Allison Picks Books

@Allisonpicksbooks
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I'm a book lover and like to share what I've read. My favourite genre switches with my mood.

A book with sugar in the title- April 16, 2026 - This book is all smut and no substance. I was expecting a retelling of the Nutcracker and was not prepared for the number of times 🐱💋 made it's way into the narrative. Probably shouldn't have listened to it at work. 🤭

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️

#popsugarreadingchallenge ##bookstodon #bookstodoner #fantasy #romantasy #smuttybooks

A book that explores influencer culture - April 14, 2026 - The first half of the book is full of all the annoying nonsense that I hate about the influencer culture. It tries to be witty, but it's crude and pretentious. The second half is better as the main character's life is put in perspective when her niece is diagnosed with a fatal condition and the family goes through the stages of grief.

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️

#popsugarreadingchallenge #bookstodon #bookstodoner

A book about a sexless marriage - April 9, 2026 - This book is about a golem created as a bride for a Jewish man, but he dies on their way to America before their marriage is consummated. Her life intertwines with a jinni from Syria and they form a special friendship as they try to assimilate with the humans of New York. Slow paced, but well written.

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

#popsugarreadingchallenge #bookstodon #bookstodoner #fantasy #magicalrealismbooks

A book that starts with the letter "Z" - April 8, 2026 - This fae style fantasy has elemental magic, shapeshifting, and mythical creatures in a college setting. The writing style is a bit juvenile for my taste, but there are some intense moments. It ends just as the story starts to get interesting.

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/4

#popsugarreadingchallenge #bookstodon #bookstodoner #fantasy #zodiacacademyseries

April book club theme-🤵 Wedding 👰‍♀️- April 4, 2026 - The main character in this novel is actually an awful person, but somehow you end up liking her and rooting for her. Maybe she's just a misunderstood psychopath.

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

#allisonpicksbooks #bookstodon #bookstodoner #introvertbookclub #fantasy #romantasy #weddingthemedbooks

A book with a character who does Pilates - March 31, 2026 - In the sequel, Amber mentions doing Pilates to get back in shape after childbirth. She's just as conniving and diabolical in this story, but it seemed tired and overdone. Some interesting twists but not as captivating as the first book.

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 3/4

#popsugarreadingchallenge #bookstodon #bookstodoner #thriller

Author name "L" - March 30, 2026 - I really enjoy magic based fantasy novels and this one hit all the right notes for me. Humans and monsters living together, magic hiding in plain sight, an impossible heist, and a bit of spiciness. Chef's kiss.

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 3/4

#allisonpicksbooks #bookstodon #bookstodoner #fantasy #magicbooks #StoryGraph #authorsAtoZchallenge

March book club theme - ✨️ new ✨️ - March 26, 2026 - A lot happens in the fourth book of the Stormlight series. Sanderson is a great story teller, but a very long-winded one. I think there could have been a bit more editing of this one without losing any of the plot or character building. That said, it's still an excellent story.

Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

#bookstodon #bookstodoner #fantasy #thestormlightarchive #newbooks #introvertbookclub