Review: True Crime: A Memoir

True Crime: A Memoir by Patricia Cornwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Postmortem when nobody else was.  My mom bought them in hardback and kept them.  Whenever I came home to visit, I would devour the stack of the latest ones.  It was a love we shared.  It is no shock that I would want to read True Crime: A Memoir by Patricia Cornwell to understand the person behind those books.  To be fair, I have also read the Captain Chase and Jack the Ripper series.  Scarpetta is still my favorite.  

True Crime: A Memoir taught me that while I knew a little bit about Patricia Cornwell, I really had no idea about her and her influences.  I am not surprised that she is multi-faceted.  It is the facets themselves that are intriguing.  I would never have guessed she was so close to Ruth Graham.  Maybe if I had read Ruth's biography I would?  I would not have guessed that writing didn't come naturally or how her writing style is an extension of that discomfort.  It is how we get Scarpetta, and I am quite thankful for that.  

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Review: Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life

Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life by Sharon Blackie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hagitude: Reimagining the Second Half of Life by Sharon Blackie is a different take on menopause.  It is part memoir, part mythology lesson.  Blackie embraces the concept of the hag as a life choice for middle-aged/elder women.  She would not approve of using senior there.  She explores the depiction of older women through the ages and how we can take what is often a negative stereotype and spin it into something positive.  She intersperses the history and myth with tales from her own life that have led her on this journey.  Best read while wearing a caftan and drinking a cup of tea.  

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Review: Reading behind Bars: A True Story of Literature, Law, and Life as a Prison Librarian

Reading behind Bars: A True Story of Literature, Law, and Life as a Prison Librarian by Jill Grunenwald
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ever since my work with correctional institutions in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, I have been very interested in prison/jail reform and enrichment programs.  Even one of my dogs came from a prison rescue program!  Reading Behind Bars: A True Story of Literature, Law, and Life as a Prison Librarian by Jill Grunenwald seemed like a good fit.  This is a memoir and Jill Grunenwald is not perfect.  There are definitely cringe moments, even in the interactions with the inmates.  I liked the inclusion of actual prison regulations at the start of chapters.  I learned some things about prison libraries that may help me make future donations from my own collection.  I enjoyed many of the literary references.  For those who have issues with J.K. Rowling, there are a lot of Harry Potter references in this book.  It was published in 2019, so I give the author some grace for possibly not having the foresight to know how alienating those might be for people.

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Review: Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism

Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism by Stewart Reynolds is a very timely work.  You can learn a lot from observing cats.  Unlike dogs, cats have somehow learned to coexist with people without completely losing their connection to their wild ancestors. Cats are the original disruptors.  Reynolds keenly points out a number of their natural behaviors that make them perfect models of anti-fascist behavior.  If you are currently despairing about the fate of our nation and wondering what you can do, take some tips from our fellow felines as observed by Stewart Reynolds.  You might be inspired to action, or at least, you will have a good laugh.  

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Review: The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook

The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook by Melani Sanders
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook by Melani Sanders is a companion piece to Melani's online videos of the We Do Not Care Club meetings.  If you are not already familiar with the We Do Not Care Club and are a person perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause, I highly encourage you to look them up.  I also urge you to get this book.  I got the ebook, but I think a hard copy would be better because it is interactive.  Also, you may want to make copies of the badges and things like that in case you start your own club or just award yourself.  If you are someone who may one day have to experience menopause, you might also want to read this to prepare yourself.  It may not make sense now, BUT IT WILL.  I am putting you all on notice right now that I am a card-carrying member, and I do not care anymore. Thank you.

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Review: How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler

How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler by Ryan North
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler by Ryan North is written as a reference guide for someone who took a time machine into the past and got stuck and now needs to rebuild civilization (as we know it).  However, this book could come in very handy in the future in case we need to rebuild civilization (as we know it) due to some major catastrophic event.  I suggest buying a hard copy and putting it in your bunker, safe room, or fire/water-proof safe.  You are not going to speed read your way through this. You also don't even need to read it in order.  You read the parts you need when you need them.  It will tell you if you need to read another section to accomplish your goal.  This is a very comprehensive distillation of just about everything.  Even without a background in engineering or basically many skills, I feel like I could take on the challenge of building a whole new world.  It is also done with humor which makes getting through the really dense parts easier.  

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Review: The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic

The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic by Nina Bargiel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Crone Zone: How to Get Older with Style, Nerve, and a Little Bit of Magic by Nina Bargiel is worth reading for the illustrations alone.  Just kidding although they are fantastic.  I've always known I would be a crone.  Even when I was younger, I liked to wear a caftan, preferred the company of animals over people, and read lots of books on witchcraft.  When I saw this book, I knew it was for me.  I am in my crone era!  I live woods-adjacent with my animal familiars.  I discovered that Ross has a caftan section.  A whole section!  I bought two...for now.  So while The Crone Zone didn't have a lot of revelations for me, it was enjoyable to read the insights of a fellow crone and know I am in good company.  It is also nice to embrace the positive aspects of aging.  Be yourself, unapologetically.  I also liked that there is not just one way to crone.  You can mix it up!  This is perfect for the aspiring crone, somebody looking for a mid-life pick-me-up, or the seasoned crone who wants a laugh.

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Review: The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever

The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever by Calum Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever by Calum Marsh from HarperOne via NetGalley.  This book will be published around October 27, 2026.

I'll admit I had some preconceived notions about the cult of CrossFit prior to reading The Glass Box: The Shocking True Story of How CrossFit Broke the Rules, Made Millions, and Changed Fitness Forever by Calum Marsh.  The first notion was that it is culty as the CrossFit adherents are pretty adamant that their way is the best way.  It looked tough.  It didn't always look safe.  This book didn't necessarily convince me I was wrong, but it did give me a much better appreciation of why people get so into CrossFit and how the diet and exercise CrossFit promotes does have science behind it and does produce results even if the execution is sometimes flawed.  I now realize how many of our current fitness trends have their roots in CrossFit.  If you are/were ever into CrossFit or CrossFit-curious or enjoy reading about fitness, you will want to read this book.  

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Review: America Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States

America Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States by Atlas Obscura
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of America Obscura: An Explorer's Guide to the Hidden Wonders of the United States by Atlas Obscura from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley.  This book will be published around October 20, 2026

I am a huge fan of the Atlas Obscura website, so when I saw this book, I knew I would have to read it.  If you like to travel off the beaten path in the United States, this book is for you.  When I travel, I don't want to go to the regular tourist destinations.  I want some place quirky, some place fun, or some place where I won't run into a million other people and wait in super long lines.  I want a place that is going to give me a good story to tell.  An example: I once did a road trip to visit holy sites for alternative, non-mainstream religions.  I had the best time!  America Obscura gave me a bunch of ideas for future road trips.  It is organized by part of the country and state.  Interesting sites are grouped sort of in categories.  The published book will also include maps. It is bright, colorful, and fun!  Even if you don't plan to travel a lot, this is a great coffee table type book to get people talking.  Plus, you can learn about some of the crazy things that inspire people!

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Review: Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success

Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success by Jeff Hiller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read, rather than listened to, Actress of a Certain Age: My Twenty-Year Trail to Overnight Success by Jeff Hiller only because it was the version that came off hold from the library first. I think the audiobook version would be great. I don't usually reread books but I would make an exception to listen to this one. If you don't know who Jeff Hiller is, shame on you. You need to get HBO or HBO Max or Max or whatever they call it RIGHT NOW and watch Somebody Somewhere. I will wait...

I love that show so much because I feel like it gets me. I grew up near Lockport, IL where it was filmed. I moved away, saw the world, and now I am back in the Midwest finding my place. It gets me! I wanted to be besties with Joel and now Jeff. I love getting in my steps! But this book is not all about the show or Joel. It is about Jeff and the amazing, hilarious, and delightful person that he is. He should be in all the things because I would watch the hell out of them. When I lived in New York, I went to a debate on Flight vs. Fight specifically because Jeff was on the panel. Can you guess which side he defended? If you read this book, you would know. Have I convinced you yet? Seriously, watch the show, read or listen to the book. You will thank me later.

Bonus points for mentioning my favorite banana pudding place in NYC. And no, it is not Magnolia Bakery!

Extra bonus points for having the same taste in memoirs that I do. Every chapter I was like, I read that one and that one, yep, that one too.

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Review: Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause

Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause by Naomi Watts is a little bit of memoir mixed in with a lot of information about perimenopause and menopause for those who will experience it at some point.  It is never too early to educate yourself because it can happen much younger than you think as Naomi found out.  I read a lot about this topic, so I was familiar with much of the information.  I did jot down some suggestions though, including her own company focused on products for menopausal women.  It was just nice having another source reinforcing that everything you are going through is normal.  While Naomi is not a medical professional, she packs the book with plenty of experts and good resources to get reliable, factual information.  At the same time, it is easy-to-read and gives you good topics to discuss with your doctor.  

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Review: Cher: The Memoir, Part 1

Cher: The Memoir, Part 1 by Cher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've always been a big fan of Cher.  In fact, I had a Cher Barbie when I was young.  I also had a Sonny instead of a Ken, but even back then, I knew he was kind of an ass.  Cher: The Memoir, Part 1 by Cher confirms my suspicions of Sonny even if she still found a way to love him and co-parent with him.  I thought I knew a lot about Cher, but I clearly didn't know the half of it.  And now that I have read Part 1, I only know half of it.  I'm eagerly awaiting Part 2.  If you love Cher, you will want to dig into this!

Bonus points for no longer wearing fur!  

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Review: Violent Femmes' Violent Femmes

Violent Femmes' Violent Femmes by Nic Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Violent Femmes' Violent Femmes by Nic Brown from Bloomsbury Academic via NetGalley.  This book will be published around May 14, 2026.

Violent Femmes' Violent Femmes by Nic Brown is part of the 33 1/3 collection of short books about music.  Each book is a deep dive into a single album.  This one is about the debut album from the Violent Femmes.  Nic Brown is a fan and so am I.  For as many time as I have listened to this album, I had a lot to learn.  I feel like Nic did too.  I didn't know that Gordon Gano was a teenager when he wrote so many of their songs or even when the band started.  I never thought about the instruments they played or why they played those specific instruments and how that impacted their sound.  As I read each chapter about a song on the album, I couldn't help but hear it in my head. I also couldn't have told you what the cover art was because I too came to the album from mix tapes made by friends.  If you asked me when the album came out, I would have been extremely wrong.  I went back and listened to the album a few times.  Now with a deeper appreciation for every bit of it.  What a great album!  What a great book!

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Review: Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida

Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida by Mikita Brottman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Guilty Creatures: Sex, God, and Murder in Tallahassee, Florida by Mikita Brottman is a true crime Lifetime movie waiting to happen. Maybe it has happened? I don't watch much Lifetime. Anyway... Right in the title you know someone died. How and why are the big questions. Will the murderer get away with it? Sure the sex is titillating, but for me, the most interesting part was the religion component. I will always find religious fanaticism fascinating. The level of hypocrisy is astounding. I would have read it even without the murder. Finally, this book is about a mother who never gives up on her son. People think she is crazy. You might think she is crazy. She might actually be crazy. But if it wasn't for her, people probably would have forgotten anything ever happened.

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Review: Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef

Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef by Brigid Washington
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Readers Copy of Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef by Brigid Washington from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley.  This book will be published on April 28, 2026.

I was drawn to Salt, Sweat & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef by Brigid Washington for two reasons.  I really wanted to know what it is like to attend the Culinary Institute of America (the other CIA).  I also have lived in the Caribbean and looked forward to indulging in some nostalgia given Brigid's Trini roots.  This book delivered on both.  I drove by the CIA when I visited the FDR library in upstate New York.  I wondered what it would be like to go there.  It has produced so many famous chefs, including Roy Choi (my very favorite).  It looks impressive even from the outside.  Brigid's descriptions of the campus and the courses are incredible.  If I had lots of money, no food allergies, and no aversion to meat products, I would absolutely want to go there.  It sounds intense, but the food sounds amazing.  Brigid also makes sure that her Caribbean heritage is prominently featured throughout the book.  It is important to her and her own food journey.  I was dying for some doubles and sorrel by the time I finished.  It was a reminder that the most meaningful food doesn't have to be fancy.  It is the heart behind it that makes all the difference.  That being said, I couldn't help but smile a bit at the mention of Eleven Madison Park.  EMP is hands down the best food experience I have ever had in my life.  It was fun to see a little behind-the-scenes there.  If you like food or cooking or ever thought about attending culinary school, I suggest reading this book.  

The book isn't just cooking.  Brigid attends the CIA to escape heartbreak and find her path in life.  It was a pretty expensive lesson, but who knows if she would have ended up where she did had she not taken that chance.  I give her props for sticking out what sounded like some really tough lessons.  It seems she ended up in a pretty good place though after all.

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Review: How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay

How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay by Jenny Lawson from Penguin Life via NetGalley.  This book is set to be published on March 31, 2026.

How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay by Jenny Lawson is slightly different from the other books or articles you may have read from Jenny.  Although it does include humor and stories of her life, this is more of a companion for you when times are tough and you need a pick-me-up or to know someone cares about you.  Because Jenny does care about you.  She knows as well as anyone what it can be like when the darkness starts to take over.  The book is segmented to address different times of not being okay.  The introduction of each part will give you examples of when it might be a good time to read that section.  The really nice thing is each "chapter" is fairly short, so you can pick it up and read it in a few minutes to get that refreshing burst you were looking for.  The timing of this book also feels like a gift because even if you don't feel like you have mental health struggles, you may still feel like nothing is okay right now.  This book will remind you that you aren't the only person who feels that way.  

Bonus points for giving the animals in our lives the credit, and snacks, they deserve.

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Review: The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London

The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Ravens at the Tower of London by Christopher Skaife
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I recently read a book involving ravens at the Tower of London that recommended The Ravenmaster: My Life with the Raves at the Tower of London by Christopher Skaife because it was used as part of that author's research.  I just happened to own a copy of this but hadn't gotten around to reading it yet.  I decided now was the time!  If you are curious about ravens or the Tower of London, this is a really good introduction.  As the title implies, Christopher Skaife was the Ravenmaster at the Tower of London.  He retired from that position in 2024.  The book has a lot of interesting information about ravens but also about becoming a Yeoman Warder and what life is like for those living at the Tower of London.  Before reading this, I didn't realize people live there.  How cool!  If birds freak you out, this book is probably not going to help with that.  Ravens are crafty.  I already thought they were cool, but this gave me whole new level of appreciation for them.  I will be sure not to confuse them with crows in the future!  This also reinforced my already firm belief that you should not piss off crows or ravens.  They remember faces and can hold a grudge!

If you are looking for an entertaining and informative book about birds, give this a read.  The writing is very accessible for those who don't know much about birds while still providing a fascinating perspective for those who do.  

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Review: To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right

To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right by Christopher Mathias
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure:  I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right by Christopher Mathias from Atria Books via NetGalley.  This book has already been published. For what it is worth, I planned to read this with or without the ARC.

To Catch a Fascist: The Fight to Expose the Radical Right by Christopher Mathias is not a completely objective case of reporting.  Christopher Mathias is clear from the beginning that he doesn't like fascists.  There was a time in the United States when that might have been a given, or at least, something most people would publicly agree upon.  Who would think that being anti-fascist would actually be a slur now?  That is the world we live in.  The people who self-identify as fascists might (or might not) surprise you.  Not every white, conservative Christian is a fascist and not every fascist is a white, conservative Christian.  Having read this book, I know what markers to actually look for because I am also not a fan of fascists either. I am much more aware of certain groups and words and what they really stand for.  

I did learn a lot about anti-fascists and antifa.  While some of them might be punching Nazis in the face, that's not what most of them are doing with their time.  It is a stance suited to data nerds.  They used to focus on naming and shaming fascists to try to get them to give up their hateful ways.  It remains to be seen how they will evolve now that being a fascist is acceptable.  

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is feeling upset, frustrated, and/or angry about the state of the world and wants to make change.  

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Review: The Tiger

The Tiger by John Vaillant
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After a lengthy discussion about what we were reading, Tahmoh Penikett told me to read this book, The Tiger by John Vaillant.  He sold me it as a true story about a tiger that seeks revenge on a hunter. It is that, but it is also much more.  It is really the history of the Amur (formerly known as Siberian) tiger and the humans that coexist in their territory. The book tells the stories of different men who have given their lives to these tigers, literally and figuratively.  I say men because while there are women in the book, it doesn't seem that they tangle with tigers nearly as often as men do.  These tigers are big, smart, very dangerous, and absolutely stunning.  I have a giant painting of one in my house's entryway.  That might betray who I was rooting for in the book.  It is awful that they have been hunted to near extinction.  I don't blame them for seeking revenge.  This is not an easy read for an animal lover.  I even felt bad for the people who were having to hunt because it was necessary for survival.  None of it should be necessary and yet, this is the world we have created.  It made me pretty sad.  A fascinating read for those who are into history, conservation, and/or tigers.  

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Review: One Aladdin Two Lamps

One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson from Grove Press via NetGalley.  This book is set to be published in January 2026.

One Aladdin Two Lamps by Jeanette Winterson is an exploration of life through the art and power of storytelling.  Winterson guides us through One Thousand and One Nights and how it can teach us about ourselves and help us find hope when things are bleak.  Great timing!  It has been a very long time since I read those stories.  It was interesting to revisit them as an adult.  Like most "fairytales," they aren't really for children.  I certainly didn't learn the same things from them as a kid that I took away during this revisit.  

If you are already a fan of Jeanette Winterson, this is also part memoir.  She learned to recognize that she could change her own story.  For me, that was the most valuable lesson of this book.  I am the story.  

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