Emily Rojas
@emilyrojas.bsky.social
📖 reading, writing, reality tv (& hockey?)
🎙️ cohost of the readirect podcast
🎙️ cohost of the readirect podcast
(is this too niche?)
October 30, 2025 at 5:46 PM
(is this too niche?)
Beartown by Fredrick Backman - 4.5 stars ⭐️
Benji Ovich in the running for best characters of the year. Read this to cope with hockey withdrawal, ended up finding SO much more inside.
At times a tough & far too realistic read (check content warnings), but so good. Will be continuing the series!
Benji Ovich in the running for best characters of the year. Read this to cope with hockey withdrawal, ended up finding SO much more inside.
At times a tough & far too realistic read (check content warnings), but so good. Will be continuing the series!
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Beartown by Fredrick Backman - 4.5 stars ⭐️
Benji Ovich in the running for best characters of the year. Read this to cope with hockey withdrawal, ended up finding SO much more inside.
At times a tough & far too realistic read (check content warnings), but so good. Will be continuing the series!
Benji Ovich in the running for best characters of the year. Read this to cope with hockey withdrawal, ended up finding SO much more inside.
At times a tough & far too realistic read (check content warnings), but so good. Will be continuing the series!
The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen - 4 stars ⭐️
Caleb & Adam, my beloveds!!! As a longtime fan of The Bright Sessions, this book was a delightful return to that world. Should probably be read as a companion to the podcast instead of on its own for the best experience.
But really, loved!!
Caleb & Adam, my beloveds!!! As a longtime fan of The Bright Sessions, this book was a delightful return to that world. Should probably be read as a companion to the podcast instead of on its own for the best experience.
But really, loved!!
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen - 4 stars ⭐️
Caleb & Adam, my beloveds!!! As a longtime fan of The Bright Sessions, this book was a delightful return to that world. Should probably be read as a companion to the podcast instead of on its own for the best experience.
But really, loved!!
Caleb & Adam, my beloveds!!! As a longtime fan of The Bright Sessions, this book was a delightful return to that world. Should probably be read as a companion to the podcast instead of on its own for the best experience.
But really, loved!!
The Build-a-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver - 4.5 stars ⭐️
An example of fake dating done well! I love when an author isn't afraid to let their characters suck a little, it makes their redemption hit so much harder.
Also, I'm a sucker for good portrayals of southern folks, which you'll find here!
An example of fake dating done well! I love when an author isn't afraid to let their characters suck a little, it makes their redemption hit so much harder.
Also, I'm a sucker for good portrayals of southern folks, which you'll find here!
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Build-a-Boyfriend Project by Mason Deaver - 4.5 stars ⭐️
An example of fake dating done well! I love when an author isn't afraid to let their characters suck a little, it makes their redemption hit so much harder.
Also, I'm a sucker for good portrayals of southern folks, which you'll find here!
An example of fake dating done well! I love when an author isn't afraid to let their characters suck a little, it makes their redemption hit so much harder.
Also, I'm a sucker for good portrayals of southern folks, which you'll find here!
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah - 4.5 stars ⭐️
Mentally ill fathers, dark Alaskan winters, and an unforgiving, harsh environment. What could go wrong?
Really enjoyed this book! It's already quite long, but I actually found myself wanting a little more from the story. Overall, great read!
Mentally ill fathers, dark Alaskan winters, and an unforgiving, harsh environment. What could go wrong?
Really enjoyed this book! It's already quite long, but I actually found myself wanting a little more from the story. Overall, great read!
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah - 4.5 stars ⭐️
Mentally ill fathers, dark Alaskan winters, and an unforgiving, harsh environment. What could go wrong?
Really enjoyed this book! It's already quite long, but I actually found myself wanting a little more from the story. Overall, great read!
Mentally ill fathers, dark Alaskan winters, and an unforgiving, harsh environment. What could go wrong?
Really enjoyed this book! It's already quite long, but I actually found myself wanting a little more from the story. Overall, great read!
The Broposal - 2.75 stars ⭐️
I had such high hopes for this one... When it disappointed me, I was compelled to write a lengthy review on Storygraph, which you can read here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/c990...
In short, I finished this book actively rooting against the main couple.
I had such high hopes for this one... When it disappointed me, I was compelled to write a lengthy review on Storygraph, which you can read here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/c990...
In short, I finished this book actively rooting against the main couple.
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Broposal - 2.75 stars ⭐️
I had such high hopes for this one... When it disappointed me, I was compelled to write a lengthy review on Storygraph, which you can read here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/c990...
In short, I finished this book actively rooting against the main couple.
I had such high hopes for this one... When it disappointed me, I was compelled to write a lengthy review on Storygraph, which you can read here: app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/c990...
In short, I finished this book actively rooting against the main couple.
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield - 4.5 stars ⭐️
This book is polarizing & I see why, but it was a LOVE for me. Beautiful and aching, this book is an honest & raw portrayal of grief and the isolation you feel when grieving.
It's weird! And, that's the whole point. Not for everyone!
This book is polarizing & I see why, but it was a LOVE for me. Beautiful and aching, this book is an honest & raw portrayal of grief and the isolation you feel when grieving.
It's weird! And, that's the whole point. Not for everyone!
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield - 4.5 stars ⭐️
This book is polarizing & I see why, but it was a LOVE for me. Beautiful and aching, this book is an honest & raw portrayal of grief and the isolation you feel when grieving.
It's weird! And, that's the whole point. Not for everyone!
This book is polarizing & I see why, but it was a LOVE for me. Beautiful and aching, this book is an honest & raw portrayal of grief and the isolation you feel when grieving.
It's weird! And, that's the whole point. Not for everyone!
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins - 3.75 stars ⭐️
A classic trope in the genre, there's a wife or random lady locked up somewhere. This was a well-executed version of the same trope.
The pacing was off, a little too slow of a build & too abrupt of an ending, but overall an enjoyable, quick read.
A classic trope in the genre, there's a wife or random lady locked up somewhere. This was a well-executed version of the same trope.
The pacing was off, a little too slow of a build & too abrupt of an ending, but overall an enjoyable, quick read.
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins - 3.75 stars ⭐️
A classic trope in the genre, there's a wife or random lady locked up somewhere. This was a well-executed version of the same trope.
The pacing was off, a little too slow of a build & too abrupt of an ending, but overall an enjoyable, quick read.
A classic trope in the genre, there's a wife or random lady locked up somewhere. This was a well-executed version of the same trope.
The pacing was off, a little too slow of a build & too abrupt of an ending, but overall an enjoyable, quick read.
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe - 5 stars ⭐️
There is no way to describe this book in less than 300 characters, so I'll just say this was my favorite book of the month. You might read the summary and think, this isn't *for me,* but you're wrong.
This is for you, whoever you are.
There is no way to describe this book in less than 300 characters, so I'll just say this was my favorite book of the month. You might read the summary and think, this isn't *for me,* but you're wrong.
This is for you, whoever you are.
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe - 5 stars ⭐️
There is no way to describe this book in less than 300 characters, so I'll just say this was my favorite book of the month. You might read the summary and think, this isn't *for me,* but you're wrong.
This is for you, whoever you are.
There is no way to describe this book in less than 300 characters, so I'll just say this was my favorite book of the month. You might read the summary and think, this isn't *for me,* but you're wrong.
This is for you, whoever you are.
Love is a War Song by Danica Nava - 4.25 stars ⭐️
For fans of The Hannah Montana Movie, this is a fun, electric rom-com. The two main characters had amazing chemistry, and the story was fast-paced and entertaining.
This one was a lot of fun to read, there's a little bit of everything inside!
For fans of The Hannah Montana Movie, this is a fun, electric rom-com. The two main characters had amazing chemistry, and the story was fast-paced and entertaining.
This one was a lot of fun to read, there's a little bit of everything inside!
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Love is a War Song by Danica Nava - 4.25 stars ⭐️
For fans of The Hannah Montana Movie, this is a fun, electric rom-com. The two main characters had amazing chemistry, and the story was fast-paced and entertaining.
This one was a lot of fun to read, there's a little bit of everything inside!
For fans of The Hannah Montana Movie, this is a fun, electric rom-com. The two main characters had amazing chemistry, and the story was fast-paced and entertaining.
This one was a lot of fun to read, there's a little bit of everything inside!
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak - 3.75 stars ⭐️
Read this one for book club. A fun, crazy, genuinely creepy thriller. I haven't been reading many thrillers lately, so this was a nice return to the genre.
I did NOT guess the twist ending, which is both a pro & a con. Overall, fun (daytime) read!
Read this one for book club. A fun, crazy, genuinely creepy thriller. I haven't been reading many thrillers lately, so this was a nice return to the genre.
I did NOT guess the twist ending, which is both a pro & a con. Overall, fun (daytime) read!
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak - 3.75 stars ⭐️
Read this one for book club. A fun, crazy, genuinely creepy thriller. I haven't been reading many thrillers lately, so this was a nice return to the genre.
I did NOT guess the twist ending, which is both a pro & a con. Overall, fun (daytime) read!
Read this one for book club. A fun, crazy, genuinely creepy thriller. I haven't been reading many thrillers lately, so this was a nice return to the genre.
I did NOT guess the twist ending, which is both a pro & a con. Overall, fun (daytime) read!
Love and Other Conspiracies - 3 stars ⭐️
A strong start with a disappointing ending. The dreamiest MMC with a FMC who's main (only?) character trait seems to be her blue hair, which comes up A LOT.
Also featuring the worst third act breakup I've read in a while. Not awful, but not my fave.
A strong start with a disappointing ending. The dreamiest MMC with a FMC who's main (only?) character trait seems to be her blue hair, which comes up A LOT.
Also featuring the worst third act breakup I've read in a while. Not awful, but not my fave.
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Love and Other Conspiracies - 3 stars ⭐️
A strong start with a disappointing ending. The dreamiest MMC with a FMC who's main (only?) character trait seems to be her blue hair, which comes up A LOT.
Also featuring the worst third act breakup I've read in a while. Not awful, but not my fave.
A strong start with a disappointing ending. The dreamiest MMC with a FMC who's main (only?) character trait seems to be her blue hair, which comes up A LOT.
Also featuring the worst third act breakup I've read in a while. Not awful, but not my fave.
Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa - 4.5 stars ⭐️
Two more characters to fall in love with this month. A friends-to-lovers romance that's also about finding yourself and learning to grow & change.
This one felt very timely, important, and true to life. Well-rounded & surprisingly relatable characters!
Two more characters to fall in love with this month. A friends-to-lovers romance that's also about finding yourself and learning to grow & change.
This one felt very timely, important, and true to life. Well-rounded & surprisingly relatable characters!
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Futbolista by Jonny Garza Villa - 4.5 stars ⭐️
Two more characters to fall in love with this month. A friends-to-lovers romance that's also about finding yourself and learning to grow & change.
This one felt very timely, important, and true to life. Well-rounded & surprisingly relatable characters!
Two more characters to fall in love with this month. A friends-to-lovers romance that's also about finding yourself and learning to grow & change.
This one felt very timely, important, and true to life. Well-rounded & surprisingly relatable characters!
Archive of Unknown Universes by Ruben Reyes Jr. - 4.5 stars ⭐️
This book is weird & wonderful. Part speculative fiction, part sci-fi, part historical fiction/romance/tragic love story, this book is a little bit of everything.
My ONLY complaint is I wish it was longer! Left me wanting more.
This book is weird & wonderful. Part speculative fiction, part sci-fi, part historical fiction/romance/tragic love story, this book is a little bit of everything.
My ONLY complaint is I wish it was longer! Left me wanting more.
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Archive of Unknown Universes by Ruben Reyes Jr. - 4.5 stars ⭐️
This book is weird & wonderful. Part speculative fiction, part sci-fi, part historical fiction/romance/tragic love story, this book is a little bit of everything.
My ONLY complaint is I wish it was longer! Left me wanting more.
This book is weird & wonderful. Part speculative fiction, part sci-fi, part historical fiction/romance/tragic love story, this book is a little bit of everything.
My ONLY complaint is I wish it was longer! Left me wanting more.
The Green Creek series by TJ Klune - 4.5 stars ⭐️
These books were cooked up in a lab for me. I love high-angst, slow burn love stories where the main couple doesn't get together until the last possible second. Enter Green Creek!
Werewolves, witches, and weeping, I LOVED these magical stories.
These books were cooked up in a lab for me. I love high-angst, slow burn love stories where the main couple doesn't get together until the last possible second. Enter Green Creek!
Werewolves, witches, and weeping, I LOVED these magical stories.
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Green Creek series by TJ Klune - 4.5 stars ⭐️
These books were cooked up in a lab for me. I love high-angst, slow burn love stories where the main couple doesn't get together until the last possible second. Enter Green Creek!
Werewolves, witches, and weeping, I LOVED these magical stories.
These books were cooked up in a lab for me. I love high-angst, slow burn love stories where the main couple doesn't get together until the last possible second. Enter Green Creek!
Werewolves, witches, and weeping, I LOVED these magical stories.
The Prospects by KT Hoffman - 5 stars ⭐️
Starting strong!
I fell deeply in love with the two main characters, Luis & Gene. This book is not only a romance, it's also about being brave enough to let yourself *want* things that seem out of reach.
Not a fan of baseball, but a BIG fan of this book.
Starting strong!
I fell deeply in love with the two main characters, Luis & Gene. This book is not only a romance, it's also about being brave enough to let yourself *want* things that seem out of reach.
Not a fan of baseball, but a BIG fan of this book.
September 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
The Prospects by KT Hoffman - 5 stars ⭐️
Starting strong!
I fell deeply in love with the two main characters, Luis & Gene. This book is not only a romance, it's also about being brave enough to let yourself *want* things that seem out of reach.
Not a fan of baseball, but a BIG fan of this book.
Starting strong!
I fell deeply in love with the two main characters, Luis & Gene. This book is not only a romance, it's also about being brave enough to let yourself *want* things that seem out of reach.
Not a fan of baseball, but a BIG fan of this book.
This is great to hear, I’ve got My Friends on hold at the library. Now I can’t wait for it to come in! 😊
August 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
This is great to hear, I’ve got My Friends on hold at the library. Now I can’t wait for it to come in! 😊