I loved this book! As someone who lived briefly in the DC area, I absolutely adored the setting of this title and recognized all of the places Page went throughout the story. If you are looking for a fun, emotional read this is definitely a book you should consider. After a breakup and getting fired from her job in New York, Page moves into her brother's guest room in Washington, DC. She is looking for a job, a boyfriend, and a dog (not necessarily in that order). In the story, Page meets new acquaintances at a local dog park who help her work towards achieving those goals and ends up with a new (odd) group of friends in Washington, DC. The characters in this book are so sweet and I honestly wanted to be in their friend group, as well (not sure how well I would fit in though because I am 100% a cat person). I will definitely be keeping an eye on this author and check out any work he might put out in the future.

Because my boyfriend and I are huge fans of Saturday Night Live, I really wanted to read this book. However, I don't think I truly understood what a crucial role comedian Colin Jost has played in the last fifteen years of the show. This memoir is hilarious and features Jost's usual self-deprecating humor, but also gives a true insight into where he grew up (sidenote - how did I not know he was from Staten Island?) and how he ended up on SNL. If you are a fan of the show, you probably are a fan of Jost's work without even realizing it. In one chapter, he highlights some memorable skits that he helped create and I couldn't believe how many "good" ones have come from him. Now, Jost is a head writer and a tv personality on SNL's weekly recurring skit "Weekend Update". He does allude to the possibility of him leaving the show in the near future towards the end of the book, but I selfishly hope he sticks around! I don't think any book has ever made me laugh out loud as much as this one did so add this one to your shelf if you are looking for a ridiculously funny read.

The author of this title reached out to me asking if I would take the time to review her short story "I Still Remember". Priya, if you are reading this, I am sorry it took me so long to get around to reading, reviewing, and sharing your work. This piece of literature is beautifully written and it is obvious that the author is a very talented writer. I enjoyed the setting and storyline she created immensely and could relate to the topic of "losing your first love". So why the three-star rating? Well, to be completely honest, I wish this story had been longer. I didn't get to spend as much time with Ji-woo, the main character, as I wanted to, and think that this piece would have had a much bigger impact if it had just had more substance to it. I would definitely consider reading more of this author's work in the future and believe that with some guidance, she will be able to expand upon her talents and write a piece even better than this one.

I am super conflicted about my feelings towards this book. I chose this title for a buddy read I hosted through bookstagram and I enjoyed the discussions I had with the people who participated. There are a lot of important topics in this novel that need to be debriefed and therefore it is a good title for a book group/buddy read. However, I was really expecting this book to have an exciting, fast-paced plot because of how it was marketed. I can tell you right now - The Night Swim is definitely a legal mystery, not a suspenseful thriller. If I had known that going in, my rating of this book may have been higher. If you are looking to read something by Megan Goldin, I would suggest trying her other novel, The Escape Room, over this one.

I really enjoyed reading this gothic suspense novel. It is unlike any book I have read before and I think that the setting of the story really plays a big role in that. Set in the 1950s in Mexico, this title definitely had some historical fiction vibes. In addition, eugenics and a debate about if there is a superior race are also present in this novel. So basically, Mexican Gothic is a suspense, historical fiction, horror, and science fiction book wrapped in one. It sounds confusing and overwhelming, but it isn't - I promise. Also, I can't write this review without mentioning just how beautiful this title's cover is. It is easily the best-designed cover of any new release this year. The cover art caught my eye, but the story kept me until the end!

The Golden Cage is an enthralling story of revenge. Faye, the protagonist, is determined to get back at her husband who is controlling, cruel, and unfaithful. It is a story that will resonate with a lot of women (especially those who have been scorned by a man). The plot moved quickly, but I had a hard time believing and agreeing with everything. There were definitely points of the story that were unrealistic and I am not sure how much male readers will enjoy this one, as there is a lot of "man-bashing" present. Overall, this title was a fun read, but there were some aspects of the plot that I didn't enjoy. With that being said, this would be the perfect book to pick up after a nasty breakup as it really showcases the anger, hurt, and angst that comes with an intimate betrayal.

Don't judge this book by its cover! While some might write this off as a simple, trite story by the illustration of the woman wearing a bikini sunbathing on a yacht, it is anything but that. The Lion's Den is a novel full of suspense and social commentary about how the wealthiest members of society live. I really enjoyed this one because the plot that the author writes is so clever and there is a lot of action taking place throughout the story. This makes this title a very fast-paced read and would be a great book to add to your winter reading list when the temperatures are low and you are looking to "escape" to a warmer, vacation-esque setting.

I have always been intimidated by Austen's books as they are very lengthy. However, when I found out Persuasion was under 300 pages, I decided I would read it for my "one classic novel a month" challenge. Because of the "old English" vocabulary and the unfamiliar sentence structures present, this story took me a lot longer to read than a modern book of the same length. However, I am glad I persevered through these difficulties. Persuasion, at its core, is a love story and I just adored the main character, Anne. I was rooting for her to find happiness and love throughout the tale. If you are also intimidated by Austen's work, I would recommend starting with this one, as it represents her writing style well. It is also short enough that if you do not enjoy her writing, you are not "stuck" with the story for 400-500 pages.

The Mermaid from Jeju is a story of Goh Junja, one of the haenyeo (female divers or "mermaids") on the island of Jeju. The majority of this novel is set in Korea post-WWII, but some chapters take place in the early 2000s as well. This contrast in settings shows how the war (and those who occupied Korea - particularly Japan and the United States) shaped the fate of the country. This historical fiction novel is both fascinating and educational about Korean culture and history. Hahn does a fantastic job with character development and I had a really fun time reading this story. I recommend this title to both historical fiction lovers and readers who tend to keep their distance from this genre, as I think the subject matter in this story is unique and Hahn's writing is beautiful.
(PUB DATE: 12/08/2020)
(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)