Zoo Nebraska by Carson Vaughan

Title: Zoo Nebraska: The Dismantling of the American Dream

Author: Carson Vaughan

Publisher: Little A 2019

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 266

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love

Royal, Nebraska, population eighty-one—where the church, high school, and post office each stand abandoned, monuments to a Great Plains town that never flourished. But for nearly twenty years, they had a zoo, seven acres that rose from local peculiarity to key tourist attraction to devastating tragedy. And it all began with one man’s outsize vision.

When Dick Haskin’s plans to assist primatologist Dian Fossey in Rwanda were cut short by her murder, Dick’s devotion to primates didn’t die with her. He returned to his hometown with Reuben, an adolescent chimp, in the bed of a pickup truck and transformed a trailer home into the Midwest Primate Center. As the tourist trade multiplied, so did the inhabitants of what would become Zoo Nebraska, the unlikeliest boon to Royal’s economy in generations and, eventually, the source of a power struggle that would lead to the tragic implosion of Dick Haskin’s dream.

While this is an interesting story, I feel like the execution just depressed me. The various narratives from the parties involved left me confused and annoyed. No one seemed willing to take any responsibility for their actions. And the chimpanzees paid the ultimate price. I came away from this book really not liking anyone involved. Beyond the actual story, there were times that I was confused by the writing style. Not really a fan.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

Title: The Woman in Black

Author: Susan Hill

Publisher: 1983

Genre: Horror

Pages: 163

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Horror; Monthly Keyword - Woman; Horror

Arthur Kipps is an up-and-coming London solicitor who is sent to Crythin Gifford—a faraway town in the windswept salt marshes beyond Nine Lives Causeway—to attend the funeral and settle the affairs of a client, Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. Mrs. Drablow’s house stands at the end of the causeway, wreathed in fog and mystery, but Kipps is unaware of the tragic secrets that lie hidden behind its sheltered windows. The routine business trip he anticipated quickly takes a horrifying turn when he finds himself haunted by a series of mysterious sounds and images—a rocking chair in a deserted nursery, the eerie sound of a pony and trap, a child’s scream in the fog, and, most terrifying of all, a ghostly woman dressed all in black. Psychologically terrifying and deliciously eerie, The Woman in Black is a remarkable thriller of the first rate.

Finally got around to reading this one. I had seen the movie version featuring Daniel Radcliffe, but found it wanting. Too many ridiculous scenes. Thankfully the book was much better than the movie. We get a novella in the style of a traditional gothic story featuring lots of atmosphere, a creepy house, and towns people with secrets. I definitely got chills during the scene where Arthur hears the pony and wagon lose the path. Creepy creepy! I would have a liked to have had a few more appearances by the woman in black. But overall, a very enjoyable ghost story.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

Title: The Alice Network

Author: Kate Quinn

Publisher: William Morrow 2017

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 560

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsguar - Recommended by a Celebrity; Alphabet Soup - Q; Historical Fiction

1947. In the chaotic aftermath of World War II, American college girl Charlie St. Clair is pregnant, unmarried, and on the verge of being thrown out of her very proper family. She's also nursing a desperate hope that her beloved cousin Rose, who disappeared in Nazi-occupied France during the war, might still be alive. So when Charlie's parents banish her to Europe to have her "little problem" taken care of, Charlie breaks free and heads to London, determined to find out what happened to the cousin she loves like a sister.

1915. A year into the Great War, Eve Gardiner burns to join the fight against the Germans and unexpectedly gets her chance when she's recruited to work as a spy. Sent into enemy-occupied France, she's trained by the mesmerizing Lili, the "Queen of Spies", who manages a vast network of secret agents right under the enemy's nose.

Thirty years later, haunted by the betrayal that ultimately tore apart the Alice Network, Eve spends her days drunk and secluded in her crumbling London house. Until a young American barges in uttering a name Eve hasn't heard in decades, and launches them both on a mission to find the truth...no matter where it leads.

After hearing so many friends yell at me for not reading this book, I picked it up and tore through the pages in just a few days. This is a gripping novel of spies in WWI and WWII. I was along for every twist and turn along the journey. I was worried that Charlotte’s story was going to be boring compared with Eve’s. But thankfully, Charlotte grew a lot in these 500 pages and become her own woman with a connection to Eve’s history. At times it was hard to read about the awful things down to some of the characters, but realize that these kinds of atrocities happened all the time during the wars (and even now, I know). Getting to the last page, I was satisfied with the ending of the story, but lingered, not wanting to leave the characters. Definite must read! Make sure to read the author’s note to find out what was historically accurate and what was embellished or made up for the book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

Title: The Unhoneymooners

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books 2019

Genre: Romance

Pages: 416

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Women Authors; Romance

Olive Torres is used to being the unlucky twin: from inexplicable mishaps to a recent layoff, her life seems to be almost comically jinxed. By contrast, her sister Ami is an eternal champion . . . she even managed to finance her entire wedding by winning a slew of contests. Unfortunately for Olive, the only thing worse than constant bad luck is having to spend the wedding day with the best man (and her nemesis), Ethan Thomas.

Olive braces herself for wedding hell, determined to put on a brave face, but when the entire wedding party gets food poisoning, the only people who aren’t affected are Olive and Ethan. Suddenly there’s a free honeymoon up for grabs, and Olive will be damned if Ethan gets to enjoy paradise solo.

Agreeing to a temporary truce, the pair head for Maui. After all, ten days of bliss is worth having to assume the role of loving newlyweds, right? But the weird thing is . . . Olive doesn’t mind playing pretend. In fact, the more she pretends to be the luckiest woman alive, the more it feels like she might be.

Oh my goodness, I seriously loved this book so much. It was everything I needed in a romantic comedy. I immediately fell for the main characters. Olive and Ethan have amazing chemistry. I loved their banter throughout the first half of the book. And then we get to the romance portion of the book and I really fell for them. I sped through this book so quickly. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. I was completely along for the ride and so thankful for the conclusion. So great!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Coffin Hill Vol. 3

Title: Coffin Hill Vol. 3: Haunted Houses

Author: Caitlin Kittredge, Inaki Miranda

Publisher: Vertigo 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Eve Coffin is released from jail to go home again...and there's something in Coffin Hill awaiting her with open arms. Ghosts are abroad in the town, and one in particular has her sights set on Eve - and on a bloody chain of events the Coffin family set in motion almost three hundred years ago. When the bones of a young girl are found after decades buried in the Coffin Hill woods, Eve and Officer Wilcox attempt to solve the cold case, discovering that the ghosts, the bones and the darkest secrets of Coffin Hill are all connected...and all pose a grave danger to Eve and her loved ones. COFFIN HILL VOL. 3 collects issues #14-20.

Definitely a satisfying conclusion to this series. I really fell back into the creepy creepy story surrounding the coffin witch. This series is not for those affected by gore, but I really enjoyed the visceral nature of the cels. And Eve is the best flawed protagonist. Great setup and payoff.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Coffin Hill Vol. 2

Title: Coffin Hill Vol. 2: Dark Endeavors

Author: Caitlin Kittredge, Inaki Miranda

Publisher: Vertigo 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Years after a night in the woods gone awry, Eve returns to Coffin Hill, only to discover the darkness that she unleashed ten years ago that fateful night was never fully contained. It continues to seep through the town, cursing the soul of this sleepy Massachusetts hollow, spilling secrets and enacting its revenge. 

Set against the haunted backdrop of New England, COFFIN HILL explores what people will do for power and retribution. Noted novelist Caitlin Kittredge, author of the Black London series, brings a smart, mesmerizing style to comics. Artist Inaki Miranda (FABLES) brings his dynamic storytelling to COFFIN HILL, following an acclaimed run on FAIREST. Collects COFFIN HILL #8-14.

A continuation of this very creepy creepy story. We get more backstory, even an interlude involve Ellie. Just like the first volume, the art is just gorgeous and scary as hell. I can’t wait to finish this series in volume 3.

Next up on the TBR pile:

City of Light by Rupert Christiansen

Title: City of Light: The Making of Modern Paris

Author: Rupert Christiansen

Publisher: Basic Books 2018

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 224

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Nonfiction Bingo - Set Outside North America

In 1853, French emperor Louis Napoleon inaugurated a vast and ambitious program of public works in Paris, directed by Georges-Eugène Haussmann, the prefect of the Seine. Haussmann transformed the old medieval city of squalid slums and disease-ridden alleyways into a "City of Light" characterized by wide boulevards, apartment blocks, parks, squares and public monuments, new rail stations and department stores, and a new system of public sanitation. City of Light charts this fifteen-year project of urban renewal which--despite the interruptions of war, revolution, corruption, and bankruptcy--set a template for nineteenth and early twentieth-century urban planning and created the enduring landscape of modern Paris now so famous around the globe.

Random library pick that I took with me on our road trip. I enjoyed this slim volume more than I thought I would. I love following the story of the creation of modern Paris. Urban planning is one of those weird niche interests that I really reading about. This definitely scratched that itch for me. I learned a ton about French political history throughout the 1800s (not my area of history) and more about architecture. Very slim, yet very accessible volume.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Taste of Marrow by Sarah Gailey

Title: Taste of Marrow (River of Teeth #2)

Author: Sarah Gailey

Publisher: Tor 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series; Monthly Motif - Diversify Your Reading; Literary Escapes - Louisiana

A few months ago, Winslow Houndstooth put together the damnedest crew of outlaws, assassins, cons, and saboteurs on either side of the Harriet for a history-changing caper. Together they conspired to blow the dam that choked the Mississippi and funnel the hordes of feral hippos contained within downriver, to finally give America back its greatest waterway.

Songs are sung of their exploits, many with a haunting refrain: "And not a soul escaped alive."

In the aftermath of the Harriet catastrophe, that crew has scattered to the winds. Some hunt the missing lovers they refuse to believe have died. Others band together to protect a precious infant and a peaceful future. All of them struggle with who they've become after a long life of theft, murder, deception, and general disinterest in the strictures of the law.

I finally picked up the continuation of the story started in River of Teeth and I really enjoyed it. I loved Gailey’s reimagining of Louisiana complete with domesticated and feral hippos. I loved reading about the parallel journeys of Houndstooth, Archie, Adelia, and Hero. Thankfully we also get many appearances from their hippo companions and a reappearance of some interesting side characters. Definitely a good little read!

River of Teeth

• #1 River of Teeth

• #2 Taste of Marrow

• #3 ???

Next up on the TBR pile:

Coffin Hill Vol. 1

Title: Coffin Hill Vol. 1: Forest of the Night

Author: Caitlin Kittredge, Inaki Miranda

Publisher: Vertigo 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Following a night of sex, drugs and witchcraft in the woods, Eve Coffin wakes up naked, covered in blood and unable to remember how she got there. One friend is missing, one is in a mental ward--and one knows that Eve is responsible.

Years later, Eve returns to Coffin Hill, only to discover the darkness that she unleashed ten years ago in the woods was never contained. It continues to seep through the town, cursing the soul of this sleepy Massachusetts hollow, spilling secrets and enacting its revenge. 

Dark, depressing, and creepy - just how I like comics. The storyline was very interesting and weird. But what i really loved was the art. The creepy things in the volume were beautifully drawn. I especially loved the reveal of Mel’s inner self. I can’t wait to read volume two.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Umbrella Academy Vol. 2

Title: The Umbrella Academy Vol. 2: Dallas

Author: Gerard Way, Gabriel Ba

Publisher: Dark Horse Books 2009

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The team is despondent following the near apocalypse created by one of their own and the death of their beloved mentor Pogo. So it's a great time for another catastrophic event to rouse the team into action. Trouble is, each member of the team is distracted by some very real problems of their own. The White Violin is bedridden due to an unfortunate blow to the head. Rumor has lost her voice - the source of her power. Spaceboy has eaten himself into a near-catatonic state, while Number Five dives into some shady dealings at the dog track and The Kraken starts looking at his littlest brother as the key to unraveling a mysterious series of massacres... all leading to a blood-drenched face-off with maniacal assassins, and a plot to kill JFK!

Another interesting volume featuring those kooky kids from The Umbrella Academy. I love how this takes place very shortly after volume 1, but we get a whole new story and adventure. In between reading volume 1 and 2, we watched season one of the television show. I found it interesting which elements from this volume they pulled into the series. Love how they expanded Hazel and Cha Cha into full fledged characters. Very entertaining!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Craftfulness by Rosemary Davidson

Title: Craftfulness: Mend Yourself by Making Things

Author: Rosemary Davidson, Arzu Tahsin

Publisher: Harper Wave 2019

Genre: Nonfiction Creativity

Pages: 198

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Creativity

Integrating mindfulness, neuroscience, positive psychology, and creativity research, Craftfulness offers a thought-provoking and surprising reconsideration of craft, and how making things with your hands can connect us to our deepest selves and improve our well-being and overall happiness.

We should get this out of the way: Craftfulness is not a “crafting book.” Rather, it is an investigation of the wisdom generations of men and women know to be true: that making things is a vital means of self-expression, self-realization, and self-help that sparks the mind, touches the soul, and rejuvenates the spirit.

I was intrigued by this book sitting on my library New Releases shelf. Unfortunately I found the delivery to be super dry. I just wasn’t super excited reading the passages. So not the best book I’ve picked up lately.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Cities by Monica Smith

Title: Cities: The First 6000 Years

Author: Monica L. Smith

Publisher: Viking 2019

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 304

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Nonfiction Bingo - 2019 Release

Cities is an impassioned and learned account full of fascinating details of daily life in ancient urban centers, using archaeological perspectives to show that the aspects of cities we find most irresistible (and the most annoying) have been with us since the very beginnings of urbanism itself. She also proves the rise of cities was hardly inevitable, yet it was crucial to the eventual global dominance of our species--and that cities are here to stay.

Oooof! I just wanted to love this book, but it was just way too long and dry for me. There were many sections that were fascinating. I loved when Smith dove into very specific examples of cities or archaeological digs. But then there was just too much filler to me. Those passages really turned me off to the book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lumberjanes Vol. 4

Title: Lumberjanes Vol. 4: Out of Time

Author: Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Brooke A. Allen, Shannon Watters

Publisher: BOOM! 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

The mystery of history!

Jen just wants to have a normal lesson with her cabin, teaching Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley the basic survival skills needed without any supernatural intervention when a blizzard hits camp! Separated from her girls, Jen finds herself in more trouble than ever...until a mysterious stranger swoops in to save the day. Who is this taxidermist? What is her relationship to Rosie? Join Jen as she finds a way back to her girls, and a way to save the day!

Oooohhhhh such mystery in this volume. I am so intrigued by the history of the camp and the various people involved. We get to learn a bit more about Rosie and the bear woman. Plus, we get the appearance of a great beast! I seriously loved this volume so much!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lumberjanes Vol. 3

Title: Lumberjanes Vol. 3: A Terrible Pain

Author: Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Brooke A. Allen, Shannon Watters

Publisher: BOOM! 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

If you got it, haunt it!

Trying to take advantage of the first quiet day at camp in a while, Mal and Molly's date takes a bizarre turn with the appearance of the bear woman! Back at camp, Jo, April, and Ripley must stay on their toes as they try to earn every badge possible which ends up being a lot harder than any of them ever planned.

Mal and Molly’s date was great Lumberjanes fun including so much more from the bear woman. Plus, we get at least part of the answer to the question “where did those raptors from the outhouse actually com from?” But really my favorite part of the volume was the adventures of April, Jo, and Ripley. Their antics attempting to earn the “boring” badges was hilarious. I especially love the cake decorating episode.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Field Notes on Love by Jennifer Smith

Title: Field Notes on Love

Author: Jennifer Smith

Publisher: Delacorte Press 2019

Genre: YA Romance

Pages: 288

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Women Authors; Romance

It's the perfect idea for a romantic week together: traveling across America by train.

But then Hugo's girlfriend dumps him. Her parting gift: the tickets for their long-planned last-hurrah-before-uni trip. Only, it's been booked under her name. Nontransferable, no exceptions.

Mae is still reeling from being rejected from USC's film school. When she stumbles across Hugo's ad for a replacement Margaret Campbell (her full name!), she's certain it's exactly the adventure she needs to shake off her disappointment and jump-start her next film.

A cross-country train trip with a complete stranger might not seem like the best idea. But to Mae and Hugo, both eager to escape their regular lives, it makes perfect sense. What starts as a convenient arrangement soon turns into something more. But when life outside the train catches up to them, can they find a way to keep their feelings for each other from getting derailed?

I picked this one up on the recommendation from Anne Bogel from Modern Mrs. Darcy. And thankfully, this was a delight! I loved this story of two just graduated teens falling in love and finding themselves on a cross-country train. At times, I wanted a more sophisticated relationship, but then remembered that they are only 18. Readjusting my perspective and expectations, I sped through this story really enjoying every page. Lovely contemporary romance to fill my week.

Next up on the TBR pile:

If, Then by Kate Hope Day

Title: If, Then

Author: Kate Hope Day

Publisher: Random House 2019

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 272

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Alphabet Soup - D; Literary Escapes - OR

In the quiet haven of Clearing, Oregon, four neighbors find their lives upended when they begin to see themselves in parallel realities. Ginny, a devoted surgeon whose work often takes precedence over her family, has a baffling vision of a beautiful co-worker in Ginny’s own bed and begins to doubt the solidity of her marriage. Ginny’s husband, Mark, a wildlife scientist, sees a vision that suggests impending devastation and grows increasingly paranoid, threatening the safety of his wife and son. Samara, a young woman desperately mourning the recent death of her mother and questioning why her father seems to be coping with such ease, witnesses an apparition of her mother healthy and vibrant and wonders about the secrets her parents may have kept from her. Cass, a brilliant scholar struggling with the demands of new motherhood, catches a glimpse of herself pregnant again, just as she’s on the brink of returning to the project that could define her career.

At first the visions are relatively benign, but they grow increasingly disturbing—and, in some cases, frightening. When a natural disaster threatens Clearing, it becomes obvious that the visions were not what they first seemed and that the town will never be the same.

I grabbed this book because of a description in Book Pages. And unlike some of my previous reads this month, I loved the weird nature of the storyline. I really dove into the world of small town Oregon and the interconnecting lives. It took me a bit to sort through what was actually going on, but once I did, I was thoroughly invested. I loved every single one of the main characters. They aren’t super likable at times, but that’s what makes them human. I was rooting for them to make good choices and survive until the end. I sped through this book almost in one sitting because I could not put it down!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Secrets of the Greek Revival by Eva Pohler

Title: Secrets of the Greek Revival (Mystery House #1)

Author: Eva Pohler

Publisher: Green Press 2015

Genre: Horror

Pages: 331

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Women Authors; Horror

Ellen and her two best friends share a mid-life crisis by hatching a plan to renovate an 1860's Greek revival in the nearby historic district of San Antonio. Although Ellen isn’t one to believe in ghosts, she comes face to face with something inexplicable in the attic. Her ghost-enthusiast friends convince her that they must help the spirit find closure, and as they dig deeper into the past, they uncover a shocking history that someone in the neighborhood doesn’t want exposed. But Ellen and her friends don't give up easily. They realize they've been called to give voice to the invisible women who suffered behind the walls of the house for decades.

This book, hmmm… It wasn’t what I was expecting. That disconnect probably caused a massive reduction in stars for me. I went in thinking this was going to be a horror book full of ghosts and long-kept secrets. And we only get long-kept secrets. Plus there needs to be some serious content warnings due to sexual assault. I was turned off my the descriptions of those. If this is the style of the series, I’m not going to continue reading these.

The Mystery House:

• #1 Secrets of the Greek Revival

• #2 The Case of the Abandoned Warehouse

• #3 French Quarter Clues

• #4 The Hidden Tunnel

Next up on the TBR pile:

Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter

Title: Beautiful Ruins

Author: Jess Walter

Publisher: Harper Perennial 2013

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 337

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Modern Mrs. Darcy - Cover; Historical Fiction

The acclaimed, award-winning author of the national bestseller The Financial Lives of the Poets returns with his funniest, most romantic, and most purely enjoyable novel yet. Hailed by critics and loved by readers of literary and historical fiction, Beautiful Ruins is the story of an almost-love affair that begins on the Italian coast in 1962...and is rekindled in Hollywood fifty years later. 

This was our book club selection for June. I had heard great things about this one and put it on our suggestions list. Unfortunately it just didn’t land with me. I was pretty bored with the storyline. Not a huge fan of the jumping back and forth and every which way in time. I don’t mind books that alternate, but I think there were too many time periods in this one. I couldn’t ground myself in one time period. And I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters. Pasquale was a good character, but I couldn’t stand Claire or Shane or even really Dee. Lots of people doing not-so-nice things to others. Even Alvis was not a likable character. I just didn’t really enjoy this one at all.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Egyptologist by Arthur Phillips

Title: The Egyptologist

Author: Arthur Phillips

Publisher: Random House 2004

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 383

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf Project; Alphabet Soup - P; Historical Fiction

Just as Howard Carter unveils the tomb of Tutankhamun, making the most dazzling find in the history of archaeology, Oxford-educated Egyptologist Ralph Trilipush is digging himself into trouble, having staked his professional reputation and his fiancée’s fortune on a scrap of hieroglyphic pornography. Meanwhile, a relentless Australian detective sets off on the case of his career, spanning the globe in search of a murderer. And another murderer. And possibly another murderer. The confluence of these seemingly separate stories results in an explosive ending, at once inevitable and utterly unpredictable.

I picked up this book at a library sale a few years back and it’s been sitting on my shelves ever since. I was intrigued by the subject matter and the mystery. Unfortunately, I was not a huge fan of the epistolary style or writing voice. I just couldn’t really get behind any of the characters. The mystery central to the plot was wrapped up too quickly leaving a lot of pages left. This was tough to get through.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Title: Daisy Jones & the Six

Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Publisher: Ballantine Books 2019

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 368

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: UnRead Shelf; Monthly Keyword - Daisy; Alphabet Soup - R

Everyone knows DAISY JONES & THE SIX, but nobody knows the reason behind their split at the absolute height of their popularity . . . until now.

Daisy is a girl coming of age in L.A. in the late sixties, sneaking into clubs on the Sunset Strip, sleeping with rock stars, and dreaming of singing at the Whisky a Go Go. The sex and drugs are thrilling, but it’s the rock ’n’ roll she loves most. By the time she’s twenty, her voice is getting noticed, and she has the kind of heedless beauty that makes people do crazy things.

Also getting noticed is The Six, a band led by the brooding Billy Dunne. On the eve of their first tour, his girlfriend Camila finds out she’s pregnant, and with the pressure of impending fatherhood and fame, Billy goes a little wild on the road.

Daisy and Billy cross paths when a producer realizes that the key to supercharged success is to put the two together. What happens next will become the stuff of legend.

Why??? Why did I not read this before this week? I started this book, read 20 pages, slept, and then couldn’t put it down! It was amazing! I fell into the story of the rise and fall of Daisy Jones and The Six. I loved piecing together the mystery of what truly happened in the 1970s. And the twist toward the end was just inspired! I loved the style of this book. It read just like a long-form Rolling Stones article and I was hear for every word. I kept wanting to look up the albums and listen to the songs. Inspired writing. After reading The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and this volume, I think I might just be a big fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Next up on the TBR pile: