Another book review from Sarah: Yesterday I finished my 2022 Book of the Year, “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin and it far surpassed the hype, in my opinion. It truly spoke to me on so many different levels. The author has a mesmerizingly simplistic way of explaining complex emotions, and often gave transcending perspectives on hot topics/issues to provide a more empathetic take. An avid reader, not often can I bring myself to defile a book in any way, and I found myself doing just that so I could reference some of these insightful passages. It is that good. I also found the book, given the plot and perspectives, to be kind of universally appealing. “What’s it about, already?” you might be asking. It is about two principle characters who have a decades-long friendship, and must learn how to navigate their relationship and others, while they are simultaneously entering into the video game programming industry. The fun nature of the plot made the “heavier” topics more palatable. It was also a great underdog story and truly had a little bit of hot topic for everybody. A long, nonlinear and complex book, it’s not for the faint-hearted reader; but if you commit you will be rewarded. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #allbookedup #idratherbereading (at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cq4bO6sNRr8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A quick review from Broker Sarah, @staylorokcaz : I just finished my late birthday Book of the Month, “Flicker in the Dark” by Stacy Willingham; it was a page-turning thriller that had me questioning until the very end. I’ve read enough whodunnits over the years to question the obvious suspect, but I didn’t find this book too predictable. There were several unexpected plot twists to keep attention somewhat diverted. Overall, it was a pretty decent read if you are into this genre. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #allbookedup #idratherbereading (at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/CokzWaCpaJe/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Book review from Broker Sarah: I just finished my January Book of the Month, “Queen of Thieves” by Beezy Marsh and it an amazing Historical Fiction set in post WWII London. It kind of reminded me of “Gangs of New York,” but with much less violence and with much more of a feminine spotlight. The principal character was light-hearted, in spite of all of the trials and tribulations she endured because of her sex (very much a boys club at the time) and circumstances she found herself in. She just had this modern outlook for a young woman in the 1940s and a can-do attitude toward that I admired. Though she was a bit of an antihero, I found myself rooting for her as I would an underdog. Overall, it is definitely not my usual read, but I thought it was a very entertaining story. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #allbookedup #idratherbereading (at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnn1WKZt4P1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Book review from Broker Sarah: I just finished my January Book of the Month, “Queen of Thieves” by Beezy Marsh and it an amazing Historical Fiction set in post WWII London. It kind of reminded me of “Gangs of New York,” but with much less violence and with much more of a feminine spotlight. The principal character was light-hearted, in spite of all of the trials and tribulations she endured because of her sex (very much a boys club at the time) and circumstances she found herself in. She just had this modern outlook for a young woman in the 1940s and a can-do attitude toward that I admired. Though she was a bit of an antihero, I found myself rooting for her as I would an underdog. Overall, it is definitely not my usual read, but I thought it was a very entertaining story. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #allbookedup #idratherbereading (at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnn1WKZt4P1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Repost from Broker Sarah: I just finished my December Book of the Month, “All the Dangerous Things” by Stacy Willingham and it an amazing mama drama of a thriller. The mystery portion aside, I liked this book because it centered around the principal character and her complex relationships as a mother, wife, sister, neighbor, colleague and co-worker. I was constantly asking myself, as she herself found herself also asking, if she did it or not. The nonlinear plot just provided more background that further made me question it, coupled with the gaslighting by one character, really had me guessing until the end. Ultimately, I found the mystery not predictable in the slightest; I was also relieved, that the story ended positively since it dealt with a missing child. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #allbookedup #idratherbereading #repost from @staylorofokaz https://www.instagram.com/p/CmhUhtlJtbs/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Sarah’s book recommendation: …..I FINALLY finished my November Book of the Month, “The Wilderwomen” by Ruth Emmie Lang. I was a bit distracted and took longer to read this book, but I found that I was able to pick it back up and not be plot lost. The genre was one I typically do not read too much of, magical realism mixed with a sort of mystery, but I enjoyed the story. Although I found the general premise of the story to be sad and melancholy—family broken apart and siblings separated after mother abandoned them and they decide to finally track her down and find out what happened—I think it was presented in a hopeful way and ended beautifully with healing. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #repost : @staylorofokaz (at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmR3H8mJ50o/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Sarah’s book recommendation: I just finished reading “The Family Game,” by Catherine Steadman as my spooky October Book of the Month. This book was tremendously entertaining and ended with a major plot twist I was not anticipating at all. Think of the book (and now Netflix movie) “Luckiest Girl Alive,” meets the movie thriller “Ready or Not.” The principal character is an orphan writer who is trying to assimilate into her fiancé’ well-to-do family several social classes above what she is accustom. Her mystery writing career provides invaluable insight as she is soon finds herself sleuthing around to solve a decades-old family mystery that will tell her if she truly wants to join this family or not. But not everything is as it seems. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram (at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkW0JPQJXgO/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Sarah’s book recommendation: My September Book of the Month, “The Attic Child” by Lola Jaye was a great but difficult read. Though it was over 400 pages, I found myself glued at the end to find out what was going to happen. The book follows two separate timelines—one in the 1900s and one in the 1990s, connecting them both at the end with the central characters. This book touches on difficult subject matters, like racism and abuse, but presents them from the unique perspective of the child who is experiencing it and has never encountered such evils. I love a good underdog story and this book told one of the best ones I’ve read. The principal character endured such depravities that could have easily lead him down a bad road, but he kept fighting and made an incredibly successful life for himself and his future family. He also learned how to trust others again and how to coexist with the scars of his trauma, eventually passing along his story to the other principal character at the converging timeline. This book is a great book, this book is an important book, but it did require a certain degree of emotional stamina to hear the stories so it may not be the book for you if you are reading purely for joy/entertainment. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci7wggqrQru/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Sarah’s book recommendation: I just (and finally) finished my August Book of the Month, “When We Were Bright and Beautiful” by Jillian Medoff and though I did not love it, I did enjoy it. Overall, I think the subject matter was kind of important to read. The book follows a wealthy NY family as they struggle to help their brother who is facing charges for rape. This book was entertaining because it had numerous and unexpected plot twists that had me reading late into the night. However, there were several underlining themes touched in the book that are on the darker side, like addiction, child endangerment, rape, violence, childhood trauma and classism. The author did manage to tread lightly on these uncomfortable topics so as not to deflect from the main story, which I both appreciated. All in all, this was a good read but not for the faint-hearted. This was the third book I’ve read in so many books that has been of more serious nature…note to self: pick a light-hearted book next month. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram (at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiqP9C7Jt8G/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

A day late…but Happy National Book Lovers Day! I love the convience of eReaders but nothing quite beats the feel of a book in my hands. Swipe right to see what book I’m currently reading. ➡️📚❤️. Happy reading! #readeasy #ilovebooks #nationalbookloversday #barnesandnoble #justkeepreading #realtorreader https://www.instagram.com/p/ChF6XMmPr2t/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Sarah’s book recommendation: My July Book of the Month was “Upgrade” by Blake Crouch and I loved it because it’s a genre I do not read often: science fiction. This book was a sort of cross-breed of several books/movies I’ve read or watched in the past. Think “The Uglies” series meets the movie “Contagion” with a sort of Thanos-esk agenda. Crouch was masterful because he made concepts seem more realistic than far-fetched. My hat goes off to him further for his thorough research he conducted that is evident in his presentation of scientific information in laymen’s terms to allow those of us not scientifically inclined to follow along. All in all, it was a great story and entertaining read. #botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookrecommendations #bookworms https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg0TCzeJfn4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Another great read by Gilly MacMillan, I could not put this one down and wound up binge reading it in two days. #greatreads #gillymacmillan #bookstagram #realtorreader #ilovebooks https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfo9q5YJ4Rf/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Just finished one of my all-time favorite books (again)…I read it once a year because I find it so uplifting. I definitely recommend it 💯 & will always lend it to a friend to share the amazing story. Just ask. ❤️ #thealchemist #greatreads #realtorreader #readstagram #bestbookever https://www.instagram.com/p/CfhcMTOuNi-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Just finished up by June #BOTM and it was one of my favorites this year. It had me chuckling, nodding and reading well into the night…The story follows Meg, who is a woman scorned by a powerful man and notices another man taking advantage of friend close to her. Meg decides to live up to the “girl code” and right wrongs done to the friend by pulling a con on her victimizer, which leads her to become a serial avenging con artist. By the end of the story, her last con is as a real estate agent to avenge her mother (not all of us are bad). Anyway, this was a great quick read. #botm #realtorreader #modrealtyok #homebuyingokc #homebuyingok #homebuyingoklahoma #sellingoklahoma https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce4JKVSPrLj/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

My April #botm was Kaikeyi & it was a great read for those who have reader’s endurance. It was a hybrid of genres that made for a nice twist to a classic tale. Mythology mixed with a splash of cleverly inserted feminism that was natural in its inclusion to the tale. For those who believe in higher powers and can appreciate religious tones of different varieties, this is also a good read for you. I loved this #bookofthemonth #bookstagram #modrealtyok #realtorreader https://www.instagram.com/p/CdmP68RJo09/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I just finished my October bonus Book of the Month, “Happiness Falls ” by Angie Kim, and although the subject matter was kind of sad, I loved the story. I found it very relatable in many ways and I particularly like the way the author described language barriers in general, whether it be translational, cultural or cognitive. It inspired a great deal of empathy overall.

The story follows Mia, a 20 year old bi-racial college student as she struggles to help her family—mom, twin brother and younger brother—find her missing father when the only witness is her nonspeaking brother. Initially, they believe him to be nonverbal completely but as they work together to unravel the mystery of the disappearance, they also find a way to communicate with him.

📚 If you are a local friend and ever want a good recommendation or to borrow a book, you know where to find me. ✨💜

#botm #ilovebooks #ilovetoread #realtorreader #justread #fortheloveofbooks #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #bookworm #booklover #allbookedup #idratherbereading