Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by: Joya Goffney 

Quinn keeps lists of everything, a process that keeps her sane. By writing her fears on paper, she never has to face them in real life. When her notebook goes missing, she gets blackmailed into facing seven of her greatest fears, or else her entire journal will go public. Not knowing who to trust and desperate she teams up with Carter Bennett—the last known person to have her journal—in a race against time to track down the blackmailer. Together, they journey through everything Quinn’s been too afraid to face, and along the way, Quinn finds the courage to be honest, to live in the moment, and to fall in love. 

This book was interesting on its introspective on racism. I learned quite a lot about situations I have never been in. Overall, this story was about excepting yourself with all its flaws; to be true to what makes up your identity. It had good motifs that reflected the journey that the characters went through. 

I didn’t really like Quinn. I get that her character was supposed to be naive, but it came off in a way that made her cruel. She straight up lied about huge things, so much so that my first thought was her being a criminal mastermind. However, I adored Odie. He made the book. 

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book, but I wouldn’t say don’t read it.

Nightingale by: Kristin Hannah 

Two sisters on the brink of World War II. In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France until they do. When a German captain requisitions Vianne’s home, she and her daughter must live with the enemy or lose everything. Without food, money, or hope, and escalating danger to their lives, she is forced to make one impossible choice after another to keep her family alive. Isabelle is a rebellious eighteen-year-old, searching for purpose with all the reckless passion of youth. While thousands of Parisians march into the unknown terrors of war, she falls in love with Gaëtan, a partisan who believes the French can fight the Nazis from within France. But when he betrays her, Isabelle joins the Resistance, risking her life to save others. 

It was interesting to see how different perspectives and past experiences influence the decisions made by people even when in the same situation. The sisters’ relationship plays a role in this. How what they believe is the truth is not, or the impact of hard options forcing their hands. The complexity of the characters brings home this theme. Their ideals are at play with what they must do. 

The relationships within all the characters are prominent. How they protect their loved ones with methods they believe are the best. 

This world at war is wonderfully described, making one feel like they are truly there. The author didn’t try to soften the blow, but showed the harsh reality that France was faced with. Experiences that shaped an entire generation. 

While the Jewish people weren’t the center of the plot, they did contribute in crucial ways. Not to be brushed aside but painted within the scenery to give a complete picture. I liked this approach because many of the books I read about War World II focus on the Holocaust, it does feel similar after so many reads. Thus, this gives a fresh paint to this subject. It also gave a view of what happened after with the children hiding, a subject that I assumed about but had no real knowledge of. 

The snippets of the ‘present’ give suspense to the events told of the war. Something to keep the reader going throughout the war. It also makes one try to predict what is to come with varying success. 

I truly enjoyed this book and recommended it. 

Red in Tooth and Claw by: Lish McBride 

Faolan Kelly’s grandfather is dead. She’s alone with the local government vying to take the land from what they believe is a young man of sixteen. Revealing that her grandfather had been disguising her for years would get her married off at the first opportunity. So, she gets shipped to the Settlement, a remote fort where social outcasts live under the leadership of His Benevolence Gideon Dillard. The place doesn’t feel right and the strange noises that keep Faolan up at night doesn’t help its cause. When Faolan finds the body of a Settlement boarder, mangled by something that can’t possibly be human, it becomes more than just escaping. With Settlement boarders dropping like flies, Faolan must out the dark truth behind the smiling faces. 

I really enjoyed this book. The plot twisted and turned in ways I didn’t expect. I couldn’t put it down. This is quite the accomplishment since I don’t usually go for Westerns. 

My only complaint was that Folan kept being knocked unconscious. This allowed the main character not to feel too powerful, but I feel like the author overplayed it. However, Folan was still a strong female protagonist. She was also very witty which cut through the suspense with a needed break. Her having to hide her true self is reflective of that time. 

The other characters were intriguing in a mysterious way. You don’t know their true intentions which adds to the tone of the story. 

The author was able to create a feeling of actually being in the early 1800s. The cult description felt realistic, which helped draw the reader in. I also enjoyed how they incorporated its Native American tribe. There shone a spotlight on a culture in a way that should mirror our own society.  

The supernatural element added the spooky touch that this Western cult warranted. It didn’t feel out of place but fit seamlessly into the narrative. 

This book is worth the read, and I would recommend reading it. 

Iron Widow by: Xiran Jay Zhao 

Boys dream of piloting Chrysalises, giant transforming robots that can battle the mecha aliens that lurk beyond the Great Wall. It is little concern that their female partners, referred to as concubines, are sacrificed in the battles. When 18-year-old Zetian offers herself up as a concubine-pilot, it’s to assassinate the ace male pilot responsible for her sister’s death. But she gets her vengeance in a way nobody expected— mentally overpowering him and remerging from the cockpit alive. She is labeled an Iron Widow, a much-feared and much-silenced kind of female pilot who can sacrifice boys to power up Chrysalises instead. To keep her contained, she is paired up with Li Shimin, the strongest and most controversial male pilot. However, now in a position of power, Zetian will do everything she can to change the system. 

I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Another book club member and I have had so many discussions on this book. So, not only is it a good read, but it’s a joy to debate the merits of it.  

One of my favorite things is how they subverted the love triangle in a way that I wanted to see for years now. It was done beautifully with me basically shouting at the characters to do my wanted outcome. This also added to the overall message of not conforming to the strict beliefs of society. 

The characters were each complex in a way that kept the reader guessing what action they would take. There is a fine balance of revenge versus justice that each person has as each weaves their choices to try to achieve their goals. But each has a specific importance to the plot. 

This book is highly feminist with it highlighting the injustices females faced, especially in historical China where this work is influenced by. A fascinating fact is this entire piece was inspired by a real Chinese empress. The details of the culture are interweaved within the novel to create an immersive world. However, the sci-fi element lets it stand out in a unique manner. 

The epilogue was a plot twist all within itself. I won’t spoil it for any potential readers but just know that it causes everything in a way that want to know what happens next. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to rant about it to someone else. 

I definitely recommend this book. The sequel, “The Heavenly Tyrant,” came out December 24, 2024.