Kick off your 2025 reading with a purpose! On International Book Giving Day I’m kicking off my raffle benefitting stroke awareness for Tedy’s Team. Enter for your chance at winning a signed copy of one of 9 books, or choose your own next several reads with a $100 gift card to Bookshop — the amazing online shop that both helps you find all the great books AND helps to give back to your local bookstore of choice.
Raffle tickets are $5 each or $12 for a pack of 3! Get em through a donation to the fundraiser on this post or through the link in bio if you prefer to checkout using Venmo instead. Raffle tickets open through March 2nd.
Kathleen Barber — Truth Be Told, Follow Me
You saw her book Truth Be Told everywhere a few years back as it was the basis for the AppleTV series of the same name featuring Octavia Spencer (gasp!) — a suspense filled thriller focused on family, deception with a touch of my fave, podcasting.
Or there’s also her follow up book Follow Me — all about the dangers of sharing our lives online. Can we share too much and allow strangers to feel they’re able to get a little too close for comfort?
Kathleen has the suspense pacing down, building the story throughout and only really letting you see the reveal when she’s ready for you to come out on the other side.
Lauren Ling Brown – Society of Lies
Society of Lies was my favorite read on the run during my NYC Marathon training last year. When I first came across it through Reese’s Book Club, I knew I was going to love it — and ended up reading the entire thing within 24 hours!
The book is told from the perspective of two sisters. It’s a lovely homage both to family and the struggle of fitting in. This is just one layer to the story, which unravels through a number of unexpected twists and turns with the two sisters in the end more similar and linked than initially thought. Such a powerful book with a satisfying resolution.
Kate Kennedy – One in a Millennial
I couldn’t stop talking about Kate Kennedy’s One in a Millennial last year. A long-time listener of her Be There in Five podcast, I couldn’t wait to dive in. So. Good.
The book was such a treat of a look back at a time where girls were encouraged to embrace their very female passions and then almost unexpectedly given an expiration date of relevancy. Where sameness was the name of the game and you’d do almost anything to avoid anything that might cause you to be viewed as “other than” the norm. There’s waxing poetic about the era of Limited Too, the coolness of daybeds and the intricacies of both composing and interpreting the AIM away messages of everyone. So many of these things went much deeper than just the surface layer they’re often summarized and love that this takes the time to go into that and validates in a way why they were so important to so many.
Allison Larkin – The People We Keep
I knew from the title — The People We Keep — that I was going to love this one. This book takes you on quite the ride. I haven’t loved a flawed character in a long time like I loved April. I sometimes find I lose my connection with them or they cease to be likable, but I loved her through it all.
My heart broke several times as April struggled to find her way — throughout her travels and relationships. I’m often so disappointed by the ending of books but was so satisfied with where we landed here — some resolution but yet realistic. I was sad to say goodbye to these characters! From reading about Allison’s experience in working on them for quite some time, I’m sure she misses them too.
Margarita Montimore — Oona Out of Order, Acts of Violet, The Dollhouse Academy
I’ve been a long-time admirer of Margarita Montimore’s writing. I was overjoyed when she not only agreed to participate in Stacks for Stroke Awareness but also generously donated three books, including her latest release, The Dollhouse Academy, which was just released last week!
Although I wasn’t really able to read while I’ve been battling the flu due to a persistent headache, I’ve been able to listen to the audiobook. I made my way through this one so quickly. I must say, I believe this latest release might be her finest work yet!
Anna O’Brien – A Life Full of Glitter
I’ve known Anna O’Brien for a long time — but you might know her more from her as Glitter + Lazers on Instagram or as a TikTok creator — where she’s always finding new ways to engage her 8+ million followers.
I have to say her book truly lives up to the title! ✨ If you’re looking to refresh your perspective it’s full of ideas to get you on track — with a dose of Anna’s signature humor and personal stories along the way.
So grateful to all these amazing authors for their generosity to support this cause — with so many of them having such personal connections as well to the cause. And to Bookshop as well for their amazing support!
Raffle tickets are $5 each or $12 for a pack of 3! All proceeds go directly to Tedy’s Team. Get em through a donation to the fundraiser on this post or through the link in bio if you prefer to checkout using Venmo instead. Raffle tickets open through March 2nd!
Leave a Reply