Welcome, to Floyd’s Book Club! Below you will find a list of the books I have read within the current month – complete with “Love,” “Weeping,” and “Donita” Factors. I even have links to the books on Amazon, for your viewing pleasure!
I sincerely hope that you find a book or two within this newsletter that catches your interest. Whether you pick one up at the library, a local bookstore, or on your E-reader – I wish you Happy Reading!
– Jana M. Floyd
Sunburn by Laura Lippman
I don’t remember where I heard about this book… probably a podcast.
Strange incidents keep happening around Polly, when all she is trying to do is survive. Everything seems to be masterfully orchestrated… but who is the pulling all the puppet strings?
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
*Donita Factor: This factor will tell you if there are any steamy bits in the book. The scale will be measured by Teapots of Steam. 1 being just a little steam and 5 being… well…. you get the picture.
The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
Shout out to Rachael Herron, host of both The Writer’s Well and How Do You Write? podcasts, for this book recommendation.
I would consider this book a reflection collection of thoughts about the writing life. I would recommend reading this one slowly, taking the time to reflect on the ideas and thoughts presented.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall
I heard an interview with the author on the Unlikable Female Characters podcast and immediately requested the book from the library. It’s one part thriller, one part mystery, and one part Clue (the board game and/or film) – with the seven deadly sins thrown in.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Weeping Factor: 1 out of 5 Tears
Echo in Onyx by Sharon Shinn 
If I had to guess, I suppose this book would go into the YA/Fantasy novel category.
A country girl, Brianna, become employed to Lady Marguerite, a princess with three echos – a clone of sorts, incapable of thought and only copy the host. When disaster strikes, both Brianna and Marguerite must pull together to survive.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
This book is certainly not for everyone. Has some real weird/fanciful steamy bits. Just a warning.
A small future queen and witch child is struggling to survive in a very strange fantasy world/worlds. She find help from a slew of people, including a couple of demons and Satan. Kind of a weird book.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 10 out of 5 Teapots
Blood Sisters by Juin Charnell 
*Trigger warning. This book deals with child sex trafficking.
Remember that Liam Neeson movie, Taken? This novel reminded me of that type of justice. As in, everything will be okay as long as you take the bad guys down. The End.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Spring by Ali Smith
I cannot do better than the “blurb” for this book. So…
With an eye to the migrancy of story over time and riffing on Pericles, one of Shakespeare’s most resistant and rollicking works, Ali Smith tell the impossible tale of an impossible time. In a time of walls and lockdown, Smith opens the door.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Favorite Quote: “I’m okay, she says. I’m doing my best in response to my situation and being as good-humored as I can while I’m doing it.”
Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield 
Remember that one film, 300? This is a re-telling of that story. And it’s definitely not as fanciful as the film.
With Persia threatening to take over the world, 300 Spartans stand in the way… and give their lives for eternal glory.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Favorite Quote: “Men’s pain is lightly borne and swiftly over. Our wounds are of the flesh, which is nothing; women’s is of the heart-sorrow unending, far more bitter to bear.”
The Dead Drink First by Dale Maharidge
Weeping Factor: 1 out of 5 Tears
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
Weeping Factor: 1 out of 5 Tears
Favorite Quote: “I don’t know of a single Osage family which didn’t lose at least one family member because of the head rights.”
If you would like to send me a book recommendation, become a guest reviewer, or just want to chat about any of the books in today’s issue – please feel free to email me or comment on this post!
Jana M Floyd 
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