Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett

Available May 26, 2020

If you are looking for a riveting and gut wrenching memoir, this book is it. Mikel Jollett recounts his childhood growing up as part of a cult, his family's escape, and the turbulent years leading to his adulthood. Told with unflinching honesty, it is both a gripping tale of survival and a heartbreaking story of abuse and neglect.

Mikel Jollett spent his early years a child of Synanon. When his mother became disenchanted at the group's dark turn, she took her two boys and hid with other escaped cult members. After a family friend was brutally assaulted in broad daylight, Mikel and his mother and brother escape again to a new location, out of reach of Synanon. But life was still incredibly difficult. Mikel grew up with an aggressive older brother and a narcissist of a mother. After his father comes back into his life, Mikel and his brother bounce back and forth between the two dramatically different homes. One, controlling and emotionally abusive, and the other, with more freedom and acceptance.

Jollett goes into detail about his family's struggles with substance abuse, emotional abuse, and the effect poverty had on shaping his life. The courage it takes to not only seek help for these struggles, but to share them with the world is extraordinary. Jollett's writing is powerful in it's simplicity. The straightforward way that he describes traumatic experiences from his childhood is almost jarring.

Incredibly powerful and emotional, Hollywood Park is a gripping tale of family, love, and acceptance. If you enjoyed Educated by Tara Westover, definitely give this one a look.

Interested in a copy of Hollywood Park for yourself, you can grab one here:

Mikel Jollett is a member of the indie band The Airborne Toxic Event. You can find their latest album here:

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Thank you to Celadon Books for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions and mistakes are my own. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Blade so Black by L. L. McKinney

Available Now

Reader Friends, I screwed up. Again. I had access to a smoking good sale last fall and bought a copy of A Blade so Black because the cover was gorgeous and it sounded amazing.

And then it sat on my YA shelf, looking gorgeous, until this month.

Why do I always wait so long to read these amazing books? The world may never know.

A Blade so Black is an action packed, modern retelling of Alice in Wonderland. Alice is 17, I think, attends high school, has an extremely tight knit group of friends, and slays Nightmares in Wonderland by night. Slays with swords and daggers. This is by far the most badass retelling of Alice in Wonderland I've ever read. Now, even though Alice has become a tough Dreamwalker, aka Nightmare killer, she still has an equally tough single mother who is incredibly protective of Alice. For good reason-Alice's father passed away leaving her a single mother and an innocent high school girl named Brionne was shot down by the police near their neighborhood. Mama is justifiably stressed.

I really loved how McKinney gives us a look at how complex being the hero can be. Alice is juggling friends, homework, house chores, and saving the universe. She's also ruining her clothes and shoes without an endless Tony Stark budget to replace them. And those friends of hers? Time runs differently when she crosses over to Wonderland which means she is always looking like a flake and missing out on plans. Sometimes, the most important plans get missed.

The world-building is incredible. It was so much fun to read how McKinney reimagines Lewis Carroll's original world. Classic characters come to life in new and exciting ways, and far more inclusive ways. Alice is a gorgeous, cosplaying black girl with a head full of smarts and the Mad Hatter? A hottie who trains her and runs a pub with Maddi, or that sleepy, slightly drunk critter from the original book. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum? Hottie Russian twins. Lots of hotness in this book.

Overall, this book was just what I was needing: an action packed adventure with amazing characters. I loved this retelling and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book because this one had one heck of a cliffhanger!

If you would like a copy for yourself, you can grab one here:

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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Also, remember any mistakes and opinions are always my own, even if I bought the book with my own money and just read it last night.

Close Up by Amanda Quick

Available Now

Book 4 of the Burning Cove series

I have a longtime relationship with the author that goes by so many names: Amanda Quick, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Jayne Castle. When I learned I was pregnant with my son, I was already off for the summer and took “resting” to a whole new level. I started at the beginning of the Jayne Ann Krentz shelf at the Library and worked my way, one to two books per day, through the Library’s entire collection. When I exhausted that section, I found her other pen names and worked my way through them. When I discovered that she did three book arcs throughout all three pen names, I had to start those over and read them as trilogies. I have an entire shelf in my private library dedicated to signed copies I ordered from Seattle bookstores. She doesn’t know it, but I love her.

I know exactly what I’m getting when I pick up one of her books and this book did not disappoint.

Close Up by Amanda Quick is the fourth installment in the Burning Cove series. Vivian Brazier is a talented photographer with dreams of becoming a famous art photographer. When her wealthy family cuts financial ties with her after walking away from a respectable and lucrative marriage proposal, Vivian is forced to take portrait appointments and crime scene photos to pay the bills. The mysterious Dagger Killer is on the loose and Vivian's crime scene photos provide insight to the local police force but also place Vivian in grave danger. When a private investigator named Nick Sundridge, and his gentle giant of a dog Rex, show up on her doorstep and declare her life is in danger, Vivian is not only shocked, but also not really surprised. With some reassurances from a police detective, Vivian and Nick work together to expose the threat against at Vivian and also, to expose the attraction between them.

I'm a longtime reader of Amanda Quick and have enjoyed all of the different story lines that are woven together to create the Arcane Society world. In Close Up, Quick provides us more clues to the range of psychical gifts found in certain people and the their connections to different members of the Society. Devoted readers of Quick, and her other pseudonyms, will not be disappointed in this high stakes adventure full of 1930's glamour, set in the highbrow world of the arts.

Interested in your own copy? You can get yours here:

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Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title, all opinions and mistakes are my own.

Conjure Women by Afia Atakora

Available April 7, 2020

Conjure Women is a dark and beautifully written story about the power of women in a dark time in history. Set in the American South, Conjure Women spans generations to tell the history of three women living on the same plantation. May Belle, a powerful healing woman with the power to conjure curses has taught her daughter Rue the secrets of their position. When Rue's friendship with the master's daughter Varian threatens her safety, May Belle does what she can to protect her daughter. Those actions will change the women's lives forever.

This is a haunting story of family and the lengths we will go to protect the ones we love. Told in alternating points of view, the story unfolds slowly to reveal an intricately laid plan of revenge, hope, and fierce loyalty. The writing is incredibly beautiful and compelling, insisting the reader digests each word before moving on to the next. Atakora paints a vivid picture of village life and the complexities of the healer's place in society. Both feared and revered, May Belle and Rue both in their times, do their very best to keep the villagers safe and calm during the most trying times. When the villagers turned on Rue, I was so invested in her safety and well-being that I couldn't put the book down. I had to know how her story ended and learn the secrets of her tumultuous relationship with her mother.

Richly written, Conjure Women is a compelling story of family, loyalty, and closely held secrets. Best part, this Afia Atakora's first novel. I look forward to seeing more from this amazing author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title.  All opinions and mistakes are my own.

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Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Available Now

This book was the perfect comfort read during the shelter-in-place order issued by our governor.  I was looking for something that guaranteed a happily ever after with lots of fun and snark, and this book delivered on all points.

After a near death experience, Chloe Brown decides her safe and decidedly dull life needs some excitement. Creating a list of experiences that are sure to make her future eulogy far more interesting, Chloe is determined to check each box on the list-as soon as she feels up to it.  Struggling with fibromyalgia and chronic pain, Chloe spends much of her time managing her pain level and symptoms. When her seemingly prickly, but incredible handsome building superintendent Red finds her in a tree helping a scared kitten, the two set out on an unlikely friendship. Trading business consulting for help completing her list, Red and Chloe discover there is no way their relationship can remain strictly professional. Falling in love with a passionate artist wasn't on Chloe's list, but sometimes exceptions just have to be made.

This book is so good! This is one of those books that is equal parts light-hearted and emotional growth. Talia Hibbert does an excellent job at balancing out the hurt and trauma from horrible past relationships and the need and desire to be happy and live a full life.  The dialogue between Chloe and Red was perfect, and one of my favorite parts is the email exchange between the two discussing Red's website. Red has only ever seen Chloe at her less than best so to watch him draw out the fun and sassy side of her was incredibly entertaining. I also found everything so relatable-nothing was ever over the top or felt unnecessary. The story moves quickly with lots of insight into Chloe's daily life. I really loved how much care Hibbert took in describing the different ways that Chloe has had to adapt to her ever changing body and it's unpredictable aches and pains. As someone who has dealt with chronic pain for over six years, I understand how hard it is to balance out being clear minded but in pain, or being pain free but feeling high as a kite. It's hard to make a good impression on anyone when you're constantly exhausted and hurting. Red was so accepting of Chloe's needs and was just the most perfect, handsome, sexy artist.

Insert deep sigh here.

It's just a perfect book. That's it, that's the review. It's perfect. Get it, read it, tell me what you think of it.

I'm using this time of staying at home to balance out  my bookshelves.  I'm slowly working my way through my unread Book of the Month shelf and enjoying every minute of it.  Get a Life, Chloe Brown was my November 2019 pick and again, why did I wait to read it??? If you're interested in starting up a Book of the  Month membership, you can help us both out by using this link: https://www.mybotm.com/5f24d9c326b8?show_box=true

If you'd like a copy for yourself, and help support the site, you can grab one here:

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As always, purchasing through the links helps support the site as I am a member of the Amazon Associate Program.

New Releases for Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Happy Tuesday!

It’s New Book Day! My favorite day of the week. Here is a collection of books that I have either ordered for the Library, for myself, or think you will be excited about. Click on the covers for more information about the title and as always, purchasing through the links helps support the site as I am a part of the Amazon Associate Program.

For the Kids:

For the Adults: