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.

This one never got its hooks into me! The writing wasn‘t bad, but I ended up skimming through to read the ending. I didn‘t feel emotionally invested. 2 ⭐️

Enchanting with its atmosphere and energy, I was drawn deeply into the magic and dark academia of The Cloisters! The entire novel hummed with a sort of spellbinding trance that matched its themes of oracle, desire, allure, power, and seduction. The steady plot, layers of environment and undertones, and quality environment makes this a perfect read for Fall 🍁🍂

On the surface Adelaide is an exploration of unrequited love and mental health, but it also resonates with the general impossibility of being a woman. There was an energy of effort, thoughtfulness, and depletion that women tend to exert just to be met with an air of being treated as though they‘re “not enough.” I see this dynamic in the workplace, at home, in friendships and marriages; in every realm that women roam!

I gave this a try on audio and it wasn‘t for me. The concept is nice and I‘m sure it was a lovely exercise for the family, but it didn‘t feel to me like something that needed to be put out into the world. It felt self-indulgent and theatrical.

Shark Heart is elemental, a Pisces: pensive, a lap through deep existential waters. The characters had an aliveness despite the fantastical plot. This book is a beautiful work of art that strikingly explores the life journey, transformation and rebirth. 5⭐️

If you can allow yourself to get swept up in an action-packed, intriguing, heart-pounding romance set in a fantasy world war college…meet your new escape. The hype was real for me! Yarros built the perfect addictive tension between characters and unraveled interesting situation after situation. I fell in love, I cried! All the feelings 🐉 🖤 please somebody take this to the screen! 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Let me preface by saying I LOVED Wild Game. Adrienne Brodeur is a smart, incisive, mesmerizing writer. Maybe family portraits aren‘t my thing…but I didn‘t feel quite as drawn into this one. It held my attention and had a steady, flowing plot with deep characters and growth, but it didn‘t feel like much of an “experience” if that makes sense. I‘d still pick up her next book because I respect her and know she can teach me and hold my interest! 3 ⭐️

I had been looking for a propulsive summer read to get lost in and this was it! Total Veronica Mars vibes, constant movement, interesting twists and turns. It's very YA in that every single avenue explored yielded new or confirmed evidence, which felt less realistic but makes for a really fun, addictive read. Relationships between the characters are touching and there is growth. I'll check out the rest of the series! 4⭐️

I‘m always so impressed when an author is able to vividly imagine an enchanting story within a story, especially along with captivating riddles and whimsical world building. This book is full of inspiration and intrigue (as well as all of the warm feels!) I wanted to pick up a sketch book after I was done reading this love letter to creativity and the power of human kindness. Great beach read! Thank you for letting me borrow it @ICantImReading 🩵

Margaret Atwood is a treasure. I cherished going to the bookstore to pick up her latest, it‘s a gift to live in the same time as this brilliant woman. Atwood has a way of being equally grounded and ethereal. Her short stories offer comfort, hope, intrigue, and new ideas; especially about death and aging. She always leaves me in a state of pure awe. 5⭐️✨

This is a book for anybody who is seeking a grounding meditation or inspiring type of mindfulness. I loved the inspiration to enrich my life and connect to others more deeply through my five senses. It felt like free happiness and fulfillment in appreciating all of the beauty around us! As well as a call to intentionally curate an environment to nourish ourselves through our senses.

Aesthetica is a dark exploration around the culture of women altering their faces and bodies to be youthful, relevant, and trendy.

It begs the question…what are we really buying when we alter ourselves?….Love? Admiration? Safety? Security? A little more time?

Ashley Winstead never lets me down! Having a brother named Logan didn't get in the way of me falling for the main love interest named Logan in this tension-filled escape (which is a testament to Ashley's craft). Smart, substantial, steamy, relatable...I had so much fun with this.

What…was this?? I think that Carley Fortune is talented with her prose, but this storyline felt formulaic and far-fetched. The characters weren‘t believable, nor was the relationship between them. The audio version was hard for me to follow at times between the past and present tenses. I ended up zipping through at a high speed and continued to roll my eyes through the end.

If you‘re looking for a grounding meditation and a way to halt your spinning anxieties, The Comfort Book is your salvation. I enjoyed this book as a way to infuse a little bit of zen, the wonder of life, and the bigger picture into every day. I want to have it on my coffee table as my daughters experience the inevitable growing pains of youth. What a lovely treasure of a book. True to its name, it‘s as comforting as a warm cup of tea 🍵 5⭐️

Minka's story is layered and surprising; but mostly because of what we assume of other people. This heartbreaking and authentic memoir is an offering of grace. An articulate, searingly empathic, intelligent demonstration of the work we can do to take the hand of our inner-children and guide them lovingly to a calmer, more centered way of being. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🎧 highly recommend on audio.

Lucy Cooke‘s sense of humor and approach to nonfiction storytelling brings me so much joy! Her narraration evokes “Nigel Thornberry” and I can hear the twinkle in her eye through her voice. I was delighted by the interesting animal facts, but the historical context was harder for me to latch onto. It was hard to hear about cruel animal experimentation. 3⭐️ 🎧

This wasn‘t for me! There is a certain bristle and unlikable nature to McConaghy‘s main characters that feels like a barrier to connection for me. I appreciated the structure, ethics and intent of the novel (I enjoyed learning about the Arctic Terns!) Franny, in my opinion, wasn‘t the best character to tell this story. She was overdone and too rugged/traumatized with few redeeming qualities and surprising tenderness that came out of nowhere.

3.5 ✨ Weyward is a shimmering ode to nature, connection, women and the constant smothering of female power. I was moved by how the book wrapped itself up and enjoyed the scenic nature and themes, but I had a hard time feeling invested until the end.

I think, perhaps, that giving some of the most objectified women on the planet a voice is one of the most empowering, feminist punches I can imagine. I loved getting to know Pam Anderson, and I felt a kindred spirit in her. I‘m grateful to Pam and all other women who take the time to share themselves, I think it‘s one of the most powerful, connective forces to bring women together, which is the safest and most satisfying place for women to be. 5⭐️

There is something undeniable about how our family systems wire us. Learning the language of Origin Wounds helped me to connect the dots in an intriguing, self-compassionate, sometimes painful, but ultimately revolutionary way. I don‘t have it all figured out after reading this book, but I have new tools, strategies, and thought-provoking questions to ask myself that bring me closer to the more healed person and parent I want to be. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Can I drop everything and become a zoologist? I think I found my new passion! This book gripped me from start to finish. I‘m left in a state of awe and shock about the animal kingdom. I had never thought about the deep entrenchment of society and culture into the scientific method…how it impacts the questions we think to ask, what we‘re able to see, and the answers we‘re willing to accept. My mind is cracked wide open in the most wonderful way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I wish I could download this book to my brain! Brené offered a nuance to emotions that I didn‘t know I desperately needed to make sense of literally almost anything one can experience. I saw so much of myself and people I know in the emotions. I feel as one should feel after a mind-expanding book: more connected to humanity and left with more to learn.

There is something rage-inspiring about adrenaline-pumping about being reminded of the injustices inherent in being female that we all sort of accept. Our value tied to our youth, reproductive viability, and quiet compliance. How what we are valued and encouraged to be makes us easy prey for tireless hunters. The Change is a reality check and an empowering note on the sacredness of womanhood.

Winstead is so versatile! Her move from a dark thriller to romance was unexpected but entertaining and well-executed. I know when I pick up one of her books that I won't feel disappointed. In My Dreams I Hold a Knife was my favorite read of 2021, I prefer her psychological acuity in the thriller realm, but her romance was also shrewdly smart and enjoyable.

Who knew we all needed a Halloween romance in our lives!? This was so much fun, I loved reading it all in October to really get into a festive spirit. This is a pick for those who love all of the magic and beauty of Halloween without the scaries!

What sheer entertainment! I loved getting in touch with my inner vengeful, sinister side through this nonstop academic thriller. It was the perfect read for late-September into October. I‘m left with the musing: what punishment would I see fit for that irritating behavior? What a dark, guilty-pleasure daydream ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

I wasn‘t excited by the overall approach that BOTM took to October‘s picks (give us more seasonal spooky and cozy fall feels!?) but I‘m going to go outside of my typical genre choices with this fun one! At least The Ex Hex is brimming with delicious Halloween energy 🎃 #BOTM

Not totally what I expected but I definitely think about our relationship to plants and nature differently than I had before! I feel more open and curious about natural drugs rather than judgmental or fearful. My favorite thought to mull over was the notion that we can learn a lot about what a culture values based on what plants they celebrate or prohibit. Worth a read or listen!

It‘s hard to put my finger on what makes Donna Tartt so masterful, but my goodness she IS. She held my attention for all 32.5 hrs of this audiobook, which was beautifully narrated. It is exquisite how the story allows the reader to understand Theo‘s life and perspective through pure illustration and symbolism. I usually like books with sharp, clever insights but Tartt patiently paints a masterpiece, much like the Goldfinch itself ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 ⭐️ I struggled through the first half! I knew the main character was flawed based on her trauma, but she felt unlikeable and nonsensical. I also wasn‘t feeling the wolf magic like I hoped! The last third of the book redeemed itself to me and the ending was tenderly interwoven in a way the surprisingly made me cry, multiple times! Ultimately a beautiful, touching story even if it took me awhile to get there.