Artemis

by Andy Weir

I don't think anyone writes catastrophe sci-fi better than Andy Weir. There were similarities to The Martian here, but Jazz was a brand new, brilliant character. Of course, as Jazz demonstrates, when genius isn't paired with experience or oversight, plans can quickly go awry. It's fun and fast paced. I was a little ashamed it had been sitting in my TBR pile for so long.

Rating: 4/5 | Almost a full moon.

I Think We've Been Here Before

by Suzy Krause

It doesn't get more subtle sci-fi than this book. If you don't pay close attention, you'll miss the slight details that indicate multiple dimensions or timelines are converging into the final ending. It is definitely a slow burn, and I was tempted to move on to something more exciting, but before I knew it, I had to know what was going to happen to these characters. I cared about them, and I am first a character driven reader. If you want to keep me reading, I need to give a damn about the individuals in your world. Without a doubt, they became real, and the end-of-world scenario was a fun (probably wrong word choice) cherry on top.

Rating: 4/5 | There is something here worth checking out.

Dark Matter

by Blake Crouch
finished Feb. 12, 2025

It's been some months since I read this book, but it has stuck with me. It almost felt similar to The Midnight Library in that it explores the billions of possibilities in the multi-verse. However, in this case, our protagonist is thrown into this myriad of alternative lives against his will while the antagonist takes his place in his own universe. The concept of not being able to get back to your own universe once you've left really intrigued me. How close is close enough? What would you accept? A completely different life in a universe nothing like you know or would you try to make your way back to a life that, if not your own, closely resembles it. I'm not sure. I think those micro differences would freak me out every time they came up. Also, I'd always know this wasn't really my spouse or child. They belonged to someone else.

Rating: 5/5 | It's a head tripper.

Zoey Ashe Is Too Drunk for This Dystopia

by Jason Pargin
finished March 23, 2025

I was gifted my first Zoey Ashe book last Christmas from my husband, who knows I'm a fan of the John Dies at the End books. He had no idea this was actually book three in the series, and it did take me a minute to figure that out as well. In the middle of the book, I was like there is too much lore here to be the first in a series.

Anyway, this is definitely a Pargin world. Crazy ensues from the first chapter. He's always a great read when you want to get lost in the weird and outlandish. I have plans to pick up the first two books and catch up on this insane social media obsessed world where the rules have long been thrown out.

Rating: 4/5 | The crazy never stops.

Cackle

by Rachel Harrison
finished April 24, 2025

It's a little disappointing how slow I'm reading this year. There have been gaps between books and some (like the one I'm currently reading) have been a slog or just a predictable mess. I have to say Cackle was a breath of fresh air, but most of the books at the start of the year brought me joy in one way or another. If you love a good fall witchy vibe save Cackle for your Halloween book selection period. It definitely makes you want to run out in the woods during a full moon and howl at the moon while dancing around a fire with the other strong women in your life. It's one of those books I read on my Kindle, but I would love to see sitting on my book shelf.

Rating: 5/5 | Good vibes and definitely a classic in the making like Practical Magic.

Salem's Lot

by Stephen King
finished May 29, 2025

May was a difficult month for me health wise. I was dealing with a lot and honestly reading probably would have made me feel better. I just wasn't in the mood. Salem's Lot just happened to be the book that month, so it kept getting put down. That's nothing on it because it was actually an excellent vampire story with a real disturbing atmosphere from start to finish. I think it might have even gave me a nightmare or too. This isn't too say it's the scariest book I've ever read; it was more the complete lack of hope. As a reader, I'm never sure how to feel when it becomes clear no one is making it out of this mess unscathed. There are no happy endings here. That being said, I do recommend reading it. Horror fans especially should mark it off your TBR list.

Rating: 5/5 | What's worse vampires or your own terrible lives?

Wayward Pines Trilogy

by Blake Crouch
finished throughout the summer

It's probably not fair to lump multiple books together, but I am so get over it. I loved this series. I will say there was a decline. The second and third books just couldn't live up to the mystery surrounding the first one. As I believe you need to go in blind to this story, I will leave it at that. I don't regret reading after the reveal. I do regret trying to watch the TV adaptation. What garbage! Stick to the book series.

Rating: 4/5 | If I was only rating the first book, it would be 5/5.

The Golden Age of Magic

by Luanne G. Smith
finished July 11, 2025

What a cute quick story! I loved the main character. She was so naively sweet in a way only fairies can be I guess. I would love to read a story with her complete opposite, Anais. I want to read about a conflicted anti-hero fairy. The setting of Old Hollywood also adds to the charm.

Rating: 3/5 | A fun time.

Homemaker

by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare
finished sometime between Salem's Lot and the next one

I love being surprised by a book. I wasn't expecting much from this one. It was a free read from Amazon. When I don't pick out a book, I'm always hesitant. I loved this. I actually have plans to read more from this series. It was nice to see a working mom in the middle of a complete life overhaul still be true to herself, even if that means ruffling feathers. In a small town that's inevitable. I really liked the character and can't wait to see where this goes.

Rating: 5/5 | A bright mystery.

Glamorous Notions

by Megan Chance
Finished at some point before fall.

This was an eh for me. Again another Old Hollywood setting, but I felt like the author couldn't really delve into the true McCarthyism/Red Scare topic that she wanted to. Don't get me wrong, I love a book about fashion and a clueless main character. I just feel like this could have been so much more than it was with the overarching theme that was really mostly in the background and occassionally affecting our heroine.

Rating: 3/5 | Left me feeling flat.

Project Hail Mary

by Andy Weir
Finished in August I believe.

Absolutely loved it. Weir is magic when it comes to sci-fi for people who don't really understand all the science because he does overly explain. However, the emotion and plot are not lost in the details and that is a true skill. I've heard the audiobook really sells the story due to a certain plot point, so that might be better than reading here. I did actually read the book, and I could imagine having those extra sounds would create more of a vibe. Still loved it.

Rating: 5/5 | Sometimes not going home makes life more interesting.

Hyperion

by Dan Simmons
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by Erica Lucke Dean
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