The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a raw and emotional and honest look at mental health struggles. Lily is still processing the night she found her sister Alice trying to harm herself in the bathroom. Alice was sent to get help, and in her absence, Lily is trying to keep things together at school and at home. A new kid shows up who knows Alice and has a connection with Lily. Lily could use a friend, but she's also still working through her stuff. This book really shows the complexities of mental health struggle, the impacts others feel, and the ways people navigate and cope. It's so well done and elicited so many feels in me as I read. I'm so glad there are books like this out there that show the realities of mental illness. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this release from April 2022!

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Clarity & Connection by Yung Pueblo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It's hard to use words to summarize words that are so well written. This is a beautiful exploration and reflection on relationships, how we give to others, and what we gain through those connections. There was so much good stuff that I literally wanted to take a picture of every page (since it was a library book) and definitely need to go back to take this all in. This is definitely a collection I want to revisit as he masterfully put words to so many feels and affirmations.

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Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a read that is unique and eerie and wonderful and just a book like no other. The use of old photographs to tell the story adds so, so much. My intrigue started with the cover that immediately sucked me in, and this story didn't let me go until its last pages. The storytelling is masterful, and the characters are so brilliantly crafted. It was a book I couldn't read fast enough because I wanted to know what was next, but also was so sad to leave this magical world when it was all over.

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Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Crane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've been going back and reading books I first read (and really liked/loved) in my twenties. This is a book I read almost 15 years ago, and it's also one I recommended and read with my old book club. All these years later in my late thirties, it literally hits different. I can see the appeal to a mid-twenties me as I had so much love for a cheesy romance. All these year later, my salient memory of this one was the story line about the Cinnamilk, but as I read, I was able to recall the other components. The love story is predictable (as they always are), but cute. Overall, it was a light and fun throwback read

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Meredith, Alone by Claire Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, wow, wow. What a journey this one was. I did not anticipate all the feels from this one, but it was such a wonderful story. Meredith hasn't left her house in 1,214 days. She's figured out how to make it work, and she has connection in a way that works for her. However, this wasn't always life for her, and it isn't immediately clear why. The story bounces between Meredith's current realities and the days before now. As it goes, you see the evolution of Meredith and start to see what got her to this point. Meredith is a wonderful main character, and I was rooting for her as she found her voice throughout. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this November 2022 release. (Note: I did not realize I'd have to wait so long to discuss this with others, but trust me, Meredith is worth the wait!)

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Faithful Place by Tana French
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is my third (and certainly not my last) Tana French. She is masterful at writing thrillers, and so much of what keeps me reading is the way she tells a story. This one had the thrills, but also the added layer of family secrets and drama. The story focused on a lost love. Years ago, Rosie and Frank were going to run away together, but Rosie never showed up. There has always been mystery as to what really happened. When Rosie's suitcase shows up years later, the mystery is re-ignited. Frank is determined to figure out what happened to get the closure he has always craved.

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Long Story Short by Serena Kaylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, this one was just a delight. The story focuses on Beatrice. Beatrice has been home schooled her whole life, and she dreams of breaking out of her shell and seeing the world. Unbeknownst to her parents, she's applied and been accepted into Oxford. Before her parents will let her go, they want to make sure she's ready. To this end, they send her off to a Shakespeare summer camp. With this camp, they provide her a list of "challenges" she needs to complete to prove she can handle life at Oxford. While an unusual premise, it was a fun layer of this story as Beatrice navigated love, friendship and acting. I love a relatable lead character, and Beatrice was so, so much that. This was just a cute, happy story that made me smile. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this upcoming July 2022 release!

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One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The easiest way to explain this one is if The Breakfast Club as a thriller. Five students are put together in detention, and one ends up dead. Given the small group that was present when this went down, it's inferred one of them must have been responsible. As you can imagine, no one will step up. The story is told from each of these students perspectives to piece together what really happened in detention that day. It's one that kept me guessing as to who might be involved. I had a hunch as to what the twist was going to be, but didn't fully get it figured out before the big reveal!

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A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After a stretch of "meh" reads, I needed a good, solid read, and y'all, this was absolutely that. This was just a delight of a memoir. It had the perfect blend of humor with thoughtful reflection. There were so many moments I found myself actually laughing out loud because the jokes and wit were just so, so perfect. Going in, I knew very little about Colin beyond what I see on TV, and I appreciated that this one helped me understand and learn so much more about who he is as a comedian and human, especially as he shared what got him to this point in life. If you're a fan of celebrity memoirs, this is a true gem!

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The Charmed List by Julie Abe
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a YA read with the classic once enemies now friends and eventually love storyline with a side of magic. Admittedly, I wasn't sure about the magic element as that's not typically my jam, however it was written in a way that really normalized it and worked. The story centers on Ellie who is tired of being a wallflower and decides to write a list of 13 things that she believes are guaranteed to break her out of her shell throughout her summer. But then, things take a turn, and she ends up having to road trip with her once friend now enemy Jack. As you might infer, this time in car means Jack and Ellie have to talk to one another and work through some things. This was a good little read - light and fun while also having some feels throughout. Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this recent July 2022 release!

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