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guloreads

@guloreads

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📚bookworm
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Amateur Runner. House Plant and Library Lover
2026 Reading Goal: 42/52
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📚Short term TBR

Recent library visits---> early release shelves--> 3 books I am itching to read.

Hoping to get through these ones before all my Libby holds come all at once:)

🎧The Calamity Club is my current audiobook. I am only listening to it in the car while driving to and from work.

What are you currently listening to/reading?

#currentlyreading by @guloreads

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12

24 days ago

Book Review- Before You Were Anne by Emiko Jean. Pub Date: 9/1. The book is out now. Thank you @simonandschuster for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Before You Were Anne is a solid, atmospheric mystery with plenty of secrets and twists. The content matter is dark and sad. The story follows Detective Chelsey Calhoun as she investigates the murder of a woman whose teenage daughter has been missing, and the investigation ends up uncovering a lot of secrets—including some about Chelsey’s own origins.

I liked the mix of mystery, family drama, and questions about identity, motherhood and survival. The different perspectives kept things interesting, and I especially enjoyed the parts set in Japan and Seattle. I liked the way the story was told and I was invested and wanted to know how everything would come together.

This is a good choice for readers who like emotional mysteries with plenty of secrets and family drama. If you liked Emiko Jean's previous thriller The Return of Ellie Black you'd surely enjoy this one too.

Content warnings: domestic violence

#bookreview
#bookrecommendations by @guloreads

10

4

25 days ago

👻Arc Review- Paper Ghosts by Sarah Addison Allen. Pub Date: 9/1. Thank you @stmartinspress for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Other Birds was my first Sarah Addison Allen book and I was one of my favorites of 2022. When this widget showed up in my mailbox, I didn't need to think twice.

I enjoyed Paper Ghosts, although I didn’t quite love it as much as Other Birds. Based on the two books I've read by the author, I could say her biggest strength is creating these dreamy, slightly mysterious Southern settings where the ordinary and magical can exist side by side.

I liked the story of the Wester women and all the secrets surrounding their family and their home in a small North Carolina town. The book moves between young Willamena in 1976 and her granddaughter Bailey in the present day, slowly revealing how the choices and heartbreak of the past shaped the family.

The magical realism, Southern setting, family secrets, and hints of a ghost story were all very much my thing. I did find myself a little more emotionally invested in The Other Birds, but Paper Ghosts still had that cozy, atmospheric quality.

I wish there were more ghosts" were my initial reaction after finishing the book. I would have enjoyed more magical realism. I think this book is going to find the right readers considering Fall/spooky season is around the corner.

Here is a quote I quite liked "but her story has the same problem fairy tales have. They teach us that the hard thing is always the right thing, like happily ever after is contingent on misery. But you don't have to suffer to be happy, Bailey. Sometimes it is not hard at all "

Are you eyeing any Fall books? I am so ready for cozy reads but absolutely not ready for the school to start:)

#paperghosts
#bookreview by @guloreads

8

2

a month ago

This review has been sitting in my notes app for months. So why didn't I post it sooner?

First of all, if Rainbow Rowell writes an adult fiction book I'll read it. Rainbow is one of my favorite authors.

Now the reason: I am still not confident after reading the arc and then listening to the audiobook whether this book is body positive or the exact opposite. The book is heavily about body image.

Also I had the hardest time putting my thoughts in a more organized review form so I am going to just dump them here:)

There are two romantic relationships in this book. The men are: Russ, Cherry's college crush and Tom, Cherry's soon to be ex-husband. Regardless of who she was with I always rooted for Cherry. My girl deserved better than both of those guys.

Tom and Cherry's relationship, from the very first days to the dissolution of it gave me Landline vibes. Took me back to the first time I read that book.

A few things that stood up in Cherry Baby for me:
-Women climbing the career ladder
-Cherry's big family
-Christmas eve marathon baking scene
-the giant dog Steven (named after Stevie Nicks)

A couple things I didn't like as much:
-how much of this book was about "Miracle skinny drug" aka weight loss drugs
-Cherry cries a lot. Like a lot. I don't know why that bothered me.

My next point is not a negative or positive thing but it is something to point out. Cherry Baby is more adult than all her books. More open door.

Despite all of those mixed feelings this is still one of my favorite women's fiction books of 2025.

#cherrybaby
#bookreview
#bookrecommendation
#readthisbook

Thank you @williammorrowbooks for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. by @guloreads

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a month ago

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2 months ago

⚓ Arc Review- Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw. Pub Date : 7/7. The book is out now. Thank you @atriabooks @simonandschuster for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

"A woman rediscovers the mythical island she stumbled upon as a child—and the man she once met who apparently hasn’t aged."

Are you in search of another book with an atmospheric setting like Wild Dark Shore? But maybe with some magical realism. How about some the Time Traveler's Wife vibes sprinkled throughout?

Habits of the Sea offers a touch of magical realism, some folklore, and some mystery with the romance in the very center. They all blend well into a love story. But don't look for plot twists or intricate world-building, just enjoy the atmosphere Ernshaw has created.

Habits of the Sea has an immersive, dreamlike setting. A drifting island that exists outside ordinary time is definitely compelling. You need to suspend belief, and don't look for concrete explanations about the island's magic. Oh and try not to do mental math for the age gap:)

This book is definitely not a fast paced fantasy. It is very melancholy. The story relies on the emotional connection between Ellie and Clay. The prose is really beautiful, almost poetic.

I had a very satisfying reading experience overall but I also have to mention the plot had an abrupt turn at around 85% mark that left me baffled. The ending was nice.

This was my first Ernshaw but won't be my last.
Have you read A History of Wild Places by this author. Do you recommend it?

#bookreview
#bookstagram
#habitsofthesea by @guloreads

17

8

2 months ago

Book Review
Happy pub day to Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves. Thank you @avidreaderpress for providing a widget in exchange for my honest review.

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt centers around Trevor, the grim reaper. Trevor is a lonely, unassuming guy who sits with people in their final moments. This book reads almost like a collection of short stories with small vignettes about the people who are dying but the book doesn't feel disjointed. The book also focuses on Trevor's relationship with his neighbor,a single mom of two daughters.

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt is a beautifully written, thought-provoking novel that blends heart and humanity. It offers a moving look at love, family and the choices we make. It is a compelling read. This book made me really sad and it took me a few days to shake off the sadness. Be warned

This book is one of the Book of the Month and Indie Next picks for July.

Is this book on your radar?

#bookreview
#bookstagram
#everythingwasbeautifulandnothinghurt by @guloreads

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7

3 months ago

#currentlyreading

All three of these because I have free will:)

And also because Summer reading is almost here and I couldn't make up my mind.

I have school Monday and Tuesday and I am done for this school year.

It is breezy and so nice. My backyard called to me so I must sit here and read for a little bit.

#reader
#readingoutdoors by @guloreads

18

7

3 months ago

Book Review- Where the Water Meets the Sky by Diane Les Becquets. The book is out now. Thank you @simonandschuster for providing me with a Netgalley arc in exchange for my honest review.

"Where the Water Meets the Sky is a coming-of-age novel set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, following a young woman named Abby as she returns to her childhood home to confront a traumatic fire from her past, explore first love, and find healing through her deep connection to the natural world"

Abby has very limited recollection of the night of the fire. She thinks she started the fire that took her mother's life.
Now Abby is back home to help his uncle with his ecological research. She reconnects with family, she experiences her first love. She is seeking for healing and redemption and she finds answers and an achingly sweet first love.

When this widget showed up in my mailbox with an opening "For the readers of Wild Dark Shore and Heartwood" I was sold.

There are some similarities, sure: Beautiful scenery of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, rich descriptions of nature. The land, the untamed forests, the animals on it, people's connections to the land.

WTWMTS has a strong start, a strong finish but a very slow middle. It is only 320 pages but felt longer. Maybe because I got sidetracked by more popular, hyped up books it took me weeks to read the arc.

This book made me crave campfires, boat rides and quiet sunsets. I wish the story had a bit more action.

If you like more of a slow and meditative kind of books that are nature focused and character driven you might enjoy this one too.

#bookreview
#bookstagram
#wherethewatermeetsthesky by @guloreads

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1

4 months ago

🏠 Book Review- The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff. Thank you @simonandschuster for providing me with the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

"I did something wrong while he did nothing, which can be just as bad. But I am the one who has given us a narrative, a pinpoint of blame"

Damoff's sophomore novel is about forgiveness. This layered family saga focuses on three relationships in different stages. But it mainly centers on April and Leo's crumbling marriage.

There is a good amount of heartbreak in this book. But for me the toughest parts to read were Leo's childhood memories. And look, I hate miscommunication/lack of communication as much the next person but I couldn't get mad at Leo for his part in the mess they were in. Their marriage is adversely impacted by the scars he brings to the marriage. I couldn't connect with April emotionally no matter how much I tried.

I enjoyed Deb's chapters much more. Her generosity and dedication to her family reminded me of my own mother.

Overall I thought The Burning Side was a solid book. It was written well but I felt somewhat unattached to the characters. Sadly this was no The Bright Years for me.

Also Alzheimer's sucks!

I wanted to do a book and song matching and of course it had to be a Noah Kahan song. I decided on Come Over. But the other contestants were Call Your Mom, Orange Juice and You're Gonna Go Far. Please let me know if you have any strong feelings about my choice;)

#bookreview
#theburningside
#bookstagram by @guloreads

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8

4 months ago

Book Review- Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel. Thank you @henryholtbooks for the advanced copy of the book. Enormous Wings is out now.

Enormous Wings is about a 77 yo woman's unexpected- or some might say "miraculous"- pregnancy and public's reaction to the pregnancy.

It is written in a light note. It is definitely humorous and even somewhat silly. And despite the tone everything happened in the story made me angry and incredibly sad for the state of things right now.

Bodily autonomy, reproductive choices, societal pressures...

The book sure has a wild premise. But it also has great characters and very strong writing. I read it in 2 days because it is a very good book. I just wish it weren't as heavy handed on the social commentary. Even though I seem to be on the same page with the author, the delivery could have been more subtle.

I finished this book weeks ago and finally posted a review. If you are an arc/Netgalley reader, how consistent are you with your posts? I am, as you can tell, not a good bookstagrammer lately.

#enormouswings
#bookrecommendations
#readthisbook by @guloreads

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7

4 months ago

✉️ Arc Review- Return to Sender by Stephanie Parente. Pub Date:7/14

"Violet is usually an optimist. But between her father’s sudden death and the overnight responsibility of caring for her rebellious teenage sister, Phoebe, she’s barely holding it together. Then Phoebe discovers a love letter, never delivered and returned to the sisters’ address, begging its recipient to give him another chance. Together, they set out to find the letter’s author, hoping to rectify a derailed happily-ever-after.

Phoebe talks Dex into a cross-country road trip to put the letter in the right hands. With every pit stop, they chip away at Dex’s moody exterior, and Violet realizes she might like what lies beneath . . . a lot"

I found the widget in my mailbox when I was in the mood for a romance read. I am glad I gave it a chance. This was a really sweet road-trip romance. It was grief heavy but not grim. I adored the relationship between Phoebe the teenager and abrasive Dex. It was an easy read despite the heavier theme.

Thank you for the widget @thedialpress

This book pairs really well with the new Noah Kahan album. Just sayin😉

#bookstagram
#arcreview
#bookreview
#returntosender by @guloreads

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6

5 months ago