The Reading Diva

Disclaimer: Received an advance copy from Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press and Edelweiss. I am also in charge of a library program in which the author did a virtual program (more on that later). Opinions of my own. TW: murders, kidnappings, missing people, serial killings, drug and alcohol abuse, drugging of a character, mental health issues, attempted suicide, domestic violence Summary: Chloe Davis is a psychologist living in Baton Rouge and is getting ready to marry the love of her life.  She is also the daughter of Dick Davis, a well-known serial killer who is in prison for killing six teenage girls. As the 20th anniversary of Dick's arrest approaches, teen girls begin to go missing again and Chole begins to see parallels. Review: With her debut, Charleston author Stacy Willingham has written a good thriller in A Flicker in the Dark. Even though Chloe has fought hard to create the life she has after her father's arrest, she is barley hanging on. Some would even say ...

Several months ago, I was cleaning the house and I came across this business card.  You're probably wondering what is The Booksmith and why you never heard of it. The Booksmith is the predecessor to Turning Page Bookshop (which I mention  here and where I volunteer). My friend Valinda bought a bookstore that was already in business in Seneca, which is about 3 hours from here (it's in the Upstate, near Clemson). Her and Arrylee (her BFF and store manager) tried their best to keep the store afloat, but due to circumstances beyond their control, they had to close shop there (and that is their story to tell, not mine).  Family and friends encouraged them not to fully close the store, but move it closer to Charleston. And two years ago, Turning Page opened in Goose Creek. With my help, the store's opening went viral and there was a lot of press coverage. And a lot of authors came out of the woodwork and wanted their books in the store. 😂 Things were steady...then the pandemi...

Disclaimer: Received an advance copy from Berkley Publishing and Netgalley. Opinions are my own. TWs: prolonged grief, stress from library closing/job uncertainty, death of character Summary: June Jones works as a library assistant in her English village. This is the library where her mother, who died when she was a teenager, worked as a librarian. She's stuck in her grief and the most excitement she gets is seeing the regular patrons every day. But when the library is threatened with closure, June and the patrons get together to work on saving their library.  Review: Let me start off with two quotes from the book from two of the characters, who are regular patrons of the library. "What these management consultant with their calculators and spreadsheets will never work out is that the library is about so much more than simply books. Libraries are like a net, there to catch those of us in danger of falling through the cracks. That's what we're really fighting to prote...

  Disclaimer: Received an advance copy from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and Netgalley. Opinions are my own. Slight TWs: prolonged grief/guilt Summary: In the second book of The Boyfriend Project series, Taylor Powell is trying to get her personal training career off of the ground. But homegirl is broke. BROKE, BROKE. Jamar Dixon is a NFL player who is trying to get back on the field after a devastating injury. And he picks Taylor to help him with that goal...but he doesn't want anyone to know. They start posing at boyfriend/girlfriend, but what happens when that romance gets a little too real? Review: The Boyfriend Project was one of my favorite books of last year and didn't think Farrah could top that one. But I liked The Dating Playbook more and it's one of my favorites of this year (so far)! I found myself rooting for both Taylor and Jamar in their professional and personal endeavors! I love that despite the fact that Taylor was the trainer and Jamar was the cli...

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy from Avon/HarperCollins and Netgalley. Opinions are my own. Slight TWs: racism/microaggressions, chronic illness, mentions of passing of a loved one due to illness and tragedy, mentions of a mass murder Summary: Maya Jackson is working in New York City as a bridal designer, hoping to get a promotion as the top designer at the brand she works for. When her father suddenly falls ill, she heads back to her hometown of Charleston, SC to care for him. While back home, she gets an opportunity to work at a bridal shop, owned by veteran/widower/father Derek. He is trying to save the shop he inherited from his mother. Review: Book based in Charleston. Check. Book that the main character has the same name as you. Check. Awesome cover of a Black bride with St. Michael's Church and Rainbow Row in the background. And a cobblestone road! Check. Actual locations and streets that are in Charleston featured in the book. Check. And a great (and clean) roman...

Thanks to Sourcebooks and Edelweiss for the advance copy. Opinions are my own. Summary: Antonia "Toni" Bennette does not want to be a rock star. She's fine playing her guitar, doing shows in Philly's indie music scene and doing session work. What she wants is to be part-owner of a recording studio. But Toni gets an opportunity of a lifetime when she is recruited to be a temporary guitarist for up-and-coming band The Lillys. But it also reunites her with Sebastian, the manager of the band and her old friend who shared her dreams as a teen. Review: I really like this book! It touches on a lot of issues that many have dealt with, but not all deal with them in a Rock and Roll setting. Toni has modest dreams despite her tremendous talent. She is also dealing with the absence of her mother (who is also a guitarist and abandoned her to follow her own Rock and Roll dreams) and her aloof father. As a teen, she found comfort in her friendship with Seb (who had similar goals), ...

  I have some great news! This Thursday, April 8, I will be interviewing Dr. Jessie Smith to discuss the fourth edition of her book, Black Firsts: 500 Years of Trailblazing Achievement and Ground-Breaking Events. Smith is Dean Emeritus at Fisk University, where she was dean of the campus library for many years. This event is hosted by E. Shaver Booksellers out of Savannah. This is a great way to recognize National Library Week! This event is on Zoon and is free! Click here to register! Thanks to E. Shaver Bookseller and Rockelle Henderson of RockInked for this opportunity!