Lose Yourself in the World of Books
A Search for a Sister and the Truth of Her Murder Another manuscript read, I finished Catch the Sparrow in May of 2021. I'm still not a big true crime reader, but reading this book, followed by the disappearance of Gabby Petito, I've been thinking more and more about our culture's fascination with missing young… Continue reading Catch the Sparrow by Rachel Rear
Shady Hollow #1 When reviewing titles for the spring, one of our reps handed me an advance copy of Shady Hollow shortly before I left for a beach vacation in October. Deciding it might be what I would be in the mood more, and being short enough to be read in a day, I excitedly… Continue reading Shady Hollow by Juneau Black
A Guide for Occupants After I didn't love The Road to Little Dribbling, I wanted to give Bill Bryson another shot. My mom had enjoyed A Short History of Nearly Everything, so I thought I might try one of his more science minded books instead of another travel one. Synopsis From the publisher marketing:Bill Bryson… Continue reading The Body by Bill Bryson
An Irreverent Guide I'd been looking forward to an Anthony Bourdain travel guide for years, hoping that eventually he would sit still long enough to write it. When he died, I thought we'd never get one and I was quite excited when it was announced that Laurie, his longtime assistant, would edit and assemble one… Continue reading World Travel by Anthony Bourdain
The Emmy Lake Chronicles #2 This summer, when I was desperately struggling to find a book to lose myself in, I turned to sequels of my favorites because I knew they wouldn't disappointment. Yours Cheerfully is a very fitting and enjoyable follow up to Dear Mrs. Bird. Synopsis From the publisher marketing:From the author of… Continue reading Yours Cheerfully by A. J. Pearce
Welp, I had my worst reading year since 2014, just a paltry 34 books read. Since 2015 I've read over 50 books a year. But it's been a hell of a year. From a cancer scare for me to multiple family deaths, well, I'll be happy to see this year in the rearview mirror. Total… Continue reading 2021 Year in Books
Let's Play #1 Hi, my name is Sarah and I am completely and 100% obsessed with Let's Play. Synopsis From the publisher marketing:She’s young, single and about to achieve her dream of creating incredible video games. But then life throws her a one-two punch: a popular streamer gives her first game a scathing review. Even worse,… Continue reading Let’s Play by Leeanne M. Krecic
This one is always a tough one - I have so many interests and tend to read pretty widely across them. When I taught social studies we frequently had to create "text sets," a collection of fiction and nonfiction across multiple reading levels that pertained to whatever topic we were covering. So this year, I've… Continue reading Nonfiction November Week 3: Expert Opinion
Lore Olympus #1 Admittedly, I had no idea what Lore Olympus was when our sales rep for the publisher sold it to me back in the spring. When he told me that the print run kept increasing and he suggested more copies, I said sure. Then we sold those 12 copies in one day when… Continue reading Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper Another Nonfiction Book Club selection! This one was a highly anticipated read for many of our members. Synopsis From the publisher marketing:Five devastating human stories and a dark and moving portrait of Victorian London—the untold lives of the women killed by Jack the Ripper.… Continue reading The Five by Hallie Rubenhold
Celebration of Books 