Books Read

(3/6) The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Hoopla, 2013) – a surprisingly heartwarming book about two girls who find their parents dead and bury them in their backyard

(3/10) Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (★★☆☆☆ 1/2 – print, library, 2010) – this novel just wasn’t for me, but I can understand why the sparse writing and original plot work for some people

(3/12) Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2019) – a reread about the son of the U.S. president and the prince of England falling in love

(3/15) Vera Wong’s Guide for Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto (★★★★☆ – audiobook, Libby, 2025) – a super fun mystery (second in the series) about a very nosy teashop owner who is trying to solve a mysterious death

(3/16) Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson (not rated – print, giveaway, 2026) – what a delight to read a book written by someone I know – so much fun

(3/18) What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon (★★★★☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – this book made me fall in love with Amsterdam, and I love the themes of self-discovery and standing on your own two feet

(3/24) Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa (★★★★★ – audiobook, Spotify, 2022) – an incredibly important book about the effects of systemic racism on the health and well-being of people of color

(3/25) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (★★★★★ – print, indie bookstore, 2022) – the sweetest magical story about a witch who is hired to help three young witches understand their power

(3/27) Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (★★★☆☆ – print, indie bookstore, 2025) – a sprawling novel about two people who meet in Shanghai in their youth and reconnect in their seventies

(3/31) Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford (★★★☆☆ – audiobook, Libby, 2024) – a sweet, heartwarming novel about a 77-year-old woman who is cast on a baking show and the secret that threatens to be exposed

(3/31) Let’s Make a Scene by Laura Wood (★★★☆☆ – e-book, Libby, 2025) – second-chance romance and enemies-to-lovers collide in this romance that takes place on a movie set

(3/31) Unmissing by Minka Kent (★★★☆☆ – print, Amazon, 2025) – a winding psychological suspense novel about a woman who is found alive after 10 years and tries to integrate back into her husband’s life, who has since moved on

Book Stats

• # of books read: 12
• # of pages read: 4,179 pages
• Genre breakdown: fiction (4), romance (3), mystery/thriller (2), science fiction/fantasy (2), nonfiction (1)
• Format breakdown: print (7), audiobook (4), and ebook (1)
• Fastest read: The Death of Bees and Unmissing (4 days)
• Slowest read: Red, White & Royal Blue (13 days)
• Star average: 3.9

Superlatives

• The best book I read in March: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
• My favorite romance in March: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
• The book I thought I would love more than I did: Homeseeking by Karissa Chen
• The book with the best narrator: The Death of Bees by Lisa O’Donnell
• The book I was most excited to read: Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson

Reading Miscellaneous

Unread Shelf Project | March prompt: A book with a one-word title: I went with Homeseeking, which I bought at The Book Lounge during my bookstore spree with Jenny in January. I didn’t love it, but I’m glad I read it, if that makes sense. (Books it beat out: Yellowface, Sipsworth, and Penitence.)

Where I traveled this month: In the United States, I visited California, Washington DC, and Oregon. I also traveled to Shanghai, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. I spent some time in moody Edinburgh, Scotland, snowy Calgary, and beautiful Amsterdam. And, as always, I visited many places throughout the UK.

DNFs: I had zero DNFs in March!

Something I learned from my reading: I learned about the Chinese Civil War and the Japanese occupation of China in the 1930s, which is something that was never covered in my history classes. I don’t feel as if I got enough historical context in Homeseeking about this conflict, though, and I’m eager to learn more!

What’s Coming Up in April

Want to know what I’m bringing on my reading retreat? Sure you do! I’m packing a wide selection so I have plenty to choose from:

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke – This book is getting so much buzz! I already love Caro from her podcast, Diabolical Lies, and this book sounds insanely good. It’s definitely at the top of my list!
• First-Time Caller by BK Borison – I loved my first BK Borison book, and I have heard so many rave reviews about this romance. I can’t wait to read it!
• The Appeal by Janice Hallett – I bought this book in London, and it’s been sitting on my shelf, just waiting for the right time to be read.
• Wild Side by Elsie Silver – Another romance from a fave author! She hasn’t let me down yet, so I hope the same holds true for the third book in her Rose Hill series.
• Kin by Tayari Jones – Another super buzzy book that I’m looking forward to reading. I’m worried it might be a bit too literary for my tastes, but I’m going to give it a try.

What was the best book you read in March?

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Fantasy • 2022

Short synopsis: A lonely witch who secretly posts fake spell videos online is summoned to a mysterious house to teach three young witches to control their magic.

This book was adorable in every sense of the word. I loved the magical world that Mandanna created. It felt like sinking into the softest sweatshirt–cozy, warm, and comfortable. Mika, the witch at the center of the story, is full of life and incredibly easy to root for. As an orphan raised without the community she longs for, she’s spent most of her life following strict rules meant to keep witches hidden and separate. It’s led to a lonely existence for Mika until she is summoned to Nowhere House and meets an unforgettable cast of characters. Every character in this novel is fully formed and so precious to me. The children are delightful, and I just adored the the found-family dynamics. As a bonus, there is a romance woven into the story like a small gift tucked between the pages. I adored this book, and it’s already a strong contender for one of my favorite reads of the year. (Recommendation source: IRL friend, Lynn)

Homeseeking by Karissa Chen (★★★☆☆)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Historical Fiction • 2025

Short synopsis: An epic and intimate tale of one couple across sixty years as world events pull them together and apart, illuminating the Chinese diaspora and exploring what it means to find home far from your homeland.

This is a tough one for me to review because it’s a book so many people love, and I went in expecting to feel the same way. I’m usually a big fan of historical fiction, especially stories that immerse me in a time and place I don’t know much about, but this one just didn’t land for me emotionally. While the writing is beautiful, I never felt particularly compelled to pick it up and found myself struggling to connect with the characters. The shifting timelines were occasionally confusing, and the present-day chapters felt somewhat unnecessary to the overall story. Ultimately, it just felt like a bit of a slog to get through. I can absolutely see why this book resonates with so many readers, but it just wasn’t the right fit for me.

Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford (★★★☆☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Contemporary Fiction • 2024

Short synopsis: After nearly sixty years of marriage, Jenny Quinn takes a chance and tries out for Britain Bakes. She’s surprised to be cast, only to find that the pressures of the show stir long-buried memories and a decades-old secret that could unravel her marriage.

This novel had all the ingredients (see what I did there?) of something I should love—reality TV, an adorable older protagonist, and a touch of found family—but it ultimately left me a bit bored. The story jumps back and forth in time, which was particularly confusing on audiobook; for the first 15% or so, I genuinely thought there were two different protagonists—a young baker named Jenny and then Mrs. Quinn—when in fact they were the same person, just sixty years apart. I struggled to fully buy the central premise of Jenny keeping such a massive secret from her husband for SIXTY years, as it didn’t quite align with how her character was portrayed. That said, I loved the behind-the-scenes look at reality TV and especially the tender relationship between Jenny and her husband. What I loved most was the portrait of a marriage that has endured for sixty years, full of quiet support and deep love, and the unsettling question that runs beneath it all: how does one of them go on when the other is gone? While it’s not a book I’d rush to recommend, it makes for a light, cozy palate cleanser filled with plenty of delicious baking scenes.

What are you reading?

March 28, 2026 – Podcasting with Amber! Bri and I met earlier and recorded two episodes, and then our friend Amber joined us for an episode on being an enneagram 6!

March 29, 2026 – The doggos enjoying some ice cream on Lucy’s birthday! We have a favorite place that has a whole little ice cream shop set up in the corner of their store, just for dogs! They had half-birthday cake, half-peanut butter flavor.

March 30, 2026 – I was finally able to try a loop around the walking path that is right next door to where I live! It’s such a beautiful path, but I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to do a loop. I’m not a fast walker by any means, and I’m even slower these days with all my joint pain. It took 10 minutes, maybe? Not too bad!

March 31, 2026 – I walked by my bedroom this morning to see both girls splayed out in the sun, living their best lives. We love having so much more natural light in our new apartment!

April 1, 2026 – No April Foolin’ around here. Just a cat who looks so cozy, curled up on the bed, taking a nap.

(It wasn’t until late on April 1st that I realized I shared some big family news on April Fools’ Day, and some people may have thought I was playing a big joke. I promise I was not, and that would be a terrible thing to joke about!)

April 2, 2026 – It’s week 7 of methotrexate! As mentioned in a previous post, my rheumatologist moved me up to 20mg weekly from 15mg, and this is my second week taking that dose. I’m still not seeing much of a change in my symptoms (and I’m especially not ready to start weaning off prednisone), but it’s still early. (This pill container is much fuller in the morning; I take my mtx dose in the afternoon, separate from my other pills.)

April 3, 2026 – Action shot! LOOK AT THIS SWEET WIDDLE BEBE’S FACE. Whenever I’m sitting in my reading chair, she’ll come up to me like this and poke me with her paw. Then, I have to put my hand down so she can rub herself all over my hand. She’s so cute it hurts.

What’s the last thing you took a picture of?

As expected, my goal-finishing prowess came to a screeching halt in March. Ah, well. I got 1.5 goals completed, so it wasn’t all bad. Fingers crossed I can do better in April!

March Goals

1) Schedule an eye appointment. Not complete. I kept forgetting about this goal!

2) Make two new recipes. Not complete. Ugh. Getting sick derailed me, and then all of a sudden, it was the end of March, and I hadn’t even looked for new recipes to try.

3) Get Lila set up at the new vet. Complete! She’s now at the same vet as Eloise, and everyone loves her. (I mean, duh.)

4) Complete two character studies for my two main characters and start working on my plot. I finished one character study, and I’m about a 1/4th of the way through the other one. The character study template I’m using is VERY detailed, so it’s taking me a while. But I’m still plugging away!

5) Figure out my 401K situation. LOL, no. I’m still dragging my feet on this. (Short version: My company was sold last year, and the new org has a different 401K provider. I need to move the money from my old 401K to this new one.)

April Goals

1) Schedule an eye appointment. Rollover goal.

2) Reorganize the cabinet under my sink. This cabinet is where I keep household supplies like trash bags and dishwasher pods, as well as cleaning supplies. It’s getting a little disorganized, so it’s time to sit down, pull everything out, and reorganize it. My favorite thing!

3) Offload some prescriptions. I have about 5 or 6 unopened bottles of prescription medication that I need to get rid of. I think I can go to a pharmacy and drop them off (these bottles were delivered by mail from a special pharmacy—they were a new kind of depression medication that I no longer need). I figured I’m much more apt to complete this goal if I have to report on it next month!

4) Read at least four books during my solo reading retreat. My solo reading retreat is this month! I’m so excited. I’m already plucking books off my shelf that I want to bring with me. My goal is to finish four books!

5) Figure out my 401K situation. Rollover goal… again.

What’s something you want to do in April?

WATCHED

• The Traitors UK, season 4 – There is always something special about a new Traitors UK season! Claudia 4ever. Season 4 may go down as one of the best seasons of Traitors UK in my mind. It was so good!
• Survivor: San Juan del Sur (season 29) – I’m continuing to jump around and watch previous seasons of Survivor. I decided to watch this season because many people cite the winner as their all-time favorite. I was happy with the winner, but I don’t think they were my favorite.

In progress: New Girl season 3, Friends season 5, RuPaul’s Drag Race season 1, Survivor 50

LISTENED TO

• Benson Boone, American Heart (music) – Bri loves Benson Boone so I decided to listen to his latest album to see what all the fuss is about. And now I understand! This album is pure fun and such a bop. Favorites: Mystical Magical, Mr. Electric Blue, and Man In Me.
• Curse of: America’s Next Top Model (podcast) – I was never a devoted fan of America’s Next Top Model (I watched a few seasons, but fell off pretty quickly), but someone posted about this podcast in a forum I follow, so I gave it a try. Apparently, there’s also a documentary on one of the streaming services, but I’m bad at watching TV (see above!), so I downloaded the podcast and inhaled the 10-episode series. From really exploitative contracts to the way a trans woman’s storyline was handled to the angry Black woman trope (<– which feels more insidious considering a Black woman was at the helm of this show), it’s appalling. This podcast series is well-organized, well-researched, and super eye-opening.
• Sarahjane Case on Sarah’s Bookshelves Live (podcast) – I loved this episode about reading and the Enneagram with Sarahjane Case. Sarahjane is one of my favorite Enneagram experts and I felt very seen while listening to this episode, and it helped me understand my own reading habits better!

BOUGHT

• Cat tower – I wanted a cat tower I could slot into the space between my desk and my closet, and this one fits more perfectly than I could have imagined! There’s a big bed at the top, two caves for the girls to hide in, and even a hammock that Lila may use at some point. And the cats are using it, which is even better.
• Dining room table – I love my new dining room table so much! It’s a different color, a different shape, and a different style than my other one, and it makes me so happy!
• Outdoor couch – Eloise and I are having a blast on our new outdoor couch. (Lila is still a bit apprehensive about the patio.) It’s so cute, fits the space perfectly, and is a sheer delight to relax and read on it.

LOVED

• Bri’s play – I loved attending Bri’s play and seeing her perform on the stage! It was a local community theater, so everyone on the stage was a volunteer. You have to love theater to put so much time and effort into something you’re not getting paid to do, you know?! It was a great time, and Bri did amazing. (And so did her husband, Sean! It was a surprise to many people that he was cast in the play, which was really fun.)
• Starting to see some gradual symptom improvement – We’re still in the “wait and see” phase of my psoriatic arthritis treatment (tomorrow, I’ll start week 7!), but I’m beginning to see very gradual symptom improvement. My two problem areas (my left shoulder and my left ring finger) are still flaring, but the intensity has dialed down a bit. My inflammation markers have improved, but I still need prednisone to get through the day. Here’s hoping I see a big change in how I’m feeling by the end of April!
• A return to therapy – I go in waves with therapy. I don’t need it 100% of the time, but when I do, it makes a big difference. I re-started therapy with someone new in March, and I really liked her! She was easy to talk to, and we set up recurring appointments every other Tuesday.

LOATHED

• Getting sick – It’s no fun being sick! But at least I was able to rest as much as I wanted, and could even take a sick day without it affecting my workload too much. And it only lasted a few days, so I don’t really have that much to complain about.
• An impending change to our family – It’s been a big month behind the scenes, as my mom and her husband have decided to divorce, and he has moved out of the house. (She’s keeping the house and the dogs!) Since this is not my story to tell, I’ll leave it at that.
• Lila’s vet appointment – There were some good things about Lila’s vet appointment, mainly that her bloodwork came back fine. But her body condition score was a 9 out of 9 and she gained another pound, putting her at a very chonky 17 lbs. It’s time to really get serious about cutting down her treats and food.

SUPERLATIVES

• This month’s chapter title: The Turning Point
• Weather notes: Mostly hot with a few “cool” fronts that gave us that last gasp of nice weather before everything falls apart. Oh, and the pollen levels are EXTREME. Gah!
• Favorite meal/snack: Shepherd’s pie. One of my favorite meals, and I devoured this at a restaurant last month!
• Something I learned: That Fed-Ex has no obligation to leave a package at your doorstep if you live in an apartment! They can just leave a 100-lb package at the foot of the stairs and it’s your responsibility to lug it up four flights. (Yes, I’m still annoyed by this. Yes, I should move on already.)
• An unexpected delight: Getting to spend some time with my fur-niece and -nephew on a random Saturday afternoon! They were adorable and goofy and so lovable.

What’s something you loved in March?

Inhale Exhale by Nicole MacPherson

Print • Owned (giveaway) • Contemporary Fiction • 2026

Short synopsis: After decades devoted to motherhood and work, Michelle decides to enter the dating world and finds unexpected love—but as secrets surface and family tensions rise, she must confront her past to decide whether she can truly move forward.

Our friend wrote a whole-ass book!! It was such a joy to step into Michelle’s life. I was especially touched by the relationship between her and her teenage daughter, Livvy, which felt incredibly real to me. I loved their bond, and Nicole captured the nuances of the mother/daughter dynamic so well. (It reminded me a lot of my own relationship with my mom when I was a teenager. At once, I wanted her close, and within a split second, I could lash out at her for the most inane reason. Ahh, teenagers!)

I’ll be honest: I was nervous about the dating plot (so many writers do not understand the true nuances of online dating), but it turned out to be a delight and definitely made me laugh out loud at times. More than anything, I’m just in awe of Nicole for writing and completing a novel and for creating characters that feel so true to life. There’s something really special about seeing someone you know bring a story like this into the world!

(Note: I’m choosing not to rate this one since the author is a personal friend.)

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (romance bookstore) • Contemporary Romance • 2025

Short synopsis: Dani, a directionless thirty-something, takes a leap of faith when she accepts a job in Amsterdam. There, she reunites with her ex, enters a marriage of convenience for a visa, and starts to discover herself.

This romance has a pretty silly premise (Dani marrying her ex, Wouter, so he can inherit his family’s canal house), but I was able to push past the absurdity to enjoy the story for what it is—the uncertainty of being in your thirties and not knowing what you’re supposed to do with your life. Solomon brings Amsterdam to life in such a beautiful way (she genuinely made me want to book a trip immediately!). I loved watching Dani fall for the city at the same time she’s falling back in love with her high school boyfriend. It’s a sweet, charming read. Nothing groundbreaking, but an enjoyable escape.

Open-door romance – I’d give this one 3.5 chili peppers!

Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation by Linda Villarosa (★★★★★)

Audiobook • Spotify • Nonfiction • 2022

Short synopsis: In Under the Skin, Linda Villarosa exposes how systemic racism—embedded in medicine, environmental policy, and everyday life—drives stark health disparities that cause Black Americans to suffer worse outcomes and shorter lives than their white counterparts.

This book is a masterpiece. Each chapter explores a different system that shapes our lives, revealing how Black people continue to suffer under systemic racism. Villarosa pairs rigorous research with powerful personal stories—from a woman whose pregnancy nearly ended in tragedy because doctors dismissed her concerns to a family grappling with a son’s addiction and its ripple effects. The result is an impactful book that shines a clear light on the profound health consequences of racism and racist policies. A must-read for anyone on an antiracism journey. (Recommendation source: Lisa.)

What are you reading?

March 21, 2026 – My fur-niece and -nephew! The one on the couch is Moose, and the one on the floor is Cici. They are the most joyful bebes! My mom and I went over to my brother’s house to let them out when he was working, which was a true delight.

March 22, 2026 – For a variety of reasons, we did game “night” on Sunday afternoon at my apartment! We played Yahtzee and Scattegories. Eloise came out a few times to see what was going on, but Lila hid for their entire visit.

March 23, 2026 – Can you spot the kitty cat? She was all about this spot on my bed for her daytime naps this week!

March 24, 2026 – This is a repeat photo from earlier this week, but it had to be my photo for Tuesday! My brother dropped everything he was doing to drive to my apartment and bring up a huge box that FedEx had dropped off in the wrong location. I am so, so grateful to him!

March 25, 2026 – My new dining room table arrived on Wednesday! The delivery people put it together so fast, which was great. While the overall size is a smidge bigger than my old table, it feels smaller somehow. But not in a bad way! I really love the way it looks.

March 26, 2026 – It’s my rheumatology office! I love this place. They are efficient, friendly, and I really feel like they care about how I’m feeling.

March 27, 2026 – LOOK AT MY NEW OUTDOOR COUCH! She’s a beaut, Clark, a real beaut. I am in love with it, and it fits so perfectly on my patio. I need to buy some gripping pads for the cushions, but otherwise, it is perfect and comfortable, and I can’t wait to spend weekend mornings sipping coffee and reading on my patio!

What’s the last game you played?

We are in peak pollen season here in Florida, which means every day, I walk outside to see a thin layer of yellow dust on my car. I got my car washed on Sunday and within 12 hours, it was again covered in pollen. Sigh. This is my first spring season in my new neighborhood, and it appears there’s really nowhere I can park my car without being affected. What I really want is for all these car wash companies in our area to offer quick “pollen rinse-offs.” I’ll pay $10 just for a quick rinse, no soap! Or maybe I just need to suck it up and finally get a car wash membership.

Thankfully, I do not have seasonal allergies, I’d probably be so miserable right now. Our parking lot is covered with pollen!

2) This comment

I was scrolling through comments on Kyria’s post on where she finds inspiration, and saw this comment thread between Engie and Kyria! It touched me so deeply, more than they could ever know. I have been in a bit of a funk over the past month, and it’s led to feeling less inspired to blog. I feel like I’m barely hanging on some days, so to see such a sweet comment about my blogging style really lifted my spirits. I care a lot about this blog and the posts I’m publishing, and there is nothing better than knowing other people see the value I’m bringing! Thank you, ladies. I really appreciate the compliments!

3) PsA update

Yesterday, I had a follow-up appointment with my rheumatologist. I’ve been on my new long-term medication, methotrexate, for six weeks now (and have been on prednisone for a few weeks more than that). Last week, I had bloodwork done, and it was exciting to see that many of my inflammation markers have reduced. They still aren’t in the normal range, but they are trending in the right direction. (For example, my C-reactive protein started at 41.5 mg/L in January and is now at 20.4 mg/L. Normal range is under 8 mg/L, so it’s still high, but not as high as before.)

I was honest with my rheum that I hadn’t had symptom improvement beyond what prednisone has relieved, and she patiently reminded me that that was to be expected. Logically, I know this, but gah, I’m ready to feel better! Thankfully, I think the doc could tell I was frustrated because she agreed to bump up my methotrexate dose (from 15mg once a week to 20mg once a week) and wants me to start taking an extra half-pill of prednisone.

I’ll get bloodwork done again in four weeks, and then I’ll see my rheum at the end of April to see where things stand!

4) Lucy turns 5!

Sunday is Lucy’s birthday – she will be five, if you can believe that. (For newer readers, Lucy is my fur-sister, my mom’s dog, and she is my very best friend!) Who wants a trip down memory lane? Baby Lucy was everything.

5) Weekend plans

What’s going on this weekend? Today, I’m hoping to put together my outdoor couch and finish Homeseeking. Tomorrow, it’s a podcasting bonanza! Bri and I will record one or two episodes, and then our friend Amber is coming over to record with us. We’re going to talk about her life as an enneagram 6! And Sunday, I’ll take a fun trip to Dunedin with my mom and the dogs to get ice cream for Lucy’s birthday. Yay!

Tell me your weekend plans! Are you experiencing a pollen explosion like me?

5:20 a.m.: My alarm wakes me up. Wah! I get up, get dressed, brush my teeth, and then sit on the couch playing Happy Color for a bit.

5:40 a.m.: Off to the gym! I finish up a podcast episode on my way.

6:00 a.m.: I get to the gym and do a 30-minute workout on the stationary bike. Hopefully soon I can move on to other workout options!

6:40 a.m.: I drive home, listening to an audiobook.

7:00 a.m.: Home. I feed the cats and then loaf on the couch for 30 minutes, playing my NYT games and scrolling Reddit.

7:30 a.m.: I force myself to get up and make breakfast. Two fried eggs on sourdough with iced coffee. Yum, yum! I read and comment on blogs while I eat.

8:20 a.m.: I do my morning routine – empty the dishwasher, take my meds, do my skincare routine, update my planner, deal with my CPAP machine, make my bed, all the things!

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (★★☆☆☆ 1/2)

Print • Library • Science Fiction • 2010

Short summary: At 31, Kathy reconnects with childhood friends Ruth and Tommy and reflects on their sheltered upbringing at Hailsham, gradually confronting the disturbing truth about their past and the purpose of their lives.

I picked up this book after hearing it recommended on the Zero to Well Read podcast, where one host said it was the one book she wished everyone would read from all the books they discussed in 2025. I’ll be honest: it didn’t fully land for me. I considered abandoning it after 50 pages, but kept going because I wanted to understand the hype. I can see why people love this book so much. After finishing the book, I listened to the Zero to Well Read episode where they discussed Never Let Me Go, and it definitely gave me a different appreciation for what Ishiguro did. I just found the novel to be very slow and deeply sad. I prefer books with more plot, and this one leans heavily on character and atmosphere. It won’t be making my favorites list, but I’m still glad I finally read it.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (indie bookstore) • Contemporary Romance • 2019

Short summary: The son of the first female U.S. president is forced to stage a fake friendship with his rival, Prince Henry of England, to avoid a political scandal—only for their relationship to turn real and threaten both a reelection campaign and international diplomacy.

This is one of my all-time favorite romances, and I hadn’t reread it since my first read in 2019. Thankfully, it holds up, and I’d still consider it an all-time favorite! I love Alex and Henry so, so much. Their banter is perfect, their rapport is so fun, and their love story is genuinely sweet in a way that still gives me heart eyes. I also love how beautifully queer this story is—Alex and Henry are supported by their parents without it being treated like a scandal, just two people who deserve to be loved and happy. And I, once again, appreciated reading an alternate reality where the U.S. elected its first female president instead of a reality TV star, which somehow feels even more poignant in these dark times. This romance is funny, heartfelt, and I want the best for Alex and Henry always.

Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jesse Q. Sutanto (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Mystery • 2025

Short synopsis: When a mysterious influencer’s unidentifiable body surfaces, meddlesome teashop owner Vera Wong eagerly dives into the case to cure her growing boredom with a murder-free life.

This is the second book in the Vera Wong series, and I’m not tired of Vera’s schtick yet! I adore this meddlesome woman and her insistence on feeding everyone she loves. In this story, we’re introduced to a new cast of characters pulled into Vera’s orbit by way of a new murder investigation, and there is just something about Vera that brings people together. She can be exhausting at times, but ultimately, her heart is always in the right place. She truly wants the best for those around her! While this mystery didn’t feel quite as high-stakes as the first, I still loved being back in Vera’s teahouse and following along as she pieced everything together. These books are best on audio, so I highly recommend that format!

What are you reading?