Friday Fives - Five Books I've Recently DNF'd

I'm taking a bit of a break from my usual Friday Linkups to try something a little different.  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.   Today I'm talking about 5 books I DNF'd recently.  I'm not much of a DNFer but it's a habit I'm trying to get better as since it does me no good to unhappily trudge through a book.

1.  Go Ask Fannie by Elizabeth Hyde - This book really had me thinking about my reasoning for DNFing books.  It's been on my TBR for ages with a premise that sounds right up my alley.  I read about 100 pages of it and found the writing and pacing well done.  That said I was absolutely not enjoying reading it at all.  For starters all three siblings were rather dreadful.  I don't mind characters with flaws but the more I read the less I liked them and the less connected I felt with them which is not the direction I care to go. But I wasn't hating it so I was going to slog my way through it.  Then I had a sit down with myself and did some thinking.  This isn't a review book or a nonfiction book - this is supposed to be a fun read and I am very much an escapist reader.  With that in mind  -what is the benefit for making myself finish a book I'm not enjoying?  And with that I put this one down and picked up a book that I enjoyed much more!  DNF'd Page 107

2.  All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall - This is a dystopian novel that takes place after the glaciers melt.  The weather has become very unstable and Nonie who is a young teenager is trying to survive with her family   This isn't my usual type of book but I thought I would give it a try as the premise did sound interesting.  Unfortunately, the author's writing style never clicked with me.  Nonie's narration felt emotionally distant from even the most dramatic events that happened which made it impossible for me to connect with what was happening.  From the posted reviews it looked like while there were people who loved the book and found the writing style the readers who found it boring found it boring all the way through to the end.  DNF'd Page 93

3.  Accused by Lisa Scottoline - I picked up the audio from the library as I've been interested in reading something by this author for some time.  The mystery is a bit unusual as a suspect has already been tried and convicted but the victim's 13 year old sister isn't convinced the right guy is sitting in jail.   The concept of the book about whether the client can be trusted and what really happened in this case was an interesting one.  However, the primary character, attorney Mary DiNunzio, was hard to warm up to and it was difficult to believe she had made partner in a big law firm as it didn't seem like she could make a major decision to save her life.  Her family drove me crazy and I just didn't care to keep them all straight.  After a little while I realized I just didn't care about any of the characters or how it turned out.  This wasn't terrible but wasn't for me.  DNF'd 37% (audio)

4.  Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy - This isn't a permanent DNF but it is a reminder that while I'm not really a mood reader there are sometimes when my mood does impact my enjoyment of a book.  I've been teetering on the edge of a reading slump due to just a frantically busy schedule.  This book is character packed and slow paced with some truly dreadful characters.  I think I will enjoy it as a slow read at a later time but as a regular read when I'm exhausted and distracted it just didn't work.  Instead of forcing myself through it and probably sliding into a full on slump I've put this down and will maybe pick it up again in few months.  Soft DNF'd Page 61

5.  Renegade by Marissa Meyer - If this had been a standalone I probably would have finished it.  The writing style and world building were pretty good, and I liked the characters enough to see where the story went.  However, it's a trilogy and when it really came down to it I decided I wasn't interested enough to make it through 3 books.  If you're a super hero/YA urban fantasy fan I think this would be an interesting and enjoyable series.  This has been on my TBR list since it first came out as I did enjoy the first two books in the Lunar Chronicles but I think when it comes down for it this world just isn't for me.  DNF'd 29%

Books from the Backlog - The Life She Wants

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 Life She Wants by Robyn Carr

Blurb:  In the aftermath of her financier husband's suicide, Emma Shay Compton's dream life is shattered. Richard Compton stole his clients' life savings to fund a lavish life in New York City and, although she was never involved in the business, Emma bears the burden of her husband's crimes. She is left with nothing.
Only one friend stands by her, a friend she's known since high school, who encourages her to come home to Sonoma County. But starting over isn't easy, and Sonoma is full of unhappy memories, too. And people she'd rather not face, especially Riley Kerrigan.

Riley and Emma were like sisters—until Riley betrayed Emma, ending their friendship. Emma left town, planning to never look back. Now, trying to stand on her own two feet, Emma can't escape her husband's reputation and is forced to turn to the last person she thought she'd ever ask for help—her former best friend. It's an uneasy reunion as both women face the mistakes they've made over the years. Only if they find a way to forgive each other—and themselves—can each of them find the life she wants.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I started this years ago when it first came out and was enjoying it but had to put it up to read something else and never got back to it.  I would really like to actually finish this at some point!

Ghost Business - Paranormal Romance Review

Goodreads:  Ghost Business (Boneyard Key #2) by Jen DeLuca

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

Description: Boneyard Key, Florida, is the only home Sophie has ever known. Her love for its supernatural history has flourished into a career, as she guides the one and only ghost tour through the town’s can’t-miss haunted spots. And while her bank account isn’t full by any means, her heart is. Or at least, it was.

But there's a newcomer in town. The son of a Fortune 500 businessman, former theater kid Tristan has grown his tours from a fraternity fundraiser to a multicity ghost tour conglomerate. It’s doing well, but not well enough—if he can’t prove that he’s solidly in the black by the fall, Dad’s going to pull his funding, spelling the end of his career. Boneyard Key, with its haunted reputation, seems like the perfect place to boost his bottom line.

When the two ghost tours clash, Sophie’s expletive-filled rant goes viral, and the rivals strike up a deal. Whoever has the most successful business by summer’s end stays, while the loser must ghost. But the more Tristan comes to appreciate Boneyard Key, the more Sophie comes to appreciate Tristan, and what starts as begrudging respect becomes something spicier. Can they put their feuding businesses aside to make room for a chance at love, or is Boneyard Key too small for two ghost tours?

Genre: Romance - Paranormal

Why I Picked This Book:  I really enjoyed the first book so I was looking forward to this second book.

My Impression:  I love the community of Boneyard Key.  Between the ghosts, the community, and the history that is such a big part of life in the book.  Sophie is a great character.  She's a hard worker, a local with strong connections around her, and a true love for what she does.  I also really liked seeing past characters from the previous book both main and side characters as well as reading about how the events of the first book impacted the lore around town.  

DeLuca's writing style really works for me.  The pacing is good and her characters jump off the page.  There's a sense of humor woven throughout of the scenes that I really enjoy.  This is very much a case of it's not you it's me with this book.  I'm just not a fan of most enemies to lovers tropes and I really don't love the main characters in competition - especially when there is so much at stake.  As well, in this situation there is a character who is well established in town and the other character is coming in by their own choice and trying to disrupt the first character's business.   I've read another book with a similar plot this year and in both books I find it really hard to root for a relationship between the two characters - no matter how good they might be for each other and how much I like them.  I think it is safe to say that this particular trope does not work for me but if it isn't one of your issues I think that you'll really love this one.  

There's a lot to enjoy here.  The setting is fantastic, the characters are fun and who doesn't enjoy a good ghost-y book?  The fact that this story contained one of my least favorite tropes and I still enjoyed it is a good sign.   I can't wait to read more from this author.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would!  While this wasn't my favorite I really enjoy this author's characters and writing style and am looking forward to reading more from her.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Yes, with reservations.  If, like me, you're not a fan of this trope this may not be your favorite.  That said I really recommend reading the first one and I bet you won't be able to resist picking this one up.

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

Top Ten Tuesday - Villains from Films

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 Villains freebie.  Very few of my books tend to have villains - murders, yes but not characters I would really consider villains but when it comes to movies I love a good villain.  Here are 10 of my favorites from movies.

1.  Humperdinck (played by Chris Sarandon) from The Princess Bride - Is there any villain slimier than Prince Humperdinck?

2.  Gregory Anton (played by Charles Boyer) in Gaslight - This whole film gives me chills and is really an astonishingly astute depiction of emotional abuse and cruelty.  Boyer places the role to perfection and it's Angela Lansbury's debut film which is also a big plus.

3.  Cruella de Vil (voiced by Betty Lou Gerson) in the 1961 version of 101 Dalmatians - She wants to skin puppies to make a coat.  Not only is she incredibly evil but she is also incredibly ineffective and unorganized.  

4.  Dr. Herman Einstein (played by Peter Laurie) in Arsenic and Old Lace - Peter Laurie plays just the creepiest characters and he is just terrifying in this one.   The movie itself is hilarious in a bit of a twisted way but anytime Laurie is on screen there is a decided mood shift.

5.  The Queen of Hearts (voiced by Verna Felton) in the 1951 version of Alice in Wonderland - She is absolutely unhinged and I love the movie and her with my whole heart.

6.  The Wicked Witch of the West (played by Margaret Hamilton) in The Wizard of Oz - She's such an iconic villain I couldn't leave her off the list.  I've read a number of interviews with her and she seems like she was an absolutely delightful woman with a fantastic sense of humor.  She (and her stunt double) were both severely injured during filming and after this movie she refused to do any films with fireworks.

7.  Mr. Potter (played by Lionel Barrymore) in It's a Wonderful Life - Oh he's just the worst.  Not only is he mean but he is sneaky and dishonest and petty.

8.  Cody Jarrett (played by James Cagney) in White Heat - The movie is a bit cheesy but Cagney created the film gangster in this movie so it has to be mentioned - also Virginia Mayo is stunning.

Book/Movie Villains

9.  Josie Pye (played by Miranda de Pencier in the 1985 version) in Anne of Green Gables - Josie Pye is one of my least favorite fictional characters.  I don't want her to have a redemption arc or really anything redeeming.  I want her to have a comeuppance and stay there!  And that goes for both book and film version.

10. Mrs. Danvers (played by Judith Anderson) in Rebecca - I'm not afraid of many people but Mrs. Danvers terrifies me.  The scene where she talks the unnamed main character into wearing a particular costume is perhaps the cruelest action of any fictional character ever.  She just radiates malice in all forms.

Who are some of your favorite villains?  

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer - Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Mysterious Case of the Missing Crime Writer by Ragnar Jonasson

Rating: Just Okay (2.5 Stars)
Source:   Publisher

Description:  One winter evening bestselling crime author, Elín S. Jónsdóttir goes missing.

There are no clues to her disappearance and it is up to young detective, Helgi, to crack the case before it's leaked to the press.

As he interviews the people closest to her – a publisher, an accountant, a retired judge – he realises that Elín’s life wasn’t what it seemed. In fact, her past is even stranger than her stories.

As the case of the missing crime writer becomes more mysterious by the hour, Helgi must uncover the secrets of a very unexpected life . . .

Genre:  Mystery

Why I Picked This Book:  I've heard good things about this author and the premise caught my eye.

My Impression:  I haven't read many books set Iceland and I was pleasantly surprised to find this to be a more straightforward mystery than a dark noir-y story.  Helgi is a detective who adores reading - especially Golden Age detective stories and I loved the bookish references.   There are three major plot points running through the story - the missing writer, the story of a police detective who went missing a number of years prior, and Helgi's personal life involving his girlfriend and his incredibly toxic ex.  All three have fairly equal page time though only one is truly resolved at the end.

This was a fairly quick read with an even pace.  Unfortunately, it didn't quite work for me.  I don't know if it was the translation or the writing style but I found it fairly clunky and while there was progress made in each story I found I just didn't fully care about any of it.  As well, there's an interview sprinkled throughout the story that didn't quite fit and while it did make sense by the end it wasn't enough of an ah-ha moment for me to really care.  

This is a series with more multi-book plots than the usual mystery series and the storyline involving Helgi's personal life ends with a bit of cliffhanger.  Unfortunately, because of my lack of connection to the story or the characters I have very little interest in continuing with the series.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?   Probably not.  I did enjoy the feel of the story but the lack of connection doesn't have me wanting to spend more time with Helgi.

Would I Recommend this Book?  Not really though it is fairly popular so I may be the odd one out.  If you are curious about the series I would recommend starting with a different book.

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

Monthly Reading Recap - August 2025

Monthly Reading Total: 17 - I feel like I'm slowly getting back into my reading groove which is nice.  I've missed being able to sink into a book.

Type:

Print: 7

Ebook:  5

Audio: 5

Genre:

Mystery - 10

Fiction - 3

Romance - 1

Nonfiction: 3

Favorite Books of the Month:

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center - This was absolutely adorable and such a good listen.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews - This cozy mystery series is bonkers in the best way and this was a fun addition.

Bookish Armchair Travel

Domestic: I visited Idaho and Georgia for the first time this month and revisited Virginia (twice), California (three times), New York, North Carolina, and Ohio

International Travel: I visited England (three times), Ireland, and France

How was your reading in August?  Where did your books take you?

Friday Fives - September TBR

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. Since this is the first Friday in September I'm planning my September TBR.

1.  Ghost Business Jen DeLuca - I enjoyed the first book in this series and am looking forward to seeing how what happens next on Boneyard Key.

2.  Heir and Graces by Rhys Bowen - This is the next in the Royal Spyness series.

3.  Wild Ride by Hayley Arceneaux - This has been on my Priority Reads list and since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this seems like the time time to read it.

4.  Every Single Secret by Christina Dodd - This is a fun romantic suspense series and this should be a nice bit of escapist reading.

5.  The Collector's Apprentice by B.A. Shapiro - The blurb on this one caught my eye literally years ago so I snapped it up and then let it sit on my shelves.

What are you planning on reading this month?

Books from the Backlog - Year One

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:  Year One by Nora Roberts

Blurb:   The sickness came on suddenly, and spread quickly. The fear spread even faster. Within weeks, everything people counted on began to fail them. The electrical grid sputtered; law and government collapsed--and more than half of the world's population was decimated.
Where there had been order, there was now chaos. And as the power of science and technology receded, magic rose up in its place. Some of it is good, like the witchcraft worked by Lana Bingham, practicing in the loft apartment she shares with her lover, Max. Some of it is unimaginably evil, and it can lurk anywhere, around a corner, in fetid tunnels beneath the river--or in the ones you know and love the most.

As word spreads that neither the immune nor the gifted are safe from the authorities who patrol the ravaged streets, and with nothing left to count on but each other, Lana and Max make their way out of a wrecked New York City. At the same time, other travelers are heading west too, into a new frontier. Chuck, a tech genius trying to hack his way through a world gone offline. Arlys, a journalist who has lost her audience but uses pen and paper to record the truth. Fred, her young colleague, possessed of burgeoning abilities and an optimism that seems out of place in this bleak landscape. And Rachel and Jonah, a resourceful doctor and a paramedic who fend off despair with their determination to keep a young mother and three infants in their care alive.

In a world of survivors where every stranger encountered could be either a savage or a savior, none of them knows exactly where they are heading, or why. But a purpose awaits them that will shape their lives and the lives of all those who remain.

The end has come. The beginning comes next.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I skipped this one when it came but I've read several of Roberts more fantasy/paranormal books lately and enjoyed them.  I feel like I need to give this trilogy a try.

Reading For Fun - The Kamogawa Food Detectives

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.  Here is one that I've read recently.

Goodreads:  The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai

Blurb:  What’s the one dish you’d do anything to taste just one more time?
Down a quiet backstreet in Kyoto exists a very special restaurant. Run by Koishi Kamogawa and her father Nagare, the Kamogawa Diner serves up deliciously extravagant meals. But that’s not the main reason customers stop by . . .

The father-daughter duo are ‘food detectives’. Through ingenious investigations, they are able to recreate dishes from a person’s treasured memories – dishes that may well hold the keys to their forgotten past and future happiness. The restaurant of lost recipes provides a link to vanished moments, creating a present full of possibility.

My Thoughts: This was a lovely read.  I really enjoy this format of essentially connected short stories with the same "food detectives" and setting but a different main character with their own story.  I found the details of the food fascinating but not as fascinating as the details of the investigation - and why this particular person wanted this particular dish.  This was a quiet read that I really enjoyed and am looking forward to reading more from this author.  My Rating: Loved It (4.75 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books with Occupations in the Title

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 with Occupations in the Title.   This was hard!  I had to search through all my booklists to find ten titles.

1.  The Last Bookaneer by Matthew Pearl -  While not complimentary a bookaneer was actually what the called book pirates and forgers in the nineteenth century which I found really interesting.

2.  The Coroner by Jennifer Dombush 

3.  Radio Girls by Sarah Jane Stratford

4.  A Nun in the Closet by Dorothy Gilman 

5.  The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel

6.  The Thief Knot by Kate Milford

7.  The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton

8.  The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper

9.  The Housekeepers by Alex Hay

10. The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams 

Do you have books on your shelf or on your TBR with occupations in the title?

Death in the Countryside - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: Death in the Countryside by Maira Malone

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

Description:  Sergeant Ali Wren has recently returned to her charming Yorkshire hometown of Heft, accompanied by her trusty canine companion Officer PD Wilson, a Springer Spaniel with a nose for trouble. Together they are the police force quietly serving the town.

When Brian, an older resident, reports his wife, Melody, missing, Ali at first suspects a routine case. Melody, tired of playing dutiful wife to an inattentive husband, may simply have left. But suspicion soon begins to mount when it emerges that Brian’s first wife died under tragic circumstances and Ali uncovers evidence of Melody’s recent puzzling behavior.

Genre: Mystery 

Why I Picked This Book:   Honestly, the dog on the cover completely sold it and I can't resist the first book in a new mystery series.

My Impression:  I thoroughly enjoyed this read.  It's somewhere between a cozy and a straightforward mystery with a small-town police officer and her working dog Wilson.  There was a certain old-fashioned flavor to this one that reminded me a little of Agatha Christie or Ngaio Marsh with a lot of village business and a slow reveal of the mystery. 

Ali has quite a lot going on.  She's the sole police officer in a little town where the residents don't have many boundaries when it comes to involving her in their squabbles.  With all of that she's pulled in a million different directions all the time.  When Brian, an older reserved resident reports his wife, Melody, missing Ali at first dismisses it as a woman running from a bat situation.  But as the investigation continues the clues seem to be pointing in two separate directions and Ali suspects there are things that Brian isn't telling her.

This was a solid mystery with a likable main character and a fabulous dog sidekick.  It's not the fastest paced read but I enjoyed the slower unraveling that reminded me a bit of the classic mysteries I really love.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This was just a delight and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?   If you enjoy the classic mystery feel this is a must read.

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

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie

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

Description:  Even the great detective Hercule Poirot harbored a deep and abiding fear of the dentist, so it was with some trepidation that he arrived at the celebrated Dr. Morley’s surgery for a dental examination. But what neither of them knew was that only hours later Poirot would be back to examine the dentist, found dead in his own surgery.

Turning to the other patients for answers, Poirot finds other, darker, questions.…

Also, published as The Patriotic Murders and An Overdose of Death

Genre: Mystery - Classic 

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

My Impression:  This is one of those Christie hidden gems.  It's not a book that gets a lot of attention and it isn't one I remember when listing my favorite Christie books.  When I saw this one on the list I couldn't even remember which one it is (I always get it confused with another nursery rhyme title - Pocket Full of Rye).  

When I picked this one I was quickly pulled in as a number of very different characters prepare to go to the dentist.  The mystery unravels pretty quickly and I flew through this book.  I really enjoyed Christie's twists and turns and her clever little plot points.  I wasn't sure just how the book would turn out until the very end and I had all kinds of theories.  

This is an interesting lesser known Christie with some good twists and an interesting ending.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?   Absolutely!  Christie is one of my favorite authors and I'm already looking forward to the September Read Christie book.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would!  This is an interesting mystery with a cleverly intricate plot.

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.   After Dark by Jayne Castle - I've read the most recent few books in this series and enjoyed them so I decided to go back to the beginning.  This book was exactly what I expected it to be - light and fun with some paranormal shenanigans.  I liked the main characters - Lydia and Emmett.  They do a good job working together even if they don't trust each other and their communication is pretty good.  The story is the typical Jayne Castle story in the Harmony world.  It's not the most memorable but it is a fun read.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

2.  Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts - This was a reread for me but there's been at least a decade if not more since the first time I read it so I didn't remember much about it.  The main characters are likable, intelligent and both have more than enough trauma.  Eli's is brought up right away as he was accused and still suspected of murdering his estranged wife but it takes a bit longer to get to know about Abra's past.  The romance was believable and I really enjoyed the family elements of the story.  There's a good suspense element that I really enjoyed as well.  This was a fun romantic suspense with characters I found easy to root for.  I'm glad I picked it up for a reread!  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

3.  The Postcard by Anne Berest - I wasn't fully sure what to expect when I picked this one up but ended up really enjoying - especially the first half.  The story of the Rabinovitch family pre and during WWII is heartbreaking and interesting.  Ephraim's actions were not always likable and were frequently frustrating but I understood his thinking and found it to be a different perspective of a story that I've read a number of times.  When the focus shifted mostly to Myriam it did lose me a bit - especially involving her post-war marriage.  I would have rated the first part of the book a 5 star but the second half was more of a 3.5 stars.  The last chapter did redeem it for me mostly and I'm really glad I read this.  My Rating:  4.5 Stars

4.  Unsolved Crimes: Infamous Cases That Have Puzzled the Greatest Minds by Sarah Herman - This was an interesting nonfiction book on unsolved mysteries.  The crimes span from the early 20th century until the early 2000s and cover everything from murders and serial killers to terrorism to heists and missing people.  There were a number of cases I had heard of but even more that were new to me.  Each story is just a few pages long and gives a good nutshell summary.  There are several cases that I'd love to look more into and plan on researching more.  I could also see using this book in my homeschool curriculum for my high school student.  The material is presented in an accurate but not gruesome fashion and would be an interesting addition to a modern history curriculum.  I enjoyed the read myself and will look for more from this author in the future.  My Rating: 

5.  All the Stars in the Heavens by Adriana Trigiani - This was the first book I've read by the author and I definitely will be reading more by her.  I really liked her ability to bring characters to life.  Loretta Young is an actress I know very little about.  I know the name and I'm sure I've seen a few of her movies but she's just not one I know much about - other than the story of some of the events that occur in this book.  I had some issues with the story and the almost hero worship of one of the characters based off what a recent interview has disclosed and just his overall actions in the book.  Overall, I did enjoy the listening experience and am looking forward to reading another book by this author even though this story wasn't a home run for me.  My Rating: Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

Books from the Backlog - The Dark Root

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 Dark Root by Archer Mayor

Blurbs:  A brutal home invasion shocks Brattleboro's small Asian community, but no one's talking. Undeterred, Joe Gunther digs deeper and discovers a cross-border smuggling route carrying drugs, contraband, and illegal aliens into and out of Canada. Operating below the radar for years, competition between underworld rivals is bringing it into the light with deadly consequences. International jurisdiction is a complicated thing, and Gunther will have to collaborate with the FBI, the Border Patrol and the Mounties in the pursuit of justice.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf - I have a number of books from this series on my shelf but haven't read the bulk of them.  I really need to get reading so I can clear some room!

What I'm Reading - August 27

I always have a few books going.  Here is what I'm reading and what I'm thinking about them.

Print Book:

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe by Agatha Christie - I just started this one (it's the August pick for the Read Christie Challenge) it's a reread but one I always enjoy.

Ebook:

Death in the Countryside by Maria Malone - I have been really enjoying this one.  It's been a nice surprise.

Audio Book:

Not a Happy Family by Shari Lapena - I've been wanting to read this author for awhile and I'm enjoying this audio though all the characters are terrible people.

Slow Read:  

How to Keep House While Drowning by K.C. Davis - This has been interesting and while I'm not exactly the target audience I do like the de-moralizing of certain tasks. 

What are you reading today?

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Non-Bookish Favorites

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 non-bookish freebie so I'm listing ten of my (non-bookish) favorite things.

1.  Baking - I've reorganized my office and made it where my cookbooks are easier to access and organized which has really reminded me just how much I love baking. 

2.  Smoothies - I've been obsessed with smoothies lately and have been keeping my blender busy and having one once a day.  My current recipe is a frozen banana, a cup of frozen fruit (strawberry is the current winner), a cup of spinach, 1/2 cup high protein yogurt, 1/2 cup orange juice, and 1 scoop of protein.  I'd probably have this easily 2 meals out of 3

3.  Podcasts - For years audiobooks have beat out podcasts but lately podcasts have been getting some time.  My current favorites are DNA:ID (true crime), From the Front Porch (bookish), and How Did This Get Made (bad movie commentary) but there are a lot in the running.

4.  Agatha Christie stuff - I stumbled upon an endcap at Barnes and Noble not that long ago that was filled with Agatha Christie merch - there's book cover notecards, notebooks with the book covers on them, pens, and a reading journal as well as a whole bunch more.  I've been loving using my "One of my names is Nemesis" pin and my "The Body in the Library" notebook.

5.  Candles - I love a good scented candle and lately my favorite have been candles themed to locations (mostly Disney but there have been others) or books and movies.

6.  Dog Training - After an injury at the beginning of the year I've fully gotten back into dog training.  I had never really taken a break from teaching but had taken a break from working with my own dog but now that I'm back to 100% I'm back into it and really enjoying it.  

6.  Trying new restaurants - Lately I've been  keeping an eye on opening restaurants and using the Open Table and Resy apps and we've been trying all the new restaurants I can find.  I've really enjoyed trying all the new stuff and we've discovered some new favorites.

7.  Universal Yums - This is a subscription box that sends you snacks from a specific country every month and it's been so fun.  The August box was Indonesia and I really enjoyed most of the snacks though was not a big fan of the drink.

8.  Frozen grapes - I love grapes but they always go bad before I finish them so I started freezing them (not a new concept I know) and have 

9.  Sandwiches of History on YouTube - This guy makes a different sandwich every day from a recipe found from some time in the past.  There are some of the strangest combinations and it's so fun to watch.  He's got a fun attitude and I always enjoy hearing his thoughts on the creations.

10. Water enchancers - I've been trying to drink more water but it's so boring.  I love adding a little drop of flavoring and have had a good time combing different flavors.  Mio is my current favorite brand.

What are some of your favorite non-bookish things?

A Moment's Shadow - Historical Mystery Review

Goodreads:  A Moment's Shadow (Verity Kent #8) by Anna Lee Huber

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

Description:  August 1920, Dublin, A fraught task keeps Verity and her husband Sidney in the country after their initial clandestine mission has been the traitor Lord Ardmore is scheming to employ the deadly phosgene gas he’s stolen for some terrifying purpose, and the couple will need both the Crown forces and the rebels’ help to thwart him.

As they pursue their quarry, they are drawn into a case involving a series of cunning and brazen jewel thefts. Many believe it is the work of the Irish rebels, seeking to fund their revolution, but when Verity and Sidney are also approached by Michael Collins and the IRA to unmask the thief, they suspect he may instead be an opportunist using the political unrest as a cover for his crimes.

As the thief continues to pull ever more risky jobs—including targeting Verity and their friends—the couple receive new intelligence that the gas they seek may be intended for a crowded event, one that the entire world will be attuned to. They must stop Lord Ardmore at all costs—or the consequences will be devastating . . .

Genre:  Mystery - Historical

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read the other books in this series and was very curious to see how Verity and Sidney's time in Dublin continues.

My Impression:   I have very much enjoyed the Verity Kent series by this author and this was no exception.  Huber did a good job of really illustrating what a tumultuous and dangerous time this was in Ireland.  Danger could come from all sides and the tension that rules Verity and Sidney's time is clear and almost palpable.  

This is a series that is important to read and order and especially in this book.  Even if you are familiar with some of the previous Verity books unless you had read the previous book I think you'd be a bit lost.  There is some wrap up of the previous book in the beginning and the new mystery doesn't really get off the ground until almost 20% of the book.  The pacing isn't slow if you're familiar with the events of the previous book but I can't imagine how confusing it would be if you were coming in with this book.

As usual I enjoy my time with Verity and Sidney.  I enjoy Verity's style and I find the challenges of going from a working official role to being completely sidelined and cut out just because the war is over and she's a woman interesting.  I imagine there were a lot of women in similar positions (though less glamorous than Verity) so I like the perspective.  As well, I liked how the author handled this period of time in Ireland.  Neither side is romanticized or villainized and while Sidney and Verity do have their opinions as to what side is in the right there are bad actors on both sides.

I really enjoy this author and this series.  I do recommend starting at the beginning with Verity as her character and her world develop with each story.  If you're looking for a between the wars era mystery series this is one to pick up - but read it in order!

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?   Absolutely!  I really enjoy both her Verity Kent series and her Lady Darby series and plan on continuing with both.

Would I Recommend this Book?  If you enjoy historical mysteries than I would recommend this series - and really anything by this author.

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

Mr. Zero - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Mr. Zero by Patricia Wentworth

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

Description:  A high society house party in the country sets the stage for blackmail, sabotage, illicit passion, and murder in this witty, classic British mystery with a touch of political intrigue

The last thing London debutante Gay Hardwicke wants is to become involved in another one of her cousin’s messy jams. But Lady Sylvia Colesborough is in over her head this time: She claims she’s being blackmailed by the mysterious Mr. Zero. If she doesn’t steal important government papers from the safe of her politically connected husband, the distinguished Sir Francis, her gambling debts will be exposed. Gay’s reluctant attempts to help Sylvia backfire when a murder raises the stakes—and Gay’s boyfriend, Algy Somers, becomes the prime suspect.

Enlisting the aid of her society friends, Gay races to clear Algy’s name and catch a cagey killer before her own days are numbered.

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I'm slowly reading through the Patricia Wentworth standalones and this was the next on the list.

My Impression:   This was a cute mystery that fits in the category of story that Agatha Christie called "thrillers".  There's a bit of an espionage feel and while a murder does occur there is a lot more going on.  

Gay is one of my favorite Wentworth heroines.  She's good natured and optimistic but also has a little bit of an edge to her.  She does put up with far more than she should but she's not thrilled about it and lets her feelings be known.  She deserves better than Algy who kind of gets bewitched by Sylvia early on and is shocked that Gay isn't happy about it.

The mystery is a fun one.  It starts out with a complicated case of blackmail and stolen documents and quickly spirals to murder.  With everything going on it is still a fairly simple story but it's a fun one.  It's a quick read and while not the most memorable it is a fun read.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  I would.  This wasn't great but it was fun and I always enjoy reading a Wentworth book.

Would I Recommend this Book?  With reservations.  This isn't the book I would recommend to Patricia Wentworth newbies but if you're already a fan this is a good one.

Friday Five - Nonfiction Books on My TBR

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.   School is back in session here and it's got me thinking about reading some nonfiction.   Here are 5 on my TBR.

1.  Betty Ford: First Lady, Women's Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer by Lisa McCubbin - Betty Ford fascinates me and I'd like to know more about her.

2.  Code Name: Lisle by Larry Loftis - I've read one book by this author that I really enjoyed and this sounds interesting.

3.  Wallis in Love by Andrew Morton - I watched the episode of The Crown where Queen Elizabeth II has to deal with her uncle and I realized that I don't know that much about Wallis.  

4.  The Alps by Stephen O'Shea - I saw this in the library not that long ago and it really jumped out at me.  It looks interesting.

5.  The Husband Hunters by Anne De Courcy - I'm fascinated by the American heiresses who married into England aristocracy and would like to know more about them.  

What nonfiction books are on your TBR?