A Hymn to Life by Gisele Pelicot

A Hymn to Life by Gisele Pelicot, 246 pages

In 2020, as the world ground to a halt because of the pandemic, Gisele Pelicot's life similarly began to unravel as she discovered her husband had been drugging her, raping her, and inviting over 50 other men into their home to similarly abuse her. Despite the overwhelming sense of shame and turmoil, Pelicot opted to have an open trial to give courage and embolden other survivors. 

This book was simultaneously an easy read and an extrodinairely difficult one. Easy because Pelicot's way of speaking and navigating her past, present, and future is honest, searching, and open. Difficult because of the subject matter. Sexual violence is inherently abhorrent, but it seems especially unfathomable when it comes from someone you thought you'd spent decades building a life with. 

I can't imagine, even after reading this book, how much strength it must have taken for Gisele Pelicot to have withstood this tempestuous path, but as a woman, I am grateful she has let her story be heard loudly, publically, and without shame.

 

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Persuasion by Jane Austen, 259 pages

Persuasion is Jane Austen's last finished novel and follows the long suffering, roundabout romance between Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth.

My personal reading goal this year was to read classics I hadn't read before, and this novel was at the top of the list. Pride and Prejudice has been a great favorite of mine for many years, but Persuasion has come close in esteem. Anne's inner analysis of her family's ridiculousity provides a port of respite for the reader in the novel's rocky shoals of family, society, and love. Like all the best books, I can't wait to read it again. 

 

The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu

The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu, 193 pages

From the publisher: "In this charming, fable-like book from Japan, a fox spirit sells magical confections to troubled humans, only for them to get a little more than they bargained." 

Fable-like is an apt description. This novel weaves several threads of stories into a glorious tapestry. Unlike some other books in this genre, we get to spend some time with the spirit itself, and not just the affected humans. A delightful read and a credit to its genre. 

 

Youth Group by Jordan Morris and Bowen McCurdy

Youth Group by Jordan Morris and Bowen McCurdy

256 pages

⭐⭐⭐.25/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

When Kay reluctantly agreed to join the youth group at Stone Mission Church in Orange County California, she expected the Jesus talk and the dorky singalongs and the colorful posters about dodging temptation. What she didn’t expect was to stumble on her youth group leaders, Meg and Cortland, in the middle of a read-deal exorcism. Turns out they’re both soldiers in a secret organization of demon hunters in a war that’s heating up, and even if Kay wanted to stay on the sidelines, she doesn’t have a choice – she’s a “Blight,” a human who demons can’t possess, and apparently that’s made her a target.

Will Kay find her place in a world that’s so much more God-fearing and monster-fighting than what she’s used to? Will the Stone Mission youth group find common cause with their badass peers of other faiths? Or will a pack of small-time demons use Blights like Kay as the key to starting some real big trouble?

The Girl from the Sea by Lee Knox Ostertag

The Girl from the Sea by Lee Knox Ostertag

256 pages

⭐⭐⭐.75/5

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

Fifteen-year-old Morgan has a secret: She can't wait to escape the perfect little island where she lives. She's desperate to finish high school and escape her sad divorced mom, her volatile little brother, and worst of all, her great group of friends...who don't understand Morgan at all. Because really, Morgan's biggest secret is that she has a lot of secrets, including the one about wanting to kiss another girl.

Then one night, Morgan is saved from drowning by a mysterious girl named Keltie. The two become friends and suddenly life on the island doesn't seem so stifling anymore.

But Keltie has some secrets of her own. And as the girls start to fall in love, everything they're each trying to hide will find its way to the surface...whether Morgan is ready or not.

Supergirl Vol. 1: Misadventures in Midvale by Sophie Campbell

 Supergirl Vol. 1: Misadventures in Midvale by Sophie Campbell-144 pages

⭐⭐⭐.75/5

A bold new era begins as Supergirl returns to her roots, but an impostor threatens to steal her life before she can reclaim it!

Kara Zor-El is ready for a fresh start, leaving Metropolis behind to rediscover herself in Midvale. But when she arrives, she finds someone else has already taken up the mantle of Supergirl! As she fights to reclaim her identity, she must also face a growing new threat, one with ties to her past, and a dangerous new ally in Lena Luthor. With a stunning new costume and an exhilarating story by writer/artist Sophie Campbell, this collection marks the beginning of a thrilling new chapter for the Maiden of Might!

Thoughts: This isn't my favorite Supergirl comic, but it's still pretty good. It's a little weird that Supergirl was known as Linda Danvers growing up instead of the usual Kara Danvers. The adventures (or "misadventures") are fun to read about even if the stakes aren't very high. It kind of reads like a couple episodes of a Supergirl show. 

Riding the High by Paisley Hope

Riding the High by Paisley Hope -- 432 pages

Her heart is wild. Only he can capture it.

When Cole Ashby is appointed Laurel Creek’s sheriff, he is determined to prove to the town, his family, and most importantly to himself that he’s the responsible choice for the job. A devoted single dad, his main goal is to lay steady roots for his young daughter.

As the daughter of a Kentucky congressman, elementary school teacher Ginger Danforth's life has always been about neat appearances. But inside she’s dying to break free from the restraints of reputation and embrace the sense of adventure that runs through her veins.

When the Laurel Creek crew heads to Las Vegas for a weekend away, long-time friends Ginger and Cole play a game of truth or dare and, after a few too many drinks, wake up the next morning having exchanged marriage vows in a Vegas chapel. With no chance of an immediate annulment, the two make a deal to stay married for ninety days in secret, until Ginger's father is re-elected and Cole is out of his probationary period as county sheriff. But when Ginger agrees to help watch Cole’s daughter for the summer and the pair are forced to spend an increasing amount of time in each other’s company, riding the high of their accidental marriage, the more it begins to feel real. Until they start to forget their marriage was ever meant to be temporary. . .