Parable of the Sower (Earthseed, #1) by Octavia E. Butler

It is the year 2025. Lauren lives in a community that is surrounded by walls. Outside the walls is unsafe and fought with danger. The world is full of poverty, homelessness, drugs and lack of resources such as clean water and plentiful food. Lauren's community while not rich is lucky in that life in her community is much better than that of other communities. Danger is just a part of life since society is crumbling due to climate change and disasters. Water is expensive and violence is prevalent. 

Lauren is young and trying to find her place in a confusing world. She lives with her father, step-mother and siblings. She has hyperempathy and has to keep it from a secret as it puts her at risk. Lauren wants to leave her community and travel north to find a different life and better prospects. Lauren develops an Earthseed type of community religion and ... it doesn't seem to match who she is as a character. It's a bit jarring and takes me out of what is going on in the book. It's a major distraction. There is also quite a bit of religion which I did not care for. I don't see myself continuing on with this series. It wasn't interesting or provocative for me.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

Expected  Publication January 9, 2024

Eight months after going missing in the woods near her North Carolina home, three year old Ruby was found and returned home. She grew up in Ashby House. She grew up in a life of luxury most of us can only imagine. Ruby becomes a widower several times over and when she dies she leaves her fortune to her adopted son Camden.

Despite his hesitance and lack to desire due to family dynamics and drama Camden and his wife return to the mansion. Camden is met with family members who are not only angry but feel that Camden doesn't deserve a cent of the McTavish family since he is not blood.

The life of Ruby and her secrets are unraveled via letters Ruby had written. Her letters are full of scandal sadness and skeletons. The twist and turns are thrilling. The story is told via several points of views. Trust no one as this book is full of unreliable narrators and vile characters. 

This is one addicting psychological thriller that will keep you turning pages into the wee hours of the night. 

** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

One Girl In All The World (Buffy: The Next Generation) | by Kendare Blake

 

One Girl In All The World is book #2  in the, In Every Generation series. I strongly recommend that you read this first book, In Every Generation. 

Frankie Rosenburg is the newest slayer. She is adapting to life as a slayer. Learning her craft, training and fighting demons with the rest of the newly developed Scooby gang. New Sunnydale is being visited by lots of demons. An uptick in them. 

The status of the slayers who have been missing since the convention was blown
up is still unknown. Her love life is a bit complicated. Her mom is flirting with her ex and using magic! Frankie is working on her own magic abilities.

Blake captures the voice of our old friends, Willow, Oz and Spike! Many references to BTVS storylines. This makes a witty, fun and entertaining read. Perfect book for Us BTVS fans. 

I'm Glad My Mom Died | by Jennette McCurdy

 I keep hearing about this book. I have never seen iCarly or any other show that Jennette McCurdy has been in but the accolades for this book are so high I felt compelled to pick it up and give it a try. I can attest that you don't know to know McCurdy's work in order to appreciate this book. McCurdy is an excellent writer and her life story flows off the pages. 

Jennette's life has been incredibly difficult. Her relationship with her mother is based on abuse which results in McCurdy abusing herself via eating disorders and drinking. Her memoir details her life as she starts off in the entertainment industry, her time in the industry and her journey into finding her peace. 

This is a honest read with an emotional punch. 

The Breakaway | Book by Jennifer Weiner

 

Expected Publication August 29, 2023

Jennifer Weiner is among a handful of authors whose books I read without knowing what they are about. There is something wonderful about sinking your "teeth" into a book by an author you trust and not knowing what it is about. It's like sitting down with an trusted friend who is about to tell you a story and take you on a ride. 

Abby ( I just loved, Abby.  Can she be my friend?) is only 34 years old.  She is dating her childhood boyfriend and they might move in together! Her career isn't exactly up to par with her friends but she's happy. After years of struggling and dieting she is finally at peace with her plus size body.  She enjoys cycling. It's her passion and hobby. She is asked to lead a cycling trip and hesitantly agrees to it. Much to her surprise her mom whom she has always had a difficult relationship shows up as does someone from her past. 

Over the course of the 2 week cycling trip Abby learns bits and pieces about the other cyclers. Bonds are formed, friendships are formed and life changing decisions are made by characters. 

Weiner's writing takes you on the trip with the characters. I could feel  and see the scenery. I don't even like riding a bike and suddenly I found myself considering purchasing one and taking up cycling. Abby's story is told in past and present tense. We learn about her weight struggles, being sent to fat camp, meeting her childhood boyfriend at camp at camp and they reconnecting with him later.  Abby's tenuous relationship with her mother is relatable.

Be prepared to set some hours aside and find yourself falling in love with another one of Weiner's characters. 

** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

In Every Generation by Kendare Blake

 I love my Buffy! It is one of my all time television series and finding books from the Buffyverse has become my new obsession.  In Every Generation our main character is Frankie Rosenberg. Willows daughter! They live in Sunnydale, how this came to be will be revealed in the book. Frankie is learning magic  and her life is "normal" until Hailey, the sister of a slayer shows up and a massive attack at a slayer convention takes place which might mean that all the slayer are dead! 

Frankie teams up with Hailey, Jake (a werewolf) and a sage demon. The quickly become the newest Scobbies and make it their mission find out if any slayers have survived, who took out the slayers and fight other supernatural beings.

Old favorite characters are part of this world and some play pivotal roles. There is a lot of Buffy throwbacks that will bring you back to moments in the show. Blake captures the essence of our Buffy tv show characters and creates new ones that fit right into the fold. 

This is such a fun read and perfect for any fan of BTVS. 

Five Survive by Holly Jackson

 It's spring break time from school. Six friends are headed to the beach. They are using a borrowed RV to drive to their destination. A fun trip turns into a bit of a mishap which in turn turns into a horror story.  They are being held captive in the RV by a sniper. One of the friends hold a secret the sniper wants and once the secret and person is given up the rest will be given their freedom. 

The six friends attempt to work together in an effort to out smart the snipers making the reader feel as claustrophobic as the occupants of the RV. The intensity of t
he story that unfolds over 24 hours keeps you on edge and anxiously awaiting the reveal of the secret. 

See You Yesterday By Rachel Lynn Solomon

 

Books on time travel seem to keep finding their way into my hands. There is something almost sweet about them and a bit aggravating. Being stuck in a time loop seems exciting, fun and infuriating. I like the idea of trying to figure out what is causing time to repeat  and how the actions one parktakes it changes or doesn't change things. 

High School was not kind to Barrett Bloom and she's hoping College will change things for her.  She exposed a scandal that made her unpopular but her first day of College turns out to be a bit of a disaster. A fellow student in her Physics class embarrasses her, she flops an interview and finds out her nemesis is now her roomate. The day isn't over yet and things only get worse for Barrett. When she wakes up after her disastrous day she finds out quickly that her yesterday is her today. Her entire day is on repeat and she soon discovers she's stuck in her own movie version of Groundhog Day! 

Miles enters the picture time and time again which leads them to discover they are stuck in a time loop together. They decided to team up and figure a way out of it. 

Sometimes books that repeat the day are tedious but that is not the case with See You Yesterday. Barrett and Miles are likable and real characters. I actually wanted to be friends with them both! The romance aspects are super cute and pulled me back into my first two years of college. The characters are well developed and the story captured my heart.