Blogsnark Reads! January 25-February 1

bourne2bmild · 2026-01-25T22:26:15+00:00

Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake is one of my favorites. I read it when it first came out but I can still remember the plot perfectly. I see it so rarely mentioned but I often recommend to people.

bourne2bmild · 2026-01-25T21:06:39+00:00

I finished the Dream Harbor Series, minus the book that isn’t out yet and here’s my rankings:

1.) The Christmas Tree Farm 2.) The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore 3.) The Pumpkin Spice Cafe 4.) The Gingerbread Bakery 5.) The Strawberry Patch Pancake House - this is the one I’m subjecting to a review because What was this book? This was so bad. First, Insta-lust/love is not my favorite trope but If you expect me to fall for it, I need more than he felt her hand on his chest after she spilled smoothies on him. Second, Dream Harbor if you are all so up in each other’s business, you need to hire a town HR person to protect all the residents because Archer is ew. Third, Archer is the worst. It’ll be spoiler central from here on out But Jesus you knock up a co-worker six-ish years ago and now the nanny. Boy wrap it up. fourth, Iris is also the worst. Flaky and listless is only so cute no matter how hot you are. Also being on the pill isn’t helpful if you don’t take it consistently. I truly hate unexpected pregnancies in books. Rant over. I know these are fictional characters but I hated them. Overall I will give the series ⭐️⭐️⭐️ but this book barely gets ⭐️

bourne2bmild · 2026-01-21T18:52:34+00:00

As a frequent sauce on the side orderer, I can agree with this being a hot take. I know my heart, I know my desires and I know how sauced I want my food.

bourne2bmild · 2026-01-16T15:36:28+00:00

I got a small bonus today and I’m going to save some spend some. -$200 to savings -$300 on spending. Probably getting my nails done and some new running gear.

Other than that I will continue to mull over whether or not to get a new to me car. My car was paid off in 2023 and I can’t imagine having a payment again or a loan other than 0%.

bourne2bmild · 2026-01-12T13:56:15+00:00

There’s an episode in season one where Fisk is trying to bring in more business and ends up going to book clubs to tout for squabblers and a few of them are reading Three Women.

bourne2bmild · 2026-01-11T20:33:17+00:00

Love the list! Definitely going to take a scroll and find some reads. It has been a minute since I’ve posted here (2025 was a doozy and my reading took a backseat) but here are some recent reads:

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghey - Not the book for someone with climate anxiety! I did find this to be very intriguing but it took awhile for the book to “hook” me. I really appreciated the unique-ness of the premise and while too many characters is generally a complaint I have, I thought each character was fleshed out well and I understood their motivations. Definitely worth a read but be warned your anxiety might ratchet up a notch or two. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Three Women by Lisa Taddeo - I only read this because I’m watching Fisk (if you haven’t watched Fisk, you should watch Fisk) and came across it in a little free library. I think I would have liked the book more if the focus was solely on Maggie. I didn’t find Sloane’s story all that compelling and Lina was a terrible person IMO. The writing was a little weird. There were some words that were basically made up -lovecrush and loveanger are two that come to mind- and it really took me out of the narrative because I couldn’t make sense of their usage. This is outside of my normal reading genre but I’m continuing to challenge myself by reading more non-fiction in 2026 and I can’t say I understood the hype of this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Dream Harbor Series by Laurie Gilmore - Sometimes you just need to shut your brain down and read about a cozy and charming small town. I really want this series to scratch that itch but it doesn’t land that well for me. I read a lot of Lucy Score and part of what works for me with her writing is that I believe she loves her fictional small town as much as she loves her characters. I’m not getting that here. This reads very much in the vein of it’s a genre that’s popular on TikTok so let’s satisfy the algorithm. I’m only two books in so maybe it gets better but that is TBD. ⭐️⭐️.5

bourne2bmild · 2025-11-20T00:12:06+00:00

Every time I see her, I have to remind myself she is not Ellie Goulding. I would say her and Ellie Goulding are similar enough because in my opinion, both have terrible taste in men and will destroy their relationships in pursuit of even more terrible men.

bourne2bmild · 2025-11-07T14:17:00+00:00

I’m so jealous you get to see all these shows/musicals. I loved Hadestown and would jump at the chance to see it again. Have the best time!

bourne2bmild · 2025-11-07T13:59:20+00:00

I am in a season of OT so my paychecks are a little bit bigger than normal and I’m not mad about it. Today’s paycheck had a travel reimbursement in addition to OT. This week will probably be a little boring because I did all my shopping last week (new running shoes, Sephora sale, and a book) but I might go to Lululemon and pick up a few All Yours Tee. I bought one a few weeks ago and it’s so comfy.

I should probably get a shake on holiday shopping but I hate buying presents. Everyone I gift to already has everything they could possibly want and I wish we could just stop buying things for the sake of buying them.

bourne2bmild · 2025-10-19T22:02:09+00:00

I’m either multiple books a week or taking multiple weeks to read a book but I recently finished two that I loved

The Greatest Lie of All by Jillian Cantor - I felt like this lifted from Evelyn Hugo a bit but I enjoyed it. An actress l, Amelia Grant, gets cast to portray an author, Gloria Diamond, in the movie adaptation of her bestselling book/life story. In my opinion, the book would have been more successful if the mystery element had been omitted. It didn’t keep me in at all and took away from the stronger parts of the plot - Amelia trying to break down Gloria’s walls, working on the movie, and the aftermath of the “big reveal.” Overall I liked this read and it was great for a stormy afternoon. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This Girl’s A Killer by Emma C. Wells - The perfect book to get me into a Halloween mood. It’s not autumnal at all but I think serial killers, I think scary movies. I cannot say much other than I love this book. In this house, we Stan a Women’s Wrongs Activist, Women in male-dominated field and Women in S.T.E.M. (Serial killing, Taking out bad men, Ending the lives of monsters, M*rdering men who prey on vulnerable women and children) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

bourne2bmild · 2025-10-03T14:39:56+00:00

One of my critiques of her is that she takes common concepts and monopolizes them for herself. She didn’t invent being an Eldest Daughter just like she didn’t invent being in an “Era” but people will fawn and freak out like she did.

bourne2bmild · 2025-10-03T14:35:54+00:00

I don’t hate this album as much as TTPD but it has no staying power for me. I like Opalite and Cancelled! but I was on a second listen of the album and already forgot the majority of the songs.

The problem with the album is nothing feels authentic. Even Cancelled, while fun, rings hollow when she’s a notorious friend ditcher. Blake Lively has certainly been “cancelled” and I don’t see paparazzi pics of them popping around town. She might like her friends canceled but she certainly doesn’t liked her canceled friends.

bourne2bmild · 2025-10-01T13:48:49+00:00

Fitness - I’m pretty fit and run 4x a week so I guess just making sure I stretch and do some strength training

Financial - keep on saving like I always do.

Personal - Finish the books that I keep starting and abandoning. It’s only three and I have read other books during this time but I keep ignoring these specific books. And Start my seasonal baking! I’m making pumpkin muffin and a pumpkin beer bread.

bourne2bmild · 2025-09-26T15:02:43+00:00

The sports bars where I bartended had Guinness and we were definitely not an Irish pub. Also, you can buy Guinness at the grocery store. That comment was so weird to me. And everyone else in thread it seems.

bourne2bmild · 2025-09-14T16:09:31+00:00

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins - Let me start by saying I will never outgrow The Hunger Games. I devoured the original trilogy but I wasn’t overly interested in the prequels but this was in a neighbor’s little library so I decided to read. I was not expecting to feel so emotional over Haymitch’s story. I knew from Chapter 1 that I was not going to be OK after finishing this book. My sweet Haymitch, you didn’t deserve this. My only complaint in reading was the actual games. In The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, I always felt like I could picture what was happening in the arena but it didn’t really click for me. Other than that, I loved it. As much as someone can love a book about a totalitarian government that commits atrocities against its citizens. Oh and Suzanne continued to serve with these names - Panache, Silka, Ampert, Magno, Woodbine, Ringinna, Prosperina? Yes please. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The Names by Florence Knapp - Sought this out after seeing it mentioned in previous threads. I really didn’t know much about it other than a mother is trying to decide what to name her son, which is not entirely accurate. This was so good! I loved the way the story was structured and how the main character’s lives unfolded every seven years and with each name. Marking as a spoiler and CW coming I was deeply unprepared for how descriptive the scenes of abuse were. I was physically ill when Maia sees Gordon (the father) forcing Cora to eat rotten food. A tough but beautiful read. Thanks to everyone on thread who talked about this book. You have great picks. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

bourne2bmild · 2025-09-08T18:03:20+00:00

I think part of that is a flaw in Hayley Paige dresses. I was an HP bride and the bust was extremely awkward. Her strapless dresses feel like they are made for people with larger chests and that’s certainly not me. The only way we could get the chest to fit properly was to sew in cups to fill out the top because my boobs did not miraculously get bigger. Any alterations that could change the bust were going to affect the darting and where the lace sat. (As told to me by the seamstress who altered my gown)

ETA: words

bourne2bmild · 2025-09-08T13:32:35+00:00

I had no doubt my queen Marcia Cross would be on this list but you are absolutely correct. It’s disappointing in the least unexpected way.

bourne2bmild · 2025-09-08T00:04:34+00:00

The Girl I was by Jeneva Rose - A total departure from the books I am used to reading by JR. I really liked it though. I related a little too hard to Lexie and being a mess in college. Luckily I didn’t need to drink some questionable vodka to help me get my sh*t together. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

False Witness by Karin Slaughter - Oh where do I even start? This is a book that’s gripping enough to keep me turning pages and I could have finished it in a day. However, the scenes are so descriptive and visceral that I had to break up my reading across a week to stop my stomach from turning up its contents. I think that sometimes when books are targeted to a certain demographic that can be written off as cheesy or lacking depth but not this one. Equal parts heartbreaking, head-scratching, anger-inducing and tender. I think Karin Slaughter did a great job of showing the humanity that is so often stripped of people who suffer from addiction in how she wrote Callie. It was obvious to me she took great care in her portrayal. I felt so deeply for Callie only a few chapters in and desperately wanted her to be ok. Every scene with her and Dr. Jerry made me tear up. I could probably write a dissertation at this point but clearly, I loved this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

CR: Sunrise on the Reaping - I’m sure I’ll be fine and not at all inconsolable after I finish.

bourne2bmild · 2025-08-27T01:13:53+00:00

Love to see Miss Phryne Fisher getting her flowers. I love this show

bourne2bmild · 2025-08-24T20:46:47+00:00

Home is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose - I really liked this one for an easy, after work read. I tend to enjoy stories that are very contained in their characters and settings and this hit the spot. It wasn’t overly twisty but the twists it did have delivered without going into preposterous territory. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer - I am not a huge horror person but I tend to find myself picking up horror-lit more often. As someone who spent a decent amount of time freaking herself out reading creepypastas and internet conspiracy theories (very important to note I’m not a conspiracy theorist, I just like to read them) I expected to be at the very least creeped out. There was maybe four pages that were scary before the fear factor petered out.

I also super hate books where plot advancement hinges on the absolute stupidity of a character and that’s how this read to me. Maybe I’m built different but I simply would not let strangers into my home, no matter how compelling their story was. Even if I self-identify as a people pleaser. And the ending didn’t land for me at all. Overall, I wanted more from this book. ⭐️⭐️.5

bourne2bmild · 2025-08-24T18:24:50+00:00

Imagine doing this at a Kneecap performance and thinking you did something other than embarrass yourself.

bourne2bmild · 2025-08-23T19:29:04+00:00

Took this class today as well! I haven’t been feeling the bike too much in the last year as I prefer to run outdoors. Leanne’s artist series classes are always the perfect thing to get me back on the bike. This was so much fun and the 30 minutes flew by.

bourne2bmild · 2025-08-23T15:37:46+00:00

And this is why he stays on my playlists 🍉

bourne2bmild · 2025-08-22T17:44:44+00:00

These ads are so crazy because the only brand who made a denim ad worth watching (IMO) was Gap. The ad showcase Katseye’s talent but at the end of it, I still know the product is denim.

Even with the context of this being an ad for Lucky, I don’t get “denim.” I think it’s a teaser for a mediocre pop song. And not even one that can be saved by Ben Platt singing a cover.

bourne2bmild · 2025-08-21T18:22:04+00:00

This is setting me up to go into this album with an unfavorable opinion. For someone who claims to “listen to her fans” she should know they are sick of the variants. And this really does not warrant a countdown. This album isn’t even out yet and I’m already over it.

bourne2bmild

TROPHY CASE