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The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I've got to be honest, I really wanted to like this one and it was good and interesting, but it didn't really blow me away. The story follows Sara Hussein, a retainee at the Madison facility where folks who are accused of committing violent crimes in their dreams are kept for a minimum of 21…
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
There's nothing more intimidating than a super muscular demon on the book cover to represent the horrors of the villain within its pages. In this review, I dive into my thoughts on Red Dragon by Thomas Harris, the first book to feature Dr. Hannibal Lecter and before the even more famous The Silence of the…
Four ways to spend time in your reading slump – Simone and Her Books
Well, I don't know what did it this time but I'm stuck in a reading slump this week. And instead of going without a blog post for another week because I'm not crunching out the books reviews, I thought I would write about it. I've been pretty mindful of my book slumps in the past.…
Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I've been on a weird kick lately reading a lot of books featuring demons, possession, the fight between heaven and hell, good and evil, etc. It's a weird little kick and I think I've reached the pinnacle with Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi. The book takes place in a small orphanage somewhere in…
How Mickey 17’s trailer made me read Mickey7 – Simone and Her Books
It’s a weird “chicken and egg” moment in a reader’s life when they come across a book through the trailer of a movie. What came first? Interest in the story because of the synopsis or because Robert Pattinson is starring in the Bong Joon-ho adaptation of said book? While I do know I have a…
Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
If you're looking for something that whisks you away to a Ghibli-inspired world of dreams, paper cranes, cloud hopping, and more, then this might be the book for you. Here's more about Water Moon A woman inherits a pawnshop where you can sell your regrets, and then embarks on a magical journey when a charming…
When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
Did I have that song "That's Amore" stuck in my head every single time I picked up this book? Yep. I'm a huge fan of John Scalzi and his latest work he begs the question "how would the world react if the moon turned into cheese?" Here's more about When the Moon Hits Your Eye…
Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I picked up Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan because I was absolutely enthralled by her first duology Daughter of the Moon Goddess. And as a standalone romantasy, I felt the need to check it out. Here's more about the book A stunning, standalone romantic fantasy filled with dangerous secrets, forbidden magic, and passion, of a…
Battle Royale by Koushun Takami // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I had originally read this book back when I was 23 and commuting via bus to work. It got a lot of interest from people who had read it before and absolutely adored it and honestly, that boosted my confidence that I would enjoy the book as well. And lo and behold, I did. I…
James by Percival Everett // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
"I am the angel of death, come to offer sweet justice in the night. I am a sign. I am your future. I am James." Well, I'm so glad I'm able to add another favorite of 2024 to my list before the year ended. This is the retelling of Huck Finn through the eyes of…
The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I'm a huge fan of Erin A. Craig. Ever since reading The House of Salt and Sorrow, I'm always hankering for whatever she's about to write next. And with this dark retelling of the fairy tale "Godfather Death," Erin A Craig outdoes herself with a dark fantasy filled with magic, morals, and friendships. Here's more…
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
This was a fun and entertaining, low stakes romantic mystery that very much feels like you're reading Knives Out. Here's more about The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year The bridge is out. The phones are down. And the most famous mystery writer in the world just disappeared out of a locked room three days…
The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I was recommended this book by another influencer who said if I liked The Book of Doors, then I would like The Shadow of the Wind. While the two books are vastly different from each other, I left reading The Shadow of the Wind with a sense of awe and adoration for the characters and…
5 Vampire Books Worth Reading this Halloween – Simone and Her Books
Happy Halloween, everyone! There is an unbelievable amount of vampire stories to pick from during this season. I'm so happy about that because I've been a fan of vampire stories since I was a kid. And if you're like me trying to wade through all the stories to find the ones worth reading, then I…
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
Well, this was a massive undertaking of a book, but worth pretty much the entire month it took me to read it. Sadly, my thoughts on this book will be a bit scattered since it took me so long to read it and I took a massive break in the middle of the month to…
I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
If you're a fan of slasher films like Friday the 13th or Halloween and you've always wanted to know what motivates the killer to do what he does? Well, this insightful story dives into the mind of a slasher and plays around with the idea that maybe they're as much the victim as the ones…
The God and The Gumiho by Sophie Kim // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
If you're a fan of those fantasy-focused Kdramas filled with Korean mythical creatures and a fun little contemporary romance twist, then you're going to love The God and The Gumiho. Thanks to Del Rey for the gifted copy of this book. More about The God and The Gumiho Kim Hani has retired from a life…
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
"Wandering stars, to whom it is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." Here's more about Wandering Stars Colorado, 1864. Star, a young survivor of the Sand Creek Massacre, is brought to the Fort Marion Prison Castle, where he is forced to learn English and practice Christianity by Richard Henry Pratt, an evangelical prison guard who…
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I will admit, I was drawn to this one by the cover. It's not one of those "oh this is a cutesy cover, but we're going to hit you in the face with a side of spice," but definitely brought the spice and story for me. Here's more about Not in Love Rue Siebert might…
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
Holy cow, am I going to be calling my challenge off early because I've finally read my favorite Emily Henry book? Here's more about People We Meet on Vacation Poppy and Alex. Alex and Poppy. They have nothing in common. She’s a wild child; he wears khakis. She has insatiable wanderlust; he prefers to stay…
The Emily Henry Summer Reading Challenge – Simone and Her Books
What better way to spend the summer than reading some great romances from an impeccable author? Recently, I was on Instagram and noticed that everyone has their favorite Emily Henry book. And while I've read most of Emily Henry books, I thought I would try and figure out my favorite. The hard part? I don't…
I only read one book this month and that’s okay! – Simone and Her Books
Looking back at my reading this May has been a little surprising. While I've been reading on and off again, I've actually only finished one book. I started off the month strong and finished a book I'd been reading for three weeks, but then after that I started and finished one other book. In the…
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
Never thought I would be rooting for a robot... Here's more about the book Annie Bot was created to be the perfect girlfriend for her human owner, Doug. Designed to satisfy his emotional and physical needs, she has dinner ready for him every night, wears the cute outfits he orders for her, and adjusts her…
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
If you've ever wanted to find a fictional world somewhere in the real world, then this is the romance for you. Thanks to Berkley for the gifted read. Here's more about A Novel Love Story Eileen Merriweather loves to get lost in a good happily-ever-after. The fictional kind, anyway. Because at least imaginary men don’t…
Funny Story by Emily Henry // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I'm a huge fan of Emily Henry and the newest from her has been such a delight! Here's more about Funny Story Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to…
How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I'm a huge fan of stories full of character-driven energy, filled with science fiction tropes, and pulls on your heart in that way only a good science fiction story that wants you to believe in humanity again could ever do. Here's more about How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe A story of…
Happily Never After by Lynn Painter // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
There was something about the premise that really drew me to this book; a set of wedding objectors that go around stopping weddings before they tie the knot. But what you get is so much more and at the same time, not enough. Here's more about Happily Never After When Sophie Steinbeck finds out just…
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K Dick // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
My first PKD and I don't think it'll be my last. Reading a book that's supposed to be set in the future, but that future is 2021 and it's now 2024...that's a bit weird, but I don't think PKD skimped in any way on its science fiction-y components or its even bigger themes. Here's more…
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I'm off on a wibbley wobbley timey wimey adventure with this one! Thanks to William Morrow Books for the gifted copy. Here's more about The Book of Doors Cassie Andrews works in a New York City bookshop, shelving books, making coffee for customers, and living an unassuming, ordinary life. Until the day one of her…
An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
This is the second book by S.T. Gibson that I've tried and I'm so glad to give her another chance. Here's more about An Education in Malice Sumptuous and addictive, An Education in Malice is a dark academia tale of blood, secrets and insatiable hungers from Sunday Times bestselling author S.T. Gibson, author of the…
Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
"See you in the story past the story," said Fern. It's strange for someone with my level of anxiety to be okay with a book that doesn't have that "uh oh" moment. You know, when the worst case scenario has come to fruition, the other shoe has finally dropped, and the bad news just gets…
A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
This was actually a reread for me, but when I was going through my notes, I realized I never wrote a review for this book. Since this is one of my favorite series, I thought it made sense to finally share what I think. More about A Torch Against the Night Now, in A TORCH…
Bride by Ali Hazelwood // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
The newest queen of rom-coms released her first romantasy book and it's filled with wolves, vampires, and so much more. Here's more about Bride A dangerous alliance between a Vampyre bride and an Alpha Werewolf becomes a love deep enough to sink your teeth into in this new paranormal romance.Misery Lark, the only daughter of…
Where the Dark Stands Still by A.B. Poranek // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
If you're as obsessed with Miyazaki as I am, then this is the book for you. Thanks to McElderry Books for the gifted copy. Here's more about Where the Dark Stands Still Raised in a small village near the spirit-wood, Liska Radost knows that Magic is monstrous, and its practitioners, monsters. After Liska unleashes her…
Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice to Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
You know, I never considered myself a fan of cozy mysteries until I came across Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers. If this is what most cozy mysteries feel like, then consider me sold. More about Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice to Murderers Put the kettle on, there’s a mystery brewing…Tea-shop owner. Matchmaker. Detective?Sixty-year-old self-proclaimed tea…
Good Material by Dolly Alderton // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I started reading this one because my office book club chose it for March. I put the book on hold hoping that it would arrive before the end of March, but I was gifted a lucky copy and I ended up reading it before we even met for February's book club. This is also my…
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
I've been a huge fan of High Fidelity the movie since it came out. Every few months, my husband and I would get the jones to watch it again. It also helped that Rob was a huge fan of pop music, but the book revealed to me that he's also a massive man child. Here's…
My January 2024 Hopefuls – Simone and Her Books
Now empowered with my new resolutions for this bookish year, I wanted to share with you a little TBR I put together. For the most part, I don't want to be writing these TBRs every month. In fact, I plan on putting a little TBR together every few books I read because library holds come…
2024 Reading Goals – Simone and Her Books
Hello 2024. Hello blog friends. I know it's been quite a while since I wrote here. And honestly, I'm returning with a bit of trepidation only because it's been so long since I've written a blog post (so I have no clue if I still "got it") and I've burnt out so badly that I…
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel // Book Review – Simone and Her Books
My first book of 2024. I went into this one with completely different expectations. I thought it'd be dystopian. I thought it would be sci-fi, but instead it was the best kind of literary; the kind that interweaves lives to show you how one singular event or a hotel can shape the lives of a…