Ali’s books really just do it for me. I find them incredibly endearing and funny and hot while being super fluffy quick reads.

Levi is *chef’s kiss*. 

This book means everything to me.

Have you ever read a novel with an aromantic asexual mc? No? Ya me neither and it’s a perfect reminder why representation matters.

Georgia is a lovely mc and knowing that she is based on Alice at school makes her even more endearing and special.

This is just a novel about understanding who you are and being okay with that but written superbly and fascinating characters. It’s an easy 5 star read for me. 

This is a masterpiece. R.F. Kuang is quite literally a genius.

That being said, this is not my idea of a 5 star read and that is specifically because of the complexity. The subject matter was intense and so interesting but I was lost when it came to the “magical” elements at points. That might be because I listened to it. I would have loved to listen and have the physical copy to be able to check back on elements I missed.

Chris Lew Kum Hoi is perhaps the best narrator I have ever listened to. I don’t even know what his native tongue is because of how great he is with accents. This book really requires a STRONG narrator and he delivers.

You really have to be ready to pay attention and take your time with this. I can’t believe this book exists - I’m not sure I’ll ever read another like it. 

This was so cute and great for the beginning of spooky season. I loved how death was handled and how love for family was depicted. Florence can definitely be insufferable but she’s relatable. Such a solid romance. 

A book about a Jamaican family's American dream that centers around Trelawny who will try just anything to improve his quality of life. I loved the structure of short stories and how they read like a novel. I cannot believe this is a debut! Torian Brackett is an A++ narrator.

*Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC!*

Seriously if you want a cozy British murder mystery, you can’t go wrong with Anthony Horowitz. Both this and Magpie Murders have a structure of a story within a story, and while it can be hard to remember some characters, if you pay close attention IT’S SO WORTH IT. I also can’t recommend the audiobook enough. The narrators are the height of British cozy.

I’m praying there’s a third in the Susan Ryeland story and that it comes soon. 

A colorful collection of comics about 40+ experiences of living with autism / being autistic! Every one was unique and beautifully drawn and written and very informative too! A really special collection.

*Thank you Andrew’s McMeel and NetGalley for the ARC!* 

This had interesting elements but overall it just felt like an itemized list of recent cults. I will be more aware, especially on social media, of language used specifically to draw me in. I did appreciate how Montell addresses to be wary but not to close everything off because you could miss out on genuine connection that humans crave. I'm glad I listened to this, I think it would have been harder to get though if I was physically reading it. 

Time travel with a pandemic subplot. A short masterpiece. The way the stories intertwined by the end was so interesting and creative. 

The best book/adaptation I've read on race as a white person so far!

Toni Graves Williamson and Ali Michael bring an important YA voice to Robin DiAngelo's "White Fragility". As a white person in my 20s, this approach really worked for me but anyone 18+ could and should read this. I listened to this and loved hearing each woman's unique voice. I would, however, recommend picking up the physical copy because each chapter ends with journal prompts and discussion questions. Almost like a workbook style.

This answered a lot of questions I had and gave validation to being uncomfortable. Being uncomfortable is good! It means you are accepting and learning a new set of rules that didn't apply to you before - like opening your eyes to systemic racism. Race should be talked about and explored, not hidden away in an attempt to be "polite" or "non-confrontational". This book handled hard topics with grace and provided context and ways to do better as an anti-racist.

While this book can be read by all racial groups, the last section of the book is focused on how white people can change their fragility into agility. As someone who wants to be anti-racist but has a long way to go and a lot more to learn, this was a helpful step forward.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC! An easy 5 star listen.