Sweet Tea and Baby Make Three(Sweet Tea B&B #6), By Rachel Hanna    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Love the wholesomeness of these books and the adventures of adventures of Mia, Travis Evie, Cooper, and Kate. It takes you away to a sweet little town and takes away all the worries in the world while you're reading about two love stories and the baby on the way, Kate's honey business and her daughter going off to college, and the adventure park, brings just enough excitement to keep you turning pages until the end!

The Shadow of the God's (Bloodsworn Sage #1), by John Gwynne    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Love the setting. Love the Lore. Love the Characters. - Pete

The Pariah (Covenant of Steel #1), by Anthony Ryan    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Now this is what I'm talking about. Do you enjoy gritty, dark fantasy? Do you have some unresolved religious trauma? Let me recommend this book. Incredibly interesting protagonist. - Peter

Fool's Fate, by Robin Hobb (The Tawny Man #3)    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Parts of this book I enjoyed. I think this is where I end on the series though. I think there were more interesting choices that could have been explored with the ending. For a series that has been especially hard on its characters the "happy ever after" ending is kind of a cop-out. I know there's another trilogy but I'm willing to let this ending lie. - Pete 

Super Volcanoes: What they reveal about Earth and the worlds beyond, by Robin George Andrews     ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

For some reason it took me a few months to read this, though I enjoyed it thoroughly and learned a lot. Andrews is wonderfully and wittily inventive for using similes and metaphors to describe complex volcanic events though I do wish he had gone more into the actual science. But an enjoyable read. - John 

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This was a reread of my favorite book of all time, it is definitely a classic for a reason. A romance is formed only after a series of misunderstandings and the prejudice of both the main characters is overcome. It is a timeless story that inspired so many other romance novels, and I cannot recommend it enough or any of the film adaptations!

I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jeanette McCurdy    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I loved this book, it made me feel seen in alot of ways and gave me a solid outlook on what eating disorders involve, and what mindset the person might dive into.

Metropolis, by Ben Wilson    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

4.5 stars - A well-researched and persuasively argued history of human cities. In 14 chapters he focuses on a particular aspect of a city and its global impact, e.g. 16th century Amsterdam and international commerce, coffee in 18th century London, 20th century Los Angeles and urban sprawl. A big gap though is the Western-centrism of the cities he selects. There are no Asian cities highlighted though he certainly does discuss many. An enjoyable and provocative read. - John

The Man Who Died Twice (Thursday Murder Club #2), by Richard Osman    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

4.5 stars - The Thursday Murder Club Series doesn't disappoint. A fun series. - John

The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games #1), by Jennifer Barnes    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is a book that you are UNABLE to put down once you start it. Action-packed, mystery-filled, and much more! Not a book you want to miss. - Katelyn 

Where the Echos Die, Courtney Gould    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

An interesting read. Seems like scifi at first but this story is rooted in the science and troubles that sometimes are associated with science that is not closely monitored.

The Poppy War, by R. F. Kuang    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This book was both intriguing and challenging. If you love reading about different cultures, Gods, and academies, this is the book for you! - Katelyn

All This Twisted Glory (Thie Woven Kingdom #3),by Tahereh Mafi    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This book was definitely better than the second book. Gets better as the story progresses! -Katelyn 

The Partly Cloudy Patriot, by Sarah Vowell    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

I rewatched The Incredibles recently, and noticed in the special features there was a short documentary about Sarah Vowell, the voice actress for Violet. I have never heard of her before, and was glad I watched this, as I found out she is a notable nonfiction writer. She got the role of Violet after director Brad Bird heard her on the radio program This American Life, of which she was a regular contributor. She has a great interest in our country's history, but considers herself to be more of a journalist. I listened to the audiobook of "The Partly Cloudy Patriot", and finished it in just a few days, which probably would have taken me at least a few weeks to read at my regular pace. Her unique voice really sells this for me, which is more like a collection of essays and musings with recurring themes throughout each narrative. Vowell is especially fond of historical sites and their significance. The 2000 election and its aftermath is a prominent topic of the bigger picture here, and how she views the state of American democracy at the time, as this was written during the earlier years of the W. Bush administration. Her prose, wit and delivery make this an enjoyable listen, something you can easily put on while doing things around the house, unlike say another audiobook I've listened to like "The Player of Games", a hard science fiction story where I could only sit down and listen to it for and hour or so at a time to truly understand and visualize what was happening. I look forward to checking out more of her work. - Brian 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Amazing plot twist - Jibril 

Gen X Pittsburgh: The Beehive and the 90’s scene, by Dave Rullo    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great book about the now closed South Side coffee shop, the Beehive. Starting with their opening in 1991 as coffee shops in Pittsburgh were really not a thing. Let alone in the South Side, an area still ravaged by the closing of the steel mills. The shop became a hub for the Gen X’ers in Pittsburgh. A place to share art and ideas, hangout all day, play pinball, listen to music, and so much more. The book also explores their second location that was in Oakland near the University of Pittsburgh. The coffee shop helped changed the neighborhood and had a strong hold on the southside until its closing in 2019, because of changes in the neighborhood due to gentrification. I would stop at the shop every now and again in its later years, and loved reading about its impact from a time I was too young to remember. - Frankie 

Meanings of Maple: An Ethnography of Sugaring, by Michael Lange    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

An interesting, easy to read book for anyone interested in food and where our food comes from, or maybe has tapped their own maples to make syrup. Warning: this book may make you crave pancakes! - Amy

Mirror and the Light, by Hilary Mantel    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Done with the trilogy. Entertaining brisk reads. This one needed a bit of editing. Not sure it needed this many pages to tell of about 2 years of narrative history. Still, a fun exciting read. - John

Flock, Exodus, and The Finish Line (The Ravenhood series), by Kate Stewart    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This series was amazing, I would consider this a romance series, but it is not your typical Hallmark love story. Books 1 and 2 specifically ROCKED me! Book 2, I screamed, sobbed, and cried some more. If you are bored with the books youve been reading, start this series. Book 3, was still good, but while books 1 & 2 were 11 out of 10's I would give book 3 a 7/10. - Olivia R

House of Earth and Blood, House of Sky and Breath, House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City Series), by Sarah J. Maas    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

You have to read her other two series, ACOTAR and TOG prior to reading this series. BUT THESE BOOKS!!!!!! You will never be the same once you get into the Sarah J. Maas world. These reads were LONG, but so so worth it! The characters are relatable, theres romance, magic, great banter, spice, action, etc. SJM keeps you on your toes and wondering what could possibly happen next. Light It Up <3 - Olivia R

The Forsaken King, The Broken Queen, and The Three Kings (The Forsaken Series), by Penelope Barsetti    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

This trilogy sucked me in immediately, I finished all three books within a week. It reminded me very much of Game Of Thrones. As the books go on the author gives you POV's from more and more of the characters. An all around great romantasy series. - Olivia R

Does It Hurt, by H.D. Carlton    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A dark romance with mystery and very thrilling. This book gave me goosebumps multiple times, I laughed, I cried. All around a great book, one of my top favorite authors!! - Olivia R

Orbiting Jupiter, by Gary D. Schmidt    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Love this book, shows how family can be made anywhere. -Abigail 

The Women, by Kristin Hannah    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I really appreciated that this book, although fictional, brought awareness to an experience and aspect of history about which I knew very little. It tells the story of Frankie McGrath, who became a combat nurse for two tours in Vietnam, and explores her PTSD and struggles when she returns home. At times, I was incredibly moved (either angry, or sad, or a host of other emotions) by Frankie's experiences. That said, I did not enjoy the way the book was written - at times it felt like I was reading a Young Adult book (nothing wrong with YA, it was just jarring to contrast the style with some of the brutal and horrific things Frankie was experiencing). Part of it was the typeface - I did some research and apparently the publisher intentionally used a 1970s era font for this book - it probably brought back memories of my own childhood! Frankie's friends seemed to have an incredible ability to drop everything and fly or drive across the country to be with her, no worries about money, etc. The whole world seems to center just a little too much on Frankie, and I know she was the main character but it required suspension of disbelief. I would have liked to spend some more time with her friends Ethel and Barb. There is some romance and it's pretty cheesy. Also I'm still really glad I read it.

Old School, by Tobias Wolff    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fun, quick read following the narrator through his senior year at his prep school, who wants to become a writer. - Frankie

Practice Makes Perfect, by Sarah Adams    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A follow-up to "When in Rome," this cute romcom about the baby of the family and her well-meaning sisters is enough fluff to be fun with enough heart to keep me interested. Of course, sweet baby sister finds a hot bodyguard with ripped abs to help her get over her niceness. The bodyguard loves the niceness but hates commitment. It might be trite, but it's fun.

When in Rome, by Sarah Adams    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

So cute. It's about a pop singer running from her career and her controlling manager who ends up in Rome, Tenn., because she wants to live out the movie "Roman Holiday." Of course there's a hunky, cranky guy who owns a pie shop (because reasons) and a bunch of his sisters who are way too invested in his love life. It's a winner, and it made me seek out the sequel.

Always Remember (Ravenswood #3), by Mary Balogh    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

One of a series that's an offshoot of another series (which was probably an offshoot of another series, knowing the author), this one doesn't live up to its predecessors. I never connected with the characters. Still, Mary Balogh is on my auto-read list. I've loved lots of her books. Just not this one.

You Say You Want A Revolution? by Daniel Chirot    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

A short analysis of why revolutions fail with a call for moderation to confront social and economic change. He makes little effort to disguise his liberal market anti-communist ideology, which allows his book to be thoughtful and provocative though ultimately I believe limited in its usefulness.

The Wrong Mr. Right (The Queen's Cove Series #2), by Stephanie Archer    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

It was an okay read. If small time romance is your thing, then you should read this!

Contractual Obligations, by Elle Rivers    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

This was a really good book. It showed how two people can overcome challenges and have a happy marriage.

The Fakeout (Vancouver Storm #2) by Stephanie Archer    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

It was a good hockey romance read.

Behind the Net (Vancouver Storm #1), by Stephanie Archer    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

If you love hockey romance, you can read this. Great read!

Wicked: the life and times of the wicked witch of the West : a novel, by Gregory Maguire    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Beautiful, beautiful book. It gives us a wonderful story of the Wicked witch of the West. Really great read!!

Book Lovers, by Emily Henry    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

It wasn't your typical romance novel. It had some much background and depth. I really enjoyed it. If romance is your thing, then you should definitely read this!

Remarkably Bright Creatures, by Shelby van Pelt    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A friend had been recommending "the octopus book" to me for a while, and I kept politely resisting - a book in which an octopus is a main character just didn't appeal to me. I take it back. This is one of the best books I've read in a long while. And it's not JUST about the octopus, although he is charming and fascinating as a character. The book centers primarily around Tova Sullivan, recently widowed, recently turned 70, and unsure about the next phase of her life. Her friendship with Marcellus (the octopus), who lives in a tank at the aquarium where Tova cleans every evening is just one small part of the story. Although the novel is predictable at times, the story is skillfully told, and I sped through it, eager to learn what happened to all of the characters. I might even have cried a little, but in a good way.

A Savage War: A Military History of the Civil War, by Williamson Murray and Wayne Wei-Siang Hsieh    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

It's been many decades since I read a book on the American Civil War but this one was an interesting and new perspective. I learned a lot. I think it would be very rewarding for anyone in organizational leadership. - John

The Book of Ayn, by Lexi Freiman    ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

My two-stars is not entirely fair, because I did not finish this book. I had read a review of it somewhere and it sounded intriguing. I know it's probably a Gen Z book and I am a Gen Xer, so maybe I'm just out of touch. At first, it was intriguing and even funny in parts. But the main character just started becoming more and more of a parody of herself and the story was just not interesting. Maybe I stopped reading before the brilliance kicked in. I'm submitting this review to remind people that it's okay not to finish a book you don't like!

Dirty Thirty, by Janet Evanovich    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Was this the best book I ever read? No. Have I missed a few books in the twenties in this series? Yes. Does it matter? No. I was going on vacation and needed something available in Libby, and it is easy to jump into Stephanie Plum's world. These novels are totally formulaic and I guessed most of the plot in the first few chapters, BUT it's still fun to read about Stephanie's irrational job, loyal friends, and her two not-quite-perfect suitors. As always, my favorite character is her grandmother, who only shows up a few times in this installment. If you've never read any of the books in this series, the first ten or so are the most fun.

Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, by Katherine Ma    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I wanted to like this book, but I found it to have a very privileged view of rest and restoration. Maybe there's some cultural difference between the UK and the US, or maybe the struggle to connect is purely my own.

Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neala Hurston    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

VERY good book, best one that I’ve read in a long while.

World Within a Song: Music That Changed My Life and Life That Changed My Music, by Jeff Tweedy    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

For some of us of a certain age Jeff Tweedy is a music icon, a prolific musician and songwriter and frontman for bands Uncle Tupelo and Wilco. Here he shares 50 songs that have impacted his life- in good, bad and ugly ways (though mostly good). These aren’t necessarily the songs that most inspired his music (no high fidelity-esque music snobbery here) but songs that make him feel the most or remind him of loved ones or pivot life experiences. His writing will get you thinking about and curating the soundtrack of your own life and wondering if music will have the same emotional power when so much of it now is first experienced solo via our phones. It is fun to listen to the songs as you move through each chapter; some some songs will be obscure, many will be familiar but his writing will get you thinking about why you like the music you like and can songs help us be better people and live more fulfilling lives? - Sarah 

A Good Girls Guide To Murder, by Holly Jackson    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This book was incredible. It reminded me a lot of the Adnan Syed case. But it had so many twists and turns at the end I couldn’t keep up! Overall a great read. Totally worth your time and money. - Elizabeth 

The Storyteller, by Dave Grohl    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I listened to Dave read the audiobook version and it kept me at the edge of my seat, wanting more. Very engaging, and I think anyone who likes music would enjoy it. His stories are as much about being a fan as being a musician himself. - Amy

A Noise Downstairs, by Linwood Barclay    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

Good murder mystery with lots of twists and turns! - Renata

Vile Bodies, by Evelyn Waugh    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I love Waugh, even though he's one of those writers I never would have wanted to meet or hang with. His razor sharp wit and penetrating satire would have reduced me to tears. - John

The Hard Stuff. Dope, Crime, The MC5 & My Life of Impossibilities, by Wayne Kramer    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

After Wayne Kramer's passing, last month, I found it fit to read his autobiography. I got this copy when I met him in 2018 and feel very lucky that I had the chance to talk to him and ask him questions about his career. The book covers his growing up, starting one of the most influential bands to rock and roll, the MC5, the downfall that was caused by drugs, crime and prison, and finally him becoming sober, starting a family and a life of service- especially his amazing nonprofit, Jail Guitar Doors. A great read for fans of rock history. - Frankie 

Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

This non-fiction book gripped me and exposed me to mass incarceration...and the prejudice that accompanies some of the wrongly condemned.

The Housemaid's Secret, by Freida McFadden    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

I typically enjoy Freida McFadden's books - there is usually a satisfying twist, and this book did not disappoint. It was a fun thriller.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, by Gabrielle Zevin    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This was a departure from my typical books, but came as a recommendation. I enjoyed learning about a different culture and industry. The themes, however, were relatable and kept me intrigued.

Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire, by Eckart Fraham    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I learned a great deal from this. Very good and thoroughly researched. - John 

Martyr!, by Kaveh Akbar   ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

3.5 stars rounded down to 3. After all the glowing reviews that this book has garnered, I really had hoped to like it at the 5 star level. But after about the first half, it went from 5 star to 3 star. A book that captures me won't take me 2 weeks to read like this one did. Some of the language is absolutely brilliant and beautiful (I have multiple sticky-tabs on pages where something struck me). But I got bored by some of the story digressions that really seemed to veer away from the theme of "martyrdom." The last chapter with Cyrus and Zee just left me scratching my head, saying "What was that all about?" Maybe there is some sort of symbolism that I'm just not getting. However, I don't want to have to work that hard at figuring out what an author is trying to convey.eally wanted to like this book at the 5 star level. but it just didn't do it for me. - Kathy 

Longbourn, by Jo Baker    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

4.5 stars, but I rounded up to 5 for the secret revealed to the readers, a twist I didn't expect! Taking place in the world of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice, this is Sarah's story, one of the housemaids at the Bennet's Longbourn House. Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth's story is just on the periphery, introducing new characters belowstairs. - Amy 

The Man Who Watched Trains Go By, Georges Simenon    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I've yet to read a bad Simenon book. This one of the best. - John

Salammbô, by Gustave Flaubert    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

This was another book where the premise really caught my attention. Set during the Mercenary Revolt in Carthage over 2,000 years ago, I wanted to check it out since I don't read many historical novels. I think the most difficult thing about Salammbô is being able to fully visualize these locations and their scale. How I imagined Carthage was probably nowhere close to how large it really was. Also, there were so many ancient history terms I did not know and had to stop reading to look up. The same goes for many other locations and character ethnicities/names that were not easy to remember. A lot was lost in translation, from a book set so long ago, written in the mid 19th century, read by someone over 150 years later. I think the story itself is just fine, with somewhat of a classical mythology formula. The best parts in my opinion were the many battle scenes, especially the elephant combat, incredibly violent as you'd expect for the time. The titular character is the fictional daughter of Hamilcar Barca. I'm unsure if any of the other protagonists are based on or inspired by historical figures. I think this story could really benefit from an abridged version or modern translation. It took me almost a month to read it and its not even 300 pages, definitely something you need to take your time with. The author, Flaubert, is best known for writing Madame Bovary, and faced similar backlash for its content, like James Joyce with Ulysses. I was surprised that there weren't really any notable films made, but there's an early 2000s PC game based on Salammbô that might be worth playing. - Brian 

Fourth Wing, by Rebecca Yarros    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I was really worried about whether or not I would enjoy this book because of all the mixed reviews and opinions I had been hearing, but I'm so glad I decided to read this book!! It is such a well rounded book which leaves you wanting to continue reading more and more. I liked how it was a perfect mix of both romance, action, and fantasy. Also who doesn't love DRAGONS?!? Anyway it's 10/10 I recommend taking the time and reading the book, and I can't wait to see what comes next in this series. - JoAnn

Saturday the Rabbi went Hungry, by Harry Kemelmen    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I like reading murder mysteries in bed at night. This is the second in the series. Dated and not the best mystery I've read, but a fun, breezy read. Mazel tov!

Jefferson's Second Revolution: The Election of 1800, by Susan Dunn    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Having read Dunn's book on the election of 1940, I was a bit disappointed in this. As more a scholar of the FDR era, I think she was a bit out of her depth here. She weaves between being an historian and a polemicist so some of her conclusions are simplistic and naive.

Sand, by Wolfgang Herrndorf     ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I'm undecided, much like this book, about international intrigue (sort of), political commentary (sort of), dark satire (in a way), and evocation of North Africa (a good deal). But, I read it rather fast and the commentary at the end really opened my eyes to a very intriguing story. Well with reading. Would make for a great discussion group.

The Serpent and The Wings of Night (Crowns of Nyaxia #1), by Carissa Broadbent    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Unexpected, but a different story that will have you turning the page for more. If you like vampires and hunger games, this is the book for you!        - Katelyn 

A Rogue of one's own, by Evie Dunmore    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Awesome and fun romance book. 

I Who Have Never Known Men, by Jacqueline Harpman    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This book, originally published in French in 1995, is short and fascinating. It's a little bit science fiction, a little bit dystopian, a lot feminist. The narrator is the youngest of a group of forty women who have been imprisoned in an underground bunker for years. They do not remember how they got there or much of their life before in great detail. They are monitored constantly by three guards. One day, a siren goes off and the guards leave in a hurry - luckily dropping the keys close enough for the women to escape. That's when the "adventure" begins. To be clear, there isn't much of an adventure - if you want answers or explicit explanations, this is not the book for you. If it reminded me of anything, it was Cormac McCarthy's "The Road," but only very slightly. It is one of the most original and interesting pieces of fiction I've read in a very long time. (Also, it's short - really more like a novella, and it is written as one continuous story without chapters).

I'll Show Myself Out: Essays on Midlife and Motherhood, by Jessi Klein    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is a collection of essays, a follow up to Jessi Klein's 2016 book. This one focuses on her life as a mother and reflections on aging. Just like her previous one, this is laugh out loud funny at times, but at others it is emotional and touching and will bring a tear to your eye. It's also very relatable (okay, she can afford to have a nanny and some other things, so maybe that part isn't so relatable). But her frank admissions of the joys and also the difficulties of parenting, are very honest and true to life.

You'll Grow Out of It, by Jessi Klein    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is a collection of humorous essays about growing up, being awkward, and more specifically, dating and being an adult. Parts of this book literally made me laugh out loud.

Quiet Days in Clichy, by Henry Miller    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Shockingly short read for Henry Miller. Written shortly after returning from his time in Paris, and the adventures his roommate, Carl, and his would get in while often penniless. - Frankie 

Everyone in My Family has Killed Someone, by Benjamin Stevenson    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Before reading this, know that the author is Australian so some of the slang, etc, is Aussie. Also that this is the first book in a series (the second one has just been published here in the States). The book is amusing, engaging, and sometimes convoluted. I'm still not sure I follow how Ernest Cunningham, the protagonist, figured out the murderer because there were a lot of characters, and timelines, involved. However, getting to that point was a fun read. I enjoyed that the narrator, Ernest, who is writing this about his family's propensity for killing/murder keeps breaking what would be called "the fourth wall" in stage productions. A lot of "I'll let you in on the secret" type of narration, all rather tongue-in-cheek. I looked up "fourth wall in literature" and I learned that this is known as "meta-fiction" in literature. I learned something new from reading this very enjoyable book. - Kathy 

Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune, by Anderson Cooper    ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

I "read" this as an audiobook. The joy of this book was hearing Anderson Cooper read his own work. The actual book is a disorganized collection of stories about the Astors. It seemed to be chronological, but then jumped back a generation, and then jumped forward again. By the end, I just didn't care (plus I couldn't keep them all straight). Trigger warning - the first chapter goes into excruciating detail on trapping and skinning beavers. - Kathy 

Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai, by Matti Friedman    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is definitely a book that lends itself well to audio (and it's short - a little over 5 hours). The author uses a combination of archival materials, including Cohen's journals, as well as interviews with a large number of people, to piece together poet/musician Leonard Cohen's experience in the Sinai during the October 1973 Yom Kippur war. This is a beautifully-written book that does an excellent job at creating a sense of the experience felt by both Cohen and those who interacted with him during this time. The author also talks about how this experience was pivotal to Cohen's career, although he rarely mentioned it after it happened.

Wonder Boys, By Michael Chabon    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A book that has been waiting on my shelves for far too long. Extremely well written. Story of a down writer struggling and on a path of self-destruction, and a young Hollywood obsessed writer. Taking you through a weekend together that changes both of their lives, -Frankie

It Starts With Us (It Ends with us #2) by Colleen Hoover    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The sequel we all needed. Atlas and Lily finally get their happy ending. We are just along for the ride. -Katelyn

Batman: Three Jokers, by Geoff Johns    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Holy crap this is the best Batman book I've read so far, all the tie ins to previous stories are incredible and it's fun to see how far the story and worldbuilding has come. Definitely not a story to enter into comics with, but the plot twists are unexpected and intriguing, as well as the whole concept of the book. Recommended for any Batman fan!

The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, by James McBride    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Having recently read "Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" by the same author, I was eager to read his most famous work. This memoir is mesmerizing. McBride intersperses his mother's reluctant reminiscences of her early life with his own experiences growing up in a chaotic household. Sometimes amusing, sometimes heartbreaking, and often thought-provoking, this book is, more than anything, a beautiful gift of love from a son to his mother.

The Sirens of Mars, by Sarah Stewart Johnson    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The book lead us through few years in the life of a planetary scientist. It didn't catch my full attention because it didn't really explored in depth her personal and professional life nor the science topics that make the story.

Warrior Fae(Ruthless boys of the Zodiac #5), by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Okay, my curiosity got the best of me,and I read all 5 books. At some point I was annoyed, dropped it, then picked it up again. It is a nice book. I will definitely recommend this series.

Broken Fae(Ruthless boys of the Zodiac #4), by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

We are getting closer to the end. I don't think it's a cliche book(my opi ion), it has its mysteries and all. Not particularly a must read, but is is a nice book.

Vicious Fae(Ruthless boys of the Zodiac #3), by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Now we are on book 3. A lot is happening with the different characters, but what will happen?

Savage Fae(Ruthless boys of the Zodiac #2), by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The story continues. I think curiosity led me to continue reading. 

Dark Fae(Ruthless boys of the Zodiac #1), by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This is a book about a girl who lost her brother. She wanted to find out who killed him by going to the school her brother was in, and confronting the 4 kings of the school. It wasn't a bad read, nice story line. But she does have four love interests, so that's that.

The Senator's Wife, by Liv Constatine    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I really like this one! Mystery. Suspense. A little medical drama.

Treasure State (Cassie Dewell #5), by C.J. Box    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I really liked this book in the Cassie Dewell series. Mystery. Suspense. Good vs. evil.

The Bitterroots, by C. J. Box    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Mystery, suspense, twists and turns. If you like that then Cassie Dewell stories can be a good match!

Pineapple Street, by Jenny Jackson    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Cute book with a twist at the end.

Hello Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano     ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Great book with a psychology connection.

Cherish (Crave #6), by Tracy Wolff    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Another in the series. Good for anyone who likes paranormal reads.

It Starts with Us, by Colleen Hoover    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Good book but it left me wanting a little more at the end.

Charm (Crave #5), by Tracy Wolff    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This is a fun series for those who like the paranormal.

Carnegie's Maid, by Marie Benedict    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This is an interesting historical fiction with Pittsburgh connection.

Sweet Tea & Wedding Rings (Sweet Tea B&B #4), by Rachel Hanna    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

The fourth book in the Sweet Tea B&B series. So fun to continue reading the story of Mia and Kate sisters who found each other late in life and are now running both a Sweet Tea B&B (which their late Mother passed down to them) and a new honey business. Lana Blaze, a famous singer, was married there and returns to the B&B (secretly) but is discovered by a mean hearted reporter who was originally there to write a story about the B&B but tries to turn it around and blackmail Lana into using her fame to promote herself. Lana wasn’t taking any of it and gets the reporter fired and writes her own story about the B&B and honey business to ultimately give the girls a huge boost in business! The adventures of Mia and Kate, and their awesome boyfriends Cooper and Travis are so endearing, and it is easy to stay up swiping those pages until way too late! Cooper and Travis do get into some trouble with the girls by purchasing land and deciding to go into business (before they tell the girls). Of course, they are forgiven in the end and everything works out…the ending is a big surprise that will keep you wanting to read until the end!

A Clash Of Kings, by George R. R. Martin    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The sequel to A Game Of Thrones. This book continues the series well and starts to differ from the TV Show. 

The Blind Assassin, by Margaret Atwood    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I generally read 2-3 novels at once and I rarely stay with just one, but I did with this one. That is, I couldn't put it down, it's that good! Stop what you're doing and read this. - John

Profiles in Courage, by John F. Kennedy    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I feel like this is another book that you're "supposed" to like, because it's written by JFK and won the Pulitzer Prize. His definition of "Courage" and how it has been shown by U.S. Senators throughout history is limited and at times hypocritical. He is seemingly defending people that are unquestionably wrong by today's standards, such as Taft regarding the Nuremberg Trials. It isn't until the last chapter where he explains his opinions on the subject of courage and each person previously mentioned, and tries to come off as neutral, self-righteously defending the vague concept of American democracy. Kennedy was a Senator at the time, coming from a wealthy and well connected political family. His thoughts on these values are laughable considering how he got to the position he was in then and later as President. Each chapter is about an episode from the life of a Senator that supposedly stood for what they truly believed in against the public's opinion at the time and the political establishment of their party. Each of these stories are not particularly interesting or enjoyable to read. What he's getting at is so far removed from our current state of broken politics, that it's hard to believe anything he says. Of course there are references, but this was written in the '50s, and I imagine a lot of the claims he makes and "facts" he states have been either outright disproven or would be considered somewhat inaccurate. It does not surprise me that Kennedy didn't entirely write this himself, as his speechwriter Ted Sorensen is considered to be it's ghostwriter. - Brian

Assassin's Apprentice, by Robin Hobb    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Fantasy romp filled with court intrigue, politics. Rare and secrets magic. I enjoyed the fleshing out of the main cast of characters and the development of their relationships. - Pete

The Fraud, by Zadie Smith    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Having read her earlier book, White Teeth, I was looking forward to Smith's most recent, and wasn't disappointed. Centering on a real Victorian era case of an obscure man who claimed to be an heir to a noble fortune, the book also touchese on questions of race, gender, and class relations in Imperial England. But above this, Smith also questions the authenticity of fiction writing itself asking if having made-up stories seem real and true is not itself a fraud, and has many of her characters, such as Charles Dickens, wonder if they themselves are frauds, and so onto Smith's book itself. Her central character, herself a real historical person, observes: "How like a novelist!" thought Mrs. Touchet, "He lies to tell the truth!" - John.

Work: A Deep History from the Stone Age to the Age of Robots, by James Suzman    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Though he sometimes doesn't hold to a carefully defined idea of what he means by work, still a very anthropological and insightful account of human effort. -John

The Latinist: A Novel, by Mark Prins    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

A fun read that ended up somewhere different than I expected. -Amy

It Ends With Us, by Colleen Hoover    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This story was an interesting and moving one. It made you feel so many emotions about so many characters. Lily, Ryle, and Atlas have so many aspects to them. It was great to live their stories. - Katelyn 

Normal Rules Don't Apply, by Kate Atkinson     ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This is a collection of short stories, all of which are loosely-connected to each other. The first one really hooked me (it's kind of dystopian), and I wish it had launched a full-length novel. Several of the other stories were like that, and I was almost disappointed that some of them didn't continue. However, I've been struggling to find fiction to read in the past few weeks (including another Kate Atkinson I couldn't get into) and the short stories here were manageable and engaging. A few of them literally made me laugh out loud (especially the one title "Shine, Pamela! Shine!" - partially because I'll just say that the outcome was really unexpected).

The Invisible Hour, by Alice Hoffman     ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

This is magical realism, time travel, and romance in a mash-up. If I'm being cynical, I'd say that the author had 2 partially finished stories, and decided to merge them into one book. It just didn't work for me. Truthfully, I skimmed most of it. The only reason this gets 2 stars is because I did find the Hawthorne section to be more readable than the first part of the book. -Kathy

The Hidden History of the Boston Tea Party (audiobook), by Adam Jortner    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This book is read by the author who is a professor of history at Auburn University. I kept thinking "Wow, it would be great to be sitting in his classroom. He makes history come alive." -Kathy 

Let Us Descend, by Jesmyn Ward    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

The book had been called "Dante-esque" which I can definitely see. It is a visceral description of slavery pre-Civil War. It's hard to call it historical fiction, but I suppose it is. It also has aspects of magical realism. It would have helped me to do a quick read on the structure of Dante's The Divine Comedy before reading Let Us Descend. Annis may not go through the 9 circles of Hell, but she certainly encounters every "deadly sin" that the circles encompass. Later in the book, the similarity to Dante's journey to Purgatory is not as obvious, but I think it is still a valid point of comparison. -Kathy

Divine Rivals (Letters of Enchantment #1), by Rebecca Ross    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Gods mixed with fantasy and dystopian. Doesn’t get any better than that! Iris and Roman have the perfect romance during a crucial war. -Katelyn

A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is a great book to The Kite Runner. Instead of the father-son story, it focuses on the mother-daughter bonds in Afghanistan. - Katelyn 

Good Omens : The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by, Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

After watching the series and listening to the audio book being able to read the actual book was amazing! I recommend anyone who wants a light hearted, goofy, and just down right fun book to read Good Omens. You won't regret it!! - JoAnn

A Shadow in the Ember, A Light in the Flame, and A Fire in the Flesh (Flesh and Fire, #1-3), by Jennifer L. Armentrout    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This series comes after the From Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I am a huge fan of this author. I loved this series, possibly even more than the first series. An easy to read fantasy with some added romance. A strong, badass female main character, mixed in with gods, dragons, etc. 10/10 !! - Olivia Ritorto

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1), by Sarah J mass    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Great fantasy book, with a little bit of romance mixed into it. This is book one of the series. This books has a strong female lead, who will be needed to help save/fix something. This is a good read if you want fantasy and romance, but not exactly spice.

The Music Shop, by Rachel Joyce    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sweet book about a music shop owner with a unique gift for comforting his customers through his vast collection of vinyl records. (He refuses to sell cassettes and CDs.) There are enough references to famous artists and their musical masterpieces to satisfy any record aficionado. This, along with an unexpected romance makes this book a sentimental read for anyone who has ever operated a record player!

Home Sweet Christmas, by Susan Mallery    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This adorable little double romance gave a Hallmark movie vibe, and I loved it! A big sister, Camryn, raising her twin teenage sisters in a sweet town called Wishing Tree. She lived in the city prior to her Mom’s passing, and then moved back to Wishing Tree to raise her sisters and get them through school. She planned on moving back to Chicago, but of course, meets the love of her life, Dylan, through a quirky circumstance (his mom is determined to find him a wife and Camyrn is on her list!). A separate love story is intertwined with River, Camryn's female friend who she shares a workspace with and Dylan's best friend, Jake. They are named King and Queen of Wishing Tree's Christmas celebrations and end up falling in love in the process. Of course, both couples live happily ever after! 

Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I had never read anything by James McBride before, and now I'm a fan (and am waitlisted to read two more of his books). I read this for another book club I'm a part of and it was not at all what I was expecting. I liked that it took place in Pennsylvania, and focused on the relationships between Jewish and Black members of a small Pennsylvania community in the 1930s. I feel like this is a story steeped in truth, but a snapshot of history and American society that people may not even realize existed. Also, some of the things mentioned in the book sent me into additional deep dives that were fascinating.

The Decade, by Gabby Means    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Story of famous Pittsburgh Rock n roll bar The Decade. Located in the heart of Oakland from 1973-1995, the bar was legendary for being the home to many Pittsburgh bands and musicians, like the Iron City Houserockers and Norm Nardini. However, many national acts also took the Decade stage like The Ramones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi, Brice Springsteen, Aerosmith, and more. Spending a lot of time in the Pittsburgh music scene and Oakland, I was always sad the bar closed barely before I was 2, and reading this book gave you a good sense of its strong place in Pittsburgh memory. -Frankie 

Wasting Talent, by Ryan Leone    ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

An interesting story about the horrors of addiction, based on the author's experiences. While it's difficult to tell what really happened versus what didn't, the detail and knowledge of drug use and their consequences are undeniable. Influence from Hunter S. Thompson and Bret Easton Ellis is evident. It's easier to follow and more relatable in it's storytelling, taking place in the late 2000s. It gives a unique perspective on fame and the negative aspects of it. Some scenes are incredibly brutal and violent, unlike anything I have read before. The author Leone has had a difficult life, spending time in prison and battling addiction for many years. He passed away unexpectedly in 2022 at the age of 36. While I think there's a lot that could be improved with "Wasting Talent", it's still a compelling and enjoyable narrative. Leone is quite the character, and I've watched some entertaining interviews he's done on YouTube. -Brian

Christmas in Plains, by Jimmy Carter    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A quick and easy read by President Carter retelling Christmas memories of his small town. From being a child, in the navy, governor, president, and afterwards he recalls his family traditions and the good will the season can bring. Very fun to get in the spirit of the season! -Frankie 

How the Internet Happened: from Netscape to the iPhone, by Brian McCullough    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Who remembers using Mosaic as their first Internet browser?  There were only a few Internet pages, and it seemed that at some point we had read them all. Mosaic gave us the opportunity to jump from the green letters on the display to the Internet that we know today. This book takes us through how this happened, sharing the stories of those who made it possible. It's also a good walk down memory lane for those of us with white hairs or no hair at all.  More importantly, it focuses on our needs to stay connected. What we call "social media" today began several decades ago with very primitive systems that nonetheless opened us to this connection with others.  - Albert

The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Greek gods, a forbidden love story, and everything is at stake. An action packed and amazing story with the Greek gods! - Katelyn

The Bone Season, by Samantha Shannon    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Looking for a dystopian fantasy novel? This is the perfect read for you! Filled with mystery and fantasy. - Katelyn

The Handle (Parker #8), by Richard Stark    ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Always fun to read a Parker novel. This one is more elaborately plotted but less bloody than some others. - John

Chuck Noll: His Life's Work, by Michael MacCambridge    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Although known for his 4 Super Bowl wins as head coach of the Steelers from 1969-1991, outside of football, he lived a very private life. This book gave you insight to many sides of him completely unknown to the public, and would highly recommend it to any Steelers or football fan! - Frankie

The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan   ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

I have an extremely long list of great books I haven't read. I can now happily cross this one off! - John