For a Gen Xer like myself, this book was trip down memory lane of pop culture of that time. The feelings we had when we were young, trying to make sense of the world and our place in it. Abraham Chang takes all of this and creates not only a love story(ies), but a quirky story of family, culture and home. I loved the alternating timelines, the letters from his uncle, and the progression of Young's character reflected in the world around him.

This book is terrifying, addictive, immersive and a totally twisted mind f***. Paul Tremblay is an auto-buy author for me and this one may be my new favorite. This is an inventive look at not only the horror genre and the people that create these films, but the idea of what a monster is. Is it the figment of your imagination that lives under the bed or is it the person who seems like a nice guy that kind of blends in and doesn‘t stand out?

This was such a fresh and modern take on a thriller/murder mystery. By using the world of online dating apps, you'll feel like you are swiping left and right alongside Gwen. I have seen comparisons of this to Bridget Jones but with murder and I can definitely see why. This is fun, twisty, and completely engaging. Every time I though I figured out who the killer was, I was completely wrong. This dark comedy will definitely keep you guessing!

For anyone looking for the cozy feels of authors like TJ Klune or Travis Baldree, this book should be on your TBR. This is a hug of a book and I hope to see this world explored further by the author. The romance is perfect, the sentient plants are wonderful and the cast of characters combine to bring the whole story together. With elements of magic, fantasy creatures, nature and baked goods, readers will not want to leave this story.

Everyone is buzzing about this book for good reason. This is my kind of thriller and mystery. It delves into family, class, and community, and the character development is second to none. By the way, I love when the setting becomes a character in books, and Liz Moore does an incredible job bringing that area of the country to life, a living entity that envelops the entire story. Tis is storytelling at its finest.

I have always been a big fan of YA romance, and they seem to get better and better as time goes on. This one is a excellent example of this. Author Serena Kaylor creates a modern teen story with homages to Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice and Cyrano de Bergerac sprinkled throughout. This book is smart, witty and features diverse representation of people on the spectrum, LGBTQIA+ relationships, and mental health struggles.

Emma Lord is known for her YA books and this is her adult romance debut. It's got all the right ingredients: a tea shop, scones, a romantic setting and two characters who you feel like you have known all of your life. I received this on audio and the narrator brought the story to life, allowing me to get lost in June and Levi's love story. If you are looking for a swoon worthy book for the holiday weekend, this one should be one you pick up.

Author Rachel Beanland has based this historical fiction novel on the true story of the Richmond Theater Fire. Dozens died that night as the crowd surge to escape the smoke and flames. Heroes (and cowards) were revealed that night, and Beanland takes us on a fictionalized account of some of those that were there. Not only does the author bring the disaster to life with her impeccable research, she draws you into the story as if you were there.

Set against the backdrop of multiple countries, we see the world through the eyes of people who are seeking their own dreams while reconciling with their pasts and places they call home. The desire to succeed, the hard work, the obstacles faced. But what I think I will take away most from this story is the strength shown by the women. Through everything they have to struggle through, their love for family, and for themselves, shone throughout.

Watching the journey of these three men from the same family play out was powerful. For me, this was a story about the "masks" we wear in life. The secrets we keep from those we love, the truths we hide, even from ourselves, and the legacies we try, and sometime fail, to live up to. I loved the idea of setting this in the world of luchadors, where masks are the pillar of the sport, and the way the author wove it all together was masterful.

Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish, has written his first memoir about his friend and brother-in-law William Nealy. Nealy was Wallace's inspiration: a cartoonist, author, outdoorsman. Wallace admired him so much that he became a writer himself. They first met when William was dating Daniel's sister Holly. Their friendship was shattered when William took his own life, leaving Daniel with a search for the reason why.

This book is a thoughtful and emotional look at young womanhood, spanning conversations about race, class, mental health, family, and friendship. Queenie's story is one that I believe a lot of women can relate to as they try to fit the myriad of roles that society expects of them. As I was reading, I felt every bump in the road, how every bad choice affected Queenie, yet at the same time, gave her the clarity to find what was right for her.

For anyone who is a fan of the golden age of Hollywood, this is a must read. It has juicy secrets about some of the biggest stars of that time, and sadly, some of their downfalls as well. He could be called upon to bust open the story or cover it up, depending on his client's needs. The job was the job and his loyalty to it was iron clad. In an age where celebrity scandals are a dime a dozen, this book goes to show that some things never change.

I LOVE KEVIN KWAN! I am absolutely obsessed with his Cities books. "Sex and Vanity" and "Lies and Weddings" can be read as stand alones but I suggest reading them as a series as they build upon each other perfectly. The characters are fantastic, and the over the top personalities are so much fun! You get to travel the world with them, wrapping yourself in the soap opera of it all, and fall in love all at the same time.

Katherine Center is hands down one of my favorite authors. I love her books so much! They are funny, realistic, witty, and relatable, and The Rom-Commers resonates on all those points. This reads like some of the great rom-com movies from people like Nora Ephron and Nancy Meyers (and frankly if this doesn't get turned into a movie, I will be shocked). I am in total and complete love with Charlie Yates right now.

When Michael Crichton passed away in 2008, he left behind an unfinished manuscript. His wife, Sherri, took those notes to James Patterson to complete it. And what a team the two of them make! This books lives up to all the anticipation surrounding it. This is your fun summer thriller! Fast-paced, well researched, and full of tension and adventure, Eruption is what I call the perfect "popcorn book" and it reads like a summer blockbuster.

Having read the first two books years ago, I finally got around to reading "Any Way the Wind Blows." I reread the first two to refresh my memory. While this series has been described as "Harry Potter-esque", I found it to be mature and one that really dives into the magical world. The romance is realistic, angsty, and has excellent representation. My favorite book in this trilogy was "Wayward Son" because who doesn't love a good road trip book.

This is the first book in the Grimm Bargains series and it is a dark and sexy retelling of Beauty and the Beast. You have an morally grey alpha man and a bas-ass heroine involved in a high-tech and high-stakes business world, giving us a story filled with intrigue and boiling hot chemistry. I really liked how the author mixed the power of gemstones along with the reach of social media influence to create the plot line for the story.

This is a well plotted social commentary filled with insight, emotion and quite a few "a-ha" moments for myself as I was reading it. It really got me thinking about how relationships play out in this modern age. Do we put more effort into our online relationships, or should we be focusing most on our face to face interactions? This would be an excellent read for a book club discussion to really dive into these topics.

The story of Eilis has stayed with me for all these years. For me, Eilis is one of the most well-written characters I have ever read and her continued story was so deeply personal to me. To see this book revisit her family, her friends, and of course Jim, was an absolute roller coaster of emotions. Tóibín is a master of character development and storytelling, and with this ending, I hope it leaves the possibility of a continuation of this story.

This translated novel is a powerful example of a literary dystopian novel. Not only does it delve into the climate change issue, but it also explores government inaction, class and wealth. This is not a big action book in the face of the destruction of the world, this is a quiet and thoughtful look at what could happen to the average person in this situation, when we battle to survive but also hold onto a past that no longer exists.

This debut novel has a fly on the wall feel, as if we were looking in on the events that happened at that time. But instead of the world we got from the press and the publicists, we get an insider look at the music industry, the talent that fed it and the success and damage done in the process. Image, backstory, and marketing all carefully crafted to push the narrative that the label was looking for, regardless of the collateral damage caused.

Loved this so much! As someone who was diagnosed with OCD, I am finding myself searching out books that reflect this experience and Everybody's Favorite definitely did. Although I am older than the author, her experiences growing up and self-deprecating humor regarding her OCD were right on the nose and incredibly relatable. Honest, witty, and emotional, Everybody's Favorite is a great way to reflect on the moments that brings us to adulthood.

These stories explore the idea of "darkness" in all the forms it comes. While all of the stores resonated with me, "Danny Coughlin's Bad Dream" is a story that had me completely engrossed. The joy of this collection is its ability to dance from genre to genre with a similar thread through each story, putting King's nuance as a writer on full display. I've grown up on his writing, and as I approach my 50's, his books continue to affect me.

I have truly fallen in love with this book and Joe-Nathan. Positively uplifting, emotional, and lovely, this is quite frankly a novel that this world desperately needs right now. I love that it was written in a way that allows us to see the world through Joe's eyes and as someone who was diagnosed with OCD, this is the first time I truly felt "seen" in a novel. I so appreciated how well this is handled, with care and understanding.

I love a good "rich people problems" book and the fact that it was set in a tech thriller/mystery made it all the more fun for me. Manipulation, drama, lies, and gossip - checking all my boxes for a bingeable good time. The narrator was fabulous, keeping me engaged the entire time.

Yulin Kuang has written a romance novel that goes so much deeper than your typical fare. She has taken the enemies to lovers trope and built a story that hits the reader emotionally, intellectually and romantically of course. Delving into serious issues like mental health, suicide, and trauma, Kuang is able to take these difficult issues and give us something that feels modern, true and thoughtful.

With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, this book serves as a window into the beginnings of her reign as well as the turmoil preceding it. Seeing everything leading up to her coronation laid out, the reader is able to see how much pressure she was under to bring constancy back to the monarchy. Her father's dedication to his role that ended up killing him, her mother's guidance, and Philip's love all allowed her to become that beloved figure.

I have am a huge fan of the Crave series so I knew I wanted to pick this one up. What I loved about Crave was the way the characters and their backstories were built prior to the action and drama and I felt Sweet Nightmare didn't deliver in the same way. I didn't feel an attachment to the characters because of it. While the action and turmoil is definitely on point and over the top, it almost overwhelmed the characters and the storyline.

Under The Bridge, now a series on Hulu, is a must read for any true crime fan. I had never heard of this case prior to the book and series, and once I read the book, I was completely wrapped up in it. The tragedy of it, the warped mentality that caused it, along with the effects on the families and the community as a whole makes for a true story like no other. I found the in depth research and interviews extremely compelling.

The tension and anxiety of the setting and the people affected hits you right from the get-go. You see how society can both work together and collapse at the same time in the face of disaster. Let's delve into the characters because they really drive the story. These are not the heroic and good people that many of these type novels revolve around. They are selfish and make really bad decisions, making the situation worse.

Alternating betweenqq 1969 and 2016, author Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai explores, family, love, country, and how the past can alter our present. The new novel The Women is getting a lot of attention right now due to its Vietnam setting, and this novel really takes you into the heart of the conflict and how it affected the Vietnamese specifically. Deeply emotional and heart wrenching.

Ruth Ware is such a great thriller writer and this one did not disappoint. This is a modern take on the locked room mystery trope. Using reality tv as a backdrop and social media elements to make the characters relatable, the author takes a trope we all know and gives it fresh life. With "And Then There Were None", "Lord of the Flies", and "Animal Farm" vibes throughout, Ware weaves together a story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Isn't there a little explorer in all of us? The idea of seeing a place that has been visited by so few calls to that adventurous spirit. For some, that place is the literal top of the world, Everest. "Everest, Inc." takes us into the Himalayan climbing world, shedding light on its humble beginnings and the brave people who conquer the highest peaks in the world. .

I love presidential history, no matter the political party, and have been collecting signed presidential biographies for years. I find the thought processes and decision making skills of the most powerful people in the world fascinating and this book made me feel like I had a front row seat to those moments. I loved how Stephanopoulos crafted the story of the POTUS right alongside the staffers who kept this nerve center running 24/7.

I have greatly enjoyed Ali Hazelwood's STEM romance books. With this being her first paranormal romance, I was definitely intrigued and I can say that I was not disappointed. What I love most about Hazelwood's writing is how well (and how smart) she writes her characters. While romance is obviously at the heart of this book, Hazelwood gives us a mystery and political intrigue that gives the plot a realistic feel in this shifter novel.

Second chance romance is my favorite and I loved this! Is it because I related to this story? Absolutely! I married my high school sweetheart 20 years after we graduated and this book went through all the same issues we had. The struggles, the miscommunications, the long distance aspect, and that fear of not destroying the friendship, are all perfectly written by the author. I received this in both physical and audio and loved the audio so much.

How fun was this book? While this is obviously written for children, I learned so much from author Erin Spencer, who is a marine biologist. Filled with gorgeous pictures, fun facts, and activity suggestions, readers have a chance to learn about not only the different species of octopuses, but also learn about the scientists who study and help us understand them better. Definitely an excellent volume to have for animal lovers of all ages.

Amor Towles became one of my favorite authors with "A Gentleman in Moscow" so I knew that this book would capture my heart in the same way. The strength of Towles writing is simply the power of character. He creates characters that you feel like you have known your entire life, filled with heart, depth, emotion and flaws that very few writers today can create this well. The Lincoln Highway is a love letter to youth and the joys of adventure.

This is a fantastic take on Norse mythology! I loved the forbidden romance and the slow burn definitely paid off. I especially enjoyed Freya as her character grew throughout the story. She is an excellent example of a strong female main character done well. And how can you resist the force that is Bjorn. Filled with lots of adventure, battles, and backstabbing (along with a twist that leaves the reader with an exciting cliffhanger)!

Happy Indie Bookstore Day!

Las Vegas might not be a literary town but The Writer‘s Block proves that readers rock! Love this place!!

Salman Rushdie is one of my all-time favorite authors, so when I turned on the news that morning in August of 2022, my heart sank to the floor. To see a voice like his attacked in that way was horrifying and I am thankful for his recovery and for his continued literary contributions. This was an incredibly powerful recounting of the event, and I was struck by how close he brought us into his emotional and physical states along the way.

This book is epic in both page count and its sheer literary scale. This examination of a family at literal crossroads in their own lives as well as in the culture of America at that time is like no other book I have ever read. Franzen explores themes of family, fidelity, coming of age, and religion just to name a few and he does this by weaving together a story about people who belong to each other but want to belong to themselves as well.

Charles Spencer pulls back the curtains on the boarding school experience with his new book "A Very Private School". Recalling his own story along with his classmates‘, he starts with his early years as a child, one where he was very happy being with his family every day. But the tradition of sending your children away for school impacts him and at age 8, he is sent to Maidwell. Using his own memories, he shows us the horrors he had to face.

Living in Las Vegas, I seek to escape the high rolling city as much as possible. The Sierra Nevadas calm my soul and appeal to me like no other place on Earth. Brent Underwood truly captures the lore, soul and call of this area. It might not be an easy place to live, but it sure as hell is worth it.

This is an intense debut novel, not just because of the mystery intruder aspect, but because of the way the mother is treated by the authorities, the public, and her own family after it is all over. You get the high tension of the actual event, occurring second by second within that small space, but then you get the second act that actually felt more terrifying to me as a woman.

A fun summer romance that I highly recommend! Some of my fav tropes - fake relationship, second chance, slow burn! The Christina Lauren writing duo always deliver great romances that are fun and have something to say at the same time. I loved the family nature of this book, showing both the good and bad sides of families, something that all readers can relate to. The book is funny, touching, sweet, and filled with the intelligent banter.

Here is a romance for all my fellow outdoorsy girls! You‘ve got the unique birding angle (which I loved), a cinnamon roll in the form of John, fake dating, and spicy fun times. Plus, as a middle aged reader, seeing someone close to my own age was fabulous!! This book will be the perfect addition to your summer reading list. Bring your binoculars and fly away with this fun romance.

Mary Austin was an American writer and one of the early nature writers of the American Southwest. Her book, The Land of Little Rain, written in 1903, describes the fauna, flora, and people of the region between the High Sierra and the Mojave Desert of southern California. As this area of the country is not far from where we live in Vegas, I decided I would like to go and see these areas and visit her home in Independence, CA.

This might be the weirdest book I have ever read and I could not put it down! This book was disturbing, funny and thought provoking all at the same time - a unique work of social commentary for sure! Scott Guild takes on corporate overreach, corrupt governments, and both the upside and downside of the online world in such a singular way that the reader cannot help to see our own current state of affairs reflected right back at us.