Stephany Writes

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (7.16.25)

Everyone Here is Lying by Shari Lapena (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Libby • Thriller • 2023

Short synopsis: In the seemingly safe neighborhood of Stanhope, nine-year-old Avery Wooler goes missing just hours after a violent encounter with her father—unraveling a web of secrets, lies, and neighbors with something to hide. 

Gosh, this thriller was excellent… until the ending. The ending was such a letdown that it dropped my rating from 5 to 4 stars. Up until that point, I was so intrigued by the story and never wanted to stop listening, which is always a great sign. This novel tells the story of a young girl who goes missing and the subsequent search for her. In the midst of that, all kinds of secrets are revealed about this small neighborhood. There are a lot of characters in this novel, but it was pretty easy to keep track of them all. While I had my own theory about what happened to Avery, I was genuinely shocked by the truth. It was such a great reveal. Even though I wanted more from the ending, I was still overall satisfied with my reading experience. (Recommendation source: Sarah’s Book Shelves Live.)

Home of the American Circus by Allison Larkin (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (Book of the Month) • Contemporary Fiction • 2025

Short synopsis: After falling behind on rent, thirty-year-old Freya returns to her suburban hometown and unexpectedly reunites with her estranged teenage niece, Aubrey; together, they work to rebuild their fractured bond and the crumbling house they now share.

Allison Larkin’s previous novel, The People We Keep, was one of my favorite books of 2023. So I was excited when I heard about her newest release, set in her hometown and centered on a woman who’s down on her luck. At first, I wasn’t sold on the premise, but Larkin’s writing immediately pulled me in. She has this beautiful way with words that swept me right into Freya’s world and into the small town she left behind. This book is really about family, and how family can surprise you and break your heart at the same time. It’s about the detours life throws our way, second chances, and learning to find your own kind of happiness. While I don’t think this novel will make my favorites list at the end of the year, it was still a wonderful read with great writing, engaging characters, and a satisfying ending.

No Cure for Being Human: And Other Truths I Need to Hear by Kate Bowler (★★★★★)

Audiobook • Libby • Nonfiction (Memoir) • 2021

Short synopsis: Kate Bowler confronts her cancer diagnosis with honesty and wit, challenging the toxic positivity of self-help culture and exploring what it means to live meaningfully in a fragile, unpredictable world.

This was a quick audiobook (5 hours), and the author narrates it herself. She did a fantastic job, weaving together poignant reflections and snarky commentary into a cohesive, compelling narrative. The book is about Kate Bowler’s cancer diagnosis—where she was essentially given a death sentence, though she is thankfully still alive today—and explores what it means to face the end of your life while trying to keep living. The most heart-wrenching parts, for me, were when she talked about her son, who was only three at the time of her diagnosis. She is raw and honest about her fears about leaving him motherless and imagining the life he might have without her. Despite the heavy subject matter, Kate writes with levity and honesty, and left me feeling more hopeful than sad.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (6.30.25)

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (Barnes & Noble) • Mystery • 2021

Short synopsis: When Elizabeth receives a plea for help from an old colleague entangled in a deadly mess involving stolen diamonds and a violent mobster, the Thursday Murder Club springs into action. But as the bodies pile up, the team must outwit a ruthless killer who won’t hesitate to silence them first.

I read the first book of this series (appropriately titled The Thursday Murder Club) and was underwhelmed. I had a hard time keeping everyone straight and found the mystery to be a bit convoluted. But people continue to rave about this series, and I wanted to at least give the second book a try before calling it quits entirely. And, wow, I am so glad I did because this book was excellent! I was riveted from beginning to end, and I kept being surprised by the twists and turns of this book. Every time I thought I had figured things out, something new would happen to throw me off the scent. I found it much easier to keep all of the characters straight this time, and found myself falling deeply in love with all of them. They are such delightful characters and I’m excited to read the next book in the series soon!

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Hoopla • Fiction • 2020

Short synopsis: Eighty-five-year-old Eudora Honeysett has decided to end her life on her own terms—until a spirited ten-year-old and a kind neighbor draw her into an unexpected friendship that rekindles her joy and forces her to reconsider what it means to truly live.

This book was unbearably sad at times, but also hopeful and sweet. Eudora Honeysett is a woman who has had a hard life and is now alone and ready to die on her own terms. She’s going through the process of assisted death by a company in Switzerland, but in the midst of that, she befriends her new neighbor Rose—an energetic, sweet, and delightfully odd child who I absolutely adored. She was such a great contrast to Eudora’s grumpy nature! Their intergenerational friendship was unexpected yet so sweet and lovely.

This novel explores aging, death, and what it means to have a dignified end-of-life process. My anxiety is rooted in a lot of these issues—thinking about my own aging process (and not having children to take care of me when I’m older), as well as knowing my mom is aging and I will one day be responsible for her care. This book helped me reframe those fears. It doesn’t have to be scary or sad, but rather it can be a beautiful celebration of a life well-lived. It’s also a powerful call to take care of our elderly population and to think about what a dignified, happy aging process will look like for me (and my mom). And it’s a reminder to keep my heart open for all kinds of intergenerational friendships and to focus on building a life that brings happiness now. All in all, this book will provide you with a lot of food for thought. (Recommendation source: Sarah’s Book Shelves Live.)

The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren (★★★★★)

Print • Owned (indie) • Contemporary Romance • 2024

Short synopsis: Three years after a fake college marriage, starving artist Anna and wealthy heir Liam must pretend to still be happily wed so he can claim a $100 million inheritance—only to discover their long-buried feelings might be more real than they ever expected. 

I inhaled this romance! It was incredibly fun, and the private island setting for Liam’s sister’s lavish wedding gave me Crazy Rich Asians vibes. Anna is someone who doesn’t exactly fit into Liam’s ultra-wealthy world, made worse by the fact that he told his family that Anna is a doctor (since she was a premed student when they met, and he didn’t know she changed her major to art). This is definitely one of those “wealthy people behaving badly” stories, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I devour these kinds of books. The wealthy people in this book have nuance to them, though, and I appreciated that. I loved the romance between Liam and Anna, and whew, were those sex scenes hot. This is not a closed-door romance! I also loved the way everything wrapped up—the dark moment was believable, and it was resolved quickly and maturely without relying on an annoying miscommunication trope. All in all, a deeply satisfying romance! (4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.)

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (6.18.25)

Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi (★★★★☆)

Print • Owned (Amazon) • Nonfiction • 2016

Short synopsis: Tracing the origin and evolution of anti-Black racist ideas in America through the lives of five influential figures, Kendi reveals how these ideas were deliberately crafted to justify and maintain racial inequality. 

I FINISHED! It took me 32 days to read this behemoth, but I got it done. This is an exhaustive summary of the history of racism in the United States through the lens of specific historical figures, such as Thomas Jefferson and Angela Davis, and I am so impressed by the amount of research and writing that went into this book. This is a hard book to recommend because it reads very much like a textbook. If you’re new to Kendi’s work, I’d suggest starting with How to Be an Antiracist, which is much more accessible. Still, if you’re looking for a comprehensive dive into how racist ideas were constructed and sustained throughout American history, this is the book for you.

The ending was a bit jarring for me, to be honest. This book was published in spring 2016 during Obama’s presidency, when we were certain that Hillary was going to succeed him, so some of his conclusions felt a little out of step in the world we live in today. But that’s not his fault nor the fault of the book; it’s just something to keep in mind while reading.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (★★★☆☆)

Print • From a Friend • Contemporary Fiction • 2025

Short synopsis: On a remote island near Antarctica, the Salt family—caretakers of the world’s largest seed bank—grapples with grief, isolation, and change as they prepare for evacuation. When a mysterious woman washes ashore during a violent storm, long-buried secrets surface, forcing them all to confront the past and decide who they can trust before time runs out.

This book has been getting a lot of buzz, and after a friend raved about it, I moved it up my TBR list. Ultimately, I had a bit of an uneven reading experience. Some of the book was exceptional: the writing is exquisite, and I loved the setting: an island that is slowly disappearing due to climate change. It gave the whole book a moody, creepy atmosphere. But other parts of the book were mind-numbingly boring. There were long descriptions of plant life, seed farming, and ocean ecosystems that were just tedious to get through. There were chapters written from the POV of a nine-year-old that felt like they were written by an adult scientist. I found myself skimming those parts. While I can see why this book resonates with so many readers, for me it was just okay. (Recommendation source: IRL friend.)

This American Woman: A One-in-a-Billion Memoir by Zarna Garg (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Spotify • Nonfiction (Memoir) • 2025

Short synopsis: Award-winning comedian Zarna Garg turns her astonishing life story into a hilarious memoir—from narrowly escaping an arranged marriage in India to carving her own path in America and launching a dazzling second act in midlife.

This memoir was hysterical in parts and deeply moving in others. I wasn’t familiar with Zarna Garg before picking up the audiobook based on a recommendation, but the synopsis of the story was so compelling that I couldn’t help myself! Zarna’s early life was difficult: she lost her mother at a young age and experienced homelessness. Her harrowing journey of finally getting a visa to come to the United States had me on the edge of my seat! If not for getting her visa at the right time, she would have had to go through with an arranged marriage.

What I appreciated most about this book is Zarna. I may not have known who she was before starting this memoir, but man, I am in awe of her now! She is bold, smart, and fierce, and I think we could all do to have a little bit of her in us. For example, when she was in her early twenties, she put up this insane personal ad to find a husband. This was in the early nineties when we weren’t going online to find our future partners. But men responded to her ad, and she did indeed find her future husband through that process. (I need this romance novel written immediately!)

She also devotes a chapter to navigating the brutal private school scene in NYC. This could have felt tone-deaf, but it was honestly just refreshingly honest and hilarious. While the second half was a bit slower than the first half, this was a heartfelt, entertaining memoir that I definitely recommend! (Recommendation source: Jeff O’Neal of the Book Riot podcast.)

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (6.11.25)

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan ★★★☆☆ 1/2

Print • Library • Contemporary Fiction • 2025

Short synopsis: Cate Kay is the bestselling author of a book trilogy that struck box office gold, but the truth behind this magnetic author’s true identity remains a mystery. Now, the real Cate Kay is ready to step out of the shadows and tell her story.

This is one of the buzziest books of 2025, so I was excited to get my hands on it finally. It had everything that should work for me: a propulsive plot, great writing, and a queer woman at the center of the story. Unfortunately, this book just didn’t live up to the hype! Maybe my expectations were too high, but I was hoping for something juicier and more exciting. Instead, it’s mostly about a girl who did a really stupid thing as a teenager, somehow wrote a bestselling trilogy, and became a recluse. That premise had potential, but the execution didn’t grab me the way I’d hoped.

One of my main issues was the abundance of POVs. While some of those POVs were important and I can understand why they were included, others felt unnecessary. I wanted more from Cate’s perspective. I really liked her voice and would have appreciated getting a deeper look into her life.

This book was fine, but not exactly memorable. I don’t see it making my favorites list at the end of the year.

Before I Go to Sleep by S.J. Watson (★★★★☆)

Audiobook • Hoopla • Thriller • 2011

Short synopsis: Memories define us. So what if you lost yours every time you went to sleep? Your name, your identity, your past, even the people you love – all forgotten overnight. And the one person you trust may only be telling you half the story. Welcome to Christine’s life.

This is an old-school thriller, written in 2011. (We’re not going to talk about how 2011 was 14 years ago, right?!) It was a selection for book club, and most of us were immediately intrigued by the Goodreads synopsis—that’s the whole thing in the “short synopsis” section! This book had such an interesting premise and it was executed beautifully. The early chapters felt a bit repetitive (every morning, Christine has to read a journal to remember who she is and what happened to her), but the story gained real momentum halfway through. I found it hard to stop listening because I wanted to know how things would turn out! I suspected the big twist, and while I was right, it didn’t temper my enjoyment. There was still a lot I got wrong, and I loved the slow, methodical way everything was revealed.

I chose to listen to the audiobook, and wow, has audiobook quality come a long way since 2011! (Who knew?!) I didn’t hate my listening experience, but it was definitely lower-quality, and the narrator had this odd way of speaking that made me feel like I was watching a TV show from the 80s or 90s. I don’t know a better way to describe it!

Anyway, this is a thriller I’d recommend, especially if you’re looking to read something that’s going to be a bit different than all the popcorn thrillers that are published today.

The Takedown by Lily Chu (★★★★☆)

E-Book • Owned (Amazon) • Contemporary Romance • 2024

Short synopsis: Dee Kwan’s perfectly charmed life unravels when she’s pulled into a high-stakes corporate scandal at a luxury fashion brand—only to discover her online gaming nemesis is actually the CEO’s heir. As workplace drama, family tension, and unexpected romance collide, Dee must decide if she’s ready to trade comfort for courage and fight for something bigger than herself.

Gosh, this book was a wild ride for me. There were times when it made me so angry and uncomfortable that I wanted to abandon it. But I decided to power through and I’m really glad I did because the journey was worth it. This book is billed as a romance, but honestly, the romance isn’t a huge part of the story. The real plot is Dee’s work as a diversity consultant and the chaos she uncovers at the company she’s currently consulting for. Between toxic workplace culture, micro (and macro) aggressions, and leadership that just doesn’t see a problem in their mostly white staff, it’s brutal stuff. I had such a hard time getting through some of these scenes because they made me so angry. There’s a part of me that feels some of the blatant misogyny and racism was heavy-handed, but can I really say that as a cisgendered white lady who hasn’t had to deal with this kind of harassment in the workplace? Nope.

This is a romance that is so much more. (It’s also closed-door for anyone who prefers that in their romances!) Dee’s character arc is exactly what I love to see in these kinds of books; I want characters who are deeply flawed but trying their best, and making progress when it counts. The love story was sweet and healthy; no weird miscommunication tropes and I thought the dark moment was handled wonderfully. All in all, this is a smart, engaging romance that I really loved.

What are you reading?

Categories: Books

What I’m Reading (6.2.25)

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean (★★★★☆)

E-Book • Libby • Historical Romance • 2010

Short synopsis: Tired of living by society’s restrictive rules, Lady Calpurnia Hartwell sets out to experience the pleasures she’s long been denied—with the help of the scandalous and irresistible Marquess of Ralston. But in chasing freedom, she risks breaking the one rule she never expected: falling in love.

This was a reread for me, and I loved it just as much the second time around. I needed a fun, sweet, well-written romance after a string of duds. Callie was such a fun heroine to root for, and I especially loved watching her slowly break down Ralston’s walls and make him fall for her. Okay, sure, these books are slightly anachronistic (like most historical romances—because who wants to read about women just following society’s rules?!), but that’s part of their charm. If you haven’t given Sarah MacLean’s romances a try, please do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop (★★★★★)

Audiobook • Hoopla • Nonfiction (Memoir) • 2024

Short synopsis: Beloved award-winning actress Kelly Bishop, famous for playing the iconic Emily Gilmore in Gilmore Girls, finally tells the whole story of her six decades in show business.

Everyone is raving about this memoir, so I moved it up my TBR list. I’m so glad I did! It was the right book at the right time—a pure delight from start to finish. I didn’t know much about Kelly Bishop’s life, other than how much I loved to hate her character on Gilmore Girls. She was perfectly cast as Emily Gilmore, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about her background as a dancer, her romantic adventures as a young woman, and her marriage. She talks about breaking into acting after working for so long as a dancer, how much she loved working on Gilmore Girls, and what it was like to lose her beloved husband to cancer. This book was perfect, and I highly recommend the audiobook because there’s nothing like hearing Kelly’s voice in your ears for six hours!

Pete and Alice in Maine by Caitlin Shetterly (★☆☆☆☆)

Audiobook • Hoopla • Contemporary Fiction • 2023

Short synopsis: Amid the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic and a crumbling marriage, Alice retreats with her family to Maine, only to find herself trapped in a hostile quarantine that forces her to confront her identity and the true foundations of her family. 

I cannot remember the last time I gave a book 1 star. In most cases, I would have DNF-ed this book. But for some reason, despite the glaringly low 3.38 Goodreads rating, I gave this one a shot. I HAVE REGRETS. What did I hate about this book? Everything. The characters were unbearable, especially Alice. She was so insufferable, I wanted to shake her. The level of unacknowledged privilege was off the charts—she had it all but wanted to play the victim over and over again.

I hated the way the author shoehorned in political topics. It felt like a cringe-inducing performance of virtue—“Look at me! I care about George Floyd! I hate Trump! I’m one of the Good White Women!” There are ways to write about 2020 politics with nuance. This was not that.

The kids? Bratty and annoying. Every scene with them made me extra grateful to be childless. The husband? A nonentity. Technically a terrible person, but written with so little depth I couldn’t even muster the energy to dislike him properly.

Listen, if you liked or loved this book, I am so happy that you had a much better reading experience than I did. It’s definitely a character-driven story, and these kinds of stories are hard for me to enjoy, especially if the characters are so unlikable. I should have DNF-ed this one, and let this be a lesson to me and everyone else to DNF books that aren’t working for you!

What are you reading?