New and Not So New Notable Reads: February 2024
Featuring a thriller that broke through my reading slump, a biography of a 90s icon, and a romantasy that didn’t make my eyes roll
It’s time for more books to share! What have you been reading that you’ve really enjoyed? I was in a slump at the beginning of the year, but I feel like I’m finally getting out of it. I usually break the slump with re-reading a couple of favorites, but this time around, some interesting audio books and some fast paced fiction helped. Is there a book or two you turn to to get out of a slump?
Well, if you find yourself in one, maybe one of these will help!
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
I love seeing books get a ton of love from celebrity books clubs. I’ve read several of Reese’s Book Club picks and it’s a hit or miss for me. I think I either really enjoy or can’t finish them. But that’s the way of book club picks! This was one that I really enjoyed and keep me guessing on a couple of pieces. It also made for some solid book club discussions. As a heads up, there’s some language.
Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography by Staci Robinson
Another confession, I shared this one on Instagram too, but I really enjoyed getting a fuller picture of Tupac that I wanted to share again (and I promise this is the last time!). I have no doubt that there are people who thought he was just “some thug” and assumed that’s only what he was about. This shares so much more. His passion for the arts, his love for his family, his love for his community and people, using his success to invest in others, using a lot of his music to share the plight of Black Americans, and more. He made plenty of mistakes and could sometimes be impulsive and this also doesn’t shy away from that. But I think readers will appreciate a bigger picture of who he was and why his influence is still seen today. This also has some language and adult themes.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
I’ve had to take a break from fantasy because they were all kind of feeling the same. I get using tropes (they work for a reason), but it was just too much for me. This one was picked for book club, so in all honesty, I started reading it against my will. But there were enough unique hooks that grabbed my attention and I enjoyed it. I have the second book waiting for me to read. Oh and it’s only a duology, no 876,987 books to read and wait for. I’ll end with one of the quotes that stuck with me: “You will learn to live outside of it again, as impossible as that may sound. Others who share your pain will also help you heal. Because you are not alone. Not in your fear or your grief or your hopes or your dreams. You are not alone.”
If you’ve read any, be sure to share your thoughts!
© 2024 Jamie Lapeyrolerie