My 12 Favorite Books of 2025

Happy Monday! For the past few years, I've joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge. At the end of the year, I love seeing how many books I've read and whether I reached my reading goal. As of today, I've read 269 books and surpassed my goal of 180. Some of the books were short stories, poetry collections, fiction, nonfiction, romance, and so much more. I loved reading books by new-to-me authors. Last year, I even shared a post of my 12 favorite books of 2024 (one for each month). So, I thought it'd be fun to do it again this year. 

Here are my 12 favorite reads of 2025. Also, please feel free to share your favorite books in the comments. I'd love to add some new ones to my never-ending TBR list. 

So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan

I absolutely devoured this book! Claire Keegan was a new-to-me author, and I look forward to reading more of her work. So Late in the Day is a collection of three short stories about love, lust, betrayal, and misogyny. The three stories included are "So Late in the Day", "The Long and Painful Death", and "Antarctica". My favorite story in the collection is "Antarctica," which is about a married woman who goes out of town in an attempt to have an affair. This was a chilling and creepy story that was well-written.

The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman

Alice Hoffman's short story about family, love, and the past was a fantastic read. The story follows Isabel Gibson, a woman who has been estranged from her sister, Sophie, and her hometown of Brinkley's Island, Maine. After receiving a letter in the mail, Isabel decides to return home to see her sister and their family's bookstore, which is on the brink of bankruptcy. I highly recommend reading the rest of this series; it's great.

Banned Together by Ashley Hope Perez

This was a powerful read. Banned Together is a YA anthology filled with various genres, such as memoir, poetry, essays, fiction, and illustrations/comics that discuss book bans and encourage readers to fight back against book bans. This is a great book to read, especially in today's times. The book even includes a list of banned books and other useful resources. 

The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman

This is not the first book I've read by Fredrik Backman, but this novella may be my favorite work of his. The Deal of a Lifetime follows a father and son who haven't seen each other in years. The father tells his son the story of how he killed someone. I don't want to give too much away, but I'd advise bringing some tissues, as you may find yourself crying. 

The New Book by Nikki Giovanni

This was an incredible collection of poems, letters, and prose drawn from Nikki Giovanni's life. It was fascinating to read about her life and experiences. There were so many interesting pieces in this collection. One thing that surprised me was Nikki Giovanni's connection to the Virginia Tech shooting. Since this was her posthumous collection, I have added several other books by her to my TBR list. 

Letters From Gaza by Mahmoud Alshaer and Mohammed Al-Zaqzooq

This was a powerful and heartbreaking read. It took me a very long time to finish this book because it was so heavy. It's not often a book makes me tear up, but this one did. Letters from Gaza is a collection of prose, poems, and reflections that were written in real-time in the Gaza Strip during the ongoing genocide. I still find myself thinking about this book and the writers. It was heartbreaking to read that some of the writers included in this collection are missing or have been confirmed killed. 

The People's Project by Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith

I will absolutely read anything Maggie Smith writes. I was delighted to find out she was writing a new book and collaborating with Saeed Jones. The People's Project is an incredible anthology of poems, essays, and art by twenty-six authors on living in today's world. I especially loved the works by Aubrey Hirsch, Patricia Smith, Kiese Laymon, Abi Maxwell, Marlon James, and Mira Jacob. 

Falling in Vermont by Elise Kennedy

This was a cozy little read about a chef and food blogger named Sophie and a widowed farmer named Blake. After struggling with coming up with recipes for her latest cookbook, Sophie decides to rent a cottage owned by Blake. However, after a mishap with a few raccoons and the collapse of the cottage's roof, Sophie finds herself staying at Blake's home. Of course, Sophie and Blake have chemistry, but Blake doesn't want to risk falling for Sophie, especially since she doesn't live in town and he needs/wants to focus on his failing pumpkin patch. Falling in Vermont was such a sweet, cozy, and at times spicy read that truly was perfect for fall.

The Little Book of Winter Brittany Viklund

When I learned that Brittany had written a book, I was so excited to read it. The Little Book of Winter was such a fun, cozy read. I read this book during the summer-to-fall seasonal transition, which may seem a bit early for a winter-themed read, but it was perfect. The Little Book of Winter is filled with ideas and activities to enjoy during the winter season. I loved the recipes and plan to try a few. I even used some of the tips and activities included in the book during the fall season, since many could be easily adapted for that time. I plan to revisit this book now that we are in winter. 

Mistletoe Meet Cute by Bella Matthews

I absolutely loved this book! The story follows Camden Monroe, a football player and single father, who needs a nanny for his daughter. Holly Chase, Camden's teammate's sister, accepts the nanny position as a temporary job. Of course, they both end up falling for each other. This was such a fun read, and I love that the story included text messages. The side characters were also interesting. I plan to read the rest of the books set in the Kroyden Hills.

I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron

How in the world is it possible that I hadn't read a book by Nora Ephron until this year? I was also shocked to learn that Nora Ephron was the writer and director of numerous beloved romantic comedies. Please, don't judge me. I Remember Nothing was a delightful read. I loved learning about Ephron's life, from her childhood and memories of her parents' dinner parties to her first job in a mailroom at Newsweek. What made me want to read this book was stumbling upon Ephron's lists of what she would and wouldn't miss. Both lists appear at the end of the book. 

See One, Do One, Teach One: The Art of Becoming a Doctor by Grace Farris

I am a big fan of Grace Farris's work, so when I found out she had written another book, I was so excited. I'm so grateful to have received an eARC from NetGalley.

See One, Do One, Teach One follows Grace's journey through medical school and residency as she navigates her personal life. The comics were great and paired well with her story. It was incredibly interesting to read and also see the steps involved in becoming a doctor. There were some heartbreaking moments, especially when the book touched on patient deaths. However, the way Grace wrote this sensitive topic was thoughtful, powerful, and beautiful.

What was your favorite book in 2025?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

My 12 Favorite Books of 2024

Happy Monday! I was looking back at all the books I read this past year and decided to pick a favorite book from each month to share. I read over 200 books this year, so picking just one favorite book each month was tricky. Please note that some of the books were not published in 2024. Some were published years ago, and some will be published in 2025. Please feel free to share your favorite books in the comments. I'd love to add some new ones to my never-ending TBR list.

Anyway, here are my twelve favorite books of 2024.

That's So New York: Short (and Very Short) Stories about the Greatest City on Earth by Dan Saltzstein

An illustrated book that features short stories by writers, anecdotes from locals, and Q&As with New Yorkers. The illustrations were excellent. If you're looking for a funny, light read, then you should definitely check this book out.

The Exception to the Rule by Christina Lauren

A boy accidentally sends an email to a girl he doesn't know, leading to an unexpected relationship. This fun, romance short story is perfect for Valentine's Day. The book's first part is written in email format, so if you enjoy epistolary novellas, you're in for a treat.

A Little Drop of Courage by Hayley Kaye

This little book was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. It is filled with encouraging words and great illustrations, perfect for anyone who needs a boost of inspiration and hope.

What's the Point of Art by D.K. Publishing

This children's art history book was great. It included illustrations and stories about famous artists. The book also discussed different eras of art, from cave paintings to modern art. It is perfect for children interested in art and great for people of all ages.

The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo

I'm a fan of Kate DiCamillo and absolutely love fairy tales, so I was excited to read this story. The Puppets of Spelhorst is about five friends: a king, a wolf, a girl, a boy, and an owl. An old sea captain has stuck them in a trunk, and they wonder what their fate will be and whether they will remain together. 

Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York by Roz Chast

Yes! Another illustrated book about New York. I love Roz Chast's work and was excited to read this graphic novel about my favorite city. The book combines personal stories and comics and feels like a guide to New York City. While reading it, I experienced a few bouts of nostalgia. 

The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman

The Bookstore Wedding is the second short story in the Once Upon a Time Bookshop Stories series. It takes place five years after the events of the first book, The Bookstore Sisters, and follows the Gibson sisters, Isabel and Sophie. Isabel is still with Johnny Lenox, and they are trying to plan their wedding again for the fourth time. The story touches on themes like family, love, and sisterhood. 

Load in Nine Times: Poems by Frank X. Walker

This was an incredibly powerful collection of poetry. Frank X. Walker reimagined the experiences of Black Civil War soldiers, including his own ancestors. I stopped reading multiple times to research some of the names and events mentioned in the book. The timelines and additional notes at the end of the book were very useful.

Snowed In & Snuggle Weather by Elise Kennedy

This was such a fun best-friends-to-lover romance story. Max and Josie have been best friends for years. Josie has been in love with Max for forever. Max moved back to town after breaking up with his fiancée. One day, they are snowed in overnight, and they both begin to contemplate their feelings for one another. And, of course, they are both too scared to confess their feelings. 

Hero's Prize by Janie Crouch

Hero's Prize is the third book in Janie Crouch's Linear Tactical: Oak Creek series. This series follows the second generation of the Linear Tactical heroes. In Hero's Prize, the story follows extreme sports star Colton Harrison and Ella O'Conner. Colton is back after a deadly accident and wonders what his next steps are for his future. Ella has had a crush on Colton for years but never acted on it. After Colton finds out about Ella's crush, he realizes he wants to be with her. There are a few bumps along the way, and a stalker is added to the mix, which made the story even more interesting.

Atlantic Ghosts: Tales from the Haunted Coast by Bee Stanton

This collection of supernatural folklore is perfect for Halloween (and any day of the year). Some stories involve ghosts, hauntings, and other legends around Atlantic Canada. The stories are accompanied by 24 pen-and-ink illustrations. I loved the stories and did some research on some that interested me. 

Second Down Scrooge by Lisa Suzanne

I love a good Christmas romance story, and Second Down Scrooge did not disappoint. This was a really great second-chance, sports-themed romance. If you are familiar with Lisa's Vegas Aces series, you may remember the incident between Austin and Kelly. Austin betrayed Kelly's best friend and her boyfriend, which caused Kelly to not trust him. Austin also used people and tried to sabotage them to advance his career. Basically, Austin was a very selfish man. However, in this book, Austin wants to change his ways. He wants to be better for his daughter and have a relationship with Kelly. I love a good redemption story, and this novella definitely has that. 

What was your favorite book you read in 2024?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Buzzfeed Books Summer 2022 Reading Challenge

Happy Wednesday! Today is the last day of Summer, and I thought it'd be fun to close out the season with a list of books I read during Summer. I've participated in a couple of reading challenges during the summer, but my favorite one is the Buzzfeed Books reading challenge. Buzzfeed Books usually has a reading challenge every season. The challenge usually consists of six prompts.

Fair warning, I didn't complete the entire challenge, but I did complete most of the prompts. Ready to check out which prompts I completed? Ok, let's go.

A Book With A Yellow Cover

I read The Summer of Sunflowers by Lila Grey. This was the first book that I've read by Lila Grey. This novella was a quick and light read. The Summer of Sunflowers was such a cute story about a single mom named Juniper and her grumpy neighbor, Cody. Initially, Cody finds things to complain about and acts annoyed, but he is intrigued by Juniper and bonds with Juniper's son, Tobias. Tobias was adorable, and I loved how Cody, Tobias, and Cody's dog, Dagda were close. Eventually, Cody and Juniper begin to have feelings for each other, and Cody decides to make his move after seeing Juniper on a date.

A Second Chance Romance

I read a few second chance romance novels and novellas; however, one of my favorite ones is Order Up Love by Kali Hart. This is the fourth book in the Mountain Men of Caribou Creek series. The story follows Willow and Mason. Willow returns home after her grandmother requests that Willow and her sisters come to see her. She hopes to avoid the love of her life, Mason, while she's in town, but you know that's not going to happen. Mason is still in love with Willow and wants to find out what she is hiding. 

A Book Set During A Vacation

I read It Must Have Been the Mistletoe by M.L. Broome. Yes, this story is set during Christmas, don't judge me. I will always read a holiday romance or two during summer. The story is about Penny and Jackson. Penny and Jackson were supposed to get married. While planning their wedding, Jackson is approached by a famous musician and is asked to join their tour as they need a drummer. Jackson and Penny talked about it, and Penny told Jackson he should go for it. However, things take a turn for the worse when the lead singer of the band kisses Jackson and sends a photo of the kiss to Penny. Penny and Jackson break up. Fast forward, Penny decides to go on a vacation to their lakehouse before selling it. While there, Jackson arrives and attempts to patch things up with Penny. 

The story was pretty decent, but I wish Jackson did some more groveling. I think he had several childish moments, especially when they broke up. 

A Book With Dual Timelines

I read Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren. I don't usually read books with dual timelines because I never really read any books that were formatted in a way for the story to make sense. However, the time jumps in this book made sense and didn't feel all over the place.

Love and Other Words is the story of Macy and Elliot, who met when they were kids, and the story continues as they become teenagers and once they meet again as adults. I really loved that Macy and Elliot bonded over books and their special closet/library. I liked most of the characters and was very sympathetic towards Macy. She went through so much. I also felt awful for Elliot. 

*SPOILERS BELOW*

Macy and Elliot were separated for a decade because Macy thought Elliot cheated on her. Elliot got drunk at a party and a girl named Emma, who had a crush and a prior fling with Elliot, snuck into his bed. Macy caught them and ran off. She never spoke to him again until they met again ten years later. There was no discussion on what happened to Elliot. What happened to Elliot was terrible, and the author just sort of overlooked the situation. Elliot was date raped and how the situation was handled was awful and problematic. 

Overall, I thought Love and Other Words was worth reading, and it was a well-written book. I would have given it five stars, but what happened to Elliot made me drop my rating. I personally don't have any triggers, but I think it would have been beneficial for other readers who would like them.

A New (To You) Format

I started reading The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. I haven't finished it yet (so close), but I thought it was worth mentioning because I'm really enjoying this book. I don't think I've ever read a book like this one before. I love that the book is made up of vignettes. I've read short story collections, but I don't think I've read a book made up of vignettes. Also, Sandra Cisneros is a new-to-me author. I have heard of the House of Mango Street and a few other of Cisneros' work but never read any. I don't know how I've gone this long without reading her work. However, I'm glad I decided to try this book. 

The House on Mango Street is about Esperanza Cordero, a Chicana girl living in a Chicago neighborhood with her family. The story follows a year in her life and begins with Esperanza talking about how her family first arrived at their home. The story progresses as Esperanza matures and notices the world around her. Esperanza goes through puberty and some life-changing and traumatic experiences that make her want to leave Mango Street. 

A Book By An Indigenous Author

I didn't read a book by an indigenous author, but I plan to read The Things She's Seen by Ambelin Kwaymullina. If you have any recommendations on books by indigenous authors, please send them my way. I'd love to read some more work by indigenous authors. 

Did you participate in Buzzfeed Books' 2022 Summer Reading Challenge? What other book challenges have you signed up for? What are you currently reading?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

July 2022 Reads

Happy Monday! One of my goals this year was to share the books that I've read. Well...I haven't really done that on the blog, but I have been somewhat more consistent on Instagram. I usually share my favorite books in my Stories, but I haven't made a monthly series. Maybe I should?

Anyways, July was a perfect month for reading. I read 32 books in July and enjoyed reading most of them. I also read a lot of books that I received from Netgalley. I read a mix of genres, and I absolutely loved it. Since my last favorite reads post was in February 2022, I thought sharing another would be fun.

How We Heal by Alexandra Elle

This was one of my favorite reads for the month. I first heard of Alex Elle on Instagram and have been a fan ever since, so I was excited to find that she had a new book coming out. This is the first book that I've read by Alex Elle.

How We Heal was a much-needed book that came at the perfect time for me. I enjoyed reading the mini-essays and interviews of other writers, artists, and activists. It was interesting to read stories about healing and the ways that Alex, as well as the other individuals mentioned in the book, practice healing. The journaling prompts and meditation techniques were so good. I found myself highlighting so many pages.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

1-2-3 Scream! by R.U. Ginns

This was such a fun read. This collection of spooky short stories reminded me of the Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series. Some of the stories were silly, but there were a few that some kids might find scary so beware of that. One of the scarier stories was Instagrave. This story is about an app that predicts deaths. The ending of the story, Mean Machine, was also a story that might scare younger kids.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Bad Vibes Only by Nora McInery

I was first drawn to this book by its title and cover. It was interesting to read stories about Nora's life, which spans from childhood until now. I loved reading her perspective on various topics such as grief, religion, and motherhood. I loved that she didn't simply focus on "good vibes" like many self-help and memoirs tend to do. It made it seem more real. Some of the essays were funny, a few were sad, and a few that I could relate to.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Everything is Ok by Debbie Tung

I was so excited when I learned that Debbie Tung had another graphic novel coming out. I previously read her book, Quiet Girl in a Noisy World, and loved it.

Everything is Ok is a collection of comics about anxiety and depression. Debbie shares her experiences and her road to recovery from anxiety and depression. The illustrations were excellent, and there were a few things that I could relate to. I think the book covered anxiety and depression well.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Opening My Eyes Underwater: Essays on Hope, Humanity, and Our Hero Michelle Obama by Ashley Woodfolk

Ashley Woodfolk is a new-to-me author, but the cover and title of her book got my attention. I loved that Ashley used quotes by Michelle Obama as starting points for her essays. Using quotes as a starting point/inspiration for her pieces was a good idea. I enjoyed reading her opinions, reflections, and stories on various topics such as bullying, education, career, love, and racism. Some of the essays were difficult to read and broke my heart, but I think they were all essential to read.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

And Yet: Poems by Kate Baer

I absolutely loved this collection of poetry. It was a fast read, but I loved that the poems were straight to the point. The poems focused on motherhood, friendship, loss, and love. There was even mention of the pandemic. There were so many relatable poems. The only downside to the book was that it was a short and quick read, leaving me wanting more. I devoured this book in about 30 minutes.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Art of the Travel Journal by Abbey Sy

I love all forms of journaling, including art journaling, so I was excited to read this book. I'm a fan of Abbey Sy's art and was interested in reading about travel journals. I was already aware of a lot of the information in this book, but I learned a few things. I think some tips included in the book would be helpful for anyone interested in journaling. I loved that Abbey included an artist gallery so that you could see other artists and journalers' who keep travel journals.

I think this book is perfect for beginner artists and journalers, but it can still be beneficial for those who have experience keeping journals, especially travel journals.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride

Wow! Wow! Wow! I loved this book! I love how Amber McBride used fairytales, stories, and folklore to tell this story about trauma, mental illness, and depression. Everything tied together perfectly. This book kind of felt like reading a modern fairytale. I loved Amber included a glossary of the fairytales, stories, and folklore at the end of the book. I will definitely check out some of the fairytales that were referenced or inspired Amber to write this book because there were a few that I've heard about but haven't read yet. I also love that she included a playlist as well.

*Thank you, Netgalley, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Knot Over You by M.J. Marstens, Jarica James, Grace McGinty, Sabrina Day, Calliope Stewart, Sarah Blue, Merri Bright, Flora Quincy, Juniper Kerry, Aisling Counsins, Maya Nicole, and Hannah Haze

Knot Over You is an omegaverse anthology with stories by various authors. The stories range from RH to MF. The stories are spicy, and I love that every short story was complete and not a sneak peek at future books/releases. There is something for everyone. 

The only issue was that there were some formatting issues. Some stories had repeating chapters; however, I believe those issues will be fixed soon.

*Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.

Shadow of St. Nick: A Krampus Fairy Tale Romance by J. Dylan

Shadow of St. Nick is the first book I have read by J. Dylan. I loved this novella. This was a perfect Christmas in July story, and it also had a bit of Beauty and the Beast vibes/feel to the story, which I loved. I haven't found many books or retellings about Krampus, so I'm always excited when I find a new one.

In this novella, Emmeline drinks and celebrates the winter solstice with her friends. She's told the story of Krampus. Emmeline doesn't believe in the story. Once her friends leave, Emmeline finds out that Krampus does indeed exist when he arrives and takes her. I won't give much else away, but I liked the plot twist.

Thank you, Nisha's Books and Coffee PR, for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

What did you read in July? What are you currently reading?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Favorite Books Read in January 2022

Happy Tuesday! It's been a while since I've shared some of my favorite reads, so I thought it'd be fun to share my favorite books from January 2022. I read 32 books in January! It was an excellent month to read.

There were several books that I was really excited to read. Some of the books I read were anthologies, a few were novellas and/or short stories, and others were novels.

Not only did I think it'd be fun to share my favorite reads in January, but I thought it would be fun to link up with Steph and Jana for their "Show Us Your Books" series.

Lies by A.L. Woods

Oh my goodness! This is not a book that I would typically read, but I'm happy that I did. Lies is a second-chance married couple romance. The story falls into several other tropes like workplace romance, opposites attract, and accidental pregnancy. I've read second-chance romance books before but have never read one that involves a married couple, infidelity, or the loss of a child. However, this book really got my attention, so I decided to give it a shot. I devoured this book in a day...it was so good.

Lies is a standalone novel set in A.L. Woods' Reflections universe. The story is about Dougie and Penelope, a newlywed couple whose marriage is falling apart. I don't want to give too much away, but Dougie and Penelope were keeping secrets from each other. However, I think Dougie's secret was far worse. Penelope's "lies" seemed more understandable because she was grieving. It was evident that communication was not one of these characters' strongest suits. Their lack of communication and secrets literally almost destroyed their marriage. Dougie and Penelope kept so much stuff buried inside that it almost consumed them as well. Once everything was out in the open, Dougie really tried to work things out while Penelope was going through a range of emotions and was contemplating divorcing Dougie. Eventually, they both decide to try to work things out.

For more information on the book, click here.

I received an ARC from Grey's Promo in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Snowed Inn for Christmas: A Christmas Anthology

Yes, I am still working my way through some Christmas books. It took me a while to finish this anthology, but only because I had many holiday-themed books to read in November and December. I also had many other books that I had started or needed to finish. 

This anthology was really great. The collection featured nine novellas about couples being together during Christmas. These short stories could be classified as "insta-romance." I love that each couple and story was different. I also loved that there was a story that featured a married couple. 

Pack Darling Part 2 by Lola Rock

I was so excited to read this book. This is the second and final part of the Pack Darling series. The story follows Lilah and the Wyvern pack (Atlas, Jett, Orion, Finn, and Hunter). The Wyvern pack are supposed to be Lilah's mates, but they mess up big time at the end of the first book. Pack Darling Part 2 picks up immediately following the first book's events.

I absolutely loved the groveling that the guys did, and I loved how each one of the guys changed. The character growth was incredible, especially for Jett and Atlas. I also loved how confident Lilah was and how she made sure to stand up for herself and put herself first. I wish there was more of a storyline with the Sorenson pack. I also think that Orion should have done some groveling as well. Lilah definitely forgave him almost immediately. However, I love that he and Lilah got to spend time together. I love that the guys' dads stepped up a little and made sure to make changes to the staff at the school that Lilah lived at; however, I think there should have been more groveling on their part. Of all the characters, it seems that Hunter was the most respectful of Lilah's wishes. We find out what happened to Jett, which was terrible. 

Overall, everything tied up together at the end, but I love that there was an opening for a possible new spinoff series. Fingers crossed that it actually happens.

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

I've always loved reading mythology, folktales, fairytales, etc., and am always interested in reading anything by Neil Gaiman. He is one of my favorite writers and storytellers. Norse Mythology had been on my TBR list for a while, and I finally decided to go ahead and read it. And I am so glad that I did. 

Norse Mythology is Gaiman's retelling of myths. The stories are primarily about Odin, Thor, and Loki, with a few other characters thrown in the mix. All of the stories lead up to the final story, which is Ragnarok. 

You can tell that Gaiman researched Norse mythology, and I loved that he included a notes section and a glossary at the end of the book. I ended up looking up several of the different people mentioned in the glossary, and I also learned more about the Poetic Edda. 

I'm More Dateable than a Plate of Refried Beans by Ginny Hogan

I'm More Dateable than a Plate of Refried Beans is a book about dating. I enjoyed reading this book and thought it was funny. I loved that this book included lists, short stories, observations, fake text conversations, etc. It definitely made the book even more interesting and unique. I loved the graphics as well. Reading this book almost felt like reading a magazine which I absolutely loved.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

What did you read in January? What are you currently reading?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Buzzfeed Books 2021 Spring Reading Challenge

I love book challenges. I've been participating in the Goodreads Reading Challenge for the past few years. It's a simple reading challenge. You select a number of books that you would like to read for the year. This year, my goal was to read 100 books. I have surpassed this goal, and as of today, I have read 212 books. Some of these books are novellas, but I still count those. 

Another challenge that I decided to participate in is Buzzfeed Books' 2021 Spring Reading Challenge. I love the idea of having a seasonal reading challenge. I'm also a Buzzfeed and Buzzfeed Books fan, so I definitely needed to try this challenge. And I'm so glad that I did. 

A book set in a place on your bucket list

I read Merciless Hunter by Faith Summers. This is the fourth book in the Dark Syndicate series and is an enemies-to-lovers romance. The story takes place in California (specifically in San Francisco and L.A.) and Brazil.

The book is about a man named Aiden whose wife and son were killed. However, he finds out that his son was not actually killed, and his only goal in life now is to find his son and get revenge for the death of his wife. 

Olivia is a woman who is being held captive along with her mother by an evil man named Jude. Olivia is desperate to find out who she thought was dead for the last few years. Instead, she finds out that Jude is responsible for her brother's disappearance. Jude is holding her captive so that he can marry and get control of her father's company. Olivia decides to come up with a plan to get help from Aiden.

There were so many twists and turns in this book. I really enjoyed the story, and at times my heart broke for both of the main characters and some of the secondary characters. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

*If you decide to read this book and/or the entire series, please beware of some triggers.*

A genre you don't normally read

This was a tough prompt. I wasn't sure whether this book would count for this category since it falls under several genres. However, I'm going to count it towards this prompt.

I read Horizontal Parenting: How to Entertain Your Kid While Lying Down by Michelle Woo. Horizontal Parenting obviously falls under the genre of parenting and families, but it could also fall under comics/graphic novels as well as humor. I haven't read any parenting books in a long time, and I can't remember the last time I read a parenting book that falls under those three genres.

Horizontal Parenting was a cute book with some great ideas on games to play with your kids while lying down. The illustrations were great. Some of the games are silly, and there were a few that I actually may have to try. This book is perfect for all parents and would make a great gift for first-time parents.

*I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

A book published this year

I read Home Is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo. I was so excited to read this book because it was compared to Elizabeth Acevedo's books. Let me tell you, this book did not disappoint. It was fantastic. It was so good.

Home Is Not a Country is a verse novel and a quick read. I could relate to a few things in this novel. The themes and details were interesting. 

The book is broken down into three parts. The first part is about Nima's life in the United States. She deals with hardships like bullying and trying to fit in. In the second part of the book, Nima enters a dream-like state or world. She deals with Yasmeen, the person she imagines she would be if her mother had given her that name and if her father hadn't died. There were times that my heart broke for Nima. In the third and final part of the book, Nima is back in her world. 

*I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

A book with a plant on the cover

I read Goldenrod by Maggie Smith. Goldenrod is a poetry collection about life. There were poems about divorce, parenting, love, and being alone. The poems were amazing and so powerful. I loved the metaphors and details.

*I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

A book that gives off "cottagecore" vibes

I felt so old when I read this prompt. I had no idea what in the world "cottagecore" even meant. But that's another story for another day.

I read Theron by Kali Hart. It's a very short "insta-love" romance. The story is about a woman named Isla who dreams of visiting Alaska in honor of her mother. They both wanted to visit Alaska, but unfortunately, Isla's mother passed away before they could go on the trip. Isla decides to sell almost all of her possessions and buys an SUV to make the trip. While she is just outside of town, her car breaks down, and she calls an old friend, Theron, for help. When they finally meet up, they are both immediately attracted to one another. As I said before, it's a short story, so I don't want to give too much away. 

A collection of poetry or short stories

I read Eating Salad Drunk by Gabe Henry. Eating Salad Drunk is a collection of haikus by various contributors. I loved that the haikus were supposed to be funny. There were a few that made me laugh out loud. The haikus focus on different topics like friends and family, food, modern romance, and entertainment. This was a quick read and took me about an hour to read. It's a great pick-me-up, and it's perfect for reading on a rainy day.

*I received an arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Did you participate in Buzzfeed Books' 2021 Spring Reading Challenge? What other book challenges have you signed up for? What are you currently reading?

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Until next time...