Centlivre Review

My personal dream each year is to read 100 books. I have never reached this goal, and rarely gotten close, but a reader can dream! I chose the name Centlivre (French for 100 books) after I found it on a mausoleum in St. Roch’s cemetery here in New Orleans where I live, read, and write. I hope that my reading life brings new favorites to your shelves and that you will join me in shooting for the stars.

Follow the reading life of M.M. Kaufman & The Centlivre Review:

Book 19 of 2021: When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain. Another dead girl and lady detective story, but the best one in my string of them this summer. This book was really wonderful but I made the mistake of reading books too similar in a row and thus they blended together—learn from me! #bookstagram #audiobookstagram #paulamcclain #readinglist #readinglist2021 #murdermystery Books 16-18 of 2021: The Murder at the Vicarage, 4:50 to Paddington, and The Mysterious Affair at Styles all by Agatha Christie. Book 15 of 2021: We Are All The Same in The Dark by Julia Heaberlin. I really enjoyed this mystery and it made for a great binge listen. Some unexpected and risky moves in here. Nothing revolutionary but that’s okay. Wasn’t looking for that here. I wanted a juicy, guilty pleasure dead girl mystery that was written well and here we go. Nailed it. Would be a great summer read. #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #bookstagrammer #booklist #reading #readersofinstagram #readingchallenge #audiobooks #weareallthesameinthedark #womenwriters Book 14 of 2021 is The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse. I liked that it was pretty much what I expected, but definitely didn’t exceed expectations. My dislikes are subjective and crafty—not my fave narrative style, characterization, and wtf that narrative spandrel amirite writers? A good read. I liked it. Nothing revelatory. The end. Book 13 of 2021 is “Lady Killers: Deadly Women Throughout History” by Tori Telfer. This was wild and I loved every bit of it. A fantastic history survey and feminist text. Well researched and told with a quirky, empathetic, and nuanced point of view. I declare this my #beachread recommendation if you’re looking to have a #hotgirlsummer. Book 12 of 2021: Project Hail Mary by Andy Wier. Holy cow. This book was wild. How does Wier make a dude doing math out loud so freaking exciting?! That’s it. That’s my plug for the book. But also, GREAT space, first contact sci-fi! Book 11 of 2021: From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty. I inhaled this book in a couple days and I know I’ll be going back to read it again probably this year. When my Aunt died 3 years ago, it took me 1.5 years to emerge from my own private well of grief. I wish I’d known everything in this book then. It would have helped me so much, and it has and is helping me now. Death is not something we need to spooked by and squeamish around. It’s another time and situation to care for our loved ones. It makes life even more rich and precious. Ugh, hire me @thegooddeath to just do anything for you. This book was everything I’ve been needing. Thank you! Book 10 of 2021: Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. Another fave by one of my faves. Fucking amazing. Ishiguro never disappoints! His books are a gift. Highly recommend! #bookstagram #klaraandthesun #kazuoishiguro #books #readinglist2021 #readingchallenge2021 Book 9 of 2021: A Peculiar Peril by Jeff VanderMeer. I’m too tired to write a review, but as a VanderMeer and audiobook fan—maybe try the hard copy? Something about this book was just too much? #booklist2021 #readinglist #readinglist2021 #bookstagram #reading #apeculiarperil #audiobook