This Week in Reading - March 1

 

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

Lost Among the Living by Simone St James - I was browsing around ThriftBooks and they had this one that I've been wanting to read at a good price.  (Purchased)

Steamed Open by Barbara Ross - I really liked the first book in this series and then I picked up the bulk of the series at a used bookstore and this is one of the ones I was missing.  (Purchased)

Muddled Through by Barbara Ross - Ditto above (Purchased)

Currently:

Reading:  Death at a Firefly Tea by Laura Childs and When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Slow Read:  Pinot Red or Dead? by J.C. Eaton

Listening:  Podcasts.  I just finished the Anna Elliot/Charles/Charles Veley Homefront Sleuths series so I'm focusing on catching up on podcasts for the next few days.

Watching:  We are taking a break from Death in Paradise to watch Drive to Survive on Netflix before the first Formula 1 race.

Last weekend I mentioned feeling worn out and that my plan was to get some rest over the weekend.  Turns out I was feeling worn out because I was getting sick.  Luckily, it wasn't the flu or anything and I'm feeling better but the week was pretty much a loss.  I didn't do much or even get much reading done but I'm feeling better and the weather is gorgeous so I'm thinking this week will go better!

Have a great week and happy reading!

Mrs. McGinty's Dead - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie

Rating: Loved It (5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  An old widow is brutally killed in the parlour of her cottage…

Mrs McGinty died from a brutal blow to the back of her head. Suspicion fell immediately on her shifty lodger, James Bentley, whose clothes revealed traces of the victim’s blood and hair. Yet something was amiss: Bentley just didn’t look like a murderer.

Poirot believed he could save the man from the gallows – what he didn’t realize was that his own life was now in great danger…

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  This was the February Read Christie pick under the category of Beloved Character.  

My Impression: I have seen so many people list this as one of their favorite Christies and every time I read it I can easily see why.  The setup for Poirot getting involved is perfection.  Superintendent Spence comes to visit Poirot after a murder investigation is concluded and the suspect is convicted.  The solution just doesn't sit right with him and he can't exactly put his finger on why.  Poirot, of course, is immediately willing to get involved.

The investigation itself is fantastic.  I love digging into secrets and no one does it with quite as much flair as Poirot.  Even better is that mystery writer, Ariadne Oliver, makes an appearance and anytime she is on the page is golden.  Between her dealing with a playwright who is trying to make an adaptation of one of her novels (I can picture Christie using these interactions to vent her own frustrations in similar situations) and Poirot's long suffering stay and an incredibly disorganized and uncomfortable guest house there were several moments that made me laugh.  

The mystery is a classic Christie bit of cleverness.  I remembered the solution about halfway through reading the book but it in no way impacted my enjoyment of reading the book.  If I was making a list of Christie mysteries to start with this would definitely be on the list.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  I'm already looking forward to the March pick.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Definitely.  This is a fun read for all mystery lovers.

Friday Fives - Five Quick Reviews for Books I've Read Recently

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.

1.  Lie to Me by J.T. Ellison - This was quite the roller coaster!  It's been awhile since I've read anything by this author but I don't think I'll have quite as long in between books for my next one by her.  This had some serious Gone Girl vibes at the beginning.  Nothing is quite as it seems and I wasn't sure who to trust.  I was never quite sure what was going to happen next and the author definitely kept me guessing.  At no point did I like any of the characters (with the exception of Holly and Jim) but as the story went along they became a bit more sympathetic.  This is a good twisty read and one that I really enjoyed.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

2.  A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney - I really enjoyed this fantasy book about a hedge witch facing the unraveling of family secrets and discovering more about her very own identity.   I really liked Kate and rooted for things to work out for her.  She's having to balance keeping up the old traditions and learning new things about herself.  The bulk of the book is a quieter story but there is always something a bit darker lurking at the edges.  The audio was very well down and kept me hooked and completely engaged shortly after it began until the very end.  It was a touch more romance-y than I expected but it did fit well into the story so it didn't bother me.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.25 Stars)

3.  The Camelot Caper by Elizabeth Peters - I've read a few of Elizabeth Peters standalones and while I wouldn't necessarily say they are the most believable or that the stories always make the most sense they're always a good time.  This one was not a favorite.  I liked the characters and I liked the basic concept - long estranged grandfather with a King Arthur tie-in and a traveling companion who writes Gothic novels - but once you get away from the setup everything kind of falls apart.  The story reads like the author had the premise and characters all worked out and then was told that she had to produce the book in 48 hours.  I look forward to reading more from Peters but this is one I wouldn't recommend.  My Rating: Just Okay (2 Stars)

4.  The Lost Gargoyle of Paris by Gigi Pandian - I picked this novella up when I was trying to make my reading goal for the year and this was a series I'd always been curious about. I have really enjoyed other books by this author so I'm not surprised that I really enjoyed this book.  It would definitely have been better if I read this series in order but the concept and the characters are solid enough that it has me searching out the other books.  Pandian does a great job of coming up with unique characters and premises and this one especially is a fun one.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

5.  Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa - Takako is a young woman feeling at loose ends and not happy with her life.  When she visits her uncle's bookshop in an out of the way corner in Tokyo she's at first uninterested and uninspired but slowly as the book goes along she finds her way.  I preferred the first part that focused more on Takako but overall I enjoyed the entire story.  This was a nice listen and I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

What have you read lately?

Booking For Trouble - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Booking For Trouble (A Library Lover's Mystery #16) by Jenn McKinlay

Rating: Just Okay (2.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.
At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  This has been one of my favorite cozy mystery series since it started.

My Impression: This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series but this may be my least favorite book in the series.  I've always loved how McKinlay developed characters (Ms. Cole aka the Lemon is one of my favorites of all time) but it very much fell flat here.  The bad guys were very over the top clearly bad guys and it all felt very surface level.  As well, a subplot involving library funding is given equal page time with the murder leading to a kind of disjointed feel.  As a result, the ending felt rushed with a primary aspect only loosely explained.  

McKinlay's books are always incredibly readable and she always sets a good pace.   Even though I didn't love the story it made for a fast read.  I'm hoping the next book in the series brings back the Crafternooners and the rest of the Briar Creek crew that I always enjoy seeing and really make this series fun.  This was my least favorite in the series but I will be looking for the next book.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Yes, while I didn't really enjoy this one I've loved everything else by this author that I've read.  

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you're a cozy mystery fan I would definitely recommend this series but I wouldn't start with this book.  

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor (Wales Village #1) by Lucy Connelly

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  After crossing the pond, Dr. Gwen Griffith finds herself in the quirky place she fell in love with, Dillynaidd, Wales. A former managing editor for a Texan newspaper, Gwen is ready for the next stage in her life as the head of the journalism department at the local university in town. With her best friend, Carolyn Sparks–who is also the university’s dean–at her side, Dillynaidd feels like a dream, until murder comes knocking at her doorstep.

Gwen had only just met the victim, Dr. Alice Rice, at a faculty party but that doesn't stop police detective Gareth Jones from suspecting her of foul play–after all the victim was found on her doorstep. With her journalism background, Gwen decides that it’s up to her to clear her own name. But she’ll need all the help she can get when her idyllic small town life is turned upside down in order to stay one step ahead of the killer.

This brand new series by Lucy Connelly, author of the Scottish Isle mysteries, will charm cozy mystery readers everywhere.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed this author's books in another series and the Welsh setting really caught my eye.

My Impression: I've really come to love Lucy Connelly's Scottish Isle series and I was really looking forward to diving into this one.  It didn't disappoint.  This starts out a little slower as Gwen has just moved to a new country (well returned after almost two decades away) and is starting a new job.  While the body does fall fairly quickly there is some setup as the reader and Gwen get adjusted to the new setup. 

I really liked the focus on investigative journalism and Ellis is a fantastic side kick.  He's a great journalist in his own right with big dreams and is eager to learn.  He's capable of investigating on his own and he and Gwen also really work well together.  I also really enjoyed how Gwen's relationship with the detective in charge develops.  

As the mystery goes along there are a few clues and investigative paths. I guessed the who and the why a little ahead of Gwen but it was a fun time getting to the solution.  I'm looking forward to going back to the Welsh village the author has created and seeing more from this author. 

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  I've really enjoyed everything I've read by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you're a mystery fan this is a great start to a new series.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

My Winter Reading Retreat Book List

 

I am not a cold weather person. I will take heat and humidity over ice and snow any day.  When it gets cold all I want to do is stay under lots of blankets with a pile of books.  Here are the ten books I would have in my stack as I sit in front of a roaring fire under a pile of blankets with a cup of hot tea.

1.  Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by Casey Cep - I heard this mentioned on the From the Front Porch podcast.  It was Annie's husband, Jordan's favorite book for that period of time. It sounds like a fantastic way to spend some time.

2.  The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen - I've enjoyed what I've read by this author and this sounds extra spooky.

3.  The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick - I need a lighter book to mix in with all the thrillers and this sounds magical.

4.  The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong - I love everything I've read by this author and the premise for this one really appeals to me.  Sounds like it will keep me from remembering it's cold outside!

5.  My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Books of Books, Plot Ensues by Pamela Paul - I do love a book about books and this sounds like a light quick read.

6.  A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James - And back to the spooky!  I'm not sure anyone does spooky ambience better than this author.

7.  White Hot by Ilona Andrews - I read the first book in 2025 and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.  Plus, things catch on fire a lot which sounds nice and warm.

8.  All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot - This has been on my TBR for a long time.  I read it when I was a kid but remember nothing about it so I'm really looking forward to revisiting it.

9.  This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Paige - I've seen such great reviews for this one and it looks like a lovely read that will be nice to mix in with the spookier books.

10.  Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey - I need a visit to the beach and given that even Florida is cold right now a virtual one is probably best.

What would be in your stack of books for a winter reading retreat?

The Whisking Hour - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Whisking Hour (Bake Shop Mystery #22) by Ellie Alexander

Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  Fall is in full flush in the charming hamlet of Ashland, Oregon, where theater director Lance’s production of Perfect Crime has been met with rave reviews. As with everything, Lance has put his own spin on the long-running Broadway classic, opting for an intimate staging and drawing the audience into a cozy New York apartment on a stormy fall night where a nefarious set of suspects pulls off the perfect murder. Jules and the team at Torte are eagerly whipping up a murderous crime scene feast for the cast party, baking a bevy of treats like panna cotta eyeballs with blood orange coulis, deviled eggs, and savory cheese fingers with pumpkin dipping sauce.


Life seems to imitate art when a storm rolls over the Siskiyou Mountains on the day of the soirée, ushering in gusty winds and unrelenting rain. But Jules and Lance are not to be deterred. After all, the show must go on. The audience buzzes with electric energy as the lights flicker and the actors take the stage. Once the actors take their final bow, the cast trickles into Carpenter Hall, ready for a night of frivolity, but when the lead actor stumbles in with a fatal stab wound, Jules wonders if she’s just witnessed the perfect murder.

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've been reading this series since the beginning and always pick up the newest release.  

My Impression: I always look forward to my visits to Ashland, Oregon and the Torte crew and this was no exception.  Fall is in full swing and Jules is preparing for maternity leave.  This book focuses more on the theater side of Ashland with a toxic director and a whole host of actors and crew with some interesting and disturbing methods of working.  When the director is found dead the only real surprise is how did he make it this long.  Because this focuses on the theater side of things and because there are a number of temporary staff members (whose names we don't even learn) we don't get quite as much of the inside the bakery team feel.  There are quite a number of yummy food descriptions and Andy's spiced lattes sound amazing!

There are quite a lot of misdirection and red herrings which makes for a fun investigation and I always enjoy anytime Lance is on the page.  This series is heavy on the description and the small details and subplots.  While this adds to the cozy community feel for longtime readers it can slow the pace and I would imagine be a bit tedious for readers who aren't already familiar with the Ashland world.  This is a fun series with fabulous food descriptions and likable characters.  While maybe not the best for standalone reading it is a consistently enjoyable series.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Definitely - I've really enjoyed what I've read by this author and will continue to read her mysteries.

Would I Recommend this Book? If you enjoy cozy mysteries this series is one you definitely need to try.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

This Week in Reading - February 22

 

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

Murder on the Sacred River by Tasha Alexander - This is the newest book in the Lady Emily series which I've been enjoying. (Publisher)

Murder, She Wrote: Murder Most Trivial by Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early - I've read one other MSW book by this author and really had fun with it so I'm excited to pick this one up.  (Publisher)

Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe - I've been loving cozy fantasy and this is a princess stuck in a bookstore so what's not to love? (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  The Lost Book of First Loves by RaeAnne Thayne and A Ghastly Catastrophe by Deanna Raybourn

Listening:  The Scrooge Conspiracy by Anna Elliott and Charles Veley - This is the last book in this series and I'll be sad to see this end.

Slow Read:  The Queen Who Came In From the Cold by S.J. Bennett

This was a long week - nothing really terrible or a big deal but just lots of little grinding details.  I've just felt like I'm dragging all week.  I'm hoping to get some solid sleep this weekend and then feel more energized feeling for the week ahead. 

Have a great week and happy reading!

Death and the Dancing Footman - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death and the Dancing Footman by Ngaio Marsh

Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  The party's over when murder makes an entrance...

With the notion of bringing together the most bitter of enemies for his own amusement, a bored, mischievous millionaire throws a house party. As a brutal snowstorm strands the unhappy guests, the party receives a most unwelcome visitor: death. Now the brilliant inspector Roderick Alleyn must step in to decipher who at the party is capable of cold-blooded murder...

Genre: Mystery - Classic
 
Why I Picked This Book:   I'm slowly reading my way through the Ngaio Marsh books and this was the next one on my shelf.

My Impression: While this is technically an Inspector Alleyn book he really doesn't show up until the last quarter.  Before that it is just the guest list of a house party designed to be absolutely awful with guests who all hate each other, a famous playwright who is a bit of an outsider, and a host who is joyfully pulling the strings.  Until things take a much more serious tone.  

This was a good and enjoyable mystery.  The victim was a surprise and there seems to be no opportunity for anyone to have been the killer.  The dancing footman is in fact pivotal to the investigation which is kind of fun.  I love an isolated house party mystery and in this one not only are they in an out of the way house but they are trapped by a blizzard and generally miserable weather.  I did guess a little bit of the how but there were still a lot of surprises in the unraveling.  Alleyn has a nice presence - just enough to put all the pieces together but not so much where he becomes the focus of the story.

I've found Marsh to be a bit inconsistent but this book and the previous book (Overture to Death) I read by her have both been so much fun.  I'm looking forward to reading more from her.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  I'm looking forward to my next book by her and getting the rest of the Marsh books I don't have.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes!  It's a fun classic mystery.

Friday Fives - Five Upcoming Releases I'm Really Excited About

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm looking through the next couple of months and picking books I'm really excited to read.

1.  Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict - I have really enjoyed what I've read by this author and I'm fascinated by Egyptology so this looks like it can't miss.

2.  The Faraway Inn by Sarah Beth Durst - I have really loved the previous two books in this series and I loved the character when she appeared in the previous book.

3.  Rialto by Kate Milford - I've read a few books in this author's Greenglass House series which I enjoyed so I'm curious about this one.

4.  The Midnight Train by Matt Haig - I listened to The Midnight Library back a month or two ago and was really surprised with how much I enjoyed it.  

5.  It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell - I really like Jewell's books and this one looks really intriguing.  

What new releases are you looking forward to reading?

Books from the Backlog - The Simplicity of Cider

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert

Blurb:  Focused and unassuming fifth generation cider-maker Sanna Lund has one desire: to live a simple, quiet life on her family’s apple orchard in Door County, Wisconsin. Although her business is struggling, Sanna remains fiercely devoted to the orchard, despite her brother’s attempts to convince their aging father to sell the land.
Single dad Isaac Banks has spent years trying to shield his son Sebastian from his troubled mother. Fleeing heartbreak at home, Isaac packed up their lives and the two headed out on an adventure, driving across the country. Chance—or fate—led them straight to Sanna’s orchard.

Isaac’s helping hands are much appreciated at the apple farm, even more when Sanna’s father is injured in an accident. As Sanna’s formerly simple life becomes increasingly complicated, she finds solace in unexpected places—friendship with young Sebastian and something more deliciously complex with Isaac—until an outside threat infiltrates the farm.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  This has been on my TBR since it came out and it sounds delightful.  

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti by Jennifer Probst

At the beginning of the year, I made a list of authors that I've been saying I need to read and commit to reading at least one book by each of the authors in 2026.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti by Jennifer Probst

Blurb:  Priscilla, Devon, and Bailey haven't been close in years, but when the sisters are forced to come together to settle their mother's estate, they discover a secret. In an old trunk, they happen upon ownership papers for a house on the Amalfi Coast, along with a love letter to their mother from an anonymous man, promising to meet her in Italy during the summer of her sixty-fifth birthday.
Now they're questioning everything they knew about her history. In order to get answers about the woman they thought they knew, they'll have to go back to where it all started. The sisters embark on a trip to the stunning cliffside village of Positano, Italy, to track down the mysterious ex-lover, and figure out who their mother really was.

As Priscilla, Devon, and Bailey unearth the truth, they also experience the magic of Italy, the power of sisterly love, a little unexpected romance, and newfound hope for the future.

My Thoughts:  I really enjoyed this book.  I'm only child so of course I love books involving sisters and this really focused on relationships. Nothing is unicorns and rainbows between the sisters in general and in their personal lives.  They are very different women with different looking outlooks on life and finding common ground does not come easily to any of them but the results are worth it.  Pris was probably my favorite character and seeing her come to terms with her life and figuring out what she really wanted was really enjoyable.  I loved the Italian setting and the food mentions.  I enjoyed The search for the mysterious R but honestly that was secondary compared to the sisters themselves.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author and more of her books set in Italy.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books For Armchair Traveling on My TBR

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is Books For Armchair Traveling.  Here are ten books from my TBR that I hope take me traveling very soon.W 

1.  The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon - Post-war Spain.  Probably not the best vacation destination but it does sound interesting.

2.  Our Italian Summer by Jennifer Probst - I could use a vacation to Italy about now.

3.  The Memory of Lavendar and Sage by Aimee K. Runyan - I also wouldn't turn down a trip to Lavender fields in Southern France.

4.  Peach Tea Smash by Laura Childs - Charleston, South Carolina is always a lovely place to visit but do avoid themed tea related events as there is usually a dead body.

5.  Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson - Iceland is really high on my To Visit list.   The book is probably a bit more murder-y and bleak than I'd like my visit to be but I'm willing to take some chances!

6.  The Enchanted Hacienda by J.C. Cervantes - This one has very mixed reviews but a visit to magical house in Mexico doesn't sound bad.

7.  Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey - A coastal island in North Carolina sounds like a perfect vacation right now.

8.  The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen - Bowen always does a fantastic job making her settings come to life and I've always wanted to go to Venice.

9.  What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand - I've been to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and loved it so I imagine I would also love St. John.  Plus, it seems like it'd be warm and I'm currently very cold.

10. One Summer in Paris by Sarah Morgan - Back to France but this time to Paris!

What books are on your armchair travel list?

Book Buying Habits Tag

I found this Book Buying Habits Tag over at Zeezee With Books who got it from the creator, Booktuber Megan Olivier, who doesn't seem to be active anymore.  I thought it looked fun and a bit different from what I usually see.

Where Do You Buy Your Books?

A mix of places.  I try and visit my local bookstores - an indie, Barnes and Noble, and a couple of different used bookstores regularly because I want them all to stay in business.  I also use thriftbooks and occasionally Amazon as well.

Do You Ever Preorder Books, and if So Do You Do This Online or In-Store?

Very rarely and when I do I typically preorder online because I'm lazy.

On average, how many books a month do you buy?  

I'd say maybe 5 a month though I tend to run pretty feast or famine.  Sometimes I'm buying books by the dozen and then I might go a month or two without buying any or only one or two.  I'm trying to read more from my shelves and from the library this year so that number may drop.

Do you use your local library?

Yes!  I love my library and use it regularly.  It's easy to get books transferred from other branches to the one closest to me and right now I have 4 books on the way.  I especially use the audio programs (both Libby and Hoopla) and get a lot of cookbooks from them as well.   The website will also store lists and you can categorize them and I spend WAY to much time doing that!

If so - how many books can you/do you borrow at a time?

I think the cap for physical books might be 30 but I tend to borrow around 5 at a time - inclduing cookbooks.  For audio I think the limit might be 10 but I'm one at a time there so it doesn't really matter.

What is your opinion on library books

Love them! Especially cookbooks.  My only issue is when a book is really bulky it's not a good book to read in bed or in the bath but that's not really library book specific.

How do you feel about second-hand books?

For the most part I love them though I have had a few that smelled really strongly of smoke or mold and those don't even come in the house.   I haven't had that issue in a longtime though but it happened occasionally when I was doing paperbackswap.com years ago.

Do you keep your read and TBR pile together/on the same shelf or not?

Not really.  I don't keep that many of my read books but when I do they're usually separate from the books I'm going to read.

Do you plan to read all the books you own?

That's the plan and I also plan to read all the books on my library lists and all the new ones that catch my eye and I'm not stopping shopping anytime soon.  I'm not sure how realistic of a plan it is but it is the plan!

What do you do with books you own that you feel you'll never read/felt you didn't enjoy?

Typically once I finish a book I'll trade it in to one of the used bookstores for credit.  If it's not something I think they'll take I'll usually donate it or give it to someone I think will like it.  I don't keep the majority of the books I've read unless I feel like I'll reread them or they're special for whatever reason.  I'm not great about admitting I won't read something but when I do it's usually the same result.

Have you ever donated books?

Sometimes but usually not unless the library is taking donations.

Have you ever been on a book-buying ban?

Not really - at least not an official one.  My focus sometimes changes to reading my own books so I take a break from buying but then sometimes I really want to go buy books.

Do you feel that you buy too many books?

No.  As long as I have shelf space I'm not going to worry about it!

What are your book buying/library habits?

This Week in Reading - February 15

 

It's Sunday Post time!  This is hosted by the awesome Caffeinated Book Reviewer and gives us all a chance to recap our week.

What I Got:

A Neighbor's Guide to Murder by Louise Candlish

When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams 

Currently:

Reading:  The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti by Jennifer Probst and Booking for Trouble by Jenn McKinlay

Slow Read:  The Queen Who Came in From the Cold by S.J. Bennett

Listening:  The Judas Monk Murders by Anna Elliott and Charles Veley

Watching:  I've been watching Chase Bridges try to solve the mystery of Pretty Little Liars on YouTube.  I've never watched Pretty Little Liars and have no desire to watch the show but I have completely fallen down the rabbit hole here.  I love his channel and watching him try to solve the mysteries of various TV shows.

It's been a fairly quiet week which was very much needed.  I've really enjoyed the bulk of the reading I've done this year so focusing on reading what I love seems to be working.  I'm also working on my 26 in 2026 list.  Right now the goal is to finally learn how to eat with chopsticks - next up make a roulade.

Have a great week and happy reading!

Murder at Hazelmoor - Classic Mystery Review

 Goodreads: Murder at Hazelmoor (also published as The Sittaford Mystery) by Agatha Christie

Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  M-U-R-D-E-R. It began as an innocent parlor game intended to while away the hours on a bitter winter night. But the message that appeared before the amateur occultists snowbound at the Sittaford House was spelled out as loud and clear as a scream. Of course, the notion that they had foretold doom was pure bunk. Wasn't it? And the discovery of a corpse was pure coincidence. Wasn't it? If they're to discover the answer to this baffling murder, perhaps they should play again. But a journey into the spirit world could prove terribly dangerous—especially when the killer is lurking in this one.

Genre:  Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book: This was the December pick for the 2025 Read Christie Challenge  

My Impression:  This is an interesting mystery with what seems to be an impossible murder.  A suspect is almost immediately arrested and charged but Emily, his fiancé, is convinced they have it wrong and with the help of a reporter, Charles, is determined to figure it out.  

While the murder is unique the setup for the investigation is one Christie uses occasionally - the scrappy girl investigator determined to prove someone innocent.  It's a fun one and this was a good mix of the old and the new - old Army colonels in a small English village and young bright independent people.  Throw in a blizzard, an escaped convict, and some seriously sketchy house guests and it makes for a solid enjoyable mystery. 

Side note - the Miss Marple episode featuring Geraldine McEwan under this title is completely bonkers and bears only the slightest resemblance to the book.  It does make for a fun watch though.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Of course!  I've already started the Read Christie Challenge for 2026

Would I Recommend this Book? Yes, definitely.  This is what I consider one of the mid-range mysteries.  It's not the most memorable but it's a solid read.

* I received this book in exchange for an honest review.  As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *

Friday Fives - Five Quick Reviews For Books I've Read Recently

I'm in a list making kind of mood so I thought I'd start making random five lists.  Sometimes they'll be bookish other weeks not so much. This week I'm sharing 5 quick reviews for books I've read recently.

1.  The Seventh Sinner by Elizabeth Peters - This is the first book in the Jacqueline Kirby series and I enjoyed it.  Jacqueline is a fun character who always manages to surprise the reader.  There's also an interesting cast of characters with a group of students from all of the world studying in Italy.  This isn't the most memorable read but it is a lot of fun and the audio is a good one.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

2.  Someone to Care by Mary Balogh - This is the 4th book in the Westcott series and focuses on the former Countess of Riverdale, Viola.  After the death of her husband the very proper Viola discovers that her husband was in fact not her husband and her children were illegitimate.  Everything she thought was real was a lie and she and her children are desperately trying to figure out their new futures.  I really enjoyed that this was a bit of a second chance romance with two older characters (she is 42, he is 39) who have some life experience.  While this is a romance and does focus on that there is also a lot of Viola trying to navigate her new life with her family and coming to terms with her feelings.  I really enjoyed this one and am looking forward to reading more of this series.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

3.  The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst - I read and absolutely loved the previous book in this series so I was so excited to pick this one up and was not disappointed.  This is a lovely story with lovely people and stunning sounding greenhouses.  Terlu was mentioned in the first book so I was thrilled to see her getting her own story.  She's such a sweet natured person and I loved her relationship with Yarrow and all the sentient plants as well as her increasing drive to save the greenhouse.  This is a fairly quiet story with lots of discussions, trial and error spellcasting, and exploring the greenhouses but I never felt like the story lagged.  The audio is wonderful and I highly recommend going that route if you are interested in this one.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

4.  The Murders of Mrs. Austin and Mrs. Beale by Jill McGown - This police procedural was published in the early 90s so there's a lack of reliance on cell phones and internet which makes for an interesting investigation.  Unfortunately, I didn't love this one.  The mystery is good and the connections are interesting with an interesting twist in the conclusion.  Unfortunately, I really didn't like any of the characters - especially the lead investigators - and the writing style just didn't work for me.  It felt so mired in details that I often missed big reveals.  By the end this was probably because I really didn't care.  This is the 4th in a series so it's possible I would have enjoyed it more if I knew the characters better but by the end of this book I didn't really want to know the characters better so I think I'm one and done with this series.  My Rating:  Just Okay (2 Stars)

5.  The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - I almost didn't read this one as the premise didn't appeal to me at all but then I saw some good reviews from people who have similar reading tastes so I added it to my Audio TBR jar - and then the jar told me it was time to read it.  I almost DNF'd it in at around 10% as I didn't care for Nora and I just didn't see how this premise was going to work but decided to keep going with it and pretty soon after I was absolutely hooked.  This is a unique premise beautifully executed with a main character who doesn't feel like anything is going right in her life.  As she spends time with in the Midnight Library and with all the different versions of herself she finds herself realizing what really matters in a way that is true to her.  I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this and I'm pleased to see there's a second book coming out in May.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - Letters From Paris

Today I'm linking up with Carole from Carole's Random Life of Books for Books from the Backlog.  I really enjoy the chance to feature a book that's been hiding in the piles of books for far too long!

Goodreads:  Letters From Paris by Juliet Blackwell

Blurb:  After surviving the accident that took her mother’s life, Claire Broussard has worked hard to escape her small Louisiana hometown. But these days she feels something is lacking. Abruptly leaving her lucrative job in Chicago, Claire returns home to care for her ailing grandmother. There, she unearths a beautiful piece of artwork that her great-grandfather sent home from Paris after World War II.
At her grandmother’s urging, Claire travels to Paris to track down the century-old mask-making atelier where the object, known only as “L’Inconnue”—or The Unknown Woman—was created. Under the watchful eye of a surly mask-maker, Claire discovers a cache of letters that offers insight into the life of the Belle Epoque woman immortalized in the work of art. As Claire explores the unknown woman’s tragic fate, she begins to unravel deeply buried secrets in her own life.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I really enjoy this author's standalones (and her cozy mysteries for that matter) and this one is really appealing to me right now.

Great Big Beautiful Life - Contemporary Fiction Review

Goodreads:  Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Rating:  Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)
Source:   Library

Description:  Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century.

When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game.

One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over.

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication.

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.

But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room.

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad… depending on who’s telling it.

Genre:  Fiction - Contemporary/Women's

Why I Picked This Book:  I really disliked one Emily Henry book (Happy Place) and really enjoyed another one (Funny Story) so I wanted a tie breaker and this one looked interesting.

My Impression:  This seems to be a love it or hate it book and I'm firmly on the love it side of things.  One caveat is that I listened to the audio which was read by Julia Whelan who is amazing but she also read Happy Place which I DNF'd so I don't think that influences my opinions too much.

This is the story of Margaret Ives as she narrates it to Alice Scott who is her potential biographer.  It's also the story of Alice and other potential biographer Hayden Anderson which is a very classic grumpy/Sunshine romance that focuses much more on the two characters getting to know each other than it does on spice.  This is very much my preference but if you're looking for all romance all the time you might be disappointed.  I was hooked on both the Alice/Hayden plot and the Margaret story and really enjoyed them both equally.  I really loved Alice who gets to know herself a bit more as she gets to know Hayden and Margaret more.  

One of the big complaints I saw on Goodreads was that it's too similar to The Seven Husbands of Eveyln Hugo by Tayor Jenkins Reid.  I've read that and really didn't find this to be the case.  The setup is similar with an older celebrity narrating a story to a younger biographer, but the two women have very different voices and very different stories.  Just because they're older women who are from Hollywood (adjacent in Margaret's case) doesn't mean they have the same story.  

This is a story with heart with characters who were maddening occasionally but were always characters I wanted to spend time with.  If you're going in just looking for a romance (or a mystery which for whatever reason this kind of got marketed as being) this might not be what you're looking for but if you're looking for a story about the relationship between people, I think you'll enjoy it. 

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Yes definitely!  I very much enjoyed this one and while I know not every book by this author will work for me, I'm looking forward to reading more from her.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes but with reservations.  This book doesn't seem to be for everyone and has gotten some fairly polarizing reviews but if your reading taste is at all similar to mine I think you'll enjoy it.

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Romances on My TBR

Today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl which is all about lists.  Since lists are one of my favorite things this is one of my favorite linkups!  Today's topic is a Love/Valentine's Freebie.  I'm kind of going the easy route and picking ten romances off my TBR.

1.  The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews - This is technically a reread but I read this before I realized it was part of a series and remember nothing about it.  I really liked the first book and want to revisit the characters in the second book. 

2.  Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis - This is the second book in the Animal Magnetism series set around an animal rescue/vet clinic in Idaho.  I'm looking forward to reading more from the characters.

3.  Snow Kissed by RaeAnne Thayne - I love Thayne's Christmas stories and this looks like a wonderful one.

4.  Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura - I do love an adventure story and that mixed in with a romance sounds fun.

5. Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage - I've heard good things about this series and I picked up the first one on audio.

6.  Flawless by Heather Graham - I love a good romantic suspense and Heather Graham writes some of my favorites.  

7.  Housebroke by Jaci Burton - I know nothing about this one but it looks fun.

8.  Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young - I've heard good things about this one and I really like that it's about a married couple reconnecting.

9.  The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. George - I've heard good things about this author and I've been in the mood for historical romances.

10. Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke - I've read and loved a couple of previous books by this author (and DNF'd a few as well) and this one looks good.

Do you have any romances on your TBR?

Reading What I Love - We'll Prescribe You a Cat

The last few years I've made a list of 10 books - 5 books off my shelf, 5 books from the library - that I'm really wanting to read.  There's no real rhyme or reason.  I just go through my library list and my shelves and pick the books that are calling to me.  My focus in 2026 is reading books I think I'll love - or at least really enjoy.

Goodreads:  We'll Prescribe You a Cat by Syou Ishida

Blurb:  Tucked away on the fifth floor of an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Nakagyō Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can be found only by people who are struggling in their lives and who genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, and occasionally challenging yet endearing cats.
Throughout these pages, the power of the human-animal bond is revealed as a disheartened businessman finds unexpected joy in physical labor, a middle-aged man struggles to stay relevant at work and home, a young girl navigates the complexities of elementary school cliques, a hardened handbag designer seeks emotional balance, and a geisha learns to move on from the memory of her lost cat. As the clinic’s patients grapple with their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope.

Why I think I'll love this one:  I have really enjoyed the Japanese cozy fiction I've read and the premise and cover of this one made me smile.

My Thoughts:  So the premise is fairly simple - a group of people who are dissatisfied by some aspect of their life one by one come to an out of the way mental health clinic.  There they are met by a cranky nurse, an unusual doctor and given a cat.  The results are interesting and at times unexpected and the cats are effective in different ways.   What made this book stand out from the other books I've read in this genre is the clinic itself.  There's something unusual about it and that takes a bit of time to get revealed.  This is a good slow pace read - one story at a time.  I enjoyed it and found it a calming and entertaining read.  I'm planning on picking up the next book in the series to see just what happens next.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)