“She’s capable of so little yet accused of so much, and I remain torn between wanting to protect her and the urge to suspect her.” – 5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: wheelchairs, cliffs, murders, caretakers, strokes, and typewriters.

At seventeen, Lenora Hope
Hung her sister with a rope

Now reduced to a schoolyard chant, the Hope family murders shocked the Maine coast one bloody night in 1929. While most people assume seventeen-year-old Lenora was responsible, the police were never able to prove it. Other than her denial after the killings, she has never spoken publicly about that night, nor has she set foot outside Hope’s End, the cliffside mansion where the massacre occurred.

Stabbed her father with a knife
Took her mother’s happy life

It’s now 1983, and home-health aide Kit McDeere arrives at a decaying Hope’s End to care for Lenora after her previous nurse fled in the middle of the night. In her seventies and confined to a wheelchair, Lenora was rendered mute by a series of strokes and can only communicate with Kit by tapping out sentences on an old typewriter. One night, Lenora uses it to make a tantalizing offer—I want to tell you everything.

“It wasn’t me,” Lenora said
But she’s the only one not dead

As Kit helps Lenora write about the events leading to the Hope family massacre, it becomes clear there’s more to the tale than people know. But when new details about her predecessor’s departure come to light, Kit starts to suspect Lenora might not be telling the complete truth—and that the seemingly harmless woman in her care could be far more dangerous than she first thought.

This book was INSANEEE!
I’m fully convinced Riley Sager can’t write a bad book because… WOW, what the hell just happened? It was so difficult to put this book down because there was always something going on.
The writing is amazing! It’s crazy the number of plot twists and turns this book has. I also really liked the pacing and the creepy gothic atmosphere; it really set the tone for the story. I think it’s so interesting that this author creates stories that are so full of detail and with plenty of characters that the reader can’t trust. I can’t even fathom how authors put together books like this!
Of course, I had no idea what was going on until the very end… and I could never have predicted it!
I think for now it’s safe to say Riley Sager has become my go-to thriller author, and I can’t recommend his books enough!

“… I think for some people the purpose of a memoir is to really display the facts, to share the story exactly how it hapopened. And while I worked to make sure this story was as honest as possible, that was never the point for me. This book was never about sharing memories; it was about sharing a feeling. I don’t care what year the competition was it what dress I was actually wearing; I care about how it felt to be there; how it felt to win. And that’s why I avoided all memorabilia. It seemed like driving to the rink to take a look of finding the pictures from my childhood iPhone would tell a different story, an external story. I wanted every moment in this book to come from my own head, with all its flaws and inconsistencies.” – 3/5 stars!

Poignant and captivating, Ignatz Award winner Tillie Walden’s powerful graphic memoir, Spinning, captures what it’s like to come of age, come out, and come to terms with leaving behind everything you used to know.
It was the same every morning. Wake up, grab the ice skates, and head to the rink while the world was still dark.
Weekends were spent in glitter and tights at competitions. Perform. Smile. And do it again.
She was good. She won. And she hated it.
For ten years, figure skating was Tillie Walden’s life. She woke before dawn for morning lessons, went straight to group practice after school, and spent weekends competing at ice rinks across the state. It was a central piece of her identity, her safe haven from the stress of school, bullies, and family. But over time, as she switched schools, got into art, and fell in love with her first girlfriend, she began to question how the close-minded world of figure skating fit in with the rest of her life, and whether all the work was worth it given the reality: that she, and her friends on the figure skating team, were nowhere close to Olympic hopefuls. It all led to one question: What was the point? The more Tillie thought about it, the more Tillie realized she’d outgrown her passion–and she finally needed to find her own voice.

I was in the mood to grab a graphic novel, and this seemed really cute, so why not give it a go?
To be honest, it was just okay – it did feel a bit flat to me. I didn’t even know this was a memoir until about halfway through the book. It’s very focused on the author’s life growing up and her experience as a competitive skater (I mean, duh, it’s a memoir), but I struggled with keeping my interest in what was going on and the challenges the author was facing. I get that it was a coming-of-age kind of narrative where she is discovering herself, but it lacked… something.
Now that I’m thinking about it, it just seems like the book was unnecessarily long, with weird pacing… and a little boring. It’s not my intent to criticize the author and her life, but I think the book could have been put together in a different way, all while being true to her story.
The art was beautiful, though! And I also really liked how in the beginning of each chapter we get skater “tricks” (I don’t know what else to call them) and how to do them. That was a really nice touch!
Overall, it was just alright… I guess it just wasn’t for me.

“What is your body telling you? What thoughts are running through your head? Ignoring the alarms, numbing them by mindlessly scrolling through Instagram, or trying to drown them out with that third beer or that thirteenth episode of your favorite show will only depress the problems and make them worse down the road.” – 4.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: anxiety, counseling, mental health, alarms, and listening to your own body.

Anxiety is real—but it isn’t the end of your story. Dr. John Delony knows what anxiety feels like. He’s walked that dark road himself, but he found light and hope on the other side of it. Bringing together his own journey and two decades of counseling and research, he walks you John will show you that most of what you’ve heard about anxiety is wrong. Things While mental health is complex, our culture has made anxiety into something it’s not. For the majority of people who face anxiety, the truth is simpler than we anxiety is an alarm . It’s a signal—nothing more and nothing less. Anxiety is simply our body’s way of telling us something is wrong. If we stop and listen, we can calm the alarm and move forward into healing and hope.

Dr. John never disappoints! This was a nice, quick read, full of great information on how to deal with anxiety. I really appreciated Dr. John’s perspective on the topic, and it was surprising for me to know that he has his own struggles with it – I always looked at Dr. John as a cool, calm, and collected kind of person, so it was a little unexpected!
I found this small book insightful and genuinely helpful for anyone struggling with anxiety – I just wish it had been a full-length book! It was very straight to the point, very practical-oriented advice, and without fluff.
I would definitely recommend it to readers facing the same challenge.

“Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – 5/5 stars!

Louise’s key message in this powerful work “If we are willing to do the mental work, almost anything can be healed.” Louise explains how limiting beliefs and ideas are often the cause of illness, and how you can change your thinking … and improve the quality of your life! Packed with powerful information and beautiful four-color illustrations — you’ll love this gem of a book!

I honestly loved this book so much, I read it back to back twice in 2 days – pretty cool for someone who hasn’t picked a book in months, huh?
I’m familiar with Louise Hay and her work, and I have read a few books from her before, but this was the first time reading this one. If I understood correctly, it seems like this was the first book she wrote, which is very impressive.
This book spoke to my soul! Here, Louise Hay speaks about how we can heal our lives through our thoughts and beliefs. It’s not only about physical health, but improving the quality of your life in all areas. No matter what you believe in, I would say the least you can take from this book is a dose of inspiration and good energy.
I have so much love for Louise Hay, and I couldn’t be thankful enough for stumbling over her books when I need them the most. I would recommend all of her books, but if I had to pick one, definitely pick up “Mirror Work”, which is excellent!

“Our culture has become hooked on the quick-fix, the life hack, efficiency. Everyone is on the hunt for that simple action algorithm that nets maximum profit with the least amount of effort. There’s no denying this attitude may get you some of the trappings of success, if you’re lucky, but it will not lead to a calloused mind or self-mastery. If you want to master the mind and remove your governor, you’ll have to become addicted to hard work. Because passion and obsession, even talent, are only useful tools if you have the work ethic to back them up.” – 4.25/5 stars!

For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare — poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world’s top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name him “The Fittest (Real) Man in America.”In Can’t Hurt Me, he shares his astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40% of our capabilities. Goggins calls this The 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential.

I absolutely loved this book! I first became curious about it because a close friend read it about a year ago and told me the author reminded her of me — so, of course, I immediately added it to my TBR.
While I kind of see what she meant, the truth is, we’re nothing alike! David Goggins is a truly inspiring and one-of-a-kind person, relentlessly committed to self-improvement and pushing past his own limits. I can honestly say this is one of the most fascinating memoirs I’ve ever read.
The book begins with David talking about his childhood and the abuse he endured, which deeply affected him from an early age. And it didn’t stop there — even after running away with his mother, he faced more trauma that left lasting scars. He went through a lot! But one day, he made the decision to change — to be better, to do better — and he hasn’t looked back since. He went on to become a Navy SEAL, an ultramarathoner, and a powerful example of what it means to constantly challenge and outgrow yourself.
I really connected with his mindset – well, not as strongly as him. obviously. While I admire him for sharing his story so openly, I do think only a very small number of people will push themselves as far as he has. With that said, the concepts he shares are incredibly valuable. I especially liked the ideas of the “cookie jar” and the 40% rule. There are also some fantastic quotes throughout the book — something I really appreciated.
The writing is solid and easy to follow. I listened to the audiobook, which included a bonus mini-podcast after each chapter where David and his co-writer dive deeper into the content. That extra layer made the experience even more insightful, and I’m really glad I got that version!
I’d definitely recommend this to other non-fiction lovers who enjoy inspiring memoirs — this one is absolutely worth checking out!

“The key to Ikigai is to do what you are meant to do. You have gifts that are begging to be put to good use. Understanding Ikigai is a way to put your gifts to work, so you can enjoy their benefits.” – 3/5 stars!

Discover the secret to lasting happiness and longevity in this transformative self-help book based on the ancient Japanese, time-tested wisdom of Ikigai.

Find joy in life’s journey with Ikigai. This ancient wisdom from Okinawa, Japan, can illuminate your path to self-improvement. Okinawa, Japan is a tiny island south of the Japanese mainland where people live their life’s purpose every day. How to Ikigai explores the lifestyle choices that have led to an island full of fulfilled, long-living people.

Embrace longevity through the Ikigai philosophy. Learn to age gracefully, armed with the secrets of one of the longest-living communities on earth. By integrating Ikigai into your life, you foster an attitude of gratitude, infuse your days with happiness, and inspire purposeful living.

How to Ikigai explains a simple four-directions map for living a meaningful life. Do what you love, do what you’re good at, do what the world needs, and do what you can be rewarded for.

In this groundbreaking self-help book, you’ll

An engaging exploration of the Ikigai philosophy, offering profound insights into finding your life purposePractical steps for implementing Ikigai in your everyday life, paving the way for happiness and self-improvementPowerful narratives showcasing Ikigai in action, like the inspiring story of David Michiels

If you liked books such as Awakening Your Ikigai, My Little Ikigai Journal, or  The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, you’ll love How to Ikigai. Also, be sure to listen to Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson’s podcast exploring Ikigai with Tim Tamashiro.

I have to admit, I’m not super impressed with this book. I picked this up randomly, and I didn’t have any expectations about it, so I wasn’t that disappointed about not getting a lot from this book.
I just think the book is a little repetitive and too generic. The author shares a lot of stories about other people finding their Ikigai… and that’s basically it. The topic is not developed with depth, so we keep reading the same thing over and over again.
But I do appreciate the tone of the book, which is hopeful and very positive! I think the goal the author intended was mostly to motivate you to find your own purpose and get inspired by other people’s stories. I just don’t think it’s a very informative book to read if you’re new to the concept.
Now, would I recommend this book? I personally think there are better books about the subject out there, so I wouldn’t tell you that this is a must-read if you want to learn more about Ikigai. I would probably recommend the book by Hector Garcia if you’re looking for a more informative book; I really liked that one.

“If we’re going to fake it, is it so bad if we enjoy it while we do?” – 4.5/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: fake dating, legacies, parties, deals, internships, wallflowers, new contracts, and… only one bed!

Surely this can’t be the only solution to overhaul my tarnished rep – faking a romance with the good girl intern?

But that’s what my agent says. Just a few months of taming my ways—of shedding Formula 1’s party boy image—will land me a lifetime branding deal. One I desperately need.

The key condition?

Pretend I’m madly in love with my new girlfriend. The quiet wallflower who I figured wouldn’t put me in my place. Yeah. This girl is anything but that.

Maddix Hart is defiant and intelligent. Loyal and real. Determined and sexy. And damn it to hell, before I know it, she’s in my head, in our bed . . . and if I’m not careful, she’ll see there’s more to me than the man I show the public. She’ll discover the man I hide from the world. The one who struggles to live up to the unrealistic expectations that should never have been mine.

All I have to do is make sure no one sees the truth behind our farce.

But instead, I let my heart get involved. I begin to believe the lie. And now with everything on the line—the deal, a championship, us—am I willing to risk it all to make her see what the rest of the world believes? That we belong together.

A spicy, only-one-bed Formula 1 romance.

I loved this! I wasn’t very excited to continue this series after reading the first book, but I was surprised by how much fun I had reading this.
The main characters made this book shine because they were very likable – if you compare them to the first couple in the previous book, you’ll see a big difference, in my opinion. Cruz was a great male lead – and I’m pretty sure the inspiration for this character was Carlos Sainz (but I could be wrong) -, and I also really liked Maddix as the female lead because even though she was a bit of a wallflower, she still had a backbone! I really liked them together and their banter. As far as tropes go, I would describe this as a fake dating trope and a forced proximity trope – also, there’s a sharing-one-bed trope, which is always a treat for a romance reader!
I also enjoyed reading about the relationship between the lead and his father. They had a very difficult dynamic, so it was an interesting addition to the mix.
The writing was great, and compared the the previous book, this had a better pace and plot structure. I really liked how the author explored their connection and made it into a beautiful story.
This was way better than the first book in my opinion – the plot was better, the characters were better, the romance was top-notch… Can’t wait for the next book.

“We’re a fucked-up pair, but my broken makes you whole. Your broken has made me whole. Now it’s time to let those breaks heal. For the scars to fade like nothing ever was.” – 3/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: car crashes, picking up girls in bars, house parties, marketing ideas, terrible diseases, baggy clothes, sexual assault, and big legacies.

Spencer Riggs is sexy, intense and driven in his pursuit of all things racing.
That pursuit now includes me.

The cocky bad boy of racing struts onto my father’s team like he owns it. One look from him and I can tell he thinks he owns the boss’s daughter too.

I’m determined to resist that panty-melting smile he keeps flashing my way. I have no time for distractions. Fulfilling a last promise to my father is my only goal.

Race after race, city after city, I do my best to keep it professional. I swear I do.But one night after a hard-fought win, we’re celebrating, and Riggs claims his own sweet victory. Me.

His sizzling touch owns my body, but it’s the broken man beneath the public façade who slowly wins my heart.

Before I realize it, Riggs is the one I’m willing to risk everything for. Even if it means breaking a promise. But with our hearts on the line, will he risk everything for me?

A steamy, forbidden sports romance from New York Times bestselling author K. Bromberg!

This was my first time reading a Formula 1 romance book, so I had high hopes when I picked this book up. Overall, the story was a little… weird. There was something slightly off about this story that I can’t put my finger on yet. So let’s talk about it!
After some thought, my conclusion is that I struggled with caring about the characters and the plot, if I’m being honest. Even though I think the characters were okay-ish – besides the guy being a douche, them being bland and not having chemistry as a couple -, they weren’t the biggest issue here. I think what makes this book so awkward is the number of weird events that move the story forward. For example, that bar scene where he hits on her in a bar felt unnatural and weird – plus the way he talks about her and how wearing baggy clothes makes her “ugly”. The book has so many weird and awkward moments like that.
To add to the mix, the pacing felt off, the romance was meh, there were missing true connection moments, the banter was… not that interesting.
If you’re into the workplace romance type of trope, you might enjoy this in some capacity. I’ve now read more books in this series, so I definitely say to continue reading because the next stories are way more interesting.

“Garment makers are rarely in the business of making clothes that will work for actual people. Instead, they cater to a fantasy of who the customer hopes to be.” – 2.75/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: big butts, small butts… and all butts in between!

Whether we love them or hate them, think they’re sexy, think they’re strange, consider them too big, too small, or anywhere in between, humans have a complicated relationship with butts. It is a body part unique to humans, critical to our evolution and survival, and yet it has come to signify so much more: sex, desire, comedy, shame. A woman’s butt, in particular, is forever being assessed, criticized, and objectified, from anxious self-examinations trying on jeans in department store dressing rooms to enduring crass remarks while walking down a street or high school hallways. But why? In Butts: A Backstory, reporter, essayist, and RadioLab contributing editor Heather Radke is determined to find out.

Spanning nearly two centuries, this “whip-smart” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) cultural history takes us from the performance halls of 19th-century London to the aerobics studios of the 1980s, the music video set of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” and the mountains of Arizona, where every year humans and horses race in a feat of gluteal endurance. Along the way, she meets evolutionary biologists who study how butts first developed; models whose measurements have defined jean sizing for millions of women; and the fitness gurus who created fads like “Buns of Steel.” She also examines the central importance of race through figures like Sarah Bartmann, once known as the “Venus Hottentot,” Josephine Baker, Jennifer Lopez, and other women of color whose butts have been idolized, envied, and despised.

Part deep dive reportage, part personal journey, part cabinet of curiosities, Butts is an entertaining, illuminating, and thoughtful examination of why certain silhouettes come in and out of fashion—and how larger ideas about race, control, liberation, and power affect our most private feelings about ourselves and others.

I saw this book somewhere, and I thought the title was hilarious, so of course, I had to add it to my TBR! I like to read books about random topics, so I didn’t think too much about it when I decided to pick it up.
We are warned in the beginning. The author especifically says this book is not an extensive science book about butts – which I was totally fine with, and I adapted my expectations while continuing reading the book.
Now, with that said… this was a little disappointing. I was enjoying it at first, but as the book progressed, the author started inserting herself (and her opinions) more and more into the book. But to me that wasn’t the biggest issue I had with this book – what I disliked most is how this is not really a book about butts. The chapters start with it as a topic (and kind of a justification of why the topic is being mentioned), but I noticed that the focus kept going to other things. I would describe this book more as a book about the female body throughout the years – and there’s also a lot about race too.
I found some chapters fascinating and informative, for example, Sara Baartman’s chapter – but other chapters like Miley Cyrus’s felt a little too biased and less relevant.
Even though I wasn’t expecting a full-on science book, I still wished the author focused more on informing the reader, and kept the butt topic as a main focus. I personally wouldn’t recommend this book – I’m sure there are better books on the subject.