didn‘t quite hit the mark for me. the oral history format was great, and I did like the ending. but I didn‘t really like or care about any of the characters (other than Simone, the best friend we all deserve - but she wasn‘t in the book nearly enough). the drama within the band was entertaining, but it didn‘t really feel like there was an actual plot. I‘m still going to check out the tv series in March!

3.5 ⭐️s
✅ turned into tv series #bookbingo

I enjoyed my Bingo challenge last year, so I decided to bring it back this year with a few squares I didn‘t get to in 2022, plus plenty of new ones to try!! #readingchallenge #2023 #bingo #bookbingo

I didn‘t read as many books as I wanted to in 2022, but I like to think it‘s about quality rather than quantity! 🙂 these were my four favorites. I listened to the audiobook version of each, with the exception of Local Woman Missing which I simply read a physical copy of. here‘s to more great reads in 2023! 🥂

2022 Reading Challenge Bingo update! I‘ve hit two Bingos!

#readingchallenge

my first Elin Hilderbrand novel, and I really enjoyed it. I listened to the audiobook, which was pleasantly narrated by Erin Bennett. it was an entertaining, beachy family soap opera with a dash of whodunit thrown in. sometimes I struggle with descriptive writing, but there is something appealing about Hilderbrand‘s descriptions of the Nantucket homes, beaches, and cuisine. I think I‘ll be reading more of her novels! 4 ⭐️s!

book 15/22 for 22

Matthew has some good stories to tell, but this got repetitive and the timeline of events was somewhat confusing, especially toward the end. mostly it just left me hoping he really is ok. I listened to the audiobook, and I did enjoy his narration. I rated it 3 ⭐️s.

book 14/22 for 22

this audiobook was just ok for me. I was very interested in the author‘s PI work details, less so in her personal life which took up a good chunk of the book. there was lots of rambling on tangentially related topics too that just didn‘t hold my attention. nothing against the narrator…she did a great job! the content as a whole just wasn‘t for me.

TRUE CRIME bingo square ✅
book 13/22 for 22

#readingchallenge

super sweet and ultimately satisfying romance. the dual timeline was a great way to tell the story, but I def liked the flashback chapters better than the present day chapters. past and present ties together neatly in the end though! BookTok made me read it! 4 ⭐️s! 🇨🇦💜

book 12/22 for 22

Molly‘s memoir was just as delightful as her iconic Mary Katherine Gallagher sketches. I chose to listen to the audio so I could enjoy the narration of the SUPASTAH herself! this is an excellent celebrity memoir, full of touching and funny personal stories about Molly‘s family, as well as entertaining and inspiring tales about the path that led her to SNL and beyond. 5 ⭐️s!!!

this ✅s off my BOOK BY A COMEDIENNE bingo square!
book 11/22 for 22

this was sooo close to being a 5 ⭐️ rating, it ended up more like a 4.5 ⭐️ because one part near the end kinda lost me. I‘ve always loved a good friendship story, and this one hit the spot and then some. the fact that it was set against the backdrop of the video game industry added an extra layer of interest. It was fantastic on audiobook too…it‘s long but I listened every chance I got.

book 10/22 for 22

what a book, one that I had a very hard time putting down! it‘s a 5 star read for me! 4⭐️ for the story + a fifth star for the sheer fact that I was riveted. I‘m looking forward to reading more books by Mary Kubica.

book 9/22 for 22

watched this on Netflix yesterday…it was sooo good but left so many unanswered questions. then realized it‘s a whole 12 book series!! anyone read these? #netflix

this YA mystery was just ok for me. I enjoyed some aspects of the puzzle and definitely wanted to find out answers as much as Avery herself did, but things got a little too crazy at the end. I‘m not sure I care enough to continue on with the series. I will say though, I think it would make a great tv show!

✅ YA novel
book 8/22 for 22 #readingchallenge

I always liked Hannah during her Bachelornation journey, so I thought I‘d give this a shot on audio. it honestly exceeded my expectations. I learned some things about her I didn‘t know and I appreciated hearing the role her faith has had throughout her life. there was plenty of Bachelorette talk to satisfy that curiosity too! her narration was really great as well.

this ✅s off my BACHELORNATION bingo square!

book 7/22 for 22 #readingchallenge

really liked this on audiobook, honestly wouldn‘t mind rereading a physical copy bc it‘s brimming with facts, quotes, & general goodness I‘d like to take more time to commit to memory. I took a little something from each essay/review and enjoyed the mix of humor and sentimentality. parts were written during the pandemic so that brought another aspect into some reviews.

book 6/22 for 22. #readingchallenge #audiobook

found this odd little copy of a classic at Books-A-Million today. they‘re having a moving sale, so it was cheap.

I‘ve read and enjoyed a couple of Katie Cotugno‘s YA books, so I was excited to read her first adult novel, especially since it has such a beautiful cover! I used this one for my COVER APPEAL bingo square. I really liked reading about Fiona and Sam, who co-starred as teens on the hit tv series, Birds of California. This was the perfect lazy summer read, featuring a sweet, only slightly complicated romance and timely themes. 👍🏻

book 5/22 for 22.

there‘s a ton to like about this office romcom - women in STEM, fun matchmaking shenanigans, diverse families, positive representation of therapy/mental health treatment, and oh yeah, some spicy romance too! I really enjoyed this one!

it doesn‘t exactly fit any of my reading challenge Bingo squares, but it goes toward my number goal! book 4 out of 22 on the year. #romance #romcom #romantsy

do any of you use PangoBooks? I just discovered the app, and I‘m having fun browsing used books and selling some of my own! I‘m @shanebeth there if you‘d like to link up! 😁
#pangobooks #pango #usedbooks

checking off the BookTok rec square on my reading challenge with Electric Idol, the second book of the Dark Olympus series. it‘s been a popular rec on BookTok, but I just didn‘t love it. I don‘t think fake relationships are my thing, and Aphrodite‘s anger at Psyche seemed contrived. didn‘t love Eros as the tortured antihero either. I liked Neon Gods much better!

book 3/22 on the year. #readingchallenge #booktok

the Kindle deals have been 🔥 this weekend. I‘ve loaded up on some fun stuff, including this one I‘m super excited to read! some purchases give you a 30 cent discount toward another Kindle book, too, as seen here.

…but they were myth-taken.

this was a very very VERY spicy spin on the love story of Persephone and Hades. but there were lots of enjoyable sweet moments, too. I‘m definitely going to read next book in the series, Electric Idol. #romance #romantsy

saw this is a Book of the Month option for March. I started it on audiobook last week and I‘m liking it so far! #botm

I won a Goodreads giveaway!! this isn‘t the kind of book I typically read but I think it sounds super interesting!

✅ 2022 FICTION

now I understand why so many people have been telling me to read Colleen Hoover! finished up this audiobook today & loved everything about it. I felt myself drawn into the story immediately, empathizing with all the characters affected by the tragedy at the heart of the story. the audio narration was really well done, especially loved the actress who voiced Kenna. she really tapped into her heartache. #readingchallenge

who else is obsessed with Wordle? (no spoilers btw, this was Thursday‘s puzzle.) #wordle

another way I want to stretch with my reading this year is by doing some audiobooks! giving this one a try. many people have been telling me to read Colleen Hoover for like, forever. finally starting with her latest release. #audiobook

dusting this thing off, I haven‘t Litsyed in forever. I haven‘t been reading a lot either and I‘m feeling sad about that. the goal is to read more in 2022! I want to read 22 books, and I also devised this pretty random Bingo challenge to stay motivated and read different things. we‘ll see how it goes. 🤔 #readinggoals #readingchallenge #2022

kind of into this! maybe it will help with my book slump. #summer

feeling like I‘m in book slump and trying to choose my next read...🤔

📖 Watership Down
🎥 Fatal Attraction
🎶 “Little Bunny Foo Foo”

#manicmonday @JoScho

I reached for this one pretty quickly after blowing through The Good Daughter, but this one didn‘t grab me as much. I didn‘t really like Claire or Lydia, and honestly had a hard time suspending my disbelief in some parts. still, Slaughter is great at her genre!

I 💕 this quote.

the 2019 release I‘ve been waiting for! so excited!! #botm

my first Goodreads win in a while. this sounds pretty good! #arc #bookmail

watched this charming little romcom on Netflix last night! I kind of want to read the book now. #booktofilm #romantsy

this book was many things...a page-turning mystery-within-a-mystery, a survival story, a tale of doing whatever it takes to protect family. this was my first time reading Karin Slaughter, and it definitely won‘t be the last!

1️⃣ teleport! no more traffic headaches ever!
2️⃣ I‘ve partially read Dumplin‘ (already seen the movie).
3️⃣ eat less fast food.
4️⃣ Parenthood. I‘m surprised how good it is!
5️⃣ 💖

#friyayintro @howjessreads

finished my first book of 2019! I actually started this one in 2018, though, and set it aside a while before picking it up again. it wasn‘t the book...it was me, because I did really like it! Thorne‘s writing style elevates this beyond a basic enemies-to-lovers romcom. if you like a good slow burn, this one‘s for you! 🔥💕 #romantsy

quick glimpse from Season 2 shown during the Golden Globes last night! curious to see how they continue the story. #BigLittleLies

1. read at least 30 books.
2. black-eyed peas for luck + greens for wealth.
3. Superman!
4. August ♌️
5. HBD! 🙌🏻

#friyayintro @howjessreads

2018 wasn‘t a great reading year for me, for various reasons. I really want to reach my 30 book goal in 2019! let‘s go!!! 🙌🏻

fun shirt I got for Christmas!

lately I‘ve been into this podcast that covers southern true crime cases, and every now and then there‘s an author interview episode like this one with Karin Slaughter. I‘ve never actually read any of her books, but now I‘m interested!

I got this in the mail today and I have no idea why?! maybe I‘m on someone‘s Nice List!! 😂 thank you @WilliamMorrowBooks for the cool surprise! #bookmail

I almost skipped BOTM this time, but this pick had “Love Actually” thrown in the description so I went with it somewhat hesitantly. but now it‘s got Reese‘s endorsement too, so I can‘t wait for it to arrive! #botm

a little enemies-to-lovers romance that started off with a lot of promise, but kinda went off the rails at the end. still, it‘s loaded with cute, romantic moments between the main characters, and I enjoyed it more than a couple of other 2018 romances with way more hype. also I totally stalked the cover model on Insta. 😍 ps - this one‘s free on Kindle for Amazon Prime members. #romantsy

🦃 turkey & dressing
🦃 mom‘s squash casserole
🦃 my aunt‘s mac & cheese

#sundayfunday @sebrittain

a fun thing I got to do this week was see John Stamos with The Beach Boys! he even sang the “Forever” song from Full House. 😂 it was a great concert. The Beach Boys have so many awesome songs. ❤️🎶

I wasn‘t a huge fan of CAOS Vol. 1, but I‘ve been enjoying the new Netflix adaptation and decided to give the comic series another chance. installment 6 is all about how Salem and Ambrose‘s snakes became familiars. pretty good stuff!