Review: The Bachelorette Party

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten is the first novel she has written in English on her own.  She usually writes in Swedish and then has a translator do the English version.  I never would have guessed.  That fun fact aside, The Bachelorette Party is a locked-room type of mystery except the room is an island.  There are also two bachelorette parties involved.  The first ends in an unsolved murder mystery that inspires a guest of the second to try to figure out whodunnit when she has an opportunity to go to the island under similar circumstances.  I have never done when of these types of bachelorette parties, but I do like a yoga retreat and going to an island for that sounds fun.  Getting murdered for doing either sounds less fun.  

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Review: O Sinners!

O Sinners! by Nicole Cuffy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

O Sinners by Nicole Cuffy is an intense read.  An investigative journalist gains access to a group that has been labeled as a cult and decides to spend six weeks living with them to do a story.  Present day with the group is intertwined with chapters about a group of American soldiers in Vietnam.  One of them is now the leader of the group, but we can only guess which one.  It also tells you a lot about the mindset of this leader.  There is also a third set of chapters which is a transcript of a documentary about the group and clash with a church in their original location.  It is a lot of information to piece together but very cleverly told.  It did make me want to gather a group of friends and move into a remote area where we focus on enjoying life.  If you like epistolary novels and/or culty stuff, you'll want to read this.  

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Review: Dreamers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop

Dreamers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Dreamers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki from Ballantine Books via NetGalley.  This book will be published around August 25, 2026.

Dreamers of the Full Moon Coffee Shop is the third book in the Full Moon Coffee Shop series by Mai Mochizuki.  I recommend reading the books in order because the stories build on one another.  For those that have read the other books, Dreamers is slightly different.  I highly recommend reading the acknowledgment section where Mai explains why it is different.  While different, it is still a soothing read.  It is a reminder that there are many types of love, and they are all meaningful.  The astrology is also still there but less detailed than before.  Again, the acknowledgments really helped elucidate the astrological aspects.  

Bonus points for a gorgeous cover!

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Review: Thrilling Tales of Modern Men: Stories

Thrilling Tales of Modern Men: Stories by Danny McBride
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Thrilling Tales of Modern Men: Stories by Danny McBride from Random House via NetGalley.  This book will be published around June 23, 2026.

Admittedly if I just saw the title, Thrilling Tales of Modern Men, I would snort and pass this right up.  Who needs to hear more about what men do?  Not this woman.  However, I saw that it was written by Danny McBride.  Now, that changes things!  I am a big fan of McBride's sense of humor, and I figured this book would be chock full of it.  It was.  I could almost hear McBride's voice reading the dialogue.  This is a collection of short stories, so you don't have to read them in order or even read them all.  If you have enjoyed any of Danny McBride's TV shows or movies, you owe it to yourself to get a copy of this.  You will laugh.  You may also groan because you might know some of these guys in real life.

Bonus points for the cover. That tiger is absolutely perfect!

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Review: The Enigma Challenge: A Novel

The Enigma Challenge: A Novel by S.C. Godfrey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Enigma Challenge: A Novel by S.C. Godfrey from Viking Penguin via NetGalley.  This book is due to be published on August 11, 2026.

If you like puzzles, ciphers, or cryptograms, I strongly suggest reading The Enigma Challenge by S.C. Godfrey.  This story scratches the same itch as books like The Da Vinci Code or shows like the Amazing Race.  The title alone piqued my interest.  I was delighted to find that it was about a mysterious, global puzzle challenge that has a prize to die for.  My favorite part were the puzzles that S.C. Godfrey included and the explanations of how to solve the various types of ciphers.  Yes, I tried to figure the answers out myself before reading on.  I had trouble putting this one down because I couldn't wait to get to the next location, the next puzzle.  I'm also hoping there is a next book.

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Review: The Last Session

The Last Session by Julia Bartz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Last Session by Julia Bartz was very unique and unexpected.  I thought this was going to be a mystery about a wellness cult, but it turned out to be a lot more than that.  It gets very trippy, delving into the interconnectedness of beings and reincarnation.  There were more twists than I anticipated.  Sometimes, I wasn't even sure what was "real" anymore.  If you are looking for something different and like culty things, you should get this book a go.

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Review: Gingerbread

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It felt very meta making and eating gingerbread while reading Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi.  I didn't even intend to do that.  It was serendipitous.  I have also been experimenting with what I put in it to make sure I get the right combo.  Gingerbread inspired me to try honey instead of maple syrup.  It was a good idea!  

Gingerbread is a modern fairy tale.  You can see the nods to classic fairy tales throughout the story. Magical realism is not always easy to follow.  You have to be comfortable letting go of certain structures to let the story bloom.  Once I let go, I enjoyed it much more.  I also can't promise that I won't force a loaf of gingerbread on you the next time I see you. 

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