Happy Monday, Boozie Book Nerds!

Ginny’s Update

What Ginny Finished:

• The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman by K.J. Charles:“Kent” and “London” break off their illicit relationship just months before Joss and Gareth (the same people) end up facing off in a courtroom before Gareth testifies against Joss’ sister. The ending was fairly abrupt and I think it could have used an epilogue, but I loved the way the drama came together.
• I’ll be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara: This book follows Michelle’s research to discover the Golden State Killer. the book is incredibly dark, and made darker by the knowledge that Michelle died while writing the book (unrelated). Michelle did a great job writing out the stories and focused more on the victims and the environment the Golden State Killer created. I’m glad I read this, but oof.
• For Her Consideration by Amy Spalding: Nina Rice writes emails for important people and Ari Fox is one of those important people. They get together but end up dealing with the baggage on both sides. I think Nina took the OG breakup incredibly hard, and with her lack of self-esteem, it made it a bit hard to understand why Ari was so entranced with her. That being said, this book captured how tight-knit friend groups feel and showed the pitfalls of the “I’m going to abandon my life in a fit of [insert emotion]” lifestyle.
• The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen: Hart is a Marshall and Mercy is an undertaker (in a magical land) and they hate each other but are also secret anonymous pen pals. I really enjoyed the world of this book and the details that got added. Also I kept giggling at Hart and Mercy’s banter. That being said, there writing could sometimes be overdramatic (there was a “he sobbed” that I kept looking at going ‘this doesn’t look right.’ Again, the story was inventive and world was a blast.

What Ginny is Currently Reading:

• Georgie All Along by Kate Clayborn: I’ve really enjoyed Kate Clayborn’s books (especially Love Lettering). In this book Georgie is visiting home to help her very pregnant best friend after her screenwriter boss decides to retire. She’s a bit lost and ends up meeting with Levi Fanning – the black sheep of the town’s Golden Family. I’m enjoying the way these two characters (who both seem to feel like they haven’t reached their potential) are helping each other grow.

Sam’s Update

What Sam is Finished:

• The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older: I read this for Magical Readathon. I was extremely pleased with this Novella and I’m very excited to have read it. You all know how much we love Malka and her writing. This was a murder mystery sci if with a professor and an investigator and it was awesome.

What Sam is Currently Reading:

• The Poison Season by Mara Rutherford: Another Magical Readathon read. There’s an island called Endla (I think that’s the spelling, I’m listening on audio) where there’s a forest that kills things. The forest needs sacrifices to not kill things and who better than the islanders who can sing like sirens and lure their prey or whatever living creature hears it (humans included). But ALSO, they are surrounded by a poisonous lake. Obviously a human makes it on to the lake and will inevitably fall in love with our other islander.
• That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming: I have been waiting to read this for a while for the title alone. From what I can tell, our leading lady Cinnamon was in her way home from a bar and knocks this demon out of his stupor and saves him. He threatened her family so now they’re going on a journey to rid the world of a witch. I’m in. This accidentally made it back to the library so i am waiting for it to come back
• Cooking at Home: Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying About Recipes by David Chang and Priya Krishna – I read a review online that said this book is meant to be read cover to cover like a novel… so that’s what I’m doing and it’s actually fab. It helps that they’re talking a lot about Asian flavors (naturally) and I’ve been dying to learn more about those flavor profiles.

Until next time, we remain forever drunkenly yours,

— Sam, Minda, and Ginny