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Weekly Menu #657 And The Book Of The Week
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What I Read Last Week - April 27th
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Sunday Confessions #35
105/250 2026 Reading Challenge
What I Read Last Week - April 20th
5 Stars
I loved this one. Sadeqa Johnson has a way of uncovering lesser known pieces of history and turning them into something vivid and unforgettable. This story pulled me in quickly and kept me there.
What really stood out was how naturally the historical elements were woven into the narrative. Nothing felt heavy handed, but it still left a lasting impact. It’s the kind of book that lingers after the final page.
I immediately went down a rabbit hole researching the real history behind it, which honestly says everything. When a book sends you searching for more, you know it did its job.
4 Stars
How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin was such a fun, easy read. The premise is clever and pulls you in right away, and the small town vibes make it feel extra cozy.
I had a great time following the mystery and piecing things together, even if it didn’t completely surprise me in the end. The pacing keeps things moving, and it’s the kind of book you can fly through in a couple sittings.
Not groundbreaking, but definitely enjoyable. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something light, a little twisty, and low stress.
5 Stars
I really wish Birth Vibes had existed 20 years ago when I was starting my family. Even though I’m no longer in that stage of life, this book still hit in a very real way. It made me feel seen and validated experiences I hadn’t really put into words before.
This is a great read for soon to be moms because it doesn’t sugarcoat things. It gets into the real, gritty parts of birth while still feeling empowering. It’s not just for first timers. Seasoned moms will find a lot here too.
The birth stories were touching and well written, and I found myself wanting more of them. That was the only downside. I would absolutely read a whole collection of just those stories.
Jen Hamilton, if you’re listening… that feels like your next book.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
4 Stars
This one was just plain fun. It leans into the usual Star Wars formula with plenty of political intrigue, but it doesn’t get bogged down by it. The pacing keeps things moving, and the action delivers when it needs to.
The real charm is in the character dynamics and humor, which give it a lighter, more entertaining edge than expected. Familiar structure, but executed well enough that I didn’t mind the déjà vu.
5 Stars
I’m actually speechless after this one. Easily one of my favorite reads lately.
From the start, Natalie had this intense self righteous energy, and watching her slowly spiral into something genuinely unsettling was… a lot. It gave me strong Ruby Franke vibes, which made it hit even harder.
The dual timeline had me completely locked in. I kept trying to piece everything together, and then that twist… absolutely not. I just sat there thinking, “no way.”
Burke’s writing has this dark, simmering anger running underneath everything, and it works so well for the story.
If I could give this more than 5 stars, I would.
Weekly Menu #656 And The Book Of The Week
WEEKLY MENU
Monday
Kids - Chicken and Rice
Tuesday
Kids - Buttered Noodles
Wednesday
Creamy Garlic Chicken and Potatoes
Kids - Chicken and Potatoes
Thursday
Kids - Cheese Quesadillas
Friday
Kids - Beans and Rice
Saturday
Kids - Peanut Butter and Jelly
Sunday
Leftovers Night
Sunday Confessions #353
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Weekly Menu #656 And The Book Of The Week
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What I Read Last Week - April 20th to 26th
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Sunday Confessions #354
101/250 2026 Reading Challenge
What I Read Last Week - April 13th to 19th
I went into this one with high expectations, and while it had all the right ingredients, it never quite came together.
The premise is solid and there’s definitely potential in the story, but it felt like the characters never got pushed far enough. I kept waiting for more depth, especially when it came to their internal struggles, and it just didn’t fully deliver.
The world building also felt a bit thin. I wanted more detail and immersion to really ground the story, but it stayed a little too surface level.
Overall, it’s not a bad read, just one that could’ve been a lot more if it had dug a little deeper.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
I was completely locked into this one… right up until the veil dropped and the story took a hard detour into cringe heavy spice.
I don’t mind romance at all, but this dynamic didn’t land for me. The MMC constantly pushes, the FMC keeps saying no, and yet internally… she’s into it? Meanwhile, she’s also adamant about never being controlled again, but then just kind of… goes along with it. The mixed signals made the whole relationship feel more confusing than compelling.
On top of that, the plot barely moves. It ends up feeling less like a story unfolding and more like an extended argument about who is or isn’t allowed to sleep around.
I wanted to love it. I really did. But between the uneven character dynamics and the lack of forward momentum, this one just didn’t quite work for me.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman is exactly what happens when a cozy mystery puts on a cardigan, pours a cup of tea, and casually solves a murder.
This was such a fun read. The residents of a retirement village meet weekly to review cold cases… until a real murder lands right in their backyard. The characters are witty, clever, and quietly chaotic in the best way. Elizabeth especially feels like she’s always five steps ahead of everyone else.
The mystery itself kept me interested, but honestly, the charm is in the characters and their friendships. It leans more “cozy and clever” than “dark and twisty,” which made it a really enjoyable, low stress read.
As ridiculous as the premise is, I loved this book so much.
Margo is naïve, but she’s also full of life and curiosity. She rolls with whatever comes her way and isn’t afraid to take risks, even when those choices are questionable at best.
Her family is… a mess. I really couldn’t stand her mother. Just the worst.
But her dad, Jinx, completely stole the show for me. He’s flawed in his own ways, but he shows up for Margo when it counts, and that mattered.
This book is chaotic, a little absurd, and somehow still full of heart. It worked for me.
What a wild, dark ride. This book pulled me in right from the start.
The atmosphere is rich and heavy and the writing really sells the tension throughout.
Also, can we take a moment to appreciate the demon delivering this absolute gem:
“Shut up you fat opossum!”
Incredible. No notes.
I love Katherine Center’s writing, but this one didn’t quite land for me. It’s well written, as expected, but it’s so short that there isn’t enough time to really connect with the characters or feel invested in their choices.
Instead of a fully developed story, it reads more like a polished outline. Everything is there, but nothing has room to breathe. I wanted more depth, more buildup, and more reason to care about the decisions being made.
Still enjoyable for what it is, just a little too quick to leave a lasting impression.
Weekly Menu #655 And The Book Of The Week
WEEKLY MENU
Monday
Kids - Chicken and Rice Bowls
Tuesday
Kids - Nachos
Wednesday
Roasted Bratwurst with Peppers and Onions
Kids - Bird Dogs
Thursday
Kids - Grilled Cheese
Friday
Kids - Beef Ramen
Saturday
Kids - Cheesy Tater Tots
Sunday
Leftovers Night
Sunday Confessions #352
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Weekly Menu #655 And The Book Of The Week
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What I Read Last Week - April 13th to 19th
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Sunday Confessions #353
Sunday Confessions #353
95/250 2026 Reading Challenge
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