Rachel Reads & Reviews

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Book Club Picks

  • Oct Books

    The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava The job market is a difficult one. Just out of her accounting program and saddled with debts from paying her brother’s court fees, Ember Lee Cardinal knows she’s capable but no one is hiring her. Until she fudges her qualifications and chooses Caucasian instead of Chicksaw when…

  • Book of the Month: Hemlock Island

    Yep, we’re already on the next book of the month. It was a quick read thanks to Armstrong’s exciting cliffhangers and short chapters that make one want to keep going, and going until it’s 2 in the morning and the mystery is revealed. The titular Hemlock Island is owned by author/writer, Laney. Well the cabin…

  • Latinx History Month

    This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan No, this has nothing to the controversial Blake Lively movie. I’d actually argue it is more well-written than that storyline but I digress.

  • Book of the Month: Bobbie Faye’s Very (very, very) Bad Day

    I think I covered this one quite a bit in my original review and didn’t glean new insights upon rereading it so I’ll primarily focus on my friend’s thoughts. Primarily, she thought it was hilarious and her Louisiana friend confirmed that some of the crazy situations felt like it could fit in Baton Rogue in…

  • Author Highlight: Lauren Myracle

    The 70s and 80s brought us Judy Blume who gave the kids stories they needed and wanted to read about their lives, their fears, and questions about themselves. She was honest without being preachy, fun without being too silly. She got kids and their trials in growing up in this messed up world. I’d argue…

  • Mr. and Mrs. X

    Well, you’ve got me at a delightful time when after watching X-Men ’97, I’m into a GambitxRogue obsession. Well moreso, Gambit, but they’re so so good together! I mean, the endless tension where she cannot touch him without hurting him. He, the rougish (ha!) thief that is so devoted to her despite the struggles. The…

  • Sept Books

    Hera by Jennifer Saint Hera usually gets a bad rap by modern perspectives. A shrew, a horrible mother, a jealous bitch are the most common modifiers. Her husband cheats but she punishes the mistresses instead of Zeus himself. Then again, it’s not like she can go on a one on one attack with the King…

  • Book Highlight: Our Narrow Hiding Places

    While in my happy place of Barnes & Noble, my mother and I stumbled upon an author’s promotion. Kristopher Jansma, like the rest of us, got to spend quality family time during the pandemic and it is in this isolation he got to learn more about his grandmother’s history in the Netherlands where she endured…

  • Book of the Month: 1st to Die

    Well, we return to the formation of theMurder Club and wow, it’s been awhile since I read the book. Awhile but I did remember key parts so the sequence of events and the serial killer reveal wasn’t too big of a surprise for me. Nor was it for my friend but she’s always been good…

  • Author Highlight: Wendy Mass

    In small-town Willow Falls, nothing is a coincidence. It’s all thanks to octagerian resident, Abigail whose distinct duck-shaped birthmark and her perchant for appearing everywhere, all at once throws the lives of these kids into a tailspin on their birthdays. For instance, Leo and Amanda, best friends literally from the day of their birth experience…