"A Field Guide" gives the impression that the topics will be more universal, even if Roth is renown for her work with dieting and helping women with food. While there were smaller insights that made me pause every chapter or so, the themes didn't really run deeper than 'choose to embrace your fears' and 'find gratitude in the smaller things.' Elements of her writing are relatable when she touches on body image or the pain from the past - things that most women have suffered from. But when her book drifts away from her retreats and other people she's met, and focuses more on her own experiences, I just felt like her stream of consciousness anxiety made me more anxious. Unfortunately, the crux of self-improvement books / self-help memoirs is that they're more effective if you start practicing what they suggest - it's impossible to not stop looking for the answers even if they're staring at you in the face. The end of the book includes a brief chapter of actionable tips, but again, didn't seem to run further than changing your thoughts and embracing your fears.

As one of the most anticipated debuts of 2021, I was intrigued by the comparison of The Devil Wears Prada and Get Out. I hate to say that's the best way to describe this because I think the book stand on its own. But the mix of genres definitely pays off.

Inspired by her experiences in the publishing industry, Harris blends the lack of solidarity, diversity, and performative allies in the workplace with social commentary, thrills, and satire. Though Nella and Hazel are pitted against each other, they are also on an equal playing field of trying to work their way up the ladder - just both with different means to handle the wide range of microaggressions and platitudes from the whiteness that threatens to engulf them into tokenism. The first half of the novel explores the office politics and the weight of racism that Nella and supporting characters shoulder. While there is always an air that something is wrong at Wagner Books and that Hazel isn't who she seems to be, I didn't quite feel that it was a page-turner until the third act. If you like a slow-burn, this would be a great summer read.

The one area where the novel fell short with me was the changing narratives between the past and present for supporting characters. The threats Nella are facing and Hazel's background are tethered to the publishing house's history, but it's not fully fleshed out from beginning to end. When we learn that Hazel is working with Diana and Richard to change other Black women to live from a 'sunken place' mindset under a guise of freedom from racism, it's cleverly implemented into the story. I was waiting with baited breath for Nella not to fall into their trap. But I didn't feel like the timeline informs enough about the rise of Other Black Girls and the organizations that are trying to fight them. Harris highlights who originated it, but I wanted to know how the network mobilizes, what happens to the women like Kendra who don't end up in hiding for speaking out, how did they choose and create the right leave-in conditioner, etc. A lot of threads are purposely left untied to focus on Nella, and that's fine, but the flashbacks could've added more layers to the ending.

It all would be amazing to read in a prequel, and even a sequel to see what happens next. Even without some of the details I would've liked to have known, the ending is pretty clear. Like any good thriller that leaves you wanting more, I'd be interested to go back and re-reading this again to see the details I missed.

I'll say upfront - it's been a long time since I've read rom-com novels, and it's the first time I'm starting to read more LGBTQ+ novels as someone who figured out they're LGBTQ+...so, perhaps my expectations where just too high? And this might be really enjoyable for other people.

But to be honest, the story isn't quite as romantic as I expected it to be. I mostly loved the diversity of the leads, and how ambitious, charming, and big-hearted Jo and Emma are. They clearly have feelings for each other in the beginning, but just aren't comfortable enough to tell each other how they feel i.e. like a lot of lesbian romances. Jo isn't quite out of the closet yet, having always regarded her romantic life as "no comment" to maintain privacy with the public. And, Emma doesn't want to seem like an overzealous fangirl crushing on her boss. So, there's a lot of miscommunication between the both of them that makes the plot a slow-burn, and draws an obvious respectful where they don't want to take advantage of the other. But it's almost too much of a build-up to actually becoming a couple that it loses the 'when-will-they' aspect.

The most intriguing part of the story to me was how the characters would handle their chemistry getting 'caught' in front of the world...but the author closes the door on that with Jo not addressing it with anyone except Emma. Maybe that tone fits how an LGBTQ+ actor can be more accepted when they come out today, but it kind of kills the plot's momentum that the world is making a big deal out of their moment. The inciting incident is very insular, and not in way that it's going to make a big impact when/if Jo does finally deciding to go public with Emma. With that out of the way for the most part, the author splits their perspectives into individual chapters...but it doesn't push the story forward - it feels like it's mostly used for the leads to recap what happened in the previous chapter to supporting characters, and bring in other conflicts that drives them apart more and more -

Spoiler

a subplot where Emma is sexually harassed by a director that Jo wants her to meet/gain experience with felt even more unnecessary

. The story ends up focusing so much on the characters being co-workers and how wrong it could be for them to be romantically involved that I wasn't left swooning (even though their first date is actually sexy!!).

“You sometimes don’t know you exist until you realize someone like you existed before.”

Johnson’s book is a groundbreaking memoir-manifesto of casual and intimate storytelling that helps LGBTQ+ and Black youth find their place across the spectrum of gender, race, and sexuality. They split every chapter between vulnerable, joyful, and empowering anecdotes, and deeper life lessons for the readers to identify with and advocate for themselves and others. It's a quick yet deeply affecting read that I won't forget about for a long time.

The only reason I gave this four out of five stars instead of 5 out of 5 is more out of personal preference of reading more in-depth illustrative memoirs as well as recognizing the demographic for this is more towards the YA/younger crowd than me.

“But, you know, that feeling? When you wake up in the morning and you have somebody to think about? Somewhere for hope to go? It's good. Even when it's bad, it's good.”

I haven't read Red, White, and Royal Blue yet, and did my best not to hold onto any expectations or hype. For the most part, I think it worked. Casey has an amazing ability to create a world of a magic and realism. She hits the right balance of timetravel romantic drama but also a thoughtful dive into queer history and finding a found community. While I couldn't necessarily relate to August and had a hard time finding her interesting, I absolutely loved Jane - her courage, ambition, boldness makes her one of my favorite characters of all time. Together, their relationship is both heartwarming and s-t-e-a-m-y. I'm dying to try the Su special, or just obsess about everything Jane-related until the end of time.

As much as I loved the mix of romance and mystery, I wished the pacing was stronger. The plot is a little too focused on August's crush on Jane, and not really knowing if it's reciprocated. The magic meet science parts are implemented in the plot well enough, but I kept waiting for more of

Spoiler

August's background with her mom as private investigators to be used more. Instead, a lot of the third act like the build-up of getting Jane off the train and the clues of finding out she was a roommate to August's long lost uncle felt convenient. The main conflict - of trying to get Jane out of the train before the shutdown - didn't come across as a race against time as much as I thought it would

A part of me kept expecting more. I also have a tough time with the supporting characters - they definitely help make the book much more refreshingly diverse, but at the same time, I didn't feel like they were used enough to be more than tropes or very minor influences in the overall story. (And as some have touched on, August's background as a white character from New Orleans telling Jane that racism doesn't exist anymore seems like an odd oversight for an author with such an inclusive and tight-knit attention to detail.)

But overall, I really enjoyed this. I can definitely see why Casey's work is so well-loved, and I'm excited for her next book and to read RWRB too.

I read and loved Rowell's Fangirl several years ago. It was fun to branch out into another story of hers. Her dialogue and narration is conversational and quick to read, sprinkled with poignant observations of how much Georgie loves Neal and why their relationship is going through a tough spot. I can't say for sure how much I liked the characters though - they didn't quite feel relatable especially her husband Neal. He steps up to the plate to be the homemaker while she is the breadwinner, which Rowell uses to explore how relationships are all about giving and taking. But his stern and unenthusiastic personality makes him quite unlikable and leaves you wondering why Georgie is drawn to be and stay with him. Their relationship is further complicated by Georgie's writing partner Seth - he's some what of a third wheel who dislikes Neal but can't move beyond his crush on her. Their tension as a trio isn't delved into much as you would expect despite all of the build-up. But the plot moves along swiftly, consistently making you wonder if Georgie is just stressed out to the max and think she's hallucinating talking to her husband from twenty years ago or found a real portal to another time. The heart of the story isn't necessarily in a whirlwind romance of thrilling sci-fi but delves into how miscommunication can become a real obstacle in a relationship - the things we leave unsaid creates big gaps from being understood and appreciated the way we want to be. And sometimes signs from the past can help us make up our mind about the future and what we need.

Author Kaylon Bayron’s work has been highly sought after since her debut Cinderella is Dead in 2020. I’ve heard so much about her previous book, I didn’t know what to expect about diving in to her second title – But I like to think it helped me go in with a fresh mind without some of the lingering hype.

I might’ve picked up This Poison Heart for the beautiful cover and the inclusion of plant-based magic, but I stayed because the book was a genuine joy to breeze through. I didn’t even realize what a page-turner it was until I was racing to reach the ending.

Briseis is a wonderful character to lead the story – she’s not just gifted with the powers she inherited from her biological family, but also her found family as well. Her adoptive mothers (LGBTQ+ rep yay!) are respectful and compassionate about what Bresis is facing – magical or otherwise like taking new chances and making friends in their new town. Being in a world where it seems like no one possesses the abilities she does, enforces doubts and skepticism with others who might freak out about what she can do, take advantage of her, or shame her into hiding. Sometimes in stories including adoption, there are elements of the adoptive child being made to feel like they’re betrayed for wanting to learn more about their history. But here, Briseis’s parents support her but also remain cautious about her boundaries and if they’re being pushed too far. Because of that Briseis is free to explore what she needs to learn and also test the obstacles she faces with her abilities. But it’s ultimately a combination of her gifts, her found family, and determination that pushes her to face her truth.

I’ve read some reviews where the first half of the book is described as moving too slow. And, I somewhat agree. Briseis' interactions with other characters are the main source of trying to figure out where the story is heading next. With mostly supporting characters around Briseis knowing more than her, it can be difficult to want to wait and discover if they’re trustworthy or not. The author does a great job with dangling the right amount of info in front of you and leave you wanting more, but it also made me question (probably because of my negative experiences with other books) if everything would come full circle.

At the same time that mystery rolls out slowly in the beginning but kicks into high gear in the third act, I’d say the most of the book is more of a journey of Briseis accepting her abilities – not shielding what she can do and trying to trust the world around her. And the sprawling estate full of secret apothecaries, deadly plants, and lingering generational responsibilities is a beautiful metaphor for the complicated feelings Briseis has about her gifts. Bayron leads with mystery, fantasy, and a touch of romance, but also weaves in a layered magic system and mythology that really shows how Briseis connect with her environment. Her descriptions and clearly defined research lets you fully understand Briseis’s perspective and the entire world she’s laying out between over every chapter – and a splendid cliffhanger that makes me want more.

Trigger warnings: blood, violence, murder, death, poisoning, accidental cutting

4 to 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

As the creator of Modern Mrs. Darcy, thousands of book lovers flock to Anne Bogel for all of their book-related suggestions and quandaries. I'd Rather Be Reading is a delightful literary companion of reflections on the reading way of life - how books define, enchant, and shape us.

It might go without saying but I love reading. I love books. But I didn't realize how many sides of reading I enjoyed until perusing through Bogel's book - going to the library, the sanctuary of bookstores, bookworm problems, TBRs, and shape our memories. There were so many anecdotes that made me smile smile and pause because I knew exactly what she was talking about - not wanting a book to end, mourning a beloved character, finding new ways to sort my shelves, feeling anxious about sharing my favorite book because it changes all the time. I'd Rather Be Reading is a lovely title to add to my 'read' list for 2021, and something fun for both avid and casual readers.