Ask for Andrea by Noelle Ihli

Book #42 in 2025
3.5 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I enjoyed this book. A serial killer’s victims tell their stories about how they were killed and how they try and bring their murderer to justice. The book is told from the points of view of Meghan, Brecia, and Skye who have all been killed. They don’t want anyone else to be next.

This was an interesting concept for a book. At times I would get the girls’ stories confused because none them stood out – they were all killed and there wasn’t too much to set them apart.

I found this to be a bit creepy and tied together at the end.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara

Book #41 in 2025
2.5 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I’ve not read (or in this case listened to) much true crime. I feel like this is a bit different because the book is written based on the author’s notes because she passed away before the case was solved. But it’s also interesting that the case was solved shortly after the book was released.

The author spent years gathering information about a serial killer in hopes to try and solve the mystery of who is was. I felt like some things were repeated, although the information felt well-researched.

Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson

Book #40 in 2025
3.5 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I liked and didn’t like this book! I felt like the main character was meant to be complex but she came off as being somewhat simple. Maybe it’s because this is a young adult book.

Mary was convicted for killing a baby when she was 9 years old. Currently 16, she has been released to a group home where she is trying to survive. Throughout the story the reader learned about the circumstances about the death of the baby.

Mary had a rough life before her conviction and it hasn’t gotten better after being in what she calls baby jail and now life in a home having to deal with others who have had rough lives. She doesn’t know who to trust or if she wants to trust anyone. She’s trying to figure out how to get to somewhat stable ground.

She meets Ted and becomes pregnant. She now has her own baby, referred to as Bean, to think about too – if she’s even able to keep him.

Stop here if you want to avoid spoilers!!!

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

Book #39 in 2025
5.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I read this book in November 2023. My review here still stands today. I wanted to test my cochlear implant book streaming to something that wasn’t non-fiction. Because I liked this book so much I wanted to listen to it. I figured I knew the basic story so it would be easier to follow along as far as the plot goes as I was trying to concentrate on listening. I’ve stuck to non-fiction books up until this point because I’ve felt that if I missed something it wouldn’t be as crucial compared to an important plot point.

I think that there are times when you read a book that it means more or less to you. When I first read this book it was a little more than six months after the passing of my dad. It was a month after losing hearing in my left ear. I turned to reading books as a way to be able to focus, concentrate, and get lost for a little bit. This time I started listening to the audiobook just before the passing of my FIL. He passed away three days after I finished.

Such Quiet Girls by Noelle W. Ihli

Book #38 in 2025
3.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

This wasn’t a bad book. It’s not one that full of twists and turns but I wanted to keep reading to see what would happen.

A bus driver and kids are taken hostage and put in an underground bunker. The story is told from the points of view of the bus driver, one of the students, the mother of the student, and one of the guys who have taken the group hostage.

I think the character development might have been better without so many points of view. I don’t know that I needed the thread from the student’s mom. The title also confused me a bit because not all of the students on the bus were girls. They focused on some of the girls but anyone who didn’t have a point of view was basically not mentioned throughout the book.

Some of the reviews have said that other books by this author are better so I plan on checking them out.

Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Book #37 in 2025
2.5 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

The author writes about useful tools for life. I do think these tools are useful, but the author comes across like he doesn’t understand why anyone can’t just do this or that because it worked for him.

He’s all about work and that’s it. And if you’re not working toward something at all times you won’t be successful. There shouldn’t be down time or fun. The book focuses on how great he is and how he got there and therefore others should follow the same format.

Wildflowers by Drew Barrymore

Book #36 in 2025
3.5 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I enjoyed this book. I’m familiar with the author but haven’t seen many of the comedies she has been in as an adult. I feel like Barrymore is one of those child actresses who survived somewhat normally. She didn’t dive into drugs and alcohol to the point of self-destruction. She seems to be level-headed and aware of her strengths and weaknesses. She didn’t have an easy life as a child star but remained grounded.

I don’t know that I’d be best friends with Barrymore if we were to meet, but she is someone I wouldn’t mind having some conversations with.

In Gad We Trust: A Tell-Some by Josh Gad

Book #35 in 2025
3.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

This was an ok book for me. I liked some parts but didn’t like others. At times I felt like the author was providing his resume and mentioning who he has worked with or knows as a way to impress others or validate himself. There are also parts of the book where I can tell he really wants to give back and loves his family.

I didn’t know much about this author other than he’s the voice of Olaf. I didn’t realize what other things he has been in.

Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman by Brooke Shields

Book #34 in 2025
3.5 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)

I felt that this had a similar feel to Naomi Watts’ book on menopause. It’s somewhat relatable as the author writes about getting older. However, there are times when the connection is not as strong because the author grew up in the spotlight. She admits it, but it does seem to make parts of growing older easier.

What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World’s Most Enigmatic Birds by Jennifer Ackerman

Book #33 in 2025
4.0 out of 5 (photo from Goodreads)I really enjoyed this book. I’ve always loved owls, and years ago, my husband and I got to release a saw-whet owl after it was banded. It’s still one of my favorite life memories.

The author talks about various kinds of owls, how they live, interact, and the importance of continuing to learn more about them and protecting them. It can be a bit textbookish at times, but I don’t mind because I was interested in the content.