Adult book reviews, themed lists, comparisons, and reading orders
How much can a mother do to protect her child—and how does she keep going when it never feels like enough? That’s the thread connecting this trio for my Three Books, One Thread series. A Guardian and a Thief, American Dirt, and The Mighty Red feature mothers facing very different circumstances, each carrying the weight…
These 13 Character-driven Greek mythology book are perfect for readers who are new to the Greek gods and want to discover mythological characters in a fresh and exciting way.
Unlock the secrets of the hive with these engaging books about bees. From the art of harvesting honey to centuries-old traditions, each story offers a unique perspective on these remarkable insects. Perfect for readers who love literary fiction, historical novels, and children’s picture books.
If you’re looking for an honest Yesteryear review, you’re probably wondering whether Caro Claire Burke’s much-discussed tradwife novel lives up to the hype. After finishing Yesteryear, I found myself thinking less about social media and more about identity, motherhood, and the difference between romanticizing your life and actually living it. What do I say in…
Sometimes you finish a book and immediately start searching for another one that gives you the same feeling. That’s exactly how I felt after reading Jade City by Fonda Lee. It wasn’t just the jade-powered magic system or the clan warfare that kept me turning pages—it was the family dynamics, the loyalty, the complicated sibling…
How much of who we become is shaped by the expectations of others? That question sits at the heart of The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart, a captivating Eastern-inspired fantasy novel filled with political intrigue, family conflict, and one of the most unique magic systems I’ve encountered in recent fantasy. In this The Bone…
My reading list has been improvement-oriented, meaning I haven’t had a good laugh in quite some time. This is why we need a funny sci-fi book right now. Trust me! The world is stressful. Reading about the planet getting blown up, attacked by aliens, or run by robots can change your perspective. Is gridlock really…
The Vegetarian by Han Kang My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book challenged me. On the surface, it was a grueling story of a woman, Yeong-hye. I catch the impression that she is a victim of horrid abuse and exposed to the gory realities of life and violence at an impressionable age. Her husband…
200 Fingers & Toes Updates, Book News, & Some Fun Hey Reader, How do you feel about sci-fi? Recently, I read a couple books that reminded me why I fell in love with this genre as a teen. Do you have a favorite sci-fi author yourself? (If not, I’ve got a few great suggestions to get you started) Reading books I read as a teen felt like a step backwards. I think that was part of the reason I was hesitant to pick up sci-fi again, but was I ever wrong! I forgot how fun sci-fi books can be. As a…
A thoughtful Jade City book review exploring family dynamics, clan warfare, and identity. Discover why this fast-paced fantasy by Fonda Lee stands out. I was drawn to Jade City (part one of the three-book Green Bone Saga) for a few very specific reasons—and honestly, it delivered on every one of them. First, I love stories…
Are you stuck in a genre rut? Historical fiction, dark academia, literary fiction, and self-help fill my bookshelf. There are a few books that have tipped the scales toward sci-fi for me. Now, I am a committed Sci-Fi reader, digging into the genre and loving what I find. Are you looking for great beginner sci-fi…
If you’re looking for a funny sci-fi book that still delivers heart, The Second World by Jake Korell completely surprised me. A book like this one reminds me that I’ve always had a soft spot for sci-fi. Read for The Second World book review and follow along for more to come. In fact, it was…
This Broken Country book review explores the deeply entangling ties of love, loss, and the dangerous pull of nostalgia. The Quick Take… Beth and Frank are salt and pepper, a hard laboring matched pair, working like a perfect machine on their farm. Unfortunately, a tragedy in the past keeps them from truly being open like…
I received an ARC audiobook copy of Tiny Gardens Everywhere: The Past, Present, and Future of the Self-Provisioning City by Kate Brown. The book description reads: From the eighteenth century to the twenty–first, the surprising history and inspiring contemporary panorama of urban gardening: nurturing health, hope, and community. This manifesto for the next food revolution…
200 Fingers & Toes Updates, Homeschool News, & Some Fun Hey Reader, Are you a reader? I’ve been blogging at 200 Fingers & Toes for over ten years. I shared about our lives while we were ten kids deep in our homeschooling experience. We are still homeschooling, and I still love sharing tips, tools and resources with parents who are looking to use homeschooling as the tool to help their kids succeed. Personally, I am an avid reader. Like, a wide-range, google sheet creating, teetering-TBR-pile,…