Yellow Bird by Sierra Crane Murdoch

Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman's Search for Justice in Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdoch
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While ostensibly a true crime story about the murder of an oil worker, Yellow Bird is much broader than that. The story centers on Lissa Yellow Bird, who has lived about 50 lives during her time on earth, and is someone that doesn't give up once she's focused on something. I love her. She starts her own investigation into a local missing oil worker, to the chagrin of pretty much everyone, including her own family who hasn't totally forgiven her for her rough past. A lot of the book focuses on Lissa's family and the generational trauma they have endured as tribal members.
Some readers might be disappointed that this is really not a fast-paced murder mystery, but I welcomed the chance to learn about the often horrifying history of Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota and the effect that government policies and shady oil deals have had on American Indians.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

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My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was onto every play, I just wanted you. -Fiona Apple, who is aptly referenced many times in My Dark Vanessa


Spectacular. This staggering debut charts the devastating sexual abuse of Vanessa Wye, 15, by her teacher, the captivating 40-something Jacob Strane. I can't imagine the psychic excavation that went into writing this book. The nuances of Vanessa's actions and interactions, Strane's subtle gaslighting and calculating pursuit, and the painful breakdown of Vanessa's sense of self are brilliantly and bravely written.

Click here to purchase My Dark Vanessa from your local indie bookstore. (affiliate link)
Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier

Little Secrets by Jennifer Hillier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Little Secrets centers around Marin, who is a shell of herself since her son was kidnapped a little over a year ago. Her days are filled with attending a missing child support group, trying to run her chain of salons, and barely speaking to her husband. She doesn't want to move on, but all leads on the kidnapping have gone cold, until one day she finds out her husband is having an affair, and Marin's going to do something about it.
This was a unique thriller because I didn't really know the direction it was going, and it was exciting and fun while still being realistic.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book will be released on April 21, 2020.

Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry

Tigers, Not Daughters by Samantha Mabry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book.



Tigers, Not Daughters, tells the story of the four Torres sisters, one of whom is a ghost. They dream of running away, but are pulled back by their emotionally broken and derelict father, among other things. (Trigger warning: physical and emotional abuse.)
What starts off as a story of tragic sisters with strong Virgin Suicides vibes quickly develops into an ode to sisterhood, standing up for yourself, and being strong when no one else will.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

Click here to purchase Tigers, Not Daughters from your local indie bookstore.

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I went into Saint X expecting a beautifully dark Dateline episode, and Alexis Schaitkin handily upended that expectation. What starts as an all too familiar story of a teen girl going missing on vacation soon turns very deep, exploring themes of colonialism, grief, and beauty itself. Impressive debut.


Thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

Click here to purchase Saint X from your local indie bookstore.

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Read This, Not That in January/February 2020

Sometimes, I'm struck by the similarities in a pair of books that are released around the same time. That recently happened to me with Follow Me to Ground by Sue Rainsford, and The Bear by Andrew Krivak. They're both stories about isolated father-daughter pairs, and both have dreamlike and magical qualities. They're set in worlds that are both familiar and foreign.
The writing in both is great, but I was struck by the creepy undercurrent throughout Follow Me to Ground, while The Bear was a bit too pleasant and boring.
Are either or both of these on your TBR list, and which would you choose? Follow Me to Ground was released in January, and The Bear will be released in February. You can purchase them both using the affiliate links below:

Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald

Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Behind Every Lie opens with Eva waking up in the hospital after being struck by lightning., but that's not all. Her mother, with whom she has a strained relationship, was murdered that same night, and it appears Eva was there. But Eva can't remember, because she has amnesia, which she also has for all other events significant to the plot of this book. That's because, as we're reminded what seems like every few paragraphs, Eva is broken.

This lacked a strong voice and I was annoyed by the constant overuse of adjectives and images such as "night was an obsidian fist squeezing me in its grasp" that seemed wedged in to try to float the flimsy story.

The author did a great job with the structure, which alternates between past and present, and between mother and daughter, and I enjoyed the overall theme of resilience and the lengths family will go to protect you.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

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