8 Aardvark Picks I Read – And What I Thought
If you haven’t heard of Aardvark Book Club, it’s a monthly subscription box where you get to pick one (or more!) books from their curated list of new releases. I love it because their picks are usually a good mix of buzzy titles, hidden gems, and books I might not have grabbed on my own. This time, I read eight of their picks: four I got directly from Aardvark, and four that I already owned but that they also featured in their boxes. Here’s how they all stacked up:
📖 The 4 Books I Got from Aardvark
Alter Ego by Alex Segura – 3 Stars
I really enjoyed the writing and the overall story of this book. It had the kind of thriller/mystery vibe that had me turning on extra lights as I read, which is always a good sign! That said, by the end, I’m not sure the plot made a whole lot of sense. I didn’t quite get the big picture and felt the motive was under explained. A fun read, but not one that fully stuck the landing for me.
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor – 4 Stars
This one is almost impossible to review without giving away spoilers, but wow, I really enjoyed it. It’s thought provoking and clever in ways I can’t explain without ruining the experience. Highly recommend you go in blind and just let it surprise you.
The Memory Collectors by Dete Meserve – 4 Stars
I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller. It reminded me a lot of Wrong Place, Wrong Time, which is one of my favorites. The story is told from multiple perspectives, which made piecing together the mystery so satisfying. Definitely one I’d recommend if you like a layered, character-driven thriller.
Moderation by Elaine Castillo – 1 star
My first one-star of the year, and honestly, it would have been a strong DNF if I wasn’t reading it for a challenge. This book was rough. The tech in it was boring (they even point out in the book that you could do the same thing at your local mall). On top of that, the constant use of rape and violence felt like it was there purely for shock value, which I find really gross and unnecessary. Finally, the romance was nonexistent and the main character had no personality to root for.
📚 4 More Aardvark Picks I Already Had
Left of Forever by Tara Dewitt – 4 Stars
I loved this book. It’s such a heartfelt second chance romance. Wren and Ellis lived a full life together before splitting over real life problems, and now they’re figuring out if they can make it work again. It’s emotional, raw, and definitely spicy. The way it handles love, growth, and healing felt so genuine. If you like romance, put this one on your list.
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid – 4 Stars
I devoured this book. It gives such an empowering female narrative and reimagines Lady Macbeth’s story with intrigue, and atmosphere that made it impossible to put down. Highly recommend if you love retellings or dark, immersive historical stories!
Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi – 4 Stars
This one was such a pleasant surprise. I loved the political intrigue, the coming of age elements, and the vivid descriptions of 15th century Africa. It’s a unique and engaging story about self-discovery and resilience, definitely worth checking out if you want something a little different in your reads.
Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis – 4 Stars
This one is pure cozy fun. It’s whimsical and pokes fun at common fairytale tropes with the hero, the beautiful princess, the goblins! It does it with humor and heart. It doesn’t have the most intense plot, but I found it entertaining enough to keep turning the pages. A great pick for a cozy fantasy mood.
Final Thoughts
After reading all eight of these, I have to say, Aardvark really knows how to pick books. Even though not every choice worked for me, I love how varied the selection is. I got thrillers, romance, fantasy, and literary fiction, a mix that kept me on my toes and introduced me to some new favorites.
What I appreciate most is that each pick felt intentional. Whether it was a twisty mystery like Alter Ego, a heartfelt romance like Left of Forever, or a clever, trope twisting fantasy like Dreadful, every book felt like it had something worth talking about.
Overall, Aardvark gets a big thumbs up from me. Their boxes are a great way to discover books you might not have grabbed yourself and sometimes those are the books that end up surprising you the most.