Book: Anxious PeopleAuthor: Fredrik BackmanGenre(s): FictionRelease: September 2020 Almost everyone has a favorite author that makes their way onto your “auto-buy” list – meaning that, as soon as you find out they’re publishing a new book, you just absolutely have to have it, no questions asked. Fredrik Backman is one such author for me. I’ve read the majority of…
Book: Burn Our Bodies DownAuthor: Rory PowersGenre(s): Young Adult, HorrorRelease: July 2020 A brief summary: Margot, daughter of a dysfunctional mother and an unknown family history, returns to her mother’s hometown and gets more than she bargained for as she unravels her family’s mysterious past. My thoughts: I went in to this book knowing nothing about it besides the…
Book: How to Argue With a RacistAuthor: Adam RutherfordGenre(s): NonfictionRelease: August 2020 If you’re interested in genetics and history, then this book is for you! A brief summary: Rutherford presents a delightfully conversational discussion on genetics, DNA, and its relationship to (or lack thereof) to race. My thoughts: While I found this book interesting, I felt a bit let…
Book: Ghost Wood SongAuthor: Erica WatersGenre(s): Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTRelease: July 2020 This was a highly anticipated read for me this year, and it did not disappoint! First things first. The cover. Absolutely frickin’ gorgeous. It captures the story’s intrigue and grit without being overwhelming or childish. I was swooning the moment I set eyes…
Book: Stealing ThunderAuthor: Alina BoydenGenre(s): Fantasy, LGBTTRelease: May 2020 Stealing Thunder was a book that had immense appeal for me. Inspired by the third gender that exists (and is legally recognized) in India known as the hijra, it stars Razia, a former prince living her true self as a hijra courtesan. Although I’m not trans…
How do you know that everything you read is trustworthy? Or that it isn’t all made up by some random person getting their kicks at messing with others? Everyone trusted Anakin, and look how that turned out. Maybe it’s pretty obvious in some cases, or your intuition kicks in and you just know that it…
Book: The Mountains SingAuthor: Nguyễn Phan Quế MaiGenre(s): Historical Fiction Release: March 2020 The Mountains Sing is a sweeping and lyrical multigenerational tale of the Trần family during the time of the Việt Nam War. The reader is swept through the story with dual narratives and alternating timelines by young Hương, affectionately called Guava, and…
In part one of the Staying Sane series, I talked about how libraries can be your best friend in times of need and boredom. But, not everyone is so fortunate to be able to use their local library. Or perhaps you want a break from reading – I feel ya, it can be tough to…
Book: The Lady RogueAuthor: Jenn BennettGenre(s): Fantasy, Historical Fiction Release: September 2019 The Lady Rogue is an adventurous historical fiction set in the 1930s, featuring Theodora Fox and her ex-but-kinda-current love interest, Huck, where they attempt to find her father after he disappears looking for a legendary ring that belonged to Vlad the Impaler (aka Dracula).…
I’ve never been much of a cook, but when I got my own place, some of the first meals I learned to make had to… be quick to make,have cheap and easy-to-find ingredients,and be absolutely delicious! Fortunately, most of the stuff I make almost always meets at least two of the above criteria because I…