2024 Pithy Book Reviews
#1. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang: I have lots to say! I recommend it for sure. This was the first 2024 Dear Nina Book Club pick.
#2. The Other Significant Others: Reimagining Life With Friendship at the Center by Rhaina Cohen: This book should be essential reading for anyone who wants to see role models for living life with friendship at the center. Think Golden Girls and Grace and Frankie– but in real life, also younger people, and some men! Rhaina will be a guest on Dear Nina in late February.
#3. Running Mates by Emily Locker: It was so refreshing to read a book about political opposites that didn’t demonize one side or the other. I loved the characters and appreciated their growth by the end. Emily was on episode #88 of Dear Nina, “Differences of Opinion With Friends and The Potential of Friendship Between Cousins”
#4. The Last Love Note by Emma Grey: I enjoyed the story, which was a bit heavier than it seems it’s going to be at first. The narrator for the audio is excellent. I haven’t read something that deals with a brewing romance in a long time, and that was so fun.
#5. Here for
#6. 1000 Words by Jami Attenberg: If you’re looking for inspiration to sit down and write, Jami’s words and the words of her guest writers are a good, quick hit.
#7. Your Truly by Abby Jimenez: I read the first 350 pages in one night. I don’t even know what happened. I just looked over and it was 3:30AM. I easily finished the next day. I was swept up in the romance of this one. And it was nice to read a book set in Minneapolis.
#8. The Latecomer by Jean Hanff Korelitz: This was took me a while to get into, but I’m glad I stuck with it. I’m a sucker for books about families with four kids because I have four kids.
#9. The Marriage Box by Corie Adjmi: I looked forward to picking this one up every time I got in bed. I was so curious how Casey, the main character, would manage her situation. I for sure recommend this one!
#10. Everyone But Myself: Julie Chavez: was listening to this memoir but it’s on pause while I listen to the next one on the list
#11. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: It’s part Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones meets Twilight meets Harry Potter. Slow to start. By the last fourth, I was into it.
#12. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas: LOVED this one and really much more so than the first one. If you’re struggling with the first book, get through it so you can see what happens in this one.
#13. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas: This one was good in the last third, but it took a long time to tell this installment on the story. I discovered the 1.5 speed and it helped.
#14. Blank by Zibby Owens: A troubled marriage, frustrated writer, and some friend drama– a fun, quick read for me! And I got to moderate Zibby’s Minneapolis book event at ModernWell, which was a blast.
#15. Sylvia’s Second Act by Hillary Yablon: There are some theme in this one that are similar to my previous read, Blank. Both feature a troubled marriage and a new start. I am always partial to characters in their 60s. I have no idea why! But Sylvia is a love. I was cheering for her all the way.
#16. A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas: The worst in the series. Nothing spicy until 87%. More of a novella and a “Christmas” (winter solstice, obviously) special. My humorous video review when semi-viral on Instagram.
#17. A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas: Currently listening
#18. Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner: currently reading thanks to netgalley.com
FIND ALL PREVIOUS BOOK LISTS HERE
*Links lead to Bookshop.org and Amazon, which pays me a tiny bit as an affiliate at no cost to you.
