Taking lessons from American & European history, we find all the obvious lessons & clues to point us to how today in 2025 we have democracy being challenged and a tyrant taking control.

Fun, cute, sweet, funny!

I enjoyed this book. I listened to it while I did a lot of gardening and walking. It is a series and a fun summer read.

After the recommendation of a friend in my memoir writing group, I listened to this audiobook on Spotify. The entire book revolves around the relationship between the author and the young leveret she rescues. Against all odds, the wild hare survives. Chloe Dalton’s meditation on the experience, animal behavior and the impact of humans is moving. Her writing is beautifully descriptive and tender. The book feels timeless in many ways. While listening to Louise Brealey’s narration, I felt calm and free of distraction/outside noise. The book tugs at your heart, gives you hope, and is bittersweet in its honesty. This was lovely!

I first listened to this as an audiobook on Spotify and recently reread the physical book borrowed from the library. I’d definitely recommend listening to the author’s narration over the written version as Sarah Kay is a specialist in spoken word poetry. Overall, I found several of the poems relatable but others forgettable.

So scary and not what you would expect!

3.75 stars rounded up. In the world of Ali Hazelwood, this book was somewhat lower tier and forgettable, but it’s still a fun summer read. I liked the setting (Italy), the audiobook’s dual narration (primarily FMC POV w/MMC speaking), the chemistry and general blend of tropes (age gap, brother’s best friend, handsome rich MMC). I felt like there was an attempt to make this a friends-to-lovers romance but it felt more like a second chance turned instalove, which left me conflicted.

This book kept popping into my radar as an Indie Next pick for July 2025 and I read about it via The NY Times. I don’t often go for nonfiction memoir/biography but my interest piqued at this tale of a couple surviving adrift for four months after their yacht capsized. It’s a wild story and worth a read. I listen to the short audiobook on Spotify.

First in the series about a scientist/amateur crime solver. This is cat, cat & mouse between police detectives, three people who covered up an instance of manslaughter/murder, and the scientist who both helps the police and -in this case - has a sympathetic connection to one of the suspects. Page turner!

I don’t want to yuck anyone’s yum but this was one of the worst books I’ve ever read. It had no meaning. The whole book was just this girl hurting her brother, being mean and being yelled at. There is no resolution and the things the kids do are really dangerous. Still, I bet some people enjoy this book