The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros I gave The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros 4 stars . This book felt less like reading a traditional novel and more like stepping into a collection of memories. Every vignette was vivid and intentional, and I loved how heavily Cisneros leaned into literary devices to bring Esperanza’s world to life. The imagery was especially powerful — I could genuinely picture the houses, the streets, and the people as if I were standing

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt Remarkably Bright Creatures completely stole my heart. This is one of those books that feels quiet and gentle while also managing to say something incredibly meaningful about love, grief, and connection. I gave Remarkably Bright Creatures 5/5 stars , and I loved this book so much. Every piece of it felt intentional and beautifully written. The story unfolds slowly, but in the best way — like you’re meant to savor it rather tha

Good Material by Dolly Alderton Good Material by Dolly Alderton (2.5/5 stars) was a frustrating listening experience for me—one that I stuck with more out of hope than enjoyment. For at least the first 80% of the book, I felt trapped inside the head of a 35-year-old man endlessly whining about the collapse of his relationship. Andy’s narration is steeped in self-pity, blame, and emotional stagnation, with most of his energy directed toward dissecting what his ex-girlfriend d

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying, Dark Lord Davi series book 1, by Django Wexler This was a fun book. The female protagonist brings plenty of humor and attitude to the story, using wit, sarcasm, and a healthy dose of hormones to add flair. The pop culture references and quick quips give the book a snappy, modern tone that’s easy to enjoy. “Never fuck anyone you would be upset having to kill, that’s my new motto.” Without giving anything away, my only complaint lie

My Friends by Fredrik Backman Fredrik Backman is one of my all-time favorite authors, and My Friends ( 4. 75/5 stars) is a beautiful reminder of why his stories hit so deeply. This book took a few tries for me to get into, but once I switched to the audiobook, everything clicked—and I’m so glad I stuck with it. As always with Backman, this story is layered, quiet, and emotionally rich. I laughed out loud. I cried real tears. And more than once, I had to pause just to sit wit

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence First Book of the Ancestor "It is important, when killing a nun, to ensure that you bring an army of...

The Road by Cormac McCarthy "Keep a little fire burning; however small, however hidden." There are books that tell stories, and then...

The Banned Books Club by Brenda Novak The Banned Books Club (4/5 stars) was one of those books that became difficult to put down once I started, yet somehow managed to leave me with a strong sense of finality when I reached the end. I picked it up after Justin and I visited Hyperbole Bookstore in College Station the day after Christmas, and I began reading it almost immediately—always a good sign. At its core, this is a deeply layered and emotionally complex story. Gia retu

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Tom Lake (4.25/5 stars) had me wanting to Google the characters constantly because I was so convinced they were real people. That’s how immersive this story is—and how flawless Ann Patchett’s storytelling can be when she’s at the top of her game. I chose this book because my Aunt Sherry recommended listening to the audiobook narrated by Meryl Streep , and I can confidently say there is only one correct way to experience Tom Lake : let Meryl Streep re