Classicist Mary Beard explores how powerful women have been treated throughout history. 4⭐️

The book begins on Decoration Day in the late 1950s, and the town of Jewel, Minnesota is celebrating. On the banks of the Alabaster River, a body is discovered. The murder reopens old wounds of the townspeople. 4.5⭐️

While reading the second chapter, I predicted this would be a 5⭐️ read. Alexa Hagerty recounts her time in uncovering mass graves after a genocide in Guatemala and a military junta in Argentina. She handles her subject matter with care and reverence. This book is HEAVY (my cat was temporarily tasked with employment as my emotional support animal over the last 10 days) but it is well worth reading. Cont in comments...

Hammad, in a speech she delivered at Columbia, uses the concept of narrative shift in literature and applies it to our current place in history. 4⭐️

4.5⭐️

This book is short in stature and length. And now is a good time to read it. I finished it on a 3 hour flight with plenty of time to delve back into my other book.

A beautiful story about love and the resiliency required to sustain hope. Shortly after Wren and Lewis are married, he is diagnosed with a genetic mutation that is turning him into a great white shark. This novel follows our two main characters, as well as Wren's mother, Angela. Most of the chapters are short (one or two paragraphs), making this a quick read.

I honestly forgot how much fun it is to read YA fantasy. 4⭐️

A collection of essays written by a poet. The prose is gorgeous. I listened to the audiobook because I love listening to an author read their work, and I wish he would narrate more books! If you're a younger Gen X or elder Millennial, you will appreciate the music and pop culture references. 5⭐️
I also need to get my hands on a physical copy because one chapter was excluded from the audiobook

I am the type of person who likes to know as little as possible about a book before reading it. So when I discovered there was a book that retold Huck Finn from Jim's POV, I couldn't wait to read it! But I wouldn't reduce this story to that sentiment. This book is James' story. One of the many things lacking from my history education were the stories of resistance by enslaved people. I will never forget this version of James. (Cont in comments)

My library has a "blind date with a book" shelf, so I picked one up. I added this one to my TBR a couple of months ago, and I'm so excited to read it!

Currently reading James and about 60 pages in I predicted it was going to be a 5⭐️ read. I'm very interested to see how that holds up.

Such a sweet book. I'm going to have to buy it for my niece and nephew!

4.25⭐️

The author embarks on multiple walks, each taken with different experts in their fields. I've always been fascinated by the relationship between knowledge about a subject and its effect on our attentiveness (or inattentiveness) toward certain details. Or simply the fact that we're too busy to notice these details. 4⭐️

I was late to this one. Not sure why. I loved these characters! 4.5 ⭐️

An alien is sent to earth to inhabit the body of a mathematician in order to prevent his recent discovery from allowing human advancement into deep space travel. But the longer the alien spends on earth, the more sympathy and fondness he develops for his "family" and all of humankind (thanks in no small part to Emily Dickenson and the Beach Boys). This makes them infinitely more difficult to kill. Lovely start to the year. 4⭐️

Both informative and infuriating, the authors offer a look at how culture wars, not policy, shape our political systems. 4.5⭐️

I don't typically read books that were published posthumously, but this was on the librarian recommendation shelf. The story follows Ana Magdalena Bach on her annual journeys to the island where her mother is buried. 3⭐️

Well, that was a ride! Korede receives a phone call from her sister Ayoola. Ayoola has just stabbed her boyfriend to death and needs her sister's help to get her out of this mess. We soon discover this is Ayoola's third boyfriend to meet an unfortunate demise. Was it really an issue of self-defense (3 times!)? Or is it something more sinister? 4⭐️

I cannot get enough of this cover! I enjoyed this story but the characters felt one-dimensional. I read this right after Emily Henry's latest and I may be unfairly comparing them. I kept it as a pick, but I wouldn't move it to the top of the TBR.

I always enjoy Emily Henry's novels. This was exactly the cozy, predictable romance I needed.

A really informative look at prisons and the criminal justice system. And what alternatives are possible.

This book is categorized as mystery/thriller/crime, and it is. But it is also an incredible family saga that packs an emotional punch. The characters are written with such depth, and I hated to finish the book and leave them behind. 4⭐️

Addie and Louis, both widowed for several years, get to know one another. I really enjoyed the writing and character development. 4.25⭐️

Vivek Oji is born the day his grandmother dies. His life is touched by this bittersweet beginning. On the day of his death, his body is left in front of his parents' home. The story unfolds through flashbacks and present day as his mother comes undone in the wake of his death. She knows his friends are keeping a secret. 4.5⭐️

Essays on racism and feminism in America that are still relevant today. Occasionally, there was a reference (ex: "a nurse from West Germany") that reminded me how long ago this was published.

I, who has never creased a spine, am now annotating my books (well, the non-fiction books). I have never been able to stick with journaling, but it occurred to me that I have experienced an enormous amount of personal growth between the pages of non-fiction books. I thought this would be a fun way to document that!

I'm not sure if I've stumbled upon another genre to love or if this is the result of R.F. Kuang's skill as a writer, but I loved reading the unlikable narrator. I'll be thinking about this for years. 4.5 ⭐️

I absolutely love Greek mythology re-imaginings and Madeline Miller is the queen. 4 ⭐️

Perfect vacation read. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Will I remember it in a year? Probably not. 3⭐️

For me, this is one of those books that the less you know going into it, the better. I enjoy reading books that feature an unreliable narrator. I'll be thinking about this one for a while. 4⭐️

This was the first of 3 books I read on vacation, and I don't know how to describe it. I picked it up from the "librarian recommends" shelf, and the librarians haven't let me down yet. It takes place in an apocalyptic future and features the found family trope (one of my faves). 3.5⭐️

Well this was a rollercoaster! I don't normally read memoirs but my friend and I do the Popsugar Reading Challenge every year and that's one of the categories for 2023. Definitely check trigger warnings on this if you're interested in reading it. I'm glad she was finally able to speak her truth! 4⭐️

Reading this was like the best parts of going to therapy. I feel more compassion for people and their flaws and, by extension, more compassion for my own shortcomings. I also read the second half of the book in private with a box of tissues nearby. 5⭐️

I loved Desmond's 2016 book Evicted, and this one did not disappoint! 4.5⭐️

This book had me turning off notification permissions for phone apps somewhere around chapter 3. It's a thought-provoking examination of our collective decline in attention span. It did a good job at highlighting multiple factors that affect our ability to focus while also pointing out that some of this is not settled science and there are some subjects about which experts disagree. 4.5⭐️ I look forward to checking my next screen time report!

Chani Horowitz is an up and coming writer who catches her big break when she is assigned to interview the newest James Bond star, Gabe Parker. The interview ends up taking place over a whirlwind weekend after which Gabe marries his Bond co-star. 10 years and 2 books (Chani), several movies, alcoholism, a fall from grace and 2 rehab stints (Gabe) later, the pair are asked to reunite for another interview. Perfect beach read. 4⭐️

I read this last month but apparently forgot to post it. The ending left me absolutely speechless and I needed a few days to recover. This is a dual POV novel told from the perspective of two wives. One, a scientist, is sent on a 3 week mission in a submarine. The other, a writer, is home waiting for her return. Things go horribly wrong and it's 6 months before the scientist returns...and she is somehow very different. 5⭐️

A middle grade book about Eliana, a girl who is bullied about her weight. 5⭐️

I loved the writing and the main character! And this book has one of the most accurate depictions of anxiety and panic attacks that I have read. 4.5⭐️

I listened to this in one night. I always enjoy a good murderbot story. I'll continue to make my way through this series. 4⭐️

I don't know if I would enjoyed this book more if i had read it (instead of listening to it) or if it just wasn't the right moment in my life to pick it up but this book was just OK for me. 3⭐️

I enjoyed the audio book (read by the author). She really gave life to this character. That being said, I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed reading a hard copy as much. 4⭐️

I'm finding it very difficult to read since my mom passed away several weeks ago but I seem to be able to digest books in audio format. It is what it is

There are very few things in this world that I don't find interesting but I didn't know how mysterious eels were until reading this! 4⭐️

Two agents fighting a war through time and space begin exchanging letters and fall in love. 4⭐️

Ended the year with this short, cozy read. Happy New Year everyone!

I don't normally read memoirs but I had this as an audio book and it was read by the author and I found it to be relatable and enjoyable. 4⭐️

I love a good 'found family' trope! 4⭐️

This came in from the library and I DEVOURED it! I love the world building, word etymology, the character development, the history lessons, and the commentary how destructive colonialism was and continues to be. This is a book that is going to stay with me for a long time. If I could give it 10 stars I would. Actually, I'm an adult 10/5 ⭐️

I found the perfect spot to read in Porto. Right next to the river. The weather was perfect, there was a gentle breeze, and the background noise was quiet enough that I didn't lose focus. I finished it in that spot and I may have added a couple of tears to the river. Anyway I consoled myself with a glass of green wine but I still think about these characters.