My Year in Blogmoir & Books

Blogmoir: 

02.01.2024 New Year Hold 'Em

06.19.2024 Just for Fun

12.18.2024 Year-End Hold 'Em

2024 Goodreads Challenge: Read 106 of 94 books (113% to goal)

2024 Page Count Challenge: Read 38,065 of 34,000 pages (112% to goal)

2024 Average Book Length: 359 pages (shortest 31 pages ~ largest 2,895 pages)

2024 Average Book Rating: 3.3 out of 5 

2024 Amount Saved Using Public #Lieberry: $1,003.27

2024 Top Genres: Romantasy, Fiction and Nonfiction

Perpetual Jack Reacher Challenge: Read #29

Keeping Up with Patterson Challenge: Read Alex Cross #33, Women's Murder Club #24 and Michael Bennett #16

Live Reads: The Truths We Hold and Dare to Lead

Top 1% Reviewer on Goodreads

Top 10% Reader on Goodreads

Lit Tidbits: Click here for all Pithy Pick reviews in 2024.

First Lines Friday: Click here for all FLF posts in 2024.

Series Sunday: Click here for all SS posts in 2024.

Many Merry Blessings in the New Year❣️

Top 7 First Lines of 2024

1. "Did you ever think this country, in 2024, would be here?" ~ A More Perfect Party by Juanita Tolliver

2. "Reading was my first addiction. When I tell people this today, they laugh and nod as if they understand, as if they too are part of a secret book-addict society whose greatest crime is staying up late, a flashlight under the covers, compulsively reading page after page." ~ The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin

3. "Some days, you wake up, and you're supposed to feel different, but you don't. Take, for example, your birthday, your anniversary, the first day of the year. You want to be excited, but it's just another day, like all the days before it." ~ Sisters with a Side of Greens by Michelle Stimpson

4. "Someone like me was never supposed to be in my position." ~ Lucky Me by Rich Paul

5. "I open my eyes and choose violence." ~ The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall

6. "If I leave this house, it will be in handcuffs." ~ The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

7. "A thousand lights glittered, incandescent stars twinkling in celebration. Golden champagne, the potable required by the night, flowed endlessly into fluted crystal. Mirth floated above harps and flutes, blended with conversation. Dazzling couples circled the parquet in elegant steps." ~ Power of Persuasion by Stacey Abrams writing as Selena Montgomery

Top 7 Quotes of 2024

1. "Why should I take your problems and ain't had none of your fun gettin em?!" ~ Homemade Love by J. California Cooper

2. "So, yes. I like to read. I cannot survive without reading." ~ A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

3. "One never understands one's use but through the opinion of others." ~ The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

4. "I wear my depression like a winter coat, zipped up tight to my chin and bulky—a barrier that smothers out the rest of the world. No one has ever asked me about it because I hide it." ~ The Other Side by Kim Holden

5. "I was now more acutely aware that at any minute, your body could stop functioning and that maybe it would be good to make sure every moment was meaningful." ~ Invisible by Michele Lent Hirsch

6. "If you buy the dress, the occasion will come." ~ What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

7. "Most of the trouble in this world boils down to one person not recognizing the worth of another." ~ Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

DNF & NRN of 2024

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 their intended audience. May these books find a new home where they will be finished and enjoyed.

1. The American Daughters by Carlos Maurice Ruffin ~ Overcomplicated story within a story.
2. Power of Persuasian by Stacey Abrams ~ Not meshing. Forced chemistry between characters.
3. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas ~ Hopping off the TOG train. Life is too short for a series that doesn't get good until book 5 or so. Too slow. Too meh. Assassin's ain't assassin' enough.
4. Good Half Gone by Tarryn Fisher ~ Boring; no connection to character.
5. The Fury by Alex Michaelides ~ Started off so interestingly different.
6. When Cicadas Cry by Caroline Cleveland ~ Too slow. Lacks originality.
7. House of Glass by Sarah Pekkanen ~ Pivotal moment lacking development with useless deets.
8. One of Us Knows by Alyssa Cole ~ Something is off. Cannot name what it is but nope.
9. Like Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberly McCreight ~ Not in the mind space or focused enough to keep up with writing style of alternate POVs and time jumps.
10. A Mythical Case of Arson by Melissa Erin Jackson ~ Not flowing, even with a map.
11. The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave ~ As if written for TV. Better as a future mini-series.
12. Safe Enough by Lee Child ~ Non-Reacher stories aren't my cup of joe.
13. Eruption by Michael Crichton ~ Overhyped collab. Cliché heavy.
14. Ruin Road by Lamar Giles ~ Unexpected content. Not my type of horror.
15. All the Other Me by Jody Holford ~ MC too naive/silly to be this intelligent and successful.
16. Queen Charlotte by Julia Quinn ~ Prefer to watch than read.
17. Beautiful and Terrible Things by S.M. Stevens ~ Lost and disinterested.
18. Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett ~ Unexpected content based on title.
19. She Wouldn't Wait by Lorilyn White ~ Time jumps are one thing. But switching between months is a bit much. Just tell the story chronologically. Too confusing to follow.
20. One in a Millenial by Kate Kennedy ~ Fun reminiscing but not enough to continue.
21. That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming ~ MC's name is Cinnamon Hotpepper. Pop culture language. Cloak robbery. Should've judged by the cover.
22. Missing in Flight by Audrey J. Cole ~ Far-fetched to lose a whole baby on a flight.
23. Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon ~ Time jump. Uninterested in trio characters.
24. Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel ~ Love boxing but this writing style is not it.
25. Didn't You Use to Be Queenie B? by Terri-Lynne DeFino ~ Misleading description.
26. Hell Divers by Nicholas Sansbury Smith ~ Heavy in descriptive narrative; too light on dialogue with all the world-building. Might be easier in another format (audiobook).
27. Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne ~ Dragging for no reason.
28. We Rip the World Apart by Charlene Carr ~ High expectations because of the author but this was a whole struggle. Multiple POVs did not mesh and it just seemed off. I feel no connection to characters or their backstory.

Top 5 Fiction of 2024

1. A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams 

2. A Love Letter to Whiskey by Kandi Steiner

3. The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

4. The Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman

5. The Teacher by Freida McFadden

Top 5 Nonfiction of 2024

1. Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me?): Adventures in Boyhood by Jay Ellis

2. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson

3. The Many Lives of Mama Love: A Memoir of Lying, Stealing, Writing, and Healing by Lara Love Hardin

4. True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between by Gretchen Whitmer

5. Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds by Rich Paul

Top 7 Series of 2024

1. Fourth Wing (The Empyrean #1) by Rebecca Yarros

2. The Housemaid (The Housemaid #1) by Freida McFadden

3. If Only I Had Told Her (If He Had Been with Me #2) by Laura Nowlin

4. Think Twice (Myron Bolitar #12) by Harlan Coben

5. The Law of Innocence (Lincoln Lawyer #6) by Michael Connelly

6. A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOTAR #2) & A Court of Wings and Ruin ( ACOTAR #3) by Sarah J. Maas

7. To Die For (The 6:20 Man #3) by David Baldacci

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since."

~ The Cambridge Centennial Edition of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Year-End Hold 'Em

• Be intentional. ✔️ My acts and thoughts were with purpose.
• Match energy. ✔️ Did not overextend or under-deliver.
• Genuinely smile. ✔️ It is okay to have bad days; appreciate the good days.
• Improve quality of life. ✔️ Lost 40 lbs. Eating healthier. Closed rings.
• Dedicate time to self-care. ✔️ Professional massages and nails every 3 weeks.
• Allow rest and rejuvenation. ✔️ Nap daily. Read 30 min before bedtime.
• Attract love, health and happiness. ✔️ A work in progress. 🗣️MUSTAAAAAAARD

Good Dirt

"Most of the trouble in this world boils down to one person not recognizing the worth of another." ~ 7%

Themes of grief, heartbreak, survivor's remorse and ancestry shape Good Dirt into a slow burn novel that will leave a lasting impression for readers. Ten-year-old Ebby's life comes to a halt when she hears a gunshot while playing hide-and-seek with her brother. His body is found surrounded by shattered pieces of a centuries-old jar.

The affluent Black family finds themselves again in the media when grownup Ebby is left at the altar. She flees to France to process what happened back then and now, piecing together a childhood tragedy and beloved family heirloom. Little does she know, the handcrafted piece of pottery holds more than her family's history but also the key to her future.

Good Dirt is not a book you can read in one sitting and fully digest it all. There are multiple characters with multiple timelines. I usually don't care for books with this format as it slows the pace and can become confusing. However, there was enough intrigue between the past trauma and current events that held my attention. At times, it was wordy and could have been a bit shorter, but I appreciate the author's attention to detail. By the end, I realized the length and certain chapters were necessary.

I most enjoyed the author's note of writing this layered story, its origin and recommended further reading. Wilkerson knows the art of storytelling!

Similar to Wilkerson's Black Cake, I believe Good Dirt will translate better on the TV screen. Keeping my fingers crossed to see this story come to life in a mini-series. The imagery and multi-generations will hit even harder when visualized creating a more emotional connection to Ebby's story. But until that happens, I recommend adding Good Dirt to your reading lists for the new year.

Happy Early Pub Day, Charmaine Wilkerson! Good Dirt will be available Tuesday, January 28, 2025.

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. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Good Dirt
Author: Charmaine Wilkerson
Published: January 2025
Pages: 368
Edition: Galley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤

Let Us March On

"As your self-appointed secretary on colored people's affairs." ~ 23%

Shara Moon crafts a stirring novel of an unsung crusader named Elizabeth "Lizzie" McDuffie. Devoted wife, White House maid, college-educated Southern Black woman. Lizzie helped spearhead the Civil Rights movement as the SASOCPA, voice of over 170 million people.

Officially, Lizzie McDuffie was maid to Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Unofficially, she was the President's eyes and ears to the Black community. Alongside her husband who worked as the FDR's personal valet, they became indispensable to the Roosevelt family. New novel Let Us March On follows her life throughout her time in the White House. With care, she took issues from the community to the ears of the longest-serving U.S. President. 

"We were still Negroes living in White America, and not even the high walls of the White House could save us from the violence colored people faced in our very own country." ~ 70%

Let Us March On left me with a humbling fact: not much has changed. In the United States, in the White House, in political administrations. Shara Moon did a great job of highlighting the injustices Blacks faced back then. They say history repeats itself. This novel will give a glimpse into the life of a Black woman behind the scenes, holding it down making change from the inside out as best as she can, while she can. 

The writing style and tone of Let Us March On is easy reading. There could've been more depth into Lizzie's marriage, everyday struggles and relationships with other White House employees. Toward the end of the book, it drifted and seemed hurried. But if you are looking for an unsung historical figure to read about this upcoming Black History Month, this is it! Add to your 2025 TBR as a historical fiction tale with more than a touch of truth.

Happy Early Pub Day, Shara Moon! Let Us March On will be available Tuesday, February 4, 2025.

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. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Let Us March On
Author: Shara Moon
Published: February 2025
Pages: 336
Edition: Galley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 

Series Sunday: Holmes is Missing

(Holmes, Margaret & Poe #2) 

Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read an installment of a series.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title, author and series name.

"London. New York. Kidnappings. Murder." ~ 75%

My Series Sunday pick is Holmes is Missing, the second book in the Holmes, Margaret & Poe series by James Patterson and Brian Sitts. Am I tripping or was this series supposed to be called Marple instead of Margaret? Anyhoot, my new favorite trio of crime solvers are back! I was so hoping this would become a series as I was not quite ready to let go of Holmes, Margaret or Poe last year. In fact, I had been stalking the author's website for news of this release. Imagine my glee when the advance digital copy arrived on my Kindle! A happy holiday indeed.

"Emotion clouds efficiency." ~ 17%

Holmes, Marple & Poe Investigations is an elite team of three most-celebrated private investigators with famous names and mysterious pasts. Auguste Poe and Margaret Marple rush to the scene of a crime. Six babies are missing. So is their partner, Brendan Holmes. Add rehab, life-changing news and a touch of romance, and this dynamic team is spinning heads, taking names, making shit happen.

While Holmes is Missing was not as gripping as the first book, I still very much enjoyed this page-turner. Patterson and Sitts make a great writing duo. The multiple storylines are not confusing or drawn out. The clues are there but not obvious. The twists are what every mystery should have, including a "cameo" of another of my real-life favorite authors. Hilariously done!

"It's in your blood—that drive to run down every clue, wrap up every loose end." ~ 65%

What I love the most about this series are the characters. My goodness! These three investigators are multi-layered and so damn flawed they are perfect! From their famous names to their personal struggles, they are original and exciting. Their empathy, patience and teamwork when working with each other is admirable. Dare I say Holmes, Margaret and Poe are my favorite Patterson characters ever! Doubt me? Start the new year reading Holmes is Missing to see why.

Happy Early Pub Day, James Patterson and Brian Sitts! Holmes is Missing will be available Monday, January 6, 2025.

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. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Holmes is Missing

Author: James Patterson and Brian Sitts

Published: January 2025

Pages: 345

Edition: Galley

Genre: Mystery

Challenge: Keeping Up with Patterson

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"The tires spun out as they cut the corner."

~ The Handler by L.T. Ryan

Join the Sistahs Be Readin' Book Club on Patreon!

Lit Tidbits: Pithy Picks XVII

Hey, Bookhearts! Pithy Picks are a bookish meme created to help you quickly find books that are worth your time and coins. Today's pithy reviews are non-fiction.

Title: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Author: Mark Manson
Published: January 2016
Pithy Review: We know the cliché not to judge a book by its cover. But this is a book I judged by its title. I have seen it referenced over the years. Noticed the bright orange dustjacket on the hardcover in stores. Bought a copy on sale and let it collect dust on my bookshelf. Then a Bookheart mentioned wanting to read it and we did a buddy-read. LISTEN...I highlighted to my heart's content. I took notes. I studied how not to give a f*ck unapologetically and respectfully. I applied what I learned. This nonfiction book is more than self-help; it is self-need for grown ass adults.
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: Invisible

Author: Michele Lent Hirsch
Published: February 2018
Pithy Review: If you follow me on social media or had the pleasure of reading my blogmoir posts, then you know I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. I joined a support group/book club where we read books about living with chronic illness and how it affects our relationships, work and life in general. This nonfiction book focuses on young women—the primary demographic for many illnesses. It covers topics from body issues to work inequalities to worries about romantic partners and how to be supported rather than ignored. It is worth checking out!

Quote: "I was now more acutely aware that at any minute, your body could stop functioning and that maybe it would be good to make sure every moment was meaningful." ~ pg. 243
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: What Doesn't Kill You
Author: Tessa Miller
Published: February 2021
Pithy Review: Similar to the pithy review above, I read this nonfiction book as the selection for my support group/book club. Very relatable! The author took my thoughts and feelings, put them to print and shared with the masses. I highly recommend it for women dealing with chronic pain, illness, recent diagnosis or as part of a support system. Three in five adults suffer from a chronic disease. So if this book does not directly apply to you, there is a loved one that you can recommend it to. 
Quote: "I didn't know then that my life had changed forever. That I'd be able to divide my experiences into before I got sick and after I got sick. The following weeks, months, and years brought short and long hospital stays, good and bad doctors, countless medications, many side effects, multiple diagnoses..." ~ pg. 9
Recommend or Nah? ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

More or Less Maddy

"Before you started feeling great, how long were you feeling depressed?" ~ 33%

Maddy Banks is a stressed-out freshman at NYU. Schoolwork, exams, a breakup and navigating life in the city is a lot to deal with at once. It is normal to feel overwhelmed. But Maddy's low is devastatingly low causing her to take an antidepressant. She spirals high that results in a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Maddy struggles to adjust and create a new balance in relationships, mood, identity and dreams for the future. 

Lisa Genova has the blessed ability to put into words the effects of a medical condition. She tackles the hard topics, the lesser known, the difficult to discuss, the complicated to explain. She masterfully writes from the perspective of loved ones and the person directly diagnosed. In More or Less Maddy, she brings to light the phases of a bipolar episode, accurately describing depression and mania. As a loved one of a close relative diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I recognized many of the signs. I got a glimpse into the thoughts accompanying a manic state.

More or Less Maddy is not an easy read. There are chapters that will make you flinch, ooze empathy and open your heart to hope. I appreciate Lisa Genova bringing awareness to mental illness. As a Harvard-trained neuroscientist, she knows what she's talking about and putting it into fiction form for us to digest. We need more books by her and more authors like her!

Happy Early Pub Day, Lisa Genova! More or Less Maddy will be available Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

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. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: More or Less Maddy
Author: Lisa Genova
Published: January 2025
Pages: 368
Edition: Galley
Genre: Mental Health Fiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 

Short Story Sunday: One Christmas Eve

Short Story Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read a short story.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title and author.

"Gee, Christmas was pretty. All tinsel and stars and cotton. And Santa Claus a-coming from somewhere, dropping things in stockings." 

One Christmas Eve is a short story by Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes. It is about a Black maid named Arcie making ends meet as a single mother just to enjoy the night before Christmas with her young son, Joe. It begins with her slaving away at a wealthy white family's home preparing supper while they inconsiderately shop until the stores almost close. After being paid less than expected, Arcie rushes to pick up Little Joe to explore the Christmas cheer downtown.

Even though it is a Christmas story, themes of racial and economic discrimination is abundantly clear. The commercialized image of Santa Claus as a jolly white man full of happiness and good cheer is quite the opposite viewpoint from Little Joe's eyes. The Santa depicted in One Christmas Eve is far from kind-hearted. 

This short story is not your classic holiday read that brings readers joy. It is a harsh reminder of what Christmas was like for Blacks in the early 1930s. Set aside ten minutes to read it. One Christmas Eve can be found online.

Title: One Christmas Eve

Author: Langston Hughes
Published: Early 1930s

Edition: Online

Genre: Holiday

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Grab your current read(s).
• Share the first line(s).
• Include the title and author.

"A thousand lights glittered, incandescent stars twinkling in celebration. Golden champagne, the potable required by the night, flowed endlessly into fluted crystal. Mirth floated above harps and flutes, blended with conversation. Dazzling couples circled the parquet in elegant steps."

~ Power of Persuasion by Stacey Abrams writing as Selena Montgomery

A More Perfect Party

"As more Black women run for office, the Democratic Party is being charged to recognize the value of Black women—our shared ideals, our ability to create impact, and our deep understanding of what the American people urgently need." ~ pg. 143

A More Perfect Party had me at the first line. It tells the background and details of April 29, 1972. A private whimsical event held in Beverly Hills with a guest list full of surprises. Hosted by Diahann Carroll for Shirley Chisholm's 1972 presidential campaign. I could feel the magic in the room from the pages of this new political nonfiction book. Juanita Tolliver's descriptive writing transported me to this party as if I were really there, carrying on conversations with Hollywood stars, activists, feminists, media moguls, comedians, music executives and the like.

Being the Bates Brat that I am, I already knew facts about Shirley Chisholm. We used to play a competition called Bates Battle where we learned little known Black History facts and battled for a prize every February. It was the highlight of the school year. Fast forward umpteen years later and the history I studied stuck with me. So while reading about Shirley Chisholm in A More Perfect Party, it was somewhat of a refresher.

"Sisterhood is both a balm and a source of power." ~ pg. 123

But MSNBC political analyst Juanita Tolliver taught me facts that had me highlighting and reading twice! Each chapter begins with a quote and highlights one of the guests at the party. No spoilers here—you have to read to find out who was there! I had no idea about Shirley Chisholm's artistic talents. She wrote poetry, played the piano, was a dancer and designed clothing. Who knew that Diahann Carroll was so much more than the Black Godmother of Hollywood? Her connections and networking quite impressive. And how fitting to include the roles that Barbara Lee and Maxine "reclaiming my time" Waters played in coordinating the lavish event.

Most importantly, the book delves into the values that each woman holds and the clear parallels between their careers. Also clearly stated is the parallel to our current state of politics in 2024. Before Vice President Kamala Harris, there was Shirley Chisholm. I recommend A More Perfect Party for many reasons. Perfect title. Perfect account of events. Perfect context. Perfect power to the people nod. Perfect time to publish. 

Happy Early Pub Day, Juanita Tolliver! A More Perfect Party will be available Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

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. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: A More Perfect Party 
Author: Juanita Tolliver
Published: January 2025
Pages: 174
Edition: Galley
Genre: Political Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤

Give Her Credit

"How does a woman become eligible to run a bank?" ~ pg. 77

Give Her Credit: The Untold Story of a Women's Bank That Empowered a Generation tells a true story of remarkable women that changed the financial game. These women did not play by the rules. Instead, they changed them and made history. 

Feminism began sweeping the nation in the 1970s. But not in every sector. Banking and finance was still the boy's club. Women needed a male co-signer. Income was completely ignored or considered unreliable. Loan applications would include invasive questions about birth control. It wasn't until 1978 that women were given access to lines of credit without a man "vouching" for her. The Women's Bank in Denver, Colorado, would operate like other banks with one caveat: women would be treated fairly and given the same financing/business opportunities usually reserved for men.

"Ostensibly a 'women's' law, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act of 1974 does nothing for the woman who happens to be black, or Spanish-speaking, or Indian, or under 26 or over 55, or for men, either, in those categories." ~ pg. 27

In just under 200 pages, we are introduced to a slew of characters. Most are the founders and members involved in the opening of Women's Bank. Others are women who struggled to become entrepreneurs but was granted a loan and given financial advice at the Women's Bank. And the stories I took a liking to most were of the women who made a career in banking, starting from a messenger girl to coin wrapper girl to businesswomen on Wall Street. While I appreciated the many examples, it was still too much jammed into so few pages.

These women came together to build the most successful female-run bank in the nation. Give Her Credit tells their story—the challenges and the achievements. From the rounded countertops design to control of the stock. It is inspiring, revolutionary and will give female readers a jolt of pride. On the same coin, this nonfiction book is a blaring reminder that history can, and often does, repeat itself. Hence, here we are in 2024 fighting for women's rights and equal pay. Deliberate timing on the author's or publisher's part? Hmmm...

Bookhearts, I recommend reading this appropriately titled new book when it releases in the new year. Give Her Credit where credit is due!

Happy Early Pub Day, Grace L. Williams! Give Her Credit will be available Tuesday, January 1, 2025.

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. ~LiteraryMarie

Title: Give Her Credit
Author: Grace L. Williams
Published: January 2025
Pages: 185
Edition: Galley
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
Rating: 🖤 🖤 

Short Story Sunday: The Answer Is No

Short Story Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.

• Read a short story.
• Share your review/recommendation below.
• Include the title and author.

"If you imagine how you would spend a free evening, not an evening where you've planned things out but an evening in which all your plans have suddenly been canceled, and now you find yourself in your comfiest pants in a warm, cozy apartment, thinking: So...I can do whatever I want all night? That's Lucas's entire life." ~ pg. 5

The Answer is No is a new short story by New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman. It will make you laugh and smile reading about a man who prefers solitude in a world that won't leave him alone. And it's all because of a frying pan.

Lucas prefers nights of video games, wine and pad thai (with peanuts, of course)...alone. But when the apartment board rings his doorbell demanding to see his frying pan, his solitary world spins comically out of control. It is a hilarious absurd domino effect.

"I usually keep my peanuts next to a jar of peanut butter, so they understand what I'm capable of." ~ pg. 26

Backman's signature witty writing style and development of unforgettable characters is sharp in The Answer is No. It is a good introduction to this author if you've never read his bestseller novels or a nice holiday treat if you're already a fan. 

This Amazon Original short story is great for reading-on-the-go. Read while standing in line, waiting in a lobby or quick break from holiday shopping. Better yet, I recommend that you step away from your busy workday, find a quiet hidden spot and read this short story. It will give the break you so need! And if anyone dares to interrupt, the answer is no!

Happy Pub Day, Fredrik Backman! The Answer is No is available now.

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.

Title: The Answer is No

Author: Fredrik Backman
Published: December 2024
Pages: 68

Edition: Galley

Genre: Humor

Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤