The Essex Serpent

I saw this book around a lot when it was first published and the topic, the possible existence of a mythical serpent in Essex, is definitely one that struck my fancy. Plus, the detail in the cover is lovely in its delicacy. Which is, in fact, what prompted me to buy it. I saw it…

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Everyone Knows You Go Home

As part of my goal of reading more diversely, I want to focus, this year, on specifically trying to read more Latinx authors. According to my reading stats for last year, only 3% of the books I read were by Latinx authors. I feel like, with the current political focus on immigration in the US,…

She Would Be King

I love reading because it opens up so much of the world that is unknown. Like, there is just so much out there to learn about. I am drawn to books that will give me insight into something I didn’t previously know about. And even if, like in this case, the story itself is told…

Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance

This was just one of those books that I knew I wanted to read from the second I saw it. The title and cover drew me in, but the description sealed the deal. I am a huge sucker for magical realism and this story sounded literally perfect. Having just finished, I can confirm that I…

Freshwater

I was originally drawn to this book by the cover, which is gorgeous, and then by the description. I am always fascinated to read about beliefs that are different and foreign to my own, specifically in how they look/play out in real life. In addition, this sounded like a really fascinating personal exploration, a book…

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender

I saw this book in a photo on Bookstagram and, though I had never heard of it before, the title and cover just seriously called out to me. When I asked the person who posted the photo what they thought of the book (I wish I could remember who is was so I could give…

Her Body and Other Parties

I’m not always a short story person. I don’t read a lot of them, so when I do decide to pick up a book like this, you know there’s a good reason. In this case, a collection of stories billed as genre-defying representations of the female experience. Honestly, that’s an almost impossible description for me…

The Astonishing Color of After

I don’t usually get to books this soon after publication (my TBR backlog is ridiculous), but based on the description (and that title!) this is one that I actually almost pre-ordered. I decided at the last minute not to, but still wanted to get to it as soon as possible. And I have to say,…

The End We Start From

My first thought when I picked up this book at the library: it’s so small. (My second thought, upon opening it: it smells amazing. I’m weird – sorry not sorry.) It’s like half the size of a normal book, both in regards to actual physical size and length. But definitely do not let its size…

The Book of Speculation

In a very convenient circumstance, this book, which has been on my TBR list for a few months, was also chosen as the January book for one of my book clubs. I love when things like that work out. Also, since it wasn’t towards the top of my list, I was unlikely to get to…