This year was a really good reading year for me. I read 50 books, which is more than I’m usually able to read in a year, I average around 30 books, and quite a few were surprisingly good. First Book I Read I like to start the new year off with a book that I … More My Favorite Reads of 2025: 10 Surprisingly Good Books
It’s Christmas Eve. I’ve wrapped up my work day, (yes, I worked today) and it’s quiet here at home. I’m waiting for my husband to get home (yup, he had to work too) before starting the holiday celebration. Our festivities will be low key, just sharing cookies, wine, and good conversation with a few friends. … More Looking Back on A Year of Reading in 2024
I love libraries! I have such affection and appreciation for our public libraries. I’ve even created a category here on this blog called Library Love Letters because I want to celebrate libraries in this space. Libraries do so much good in the community, I think of them as a vital public service. We know being able … More Everybody Reads Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow
I need a vacation. Ideally, someplace warm and sunny. I’ll plan a trip soon. I’d like to put my toes in the sand! But for now, I’m going to lean into books for some short-term escapism. When I need a “virtual vacation” I read travel writing, stories of other’s adventures to boost my mood. I’ve … More Enjoy Your Stay. 3 Books About Hotels.
I had to look up the definition of fen. A fen is a type of wetland. It’s similar to marshes, bogs and swamps. Not surprisingly, landscape plays a key role in many of the enchanting tales in this collection of short stories from Daisy Johnson. The stories in Fen are anchored in the ordinary and humdrum. … More Fen by Daisy Johnson
I Haven’t Stopped Thinking About This Book I read this novel in early January 2022, finishing it over a long, chilly weekend, settled in to the chair closest to the fireplace with my two cats, Jack and Louie, curled up next to me, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Honestly, I haven’t stopped … More I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness by Claire Vaye Watkins
While wandering the stacks in my local library I chanced upon the book My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci. It was set out on display and, as any cat lover would be, I was immediately drawn in by the title and intrigued with the book’s cover illustration. A cat in man’s clothes. Not surprisingly, My … More My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci
My Rating – 4/5 Stars Deep down I knew where this story was going right from the start and even though I knew my heart would break, I read on. I read on because Willy Vlautin gifts you with these rich, rough around the edges characters, the type of folks that way too many of … More Don’t Skip Out on Me by Willy Vlautin
Completely bonkers and highly entertaining! I read most of this book in one sitting. It is very readable, with short, laugh out loud chapters, yet still very poignant. Oh Eleanor! Yeah, I get it, having your long-term boyfriend leave you, followed by a breast cancer diagnosis, then moving back home with your mom as a … More The Bus on Thursday by Shirley Barrett
About once a year I get suckerd into reading one of these books described as “an instant bestseller” and “a dazzling thriller” and each time I’m disappointed in myself for falling for the hype. This time I got drawn into the hype around The Last Flight by Julie Clark. “The Last Flight is thoroughly absorbing—not … More The Last Flight by Julie Clark
The Seventeenth Line 