How To Read A Book by Monica Wood

How To Read A Book My Rating: 4.9

Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher.

Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest.

Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed.

When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland—Violet to buy the novel she was reading in the prison book club before her release, Harriet to choose the next title for the women who remain, and Frank to dispatch his duties as the store handyman—their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.

There was a lot of swearing in this book. But let's be real—it’s a story about women in prison; you can't exactly expect them to say "fudge!"

Despite the gritty language, the story managed to feel incredibly sweet and wholesome. I fell in love with all the characters, particularly Frank, Bookie, and Violet. And I can’t forget to mention the precious birds—they were such a highlight for me.

At its heart, this is a story about redemption and new beginnings, navigating difficult life lessons. and that it is never too late to start over.

This was an easy, engaging read that left me feeling full of hope. I’ve read several of Monica Wood’s books now, and after this one, I know it won’t be the last.

The Taming Of The Queen by Philippa Gregory

The Taming of the Queen My Rating: 4.9

Kateryn Parr, a thirty-year-old widow secretly in love with another man, has no choice when King Henry VIII—a man old enough to be her father who has already buried four wives—commands her to marry him.

Kateryn understands the danger she faces. The previous queen lasted sixteen months; the one before her barely half a year. Yet Henry adores his new bride, and Kateryn’s trust in him grows as she works to unite the royal family, establishes a radical study circle within the court, and even rules the kingdom as Regent.

But will any of it be enough to keep her safe?

A leader of religious reform and the first woman to publish in English, Kateryn is intelligent, outspoken, and independent—qualities that make her both remarkable and vulnerable. As she fails to protect the Protestants from persecution, Henry’s favor begins to shift. Traditional churchmen and political rivals accuse her of heresy, a crime punishable by death by fire… and the king’s name is already on the warrant.

I am absolutely loving this series, and this book in particular was phenomenal. I felt Kateryn’s emotional journey—from her love for Thomas, to her humiliation at Henry’s hands, to her shock at his willingness to turn against her. I can’t wait to jump right into the next book in the series.

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister

The Scent Keeper  My Rating: 4.8

Emmeline lives on a remote island with her father, who teaches her about the natural world through her senses. What he won’t explain are the mysterious scents stored in glass bottles that line the walls of their cabin, or the origin of the machine that creates them. As Emmeline grows, however, so too does her curiosity, until one day the unforeseen happens, and Emmeline is vaulted out into the real world--a place of love, betrayal, ambition, and revenge. To understand her past, Emmeline must unlock the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges the limits of her heart and imagination.

The writing in this book was honestly delicious. The way a photograph captures a memory is how Emmeline and her family capture scent — vivid, emotional, and deeply personal. You can almost feel it while you’re reading.

At its core, this is a coming-of-age story about secrets, growing up, grief, love, friendship, and starting over. It’s about what makes a family, how guilt and secrecy shape our lives, and how we find ourselves again after loss.

This book won’t be for everyone. But if it is for you, it’s the kind of story that lets the scents of memory carry you somewhere else entirely — the kind of book that quietly pulls you away from real life for a while.. 

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

Culpability My Rating: 4.9

When the Cassidy-Shaws’ autonomous minivan collides with an oncoming car, seventeen-year-old Charlie is in the driver’s seat, with his father, Noah, riding shotgun. In the back seat, tweens Alice and Izzy are on their phones, while their mother, Lorelei, a world leader in the field of artificial intelligence, is absorbed in her work. Yet each family member harbors a secret, implicating them all in the tragic accident.

Culpability explores a world newly shaped by chatbots, autonomous cars, drones, and other nonhuman forces in ways that are thrilling, challenging, and unimaginably provocative.

Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, this felt like a light beach read. I was completely immersed in this easy page-turner. I enjoyed both the characters and the storyline. In this new era of AI, the book confronts many of the questions and concerns we are all beginning to face. It’s a suspenseful family drama that explores moral responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence.

The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss

The Hearts of Horses My Rating: 4.4

Set in the winter of 1917, The Hearts of Horses follows nineteen-year-old Martha as she saddles up and travels to a remote county in eastern Oregon in search of work gentling wild horses. She comes upon rancher George Bliss, who offers her a job, especially since many of his regular hands have gone off to fight in the war. Beneath Martha’s flashy rodeo outfit, George recognizes a shy yet strong-willed young woman with a deep and serious understanding of horses.

What follows is an irresistible tale of determination and resilience, as Martha tries to carve out a place for herself in a world dominated by men. 

Over the course of the long, unforgiving winter, townsfolk begin to notice something remarkable: Martha speaks to horses in low, gentle tones, calming animals others consider beyond repair—and achieving almost miraculous results. Through this rare gift, she slowly earns the respect of the community and the possibility of making a home for herself..

Perhaps it’s my lifelong love of horses, but I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It transported me back to the rugged days of settlers struggling to survive through hardship and war. The novel is told not only from Martha’s perspective but also through the voices of her neighbors, giving it a rich and intimate feel.

Overall, this book was charming, heartfelt, and quietly powerful.

The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory

The Boleyn Inheritance My Rating: 4.6

After the death of his third wife, Jane Seymour, King Henry VIII of England decides to take another bride—but this time, not for love. The Boleyn Inheritance follows three women whose lives are irrevocably changed by the king’s decision, as each must navigate the dangerous and uncertain world of the Tudor court.

Anne of Cleves is brought to England to marry Henry in order to secure a political alliance. Yet from the beginning, her uneasy relationship with the king sets the stage for trouble—not only for Anne, but for the stability of England itself.

Katherine Howard, young and dazzling, quickly captures Henry’s attention even as he prepares to wed Anne. Her spirit is wild and her passions run high, but in a court filled with intrigue, her affection—and fate—may not unfold as she expects.

Jane Rochford, widow of George Boleyn, carries a dark reputation. Her testimony helped send both her husband and her infamous sister-in-law Anne Boleyn to their deaths. Across the realm, she is remembered for jealousy, bitterness, and scandal, yet Gregory offers a fresh and complex portrait of her inner life.

Philippa Gregory once again showcases her remarkable storytelling as she weaves together the voices of these three women. This novel presents a very different portrayal of Jane compared to the previous book, which I found especially intriguing. I also couldn’t help but be entertained by Katherine Howard’s vanity and self-obsession.

What makes Gregory’s novels so compelling is how she fills in the gaps of history. While we know the documented facts—births, marriages, deaths—so much else remains open to interpretation. Gregory connects the dots in a way that feels vivid, dramatic, and utterly riveting.

I can’t wait to dive into the next book in this series.

Great Big Beautiful LIfe by Emily Henry

My Rating: 4.0

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still chasing her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and a full-on human thundercloud. When both land on balmy Little Crescent Island, it’s for the same reason: to write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years—or at least to meet the octogenarian who claims to be the infamous Margaret Ives. Once a tragic heiress, former tabloid darling, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandal-ridden) families of the twentieth century, Margaret’s life is as mysterious as it is compelling.

Margaret invites Alice and Hayden to stay for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose who gets to tell her story. Over the course of that month, secrets unravel, histories collide, and both writers find themselves pulled into something far bigger than a simple biography.

I was in the mood for a fluffy palate cleanser, so naturally I turned to Emily Henry. I’ll admit, Imay be showing my age, but I skimmed over some of the more explicit romance scenes (yes, I know rom-com is Henry’s signature). That said, the rest of the story completely engrossed me. I loved the cast of characters and was especially drawn into the slow, layered unfolding of Margaret’s life. Overall, Great Big Beautiful Life was a fun, bubble-gum read—light, engaging, and perfect when you want a story that goes down easy but still has heart.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures My Rating: 4.9

After Tova’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeon Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors-until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle, hopeful reminder that revisiting the past—no matter how painful—can open the door to a future that once seemed out of reach.

Remarkably Bright Creatures was an absolute delight: charming, tender, and deeply comforting. I don’t usually enjoy anthropomorphism, yet I completely fell in love with Marcellus. This story beautifully illustrates that loneliness is not inevitable—sometimes all it takes is opening our hearts to the connections already around us. I absolutely loved this book.

The Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory

The Boleyn Traitor My Rating: 4.8

Jane Boleyn watches from the shadows of the Tudor court, where secrets are currency, every choice is dangerous, and even the faintest whisper can seal the fate of queens.

For Jane, survival demands playing every role required of her: a loving wife who conceals her doubts, a devoted sister to Anne Boleyn at the height of her power, and an obedient spy who carefully wields her words. But in a court ruled by ambition and a tyrant’s sword, Jane must rely on her sharp wit and skillful maneuvering to outthink those around her, knowing that one wrong move could cost her everything.

Philippa Gregory masterfully shines a spotlight on the untold story of Jane Boleyn, peeling back the myths to reveal a complex portrait of a woman who dared to survive at any cost. Perfect for fans of thrilling historical drama and readers captivated by the intrigue of the Tudor period, Boleyn Traitor is a must-read.

I love the way Gregory overlaps her novels, allowing the same historical events to be seen through entirely different eyes. Experiencing the Tudor court from Jane Boleyn’s perspective-Anne Boleyn’s sister-in-law-felt especially fresh and compelling. Jane’s ability to remain in favor while those closest to her were repeatedly banished or executed was fascinating, and her constant calculation for survival kept me fully engaged.

One of the strongest elements of the book was the recurring theme of the courtier’s “masque.” Jane’s realization that she had spent her entire life performing roles to stay alive-and the powerful moment when she finally removes that masque—was beautifully written and deeply moving.

My only real complaint is how differently Jane is portrayed compared to her characterization in earlier books. While I appreciate the idea of shifting perspectives, the disparity was so great at times that it was difficult to reconcile this Jane with the one I thought I knew. That said, it didn’t detract enough to lessen my enjoyment. Overall, The Boleyn Traitor is an excellent, thought-provoking read that I thoroughly enjoyed and would highly recommend to fans of Tudor historical fiction.

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

The Favorites My Rating: 3.0

Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and roller-coaster relationship. Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end.

As the ten-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the “real story” through interviews with their closest friends and fiercest rivals. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary, but she can’t stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy. So, after a decade of silence, she’s telling her story: from the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart. Sensational rumors have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.

I grew up watching figure skating and really expected to love this book. I’m probably in the minority, but ugh—this book needed a strong editor. At 448 pages, it felt far too long, and the characters lacked the development needed to make you care about them. The sheer amount of dysfunction, rather than creating compelling drama, became overwhelming and desensitizing—you end up not caring at all. If I hadn’t been listening on audio, where I could zone out a bit, this would have definitely ended up in my DNF pile.

Vera Wong's Guide To Snooping by Jesse Q,. Sutanto

Vera Wong Rating: 4.4

Vera comes across a distressed young woman who is obviously in need of her kindly guidance. The young woman is looking for a missing friend. Fortunately, while cat-sitting at Tilly and Selena's, Vera finds a treasure trove: Selena's briefcase. Inside is a file about the death of an enigmatic influencer—who also happens to be the friend that the young woman was looking for.

Online, Xander had it all: a parade of private jets, fabulous parties with socialites, and a burgeoning career as a social media influencer. The only problem is, after his body is fished out of Mission Bay, the police can't seem to actually identify him. Who is Xander Lin? Nobody knows. Every contact is a dead end. Everybody claims not to know him, not even his parents.

Vera is determined to solve Xander's murder. After all, doing so would surely be a big favor to Selena, and there is nothing she wouldn't do for her future daughter-in-law.

If you read the first book in this series, you know that Vera is a hilarious meddling Chinese woman looking to help people, whether they want her to or not! This is a light, easy read and you have to suspend reality (no pun intended with the social media theme) and just go with it. I highly recommend the audio version which does a great job with Vera's accent. Delightful.

Thanks to @shoegaljeana for bringing this to the top of my queue.

This Naked Mind by Annie Grace

This Naked Mind My Rating:  4.5

Many people question whether drinking has become too big a part of their lives, and worry that it may even be affecting their health. But, they resist change because they fear losing the pleasure and stress-relief associated with alcohol, and assume giving it up will involve deprivation and misery.

This Naked Mind offers a refreshing and compassionate alternative. In this book, Grace clearly explains the psychological and neurological aspects of alcohol use using current science. She also exposes the powerful cultural, social, and industry influences that normalize and encourage drinking in all of us. Woven throughout are surprising insights into why we drink, along with Annie’s candid and compelling personal story. The book shines a light on the role alcohol plays in our culture—and how the stigma surrounding alcoholism and recovery prevents many people from seeking help.

When a gf recommended I read this book I was skeptical. I am a very casual drinker and very rarely is it social. Still, I was open minded enough to give it a try. I enjoyed this book and it is making me look at things differently. Marketing affects every part of our lives and alcohol is no different. When you have your eyes opened, you can't unsee. I am not saying I won't continue to drink but, more and more, my unconscious mind is quieted as I choose to reach for a mocktail when I would have grabbed a glass of wine. 

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

The Other Boleyn Girl My Rating: 5.0

When Mary Boleyn arrives at court as an innocent fourteen-year-old, she quickly catches the eye of the handsome and charismatic King Henry VIII. Dazzled by his attention, Mary falls in love, not only with her golden prince, but with her growing role as his unofficial queen. Yet it isn’t long before she realizes how little control she truly has. Used as a pawn in her family’s ambitious political schemes, Mary watches helplessly as the king’s interest fades and shifts to her best friend, and greatest rival, her sister Anne.

With her future suddenly uncertain, Mary is forced to confront the harsh realities of court life and decide whether she will continue to be used or take her fate into her own hands.

 

Wow. The political conniving and relentless plotting were both fascinating and heartbreaking. It’s astonishing, and deeply sad, to see how these young women were treated as expendable tools for power. The story held my attention from beginning to end. My heart ached for Queen Catherine and for Mary, and just as the author intended, I found it nearly impossible to like the manipulative and calculating Anne. A compelling, emotionally charged read that brings the Tudor court vividly to life.

Home Front by Kristin Hannah

Home Front  My Rating: 4.9

Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades are juggling the pressures of everyday life—children, careers, bills, and chores—while their twelve-year marriage quietly begins to unravel. When Jolene is deployed into active combat, everything shifts. Michael, a defense attorney, is suddenly left at home, unprepared for the realities of single parenthood with their two daughters.

As a mother, Jolene is heartbroken to leave her family behind; as a soldier, she understands duty and sacrifice all too well. In her letters home, she paints a softened, almost idealized version of life on the front lines, shielding her family from the harsh truth. But war has a way of changing people, often in ways no one can predict. When tragedy strikes, Michael is forced to confront his deepest fears and fight a battle of his own—for his family, his marriage, and everything that truly matters.

Kristin Hannah has written a story that feels both tender and powerful—light in its readability, yet deeply heavy in its subject matter. Home Front offers a moving and honest look at the impact of war, not just on the battlefield, but on the families left behind. The characters are deeply relatable, their struggles authentic and gripping. An emotional, beautifully written novel, and an excellent way to start off the year.

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff

The Bright Years  My Rating: 4.9

Ryan and Lillian Bright are deeply in love—newly married and welcoming their baby girl, Georgette, into the world. But beneath the surface of their happiness lie devastating secrets: Lillian has a son she has never told Ryan about, and Ryan is hiding a growing alcohol addiction from his wife. As Georgette grows up, she witnesses her parents’ marriage rise and fall under the weight of these unspoken truths.

When a shocking loss shatters their already fragile family, Georgette distances herself from everything that reminds her of her parents. Years later, Lillian’s son comes searching for his birth family, forcing Georgette to return to her roots, confront her family’s history, and decide whether she can open her heart to love—both for them and for herself—while there is still time.

Told through three intimate points of view, The Bright Years is a tender, true-to-life debut that explores how trauma echoes through generations, and how grace and love can slowly piece a family back together.

Wow. I truly can’t believe this is the author’s first novel. The writing is so accessible, yet incredibly rich and deep. It captures the complexity of family, grief, and love in a way that feels honest and raw. I found myself tearing up more than once.

Normally, when a book switches narrators, it takes me time to adjust to each new perspective, but not here. I slipped effortlessly into the voice of each character, which is no small feat and speaks to how skillfully this story is told.

This is a beautiful reminder that life is, indeed, worth the risk of loving.

This is another fabulous recommendation from my book twin @shoegaljeana on Instagram - thank you! ♥