Happy Monday, Boozie Book Nerds!

This is your weekly reminder that all lives can’t matter until black ones do.

Sam’s Update

I GOT A KITTY!! Her name is Nona Grey… as in… Mark Lawrence’s Red Sister Nona. She is 3 months old and is adorable. ADORABLE. Also, I’ve been super bad about reading. So yeah.

What Sam Finished:

Nada.

What Sam is Currently Reading:

• King of the Rising by Kacen Callender: This is the sequel to Queen of the Conquered. If I’m honest, this is probably the reason I’m struggling so much. This book is REALLY introspective, like the first one, and so damn slow. I just don’t think I’m in the right headspace to finish it.
• Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson: It’s here! IM SO EXCITED! I love my kids so much and I’m happy that I get to see what they’re up to =)

Ginny’s Update

Oof, this week was a doozy and I managed to get some reading done on the days where I felt I wasn’t actually capable of anything. So yay, me

What Ginny Finished:

• The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin:This book, about New York City being born, was a marvel. I will admit, I felt like I missed a lot, but only because this book was beautifully written and there was so much going on. I’m already looking forward to the sequel (and will 100% be writing a review).
• The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix: I read this for a book club and I’m legit excited to talk about it. This book is fairly slow paced, and the vampire is an insidious character. But I really loved the combination of women in this book club, women who would otherwise be considered “proper.” And this book was surprisingly upfront about a number of topics. I’ve read other books by Grady Hendrix, but definitely preferred this one.
• A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole: This is the third full book in the Reluctant Royals series, and I continue to love it. There’s something about a fake dating relationship where the couple actually falls in love that has me giggling. Plus the chemistry is amazing, and we get to see all of the characters from earlier books. What a blast.
• Remedial Rocket Science by Susannah Nix: This was a sweet book about a college hook-up that reconnects three years later and becomes genuine friends. This book does a great job of not demonizing an -ex, having women in STEM, and having a bad-boy redeem himself. Definitely a nice light fluffy read.

What Ginny is Currently Reading:

• These Feathered Flames by Alexandra Overy: I received this as an ARC. In the book, the twins have been chosen to either act as Queen or as Firebird, the person who punishes those who use magic without paying the price. I’m not far in yet, so I don’t have the strongest opinion on things yet. But the world seems well built and I think there are some pretty interesting ideas in here.

Minda’s Update

What Minda is Currently Reading:

• Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach – Food writer and blogger Rosenstrach shares her food journey and best recipes in this ode to dinner. Reading a cookbook—I know! I’ve actually had this on my TBR for years, but always put off reading it. Cooking/meal planning seems like a good COVID/hermit hobby this winter.
• Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi – From Goodreads: “Transcendent Kingdom is a deeply moving portrait of a family of Ghanaian immigrants ravaged by depression and addiction and grief–a novel about faith, science, religion, love.” Loved Homegoing so expecting to love this too.Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

— Sam, Ginny, and Minda