What a lovely, lovely book. It was our book club’s selection for June and we are visiting Ladybird Diner to discuss it. The book is a collection of shWhat a lovely, lovely book. It was our book club’s selection for June and we are visiting Ladybird Diner to discuss it. The book is a collection of short essays from the diner’s owner, focusing on workers, customers, and humanity. So sweet and uplifting. ...more
This is a graphic novel memoir written and illustrated by a “New Yorker” cartoonist about the aging and death of her elderly parents when they are in This is a graphic novel memoir written and illustrated by a “New Yorker” cartoonist about the aging and death of her elderly parents when they are in their 90s. At times funny, sad, and authentic, I was totally sucked in. It’s a fast read and very worth it! ...more
This is a novel about a 50-something woman with her college/young adult children and her own parents during a beach vacation week. I haven’t read a loThis is a novel about a 50-something woman with her college/young adult children and her own parents during a beach vacation week. I haven’t read a lot of novels about this life stage and thought it was very well-written.
But what made this even more exciting for me is that the author, Catherine Newman, wrote a blog on BabyCenter that I followed religiously after my oldest was born in 2004! Getting to revisit her amazing voice was like getting a surprise visit from an old friend. ...more
One of the best memoirs I have read in years. This is an incredibly engaging story of a suburban mom who becomes addicted to heroin, steals to fund heOne of the best memoirs I have read in years. This is an incredibly engaging story of a suburban mom who becomes addicted to heroin, steals to fund her habit, spends time in jail and on probation, and finally finds redemption while working as a ghostwriter. In addition to being a great narrative, the way the author writes about shame and its effects are SO powerful relatable. Highly recommended! ...more
What a riveting read. It’s told from the perspectives of 3 members of different family generations at different places and time. Some of the pacing waWhat a riveting read. It’s told from the perspectives of 3 members of different family generations at different places and time. Some of the pacing was uneven, but still a 5-star read - beautiful writing, thought-provoking themes, and hard to put down. ...more
What a weird and bizarre and perfect novel. It’s nominally about being a teenager in the mid-90s and what it means to create art. I must share the samWhat a weird and bizarre and perfect novel. It’s nominally about being a teenager in the mid-90s and what it means to create art. I must share the same brain as its author, since I was locked in from start to finish. ...more
This is a book that looks at the rise in mental illness - particularly in Gen Z, and accelerating from 2010 to 2015. The big conclusions are to reduceThis is a book that looks at the rise in mental illness - particularly in Gen Z, and accelerating from 2010 to 2015. The big conclusions are to reduce phone time, and increase free play time, in childhood and adolescence. I didn’t find this to be a moral panic at all, but instead, an incredibly well-researched and well-written book whose recommendations held lots of room for nuance. EVERYONE should read this book!!...more
This was our book club’s selection of the month for the theme of “memoir,” and is an account of a woman’s relapse into alcoholism the year after her sThis was our book club’s selection of the month for the theme of “memoir,” and is an account of a woman’s relapse into alcoholism the year after her son is born. The writing style is very sparse and stripped down, but the staccato-like sentence structure did a great job of capturing the feeling of being in the moment. Reading the accounts of getting blackout drunk while taking care of a baby were horrific, but made it hard for the reader to look away. I do wish we had more of the author’s backstory, but being dropped in the middle made for a compelling narrative. ...more
Wow. This book was AMAZING. Two stories woven together at the end, both involving Latina women connected with the arts. The writing was so good and thWow. This book was AMAZING. Two stories woven together at the end, both involving Latina women connected with the arts. The writing was so good and the messages were so powerful and the book drew me on so much I read it in one long gulp. Highly recommended!...more
What an unexpectedly delightful novel. The premise is kind of bizarre….a long-lost high school classmate is hired to be a nanny by her rich friend forWhat an unexpectedly delightful novel. The premise is kind of bizarre….a long-lost high school classmate is hired to be a nanny by her rich friend for two stepchildren who spontaneously catch on fire. But the book is so sweet and the writing is so strong and I loved every minute of it. Highly recommended if you enjoy quirky. ...more
Dave Barry is a national treasure. I can’t remember the last time I laughed out loud so much while reading a book. Oh how I love the weirdness of FlorDave Barry is a national treasure. I can’t remember the last time I laughed out loud so much while reading a book. Oh how I love the weirdness of Florida. ...more
Psychological thrillers are a soft spot for me, and this one was like crack. Mildly inconceivable premise? Check. Characters that are often more 2D thPsychological thrillers are a soft spot for me, and this one was like crack. Mildly inconceivable premise? Check. Characters that are often more 2D than 3D? Check. Everything I could possibly want in an airport read, and more? Oh yes!! Loved reading this. ...more
This was our February book club book. The main female character was a bit too prickly for me and it wasn’t very plot focused, but I enjoyed it more byThis was our February book club book. The main female character was a bit too prickly for me and it wasn’t very plot focused, but I enjoyed it more by end. ...more
This is a darkly funny, hauntingly sad sad sad, and surprisingly real novel about life after an unwelcome breakup. Almost all of the novel is from theThis is a darkly funny, hauntingly sad sad sad, and surprisingly real novel about life after an unwelcome breakup. Almost all of the novel is from the 35yo male’s protagonist’s POV, who is devastated by the end of the relationship, and then the end changes to his female ex-partner’s POV. Even though parts were sad and a little (intentionally) pathetic, it was a fun and engaging read. ...more
Thriller about a TV producer who looks into a woman who may have been wrongly convicted of killing her boyfriend 10 years ago. Read this all during a Thriller about a TV producer who looks into a woman who may have been wrongly convicted of killing her boyfriend 10 years ago. Read this all during a long layover. Some unexpressed along the way. Definitely helped to pass the time! ...more
Romance movie channel writer and mom in her late 30s whose husband has left her ends up falling in love with Hollywood’s top actor. The premise is farRomance movie channel writer and mom in her late 30s whose husband has left her ends up falling in love with Hollywood’s top actor. The premise is far-fetched, but it was entertaining and a quick read. Also enjoyed reading a romance with an older character! ...more
Psychological thrillers are my weakness and I always enjoy devouring them. This one had a different plot and setup than many of the ones I read and itPsychological thrillers are my weakness and I always enjoy devouring them. This one had a different plot and setup than many of the ones I read and it kept me super engaged. Not high literature, but 5 stars for pure enjoyment....more
This was a very fast and addictive read. None of the characters are likeable and much of the plot is ridiculous, but I devoured the book and didn’t waThis was a very fast and addictive read. None of the characters are likeable and much of the plot is ridiculous, but I devoured the book and didn’t want to stop reading it. ...more
I thought I was done with finishing books for the year….but finished this one just under the wire in 2023! It’s a delightful cozy mystery about a ChinI thought I was done with finishing books for the year….but finished this one just under the wire in 2023! It’s a delightful cozy mystery about a Chinese woman who finds a dead body in her tea shop one morning. Sweet and delightful read. ...more
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