A small collection of books I’ve consumed lately.
Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake
Am I obsessed with fungi now? I think so! The world needs to know about the power of fungi and how we can harness it for so many things and…
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
I was unsure about this book for the first 2/3 but loved the ending absolutely. Reminded me of my favorite book of all time “Cloud Atlas”. Highly recommend!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This may be a heavy one for some, but it is a beautiful story of life and choice. Highly recommend it!
What It Takes to Save a Life by Dr. Kwane Stewart
Dr. Stewart deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. He is doing incredible veterinary work for the homeless communities in California. Also learned a lot about being a vet through his anecdotes.…
Chase Darkness With Me by Billy Jensen
Billy Jensen also deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. His work to crowd source answers in unsolved crimes is genius. And his story telling is so captivating too.
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X Kendi
Required reading for introduction to antiracism. “Making individuals responsible for the perceived behavior of racial groups and making whole racial groups responsible for the behavior of individuals are the two…
Slenderman by Kathleen Hale
I live very close to where the slenderman case all unfolded. An enlightening tour of the context and details behind the sensationalized story that captivataed the internet in the mid…
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
I have never been so DELIGHTED by a book before. What a beautifully written story of love and friendship in a land of misfits. Will read it time and time…
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
I still am obsessed with The House in the Ceruleun Sea but this was another delightful tale from TJ Klune. A glimpse into the future in a way you may…
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
If you’ve ever experienced grief… this is a story for you. A beautiful tale of love and loss and navigating letting go. Bravo TJ.
All Good People Here by Ashley Flowers
I’m a Crime Junkie so had to pick up Ashley’s first book. Not only is she a fantastic story teller when it comes to true crime stories and journalism on…
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
I watched this movie well before I knew it was a book. If you like psychological thrillers then this one is for you. You’ll leave this book confused, astounded, and…
Fuzz by Mary Roach
A tour through human-animal interactions in our world and the ways we work to manage these encounters. Didn’t know anything about this topic but Mary Roach could write about anything…
An Immense World by Ed Yong
My dearest friend got me this book and I am eternally grateful. Though its quite dense, I couldn’t put it down and took the time to really digest every word.…
When a Killer Calls by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker
A rec from the women at My Favorite Murder that deep dives into a case they covered. What a wild story of a murder from the 80s.
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
I didn’t love this nearly as much as the mainstream bookclubbers did but it was a solid story of friendship through lifes ups and downs
Whisper Down the Lane by Clay Mcleod Chapman
Though slightly fictionalized if you’ve ever wondered what it must’ve felt like to go through the satanic panic of the 90’s… couldn’t put this one down!
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Got to read an excerpt of this book at my friend’s wedding ceremony and it was so delightful re-reading this book in adulthood. A lovely commentary on life and the…
Heavy by Kiese Laymon
This was one of my favorite memoirs I’ve ever read. So honest, so transparent, and a inspiring story of perseverance and ambition.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Hot take – I didn’t like this book at all. Main characters where whiny and brooding and the plot went nowhere. I ought to stick to my nonfiction interests and…
Your Duck is My Duck by Deborah Eisenberg
Another instance of why I shouldn’t gamble on books because they have catchy titles… this collection of short stories was a major let down for me. The reader is plopped…
Summer Cannibals by Melanie Hobson
Picked this one up at my local bookstore because it had a beautiful cover and a catchy title. Boy was that a mistake. I think this is another example of…
The Drifter by Nick Petrie
A local author I found at my local bookstore. A quick thriller with so many local references I felt I was part of the story!
The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu
A set of very though provoking short stories that will leave you pondering our pasts and futures. Some black mirror themes embedded throughout. “My father proclaims that he works in…
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
“Being constantly assaulted by, but consciously cut off from the origin of bodily sensations produces alexithymia: not being able to sense and communicate what is going on with you. Only…
Hollywood Park by Mikel Jollett
Wow – what a childhood Mikel had born into Synanon. Love the way it was written from his perspective at each respective age. What a strong and admirable human being!
The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery
You know I love a book about animals. And octopuses?! Love them! Such incredible and intelligent animals that we can learn so much from!
Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
A brutally honest report of early career academic life. I aspire to have half the grit and perseverance as Dr. Jahren in my own academic journey.
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
Couldn’t personally relate much to this memoir but still found myself crying over the revelations described through the evolution of this mother daughter relationship.
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
If Toni Morrison says this is required reading, it’s required reading. And a beautiful love letter at that. “Now at night, I held you and a great fear, wide as…
The Color of Water by James McBride
You just have to read it. A beautiful tribute to a mother who defied racial stereotypes well ahead her time.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Hot take, this story would make a better movie than book. Imagine the costumes sets from all the eras! Ending fell a bit flat for me though. Quick read nonetheless.
The Guest by Emma Cline
Honestly, I only chose this book because it was on Dua Lipa’s book club recommendations. And also honestly, I hated it. This book started and ended in the same place…
We Thought We Knew You by M. William Phelps
I went into this book absolutely blind, but wow what a wild story it was. If you’re a fan of true crime this is a story for you!
The Fury by Alex Michaelades
Again, nothing will ever compare to the Silent Patient but this was such a fast read and engaging the whole way through I read it in essentially one sitting when…
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
Nothing will ever compare to the Silent Patient but this was another solid murder mystery thriller.
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman
It’s been a few years since the COVID-19 pandemic now but this brought me right back there. I LOVE her plain language poetry. It is unbelievably relatable and tells the…
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Carissa W Tomas, PhD 