About me
But Audrey...aren't you an ELA teacher? Shouldn't you read more than 1 per month?
Nope and here's why:
When I was a junior in high school, I suffered a pretty severe concussion during volleyball practice. For those of you who don't think volleyball can be all that dangerous...you're wrong. This was probably my 5th concussion during my volleyball career but it was the only one that I was officially diagnosed with. Because of my stubborn attitude, I refused to miss any school to recuperate. I jumped right into junior year, 4 AP classes and all. This turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life. Because I didn't rest and let my brain heal, it caused a multitude of problems for me. My ability to transfer information from short term to long term memory was basically shot. My attention span dropped. And, my ability to read for long periods of time disappeared as well.
I did do different therapies and things to try and improve my brain function and there was some improvement but almost 9 years later, I still feel the effects of that concussion and struggling to read is one of those effects. It used to really bother me. I used to be really insecure about being the ELA teacher that struggled to read. But then I realized it gave me an opportunity that most other ELA teachers don't have: I can relate to the struggling readers in my classes. While everyone is different, I can relate to the frustration and pain of trying to read and being uncomfortable and not be able to focus. I'm no longer insecure about it. I use it to relate to my kids and show them that just because you struggle, it doesn't mean you can't do things.
That is why this year I chose to read one book per month. I figured it was a realistic goal for me. Sometimes I read hard copies of books and it takes the whole month. Sometimes I listen to audio books and I'm able to get a few in per month. Either way, I'm reading.
I am starting this newsletter to track my progress and share my thoughts on the books I've read. I will include summary, opinions, and trigger warnings for each book I read.
So I am officially inviting you to join this journey with me! Let's go!
Blue Ticket by Sophie Mackintosh
Genre: dystopian fiction
Summary: Calla knows how the lottery works. Everyone does. On the day of your first bleed, you report to the station to learn what kind of woman you will be. A white ticket grants you marriage and children. A blue ticket grants you a career and freedom. You are relieved of the terrible burden of choice. And once you've taken your ticket, there is no going back. But what if the life you're given is the wrong one?
When Calla, a blue ticket woman, begins to question her fate, she must go on the run. But her survival will be dependent on the very qualities the lottery has taught her to question in herself and on the other women the system has pitted against her. Pregnant and desperate, Calla must contend with whether or not the lottery knows her better than she knows herself and what that might mean for her child.
An urgent inquiry into free will, social expectation, and the fraught space of motherhood, Blue Ticket is electrifying in its raw evocation of desire and riveting in its undeniable familiarity.
Review: I really enjoyed this book. It took dystopian fiction to a new level and kept me interested the whole time. It really made me think about the role we have as women: mother or not a mother. And, if we choose to be a wife and mother, does that mean we don't have our own freedom? Personally, I don't agree with that but it was definitely a unique perspective to look at. The chapters are really short which helped me work through the novel. I have found that shorter chapters make for easy reading for struggling readers like myself. One thing that was...different...about the novel was that the dialogue was not formatted with quotation marks. It just fit into the paragraphs like a regular sentence. It took me a while to figure out who was talking and when or if it was an internal thought. After a while I got used to it but it definitely threw me for a loop for the first few chapters.
Trigger warning: drug and alcohol use, abortion, miscarriages, relationships, abandonment
Educated by Tara Westover
Genre: memoir
Summary: Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
Review: Wow. Holy cow. I don't even know where to start. This book is...hard to read. And that's an understatement. I listened to this on Audible but I know that if I had read the physical copy, there would have been MANY times where I would have thrown it across the room. Tara grew up with survivalist, fundamentalist Mormons. Her dad was obsessed with the Illuminati and the Government being corrupt. They never went to the doctor because they believed the medical field was Satan's work. They believed that if you were injured and on the verge of death that it was God's will and it was also His will that they feel all the pain that came with it. As a religious person, I agree with this to an extent but I also believe that God gave scientists the knowledge and skill to heal and help those who are in pain and suffering. Walking with Tara as she learns and grows and becomes aware of the world she was never exposed to is painful and exciting and heartbreaking. I found myself cheering along side of her or crying with her. To say this book broke my heart at times would be an understatement. It made me think about my own ignorance and made me question the things I've been taught.
Trigger warning: domestic abuse, religious trauma, mental health, language (n-word, derogatory sexual terms), violence
These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling
Genre: YA fantasy
Summary: Hannah's a witch, but not the kind you're thinking of. She's the real deal, an Elemental with the power to control fire, earth, water, and air. But even though she lives in Salem, Massachusetts, her magic is a secret she has to keep to herself. If she's ever caught using it in front of a Reg (read: non-witch), she could lose it. For good. So, Hannah spends most of her time avoiding her ex-girlfriend (and fellow Elemental Witch) Veronica, hanging out with her best friend, and working at the Fly by Night Cauldron selling candles and crystals to tourists, goths, and local Wiccans.But dealing with her ex is the least of Hannah's concerns when a terrifying blood ritual interrupts the end-of-school-year bonfire. Evidence of dark magic begins to appear all over Salem, and Hannah's sure it's the work of a deadly Blood Witch. The issue is, her coven is less than convinced, forcing Hannah to team up with the last person she wants to see: Veronica.
While the pair attempt to smoke out the Blood Witch at a house party, Hannah meets Morgan, a cute new ballerina in town. But trying to date amid a supernatural crisis is easier said than done, and Hannah will have to test the limits of her power if she's going to save her coven and get the girl, especially when the attacks on Salem's witches become deadlier by the day.
Review: This book was definitely action packed...almost to a fault. I really enjoyed the story and the characters but it was almost annoying how often dramatic things happened. It seemed like every other chapter was a life-altering event. But then again, in the course of the story, it kind of makes sense...if someone was after you and your family every day might be just as dramatic as the last. But how should I know? My life is fairly boring. The one thing that I LOVED about this book is how the LGBTQ+ characters were just normal characters. The story didn't revolve around them coming out or the struggles they have. The LGBTQ+ relationships were no different than the straight ones. Their development was no different than any other story about a boy and a girl falling in love in High School. This was really big to me because I always feel like any book I read with LGBTQ+ characters, that's the focus of the story. They aren't made out to be regular people with regular conflicts...their sexual identity IS the conflict. I know this author writes a lot of LGBTQ+ characters into her stories and it makes me want to read more for that very reason.
Trigger Warning: death, breakups/relationship issues, sex, language
This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling
Genre: YA fantasy
Summary: In this gripping, romantic sequel to These Witches Don't Burn, Hannah must work alongside her new girlfriend to take down the Hunters desperate to steal her magic.Hannah Walsh just wants a normal life. It's her senior year, so she should be focusing on classes, hanging out with her best friend, and flirting with her new girlfriend, Morgan. But it turns out surviving a murderous Witch Hunter doesn't exactly qualify as a summer vacation, and now the rest of the Hunters seem more intent on destroying her magic than ever.
When Hannah learns the Hunters have gone nationwide, armed with a serum capable of taking out entire covens at once, she's desperate to help. Now, with witches across the country losing the most important thing they have—their power—Hannah could be their best shot at finally defeating the Hunters. After all, she's one of the only witches to escape a Hunter with her magic intact.
Or so everyone believes. Because as good as she is at faking it, doing even the smallest bit of magic leaves her in agony. The only person who can bring her comfort, who can make her power flourish, is Morgan. But Morgan's magic is on the line, too, and if Hannah can't figure out how to save her—and the rest of the Witches—she'll lose everything she's ever known. And as the Hunters get dangerously close to their final target, will all the Witches in Salem be enough to stop an enemy determined to destroy magic for good?
Review: Similar to the first book in the series, this novel is full of action, but not as much as last time. In this book, we know what we are leading up to and most of the action and drama lead up to that point. Again, I loved the authors inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters as just normal additions to the story - as they are in our lives. This book had me wondering what would happen all the way through.
Trigger Warning: death, sex, domestic/child abuse, language
Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Summary: Kate Battista feels stuck. How did she end up running house and home for her eccentric scientist father and uppity, pretty younger sister Bunny? Plus, she’s always in trouble at work – her pre-school charges adore her, but their parents don’t always appreciate her unusual opinions and forthright manner.Dr. Battista has other problems. After years out in the academic wilderness, he is on the verge of a breakthrough. His research could help millions. There’s only one problem: his brilliant young lab assistant, Pyotr, is about to be deported. And without Pyotr, all would be lost.
When Dr. Battista cooks up an outrageous plan that will enable Pyotr to stay in the country, he’s relying – as usual – on Kate to help him. Kate is furious: this time he’s really asking too much. But will she be able to resist the two men’s touchingly ludicrous campaign to bring her around?
Review: Okay, I actually hated this book. I listened to it on Audible and I'm not sure if the reader impacted my feelings as well, but I didn't like her performance of the story. I was really excited about this book since I teach The Taming of the Shrew in my Sophomore English class but the storyline barely followed Shakespeare's original. If anything, it more reflected 10 Things I Hate about You, a 1999 film also based on Shrew. The main character, Kat, was the same type of character: headstrong and independent, and there were some lines of dialogue that mirrored Shrew exactly, which made me audibly roll my eyes. This book was really slow-paced and the conclusion seemed very sudden. All of a sudden Kat is super into Pyotr? When she was really not into this plan at all? **SPOILER** Then it jumps from her simply defending him to the epilogue and they are super in love with a kid. There was no connection and the ending didn't make sense to me.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Genre: Classical fiction
**Disclaimer: this book is one that my students read in American Literature. I do read most of it out loud for them. This, combined with all the end of the year chaos, made it so this was the only book I started and finished in May.
Review: I love this book so much. The love, the hope, the symbolism, the writing; it's a masterpiece. I had never read this prior to teaching it and it holds a special place in my heart because it was the unit I took over while student teaching in 2019. I have read this book 14 times now and I haven't gotten bored yet.
Trigger Warning: drinking, physical abuse, racist comments, affairs
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas
Genre: Fantasy
*I read most of this book in May so I placed it under the May books
Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever
Review: This book did something to me. Say what you want about it but this book made me love reading again. I've read books recently that I have loved but none that made me NOT want to put the book down. This book did that, especially towards the end. It has been a while since I read a good fantasy book and I'm glad this one was where I picked back up. Honestly, I read it because I saw it so many times on TikTok and was like well okay then! And now I'm hooked. Some people say it' very basic, iffy prose but I loved the writing and descriptions. It honestly reminded me of the fantasy day dreams I would create in my head when I was younger. 10/10 would read again.
Trigger Warning: murder, kidnapping, sex, assumptions of rape (but no rape happens)
Malice by Heather Walter
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: A princess isn’t supposed to fall for an evil sorceress. But in this darkly magical retelling of “Sleeping Beauty,” true love is more than a simple fairy tale.Once upon a time, there was a wicked fairy who, in an act of vengeance, cursed a line of princesses to die. A curse that could only be broken by true love’s kiss.
You’ve heard this before, haven’t you? The handsome prince. The happily-ever-after.
Utter nonsense.
Let me tell you, no one in Briar actually cares about what happens to its princesses. Not the way they care about their jewels and elaborate parties and charm-granting elixirs. I thought I didn’t care, either.
Until I met her.
Princess Aurora. The last heir to Briar’s throne. Kind. Gracious. The future queen her realm needs. One who isn’t bothered that I am Alyce, the Dark Grace, abhorred and feared for the mysterious dark magic that runs in my veins. Humiliated and shamed by the same nobles who pay me to bottle hexes and then brand me a monster. Aurora says I should be proud of my gifts. That she . . . cares for me. Even though it was a power like mine that was responsible for her curse.
But with less than a year until that curse will kill her, any future I might see with Aurora is swiftly disintegrating—and she can’t stand to kiss yet another insipid prince. I want to help her. If my power began her curse, perhaps it’s what can lift it. Perhaps, together, we could forge a new world.
Nonsense again.
Because we all know how this story ends, don’t we? Aurora is the beautiful princess. And I—
I am the villain.
Review: I loved this book. Sleeping Beauty is my favorite princess and I'm all about romantic retellings with LGBTQ+ characters. This book made me cheer and cry and broke my heart all at once. The plot moved fast, especially toward the end, oh my god! There are twists and betrayal and even though some of the jaw dropping events were somewhat predictable, I still seemed to be surprised. This book is a great story of not judging someone on their looks or how the world perceives them. It touches on racism and LGBTQ+ couples and the struggles people face when they are seen as different. I loved the subtle nods to the original story: sleeping curses, spinning wheels, true love's kiss. If you love Disney and want to hear a different side of why Aurora was surrounded by thorns (psstt...it was bc of love) then I definitely recommend this book to you!
Trigger Warning: sex, racism, bullying, language
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Genre: Fantasy
Summary: Seventeen-year-old Iris Hollow has always been strange. Something happened to her and her two older sisters when they were children, something they can’t quite remember but that left each of them with an identical half-moon scar at the base of their throats.Iris has spent most of her teenage years trying to avoid the weirdness that sticks to her like tar. But when her eldest sister, Grey, goes missing under suspicious circumstances, Iris learns just how weird her life can get: horned men start shadowing her, a corpse falls out of her sister’s ceiling, and ugly, impossible memories start to twist their way to the forefront of her mind.
As Iris retraces Grey’s last known footsteps and follows the increasingly bizarre trail of breadcrumbs she left behind, it becomes apparent that the only way to save her sister is to decipher the mystery of what happened to them as children.
The closer Iris gets to the truth, the closer she comes to understanding that the answer is dark and dangerous – and that Grey has been keeping a terrible secret from her for years.
Review: I actually didn't like this book as much as I hoped. It was still really good but it had been so hyped up for me that I was somewhat disappointed. I also felt very confused through most of the story. It is basically Stranger Things, with the Upside down and coming back weird but with girls instead. Overall, it was a quick, easy read and I know lots of people really like it but it was almost too similar to Stranger Things that it took the appeal away from it for me.
Trigger Warning: drinking, drugs, suicide, sexual assault, language
Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Genre: Contemporary romance
Summary: First Son Alex Claremont-Diaz is the closest thing to a prince this side of the Atlantic. With his intrepid sister and the Veep’s genius granddaughter, they’re the White House Trio, a beautiful millennial marketing strategy for his mother, President Ellen Claremont. International socialite duties do have downsides—namely, when photos of a confrontation with his longtime nemesis Prince Henry at a royal wedding leak to the tabloids and threaten American/British relations. The plan for damage control: staging a fake friendship between the First Son and the Prince.As President Claremont kicks off her reelection bid, Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret relationship with Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations. What is worth the sacrifice? How do you do all the good you can do? And, most importantly, how will history remember you?
Review: I flipping LOVED this book. It was hilarious and heart breaking and lovely all at the same time. Alex and Henry? Hello relationship goals!! I seriously couldn't put this book down. There are themes of love and being yourself and friendship and betrayal. I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud for real. This book talks about what it's like to come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community but at the same time have the eyes of the world on you. Seriously, please read this book!
Trigger Warning: language, sexual assault, LGBTQ+ struggles, drug use, topics of racism and homophobia
You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle
Genre: contemporary romance
Summary: Naomi Westfield has the perfect fiancé: Nicholas Rose holds doors open for her, remembers her restaurant orders, and comes from the kind of upstanding society family any bride would love to be a part of. They never fight. They're preparing for their lavish wedding that's three months away. And she is miserably and utterly sick of him.Naomi wants out, but there's a catch: whoever ends the engagement will have to foot the nonrefundable wedding bill. When Naomi discovers that Nicholas, too, has been feigning contentment, the two of them go head-to-head in a battle of pranks, sabotage, and all-out emotional warfare.
But with the countdown looming to the wedding that may or may not come to pass, Naomi finds her resolve slipping. Because now that they have nothing to lose, they're finally being themselves--and having fun with the last person they expect: each other.
Review: This was such a fun book. I'm pretty sure this was my first contemporary romance novel that I've read and I absolutely had a blast with it. It is a super easy and fast read that had me cheering for Naomi and Nicholas the whole time. If you want a quick, lighthearted read for the summer, I highly recommend this book.
Triggers: relationships, talk of divorce, drugs, job loss, controlling parents
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Fantasy, 18+
Summary: Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.
Review: This book was so much better than the first one in the series and I loved that one, too! The second book was faster paced, heart-wrenching and sexy. Anything I felt while reading ACOTAR was tripled with ACOMAF. I seriously couldn't put it down. If you plan to try out the series but are worried that your interest will die out, I promise you that won't happen. I wasn't even finished with this book before rushing to Barnes and Noble to grab the third. I couldn't wait to start it. Also, the plot twist at the end?? WOO! That got me good!
Trigger Warning: sex, language, abuse (sexual, emotional), trauma, war
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J Maas
Genre: Fantasy, 18+
Summary: Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin's maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit – and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords – and hunt for allies in unexpected places.
In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.
Review: Like the first two books, I loved this book. There was action. There was love. There was sex. There was friendship. There was plot twists and betrayal. I loved every bit if this book. I absolutely loved being able to dive into the fantasy world that SJM created. This series is now my comfort book series. I'm already trying to NOT reread it and focus on the other books on my TBR. I completely recommend this series to anyone who wants to get wrapped up in the fantasy of the world and people in these books. While there are more books in this series (Frost and Starlight and Silver Flames) this book was a great wrap up of the first three books. You can read the first three and stop there and be totally content. ACOFAS is a small novella to hold you over until ACOSF and ACOSF is kind of a start of a new "series within a series" as it is from Nesta's, one of Feyre's sisters, POV. Rumor is, SJM has books lined up from other characters' POV.
Trigger Warnings: sex, war, death, language, discussions of SA
Winger by Andrew Smith
Genre: contemporary YA
Summary: Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids in the Pacific Northwest. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.
Review: This book was....okay. It is a YA novel and it is clear that it is written for a younger audience. The book takes you through a very realistic depiction of a 14 year old boy's brain. Almost annoyingly realistic. As a 25 year old, I wasn't a fan. HOWEVER! I read YA books because that is the audience of those I recommend books to. As a high school teacher I need to have books in my repertoire for the ages of 14 to 18. I think this fits the bill. However, there were some fairly problematic parts of this book. The main character's best friend, Joey, is gay and he can't say a single thing about Joey without commenting that he is gay and how he, himself, is definitely not. Every now and then there is the f-slur made by other students at the school. The main character is also fairly mysogonistic in a 14 year old boy way. However, as someone who works with teenage boys regularly, while I find the words and attitudes problematic, I do have to say it is fairly on point with how 14 year old boys think. So, take that as you wish. One thing I absolutely did not like was the ending. In the summary it says that "the unthinkable happens" and that Ryan Dean has to maneuver it. The "unthinkable" happens in the last 11 pages. And so does his handling of the situation. The first 400 pages just follow Ryan Dean through his first 3 months of school and dealing with friends and rugby and girls. Nothing monumental. I definitely wish that the event at the end happened earlier in the story so that we could really see Ryan Dean deal with it and overcome it. Unfortunately, we don't get that.
Trigger Warnings: language, R-word, F-slur, bullying for being gay, calling people 'gay' as an insult, sexual innuendos, death, drinking, mention of drugs
Truly Devious Trilogy by Maureen Johnson (I will be reviewing the whole trilogy in this post since I read them all back to back)
Genre: YA Mystery
Summary: Ellingham Academy is a famous private school in Vermont for the brightest thinkers, inventors, and artists. It was founded by Albert Ellingham, an early twentieth century tycoon, who wanted to make a wonderful place full of riddles, twisting pathways, and gardens. "A place," he said, "where learning is a game."Shortly after the school opened, his wife and daughter were kidnapped. The only real clue was a mocking riddle listing methods of murder, signed with the frightening pseudonym "Truly, Devious." It became one of the great unsolved crimes of American history.
True-crime aficionado Stevie Bell is set to begin her first year at Ellingham Academy, and she has an ambitious plan: She will solve this cold case. That is, she will solve the case when she gets a grip on her demanding new school life and her housemates: the inventor, the novelist, the actor, the artist, and the jokester.
But something strange is happening. Truly Devious makes a surprise return, and death revisits Ellingham Academy. The past has crawled out of its grave. Someone has gotten away with murder.
The two interwoven mysteries of this first book in the Truly Devious series dovetail brilliantly, and Stevie Bell will continue her relentless quest for the murderers in books two and three.
Review: I listened to this book on Audible and, like I always say, the voice actor makes all the difference on audiobooks and the reader of this trilogy does a great job. That being said, I would have devoured these books regardless of the format I read them in. These books are so fun and action-packed. The characters are diverse and funny and relatable and the plot is well-developed, too. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a new and exciting mystery that has so many plot twists and surprises that it'll keep you on your toes. Only disappointment?No moose...
Trigger warnings: death, murder, drug and alcohol use, language
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Summary: Patricia Campbell's life has never felt smaller. Her husband is a workaholic, her teenage kids have their own lives, her senile mother-in-law needs constant care, and she's always a step behind on her endless to-do list. The only thing keeping her sane is her book club, a close-knit group of Charleston women united by their love of true crime. At these meetings they're as likely to talk about the Manson family as they are about their own families.
One evening after book club, Patricia is viciously attacked by an elderly neighbor, bringing the neighbor's handsome nephew, James Harris, into her life. James is well traveled and well read, and he makes Patricia feel things she hasn't felt in years. But when children on the other side of town go missing, their deaths written off by local police, Patricia has reason to believe James Harris is more of a Bundy than a Brad Pitt. The real problem? James is a monster of a different kind--and Patricia has already invited him in.
Little by little, James will insinuate himself into Patricia's life and try to take everything she took for granted--including the book club--but she won't surrender without a fight in this blood-soaked tale of neighborly kindness gone wrong.
Review: This was my first horror book and I'm glad I started here. The way this plot lays itself out in your mind is just like a horror film and I don't even like horror films. The book is split into months, with each section titled after what the fictional book club is reading that month. I blew through this book in just 3 days - I couldn't put it down; I needed to know what happened next! Some of the biggest complaints that I found for this book was that it was a man writing about a group of women but as a woman, I have to say he did a pretty good job representing our annoyance of men and their expectations of us. The other complaint was about how the African American characters were represented. I will let you decide your opinion of this aspect on your own but the book is set in the deep South in the 90's.
If you like horror, vampires (but not in your Dracula, Edward Cullen type), and a fast-paced plot, this book is for you!
Trigger Warnings: rape, drugs, abuse, language, scary imagery, hints of racism, sexism
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J Maas
Summary: Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve.
Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated--scars that will have far-reaching impact on the future of their Court.
Review: This book was a lot slower compared to the others in the series but that's kind of the point. It is a nice breather from the chaos and tension of the war and turmoil the characters have faced. The book follows a few different characters as they get ready for the Winter Solstice (think Christmas) as well as processing their trauma. I enjoyed getting to learn more about the characters in a calmer environment.
Trigger Warnings: sex, language, trauma
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
Summary: Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion . . . she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas.
Review: This book was funny, witty, sexy, and all around a great read. The banter that Ethan and Olive have is quick and real and while some events in the story make you go "Oh of COURSE that happened" and what is happening is pretty predictable, I still couldn't put it down and needed to know what happened next. If you are looking for a fun, quick romance, I would 10/10 recommend this book.
Trigger Warnings: sex, infidelity, language, divorce
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas
Summary: Nesta Archeron has always been prickly-proud, swift to anger, and slow to forgive. And ever since being forced into the Cauldron and becoming High Fae against her will, she's struggled to find a place for herself within the strange, deadly world she inhabits. Worse, she can't seem to move past the horrors of the war with Hybern and all she lost in it.
The one person who ignites her temper more than any other is Cassian, the battle-scarred warrior whose position in Rhysand and Feyre's Night Court keeps him constantly in Nesta's orbit. But her temper isn't the only thing Cassian ignites. The fire between them is undeniable, and only burns hotter as they are forced into close quarters with each other.
Meanwhile, the treacherous human queens who returned to the Continent during the last war have forged a dangerous new alliance, threatening the fragile peace that has settled over the realms. And the key to halting them might very well rely on Cassian and Nesta facing their haunting pasts.
Against the sweeping backdrop of a world seared by war and plagued with uncertainty, Nesta and Cassian battle monsters from within and without as they search for acceptance-and healing-in each other's arms.
Review: I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book when I started it. There are so many different opinions about it online that made me hesitate. However, I'm glad I read it. I loved this book so much. The story follows Nesta, Feyre's oldest sister, through her healing from her past traumas. We all have things we need to heal from and so reading this book resonated with me a lot. There were times where I saw myself in Nesta and, whether that is good or bad, it helped me relate to what was going on. I also loved the bond that was made between Gwyn, Nesta, and Emerie. Watching their friendship grow throughout the novel made my heart so happy.
I was also expecting the book to be 90% sex, which is how the TikTok portrayed it. And while there was a decent amount of sex in this book (again, this book is 18+), there was a lot more story and plot than I expected; a plot line that I absolutely loved.
Trigger Warnings: sex, sexual assault, death, language, abuse, mental illness, gore
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Summary: Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn.
Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife -- between desire and danger.
Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.
Review: I was forced to read this book by my friend who is obsessed with this series and honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. Once you get past the fact that it is clearly written for a younger audience and the cringy (but accurate) high school romance, it's not a bad book. I also think that, as someone who wasn't allowed to read it when it came out, I fell victim to the Twilight hate that took over once it became popular. Society likes to shame women and girls for whatever they like and this definitely fits into that category.
Like I said, it is very clearly written for a younger audience and, as a 25 year old, that takes some adjusting to. One comment I made to my friend while we were discussing it was "I can't tell if it is poorly written, or written extremely well." It describes the mind of a high schooler "in love" (I put that in quotes because how often is high school love real?) and the cringey conversations and thoughts that come with that. As an adult, that seems so cheesy and, again, cringey, but then I have to stop myself and put myself back in high school. How did I think about boys? How did my friends who were dating talk and think about their relationship? And it fits pretty well. I mean, I know as a freshman, I thought I was "in love" with a boy in my classes when I was definitely not so I can't judge Bella too much for how sudden her affection for Edward comes on, especially since he is literally built to appear gorgeous and appealing to her.
Trigger Warnings: blood, relationships, toxic relationships
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Bella and Edward face a devastating separation, the mysterious appearance of dangerous wolves roaming the forest in Forks, a terrifying threat of revenge from a female vampire and a deliciously sinister encounter with Italy's reigning royal family of vampires, the Volturi.
Passionate, riveting, and full of surprising twists and turns, this vampire love saga is well on its way to literary immortality.
Review: I'd segment this book into 3 parts: the first few chapters, the last few chapters, then everything in the middle. So much happens in the middle part that I completely forgot that the events in the first few chapters occured in this book. The end was also fairly confusing, too. I got the main point but Edward likes to talk in circles and it took me a few re-reads and talking with my friend to figure out what was actually being said.
Triggers: blood, gore, suicidal thoughts, relationships, gangs
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Summary: As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob — knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf.
With her graduation quickly approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which?
Review: I started to get really annoyed at Bella and Edward in this book. The controllingness, the over the top teenage love, it just got to be too much. The toxicity of Edward and Bella's relationship really came to a point in this book but I kept pushing through because I knew my friend I'm reading this with wouldn't allow it. Thankfully, Edward does start to redeem himself and that made it a lot better. He started to allow Bella to see Jacob and lighten the security on her. I did really enjoy the banter between Edward and Jacob through this book, though. It was a nice comic relief to some of the tension of the events.
Trigger warnings: toxic relationship, sexual assault, murder