3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Action-packed and entertaining, but heavier on the formula than the emotional ride. I understand the hype and will probably borrow the next book in the series on Libby, but I wasn‘t gripped in the same meaningful way I was in the empyrean series 🐉

I‘ve come to understand that families are as powerful as oceans, bringing us in and out with their tides. Deep and rich with life, mystery, history.
Blue Sisters is a compelling family portrait of sisterhood, motherhood, and the ways in which we carry the heavy loads of our childhoods into adulthood. This work is embodied, containing the complexities of grief and families in all of its pain, sorrow, and absolute blazing beauty.

Every now and again I need a little tune-up/deep dive into my alter ego who is a fulfilled and effective psychotherapist. This is my calling! Yalom is so comfortable in his skin, lending his years of experience and thinking outside of the paradigm of the field to guide budding therapists. If only I had this when I was young!

Perhaps because this is the fifth book of the author‘s that I have read and I have come to cherish, trust and respect her, I don‘t view the true crime inspiration for this novel as disrespectful. Winstead is an intellectual and an artist, and she is transparent about the autobiographical aspect and real life inspiration from the beginning.

All hail the Woman King! The world would be a better place if more people had the will and openness to heal, grow, and give as Chelsea Handler does. What a beautiful light-worker of a human! The part where she gave herself credit for her evolution made me tear up with happy tears. This is an overall work of delightful entertainment but mostly inspiration to do and be better. 5 🌟🎧

Quietly powerful in its simple prose and deep thematic currents, Broken Country disarms and enchants. Buckle up for heartache, heartsickness, heart-fluttering! – this book is a journey of the heart.
4.5 🌟

A delicious peek behind the curtain of the celebrity food world ranging from downright seedy to totally outlandish! Laurie‘s exposè of herself and her famous bosses is raw and unflinching, presenting her soul-searching journey through addiction while striving in the food industry on a steaming silver platter. I was mesmerized the entire time! 5 ?

A soul-crushing journey of a family swathed in prose so lovely it reads as magical realism. This read is not for the faint of heart, it cuts deeply, but it is a triumph in demonstrating the beauty glimmering within pain. Every single trigger warning! ‼️

There is something so refreshing about Emily Austin‘s captivating dissection of life. She breathes a fresh perspective into whatever she is examining and managed to write a book about suicide that felt curiously delightful.

3.5 🌟 I think this is a pick for me? I don‘t know who I would recommend this book to. I need a Xanax after going on this journey in the Alaskan tundra. A fierce love for the natural world rippled through the pages of this dark, eccentric tale. I felt fear, sorrow, devastation, horror, tenderness, more horror at the character‘s decisions (was this a horror novel?) I felt all of the feels, which is something! I‘m going to go…process some more.

A rather one-dimensional character study based on the real life of healer/midwife, Martha Ballard, in the late 1700s. This story is packaged as a murder mystery but is mostly focused on salivating over how shrewd and steadfast Martha was for a woman of her time. It was fascinating to think about the justice system (or lack thereof) in the 1700s and to examine women‘s lives at the time (we haven‘t come that far…).

The ‘Let Them‘ theory is the tough love kick in the ass that we all need at different points in our lives. IMO, it is an effective third phase of growth & action once a person has done the deep, reflective inner work and systems thinking necessary to be fully integrated. Alone, I could see ‘Let Them‘ being helpful, but feeling like an emotional white knuckling through aspects of life that require deeper processing. 4 ⭐️ with that said, I love Mel!

Family Happiness examines Polly, who was raised to serve, seek approval, and provide goods and services. In return, she is adored by her family and relied upon. We follow Polly as her authentic self begins to emerge, rattling her brittle family system with a glorious exploration of feminine rage and the complexity of womanhood. Are girls raised to nurture their authenticity, or to fit snugly into society‘s expectations, toiling to earn love?

I thought of myself as a fragile person until I read Stolen Focus. I am constantly overwhelmed, feeling pummeled by regular life! Johann Hari talked through the design of social media, our economy, hustle culture, diet and lifestyle: all of which has evolved to thrive by overstimulating and vying for our attention. 5 ⭐️ 🎧 it was especially timely to listen to as I raise two young kids in this demanding digital age.

Heavenly Alliance is ideal for soul searching, wintering, spiritual awakening, or a healing journey. If you hold any belief in a universe beyond our comprehension, this book could be a resource at the right time in your life. I appreciated that Samantha Fey used narrative within a succinct structure, provided approachable exercises, and illustrated how challenges or our own energy can manifest in unexpected ways.

If you enjoy Dark Academia and like to imagine how the invisible swirls of class, education and social status bleed into our relations: look no further than Bad Habits. We follow Mac as she claws her way ruthlessly through the world of academia to make a place for herself in the world and escape her tethered past. Mac encounters the tantalizing world of the higher mind, where opportunity glimmers, pretty words manipulate, and deceit lurks. 4.5 ⭐️

3.5 stars ⭐️ a little Yarros novella fix as I warm up for Onyx Flame later this month 😆 I don‘t love a friends to lovers trope (these two were never really ‘friends‘) and the plot was a stretch in places, but this was fun! What Rebecca Yarros does for female fantasy, she does well 💪🏼 🙌🏼 River was way hotter in my head than on this cover lol 🎧

A soft pick. I understood the point of this novel, but it didn‘t stir any emotion within me. The antagonist‘s behavior was plainly malevolent and lacked the redeeming qualities needed to spark intrigue. I felt that there needed to be more passionate highs to balance the lows and fully bring the story to life.

This book was….ridiculous. The premise was preposterous (of course a man would know who you were if your husband killed his wife and child?) and the lack of morality & self-awareness of a character who was supposed to be intelligent enough to go to medical school for psychiatry was just…silly.

The most cohesively cowritten novel I have ever read! Sometimes a cowritten voice can fall flat and lack distinction, but Besser and Feste managed to fuse in a way that felt singular. Dirty Diana is a brilliantly woven patchwork quilt that explores themes of female desire, friendship, marriage, gender, social hierarchy, art, and identity. Who are we and what should we demand of this lifetime? What are we entitled to and what should we tolerate?

Heavier on the ‘Irish‘ than on the ‘Christmas,‘ this is a fun escapist novel! Light but with heavy themes, the plot ties the story together with an intriguing love triangle trope and gentle tension. The main character became too saccharine for my taste, reading more like a Disney princess than a real live woman, but all in all it worked as an atmospheric Irish holiday tale. A light pick for a specific mood 3 ⭐️

I enjoyed this ode to female friendship and empowerment. Sloane leads a life in which she allows herself to be drained, what will she make of her own thirst? I can‘t say that much about this story will stick with me, but it was perfect for spooky szn. The audio was impressive! 3.5 ⭐️ 🎧

I can't imagine anybody outdoing Jennifer Saint's ability to bring savage, mystical greek mythology to life. I appreciated feeling immersed in the perspectives of each character, and I was struck by how often we still reference these fables in modern time. I wish history would have been taught in school with the eloquence and captivation that these stories are told! 🎧⚡️

Piglet is a brilliant, unflinching look at the tortured inner-child that lives within. We follow Piglet as she passionately cooks her way to her wedding day, and as she plummets into despair when made aware of a betrayal. I was moved by the exploration of the way in which our childhood defenses are awoken from slumber when we feel powerless in our adult lives. The little kid in us is always lurking right beneath the surface, poised to devour.

An incredible deconstruction and hilarious analysis of circumstance, sex work, dysfunctional families, the dichotomous and self-righteous system that controls women and stacks the cards against them in a damn near impossible way. The themes and explorations run deep, but were packaged and delivered consistently in the most amusing, delightful way. Rufi Thorpe‘s creativity is a beacon! My fave read of 2024 so far, an absolute knock out! 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I am a glutton for anything psychotherapy…but this book cannot seem to sink its claws into me. Full of interesting insights, I have appreciated a few thought-provoking nuggets, but it‘s all too scattered to feel invested in. I‘m going to move onto the graphic audio of Iron Flame that just came through on Libby 😂

My soul didn‘t know that I needed this delightful “behind-the-music” story of Tom Felton aka Draco Malfoy! Tom is hilarious, down to earth, self-aware, grounded. He allowed listeners to peek behind the Harry Potter curtain in the most delicious, nostalgic way. I can‘t wait to re-read and then rewatch the series! 5 ⭐️ 🎧

Intriguing concept, charismatic characters, thought-provoking explorations on different eras all packaged in a sort of loose structure. This book was witty, charming, and written with fresh prose. While I was entertained and generally wooed, certain plot lines felt too slippery and unclear to me.

Meryl is a dream, but 80% of the way through I realized that I felt no connection to any of the characters (or a really strong grasp on any of them?) and I felt incredibly bored. Sped through the rest. I wanted to like this more! 2.5 ⭐️ 🎧

I can‘t get enough of Amanda Montell. In our current time of information onslaught, we are all overstimulated little fish swimming in uncharted waters. Her perspective on how our brains are handling the internet, celebrity worship, overconfidence in the age of selfies, etc…is validating and a huge relief. Somebody to make sense of it all for us!

….Kinky! I respect the unflinching exploration of a vampire and werewolf union, Ali Hazelwood went there. Not sure I need more of it (the epilogue suggested a sequel) but I was entertained. 3 ⭐️🎧

The plot plotted along and pages kept turning, but it was the spice that kept me in it. Ultimately an enjoyable slow burn full of Gods, magic, power, secrets and plenty of lust. I‘m not sure that I would be eager to read a long series to follow, but I‘ll definitely pick up the next book. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

5 ⭐️ A must-read guide to understanding the people in your life who regularly feel draining, chaotic, and incomprehensible. While the comparison between mature vs. immature people strikes a condescending dichotomy times, I think it is necessary to achieve the emotional distance needed to conceptualize how limited some people are (and will likely always be). True to the title: emotional disengagement is the ultimate goal and path to healing.

4.5 ⭐️ This pointedly smart, Atwood-esque glimpse into our possible future had me rapt, unnerved, and deeply pensive. A salient read in this precise moment as AI surges ahead.

Tia Williams is so COOL. I would be intimidated by her shrewdness in person, but entering her clever, tender, sexy world feels spellbinding. Williams‘ voice is markedly modern with compelling notes of past times through which her old soul sings. A truly heartwarming and alluring experience. 4 ⭐️🎧

Galit Atlas has married psychoanalysis with what feels like the magical world of emotional inheritance, in which ancestral trauma is passed down through generations. Except that the way in which we all know more than we think we do about our families and one another unconsciously is not magic, it is very real; as is the way in which processing the trauma can finally begin to heal and release it. 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Women is an immersive experience, traveling back to a time not long ago in which women were steeply denied recognition, dignity, and respect for serving their country. Hannah demonstrates the infuriating injustice, patriarchal tyranny, and mind-blowing disregard for competent veterans. Deep, flowing trauma-bonds between women are forged and they hold one another up; seeing and understanding one another in a way that the world refuses to.

What...an experience! I viscerally felt the narrator's exhaustive anxiety, desperation and neuroticism. While this work is hyperbolic, there is something unmistakably captured that exists in many heterosexual relationships that I have witnessed. I do think women can acceptably get away with losing themselves in a man and hiding from themselves and their real issues.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have to sit with this novel weighing deeply in my heart…I don‘t think it will ever leave me! The Heart‘s Invisible Furies is nothing short of a spiritual experience, examining life/death/tragedy/queerness/love/friendship/parental relationships/childhood trauma/culture/society/found family/intolerance -- in all its complexity.

This book didn‘t really do it for me 🤷🏼‍♀️ the concept was intriguing and I didn‘t bail on it, but it also seemed purposefully cheesy and naive, like a YA romance, and it didn‘t evoke any emotion out of me other than the occasional eye roll. 2.5 ⭐️

5 ⭐️ reading content, 4 ⭐️ reading experience. Very heavy research-based work of non-fiction but mindblowing. PSA to incorporate 20 minutes of art into your day, every day! It‘s our way through trauma, our map to the subconscious, our portal to the divine. Obviously, I didn‘t need much convincing, but I‘m inspired to have the reminder that art is an essential, valuable crux of our humanity and spiritual well-being.

3.5 ⭐ Quirky and thought-provoking! I enjoyed this perspective-enhancing novel about a masochistic, neuro-atypical queer woman who brings self-loathing to a whole new level. Getting to know Enid was intriguing, cringey, and often hilarious. It was all a bit neatly formulaic for me in the end, but it made sense, and the interesting facts about space were both fascinating and endearing to the character.

A poignant, simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming story that vibrates with the true spirit of Christmas we should all hold in our hearts 🎄

3.5 🌟 Brimming with folklore and whimsy, this tale is an engaging fairytale adventure. I enjoyed the quirky characters and their dynamics, and my attention was held throughout, which counts for a lot! At times the perspective got a bit tangential, and none of my feelings were stirred, but I had a good time. Also, who can resist that gorgeous cover?! 🧚🏻

3.5 ⭐️ Written with a spellbinding prose, features of this story will stay with me when my mind wanders to witchy thoughts. “The Craft” vibes are definitely present and this is a satisfyingly spooky, magical, coming of age story. Melissa Albert is a beautiful writer, but I had a hard time getting into the story until about halfway through. I would pick up her work again.

5 glowing, awestruck stars ✨ Midnight is a heart-stopping, enraging, shrewd examination of morality and justice. Addictive and intriguing, systems are acutely demonstrated and dismantled through a mesmerizing love story that played in my head like a hypnotic orchestral symphony. Ashley Winstead is a compelling power, simmering with a depth, intellect and understanding of human nature that renders the reader breathless.

3.5 ⭐️ I appreciated the spooky-factor in this book, it was scary but didn't destroy me. At the heart (or black tourmaline-streaked stone, IYKYK) of this story is a woman reckoning with the death of her abusive, alcoholic mother, made more compelling by the author who grew up with an alcoholic and unpredictable mother. Unsettling, infuriating, and sinister...this is a great read for the Halloween season.

3.5 ⭐️ 🎧 It took me awhile to feel invested in this story, but it had all of the elements of good storytelling, world building, and character tension. It was a nice escape as an audiobook. I think a physical book may have felt too drawn out at times; things pick up towards the final third of the book. I‘ll listen to the next in the series when the mood strikes! 🧚🏼‍♂️🧚🏻‍♀️

Thistlefoot is bound with searing history, imaginative force and deeply profound moments. Though there was so much here and I was moved by the message of the novel and certain passages, it overall lacked cohesiveness and I struggled to follow along at times. Baba Yaga‘s perspective was my favorite to listen to 🎧 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I finished this book feeling conflicted and overwhelmed. At first it felt hopeful to read a book on beauty and wellness that aligned more with my values, focusing on self-care and facial massage instead of expensive, trendy cosmetic procedures. Gradually, the approach snowballed into more and more intensity around “wellness” habits that can be painted as small efforts, but combined become obsessive and overwhelming.