My recent reads

Some notes, no order of preference (you can find my reviews for these at goodreads).

I copied the cover and cut them to fit like that, of some of the books because I read digital versions.

Ain't Nobody's Fool the Life and Times of Dolly Parton by Matha Ackmann will be released Dec 30th. I enjoyed a copy of an audiobook by Macmillan in advance, and I devoured it. It brings an end to many rumors about her past and story.

Adaptogens is a book of fun but also useful recipes for drinks, smoothies, and healthy soups, sauces, and more that combines the potential for healing of herbs and spices with great drinks for boosting mood, brain, doing detox, or a balanced intake of herbs and vitamins. By Chartel Books an imprint of The Quarto Books. Thank you, mother in love for this early Christmas gift.

Nell O'Dell Hates Quests an hilarious middlegrade releasing Spring with a heroes journey of a girl that doesn't want to go on quests or seek van glory but she does want yo save her parents' Inn. Published by Walkerbooks.

Murderbot volume #8 doesn't need introduction. Can be read as a standalone but it's best to read in order. He obstacles a mental health module lol good luck with that. Platform Decay coming in 2026. By Torbooks.

Ode to the Half-Broken, a robot wakes up to find his leg missing (stolen) so he starts a quest to find it. In this destructed futuristic world he has a cyborg dog as a companion and later a human. This is a great read with introspection on the human condition. April 2026 by Penguin Random House.

They Want Us Dead this thriller has a good premise but it wasn't for me. I still am very happy I had the chance to read an arc.

Teens are invited for a gathering they are all famous or wannabe famous content creators, the main character has a true crime podcast so she will focus on investigating why one is missing and one shows up dead. The end/resolution didn't quite work for me, but don't take my word as final. My favorite part is the hilarious hate relationship she has with another teen who ends up sharing the bedroom with her.

The Poet Empress. Uau did not expect it to go in that direction, took me a while to get into it but it was a good, satisfying ending. Two princes fight for the throne and one girl makes a promise. Then her promise becomes more and her determination is amazing. She goes from.being poor at a farm to become a woman in the palace who secretly learns magic to survive. They are cruel, they torture her, but she stands her ground never losing sight of her promises and desires. Asian lore and if you're a fan of Historical K-Drama... (made me think of Under the Queen's Umbrella, for her strength). This is a Bramble title coming out January 20.

The Place Where They Buried Your Heart super fun because I had no idea I was going to start recognizing all the places. This haunted house that devours people (in fiction) is in my neighborhood. Supernatural horror with a hint of Lovecraft vibes. Dealing with trauma, loss, abandonment... and an evil house down the street. This was my October Book of the Month choice a title by Berkley by Penguin.