Death Prefers Blondes by Caleb Roehrig

Back in July (2018) my son picked up White Rabbit when he was picking books he wanted to buy me for my birthday. And I was formally introduced to the work and Twitter feed of Caleb Roehrig. And I became a fan. Then over the past months of following him and even being lucky enough to interact with him on Twitter I became a total fangirl. He is just wonderful. So I was waiting for his new book, this one, to come out. Then I got lucky, in the right place at the right time, and I was covering a shift for a friend at work and so I was shelving before the store opened, and when I was in the YA section on the cart there just sitting, 2 copies of this book with a bright pink cover with a blonde head on it staring at me and I just knew what I was looking at....days early!!! So I shelved one and put my name on the other to get after my shift ended. And I spent every moment I could this weekend reading it...I was working and had to do stuff (dammit) so I didn't get to devour this gem in one sitting but I would have if I could have. It was soooo good!!

I can't go into details because I don't want to spoil you. So I will say: 

• there was a time I yelled out loud "Oh no!! Come on!! No!! DAMN!!!!" and my husband looked over and asked if I was ok or if another book was killing me. 
• There was excitement and jumping out of helicopters and off of towers and hiding in tight places and drag queens, and young love and dealing with people not being open to who you are and so having to pretend you are something else and mystery and grand theft and adventure and just a great wild ride. 
• At one point I had to stop reading for a moment because I wanted to jump into the book and hug this one character and offer to be his mom and give him mom hugs when ever he needed them and tell him to just be himself and that he was wonderful just as he is and through my tears I had to tweet this sentiment to Caleb. 
• There was a lot of delicious mystery induced tension throughout the book. 

And I will end by saying I want more adventures with this crew and hope Caleb will revisit them in the future. This group of friends turned family deserves more page time. 

(Finished January 27, 2019)

The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris

I have been hoping that Kamala Harris would run for President. She impressed me when she questioned Kavanaugh. She impresses me every time she speaks. She is straightforward, honest, and comes across as unflappable.

When I heard she had a book coming out I knew I would read it. Then I listened to her on Jonathan Capehart's podcast CapeUp. I was hoping this was a prelude to announcing her run. I got goosebumps listening to her and whooped out loud walking laps at the local mall while listening to the podcast.

I bought this, her book, over this past weekend. But I was going to wait a little to read it since I was so deep into the Throne of Glass series. But then on Monday, MLK Day, she made her announcement...SHE IS RUNNING!!! And so I stopped everything and picked up her book. I would have been done sooner, but I have a cold and yesterday got very little reading done, in my feverish haze I couldn't focus. But I am done and I am even more excited about her!!

The Truths We Hold is part biographical background part vision for the future all while telling us lessons she has learned and what she thinks are some possible solutions. The data she shares on the mental health care and opioid crises are heartbreaking. Sincerity comes off the page loudly when she talks about her mother and her experiences meeting people and her desire to help them and in many cases the help she was able to be to them. You can just feel that she has a real heart for public service and for the right reasons, service to others not to self.

Kamala (comma like the punctuation with a la at the end as she teaches us) Harris is smart, tough, compassionate, and maybe a little fearless....I can't wait to see where her campaign goes, my son and I will be donating and volunteering!!

(Finished January 23, 2019)

The Familiars by Stacey Halls

Another ARC read from work.


In the early part of the 1600's women were being accused of being witches and there was little they could do to defend themselves.

But what was it about these women that the men who were trying, convicting, and executing them were so afraid of?

Was what they were doing, using herbs to heal the sick, helping other women survive pregnancy and childbirth, respecting the earth and nature, helping each other survive crippling poverty, was this just women being strong and doing what needed doing or was it some dark evil force, the hand of the devil himself as their accusers swore?

To the men it didn't seem to be a high priority, it seemed to be about securing their own places and keeping women in theirs.

That is the world that Fleetwood and Alice live in. And when she is so sick she believes she has a death sentence Fleetwood finds Alice and Alice is knowledgeable in midwifery and the use of herbs and plants to help Fleetwood. And somehow they grow a friendship. Not a conventional friendship but one none the less.

And then Alice is charged as a witch and Fleetwood must save her. And believes in doing so she will save herself.

Nothing is what it seems, or are things exactly what they appear? You will have to read this when it comes out to see. What I can tell you is that, to paraphrase what it says on the back of the book, sometimes the most risk and danger lies in just being a woman.

(Finished January 20, 2019)

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas

I love this series so far. And as much as I like Celaena/Aelin, she isn't my favorite character. I am surprised however how my choice of a favorite as evolved and settled in this book on who I am loving and wanting to see make it to the end. I do have a feeling that I shouldn't do what I have done, get too attached to characters because I don't think Maas will shy away from killing main and beloved characters.

In this installment the answers are starting to be revealed and the battle lines are being drawn in what I fully expect will be an epic battle between good and evil, well ok, maybe not "good", but between not-evil and evil.

Where will the Blackbeak Thirteen land? What will happen to Elide? And I am not ashamed to admit I am anxious to know if Rowan and Aelin finally have their "moment." And will we ever know what our dear Shifter's real face looks like?

While part of me really hopes for a relatively happy ending, I hope it is tense and epic getting there.

I am going to pause a bit and read an ARC I got from work that my friend/coworker Rachel told me she really liked and then I will be back to this series. And this year I plan on reading Maas' Court of Throne and Roses series.

(Finished January 19, 2019)




My thoughts on other books in the series:
Throne of Glass
Crown of Midnight
The Assassin's Blade
Heir of Fire

Don't Call Us Dead by Danez Smith

I found this because it come HIGHLY recommended by by friend Danielle. And damn but she was right.

A book of POWERFUL poetry by Danez Smith on race, sexuality, and being diagnosed with HIV.

He writes about the stigma that he feels as a man of color because of his sexuality, he writes about what it is like to be fearful living in the skin you were born with on so many levels, and he writes about what is happening to his body...

I felt some shame while reading this...I often do when I confront the privilege my skin and being straight affords me...and it isn't comfortable but it is important to acknowledge and talk about and work to change, but I think the shame and discomfort is why many white people don't talk about and act when it comes to racism, and that is shameful because pushing past that feeling or pushing past in spite of it, it is the only way to be a true ally.

Anyway, long way around to say that this is a beautiful bearing of his soul....


"hallelujah! today i rode
past five police cars
& i can tell you about it"

(Finished January 14, 2019)

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

This is the first Barnes and Noble Book Club read of 2019. I have been to all of the previous ones and will be working at running future ones, my friend/coworker Emily is running this one...

It was a very quick read but it was really a very good one too!! I knew very little about it when I started, just that Emily was doing some research because the main character was a real person, I just didn't know who until I started it...HEDY LEMAR!!! The most beautiful actress in her day...but oh was she so much more than a talented pretty face....

I had no idea she was a scientist at heart, that she had a patent granted on an invention of hers that is believed to be what was used to inspire and enable the invention of GPS...yes, you can thank Hedy that your smart phone lets you be tracked everywhere you go!!

But she was Jewish, a mom, and as all women were then, and are pretty much still, she was underestimated and dismissed on the basis of sex...

I was left wanting to know more about her....I have done some digging actually. And she was quite and interesting figure who has their history not as widely reflected in common knowledge as it should be. 

(Finished January 14, 2019)

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas

I took a short break from this series to read On The Come Up which I have been waiting for since it was announced and was lucky enough to get my hands on an ARC. And I will have to wait a little before I go on to the next book while I read a book for the Barnes & Noble book club book pick for February. But I am really looking forward to getting back to this story. Three numbered books and a prequel in and I feel invested in the world Maas has created.

Still a badass, Celaena is heading towards her destiny and learning that being a badass doesn't have to mean doing it all alone. Sometimes others know more and can do some things better...team work gets the job done...sort of like a band of dangerous, will kill when they have to, Wonder Pets....

Dorian really stepped up here...and the outcome....wow....
I am finding it hard to muster much sympathy for Chaol but he isn't a total loss, and it seems he is trying to do better and I am all for second chances and redemption.
I really like Rowan, right from the start I was hoping, and not disappointed, hoping that there was more to him....I knew it but learning his story made it satisfying to find out there was indeed....more.
There is a character I am hating that I am starting to like and think there just might be change and redemption coming for.....But depth in characters is better than flat, what you see is what you get types...I guess I will have to wait and see....

These books are effin long...epically long...heavy to take with me when I read and walk long...like Game of Thrones long....but they don't, or at least have not yet, feel like they drag on, which is good...almost 600 pages that feels more like 300 is much better than almost 600 that feels like it might as well be 6000, and I guess I can call it adding weights to my walks.

My biggest hope going forward is that Celaena doesn't become a weak, must have a man to be whole, stereotypical character and continues to grow and be strong but letting others in and help her at the same time, to be deep and real....because women can be badd ass with or without a romantic partner and really DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE a man come to their rescue to get the job done. Partners in adventure are fine, needing a team is fine, but being written as weak and needy isn't....there is a difference and you know it when you read it.


(Finished January 12, 2019)


My thoughts on other books in the series:
Throne of Glass
Crown of Midnight
The Assassin's Blade

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

I love working at Barnes & Noble. One of the perks of the job is access to ARC (advanced reader copies) of books and that is how, 2 months early, I just finished Angie Thomas' follow up to The Hate U Give.

On the Come Up takes place a year after the incident in THUG in the same neighborhood. Starr and Bri don't appear to know each other but the events surrounding Starr are referenced by Bri and are part of the context for her story, for the world as she knows it.

Bri is smart and talented and with Sonny and Malik make up what she calls The Unholy Trio. They have been best friends since their moms were pregnant with them. They are family by love and choice.

Bri lost her dad when she was young and almost lost her mom to drugs in the wake of her dad's death.

She doesn't want to lose herself, if she can find herself, figure out who she is. She knows she has words inside her that need to get out, and she is good at getting them out. She is a badass female rapper and she has hopes it is her way to contribute to caring for her family, a way out of the hood.

On the Come Up is at its core the story of finding out who you are and being ok with that, with being loved and loving, with healing and accepting. It is so beautiful. It isn't as gutting as THUG but it is just as powerful. Bri's voice is so important. I hope we get a movie version of this one too!!!

(Finished January 10, 2019)

The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford

A short writeup for a short book.

My friend and coworker Ryan told me about this as soon as it came into the store and I had to buy it instantly. It is technically a children's picture book. But I would say it isn't just for kids. It is beautiful to look at, the art work is just so good and while it isn't heavy on words it is a loving tribute to the those who birthed the rap genre of music.

A must for any lover of Rap & Hip-Hop especially those with an appreciation for the old school.

(Finished January 4, 2018)

The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass 0.1 - 0.5) by Sarah J. Maas

After reading Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight I picked up this one. On the advice of one of my besties I am doing an altered reading order, 1, 2, 0.1-0.5, 3, 4, 6, 5, 7.

I was a little hesitant because as Crown ended I wanted move on the book 3 and continue on the adventure. But, as is usually the case, Ann was right. It was nice to catch my breath and learn about what lead Celaena to where I left her. And it is was nice to meet Sam.

I enjoyed fully the first 4 of the 5 short stories...I will admit I was left feeling disappointed in the ending of the last one, The Assassin And The Empire. It felt like too easy an out, and it felt a little anticlimactic after the buildup...the only thing surprising about it was how much it wasn't surprising.

While this didn't ruin my enjoyment and desire to read the rest of the series it did make me a little less enamored with Celaena, I thought she was smarter and even taking into account her grief, I feel like she should have put it together at some point...

Now that I have finished this I will be choosing if I want to dive right into book 3 or pause for a couple of more days as I read something else from my HUGE TBR pile...I guess you will have to wait and see....

(Finished January 2, 2019)