This month I challenged myself to read a Christmas book (I’ve never read one before! Unless you count The Greatest Christmas Pagant Ever which I read in the 3rd grade and nothing can top it). And I finally finished it two days after Christmas. Also it wasn’t even that Christmassy. You can read more about that later but I will say I think I kinda failed on that challenge. But that’s fine.
I set a goal for reading 50 books this year and I nailed it! By that I mean I read only and exactly 50 books. No more, no less. Here are the rest of my reading stats!

As usual, all the links in this post go to support our shop, Twice Told Tales in McPherson KS.

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
Download the audiobook here.
Order the hardcover copy here (or stop into Twice Told Tales).

I will admit that the pacing of this book is a little on the slower side but the story was incredible. It follows two main characters–one, a Mi’kmaq man named Joe whose sister, Ruthie, went missing as a toddler. Joe is on his deathbed and taking his eyes off his little sister on that fateful day is just one of the many regrets he lives with. The other main character, a woman named Norma is looking back on her life–trying to piece together the strange childhood she had and the secrets held by everyone who was close to her.

My only real complaint about this story is that I do wish it were longer. I wanted to know more about Joe’s life. I wanted to learn more about what happened with Norma. I fell in love with these folks and my heart ached for each of them.

Here in the Dark by Alexis Soloski
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Order the hardcover here (or snag the last one from Twice Told Tales).

This is a psychological thriller that I struggle to describe to folks! It was really intense but also, at the same time, the characters were very theatrical and campy (which makes sense, this book takes place in the theater scene of NYC). It centers around a theater critic who struggles to connect with people one-on-one but seems to come alive in the dark seats of the theater.

The storytelling in this was spot on. I loved the way the author was not terribly heavy handed with the foreshadowing and traps laid long ago come back into the storyline.
That being said, I did guess the big reveal very very early on and that kind of bummed me out. I wish the reveal had been more exciting for me. But I want you to read it and tell me at what point you realized what the big “ta-da” was.

Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings
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Pre-Order the physical copy here.

You know I’m deep in my romance era. I’ve been getting really tired of reading about thin, white straight people. So when a box of ARCs arrived on my desk at work, I grabbed the Sapphic one and immediately started reading away (who could resist that cover anyway?)! So, now I’m reading about thin, white, bisexual people. Bisexual and autistic (written by a bisexual, autistic author).

This book was an adorably cute, cottage core romance! There are several open-door scenes in this book (including one three-chapter long sex scene. Sheesh!) so it’s not for those of you who blush when things get steamy. I think that if I was still early in my romance reading journey, I would have said this book was soooooo good! But now that I’ve read several and am starting to get a feel for what I really like to read about, this one wasn’t my most favorite. They just seem so… young. And maybe they could use some therapy. I LOVE a romance with characters who have been to therapy. They just kinda fight a lot and then get back together without actually addressing what actually happened between them. Which I know is very hot and romantic to a lot of folks. If that’s you–place that pre-order!

Season of Love by Helena Greer
Download the audiobook here.
Order the book here.

Now this is what I’m talking about! This book is my ideal romance. It’s got queer characters (in this one, a hot fat butch lesbian and a bi girl who is described as “elfish”). They’ve got issues but they handle their shit before it becomes someone else’s problem–honestly a great example for healthy relationships. It’s pretty steamy but nothing all that explicit. It’s certainly closed door when it comes to the naked stuff. Like, I can recommend this book to folks without giving disclaimers that make me want to blush.

This was my technically-Christmas book. It takes place on a Christmas tree farm/ inn run by Jewish people. I love it! Last month (was it just last month?) I read the newest book in this series, For Never and Always, and I loved it for alllllll the same reasons I mentioned above. I liked how I could read the books out of order and not feel like I was missing something–but it was more like, “Oh I can’t WAIT to read more about these people!” Another thing I love is how the characters are absolutely Jewish and their faith is super important to them! I’ve never read a book where the character’s faith is a key component to their identity without being. like, full-on religious propaganda. ANYWAY I really hope the next book centers on Cole. I’m going to read everything Helena Greer writes.

That’s what I read in December 2023! Soon I’ll post a roundup of ALL 50 books I read this year!

Every year I set a goal to read 50 books a year and every year I miss the mark by a mile*. As of the last day in November, I have read 46 books and I feel like I might make it this year!

*This is why I laugh bitterly every time (once every few days) someone comes into my bookstore and says, “I wish I could read books all day at my job!” Yeah. Let me know when you find one.

Anyway–despite not reading at work, I’m so close to my goal and I’m actually gonna try in December. I can read 4 books, surely! I’m halfway done with one right now as-is. But here’s what I read in November!

Curves for Days by Laura Moher
Order the paperback version here.
Download the audiobook here

This one starts like any given Hallmark story: sweet woman looking for a better life wins the lottery and just drives until she finds a place she wants to live.
She gets snowed in to a small town in North Carolina and falls in love with the place. She gets involved in the community and decides to buy a house that needs a lot of work so she hires the town grumpy contractor with a heart of gold and you can imagine what happens next.
This book is adorable and thoughtful and it is hot. This is your warning/ recommendation.

The Only One Left by Riley Sager
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Download the audiobook here.

This was an excellent, gothic, atmospheric mystery. I loved the time period, the whodunnit elements and the way that just when you think you’ve gotten the plot twist you get hit with the actual plot twist. This book definitely kept me guessing and I didn’t see the ending coming at all.

That being said, even though everyone who’s opinion I trust loved this book there’s just something about it that wasn’t for me and I’m struggling to put my finger on it. So I’d love it if you’d pick it up and tell me what you think.

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Order the paperback copy here (or we do currently have a used copy at Twice Told Tales).
Download the audiobook here.

This was a cute, pretty traditional enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance that takes place at an NPR station in the Seattle area that needs to make some serious changes or they need to start laying people off.

Yadda yadda yadda, Shay Goldstein finally gets her dream job as the host of her own show but the catch is that it’s not traditionally news–it’s a dating show where she’ll be hosting with her colleague/ enemy, Dominic.

For Never & Always by Helena Greer
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Download the audiobook here.

This book was such a dream! As I was reading, I could tell it was part of a series because there were a few characters that I felt like the author assumed I knew about already. So I can’t wait to go back and read the first book in that series (I need more Queers in my romance reading!).

Yes. Another romance (and friends I don’t see it changing until the sun comes back out in a few months). This one was definitely hot. There are sexy moments but it certainly isn’t as explicit as the other books on this list. So if you’re interested in dipping your toe in the genre without blushing too much, this would be a great starting point.

After a lonely, transient childhood, Hannah has officially planted her roots at the Christmas Tree Farm/ Inn that she inherited and is running like a boss businesswoman. Her thoughts keep coming back to Levi Matthews: her first love, worst heartbreak, and now, thanks to her great-aunt’s meddling will, absentee business partner. Now that he’s a celebrity chef, he’s ready to come home and make amends. Only his return goes nothing like he planned: his family’s angry with him, his best friend is dating his nemesis, and Hannah just wants him to leave. Again.

I loved this one so, so much.

O Pioneers! by Willa Cather
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Download the audiobook here.

I’ve been reading my grandmother Doris’ journals where she reminisces on her childhood on the prairie (she was born in 1920), lately. Between that and my reading of The Four Winds recently, I’ve been really in love with reading about women working this earth.

O Pioneers! has been sitting on my shelf for a bit and it’s a tiny little thing, so I figured I’d help get to my reading goal by blowing through this one. I finished it pretty quickly but I wouldn’t say I blew through it. This book was full of so much atmosphere, heartbreak, magic, badassery, and hope in such a tiny tome.

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose
Buy the hardcover here (or at Twice Told Tales).
Download the audiobook here.

I didn’t read The Maid (because I am so allergic to hype–to my own detriment sometimes) but I was in the mood for The Mystery Guest when it was presented to me.

Now, cozy mysteries are not generally my go-to but I adored this! The mystery was fantastic. The characters were so damn charming and some of them even quite hilarious. But along with all of that, we also get a trip down memory lane and learn a little bit about the history of Molly the Maid and her Gran.

It was fun to be reminded that a book doesn’t have to be a thriller to have exquisite plot twists.

What did you read this past month? Favorite books of the year?

October was great. Busy. So much going on. But great.
I turned 40. Spent a long weekend in the Rocky Mountains. Saw my bestie. And did a lot of other things. And I read books! In October I read my favorite book I’ve read all year AND a couple of my least favorite books I’ve read this year.

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The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

Buy the hardcover copy here.
Download the audiobook here.

To begin with, I’ve only ever read one other Alice Hoffman book and I wasn’t really wild about that one. So if you like Alice Hoffman, this may be exactly what you’re looking for. But for me it was… not so great.

The Invisible Hour has a really interesting premise! Mia Jacobs was born into a cult where she wasn’t allowed to read or think for herself. Her mother thought she was doing right by her by choosing this family for her but after her death (and after Mia discovers the library), she doesn’t see a way she can live this way any longer. This book fits in magically with Banned Books Week which was the first week in October, this year. Also there’s a time travel element that I can’t even begin to understand, let alone explain it to you. It felt very out of the blue to me.

I was so intrigued through the first half of the book. Hanging on every word! And then abruptly, in the middle of the book it switches to a completely different time in history. Which I’m usually fine with except I found this side of the story infinitely boring. It could have just been the mood I was in, but I just never really got back into things after that.

The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young

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Download the audiobook here.

This book! THIS BOOK! I loved this. I’d never read a book by Adrienne Young before but now I want to go back and read everything by her. This book has moved Bright Young Women into the 2nd place spot for Best Book I’ve Read This Year.

The Farrow Women are all subject to a curse that causes them to, at some point in their life, lose all their memories. Doctors are baffled because it doesn’t present in the way that any known form of dementia presents. But regardless–it happens to them. Just a few days after burying the grandmother who raised her, June learns that there’s a lot more to the curse and a lot more to her family than she’s ever known.

This. Book. Has. Everything. There’s complicated family dynamics (a personal favorite of mine). There’s a murder mystery. There’s a love story (or two? are there two?). There’s time travel. There’s a big reveal that will make you text your friends in the middle of the night. I read this one before it came out so on it’s publication day, I had several copies at the shop and I sold out of them all on the first day because I couldn’t shut up about it. And everyone who has gotten back to me about it has said they loved it!!

All The Feels by Olivia Dade

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Download the audiobook here.

My friend Jes brought this book in to the shop and I decided that I should read it before I put it on the shelf at the store. I discovered a new romance trope that I love: cutie, fat main characters!

This book was excellent for my brain just because this very traditionally hot dude (he’s an actor that plays a Greek god in a Game-of-Thrones-style television show), is sooooo into this fattie! Also this book was way hotter than I expected. These books always have adorably illustrated covers and yet I am constantly surprised at the things these characters will do in a hot tub. For example.

Another thing I loved about this book is that this guy has been in therapy for a long time. He has his faults like anyone but toxic masculinity isn’t it. OH! And she is a therapist, too! This relationship doesn’t go into toxic territory at all. There are complications, of course. That’s how stories progress. But they weren’t the complications that annoy me in romance books. I can’t wait to read more by Olivia Dade!

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
Listen to the audiobook here.
Buy the paperback copy here.

I don’t have much to say about this book because I’m still livid about it. I downloaded the audiobook a looong time ago and then I saw a preview for the movie that’s coming to Netflix soon. The preview got me so excited! And, honestly, I still can’t wait to watch the film. I just hope they change things a little.

I will leave you with the entirety of the review I wrote of this book on my StoryGraph: This book was like a song that builds and builds and builds and then! The whole orchestra gets up and walks away.

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Download the audiobook here.
Buy the paperback copy here.

I finished this book a few days ago and I’m still not sure how I feel about it. It’s got an incredible premise: Alicia Berenson killed her husband six years ago and hasn’t said a word since. Theo Faber is a criminal psychotherapist who has waited a long time for the opportunity to work with Alicia. Once he starts working at her care facility, he’s determined to get Alicia to communicate.

I can see why people are going wild over this book. I liked the structure of the story a lot. We learn a lot about Alicia’s version of events and state of mind through glimpses into her diary. There’s also a massively impressive and satisfying plot twist near the end. But there were just a few minor things that I didn’t particularly care for. Mainly, the way that Theo and his colleagues in the hospital approach therapy. It just kind of gave me the ick. But in a way that, it felt to me, was unintentional on the part of the author.

I’m starting November with two books that I’m loving so far! I hope the rest of this month follows suit. With The Holidays ™ upon us, I need really good escapism.

A short bit about how I usually read: I’m almost exclusively reading books that were either just recently published or they are soon to be published. A lot of people recommend books to me and I always say, “I’ll put it on my list!” But I don’t tell them that my “list” is full of books that I’ll one day read when I’m not in charge of staying on top of the newest releases for my community of dedicated readers.

That being said, it’s been kinda stressing me out that I can’t read older books. It’s been a little bit sucking the joy out of reading for me if I’m being honest. Which is a bummer because I’ve found a way to monetize almost every hobby I’ve ever head (welcome to life as a millennial) thereby removing all the fun. And I am determined not to let that happen to reading. Because I love reading, damnit.

ANYWAY all that to say–this month I allowed myself to only read backlist titles that have been on my “list”.

Reminder, any purchase from links in this post go to help support our bookstore!

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The Couple at No. 9 by Claire Douglas

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Order the paperback here.

My friend Shulah has been recommending this book for ages. And everyone who has read it has been blown away by it. So I finally decided to see what the hype was all about. And in my opinion, it holds up. I love a British thriller.

So this book starts with Saffron Cutler who’s just trying to do some renovations on her kitchen when, lo and behold, two human bodies are found by the construction crew in her backyard. Forensics show that these bodies were likely buried about 50 years ago when Saffron’s grandmother was the owner of the property. Saffron is determined to find out what really happened because she can’t believe that her sweet grandmother could have had anything to do with it.

I won’t go into it any more but y’all it does not go to the places you think it’s going to.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

Download the audiobook here.
Order the paperback here.

Another British thriller with a very typical premise: a girl goes missing.

What I liked about this story was that it’s told from the perspective of the missing girl’s mother. We catch up with Laurel a decade after her golden child, Ellie, vanished on her way to the library one morning. Laurel is finally ready to start putting her life back together after her life had been on pause for so long.

The perspective shifts back and forth between Laurel, Ellie, and Ellie’s abductor and Lisa Jewell leans heavily on her notorious storytelling abilities throughout this novel. It’s masterfully told–that much can not be denied. That being said, I wouldn’t recommend this book to just anyone. I spend a lot of time in the realm of thrillers and true-crime documentaries but this book went to some places that were too dark even for me. I definitely recommend checking out the content warnings on StoryGraph before deciding to read this one. StoryGraph is an excellent resource for a lot of reasons but specifically for content warnings if there’s anything you’d like to avoid in your reading.

Not Like the Movies by Kerry Winfrey

Buy the paperback here.
Download the audiobook here.

After two relatively dark murder mysteries, I needed something that would be nothing but absolutely delightful! And I’d been holding this book on my shelf for exactly this moment. I read Waiting for Tom Hanks last year and thought it was so sweet and hilarious and focuses on my favorite romance trope: a normal falling in love with a famous movie star (I don’t know where this came from for me).

This book follows the BFF sidekick from Tom Hanks as she, essentially, discovers that she’s in love with her boss. It’s just witty banter and pies and cute outfits. And, okay, yes there is conflict but it didn’t overwhelm the story. Which I loved and needed.

Also, if you’re the kind of person who likes romance books but aren’t really big on detailed sex scenes, Kerry Winfrey’s books take sort of a fade-to-black approach to the nitty gritty of it all. Still very hot! Just not explicit.

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Yeah! Just three books this month! But with the holidays coming up I’m cranking the reading out. I’ve already finished a book for October (and I have complicated feelings about it).

We started August really strong on the reading front! And then by the end of the month I got a little burned out. So I’m currently taking some time off of reading and, instead, committing all my spare time to Master Chef and Claim to Fame. I’m a game show girlie (are these game shows???).

Anyway, here’s what I read this month! They were all excellent.
Reminder: any purchases from these links go to support our bookstore!

Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena
Download the audiobook here.
Buy the hardcover copy in-store at Twice Told Tales or online here.

I plowed through this book in two days. I was hooked from the premise of this book. Now, sometimes the jacket copy sounds incredible but the actual book falls flat. And I hate that! (I, personally, felt that way about Big Swiss but I may be in the minority on that one.) Anywayzzzz this one didn’t disappoint at all. This book had several really good plot twists.

So the book opens with William is cheating on his wife. OR he was cheating on his wife but his lover/ neighbor just broke up with him. So instead of going back to work, he heads home to clear his mind a little bit. The house should be empty. But it’s not empty. His daughter, Avery, is home early for some reason and he’s annoyed. After a brief, tense conversation he heads back to work.
Sometime later, William’s wife calls him frantic. Avery is missing.
William isn’t the only one on his street who’s hiding a lie. As witnesses come forward with information that may or may not be true, the whole neighborhood becomes increasingly unhinged.

This book does deal with the subject of a missing child so I definitely recommend checking out the content warnings tab on the StoryGraph page.

My Name is Iris by Brando Skyhorse
Download the audiobook here.
Order the hardcover here.

This is one of those books that stayed with me for a long time after finishing it. It gave me so much to chew on and it wasn’t until I had a conversation with a friend before I decided I loved this book. I would recommend My Name is Iris to anyone who was super intrigued by the plot of Celeste Ng’s latest, Our Missing Hearts.

In a near-future California, Iris is starting over. After a surprisingly amiable divorce, she’s striking out on her own and excited to join her new neighborhood with the gossipy neighbors, neighborhood watch, and the rules that the homeowners association put in place. Iris is good at following the rules. It’s how she’s survived her whole life thus far as the daughter of Mexican immigrants. Her personal motto might as well be, “if you never do anything wrong, you’ll never get in trouble.” Some of her Mexican family and friends accuse her of denying her heritage but Iris doesn’t see it that way. It’s just that sometimes you have to go along to get along.

A new government system is going into practice which requires every American to wear a band. This is a handy device that will not only serve as identification, but holds your bank information (you can pay for your groceries or utilities just by tapping the band! How convenient!), your school enrollment information, your medical history, your criminal history, etc.
When Iris goes to register for her band she discovers that she’s ineligible. And this simple bit of government red tape starts the process of unraveling her whole worldview.

None of this is True by Lisa Jewell
Download the audiobook here.
Order the hardcover copy here.

This is my very first Lisa Jewell book! So many of my customers have raved about her for years so when I got access to an early release copy, I thought I’d give it a shot. And holy moly! This book was good. It’s giving Single White Female? A movie that I have never ever seen but I’ve seen it referenced enough in pop culture to have an idea about the vibes. And now I kinda really want to go watch it.

Alix crosses paths with a woman named Josie when they run into one another in the bathroom where they’re both celebrating their 45th birthdays! What luck!
All I’ll say is that after that, they run into one another a few more times. What are the odds???

There were so many satisfying plot twists in this book (and maybe one or two that felt a little clunky if I’m being honest but I still loved it) and I’m still not confident that I know exactly what happened in the end (but if I’m being honest I’m not sure if it’s because I’m just confused or if the author wanted us to feel that way). Either way–I’m into it!

On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and The Price Women Pay to be Good by Elise Loehnen
Download the audiobook here.
Order the hardcover here.

Non-fiction: who is she??? I heard about this book from Nora McInerney who recommended it in her IG stories one day. I was really intrigued and bought it right away. And then I read it immediately which never happens.

I really liked the structure of this book–an exploration of each of the seven deadly sins and the way that these “sins” function in our greater society and the way that almost all of them have a double standard for men than for women. It wasn’t a man-bashing book but more of an exploration of how people who were raised to follow the rules of womanhood can break free from these structures and, in turn, live more freely.

As someone who is deeply triggered by the concept of laziness, I found the chapter on sloth to be particularly enjoyable. Here’s a pic I took of the last page from that chapter:

And after that I took a break from reading for a minute. But I’m excited about what’s new so I’ll start up again ASAP.