Bless This Book

I got an eARC of Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan from NetGalley. It’s 1999 in SE Texas and the dead are restless. The Evans women need to put them back to sleep.

Much like the southern town it takes place in, the plot meandered and moseyed along. It was well past the halfway point before some crucial backstory was revealed. This didn’t build tension. It built frustration, especially since none of it was surprising.

Dragging out the beginning left no time for some major questions about the rules of the world. The BBEG of the past and present didn’t make complete sense to me. The hows and whys never got answered. The reveal and the ending felt rushed, especially given the body count.

The writing is good. There were quite a few parts I highlighted and the southernisms were fun. It was the pacing that turned me into the frustrated Stitch gif. I was reading for answers, not because I cared about the plot or characters.

Also, every POV character had something up with their stomach. I wanted to chuck a giant bottle of Tums at the book. I liked the concept but the execution was meh for me. It looks like it might be part of a series. I might read something else from this author but I don’t think I’d revisit this world again. 3/5

Collecting Regrets

“Grief is just love looking for a place to settle.”

This is the #chihuahuabookclub pick for March. It’s a debut novel about a death doula who has forgotten how to live her life. Clover is very isolated, partly out of habit, partly as a trauma response. Her parents were mostly absent from her life before they died unexpectedly. She was raised by a stoic grandfather.

The message felt a little obvious. ‘Live a full life, let people in.’ We get it. You don’t have to hit us over the head with it. Despite that, the writing was good. I highlighted several passages and enjoyed the story.

Certain situations and characters felt a little convenient. I’m not mad about it but it would be nice to have people appear in my life with that level of convenience. A pleasant read despite all the death. 4/5

37

I am now 37 so I thought I’d share 37 fun facts about me. ‘Meet the blogger,’ if you will

1. Before becoming a SAHM, I was a dog walker/pet sitter for 4 years.
2. I was born and bred in Maryland.
3. Like any good Maryland girl, Old Bay is life.
4. One of my favorite places I’ve ever visited was Alaska.
5. My favorite colors are purple, teal, and turquoise.
6. I met my husband at a Doctor Who happy hour.
7. I’m currently growing out my hair to donate before it gets too gray. I don’t color or heat style it so I’m an ideal candidate.
8. My favorite musical is Six.
9. My wedding was Halloween themed, costumes highly encouraged.
10. Firefly, Warehouse 13, and The Good Place are some of my favorite shows.
11. My chihuahua is a Puerto Rican rescue so I had to learn some Spanish for her.
12. I’ve never been drunk.
13. I don’t have any tattoos but there’s a few I want.
14. My favorite font is Book Antiqua.
15. I like bagpipe music.
16. My religious philosophy is best summed up by Shakespeare: “There are more things in heaven and earth than dreamt of in our philosophy.”
17. Some of my favorite smells are corn chip dog paws, the ocean, new book, and baby head. Parents will tell you baby head smell is a thing.
18. I drove Uber for a couple of months. My favorite passenger was a pug.
19. I went to a Catholic high school. The Boston priest scandal broke while I was learning church history.
20. Graphic tees are basically a love language in my little family.
21. The bands I’ve seen in concert multiple times are Anberlin, Elton John, Backstreet Boys, and Within Temptation.
22. I love Mexican-ish food (Tex Mex, Latin American).
23. I had A LOT of elderly relatives die when I was very young. Funeral homes smell like fresh cut flowers and the elderly. To this day, the smell of flowers reminds me of funerals.
24. I’ve only played D&D a few times but I enjoyed it. I would love to play more.
25. My favorite animals are sharks and dogs.
26. When the Olympics are happening, it’s default TV in our house.
27. I briefly worked in publishing. Sales and marketing was NOT my calling.
28. Some of my favorite movies are Clue, Jurassic Park, Hocus Pocus, Barbie, and Legally Blonde.
29. My guilty pleasure show is The Bachelor franchise. I’m salty we can’t get the international shows in the U.S. since many U.S. contestants go on various international iterations.
30. One of my favorite sounds is a howling wind, like in a creepy movie.
31. Despite my love of autumn and Halloween, I don’t like pumpkin spice or pumpkin.
32. I discovered laundry stripping during the pandemic. I use it to get rid of perfumed fabric softener smells when I thrift clothes.
33. I used to make chain maille jewelry. I occasionally dabble in it now but it’s a lot of little pieces to have around chaotic little humans.
34. I love opals, rainbow moonstones, and tanzanite.
35. I’ve studied Spanish and German. Both are excellent languages to be mad in.
36. I’m immune to some major prescription painkillers. I’ve endured laparoscopic surgery and childbirth with only prescription strength versions of OTC painkillers for recovery.
37. One of my favorite quotes is from Robert Frost: “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”

Good Girls Don’t Die

I just devoured Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry. Three different women trapped in three different stories that aren’t their own. It will take everything they have to survive.

Much like genres and tropes it’s emulating, this was a fast, compelling, and easy read. 4 started preschool this week so our schedules have gotten wonky. I had no trouble following the twists and turns of each story.

The individual tales matched their tropes quite well. The language and pacing fit with what was happening to Celia, Allie, and Maggie. It was very well done. I knew the ending was going to make or break it for me. By dog if Henry doesn’t make it work.

A major overarching theme is the power and perseverance of women and how toxic and dangerous men can be. Men will always underestimate women and we should always keep fighting to prove them wrong.

I think the most horrifying part is how plausible the explanation for it all is. I was riveted and the ending was perfect. 5/5

March TBR

March will be an ambitious reading month.

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

This is my book club’s pick for March. I’ve read a little bit and already impressed.

Bless Your Heart by Lindy Ryan

A vampire novel I have an eARC from NetGalley. I’ve read a little. It looks fun.

Extinction by Douglas Preston

Another eARC I got from NetGalley. A Michael Crichton-esque thriller involving extinct species, billionaires, and possible terrorists. I’m sold.

Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde

The long awaited sequel is coming out later this year. I loved this when I first read it so I’m excited for a reread and a refresh. This is the one I’m not sure if I’m gonna get to it or not.

I’ve been able to finish an audiobook in January and February. I’m hoping to do that again in March but I haven’t decided which one.

Hopefully, my oldest (4) will be starting preschool soon. The baby naps best on mom so I might have a little more time to read.

February Wrap-Up

The shorts make this month more productive than it seems. Still glad I got anything read.

Black Vault by Alma Katsu

A realistic short about a CIA officer seeing strange lights in a foreign land. Free with Prime. 4/5

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Very good. I can see why it’s popular. I say a bit more here. 4/5

This Wretched Valley by Jenny Kiefer

Good horror but not totally for me. I say more here. 3.5/5

How to Date Your Wardrobe by Heather Newberger

A short audiobook I had about having better, not more, clothes. The whole audiobook was less than 1 hour. Interesting, especially if the idea of a capsule wardrobe or simple uniform appeals to you. 4/5

Off the Air by Christina Estes

Decent debut but not especially noteworthy. I say more here. 3/5

2 shorts, 3 full books, and a start on a couple of others. Not bad for the shortest month of the year.