• 🩺 Revive Me

    There is something special about a series that doesn’t just entertain you, it pulls you in and refuses to let go. And right now, JL Seeger’s second installment of the New Haven series, Revive Me, has me in a full-on chokehold. I accidentally left my next physical read at home this weekend, but thankfully, I had already…

    🎢 WDNCC Handbook

    I’ll just say it plainly: this book met me exactly where I am. For those who may not know, I have two college-aged kids. That alone places me squarely in what the doctors politely call the “perimenopause range.” My Instagram tag, your fave auntie, probably gave that away too. Enter Melani Sanders. If you haven’t…

    ❤️ Restore Me

    I actually read Restore Me by J.L. Seegars ahead of Valentine’s Day. I had every intention of sharing it on time. I even envisioned the post as soft and romantic, fitting for February 14th. But grad school, work, and life did what they do best, and the 14th came and went before I could press publish. Still,…

    🌿 This Poison Heart

    Every now and then, I crave a story that blends mystery, myth, and just a touch of magic; and Kalynn Bayron’s This Poison Heart duology delivers all that and more. These two books, This Poison Heart and its sequel, This Wicked Fate, are lush, dramatic fantasies that pull you into a world where nature, ancestry, and destiny are deeply…

    📖 Harlem Rhapsody

    Harlem Rhapsody is a beautifully immersive work of historical fiction centered on Jessie Redmon Fauset, a literary force whose influence on the Harlem Renaissance has too often been minimized or overlooked. Victoria Christopher Murray transports the reader into the sights, sounds, and intellectual ferment of Harlem between 1910 and the mid-1920s. This book is grounded in the world…

    ⚖️ While Justice Sleeps

    In addition to her educational, economic, and political endeavors, Stacey Abrams is also a bestselling author, and While Justice Sleeps proves her storytelling powers extend far beyond policy debates. The novel centers on Avery Keene, a young law clerk thrust into a high-stakes legal mystery when Supreme Court Justice Wynn becomes incapacitated. From the first page, Abrams sets…

    🤖 Co-Intelligence

    Co-Intelligence is one of those reads that feels especially timely if you’re thinking about leadership, innovation, or the future of work. Instead of treating AI as an existential threat or a magic bullet, Ethan Mollick frames it in practical, relational terms. One quote that captures his pragmatic philosophy is: “You should try inviting AI to help…

    🐎 The Davenports

    I came to The Davenports, written by Krystal Marquis, after seeing clip after clip of The Gilded Age on IG. The drama, the lavishness, the wealth, and the rigid societal rules drew me in. And I’m so glad it did. This novel’s heart is its historical depth. Set in a time when Black folks were forging futures between the…

  • 🌳 His & Hers

    If your workplace has a “water-cooler topic,” chances are it’s included His & Hers, Netflix’s gripping adaptation starring Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson. The series is based on His & Hers, the 2020 psychological thriller by Alice Feeney, and trust me when I say, both versions deserve a spot in your carry-on. What makes this story especially fun for bookish…

    🕷️ Along Came a Spider

    I picked up Along Came a Spider, the first book in James Patterson’s Alex Cross series, partly out of curiosity and partly because our youngest now calls Washington, D.C., home. There’s something about that vibrant, layered city, alive with history, power, culture, and contradictions that always draws me in. Anytime I come across a story set there, it…

    ✨ Power of Body Language

    Every so often, a book comes along that changes not just how you communicate, but how you perceive the world. Joe Navarro’s The Power of Body Language did exactly that for me. As someone who spends a lot of time navigating professional spaces and complex people interactions, I found this book both empowering and eye-opening. As a kid,…

    🐍 I, Medusa

    I had I, Medusa pre-ordered on Libro.FM, which, if you haven’t tried it yet, is a fantastic way to enjoy audiobooks while supporting indie bookstores. Even though I’m juggling two other reads right now, this one demanded my immediate attention once it was available on November 18th. And honestly, I’m glad I didn’t wait. As a kid,…

    ☕ Thursday Murder Club 

    Who can resist a good British mystery, especially one served with charm, wit, and a perfectly timed dry remark? The Thursday Murder Club checked every box for me and then brewed an extra pot of joy on top of it. Set in a quiet retirement village in Kent, this story follows four residents who spend their Thursdays…

    🔪 Killers of a Certain Age 

    I absolutely adore a mystery that surprises me, and Killers of a Certain Age delivered in spades: sharp, clever, and wildly original. Deanna Raybourn’s story about four sixty-something retired assassins being targeted by their own shadowy organization had me hooked from the very first chapter. I purposefully listened to the audiobook. What makes this book stand out…

     🧶Hooked on Murder 

    As an avid crocheter, I was immediately drawn to Hooked on Murder, the first book in Betty Hechtman’s Crochet Mystery series. The premise of a cozy whodunit centered on a group of yarn-loving sleuths felt like the perfect blend of two of my favorite things: crafting and crime-solving. I also appreciated that the protagonist, Molly Pink,…

    📘 The Power of Moments 

    It feels so fitting that my very first review here is The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, also the opening book assignment in my MBA program and the one that helped set the tone for this new chapter of growth, awareness, and purpose. This book explores how certain moments, big or small, can…

  • 👋🏾 Hello World!

    “Because every page is a journey.” Hello, and welcome to The Reise Reader, my little corner of the world dedicated to all things books, imagination, and reflection. If I’m honest, this space has been decades in the making. I was an only child with a huge imagination, and books were my constant companions. I read everywhere,…

I’m Rissa

Welcome to The Reise Reader, my cozy corner of the internet dedicated to books, stories, and the journeys they take us on. Here, I invite you to explore powerful reads, thoughtful reflections, and new literary adventures with me.

Read the latest reviews here on the main page or choose a genre from the header menu.

Let’s get lost in a good book!
Gute Reise! ✈️📚

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