Books I enjoyed this week 13-19 March 2023

There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom

There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom by Louis Sachar has been making the rounds on social media lately because of the title. I wanted to read it again because I didn’t remember it from more than thirty years ago, and I wanted to be prepared in the event someone waves it around as if it has anything to do with trans rights or transphobia. (Spoiler: it doesn't.) Or I thought I didn’t remember it. It turns out I do remember part of it, in particular one line that comes to me every single time I’m in a public restroom with a stranger! It’s funny how these things stick with you. The book is a redemption story of a boy who just can’t seem to help being bad. The second half of the book is especially wonderful, with an emotional ending.

We Are Totally Normal

We Are Totally Normal by Rahul Kanakia is a book about high school teenagers and their social lives. There is a good amount of LGBT+ representation, and it is handled as the totally normal thing it is (not intentionally quoting the title). There is a presence of descriptive sex, which I skipped over at my teen’s request. The main character has issues with sex that are not often talked about, and I think it’s good that it was represented here, though I wish it had been discussed more, especially to make it clear everything was fully consensual. There wasn’t any violation here, just people sometimes doing things they didn’t necessarily want to, but not with coercion or anything like that. Typical teen-brain decision making, I’d say. It wasn’t our favorite book, but it was not a bad book. I didn’t rate it down just because it wasn’t my cup of tea.

This was a light reading week because I had a lot on my plate, like getting ready for the St. Patrick's Day parade in my town. I did read a couple more books in one of the mystery series, but nothing new to report. I'm still ahead of schedule on my reading goal.

How are you doing on your reading goals this year? Is the excitement of the new year waning, or are you getting into a groove now that the holidays are far behind us, and the days are getting longer?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 6-12 March 2023

This week was a light reading week because we had a lot of family things happening. I did finish a few more books in the various cozy mystery series I'm reading, and I started a new one!

Sprinkle with Murder and Buttercream Bump Off

The Cupcake Bakery Mystery series by Jenn McKinlay is set in Scottsdale, Arizona, my home town. I was a little worried when I learned that, but the author clearly knows the Phoenix valley area and culture very well. She made several references that only someone who's lived in the valley for many years would know, and I didn't pick up on any errors, which was a relief. I don't want to lose faith in a story just because an author doesn't know the area (says the author who wrote a story set in a part of England to which she's never been). These cozy mysteries are on the shorter side, but they are just as fun as the other series I love and don't feel rushed or abridged. I really liked the first two, Sprinkle with Murder and Buttercream Bump Off, and I will be continuing the series.

The Apprentices

The Apprentices by Maile Meloy is the second book in the series The Apothecary. I actually wasn't going to continue the series but forgot when I checked out this book. This book did not hold my interest as well as the first. If you like the fantastical elements in the first book, then this books is for you. It really took off with those. I don't know what my problem is with these books, and I do legitimately recommend them. I apologize if that's confusing. LOL

That's it for this week, besides the other series through which I'm still journeying. I'm getting antsy to talk to you about a book I'm reading with my 13-year-old, but I will be brave and save it for when we're finished. Are there any books that you just couldn't wait to talk about while you were reading them?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 27 February - 5 March 2023

Life's Journeys According to Mister Rogers: Things to Remember Along the Way

Life's Journeys According to Mister Rogers: Things to Remember Along the Way by Fred Rogers starts with a forward by his wife, allowing a a little glimpse into his life. The book was a quick read, with most entries being quite short. I so appreciate Mister Rogers’ views on life, his childlike inclinations and his unconditional love and empathy. I always learn something from him.

Feels Like Family

Feels Like Family is the third book in the series The Sweet Magnolias by Sherryl Woods. I am really enjoying these books. They’re positive and real and not preachy, and they’re quite humorous.

The Burning Pages

I said I wasn’t going to talk about these cozy mysteries anymore unless I had something to say, and I do have something to say about The Burning Pages by Paige Shelton. I was sad when I thought this series was over, but then I saw that there is an eighth book on its way. I really liked the family elements of the last two books. I feel like this series is really coming into its own, and I hope the author keeps it going for a while!

I haven't been reading as much lately because I've been focused on writing. What do you love to do besides read?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 19-26 February 2023

The Picture of Dorian Gray

I finally finished The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. So many people rave about it, but it was hard for me to get through. It was a great story, just fantastical enough, and maybe I would’ve been more interested if I didn’t already know what happens. I do recommend it, though.

Greenglass House

Greenglass House by Kate Milford pulled me right through, desiring to find out what came next. Who doesn’t love a tale about a mysterious map, hidden clues, and stories that have more than a few grains of truth in them? I did not see the final twist coming, either. Praise aside, I’m not sure I’ll continue the series. I liked the book, but right now I don’t feel compelled to read the next book. I might change my mind.

North Child

North Child by Edith Pattou was well-done and very interesting. I do recommend it if you like mythology and/or fairy tales. That said, it’s rare for me to start a series and not continue it if I liked the first book, but this is the second time this week I have decided I might not continue the series. Only time will tell. Note: I found this book under the title East, but in other places, it’s called North Child.

Moxie 

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu was excellent. I had high hopes because I loved the movie on Netflix. I think I liked the movie better, but this is still a five-star from me. I may even reread it in the future, just as I have re-watched the movie multiple times!

I've stopped talking about the cozy mystery series I've been reading for a while because I don't have anything new to say. If I do, I will. I will, however, be sure to introduce any new series I start!

What are your favorite series?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 12-18 February 2023

The Stolen Heir

The Stolen Heir by Holly Black is one of the more-anticipated reads of 2023. The first of the Stolen Heir Duology was a very different perspective than the other Elfhame stories, so it was a nice change but also that comforting familiarity. I definitely recommend the book as part of the Elfhame world, but I recommend reading the other stories first.

Of Chivalry and Revenge

Of Chivalry and Revenge by Celeste Baxendell was a surprise. I received an advanced reader copy of this book that was officially released on Valentine’s Day this year. I didn’t know this was a King Arthur story when I set out to read it, which is extra funny because I’m on a King Arthur kick right now. I love King Arthur stories. This one was quite a different perspective, and I liked it. Everything about the book was unexpected, and I read it all in one go! I loved the significance of fabric in the story. That’s not something a lot of authors work with.

The Loch Ness Papers

The Loch Ness Papers is the fourth book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by Paige Shelton. This one was so fun! We get to know her family, we spend time with Nessie, we make new friends.

Double Fudge

Double Fudge is the fifth and final book in the beloved Fudge series by Judy Blume. I was pleasantly surprised by the updating of this series. It was seamless! The technology and pop culture references were brought up to date without changing the feel of the stories and would go completely unnoticed if you didn't have the memories of having these books read to you in elementary school in the 80s.

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne is the first book in the classic series. My mom read the books to me more than 30 years ago, but I didn’t remember any of them. My seven-year-old became obsessed with Winnie the Pooh about a year ago, and we’ve watched all the movies and most of one of the series so far. This summer we’re traveling to the Hundred Acre Wood in southern England for his birthday. Naturally, we had to read the books. I didn’t pick up on the humor as a child. I laughed so much! I love the seemingly-random capitalization for emphasis. Even the narrator jokes about the sometimes-strange grammar. I loved it ardently, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I will definitely reread this book in the future, just for me!

This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story

I chose This Is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callender to read with my 15-year-old because we’d loved Felix Ever After. Overall, we really liked the book. We laughed at the sarcasm, and we were inspired by the characters. We did struggle with the descriptive sex talk; my teen chooses to not expose himself to that kind of media, so I had to skim and skip at times. It was very sex-positive, though, and I am definitely not saying anything bad about it. It was just unexpected. Overall, I think the book is a great demonstration of the fluidity of sexuality, of consent, and of communication, good and bad. Plus, it shows teens working hard and achieving their goals, just like in Felix Ever After. Oh, and did I mention that, in addition to the already-diverse collection of characters, it features a deaf character? Talk about representation!

Bookplate Special

Bookplate Special by Lorna Barrett is another of my beloved cozy mysteries, the third in the Booktown Mystery series. I really do love the characters and their relationships in this particular series. And the cat is so sassy. The main character was a little snobbish in this one, but I’m hoping it’s a one-off. I’ve already checked out the next one!

The Apothecary

The Apothecary by Maile Meloy is the first book in the series by the same name. I had no idea what I was getting into with this book. Other than current events, the setting of the book was timeless. The “magic” was ancient. The children were children. The language was nondescript. Most of the magic seemed plausible, though I have to admit the part that wasn’t pulled me out of the story a bit, but that’s just a me problem, not a book problem. While I can’t pinpoint anything specific that drew me into the book, I read it straight through. I just kept wanting to know what came next! I will probably continue the series after I whittle down my current library haul.

Call Us What We Carry

Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman was even more than I’d hoped it would be. What a talented poet! There are a lot of great facts scattered through also. I can’t say anything about it but that everyone should read it.

It feels good to finish off books you started a while ago, doesn't it? I finished two of those this week. What did you finish this week, old or new?

As always, if you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 5-11 February 2023

The Pale Blue Eye

I read The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard because my husband wanted to watch the Netflix adaptation. The Poe angle had me intrigued, and I prefer reading stories before watching them. Let me start by saying I told my husband to go ahead and watch it without me. When Christian Bale is not playing the creepy character, you know the show is gonna be weird. That said, the book was well-written, and I love a good historical fiction story. I do recommend it if gore is not an issue for you, but it is Creepy with a capital C.

Stealing Home

Stealing Home is the first book in Sherryl Woods' series The Sweet Magnolias. I watched the Netflix series before realizing it was first a book series. I want to read all the books before the next season is released next month. So far the series is very true to the books, or at least this first one. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series.

The Royal We

The Royal We is the first book in the Royal We series by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan. There were a lot of similarities between this and the current royal family, especially comparing it to the docuseries about Harry and Megan, though there were similarities to both brothers and their wives. I believe I saw someone else say this was Kate Middleton fanfiction, and I would agree with that. The book was well done, but it didn’t wow me, and I’m not sure I will continue with this series. It was a very long book for what it was.

Bookmarked for Death

Bookmarked for Death is the second book in the Booktown Mystery series by Lorna Barrett. These cozy mystery book store series are all starting to blend together. Maybe I should read one at a time! I really am enjoying this genre, though. I just feel bad for all these people who seem to have attracted murder to their towns!

What did you read this week?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 29 January - 4 February 2023

Don't Call Me Sweetheart

Don't Call Me Sweetheart by Codi Gary is the first book in the Something Borrowed series. I loved A Cat Café Christmas and wanted to try more books by Codi Gary. I did not like this one as much (admittedly, the bar was very high), but I will read the next book and see how I feel.

Embroidered Truths

Embroidered Truths is the ninth book in A Needlecraft Mystery series by Monica Ferris. R-word. Homophobia, though it doesn’t go unchecked by the MC. Mild racism, though for once it was actually addressed, unlike the rest of the prolific casual racism. Mention of SA. I feel invested in these books, but the ignorance is really wearing on me.

A Sweet Mess, The Dating Dare, and Booked on a Feeling

A Sweet Mess, The Dating Dare, and Booked on a Feeling, the series A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee. The first book in this series was very cute. I read it because I'd found the third one in a library search, so of course I had to start at the beginning. They were predictable, as expected, but they were fun, and I would happily read another one if it came out.

The Attraction Distraction and It Happened One Christmas Eve

The Attraction Distraction and It Happened One Christmas Eve are the second and third books in the series A Museum of Literature Romance by Jenn McKinlay. I loved the first one. The second one was just okay, but the third one was entertaining. They are short, funny romances.

Murder is Binding

Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett is the first in the Booktown Mystery series. I told you I read a lot of these. I love the idea of Booktown. Can I visit? A few uses of the r-word, SA trigger warning. Otherwise decent bookstore-based murder mystery. I will continue the series. I liked the characters, and I will keep reading!

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey is the second book in Trenton Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society series. This one was not as good as the first one, but I really like the kids. I will probably continue with the series, especially since I found what I think is a prequel that really has me interested.

What are your comfort books? Do you have a genre you turn to when you want to get lost in a book?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 22-28 January 2023

From Bad to Cursed

From Bad to Cursed is the second book in The Witches of Thistle Grove series by Lana Harper. There is a little bit of adult content, but the focus of the story is magic and mystery with a sprinkling of family expectations and obligations and following your heart.

By Hook or by Crook

By Hook or by Crook is the third book in the Crochet Mystery series by Betty Hechtman. These books are entertaining. Every story has a mystery, and every story contains dialogue about the featured crochet style and its history. There's so much going on.

Cutwork and Crewel Yule

Cutwork and Crewel Yule are the seventh and eighth books in A Needlecraft Mystery series by Monica Ferris. You must know by now that I enjoy these books. The fighting between different needleworkers is amusing - when it's not deadly.

A Cat Café Christmas

A Cat Café Christmas by Codi Gary was so good. It wasn't particularly Christmassy, but it was cozy, as long as you don't hate cats. I'm marking it a favorite! I will be reading more by Codi Gary.

Lost Books and Old Bones

Lost Books and Old Bones is the third book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series by Paige Shelton. I am enjoying these books a lot. The mysteries have a lot going on, and the bookish voices are really fun. And who doesn't like a warehouse of treasures?

Did you read anything fun this week?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 15-21 January 2023

Dead Men Don't Crochet

Dead Men Don't Crochet from the Crochet Mystery Series by Betty Hechtman is the second book in the series. I read the first book last week. I love the bickering and pettiness in these stories. They're fun and light cozy mysteries.

A Needlecraft Mystery Series

This week I read A Stitch in Time (#3), Unraveled Sleeve (#4), A Murderous Yarn (#5), and Hanging by a Thread (#6) from A Needlecraft Mystery Series by Monica Ferris. I'm really enjoying the humor and banter in these books. I admit the language isn't always the most conscientious, and the main character can be ignorant and annoying at times. However, I really am into this series now. If you like cozy mysteries and discussion of needle crafts, you'll like this series.

Of Books and Bagpipes and A Christmas Tartan

Of Books and Bagpipes by Paige Shelton is the second book in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series. I'd somehow completely forgotten about starting this series in the autumn, but thankfully the author put a note in her Christmas book that it takes place after the second book in the series, so I quickly checked it out to read before reading A Christmas Tartan: A Scottish Bookshop Mini-Mystery (#2.5). I forgot how much I'd enjoyed the first book until I got into the second one. I've also been to Edinburgh since reading the first one, and I love being better able to visualize the setting. While yes, these contain violent crimes, the topic is handled gently, and these books are definitely cozy mysteries.

Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics

Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics by bell hooks is one that's been on my list for a while, and I finally got my backside in gear and read it. I listened to the audiobook while I followed along in and highlighted the ebook. Overall, this book is fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone. There is great discussion about most of the varied facets of feminism, such as class and race. My only complaints were a strong emphasis on the gender binary and a complete lack of inclusion of trans people of any gender. Had this book been written before 2000, I could maybe see it, and I recognize that the 2000s were kind of a gray area for these things, but I expect it would’ve come up in the decades of work the author did in this topic. I wonder if it was deliberately omitted to make the book more palatable for a wide audience, but I hope not. It was a quick read full of hearty content and written for the masses, not just academia. This book is a gift of knowledge from an intelligent and passionate activist.

Small Town, Big Magic

Small Town, Big Magic (Witchlore #1) by Hazel Beck was just released this past August. I saved it for New Years because the cover felt very New Yearsy to me. That's a good reason, right? It has nothing to do with New Years, to be clear. I didn't know what to expect from this book, so it was a pleasant surprise. I enjoyed the witchy politics in it, and the romance was fun (and not graphic). The ending was a little saccharine, but overall I enjoyed it, and I don't want to wait over half a year for the sequel!

The Stone of Kuromori

My 13-year-old and I finished The Stone of Kuromori by Jason Rohan, the third and final book in the Sword of Kuromori series. This series was really fun, and we learned a lot about Japanese mythology and folklore. The books did not shy away from the topic of death, and there was a lot of humor throughout. We enjoyed it a lot.

What books did you read this week?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 8-14 January 2023

 

Book Lovers

Book Lovers by Emily Henry was excellent. I laughed so much. I cried so hard. It's a new addition to my favorites list!

Felix Ever After

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender was very good. I loved the discussions about representation and Felix’s art journey. If you plan to buy this book, the paperback has gorgeous flower illustrations on the fore edge!

Hooked on Murder

Hooked on Murder by Betty Hechtman was not my favorite, but enjoyable enough that I will continue the series. Content warning: there were a couple culturally-insensitive colloquialisms. There was really fun fighting between crocheters and knitters.

The Witches of Moonshyne Manor

The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais was an engaging story about aging witches, a la Golden Girls. While there were many mentions of sex magic, it was not graphic. There was LGBT+ representation as well. I recommend it.

The Mysterious Benedict Society

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart kept the mystery coming. I checked it out because of the Disney+ production. It has vibes from a number of popular books and movies, and I think it would appeal to a wide audience.

What did you enjoy reading this week?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers

Books I enjoyed this week 1-7 January 2023

I read so many books that I shudder at the thought of creating individual posts reviewing them, but I though a quick weekly recap might be a fun idea.

The Holiday Swap

The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox was recommended a lot on BookTube and Bookstagram. I actually bought it last Christmas, but it arrived well after the holiday, so I saved it for this year. It was cute and predictable. I kept picturing characters from The Princess Switch instead of the characters from the book because there were so many common elements, but it was an enjoyable and cozy Christmas story, hair color aside.

Noel Street

Noel Street by Richard Paul Evans is the third book in The Noel Collection. I read the first two and the fourth last Christmas. Since Netflix released the first book as a movie this Christmas season, I was prompted to finish the series. The first book in the series was my favorite. This one was not very Christmassy, which was a disappointment. However, it was not as predictable as I originally thought, and I liked the ending.

Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop of Dreams Series

The Rosie Hopkins' Sweet Shop of Dreams Series by Jenny Colgan is a cute series about how life sometimes just happens to you and keeps on going, for better or worse. In Rosie's case, it was mostly for the better. Rosie may seem like she is a victim of the tides, but she can definitely hold her own. Through the interconnectedness of a small town and the realities of human biology, these books are often a beautiful mess of life, love, heartbreak, and the family that we create.

Steeped to Death

Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue just came out this past autumn and promises to be just the first in a series. It was technically a cozy mystery, but the fantastical flair that was handled pleasantly casually made it a little different from other cozy mysteries. The cat, though a small character, in both size and presence, lent quite a lot of warmth to the story. The teas had my mouth watering. And, finally, the bookstore made me want a bookstore of my own, as these books always do. I recommend this read and look forward to more books in the series!

The Northern Lights Lodge

The Northern Lights Lodge by Julie Caplin is the fourth in the Romantic Escapes series and my favorite so far, a cozy winter romance. It did end up having one graphic sex scene, but that’s way less than most of the romances I’ve read recently. (Apparently there is no longer any separation between romance and "romance," which has made for some interesting library finds.) It was different from the others in the series. It started out slow but picked up quickly and became one of the more enjoyable ones. It’s boisterous - I was laughing out loud. At one point, there was a detailed description of the women getting ready for the hot springs and how the lack of modesty, for lack of a better word, in the culture shocked the main character. It was hilarious. I highly recommend this book if you want a cozy winter romance because it was very entertaining and had a lot going on, but was not a heavy book. You can tell the author enjoyed writing it. This one takes place in October or November to December. It’s not a Christmas book, which was perfect for reading after Christmas because it’s wintry but not Christmassy.

What have you read recently that you enjoyed?

If you'd like to see everything I'm reading, you can find me on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/ktlasers