Review: Funny You Should Ask

Funny You Should Ask
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars I am told there’s a backstory to this novel and many people hate it because of it. I liked it. I don’t know anything about the backstory. I never read the original article and this made me think a little bit about Gilmore Girls. But for the most part, I thought it was interesting and well-written.

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Review: Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives

Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives
Bomb Shelter: Love, Time, and Other Explosives by Mary Laura Philpott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars I enjoy Philpott’s writing. I enjoy her observations and I can relate to her anxiety. I really liked and related to these little essays.

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Review: Cult Classic

Cult Classic
Cult Classic by Sloane Crosley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was my first Sloane Crosley so I am not sure if this is a typical book for her. This is a fascinating story about a main character who keeps running into her exes in the span of a short amount of time. The plot then takes a weird twist into technology and memory and so much more. I don’t want to give it away except to say it has some interesting insights around technology, dating, relationships and memory. I really enjoyed the genre-bending nature of it and I really enjoyed Crosley’s wry sense of humor.

With gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Bodyguard

The Bodyguard
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love a Katherine Center book! Her characters are always so sweet and lovable and I liked the switch of the plot in this one where the bodyguard was the female character. This was fun, sweet and exactly what I needed during these not-so-fun times. Thank you for always knowing what’s needed Katherine Center.

with gratitude to netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Remarkably Bright Creatures

Remarkably Bright Creatures
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a gift of a book. I loved every moment I spent with this story and these lovely, endearing characters. The octopus was most definitely my favorite. Really wonderful novel to read during these tough times.

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Review: One of Us Is Dead

One of Us Is Dead
One of Us Is Dead by Jeneva Rose
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars because I read this one very quickly. It was about women ho backstabbed each other and men who did, too. All the rich people being not so nice. Reasonably predictable.

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Review: See You Yesterday

See You Yesterday
See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars for this groundhog day story that manages not to make every day feel the same. the stories that revolve around re-living the same day are always tricky but this one managed to bypass that trope. I enjoyed the time I spent with it.

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Review: Mindful Sketching: How to Develop a Drawing Practice and Embrace the Art of Imperfection

Mindful Sketching: How to Develop a Drawing Practice and Embrace the Art of Imperfection
Mindful Sketching: How to Develop a Drawing Practice and Embrace the Art of Imperfection by Peggy Dean
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Peggy Dean’s book is an invitation to use sketching as a way to practice mindfulness. To slow down and observe the world around you and take time to re-create it on the page. She gives simple but comprehensive sketching instructions and covers all of the basics like perspective, buildings, people, etc.

This is the perfect book to get you started on your sketching journey and to help you practice mindfulness alongside this wonderful pasttime.

with gratitude to netgalley and Sasquatch Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay

Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay
Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay by Liz Fosslien
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We need more books like this in the world. Hard things are happening to all of us and it’s been an exceptionally tough few years. I really really appreciate how honest and open Liz and Mollie are in this book. How they do not shy away from the things that are incredibly hard to talk about. They go into the dark places and they hold your hand and give you some ideas of what might help while you’re there. They don’t mince words, they don’t assume they know more than they do or that there are easy answers. They do what they do best: they make you feel less alone in the world. They make you feel seen. I am so grateful for what they do.

with gratitude to edelweiss and Portfolio/ Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The No-Show

The No-Show
The No-Show by Beth O’Leary
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For some reason it took me forever to get into this book and follow the story line of each of the women. Thankfully I hadn’t read enough about the plot so the way it came together in the end was all new for me and really made the book so magical. I recommend reading this one without knowing too much in advance.

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Review: Answers in the Pages

Answers in the Pages
Answers in the Pages by David Levithan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Levithan is such an excellent writer.

This book has three ongoing storylines. A boy whose class is reading a book that his mom doesn’t approve of and would like removed from the curriculum, excerpts from the book itself, and two boys who are becoming friends as they do a school project together.

Each of the stories is wonderful and joyful on their own and Levithan’s magic is all over it. I don’t want to say more lest I give away the best parts of the book.

This story is a great reminder that books are magic and we all love who we love and kids can save their parents. I loved every minute I spent with it.

with gratitude to netgalley and Random House Children’s for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: The Paris Apartment

The Paris Apartment
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars.

I kept dragging my feet on reading this mystery and I am not sure why. It was perfectly good. Interesting twists, engaging plot. If you like Foley’s other work, you will enjoy this.

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