Okay, so obviously this is no Pulitzer winner but hell effing Demon Copperhead won that and it was nothing but clichéd Appalachian trauma p
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Okay, so obviously this is no Pulitzer winner but hell effing Demon Copperhead won that and it was nothing but clichéd Appalachian trauma porn so maybe the Pulitzer ain't all it’s cracked up to be. This one is pure poolside fun. Get baked till you're looking like Kramer when he buttered himself like Kenny Roasters and have some fun when . . .
I started attempting this “Walk ‘n Talk Wednesday” over on The ‘Gram, but I need to get my a$$ in gear and actually review the books I’m listening to I started attempting this “Walk ‘n Talk Wednesday” over on The ‘Gram, but I need to get my a$$ in gear and actually review the books I’m listening to in order for this to be a thing. I’m still fairly a newb when it comes to audiobooks and have only just now started venturing out of memoirs or true crime stories because I am Dug the Dog when it comes to distractions while I’m out getting my steps in – mainly in the form of . . . .
I just figured I would never be able to pay attention to something with a plot to follow without missing every key moment, but a co-worker who exclusively does audio recommended this one to me and said the reader was an absolute delight to listen to.
Meet Rhiannon. She’s a serial killer . . . . but don’t worry she only offs people who really have it comin’ to ‘em – sorta like Dexter. I love her. ...more
This selection is another example of why everyone should have a ride-or-die, NetGalley addicted book bestie like Shelby in their life. Neighborhood WaThis selection is another example of why everyone should have a ride-or-die, NetGalley addicted book bestie like Shelby in their life. Neighborhood Watch was her most recent recommendation to me. She said to ignore the ugly cover and go request a copy pronto before reader copies got pulled from NG and since I am her minion I did exactly what she asked of me. And I do agree the cover is fug, but put “neighborhood” in a title and Imma be down to clown.
This puppy was soooooooooooooooooooooooooo Desperate Housewives - fully of rich beetches in their McMansiony hood. Everyone is up in each other’s bidness courtesy of the local “book club” – and then the body count starts rising. Good news is . . . .
The title and cover pretty much lay out what this is about. As a woman who has been called a cat hoarder by my own family and who all the s
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The title and cover pretty much lay out what this is about. As a woman who has been called a cat hoarder by my own family and who all the strays know where to go for a bowl of food, this was right up my alley. Very fun. ...more
(In case you aren’t familiar, that’s a clip from When In Rome – a story about an unlucky in love woman who steals coins from the Fountain of Love in Rome and then finds herself pursued by multiple suitors which makes her doubt the authenticity of a love connection she thought she had made. It is delightful and I have a crush on both Josh Duhamel and Kristen Bell.)
This book isn’t necessarily like that one at all, but it did provide the same vibe. Amy has inherited the family curse that has befallen every female for as many generations back as anyone can remember. When she shares a first kiss she foresees how the entire relationship will pan out . . . . and it’s never been good. While attending the wedding of one of her best friends (there’s the only When In Rome connection – a wedding), she imbibes a bit too much and does some smooching with three different fellas – one who is for sure her happily ever after. The only problem? The next day she has no idea of who it was she kissed.
Okay, so this was nearly perfect for me. Although it’s obvious who Mr. Right is straight away, the getting there was so satisfying and I live for a quality friend group like what can be found in Bridget Jones or Four Weddings and a Funeral.
Highly recommended to hope(ful)less romantics.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley! ...more
I went into this one blind. All it takes sometimes is a snappy title, folks! I had not read this author before (because Kitchens of the Great MidwestI went into this one blind. All it takes sometimes is a snappy title, folks! I had not read this author before (because Kitchens of the Great Midwest was a title that did NOT grab my attention, but I’ll be rectifying that shortly). To keep it brief and without any spoilsies, just know things all start off with a mom who needs a ride home from the church pancake breakfast from the daughter she has been estranged from for years who is prevented from said Ubering thanks to getting in a head-on with the local fauna.
We then timehop back to 1934 to Florence’s story – then to the 1980s and Ned’s and eventually back to the present with Mariel . . . . and her mother who has now been holed up in the church waiting for that ride for over two months.
If you are familiar with me at all you know that I am a sucker for a family story and when it comes to dramedies that also involve restaurant ownership? Well . . . .
If you enjoyed Marrying the Ketchups or The Chicken Sisters or We are the Brennans run, do not walk to get a copy of this one. And serve it with a relish tray . . . .
Holy shit – a 5 Star read. This is not a test. Run do not walk to your local library or bookseller next Tuesday. Orrrrrrrrrr maybe only do
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Holy shit – a 5 Star read. This is not a test. Run do not walk to your local library or bookseller next Tuesday. Orrrrrrrrrr maybe only do so if you are a Saturday Night Live superfan? If you’ve been around my crap reviews at all, you should be aware that I am an SNL superfan who not only watches, but has gone on many a deep dive of the processes involved in making the weekly magic happen as well as reading/listening to celebrity memoirs of former cast members when I need something for Nonfiction November, but am too dumb to read most nonfiction. The only thing I have enjoyed more than my weekly hangouts with the Not Ready for Primetime Players for the past 35+ years was when the never disappointing 30 Rock was on the air (which, in case you live under a rock, was a fictionalized behind the scenes action of creating “The Girly Show” – an SNL knockoff). All that being said, Romantic Comedy could have been called “Liz Lemon Finds True Love” and I have no words for how much I loved it.
The first half (46%) is a breakdown of how “The Night Owls” (again *cough SNL cough*) comes together each week in order to appear live on your television. Like I said above, this is the make it or break part that will determine if this is your idea of a good time or not. I was practically crapping myself and most definitely Googled “did Curtis Sittenfeld work at SNL????” because it was so accurate. “Chapter 2” takes place a couple of years later and is epistolary format told via text messages (let me double down on my love and say epistolary when done well is also my jam). Then there’s Chapter 3 and an Epilogue but I ain’t a spoiler, so you’ll have to read it for yourself to find out what happens. Just now that unlike nearly every writer over the course of Covid, Sittenfeld didn’t shit the bed with her take on the pandemic.
The basic premise here is a potential love story revolving around “The Danny Horst Rule” – Danny being a fictionalized version of a The Night Owls writer/actor who somehow bagged an A-List babe who on paper would be considered way out of his league. (see Dan Akroyd/Carrie Fisher; Emma Stone/Dave McCary; Fred Armisen/Elizabeth Moss or Natasha Lyonne; Jason Sudakis/Olivia Wilde; Pete Davidson/pretty much everyone he’s ever fucked if you doubt this is a real-life thing – and note I’m excluding Colin Jost from this answer because he’s just as hot as ScarJo so the only thing that doesn’t add up with the two of them is the number of zeroes in their respective bank accounts.) Romantic Comedy turns the tables by featuring Noah Brewster, a superhot male rock star, possibly falling for the hilarious, but average TNO writer, Sally Milz.
I thought every single second of this was perfection. The only gripe I have is that my request for an early copy sat pending so long before I finally got approved, but since I got my greedy mitts on it a week early all is forgiven.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!!!!!...more
So I read this about a trillion days ago, loved it and then as it’s reward I never even bothered rating it, let alone talking about it. Basically, The Guest List amounts to a destination wedding to a creepy uninhabited island, which automatically makes my brain think of . . . .
Where you just know at least one person is going to get whacked and then since it’s Lucy Foley not only will the victim be unknown, but the remainder of the story is going to be along the lines of . . .
It’s just a given that it’s going to be a fun time. This would be an excellent rainy Saturday in October selection if you prefer the stabby over the scary.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Foley has solidified herself as an auto-request for me.
So I read this about a trillion days ago, loved it and then as it’s reward I never even bothered rating it, let alone talking about it. Basically, The Guest List amounts to a destination wedding to a creepy uninhabited island, which automatically makes my brain think of . . . .
Where you just know at least one person is going to get whacked and then since it’s Lucy Foley not only will the victim be unknown, but the remainder of the story is going to be along the lines of . . .
It’s just a given that it’s going to be a fun time. This would be an excellent rainy Saturday in October selection if you prefer the stabby over the scary.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy. Foley has solidified herself as an auto-request for me....more
Okay, this book doesn’t come out until July, but guess what? That is pool season, homies, and I am telling you THIS is what I’m talking abo
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Okay, this book doesn’t come out until July, but guess what? That is pool season, homies, and I am telling you THIS is what I’m talking about when it comes to poolside reads. If escapism in the form of tainted love is your jam, Wes and Ivy will deliver in spades.
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Samantha Downing’s My Lovely Wife back in the day and have happily stalked followed along on this author’s journey as she went from a serial killing spouse, to family fuckery to her take on dark academia to this “love” story. I’m a forever fan and will read WHATEVER she releases. Sooooooo many Stars!!!!
Did I just read this nearly 750 page book in two days? Tell me you’re crazy without telling me you’re crazy. In my defense, I didn’t realize how long Did I just read this nearly 750 page book in two days? Tell me you’re crazy without telling me you’re crazy. In my defense, I didn’t realize how long this was before I requested it from the library. I simply saw B.E.E. had a new release and Mitchell said he would hurt me if I didn’t get it immediately. I think I was like a billion and a half down the wait list too, but ended up getting this within a week of asking for it so I think it’s safe to say others either were intimidated by the sheer volume or realized pretty darn quickly this wasn’t for them and returned it. And to whoever you are I say THANK YOU for letting me get my grubby little mitts on it post haste.
Now on to the book. Simply put, this is about . . . .
“the memories I had of the Trawler and more specifically of Robert Mallory.”
Written as a nonfiction narrative, this one is for the Bret Easton Ellis superfan. I mean, if you ever wanted to crawl around inside this fella’s brain, The Shards is the one for you! After finishing I did a Google to see what was said about this “true story” before it was released and I am amazed at how many people were duped. Dear Dummies: YOU LITERALLY HAVE A COMPUTER ATTACHED TO YOUR HAND ALMOST ALL THE TIME. It’s not hard to find out these cases didn’t actually happen. Not to mention he is an author who previously wrote a “true story” about fucking vampires. And also . . .
I was a storyteller and I liked decorating an otherwise mundane incident that maybe contained one or two facts that made it initially interesting to be retold in the first place but not really, but adding a detail or two that elevated the story into something legitimately interesting to the listener and gave it humor or surprise or shock, and this came naturally to me. These weren’t lies exactly – I just preferred the exaggerated version.
I just found out this was initially released as a serial story – new entries were written every two weeks and read by Ellis himself on his podcast. My first reaction to that? Oh yeah, I would have read the crap out of this as a serial. Followed immediately by, ewwwww, B.E.E. even YOU have a podcast?
With that knowledge now is the time to disclose that while I’m the first to say “don’t you have an editor?!?!?!?!” – on this occasion I’m giving a pass – because there literally was no editor nor any intention that this would be released as a physical book when it was initially created.
But I wasn’t kidding when I said this is for the superfan. Basically it reads like a high school journal written by someone with extreme literary chops and covers Bret Easton Ellis’ senior year at Buckley in 1981. Ellis more than dabbles in sex (both of the hetero and nonhetero varieties) and drugs, works on his debut novel Less Than Zero, finds himself a member of the “me too” movement nearly 40 years prior to its time and develops a bit of an obsession with the new boy in school who he believes might just be a serial killer. Oh, and also? It is QUINTESSENTIALLY 1980s. We’re talking popped collars, Topsiders, ray bans and a detailing of every single song that was playing at any moment throughout his days. It certainly is not a book for everyone, but it was most definitely for me. All the Stars.
Whistling tunes we hide in the dunes by the seaside . . . . ...more
The time where I fake it ‘til I make it by barfing Christmas spirit all over the house once the clock strikes midnight on November 1st. This year I doubled down on my crazy by requesting eleventy-two Christmas rom coms from NetGalley and what better way to kick things off than with my go-to gal Lyssa Kay Adams and the Bros we’ve all come to love.
This time around it’s Colton and Gretchen’s turn. He’s a country music superstar, she’s an immigration attorney with her own pro bono clinic. The two had a spicy one-off at their pals’ wedding and Colton has been pining ever since. A potential business deal and some undeniable mutual attraction draws these two back together a year later in a flip on the grumpy/sunshine with the female lead playing the part of a Grinchy Scrooge. It delivers when it comes to witty banter and most importantly the smexytimes . . .
My only complaint is the usual one with the unnecessary conflict that causes a break-up/almost instantaneous make-up at the end because god forbid the two main characters actually speak to each other like dang adults. I realize I’m in the minority when it comes to this opinion and that it is a driving force behind what sells books so it will be included for the remainder of time. This one was extra annoying, though, that the lead was just going to walk away from her entire life. Way to be a real shitty representative for your at-risk clients, Gretchen! All in all, though, these Bros and their Hoes are my peeps so 4 Stars.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more
No, wait, that’s not right. This is the story of a billionaire (Robbie), a failed author (Wade), an artist turned stay-at-home mom (Blair) and a daytime television talk show producer (Cat) who gather together for one last hurrah on Fenwick Island at Robbie’s request in order for him to tell them all he is dying of pancreatic cancer. Robbie also has intentions of turning all their lives around . . . . but life doesn’t always go according to plans.
At least once a year I grab a book with a synopsis of friends gathering with the hopes that the story will be reminiscent of one of my all-time favorites . . . .
Nearly 100% of the time they are not, I am disappointed, and then I repeat the cycle in a few months. While I’m sure others would be able to make valid arguments of where this story was lacking, I simply cannot or will not. It made me feel everything I was hoping to feel. I wanted to be friends with these people. It made me laugh, it made me cry . . . well, okay I’m still more than a bit robotic and since I knew immediately Robbie was dying I was able to suck the sad right back into my black heart where it belongs . . . but still it made me feel. Nostalgic most of all and that right there, my friends, is worthy of 5 Stars all on its own....more
I wanted this one as soon as I saw the cover (#duh) and after being denied an early copy waited very impatiently for publication day. I mean once you tell me poppa was a rolling stone serial killer, it’s pretty much just like . . . .
Vera returns to her childhood home at the request of her dying mother. She’s there to clean it out and prepare for it sale (or to burn it down, if the townsfolk get their way). Vera doesn’t hold out much hope for a reconciliation with her momma, especially since she’s the reason dear old dad’s little hobby was discovered by the police in the first place. What she doesn’t anticipate is the trip down memory lane she’ll go on while staying in her old digs.
This is going to be super short because I want to blab about alllllll of the things and that is not acceptable on a story like this. I just took a peek at the blurb and Just Like Home has been labeled a “gothic” thriller. Maybe I’m just stupid and don’t know what gothic means, but I wouldn’t call it that. I went in blind and started this when thunderstorms were going to be in the area for the duration. The timing couldn’t have been better because this sucker ended up creeping me plum the eff out. It starts slowly (not in a terrible way, the page turnability was present throughout I just didn’t know where it was headed), but once she gets going it is off to the races.
This book, as the young kids would say, was a snack. A completely farfetched, unbelievable and absolutely un-put-down-able tale about Carri
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This book, as the young kids would say, was a snack. A completely farfetched, unbelievable and absolutely un-put-down-able tale about Carrie who has been roped into helping her serial killer sister hide bodies for years, but when another killer body dumps his own victim on top of one of sister Becca’s . . . . well, it’s game on. Carrie better play, too, because Becca made sure all of her kills look like Carrie was the actual perp. I read this a trillion weeks ago and failed to post a review because that is what I do best. Now the author has a new book coming out and I am absolutely DY.ING. of anticipation whilst awaiting for my turn at a library copy. ...more
She’s a 10 4, but she reads ARCs for books that won’t be released until 2023 rather than the billion that have already been published and remain unreaShe’s a 10 4, but she reads ARCs for books that won’t be released until 2023 rather than the billion that have already been published and remain unread on her Kindle . . . .
Yeah, that’s pretty much what happened. Shelby sent me a text that Mothered was a Read Now on NetGalley and I snatched it up lickity split before the offer expired. I didn’t intend to read it right away due to that FEBRUARY pub date, but since I looooooved Baby Teeth this sucker just kept screaming to me . . . .
After reading Zoje Stage’s take on a “bad seed” devil child, I couldn’t wait to see what she had to offer when it came to mommas.
A note to anyone who found the pandemic extremely traumatizing: this is NOT a book for you. It takes place in the height of panic where lockdown restrictions are just easing up a titch, but well before the vaccine was invented. You literally get locked in with Grace and her mother Jackie. Claustrophobic is a very apt description of how this book reads. It won’t be for everyone, but man oh man this was a slow burn of psychological fuck-up-edry that I read cover to cover one night after work.
Once again I broke my own rule of not reading the author note and took a gander at this one. I am so sorry for the author’s loss, but holy moly do I appreciate a brain that can turn the grieving process into something so delicious. I also couldn’t imagine quarantining in total isolation. While I tout my hermitlike lifestyle on the regular, at least I have other people who live in my house with me and who I like to talk to every once in awhile ; ) ...more
Despite all the razzing our dear ol’ Goodreads takes on the regular, I’m pretty sure its Summer Reading List gets the credit for this one even going oDespite all the razzing our dear ol’ Goodreads takes on the regular, I’m pretty sure its Summer Reading List gets the credit for this one even going on my radar. I picked Just By Looking at Him up for the cover since it is most definitely of the variety I love carrying around the office with me for all of the pearl clutchers to see. I didn’t know much else before beginning.
On paper, this shouldn’t have been a hit for me. I’m an old, fat, straight, white lady who really does not enjoy storylines involving cheating (or millennials) and this puppy was chock full of both. And despite being a fogey I never watched Queer as Folk back when it was originally on (in my defense, it’s not because I hate gays, it’s because I was too poor back then to have Showtime). Now all I watch is trash reality so there’s little chance I’ll ever watch the revamp. But that’s where Elliot comes in. He too is a connoisseur of all things Bravo - in fact, his live in boyfriend Gus is a story producer for The Real Housewives of Orange County!!!!!! . . . . .
And that’s how we pretty much hit it off immediately. I also don’t shy away from details of sexual activity and read pornies as palate cleansers, so the smex stuff was A-okay by me. Also, some of my best friends are gay (ha! made you cringe!) and young, so I was able to overlook my own oldster heteronormative relationship dealbreakers like infidelity – especially when Elliot dubbed it the “Cumspringa” making me LOL for realsies. Annnnnnd I’ve made it well known that the loveable losers are my most favorite fictional friends so me adoring all things Elliot was pretty much kismet. But most importantly . . . .
…he agreed that Kyle Richards wasn’t the most compelling Housewife but that she’s an excellent producer and provides access to her sisters, Kathy Hilton and Kim Richards, who are national treasures
I started to wonder about Pink, if she’s ever brought a sex worker into bed with Carey Hart. Are they still married? They were very on-again, off-again, quite the seesaw, but also why the hell did I know this? I’m not remotely a Pink fan. What precious memory in my brain had to die so Carey Hart’s name could live?
Elliot is my lobster and Ryan O’Connell your novel should be treated like it’s going to be the new Sally Rooney. You are worthy of all of the stars and also should I ever get the opportunity please note that I would stalk the crap out of you and Jonathan Parks-Ramage, but not in a wear you like a skin suit way. Promise....more
Selections like Counterfeit are the reason why. Now don’t get it twisted and think this is some Pulitzer caliber lifechanger of a story because it most assuredly is not. What it ended up being, however, is exactly what I was hoping when it was first announced by Reese over on the ‘Gram.
The story here is all about a criminal mastermind who deals strictly in . . . . .
And I was like STAHP. IT. Oh how I love a handbag. Since I am poor I have even purchased MANY a phony myself. I just never bought any that were such good fakes they could be returned to Neiman Marcus for cash dollahs granting myself a lifestyle which I truly deserve of jetsetting around the globe and having a nanny to care for my heathen two year old. Ava and Winnie sure figure out how to corner the market here, though. That is, until the reader comes upon the story which is being narrated by Ava while she’s spilling her guts to the detective who has sniffed out the scheme.
This is what I call a summer read. Pure fun that had me channeling my inner Carrie Bradshaw . . . .
And every other film ever made on the subject, I am always there for it. After this latest release, I’m also declaring myself a superfan of Emma Straub. All of her books have been hits for me and this was no exception. Maybe it was the trope itself or maybe it was simply that Alice was so close to my own age that when she found herself reliving her 16th birthday on the eve of her actual 40th birthday every reference hit the mark . . . .
With no knowledge that this story would also contain such a strong father/daughter theme. Once again, it simply checked all of the boxes. Some books make me feel mired down in the details, but I couldn’t get enough here. From the posters on Alice’s teenage bedroom wall to the song selections to the magical neighborhood where she grew up . . . .
What you may not know is the creator of one of America’s most famous families was also known for his cartoons which appeared in The New Yorker from the 1930s all the way to the late 1980s. Happily Ever After is Addams’ macabre take on wedded bliss and it is a collection that I will be purchasing a hard copy of – perhaps to sit next to my own wedding photo ; ) The entire book is chock full of selections that bring a chuckle – a couple of my favorites are featured below . . . .
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(The caption reads “For heaven’s sake, can’t you do anything right?”)
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(Here the husband is trying to be helpful by planting some “gladiolas”)
Ahhhhh, there’s nothing like a little gallows humor to add some color to my dead, black heart. ...more
I wanted this one as soon as I saw the title. For those of you in the know, you’ll recognize right away this is most likely in some way, shape, or form a story about a restaurant . . . .
As I said, I was interested in this simply for the title and cover and actually broke my own practice of not reading the blurb. When I found out this really was going to be about a family owned restaurant, and not only that but one in Chicago that jumps off when this has occurred . . . .
Wellllll, you might be able to take the girl outta Illinois, but you can’t take the Illinois outta the girl.
I’m not sure about “outrageously funny,” but this really was a charmer. I love stories about families and I love the “fly on the wall” approach to storytelling where you’re just plunked in the middle of the Sullivans’ dynamic and get to enjoy the ride. This one was light on the drama, and heavy on the maybe you can go home again.
Warning to anyone who lives in the Oak Park suburb: You may find yourself triggered by the accuracy of this author’s knowledge . . . .
“I want to live in a place where people care about each other. Where people aren’t just showing off for each other.”
“You think people in Oak Park aren’t showing off for each other? It’s just about different things, like who has the most tote bags and who’s the most vegan of all the vegans.”
#nailedit
I loved this book.
♬♪♫ Hey Chicago whaddya say? The Cubs are gonna win today! ♫♪♬...more
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