Monthly rundown vol. 9

Accidental assassins, space adventure, and an avalanche

Hey, y’all! Welcome to the end of September. This month has been pretty packed around our house. Lots of weekend travel, our son started a new soccer season, and of course all the usual work and school and taking care of the house stuff. One of the weekend travel adventures was an author’s conference put on by my publisher (Black Rose Writing). It was really educational and informative, and also really fun to meet some new authors, as well as meet some authors in person that I’ve only ever talked to online and through email. I’m always inspired by events like that, and this one was no exception. It was a nice jolt of inspiration and motivation.

I only have a few book reviews this month, but for the most part they were solid, entertaining reads. I’m in the middle of a non-fiction book at the moment, which has slowed down my pace compared to some months, not to mention the continual adjustment to my reading rhythms right now and the extra activity of September. Anyway, on to the reviews!

Reading

Finlay Donovan is Killing It and Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano. This series has a fantastic hook: Finlay Donovan is a struggling writer of romantic suspense novels and a newly divorced mom of two who feels like her life is spinning out of control. A stranger overhears a conversation between Finlay and her agent about the novel she’s contracted to write and mistakes her for a contract killer. In the first book, this stranger hires Finlay to kill her husband, and what happens next is a series of unfortunate events in which Finlay definitely does not kill the husband, but still ends up with a dead body in her garage. These books definitely have the potential to get zany, but the author prevents that by grounding them in relatable, realistic characters and surprisingly heartfelt and real emotion.

One by One by Ruth Ware is a classic locked-room type mystery set in an Alpine chalet with Ware’s signature atmospheric, slow-build suspense and vivid descriptions. It’s still hot as blazes in Texas, but I could practically feel the freezing air while reading this book. The supporting characters were not as well-developed as they could have been, but overall, this was probably one of my top three Ruth Ware books.

Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks is a frothy novel based on the author’s time working for the social media influencer, author, and podcaster Rachel Hollis. It’s similar to The Devil Wears Prada and The Nanny Diaries: “regular” young women getting jobs working for career-obsessed, demanding bosses in a job that’s basically 24/7 and causes major tension between the main character’s work life and personal life. The book was fast-paced and engaging, and I liked a lot of the relationship dynamics between the main character and her friends and family. That said, about two-thirds of the way through, I stopped caring quite as much because I grew tired of the “and then this happened!” narrative. I thought there could have been a little bit more subtle commentary on the modern influencer industry. There were touches of that, but I kept wishing the author would go a little deeper. It was also strange reading something so blatantly about a real person, and I kept wondering how much was fictionalized and how much was true. In addition, there was a major dropped thread that the author never resolved (or if she did, it was so hastily done that I completely missed it).

Listening

Needtobreathe Caves. Caves is another solid album by Needtobreathe. My current favorite tracks are “When You Forgive Someone” and “Dreams”.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. I think Strange New Worlds has definitely become one of my top three Star Trek TV shows. I enjoy the cast, episodic storytelling, the blend of intensity and lightness, and the adventurous vibe. In true Star Trek fashion, the show often deals with of-the-moment cultural issues, and in this season has begun to dig a lot deeper in the emotions and relationships among the crew, but it also does things like have a crossover episode with an animated show and a musical episode. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s definitely mine.

Antoine Bradford. I discovered Antoine Bradford only recently, but he has fast become a favorite. His music is soulful, spiritual, peaceful, and thoughtful. My current favorite songs are “Safe” and “Enough.”

Thanks for reading, everyone!