting perspective on something. Sadly, I just felt tired and a little abused.

Really, I need to stop writing about this book. It has brought out the grumpy mean side of my reviewing and I don't really want to be a lame-o that way. So here is something nice about Horns. I think the idea was interesting and had a lot of potential. I think the writing, with more editing also shows potential for storytelling that can be engrossing. Also, good on you Joe Hill for being a writer, it is hard to finish a book, let alone more than one. Also this book is very successful at exploring a dark nature that all of us have.

While writing this review I was listening to the Once soundtrack.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Goodreads Summary:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hairactually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My Thoughts:

This was the first selection of The 9 3/4 Book Club, which was recently formed by myself and my bestie. We judge books by their covers. Which the cover of this book is pretty. I am such as sucker for blue with black and white.

This was a really fast read for me. I would say the average reader could finish it in a week or two. I finished it in a long weekend. This is not a book I would have selected on my own as I am not a huge fan of fantastical books. This book has a lot of fantasy creatures running around making a mess of things. That being said, over all I liked the book once I suspended my disbelief enough to enjoy it. 

I was creeped out by the whole teeth hunting thing and what the point of the teeth ended up being didn't help with the creep factor. This book was more imaginative than a lot of YA novels. I liked that it was primarily set in Prague, which isn't a city I get to read about very often but have always wanted to visit.

Karou is a better female lead than a lot of YA females. But she still has some of the same annoying qualities that I wish writers would give up on. Vulnerability doesn't always have to take the form of weakness, which is all I am going to say on that.

Akiva could use a little work, which may or may not be addressed in the next book. For a fierce fighting angel he has a lot of growing up to do. I didn't love the overly masculine and immature nature. Those two things don't really balance this character so mostly I wanted to punch him and say "dude, grow some balls." But the end of the story he is all sorts of mean and evil so I am not sure how I feel about that.

Overall, I would say this was a good read. I would recommend it to fantasy folks who love some teen drama but want something better than the Twilight series.

While writing this review I was listening to They by Jem.