A quick review of The Ascent by Allison Buccola Continue reading
Tag Archives: three stars
Other People’s Houses by Clare Mackintosh
I was really looking forward to Other People’s Houses. I ended up getting an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher but I had pre-ordered it because my local libraries don’t always carry her books. I really enjoyed the first (and second!) book in this series (and her other books) but this one was a little … Continue reading
We Don’t Talk about Carol by Kristen L. Berry
I enjoyed We Don’t Talk about Carol but at times it was a bit convoluted and sprawling. I’m not sure if the pregnancy storyline was needed or fit. It took away momentum from her family of origin story, the story of these missing Black girls and the investigation. I liked the main character and she … Continue reading
Brooklyn Kills Me by Emily Schultz
I really enjoyed the first book in this unexpected series. I always like when the characters aren’t just doctors, lawyers and soccer moms but people cobbling life together a little more. I also like the aspect of having friends that maybe you wouldn’t chose if you met them today sticking around. I felt like Brooklyn … Continue reading
The Wives: A Memoir by Simone Gorrindo
The Wives probably should have been called “The Wife” because it was really mostly about her (understandably!) and she didn’t really explore the wives outside of their relationship to her. The other wives actually seemed annoyed by her quite a bit which she sort of noticed but never explored. I wish she had included more … Continue reading
This American Ex-Wife: How I Ended My Marriage and Started My Life by Lyz Lenz
This American Ex-Wife is another book where I wish it was just a memoir and the author didn’t try to make so many connections to the greater world. I don’t think they worked as well as they could have. Unlike Geraldine DeRuiter, she is a journalist and experienced researcher but it doesn’t help as much … Continue reading
memoir / nonfiction / review
Group Living and Other Recipes by Lola Milholland
Group Living and Other Recipes by Lola Milholland Continue reading
Ambition Monster by Jennifer Romolini
I am always impressed when people write memoirs like Ambition Monster that make them out to be horrible people. It’s an interesting kind of honesty. Sure she is calling herself a “monster” but clearly it is supposed to be tongue-in-cheek. I think she came by her personality naturally because her family, particularly her mother, sounded … Continue reading
The Night of the Storm by Nishita Parekh
I had requested this from NetGalley but wasn’t selected so I am happy the library ordered it. The Night of the Storm was a mixed bag. The setting— a hurricane headed for and then hunkering down in Houston, Texas—was fun and different. I liked the time spent on family and cultural dynamics. However, there were … Continue reading
Snacking Bakes: Simple Recipes for Cookies, Bars, Brownies, Cakes, and More Book by Yossy Arefi
Snacking Bakes was a little repetitive and contradictory at times. The author lists espresso powder and malted milk powder (in detail) twice in her pantry chapter, just a few pages apart. The author makes a big deal about how you never have to refrigerate the dough when making cookies after going on about how tiny … Continue reading
Rachel Reads Books 