books

What I Read in September 2025

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Her reading is leveling up, folks! Libby finished one singular book this month! 😀

It’s kind of liberating to think back on how my life used to be consumed by books and reading, it was my literal job to know about all the books and I always felt so behind. Like, I’d read so many books in a month and could never keep up with all the new releases and recommendations my customers wanted. WOOF. It feels really good to open a book or an audiobook just for the fun of it these days. What a relief!

I will say that with the entrance of fall, my reading has absolutely picked up and I hoped to have one of the books that I’m currently reading finished by now because they are so good and I want to tell you all about them. But you’re just gonna have to either wait till next month or follow me on StoryGraph to find out what I think.

I will say this, I’m reading a haunted house book that I’m loooooving! And another audiobook that I fully bought absolutely on accident and wondered if it might break my reading slump. And what do you know–it did! Just haven’t finished yet.

But here’s the one book that I read in September!

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick
Get the audiobook from Libro.fm and help support indie bookstores.
Order it from Bookshop.org and help support indie bookstores.
Order it directly from your favorite indie bookstores.
Request it from your local library.
Just, like, whatever you do don’t support Amazon by buying your books from there or using Audible. *wink face* *peace sign* *tongue out emoji*

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again–whoever said “don’t judge a book by its cover” was a lazy graphic designer. That’s the book cover’s entire job. And that’s 100% what drew me to this one. The sepia tone. The cigarette. The CARPET! Ugh. I love it.

I had a good time with this one. It’s set in 1960s suburbia, which is such a fun backdrop because you get alllll the housewife archetypes: The drugged-up, miserable one with a sharp tongue (loved her, she was chaos she was freedom). The sweet but oblivious one whose marriage is a nightmare but she doesn’t see it until the train wreck happens. And then—this was the one I related to the most, even if she wasn’t the most fun to read, the one who’s actually… happy? Or at least fine. And then she realizes, oh, if I shift just a few things, my life can feel way more fulfilling, and then it ripples out into her family and community. That character felt the most realistic to me and like most of the women I know in my life.

The story itself is super character-driven. Like, the plot is basically “oops, we started a book club and now we’re all besties.” Which is exactly my jam. I love stories where people just… find each other, and then the long relationship itself becomes the main plotline. I fell in love with all of them (especially the prickly ones).

Now, if I put on my imaginary “editor hat” for a second: it wasn’t the most diverse cast which felt suuuuuper obvious to me and a glaring oversight because it means there are so many real perspectives we missed out on. And yeah, I get it: 1960s suburbia, white middle-class neighborhood, blah blah blah. Historically accurate. But also? Boring and unfulfilling. I wanted at least one character with a different background. A different race, different tax bracket, not straight. Because you could have pulled that off in a realistic way, and it would’ve made the story way more rich.

To be fair, Bostwick at least acknowledges the fact that not every woman’s 1960s experience looked the same. She nods to how much harder life was for Black women during that era, and she makes a point that I don’t think gets presented enough in fiction: feminism, even though men resisted it, ultimately benefitted them too. Which, true. That part I thought was smart (even if it was kind of heavy handed with the delivery).

Anyway. Was it perfect? Nope. Did I care? Also nope. It gave me exactly what I wanted: messy women, strong friendships, little doses of snark, and that cozy feeling of watching people’s lives expand. Ten out of ten would join their book club. If only for the cocktails and coconut cake.

I will say, it’s more fun when I only read one book because I have more energy and space to write a longer, more fun book review.

What I Read in August 2025

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I didn’t read anything in August and that’s actually just fine by me. I’ve had a lot of other things on my mind. It’s been a busy month with a ton of travel and taking a few different courses for work. On top of that I’ve been adjusting to a new medication that had some side effects that were messing with my brains (but I’ve adjusted now and I’m feeling great btw). There was a time when I’d be so embarrassed to come to this space to say I didn’t read anything but I’m a new man.

Ryan and I after we locked the front door of the shop for the last time before handing over the keys to the new owner.

When I started working at the bookstore that would eventually become mine (the one I sold exactly a year ago last week), one of the first things I noticed was how some people seem to carry pride or shame around their reading life. The proud ones were loud, rare, and super annoying. A lot more folks seemed embarrassed about what they had or hadn’t read or some other aspect of their relationship to books. It didn’t take long for me to make that my whole mission at the store: eliminate shame around reading.

I’m not saying there are just two types of readers. As with anything, there’s a whole spectrum. Still, more people walked in feeling like their reading life wasn’t good enough than I ever would have expected.

When I first took over the store, we were selling used books on Amazon. One of the first things I noticed was that we sold so many more romance mass market paperbacks online than we ever did in store. Once I sold and shipped a book to someone who lived in my town! Now, odds are they didn’t know where they were ordering from. But the point is that it felt like people were embarrassed of their love of romance (though there’s no way to know if that was the case). And that was the first thing that tipped me off to this dynamic.

Thankfully over the course of the past ten years, the landscape of the romance genre has completely changed. Now there are entire stores dedicated to romance–if you’re in Portland, OR check out my friend Katherine’s store Grand Gesture. Or if you’re closer to Kansas City, you need to check out Under The Cover.

But I started to see it in other places, too.

Most often it was from parents who used to be big readers but haven’t been able to finish anything longer than If You Give a Mouse a Cookie in the past decade. Dear Parents–you’re not failing at anything by being in a season of your life that requires every ounce of your body and brain for the caretaking and question-answering duties of young children. No one is judging you, no one blames you, and everyone just wants to bring you a blanket and a cup of tea.

Sometimes it was from the I’m-not-a-big-reader-but-my-wife-is type of guy. This fella is often loud and pretending to be too cool to read to cover up his insecurities about not being smart enough. I keep wondering if there will ever come a time when folks realize that we can tell they’re overcompensating for an insecurity when they make a big deal about how confident and fine they are. Anyway–not to sound like a sales expert or anything but these people were so easy to sell to. I let his wife go look for what she knows she likes. And then he and I get into a conversation about what he likes to watch on TV and from there my recommendations were so seamless. “Oh! You like Yellowstone? I think I read somewhere that the creators of that show used Lonesome Dove as a huge inspiration for that series. We never have a copy though because it’s always sold out. …Oh wow! Look! We DO have a copy today! I know you’re not much of a reader though, so I’m not trying to sell you on it. I am just surprised we had a copy. That’s wild.” And then they always say, “Well now let me take a look at that.” And when they’re at the checkout and his wife almost always says something along the lines of, “You’re buying a book?” And he looks so proud. And I love that.

I can’t tell you how many people used to sheepishly admit they were just comfort reading Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings again, like it was something to be embarrassed about. But honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that! There are so many benefits from reading a familiar book over and over again. Every time you go back, you notice little details you missed before, and it ties you to who you were the first time you read it. Also, studies show that this is also a resilience building activity, which I think is so cool. Think about it. That feeling of “I’ve been here before and I know it ends okay” can actually help you feel braver facing the unknowns of real life over time. Sometimes it’s not about chasing a new book at all, it’s about finding comfort in the one that already feels like home. You’re no less of a reader just because you’re not reading something brand new every time.

I know there’s a lot of discourse around Harry Potter and whether or not it’s ethical to still read and talk about it. Here’s where I stand: if you love it, read the books you already have. Get them from friends or used bookstores or little free libraries. That way you get the joy of these books you love and none of the money goes into the pockets of the author. This is the one instance I wouldn’t recommend using the public library because the more people who check out those books, the more the library has to buy new. That being said, do go to the library to find new books that can help to scratch that itch for you and maybe will even become your new favorite! I recommend checking out the Legendborn series by Tracy Deonn, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, or obviously the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.

Have you noticed shame around reading in your own life or in those of your loved ones? There are so many more types of book shame–I just had to stop myself at some point. I could write a whole series on that alone!

What I Read in July 2025

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Do you have a thing with your friends where you’re like “we should do XYZ sometime” but then you never actually make the plans because just daydreaming about it is fun enough? I thought that’s what we were doing when we would say, “We should get a cabin for a weekend and have a reading retreat.”

But early in the summer one person reached out and said she had a friend with a house down at the lake and she’d let us borrow it for a weekend. All we had to do was plan this thing. It was on! Look–having a friend who actually gets the ball rolling is invaluable.

I made plans to bring extra things like games and coloring books because I thought we’d get bored of reading but… we never did. I did take a break from my paperback and popped on my headphones to color while listening to my audiobook but if I’m being honest it was just so that I could justify all the extra crap I brought along. Next time–only books.

I know that “comparison is the thief of joy” or whatever but comparing my reading speed to that of my friends was actually really validating to me. On Saturday S read 1.5 books, J started and finished one whole book, and I… got through the last 40% of mine. I have never, ever in my life started and finished a novel on the same day. I’ve always wondered if I’m just a slow reader or if I’m not as “committed” to reading as other people (there’s got to be a less negative way of saying that since I don’t feel bad about it–just curious). But when we were all reading at the same time, it was fun to see how different we all are! I wonder what it is about our brains that make some of us read so quickly and some much more slowly–I’m sure there are a ton of factors.

Anyway, here’s what my slow-reading ass read this month 😉

The Magic All Around by Jennifer Moorman

It was…. fine. I gave it 3.5 stars. No complains but also nothing that, like, blew me away. But that’s also the nature of a cozy book–that’s how I’d classify this one anyway. It’s entirely possible this book will be someone’s absolute favorite of all time and it just wasn’t for me personally. So I say if there’s any part of you that says, “that sounds good!”, then you should definitely read it and let me know what you think.

Mattie Russell finds herself back in Ivy Ridge, Georgia, after the death of her mother. They’ve been two peas in a pod, living a nomadic life and never really setting down roots their whole life–to the point that even though Mattie is an adult, she’s not really sure what to do now that her compass is gone. So she heads back to the family home to stay with her aunt until she can gain her footing and can receive her inheritance–which comes with some really odd stipulations put in place by her mother years ago.

While she’s there she starts to discover some special things about the Russell home and the Russell women. Like how the house seems to be able to hear your conversations or how Mattie’s mother seemed to know exactly when she would pass away–and set everything in motion.

Again, this wasn’t my most favorite delivery on this premise (but I’m also not sure that you can beat The Unmaking of June Farrow when it comes to witchy themes, coming of age, and complicated mother-daughter dynamics) but I’d love to hear someone else’s take!

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

I know that Abby Jimenez is a beloved author in the romance space but for some reason I’d just never picked her up before and I regret that after reading this book! I really, really liked it!

Here’s how this book came to be in my possession. I was in Red Fern Booksellers in Salina, KS (a stunning, jewel of a shop if you ever get the chance to go). I was browsing around, minding my own business. I heard two customers in the romance section chatting about their favorites and one of them said she’d read everything by Abby Jimenez. So I approached–something I never, ever do by the way because I believe in the sanctity of browsing with your bestie in a book shop. But I did it. I explained that everyone has said I need to read this author but I have no idea where to start. After walking me through every single title they had on the shelf, and confirming that I was okay with a little grit and trauma in my romance–we settled on Just for the Summer. I wish I’d gotten her Instagram or something so I could tell her thank you!

I love the way that certain authors can write romances with heavy themes without losing the humor and heart. I feel like Hannah Bonam-Young does this really well, too. It’s not that the tough stuff permeates every page but it’s there to ground it in reality–which is what I want when I’m reading. I want things to feel believable and in real life tough shit affects us and our relationships. But it’s a fine line.

Also, can someone tell me if this is true in all Abby Jimenez books: the singular sex scene was on one page and I loved that.
Look, I love all romances (that’s actually not true, I’m actually super picky about my romances but for the sake of not having to come up with another way to say it let’s go with it). But sometimes I just am not in the mood to read about every single detail of this couple’s fifth sexual encounter while I’m waiting for my oil change. You know what I mean? Damn. It’s just–it’s a lot sometimes.

Aaaannyway that’s what I read. That’s where I read.

What about you? Would you plan a Bookcation with your friends? Where would you go? What would you read?

What I Read in June 2025

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It feels like June was 100 years long and also it feels weird that it’s already July. Time isn’t real.

June was busy and I didn’t read as much as I would have liked. But I read one really, really great book that I’ll never forget and two pretty good books that I’ll remember whenever I happen upon them in a bookstore and think “Oh yeah! I read that! I liked it.”

I wrote a whooole post about Stirring Spurs earlier this week in preparation for it’s release (today!) so I’ll skip that today.

Shall we?

Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

I thought this was a great, funny, pallet cleanser of a book. I love a cozy mystery and this one was clearly aimed at millennials (I guess we’re getting to that Murder She Wrote age).

What I loved about this book:
-The setting, an Italian cruise with all your favorite authors? Sign me uuuup!
-So many pop culture references! The main character is always talking about books and music she loves. And while that will ultimately really date it down the road, I loved it today!
-This author is constantly breaking the 4th wall. Not only does she use footnotes (in fiction?!) but she includes sections of the book written specifically to the reader, making us a character in the story. That was a lot of fun though at times I felt like she was very obviously trying to steer us in a specific direction with this tactic.

There were a few things that didn’t work for me:
-The cast of characters felt enormous and I couldn’t distinguish most of them from one another.
-Main character is constantly talking about what an ugly, fuckup, good for nothing she is compared to everyone else in the book (primarily her sister) and I kept waiting for it to actually mean something. But as far as I could tell I think it was just the author’s stab at self deprecating humor? And in a world where so many people in power want us to believe these things to be true, despite all evidence to the contrary (this woman is a multi-bestselling author with two love interests), hearing people (real or imaginary) talk this way about themselves reeeeeally grates on my nerves. 

Ultimately I’d read the second book in this series! The things that were really well done were enough to overshadow my pet peeves.

O’ Sinners by Nicole Cuffy

I don’t know how to talk about this book. I feel like I could tell you the whole story and somehow not give you any spoilers at all. And at the same time, I don’t want to tell you anything at all and I just want you to read it for yourself.

Here’s what I will say, reading this book there were times when my husband had to remind me to breathe. I remember one scene in particular where I could not stop gasping. There were times where I completely ignored my time-to-leave alarm. I didn’t silence it–I just ignored it. Couldn’t be bothered t pull my eyes away from the page long enough to hit the snooze button.

Ultimately this book is about an investigative journalist named Faruq Zaidi. In the wake of his father’s death, he’s distracting himself by going out to California to live amongst a cult called The Nameless after he learned about them in a documentary (think Wild, Wild Country) and felt like it left a lot of story untold.

The story unfolds in four different perspectives–which I can sometimes find confusing but Nicole Cuffy is such a masterful writer that it was never even remotely confusing and not only that but each chapter was so vastly different from the last that it also provided some tension relief. Look, this book isn’t necessarily a thriller or mystery and definitely not a horror. But the tension–that “wait–what?!” is so strong that you need to have it broken and she breaks it at the exact right moment.

Obviously the first perspective is from that of Faruq as he’s researching. The second perspective is a transcript of the documentary (written like a screenplay complete with sound and visual direction). The third method for telling this story is going back in time to learn about Odo’s (the cult leader) experience fighting in Vietnam where he “got hipped” and discovered the truth (this is honestly where most of my breathless moments came from). And fourthly, we get a glimpse of The Nameless’ instagram account. The combination is truly wild.

Anyway–I need to have a book club meeting because this is the kind of book where everyone is going to have a different experience and different theories, etc.

Also, I feel like it’s important to add this part but I don’t know where or how to slip it in. Almost every time I told someone I was reading an amazing cult book, they’d ask “wait–are there kids involved in the cult????” There are no kids. Well–there might be but none of them are characters in the book and nothing bad happens to kids in the book.

Rainbow Ranch Novella Series: Stirring Spurs Review

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There’s something about a low-angst romance that feels like a deep exhale. When the world feels overwhelming, (and when doesn’t it these days, amirite?) I want to curl up with a story where I know everything will be okay in the end—and that’s exactly what Rainbow Ranch delivers.

M.A. Wardell has long been one of my go-to authors for gentle, affirming love stories with plenty of heat to keep things interesting. When he announced he was part of a four-part novella series–each one focusing on one of the Rainbow Ranch siblings (and each written by a different author), I was immediately intrigued.

When I saw he was offering advance copies in exchange for reviews, I threw my name in the hat—never expecting to be picked. My bookstagram is…let’s just say modest. 😆 But I was thrilled when the ARC landed in my inbox!

Stirring Spurs by M.A. Wardell is releasing July 1, 2025!
Pre-order your copy today!

In a cowboy community that can often feel unwelcoming, Rainbow Ranch is a rare place that opens its doors to everyone. That sense of belonging runs through every page.

Stirring Spurs introduces us to Boone, the ranch cook who keeps everyone fed with his mama’s recipes and so much heart. I have a personal soft spot for boys who just want to make sure everyone is fed.
Boone is content with his quiet life until Wylie Anderson arrives–tasked with gentling Noodles, a guarded horse who isn’t too keen on letting anyone in. Watching Boone and Wylie find their own kind of peace together was such a joy.

If you’re wondering whether “low angst” means “fade to black,” let me reassure you: it does not. The love scenes here leave the door (when there is a door) wide open. It just means there’s no prolonged “will they, won’t they.” And honestly, sometimes you just need a story where love is allowed to unfold without constant drama.

One of my favorite surprises was Dennis, a tiny horse with an enormous attitude. He provides some genuinely hilarious moments that balance out the sweetness and spice perfectly.

If I had to come up with a complaint (the thing that knocked it down to a 4.5 for me)—it’s so minor that it’s probably not worth mentioning, but the way these siblings engage with one another is… 
Look, it’s fine, maybe some siblings are very casual and eager to intimately discuss one another’s sex lives while also smacking each other on the butt and kissing each other in greeting. Thats just not the relationship I have with my siblings and I found it very jarring. There’s one sibling wrestling scene that’s described in so much detail and with so much affection, it felt a lot like reading a love scene. That was a liiiiiittle much for me. But not enough to make me put the book down or anything. 

This is just the first installment—there will be four novellas in total, each exploring the story of a different sibling. I love the idea of seeing this world through multiple perspectives and authors’ voices.

If you’re craving a warm, inclusive cowboy romance that delivers big-hearted characters, open-door heat, and plenty of midwestern-er-southern? charm, I can’t recommend heading to Rainbow Ranch enough.

There’s even a Spotify playlist curated for this book, which I’ll link here if you’d like a soundtrack for your reading.

Stirring Spurs by M.A. Wardell is releasing July 1, 2025!
Pre-order your copy today!

Do you have a favorite western romance? I’d love to hear about it!