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Book of the Month: The Secret Book Society
You are cordially invited to the Secret Book Society…
London, 1895: Trapped by oppressive marriages and societal expectations, three women receive a mysterious invitation to an afternoon tea at the home of the reclusive Lady Duxbury. Beneath the genteel facade of the gathering lies a secret book club—a sanctuary where they can discover freedom, sisterhood, and the courage to rewrite their stories.
Eleanor Clarke, a devoted mother suffocating under the tyranny of her husband. Rose Wharton, a transplanted American dollar princess struggling to fit the mold of an aristocratic wife. Lavinia Cavendish, an artistic young woman haunted by a dangerous family secret. All are drawn to the enigmatic Lady Duxbury, a thrice-widowed countess whose husbands’ untimely deaths have sparked whispers of murder.
As the women form deep, heartwarming friendships, they uncover secrets about their marriages, their pasts, and the risks they face. Their courage is their only weapon in the oppressive world that has kept them silent, but when secrets are deadly, one misstep could cost them everything.This book club pick by my friend was almost meta. Well, meta because it featured a book society, but that’s about it. We’re pretty lucky not to live in the Victorian era where basically anything can get you put into an asylum.
Martin did a wonderful job not only immersing readers back in time, but making us engaged with each of the characters. She pulled off two cool twists regarding who was going to get sent to the asylum and made it plausible enough for each one to be a contender.
My favorite was Rose’s arc, allowing her to mend her relationship with her husband in the face of her cruel brother-in-law. Eleanor’s arc was the strongest, becoming more confident and willing to stand up for herself and her family. We both also enjoyed Lavinia’s arc of becoming a poetess, and my friend was very happy she found a guy who understood her. Of course, our fav was the founder of The Secret Book Society herself, Lady Duxbury. Her story was so sad, my friend cried.
Martin brought some awesome moments like the death of Eleanor’s husband (this is not a spoiler tbh. You can guess based on one of the back blurbs), hatpin fighting, and chilling ones like when we see Eleanor’s son copy her husband’s aggressive commands to his nurse.
There’s just one missed moment with the books the women are perusing, they never got to The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins which perfectly fits with Lavinia’s arc about insanity, women’s emotions being viewed as hysteria and the isolation of your creative outlet being taken away from you. But maybe it would have been too new for the women to get their hands on it.
Even though it’s unlikely for this book to get a sequel because it’s a fine stand-alone, we both agreed if there was one, we’d read it. Love to see the further adventures of Lady Duxbury and the women she invites into her society.
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Archie Vol 6 Review
It all comes down to this! The Riverdale gang—held hostage by Cheryl Blossom’s father! Reggie—at last paying for his crimes! And when all is said and done, Riverdale is turned upside down once more! Collects issues #28-32 of the ongoing ARCHIE series!
We’ve come to the grand finale, and it’s so good. Not only do we get to see some wholesome Veronica and Betty friendship, and some of Archie’s hilarious dating mishaps (he’s a little less of a heartthrob now that several girls other than Betty/Ronnie having dating horror scars. Yes, I said scars!)
But I loved how Waid uses Archie’s infamous bad luck klutziness to take down the big bad. At once it’s a combination of realistic horror in having a gunman at school combined with Archie. Very gripping and has a satisfying wrap-up for almost all the characters, even Mr. Weatherbee. I was also pleasantly surprised that Waid introduced a very sweet meet-cute between Moose and Midge as well as imply romantic tension between (Josie and the Pussycats’) Valerie and Archie when they performed together. He did an excellent job combining classic Archie ship cameos and deepening core relationships.
My one gripe would be how quickly things wrap up in #32. I know they want to finish things quickly, but Cheryl and Jason realizing their criminal father was scamming them only after he revealed it to them seemed out of character. They’re smart. They know their dad is a criminal, shouldn’t they have realized he had ulterior motives and not cared for them? So that felt out-of-character and their turn-around just as quick.
Secondly, the summary implied that Reggie would finally redeem himself for his actions and it was a let-down. He utilized the situation (that he inadvertently caused btw) for his own gain. Which is very Reggie, but he’s never shown remorse for almost killing Betty, and certainly not for paralyzing her. Not even in a solo moment of reflection before holding up his facade of uncaring bully. He’s basically a sociopath in these volumes, and it’s hard to swallow that he got away with it scot-free.
Still, it was a fulfilling saga that emphasized the fun, and friendship that make up Archie comics, adding more depth to the characters without sacrificing the wholesomeness that makes it so beloved.
4 stars
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Archie Vol 5
ARCHIE VOL. 5 is the next installment in the collection of the historic ARCHIE series relaunch, featuring the talents of comics superstars Mark Waid, Audrey Mok and more. This series is true to the spirit and characters that all Archie fans know and love while reinvigorating its spirit and humor through the talents of some of the most acclaimed creators in the comic book industry.
The fallout from OVER THE EDGE is here! One life has been destroyed, another family has been torn apart–and only the kids of Riverdale High can save their town from imploding!Taking a breather from the overarching plotlines of Reggie’s criminal actions and the Blossoms’ search for their missing dad, we return to Archie trying to his best to help only to screw it up hilariously and the love triangle.
It’s been interesting as Waid’s love triangle hasn’t been the overlapping, technically-Archie’s-cheating-on-both-of-them method, and have him be in totally separate relationships with no overlap. However, with Betty’s accident, and his desperation to help, those feelings are resurfacing and Veronica doesn’t want to be emotionally cheated on. He has to choose.
I enjoyed how Waid took the more emotional cheating angle mixed up with Betty’s accident, highlighting some of the lack of trust in the Varchie relationship and Betty’s doubts of Archie’s newfound feelings. It leads to a refreshing new conclusion that the mainstream comics never take.
But before we get to that conclusion, Waid’s writing is supurb in continuing the Dilton-Betty storyline, and the potential in that relationship which I’m surprisingly rooting for. He also keeps the comedy coming, particularly in the background panels which is a treat to watch whether it be Archie’s community service mishaps or Moose handling Dilton’s new high-tech scooter, and he moved me with the final panel in #23.
As for Reggie, and the Blossom twins, I said they weren’t involved, but they are. Waid continues to push the momentum of their arcs, so while this feels like a relative breather volume, you can tell Waid is building it to an explosive Spring Fling dance. Not just because Archie is trying to help decorate the gym.
Mok takes over the art in this volume. I loved her work in Josie and the Pussycats, and I loved it here, delivering expressive facials, stylish clothes, and a stylized format that makes everyone pop. Except for Raj, unfortunately I thought it was Sayid. Minor nitpick, but with how everyone else is distinct that I can recognize them on sight, it’s a shame that one slipped past.
4 stars
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Archie Vol 4 Review
ARCHIE VOL. 4 is the fourth collection of the historic ARCHIE series relaunch, featuring the talents of comics superstars Mark Waid, Pete Woods and more. This series is true to the spirit and characters that all Archie fans know and love while reinvigorating its spirit and humor through the talents of some of the most acclaimed creators in the comic book industry.
I already knew a little bit about what was going to happen, going in, so the big cliffhanger wasn’t a big surprise to me. I mean the cover just screams IT’S SWEEPS WEEK, THIS IS GOING TO GET REAL! But before Waid went there, he laid the groundwork as usual.
We would have thought it was going to be a happy Varchie reunion, and it is, but Waid shows the realistic outcome that after a semester apart. They’re different interests feel amplified, but Jughead unexpectedly comes to the rescue which offers another fun variation of the Jughead-Veronica truce stories. Plus we get a bit of comedy with Archie stuck in a tent ball. Yes, a tent ball. It makes sense in context.
Waid also plays homage to the original stories of the 1940s like little Archie and little Betty’s first meeting where she’s just moved next door and watches Archie attempt to successfully walk on a fence without falling. Also Archie and Reggie get into a drag race which was a popular thing in the 40s-50s. A fitting way for them to handle their rivalry, and just like in the original stories, Reggie has an oil slick on the ready.
Throughout this run, I’ve written how Waid showcases Archie’s heart that gets lost in his klutzy girl-craziness. Now he gives Betty a chance to shine with Archie, her parents, Veronica and Mr. Weatherbee reminiscing about the best of her, which is wholly deserved. We also get to see Betty and Dilton hanging out. Whereas in the mainline comics, writers stick the status quo of Dilton as the perennial nerd with an unrequited crush, Waid allows Dilton and Betty to actually bond over cars. He shows that “Hey, Dilton can be a legit option for her!”
With all this reminiscing, reminding readers how Betty is the other, more competent heart that keeps Riverdale together, he will tug at readers’ heartstrings with the final panel. Even I, who knew what was coming.
Woods’ art is well-done, consistent with the style that Staples has established. I think he did extra with the drag racing, car show, and mechanics in general but as I’m not a car person, I can’t say if his work is impressive in that regard.
4 stars.
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Archie Vol 3 Review
Introducing… Cheryl Blossom! The fiery red-head takes center stage as Archie and Veronica’s worlds are torn apart as the two are living thousands of miles away from each other. What will happen to the rest of Archie’s friends in Riverdale? And just what kind of havoc will Cheryl Blossom wreak? All the answers and more in the third volume of the SMASH HIT Archie series! Collects Archie issues 13 – 17.
Waid’s work is not faltering. Each issue covers a different character with accompanying aesthetic. Starting in Switzerland, readers will enjoy the Gossip Girl/Mean Girls-esque vibe as Cheryl and Veronica become friends, but are actually enemies as Cheryl’s schemes to knock Veronica off the queen bee throne backfire. While in Riverdale, Veronica was characterized by her snobbishness, her unmeaning condescension at the “little people,” but compared to her peers, Veronica demonstrates compassion to others, and a willingness to help. She’s the rich version of Betty, and as she comes to realize, Riverdale has given her a conscience that makes executing her war against Cheryl harder.
The second/third issue features a coming-of-age identity crisis when Archie becomes Jughead and Jughead struggles to throw the Andrews’ a 20th anniversary. Jughead often gives Archie a hard-time, but Waid reinforces Archie’s good-heartedness and how he’s the glue that holds the social circle together even when his bud thinks he’s trying too hard.
Fourth issue brings us a Social Network when Dilton’s new app design brings out Reggie’s worst cyberbullying tendencies. As it is Riverdale, it gets resolved (same with Veronica finding a way to return from boarding school), but I genuinely laughed at the Scream references when Moose Mason comes knocking on Reggie’s door.
He also brings the comedy to the fifth issue with Cheryl’s grand entrance to Riverdale and her new plan to get revenge by getting Archie. It was pure comedy from Cheryl continually referring to Betty and Jughead as Betsy and Jug-handle, kicking cans from a homeless man like a cartoon villain, and her complete misapprehension that Archie is a modern day Adonis (based on Veronica’s description), not a klutzy, hormonal average joe. Jason Blossom also debuts and I enjoy how Waid references their original appearances in the comics and his blue-blood disdain for the hicks personality. I truly hope they make him fall for Betty as a running gag as well.
While Waid primarily plays with the main cast, he does nicely highlight the Dilton/Moose friendship as well as bring depths to Sayid when he refuses to bad-mouth Archie to the Blossoms because he’s getting a master-villain vibe from them. Good guy, Sayid.
Eisma’s art transitions from Staples/Fish without jarring the eye, and he brings more physicality and slapstick humor to the teens as well. My one critique is that he makes Jughead’s nose too beak-like than Cyrano.
Otherwise, 5 stars!
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Archie Vol 2 Review
The all-new Archie adventure continues! Superstar writer Mark Waid teams up with rising star artist Veronica Fish to bring a modern take to the legendary Riverdale cast of characters. The elusive, rich Veronica Lodge has taken Riverdale by storm – and it’s caused everyone to take sides, with Archie Andrews stuck in the middle of it all. Relive all the drama, all the romance and all the beautiful art and storytelling once more in this graphic novel that collects Archie #7-12.
Waid continues his superstar run with volume 2. With the main characters and status quo established, now he can have his fun with them. First off is the continuous war between Archie and Mr. Lodge. It’s sort of one-sided as Archie is trying to avoid his wrath, but his clumsiness means hilarity and broken vases abound. I enjoy how Waid takes a classic Archie story of Mr. Lodge using his money and connections to literally send the Andrews family out of the country, and he gives it serious stakes. Same with Archie’s fight to find blackmail on Reggie, who is obviously wedging himself between him and Veronica.
Over the years, Archie has become sort of a bland, every-man with other media like Robot Chicken and such making fun of his goofy, girl crazy antics. Waid brings Archie down to earth by reminding readers of his good heart when he is unable to stoop down to Reggie’s level. Or his attempts at helping Betty’s uncle when Mr. Lodge smears him in his mayoral campaign.
I also appreciate how he tries to solve the constant question of what Archie sees in Veronica when he can have Betty, a girl who has the same lifestyle and genuinely cares about him? Betty sees their relationship changing Archie for the worst when Veronica doesn’t do nearly as much for him, while he pants like a lap-dog. And yes, the beginning of their relationship has shades of that but in these issues showcasing Veronica trying to meet him halfway by going to the grocery store and them compromising on their two worlds, it’s becoming a sweet relationship. Plus she can only sound good singing when she’s with him, that’s so heartwarming.
Jughead has less time to shine here, but Betty does. Waid gives honorable mention to how Betty has her own string of non-Archie boyfriends, ie. Trev and Sayid who she starts to connect with, but jealousy sprouts when they see that she still longs for the boy next door. Yet another aspect I enjoy in Waid’s writing as Betty has a heart to heart with Veronica addressing the unresolved feelings, highlighting how she and Archie were best friends long before anything else and they’ll always have that. She misses that.
Character-wise, Waid’s writing is consistent and thought-provoking, giving pathos to these pop culture icons who’ve been flattened over the years into basic archetypes.
Staples has moved on, though Fish, Jampole and Pitilli continue her vein. I particularly enjoy Fish’s work.
Fans will surely be excited for volume 3 as everyone’s favorite red bombshell makes her appearance in Riverdale.
4 stars
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Archie Vol 1 Review
America’s Favorite Teenager, Archie Andrews, is reborn in the pages of this must-have graphic novel collecting the first six issues of the comic book series that everyone is talking about. Meet Riverdale High teen Archie, his oddball, food-loving best friend Jughead, girl-next-door Betty and well-to-do snob Veronica Lodge as they embark on a modern reimagining of the beloved Archie world. It’s all here: the love triangle, friendship, humor, charm and lots of fun – but with a decidedly modern twist.
10 years later, and I’m reading this for the first time. Yep, I know, an Archie fan like me took a decade to get to the reboot. I’ll admit it’s shallow but I didn’t want to see change, but after enjoying the new Jughead, Sabrina, etc. I figured I’d give this one a chance.
I’m glad I did. Covering the first six issues, Waid gets to the crux of the main Riverdale cast. Archie is good-hearted and klutzy, Betty’s the tomboy girl next door, etc. but he allows them to have long-standing fights. Yes, I’m talking about the #lipstickincident that nicely calls out Archie’s hypocrisy while remaining sympathetic and Betty’s long-time identity shift between tomboy and girly-girl. Which in the comics is due to evolution of the times, Waid writes this as a genuine misunderstanding and Betty attempting to fit in with the high school crowd.
Jughead is the stand-out, remaining apathetic, funny and sane among the hormone-addled teenagers way too invested in Barchie. Veronica also gets introduced half-way through the series and though Waid goes the classic love triangle route, he leaves an opening for friendship between her and Betty with a sweet post-cafeteria rescue.
Reggie is Reggie, and by that, Waid leans hard to the supervillain angle which creates a compelling cliffhanger.
Basically, Waid accomplished the rare feat of respecting the source material and expanding it, diluting the essence of these iconic characters and putting them in new, interesting situations that feel universal yet modern. It’s a great blend and he’s done it effortlessly.
Side-eyes Riverdale franchise. We could have had this on our screens instead of that hot mess of non-continuity!
Fiona Staples’ art is gorgeous, nice color palette f lights and darks, and she’s good with physical comedy. Veronica Fish and Annie Wu were good follow-ups, although Wu’s sometimes distracted the eye as it felt like her models were always slanting to the right or to the left.
The plot may not be the most innovative, but it gets the readers settled into the new Riverdale and excited for what changes will come for the gang.
4 stars
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Ranking Heather Wells Mysteries
An expy of Britney Spears, Heather Wells is a teen pop has-been. Her long-time boyfriend infamously cheated on her with the newest sensation, Tania Trace, her label dumped her for wanting to write her own songs, her father’s in jail for tax fraud and her mother ran off with her money and her manager. Now she works at a college dorm and lives under the rent of PI and crush, Cooper Cartwright (brother to said boy band ex, drama!). And her job is a little more difficult than stopping beer pong.
As usual, Cabot has her humor and charm as Heather Wells somewhat cynically navigates her new existence. Her trauma of being abandoned and ripped off so many times transferring to fierce protectiveness over the kids who live in her dorm. Plus the eventual relationship she shares with Cooper is sweet too. It’s refreshingly mature as they’re too adults in a relationship and not overgrown teenagers with communication issues. It allows for Cabot to get to the good stuff- murder and college politics. So here’s my rankings for the series.
- Size 12 and Ready to Rock: This is one of Cabot’s more serious novels dealing with grooming, domestic abuse and infertility issues, and I think Cabot knocks it out of the park. Yes, there’s the classic Cabot humor with its bratty teen campers and Heather’s ex being. . . being himself. But I think it’s because of those funny. crazy hijinks, it makes the serious moments more poignant. We get to see the full extent of Heather’s compassion when she listens to Tania’s story, reaching a new sense of understanding and forgiveness. Also she finally gains a sane boss and learns how to shoot.
- Size 12 is not Fat: Maybe it’s nostalgia that gets this high up there as the story is a bit predictable. But Cabot managed the rare feat of introducing characters and the main themes of the series without making it feel boring or exposition-y. Plus I admire how the culprit represents a foil to Heather and her problems. Or at least what society perceives as her main problems-her weight and single status.
- The Bride Wore Size 12: A fitting conclusion as the most romantic (not necessarily of Cooper and Heather) and intense story in the series. There’s some full circle moments and we get to see Heather confront her biggest unresolved issue-her mother. However, I put it in the middle as I feel like Sarah (Heather’s opinionated RA) gets put on the backburner with a pat ending. Nor did I enjoy the final twist murderer much.
- Big Boned: One of the more interesting, and surprising mysteries, but I found the conflict of everyone jumping on the idea that Tad was going to propose to Heather to be a stretch in miscommunication and a weak running gag.
- Size 14 is Not Fat Either: It’s not the worst in the series. Cabot’s style and quality remains consistent. I just feel evil frats has been overdone.
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Book of the Month: The Handmaid’s Tale
I’m sure a book this well known needs no summary. I mean it has like two netflix adaptations and is taught in various high schools, so I’ll get to it.
I read it during high school, and didn’t have many new insights on it other than how scarily accurate and timely it is.
My friend on the other hand never heard of it, and went in totally blind. She thought it was kinda crazy how they kept calling it a theocracy when it was barely an ocracy, and how horrible it was to be a woman there. The flashbacks did confuse her because Offred would be musing about the present and then slip back into the past suddenly. Then, because she had been avoiding the news because its too depressing, I got to inform her why it’s scary accurate thanks to the Republicans Project 2025-2026 plan.
Then we got into different rabbit like child marriage is legal in 35 states (I thought it was more. Still half is not good), men are very emotionally fragile when it comes to money-they don’t like gold-diggers but they don’t feel manly if they’re not the breadwinner, like make up your mind! Also colds, a single cold can take them out. Then with how timely The Handmaid’s Tale is, how likely is Tender is the Flesh, we both agreed unlikely.
Yeah, that’s it. I’m sure there are plenty of more thorough analyses about the impact of The Handmaid’s Tale and its commentary on society and patriarchy that I’m not willing to write at the moment. Basically, 20 years later, it’s still ground-breaking and that’s a little bit sad.
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Beth is Dead Review
When Beth March is found dead in the woods on New Year’s Day, her sisters vow to uncover her murderer.
Suspects abound. There’s the neighbor who has feelings for not one but two of the girls. Meg’s manipulative best friend. Amy’s flirtatious mentor. And Beth’s lionhearted first love. But it doesn’t take the surviving sisters much digging to uncover motives each one of the March girls had for doing the unthinkable.
Jo, an aspiring author with a huge following on social media, would do anything to hook readers. Would she kill her sister for the story? Amy dreams of studying art in Europe, but she’ll need money from her aunt—money that’s always been earmarked for Beth. And Meg wouldn’t dream of hurting her sister…but her boyfriend might have, and she’ll protect him at all costs.
Despite the growing suspicion within the family, it’s hard to know for sure if the crime was committed by someone close to home. After all, the March sisters were dragged into the spotlight months ago when their father published a controversial bestseller about his own daughters. Beth could have been killed by anyone.
Beth’s perspective told in flashback unfolds next to Meg, Jo, and Amy’s increasingly fraught investigation as the tragedy threatens to rip the Marches apart.
For fans of Little Women who want a little more murder this is the book for you. The twists are well-done with some plausible red herrings for the March sisters to investigate before finding the real killer. I saw some reviews that were disappointed by the dead ends and mistakes the Marches made, but they aren’t professional detectives, so I didn’t mind. Besides, Bernet relied on a quick pace between the Now and Then chapters that kept the story engaging.
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Rachel Reads & Reviews 