Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 8

Book Review: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

Title: Atmosphere

By: Taylor Jenkins Reid

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 352

Release Date: June 3rd, 2025

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s Space Shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.
Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space.
Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easy-going even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warm-hearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane.
As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe.
Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changes in an instant.
Fast-paced, thrilling, and emotional, Atmosphere is Taylor Jenkins Reid at her best: transporting readers to iconic times and places, with complex protagonists, telling a passionate and soaring story about the transformative power of love, this time among the stars.

 

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Review:This is my second Taylor Jenkins Reid book, and I’m still absolutely flabbergasted by her storytelling. Atmosphere was breathtaking from start to finish. I loved every part of it. I listened to the audiobook while grocery shopping (rookie mistake), and let’s just say it’s nearly impossible to hold back tears while picking out avocados. Emotionally rich, beautifully written, and unforgettable. TJR does it again.

ARC Review: And the River Drags Her Down by Jihyun Yun

 

Title: And the Ricer Drags Her Down

By: Jihyun Yun

Genre: Horror/Fantasy

Pages: 400

Release Date: October 2nd, 2025 

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:She has always known the rules – never resurrect anything larger than the palm of her hand, but that was before her sister died. A chilling, compulsive exploration of sisterhood, loss, and revenge.
"Yun beautifully captures the haunting of family myths in this slow-burn horror. Eerie and poignant, And The River Drags Her Down will sweep readers into its relentless current."- Trang Thanh Tran, New York Times bestselling author of She Is a Haunting
When her older sister is found mysteriously drowned in the river that cuts through their small coastal town, Soojin Han disregards every rule and uses her ancestral magic to bring Mirae back from the dead. At first, the sisters are overjoyed, reveling in late-night escapades and the miracle of being together again, but Mirae grows tired of hiding from the world. She becomes restless and hungry . . .
Driven by an insatiable desire to finish what she started in life, to unravel the truth that crushed her family so many years ago, Mirae is out for revenge.
When their town is engulfed by increasingly destructive rain and a series of harrowing, unusual deaths, Soojin is forced to reckon with the fact that perhaps the sister she brought back isn’t the one she knew.

 

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Review:This book had a haunting, almost Pet Sematary vibe that I was totally falling for. Soojin is a deeply relatable character, navigating intense grief and trauma, and her emotional unraveling is both raw and compelling. The atmosphere is chilling and immersive, pulling you in with its eerie beauty. While the ending didn’t quite land for me emotionally, the journey there was gripping and intense. A thrilling, emotionally charged read that blends horror and sorrow in all the right ways.

ARC Review: Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey

 

Title: Murder in Retrograde

By: Greg Hickey

Genre: Scifi/Mystery

Pages: 202

Release Date: August 25th, 2025 

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:A steadfast private detective. A case that would cover all his debts. When the first body drops, can he catch a killer before he’s cashed out?
In a litigious future America, detective Marcus Carver sticks to civil cases. When a space tech CEO wants him to investigate a business rival for illegal hydrocarbon combustion, Carver reluctantly agrees. But the case takes an explosive turn when the police find the target’s head of security murdered.
Determined to get to the bottom of things, Carver finds himself sucked into a morass of cyberpunk gangsters, cultish environmentalists and crooked cops. And when another body turns up, it’s clear this ruthless killer doesn’t intend to stop.
Can Carver crack the case before it blows up in his face?
Murder in Retrograde is a thrilling science fiction crime novel. If you like stories about dystopian systems and hard-boiled detectives battling corrupt institutions, then you’ll love Greg Hickey’s propulsive futuristic whodunit.

 

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Review:Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey is a sharp, fast paced blend of science fiction and crime noir. I loved following detective Marcus Carver through a dystopian future full of gangsters, environmental extremists, and crooked cops. The story balances gritty mystery with imaginative world building, keeping the tension high from start to finish. While there were a few moments that felt a bit dense, overall it’s a propulsive and cleverly constructed whodunit that fans of both sci fi and detective fiction will enjoy.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

Weekly Menu #622 And The Book Of The Week

 

This week, we’re heading to the vibrant heart of South America with a menu inspired by the bold, colorful flavors of Peru. Known for its fresh seafood, unique peppers, and world famous quinoa, Peruvian cuisine strikes a beautiful balance between comforting and adventurous. From the zesty brightness of ceviche to the smoky richness of pollo a la brasa, these dishes bring both high protein power and a delicious variety to the table.
My current read is Danielle L. Jensen’s A Curse Carved in Bone, a dark fantasy woven with curses, forbidden bargains, and just enough romance to keep the pages turning late into the night. As I built this week’s menu, I couldn’t help but draw little connections to the book’s atmosphere. Rustic meals that feel as grounding and hearty as the forest setting, yet still layered with spice and intrigue, much like the story itself.

WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Pollo a la Brasa with Quinoa Salad

Kids - Chicken Nugget Skewers and Rice

 

Tuesday

Grilled beef anticuchos with roasted sweet potatoes

Kids - Cheese Squares with Fries

 

Wednesday

Lomo Saltado with Brown Rice

Kids - Bacon with Rice and Carrots

 

Thursday

Quinoa and black bean solterito salad with Hard Boiled Eggs

Kids - Chips and Cheese

 

Friday

Grilled pork chops with rocoto pepper sauce and yucca fries

Kids - Pork Chops and Fries

 

Saturday

Aji de Gallina with White Rice

Kids - Chicken Soup and Rice

 

Sunday

Leftovers Night

Sunday Confessions #319

 

It’s that time again. Sunday Book Confessions, where I spill all the truths about my reading week: the highs, the lows, the books I couldn’t put down, and the ones that left me a little conflicted. Consider this my cozy little reading diary, complete with unfiltered thoughts and maybe a few guilty pleasures.

Sunday Confessions #318~Weekly Menu #621 And The Book Of The Week~ARC Review: The Dragon Wakes with Thunder by K.X. Song~Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir~Re-read Thursday: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart~Fiction Friday: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

Weekly Menu #622 And The Book Of The Week~ARC Review: Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey~ARC Review: And the River Drags Her Down by Jihyun Yun~Book Review: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid~Fantasy Friday: The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence~Sunday Confessions #320

264/100 2025 Reading Challenge~110/217 in my Star Wars Legends challenge~18/20 2024 Goodreads Fantasy Nominees Reading Challenge

That wraps up this week’s confessions! Thanks for stopping by and sharing a little bookish space with me. Until next Sunday, may your TBR be kind and your current read keep you hooked. 📖✨

Fiction Friday: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

 

Title: On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

By: Ocean Vuong

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 246

Release Date: June 4th, 2019 

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is a letter from a son to a mother who cannot read. Written when the speaker, Little Dog, is in his late twenties, the letter unearths a family's history that began before he was born — a history whose epicenter is rooted in Vietnam — and serves as a doorway into parts of his life his mother has never known, all of it leading to an unforgettable revelation. At once a witness to the fraught yet undeniable love between a single mother and her son, it is also a brutally honest exploration of race, class, and masculinity. Asking questions central to our American moment, immersed as we are in addiction, violence, and trauma, but undergirded by compassion and tenderness, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous is as much about the power of telling one's own story as it is about the obliterating silence of not being heard.
With stunning urgency and grace, Ocean Vuong writes of people caught between disparate worlds, and asks how we heal and rescue one another without forsaking who we are. The question of how to survive, and how to make of it a kind of joy, powers the most important debut novel of many years.

 

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Review:On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong was a book club pick that completely surprised me. It’s not something I would have chosen on my own, but wow, what an emotional journey. Vuong’s writing is poetic and tender, making you feel safe even as the story dives into deep and sometimes painful places. I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author, and that added a whole new layer of meaning, like hearing the most beautiful poem come to life. Truly a powerful and unforgettable read.

Re-read Thursday: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Title: We Were Liars

By: E. Lockhart

Genre: Fiction

Pages: 320

Release Date: May 13th, 2014 

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:A beautiful and distinguished family.A private island.A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.A revolution. An accident. A secret.Lies upon lies.True love.The truth.
We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from New York Times bestselling author, National Book Award finalist, and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.
Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

 

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Review:We Were Liars by E. Lockhart was a reread for me, and I’m glad I gave it another chance. The first time I tried, I stopped around 30%, but this time I stuck with it, and it paid off. The story is mysterious and deeply sad, with a twist that completely broke my heart. Lockhart skillfully weaves subtle clues throughout the narrative that hint at the big reveal, yet nothing truly prepares you for the emotional journey. A haunting and beautifully crafted read.

Book Review: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Title: Project Hail Mary

By: Andy Weir

Genre: Scifi

Pages: 482

Release Date: May 4th, 2021 

Rating: ★★★★★

 

Summary from Goodreads:A lone astronaut.
An impossible mission.
An ally he never imagined.

Ryland Grace is the sole survivor on a desperate, last-chance mission - and if he fails, humanity and the earth itself will perish.

Except that right now, he doesn't know that. He can't even remember his own name, let alone the nature of his assignment or how to complete it.

All he knows is that he's been asleep for a very, very long time. And he's just been awakened to find himself millions of miles from home, with nothing but two corpses for company.

His crewmates dead, his memories fuzzily returning, Ryland realizes that an impossible task now confronts him. Hurtling through space on this tiny ship, it's up to him to puzzle out an impossible scientific mystery-and conquer an extinction-level threat to our species.

And with the clock ticking down and the nearest human being light-years away, he's got to do it all alone.

Or does he?

 

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Review:Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir completely blew me away. It’s not the kind of book I usually pick up, but after hearing so much buzz, I had to see what the hype was about, and I’m so glad I did. This story is both hilarious and heart wrenching, with a main character you can’t help but root for. The alternating timelines between past and present were surprisingly easy to follow, even though that style usually throws me off. And let’s talk about the aliens. What a wild, unexpected, and deeply emotional twist. The science is incredibly detailed but explained in such a clear and engaging way that it feels effortless. An incredible, unforgettable read. I can’t wait to see how they bring it to life on screen.

ARC Review: The Dragon Wakes with Thunder by K.X. Song

 

Title: The Dragon Wakes with Thunder

By: K.X. Song

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 445

Release Date: August 19th, 2025

Rating: ★★★★☆

 

Summary from Goodreads:A young woman who wields the unimaginable power of a dragon spirit must decide where her loyalties lie—and where her heart belongs—in this enthralling fantasy that reimagines the legend of Mulan.
The explosive sequel to The Night Ends with Fire!
The war may be over, but Hai Meilin is still paying a heavy toll. In spite of securing victory for the kingdom of Anlai, she is imprisoned upon her return. Her crime? Wielding a sword as a woman.
In the palace, Meilin is an outcast and a social pariah. But beyond the imperial walls, the legend of the woman warrior has taken on a life of its own. To the east, a new rebel leader needs Meilin to helm his people’s revolution. In the south, a former enemy prince, now a prisoner of war, seeks Meilin’s aid in restoring balance to the Three Kingdoms. And back home in Anlai, Liu Sky, Meilin’s commander and first love, requires Meilin by his side in his bid for the throne.
Pulled in all directions by those who seek to use her for their own ends, Meilin vows that this time, she will not be so quick to trust. Yet there is one she cannot help but listen to—for he dwells within her.
Beyond any human machinations, the sea dragon Qinglong has his own plans for the spirit realm. During the last war, Meilin wielded his power to cheat death and attain victory for Anlai; now the dragon has come to collect his dues. Meilin’s mother warned her long The spirits demand blood. And Qinglong is ravenous.

 

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Review:The Dragon Wakes with Thunder by K.X. Song was well worth the wait. Mailin’s journey in this installment is intense and emotional. She’s both power and pain wrapped in one compelling character. Everyone around her seems to want a piece of that power, and the constant manipulation takes a toll. At times, her descent into chaos feels raw and unhinged, but it only makes her final path all the more satisfying. A gripping continuation full of heart, struggle, and strength.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. 

Weekly Menu #621 And The Book Of The Week

 

This week’s vacation menu is all about keeping meals fun, flavorful, and protein packed. Think sizzling grills, bright flavors, and easy dishes that still feel special enough for a week away from the ordinary. From island inspired jerk chicken to cozy comfort foods like roast chicken and mashed potatoes, every day has a little something to keep the kitchen stress free and the plates satisfying.
And of course, no vacation week would be complete without a good book. This week I’m diving into A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout. It’s a romantic fantasy filled with intrigue, mythology, and powerful characters that pull you right into their world. Perfect for pairing with a plate of barbecue ribs or a breezy afternoon by the pool, it’s shaping up to be a read that keeps me hooked long after dinner is done.
WEEKLY MENU

Monday

Island Vibes

Grilled jerk chicken with coconut rice & black beans

Kids - Chicken and Rice

 

Tuesday

Italian Escape

Chicken parmesan with whole wheat pasta & roasted zucchini

Kids - Mac and Cheese

 

Wednesday

Mexican Fiesta

Carne asada with grilled corn & cilantro-lime cauliflower rice

Kids - Cheese Quesadillas

 

Thursday

American BBQ

BBQ ribs with roasted sweet potatoes & green beans

Kids - Grilled Chicken and Carrot Sticks

 

Friday

Greek Getaway

Lemon herb grilled chicken with orzo & roasted veggies

Kids - Greek Yogurt and Cheesy Orzo

 

Saturday

Asian-Inspired

Korean-style bulgogi beef with jasmine rice & kimchi

Kids - Beef Ramen Stir Fry

 

Sunday

Comfort Food Sunday

Leftovers Night