2022 Goodreads Challenge: Read 107 of 100 books (107% to goal)
2022 Page Count Challenge: Read 30,518 of 22,000 pages (139% to goal)
December 31, 2022
My Year in Books
December 30, 2022
My Year in Blogmoir
December 28, 2022
Top 5 Nonfiction of 2022
December 27, 2022
Top 10 Fiction of 2022
December 26, 2022
Top 3 Short Stories of 2022
December 25, 2022
Top 5 Series of 2022
December 24, 2022
DNF & NRN of 2022
Bookhearts, you are familiar with my 50-Page Rule. The purpose of this annual DNF (did not finish) and NRN (not right now) post is to share my reason(s) in an effort to help books find its intended audience. May these books find a new home where they will be finished and enjoyed.
- An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher ~ Please not another Then & Now when unnecessary.
- Chevy in the Hole by Kelsey Ronan ~ Love Detroit mentions but not enough to finish; disjointed.
- Embers on the Wind by Lisa Williamson Rosenberg ~ I was here for Underground Railroad but not séances, spirits, "high yellow" girls, "midnight black" ancestors and the Obelisk.
- Finding Me by Viola Davis ~ Unpopular opinion that it's disjointed. Will try again someday.
- Fly Away by Kristin Hannah ~ Skimmed because in a coma the whole book?!
- Half-Blown Rose by Leesa Cross-Smith ~ Beautiful prose but story falls flat and slow-paced.
- Happy is on Hiatus by A.C. Arthur ~ Snoozer.
- Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese ~ To be a retelling of Scarlet Letter, the focus is on everything and everybody but Nathaniel Hawthorne.
- Hide by Tracy Clark ~ Slow motion for meh.
- How to Be a Boss B*tch by Christine Quinn ~ The bitch is bitchier in book form.
- Jackal by Erin E. Adams ~ Missing Black girls is important but this long roundabout is too slow.
- Maame by Jessica George ~ Teetering on woe-is-me thin line. Unexpected content.
- Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult ~ Fittylem characters.
- On Rotation ~ Turned off from language ("ass" overused, "dark-skinned nappy-headed ho").
- Restore Me by J.L. Seegars ~ Not sure what it is but this ain't it.
- The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson ~ Great body positivity message but forced romance.
- The Bluebonnet Battle by Carolyn Brown ~ Southern charm is there but overdoing funeral talk.
- The Homewreckers by Mary Kay Andrews ~ Serious yawning.
- The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams ~ Where is the punctuation? Impossible to read.
- The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth ~ Too slow of a slow burn.
- This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel ~ Alternating from past to present with no chapter heading.
- Upgrade by Blake Crouch ~ Jargon took me out. (Diffusely metastatic, pyknodyostosis, Paget's...)
- Violeta by Isabel Allende ~ History Lesson vs. Historical Fiction; pandemic all over again.
- Wahala by Nikki May ~ I've met them all now and nope.
- Where Wild Peaches Grow by Cade Bentley ~ Slow as thick syrup.
- Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? ~ Will try again when I have the patience to read heavy dialect.
- You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi ~ Struggled to get far as 11%.
December 23, 2022
Top 10 First Lines of 2022
December 22, 2022
The "I Love My Air Fryer" Cooking for One Recipe Book
- Home Fries
- Grilled Pineapple
- Orange Chicken
- Roasted Asparagus
- Stuffed Mini Peppers
- Sausage and Peppers
- Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts
- Artichoke Hearts with Parmesan
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.
Author: Heather Johnson
Published: January 2023
Pages: 225
Edition: Galley
Genre: Cookbook
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤
Madam C.J. Walker Builds a Business
"Hold your ear so I can get the edges." ~ pg. 60
Rebel Girls is a global brand dedicated to inspiring girls all over the world. Rebel Girls publishes a collection of illustrated awesomesauce stories of what I call: Women We Should Know. They feature creative trailblazing women and girls; perfect for children and young adults, especially of color. The latest release is about the talented Madam C.J. Walker. If you don't know about this great black wonder woman, then get settled and read further.
Madam C.J. Walker Builds a Business is just over 100 pages long but very informative. Born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, she was the first member of her family not born into slavery and to go to school. Although being a schoolgirl was short-lived, she still dreamed of possibility. Sarah lost loved ones, worked hard at multiple jobs, became a young widow and struggled with her own hair growth but never gave up the dream.
"Her mission was to get as many women as she could to put down their washboards and pick up the ticket to prosperity." ~ pg. 64
This book is perfect for any young reader needing inspiration! A surprise was the equal rights element and mention of other historical figures. The illustrations are colorful, beautiful and detailed down to the hair edges carefully tucked into bonnets. The story moves along clearly into a motivating finish with suggested activities designed to help readers brainstorm an exciting new product. There is no better book for young female entrepreneurs than the story of America's first female self-made millionaire.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.
Author: Denene Millner (text) and Salini Perera (illustrator)
Published: January 2023
Pages: 128
Edition: Galley
Genre: Biography; Children's Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤
December 21, 2022
Lit to TV: Kindred & Firefly Lane
Author: Octavia E. Butler
Cast: Mallori Johnson (Dana); Micah Stock (Kevin); David Alexander Kaplan (Rufus); Sheria Irving (Olivia); Ryan Kwanten (Thomas Weylin); Gayle Rankin (Margaret Weylin); Sophina Brown (Sarah)
Episode Time: 1 Hour
Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy
Edition: Paperback
Show Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤
Author: Kristin Hannah
Cast: Katherine Heighl (adult Tully Hart); Alissa Skovbye (young Tully Hart); Sarah Chalke (adult Kate Mularkey); Roan Curtis (young Kate Mularkey); Ben Lawson (Johnny); Beau Garrett (Cloud); Yael Yurman (Marah); Ignacio Serricchio (Danny)
Episode Time: 1 Hour
Genre: Drama / Chick Lit
Edition: Paperback
Show Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤
December 20, 2022
Lit Tidbits: Pithy Picks X
Hey, Bookhearts! Pithy Picks are such a fun bookish meme! I hope you find a few books below that are worth your time and learn which books to not spend coins on.
Published: November 2022
Pithy Review: I have never read a book about grief written so beautifully. This debut novel takes us through all the emotions and harsh realities of an unimaginable, unexpected loss. A young woman loses her husband to suicide. The perfectly happy life she thought they had, turned upside down. Her tight-knit Nigerian family swoops in for support through the stages of grief and acceptance.
Quote: "Now someday is today and maybe is still maybe, but there is an infinity spreading out in front of me." ~ pg. 127
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Shanora Williams
Published: June 2022
Pithy Review: Samira is a loser (my words, not the author's). She can't keep a job and mooches off her brother. Then she meets a wealthy pro golfer and relocates to his secluded mansion. Soon she is the second Mrs. Graham. But she discovers hidden journals belonging to the late wife, who died in a tragic accident. The media suspects it was no accident at all and that the perfect husband did it. Samira uncovers the truth. Recommended by my masseuse, this book was eye-rolling before the twists came one after another. Glad I kept reading. Reminiscent of CoHo's Verity and classic Rebecca.
Quote: "I went into this marriage knowing it would fail." ~ pg. 168
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Published: September 2022
Pithy Review: Horror, American history and racism wrapped in a YA novel. A biracial teen is attending the first integrated prom. But she's been passing as white her entire life, at the request of her white father. After a bullying video goes viral, the school's racist roots are put on blast and calls for change. But in true Carrie style, something happens at prom and Maddy's secrets costs lives.
Quote: "The moment had been inevitable since the day she was born." ~ pg. 228
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Alice Hoffman
Published: November 2022
Pithy Review: A short heartfelt story! Isabel is a New Yorker now, with no ties to Brinkley's Island, Maine. Her parents are gone; the family bookstore is bankrupt, and her sister will never speak to her again. But a mysterious letter arrives that prompts Isabel to return to the island. Sounds like a holiday Hallmark movie, right? Read this eShort if that's your jam.
Quote: "That was when she began to plan her escape from the island." ~ pg. 6
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️
Author: Jenny Lawson
Published: September 2022
Pithy Review: Another eShort story by the awesome witty author Jenny Lawson! This is a hilarious account of her outrageous Halloween and holly jolly holiday life. It begins with her trick-or-treating days back in the 1980s to her present lifestyle as self-proclaimed queen of Halloween. It is too funny!
Quote: "But, technically, wrapping paper is there only to hide the present until Christmas." ~ 9%
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Published: October 2022
Pithy Review: Sign me up to read whatever this author duo publishes! So well written, engaging and memorable characters are within this chick lit/women's fic. Marjette has her hands full preparing for a new class of kindergarteners. That is reason enough to keep to her side of the driveway when it comes to picture perfect flawless neighbor Noa. But when a child shows up on first day of school with a sexy ass Uncle but absent mourning mother, Marjette is forced to communicate with her neighbor. The rest of the story takes us through laughter, tears, head nods, loss, love and the gift of found family.
Quote: "Super Jewish, is that kinda like Blackity Black?" ~ pg. 64
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pithy Review: This sharp-witted and candid memoir unpacks a whole lot of truth about TBGs. It is a story of celebrating identity, growing up Black in an elite white community, and beauty/fashion standards. A few of the passages hit home, especially when she shares questions from eager curious coworkers that are indeed offensive. But overall, I couldn't connect any further with the author. She's still trying to be accepted among white peers and separating herself from us. The vibe is giving, "Like me because I'm not like them other Black girls!"
Quote: "Of course, just one Token Black Girl is enough to cover representation for months to come. Singular, all quotas met." ~ 82%
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Published: June 2016
Pithy Review: Reid's novels often have a message; OTL's is: listen to your heart! Emma marries her high school sweetheart, Jesse. They travel the world, live life to the ultimate fullest and seize every opportunity for adventure. On their very first wedding anniversary, Jesse is on a helicopter over the Pacific when it goes missing. Fast forward years later and Emma finds herself in love again, engaged to another man. The second chance at happiness feeling bursts when Jesse is found alive. All these years, he's been trying to come home to her. Now Emma has to choose her one true love. I flipped these pages so quickly and left my heart on the last page. Wow!
Quote: "I feel like my entire body is an open wound and I'm standing next to someone that may or may not pour salt all over me." ~ pg. 182
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 18, 2022
Series Sunday: Triple Cross
- Read an installment of a series.
- Share your review/recommendation below.
- Include the title, author and series name.
December 16, 2022
First Lines Friday
- Grab your current read(s).
- Share the first line(s).
- Include the title and author.
~ Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess
December 11, 2022
Series Sunday: X & Y is for Yesterday
- Read an installment of a series.
- Share your review/recommendation below.
- Include the title, author and series name.
December 2, 2022
First Lines Friday
- Grab your current read(s).
- Share the first line(s).
- Include the title and author.
~ Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
November 29, 2022
Fatty Fatty Boom Boom
Happy Belated Pub Day, Rabia! Fatty Fatty Boom Boom is now available.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.
Author: Rabia Chaudry
Published: November 2022
Pages: 342
Edition: Galley & Hardcover
Genre: Memoir
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤
November 27, 2022
Series Sunday: It Starts With Us
- Read an installment of a series.
- Share your review/recommendation below.
- Include the title, author and series name.