Ballantine Books

Books from the publisher Ballantine Books.

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Made Me Feel Everything

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Made Me Feel Everything

I almost didn’t read *Atmosphere*.

I actually started a completely different book, DNF’d it, and picked up Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest on a whim.

Then I sobbed. Repeatedly.

What I expected to be a story about astronauts, NASA, and an ’80s space program turned into one of the most unexpectedly emotional reading experiences I’ve had in a long time.

So, was the hype finally right?

I’ve shared my full review, including what worked, what surprised me, and why this book made me want to pay much closer attention to the life I’m actually living.

Project Hail Mary Review: Is Andy Weir’s Biggest Hit Worth the Hype?

Project Hail Mary Review: Is Andy Weir’s Biggest Hit Worth the Hype?

I finally read the book that seemed to be everywhere: Project Hail Mary.

With a 4.5+ average on Goodreads and StoryGraph, a huge movie adaptation on the horizon, and plenty of enthusiastic recommendations, I had some pretty high expectations.

So… did Andy Weir’s space adventure live up to the hype?

My answer is a little more complicated than yes or no. I’m sharing what worked for me, what fell flat, and how the experience reminded me why sometimes we need to read a book for ourselves rather than for everyone else’s expectations.

Read my Project Hail Mary review →

I Wanted a Dark Psychological Thriller. Famous Left Me Underwhelmed.

I Wanted a Dark Psychological Thriller. Famous Left Me Underwhelmed.

I’ve discovered that sometimes the biggest disappointment isn’t a bad book. It’s a book that promises exactly the kind of reading experience you’re craving… and never quite gets there.

In my newest review, I’m unpacking Famous by Blake Crouch, from the eye-catching cover that convinced me to buy it to the psychological thriller that left me wanting much more. If you’ve ever picked up a book because everything about it looked perfect, this one might feel familiar.

Read the full review and decide whether Famous belongs on your TBR.

Good Dirt Review: The Heirloom Jar at the Center of a Beautifully Layered Family Story

Good Dirt Review: The Heirloom Jar at the Center of a Beautifully Layered Family Story

When an heirloom survives generations, what happens when it breaks?

This week on Lacey In The Library, I’m reviewing *Good Dirt* by Charmaine Wilkerson, a literary family saga that weaves together grief, history, race, and a centuries-old jar carrying more than family memories. It didn’t completely break my heart the way I expected, but it gave me plenty to think about.

Read the full review to see what worked, what wobbled, and whether this acclaimed bestseller belongs on your TBR.