Loved this quick read rom com! I enjoyed the opposites attract energy and reading about a relationship for folks in their late 30s. I read a review : it was refreshing to read about the struggles of managing their relationship vs the struggles of trying to get into one... And I couldn't agree more!

My library hold finally came through, so I had to zoom through or else I wouldn't get the opportunity to read this. The beginning had me thinking it was wayyy overhyped, then we went to the island and met the children and I fell in love. They made me laugh and also tugged at my heart. I went into this knowing it was highly recommended and knowing there was magic involved but nothing else. I was pleasantly surprised at the laughter and love.

Wanted to love this. Enjoyed it, but I don't think "cozy mystery" is my genre. Loved the references to the Filipino culture and even shuddered a bit at some of the judgemental Auntie guilt as it is all too familiar to me. I think the main character was a little frustrating for me in a not realistic or understanding way, but probably was intentially naive for the sake of the story and to keep readers guessing. Good, quick read for a rainy weekend.

TW: Suicide

I liked this book more than I didn't. It did pull me out of a 6 week reading slump. I wanted to love this. The premise was incredibly intriguing. I think maybe the jumps weren't as long as I'd like, so little connection. And they ended up having predictable outcomes. Some don't like Nora or her flatness, but I thought she seemed very true to a person with depression. I liked her. I do think though it was an overall good book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thoughtful perspective and personal experiences presented in this series of essays focused on the built-in racism that exists in the US and what black women have to work against daily. The language was easy for me to digest while also being academic. There were some hard subjects that you are confronted with here and you are forced to sit with the uncomfortableness, but those moments that hit me the hardest also felt the most powerful.

Intended for young adults, this is a good introduction to the racist past of the US and Antiracism. Written conversationally, so I was very engaged. Easily digestible but powerful and leaves you with a lot to reflect on.

I have wanted to read this for years - ever since I was in elementary school and my high school brother read is back in the early 90s. This is one of my favorite movies so it was hard to not make comparisons while reading... but man, was this book good. So involved and descriptive. The characters made you care... whether you loved them or hated them, you felt for them. It was such a great blend of action and science and I just really enjoyed it.

I was attracted to both the cover and the quick summary of this book. For me, this story had a lot! Too much? It was somehow quick but slow at the same time. The characters weren't as fleshed out and some of the stories happened in a flash. I did love that it was a Western but flipped on its head. I did like it, but not love.

My January #BOTM box is here! I chose three books outside of my "typical" read. I started 'Outlawed' immediately and am into it. Excited to make progress on my 2021 reading goals.

This is out of the wheelhouse of what I normally read but I am glad I did. I was so engrossed in the first half, lost a little in the middle, then satisfied by the end. It was romantic w/o being a 'romance novel'. Art and historical fiction are not my thing, but I was hooked. I loved the main characters approach to love - falling for the person first, recognizing their gender second. It was so natural and reminded me of the love in Schitt's Creek.

With the best boy beside me, this is how I've spent my New Years weekend. Started a new book and made lots of progress. A very good start to my 2021 reading goal.