My New TBR Jars

 

I watch a decent amount of Bookish YouTube and so many of them have TBR jars either with prompts or book titles.  I love an element of randomness and desperately wanted my own TBR jar.  While I don't have any spare jars I did find these 2 decorative boxes that were too pretty to throw away but I had never figured out what to do with them.

The first one is my Shelf TBR jar.  I took a whole bunch of index cards and wrote all the books on my shelves down.  If I had a series I just wrote the first one - or the next one I had to read - not the whole series.  It took a lot of time but I got a lot of audio book listening done and it was fun to explore my shelves.  I cut the index cards up into little slivers with one title one each one and spent a ridiculous amount of time folding them up.  Next time I'm looking for an actual book to read I just give the box a shake and pick a title.

The came the Audio Book TBR jar.  If I thought the Shelf one took awhile this one took a ridiculous amount of time.  It's at least double the size of the box for the Shelf titles and I have so many audio book titles saved in so many different platforms.  I did put a little symbol to show me what platform the book is on.  A lot of the Libby books will have to be placed on hold so when that happens I'll place that book on hold and pick another title.  I've already used this and have really been enjoying it!

I'm not really a mood reader but when I pick a book that I'm really not wanting to read than I'm going to use that as a sign that it's time for that book to come off my shelf.

Do you have any kind of random system to help you pick books?

Parting Breath - Classic Mystery Review

Goodreads: Parting Breath by Catherine Aird

Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)
Source:   Purchased

Description:  Murder in the Quadrangle

The college dons at the University of Calleshire fully expected trouble when the students planned to shake their ivory tower with a sit-in at Almstone Hall. But no one expected the very peculiar theft from a dormitory room...or the very dead body in the college quadrangle. For Detective Inspector C.D. Sloan, the ivied halls hid a host of clues - from the words whispered with the dying man's parting breath to what a madrigal singer saw. So it was only a matter of time until he uncovered the murderer hidden in the groves of academe...but could he do it before death became another victim's alma mater?

Genre: Mystery - Classic

Why I Picked This Book:  I've really enjoyed other books by this author and am trying to read through all of her books.  

My Impression:   I really enjoyed several of the previous books I've read by this author but this one was a bit of a miss for me.  This mystery got bogged down with a huge cast of characters and too many details.  There is large quantities of professors and just about the same number of students.  The reader is reminded regularly of what subject the character lectures or reads and what is going on with that specific subject.    As the book went on I found I had a hard time keeping up with who was who and I kind of stopped caring.  

When the solution was revealed I had a hard time remembering exactly who the author was talking about which definitely took the surprise and shock value down a notch.  I really like this author but this is a short book with a complicated mystery and a huge cast crammed into just over 150 pages which just got a bit jumbled feeling and confusing.  I'm looking forward to reading more from this author but this isn't one I would recommend.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  Not every book can be a win and I've enjoyed most of what I've read from her.

Would I Recommend this Book? Not really.  I would recommend this author but this book wasn't the best representive of her work.

Friday Fives - Five Books to Take to the Beach

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.  We have a beach trip coming up and I'm putting together my travel list!  Here are 5 books I'm planning on bringing on the trip.

1.  Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry - I love this author and this sounds like a fun quirky mystery.  

2.  Midsummer Mysteries by Agatha Christie - Short stories seem like a good choice when I have a short attention span - especially when the short stories by my favorite author.

3.  The Spirit Moves by Carol J. Perry - This is the newest in one of my favorite cozy mystery series - that also takes place at the beach!

4.  Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery - I love this book and have been wanting to reread this one.  

5.  A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber - I love this author and reading magical realism at the beach seems fitting.  

What would you take to read at the beach (or on the way there)?

Books from the Backlog - The Dress Shop of Dreams

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 Dress Shop of Dreams by Menna Van Praag

Blurb:  Since her parents’ mysterious deaths many years ago, scientist Cora Sparks has spent her days in the safety of her university lab or at her grandmother Etta’s dress shop. Tucked away on a winding Cambridge street, Etta’s charming tiny store appears quite ordinary to passersby, but the colorfully vibrant racks of beaded silks, delicate laces, and jewel-toned velvets hold bewitching secrets: With just a few stitches from Etta’s needle, these gorgeous gowns have the power to free a woman’s deepest desires.
Etta’s dearest wish is to work her magic on her granddaughter. Cora’s studious, unromantic eye has overlooked Walt, the shy bookseller who has been in love with her forever. Determined not to allow Cora to miss her chance at happiness, Etta sews a tiny stitch into Walt’s collar, hoping to give him the courage to confess his feelings to Cora. But magic spells—like true love—can go awry. After Walt is spurred into action, Etta realizes she’s set in motion a series of astonishing events that will transform Cora’s life in extraordinary and unexpected ways.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I really enjoy magical realism and it has been too long since I've read any.

What I'm Reading - May 7th

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

Print Book:

Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie - This is the May pick for the Read Christie challenge and it's one I haven't read in a long time.  I'm really enjoying all the twists and turns and this is one of those books that you can feel Christie having a good time with the writing.

Ebook:  

The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster -  I'm really enjoying this sweet cozy read.  It's not a book that I think will stick with me but it is one that has been a pleasure to read.  This should be finished today and then I'll be starting The Spirit Moved by Carol J Perry.

Audio Book:  

What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama - This was a pick from my TBR jar and is a reread.  I am loving the listen just as much as I did my first read.

Slow Read:  

The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan - This ahs been on my overdue review shelf for far too long and it's one I've always meant to read.  I've just started it so I don't really have an opinion yet but I have high hopes.

What are you reading today?

Birthday Season - Ten Books I Might Buy

 

I started celebrating a birthday season a number of years ago where I try and squeeze in visits to my favorite places and my favorite activities in the 6 weeks around my birthday.  And what would a birthdya season without a trip (or two) to a bookstore!  I've got a visit planned for my favorite used bookstore and my favorite indie bookstore in the next few weeks and here are 10 books on my Maybe list.

1.  The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa - This sounds quirky and cozy and just generally lovely.

2.  The Mysterious Bakery on Rue de Paris by Evie Woods - I saw an amazing review for this one and it sounds like the kind of book I thoroughly enjoy.

3.  The Museum Detective by Maha Khan Phillips - I haven't heard much about this one but the blurb definitely caught my attention.

4.  Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn - I enjoyed the first book in this series and am really curious to see how the series expands.

5.  You Will Never by Me by Jesse Q Sutanto - I love this author's Vera Wong books and I do enjoy a creepy thriller!

6. One Death at a Time by Abbi Waxman - This sounds fun and quirky and like a solid mystery.

7.  A New Take on Cake by Anne Byrn - I really enjoy this author's cookbooks and still use her Cake Doctor books that came out ages ago when I need a reliably tasty cake for something.  I'm also loving her latest cookie cookbook so this looks like a good one to pick up.

8.  The Affair of the Mutilated Mink by James Anderson - I loved the first one in this series and need to pick up the second one.  

9.  Terror in Topas by A.M. Stuart - This is the last book in a historical mystery series I've really enjoyed and I need to finish the series.

10.  The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery - I have read my copy (which I'm pretty sure I got used) to pieces so I need to pick up a new and preferably beautiful copy of one of my favorite books.

What books would you want to pick up for your birthday season celebration?

Shot Through the Book - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads:  Shot Through the Book (A Lighthouse Library Mystery #12) by Eva Gates

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

Description:  The upcoming YA book festival at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is bringing in renowned authors from all over the world. When best selling author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits librarian Lucy McNeil at her Outer Banks beach house after a meeting, she is puzzled by his presence, since they’re virtually strangers. After she steps inside to get him a drink, she’s shocked to discover that he’s been murdered on her deck in the few minutes she left him alone.

Not knowing why he wanted to meet with her in private, or how someone managed to kill him in the time it takes to make lemonade, Lucy is determined to help with the investigation and figure out what happened. When Heather Harrison, Todd’s widow, shows up in town, her motivations aren’t inspired by grief. She’s intending to use her husband’s tragic death to launch her candidacy for state senator and her first order of business is to go after the local police force–and Lucy herself.

Caught between an intrusive fan club mourning Todd, squabbling authors fighting for prominence in his absence, and a politically ruthless widow, Lucy must roll up her sleeves and catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice.

Genre:  Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I've read and enjoyed this series since the beginning so of course I had to pick this one up!

My Impression: This series has gotten stronger as it has gone along.  I really love the character redemption of Louise Jane.   At the beginning of the series the less Louise Jane the better but as she has become a bigger part of Lucy's life and Lucy has gotten to know her more the more I enjoy her page time.  She hasn't changed but I understand her motivations now and she never fails to make me laugh.  She and library cat with attitude, Charles are probably my favorite side characters.  

The mystery was a good one.  A popular YA author has been murdered and at first glance no one really has motive to kill me.  However, as Lucy investigates, she begins to see that all might not be as it seems.  The author's wife is awful and their marriage was far from happy.  As well, his next book is going to be a direction change that might not have left all his fans happy.  The solution fit together nicely and tackled some issues that are important to be addressed.  With the way it wrapped up it wouldn't shock me if this was the last in the series and if that is the case I found it to be a satisfying ending.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author?  Absolutely!  This author has several other series under her Vicki Delany name that I really enjoy and I will always pick up another book by this author.

Would I Recommend this Book?   Definitely!  You can jump in with this one but I think it's even better if you read through the series.

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

This Week in Reading - May 4

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:

The Forget-Me-Not Library by Heather Webber - I'm so excited about this one.  I've really enjoyed everything I've read by her and I can't wait to read this one.  (Publisher)

Death at the Door by Olivia Blacke - I really enjoyed the first book in this kind of strange ghostly mystery so of course I had to pick up the second book! (Publisher)

Currently:

Reading:  The Guest Cottage by Lori Foster and Perfect Storm by Paige Shelton

Listening:  I'm taking an audiobook break and listening to some of my podcasts that have stacked up.  My current favorite one DNA:ID about how DNA is solving Doe cases and other cold cases.  

It was a quiet but stormy week.  We've made progress on a home repair that was a bit baffling about how to tackle so it felt really good to get some traction.  I've been doing a lot of baking which I enjoy and J and I played one of those Hunt a Killer games where you get a box of evidence to solve a mystery.  It was very fun.  So far a pretty good birthday season!  My actual birthday is this coming week and I haven't decided what I'm going to do but I feel like a bookstore trip is on the table for this week.

Have a great week and happy reading!

Monthly Reading Recap - April 2025

Monthly Reading Total:  17 - A much better reading month!  

Type:

Print: 5

Ebook:  6

Audio: 6

Genre:

Mystery - 11

Fiction - 2

Nonfiction - 1

Romance - 3 

Favorite Books of the Month:

This was so hard because I loved most of the books I read!

Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh really grabbed me and kept me connected to the story and to the characters from beginning to end.  

The Keeper of the Lost Art by Laura Morelli - was a slightly different take on the usual World War II historical fiction.

Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man by Jessie Q. Sutanto - The themes in this one were a bit darker than I expected but I really enjoyed my time with Vera.

Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman by Lucy Worsley - I have read several books about Agatha Christie but none made me feel I understand her quite as well.

My Bookish Armchair Travel:

Domestic Travel - I visited Maine, North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Florida for the first time and did a revisit California (twice!).  I also visited St. John which is in the US Virgin Islands.

International Travel - I visited England three times in three very different time periods as well as Italy.

How was your reading in April?  Where did your reading take you?

Friday Fives - May 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. This is the first Friday in May so I'm picking out five books I hope to read this month.

1.  The Spirit Moves by Carol J. Perry - This is the next book in a cozy series I really enjoy and it comes out at the end of the month.

2.  The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict - I got this on audio and I'm so excited to listen to it!

3.  The Siren of Sussex of Mimi Matthews - This historical romance is on my Priority list for the year.  I liked another book I read in the series so I'm looking forward to this one.

4.  Picked to Die by Sheila Connolly - This series is finished and I'm hoping to finish it soon.  Plus there's a dog in the cover!

5.  The Unholy by Heather Graham - I love these fun romantic suspense even though they're not the most memorable.  

What are you hoping to read in May?

Books from the Backlog - Brought to Book

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:  Brought to Book by Anthea Fraser

Blurb:  Mystery and intrigue with a decidedly literary bent, from the bestselling crime writer When successful biographer Rona Parish is asked to write the life-story of a bestselling author, recently deceased, she is intrigued - to say the least. After all, Theo Harvey led a very colourful life, and died in mysterious circumstances. But Rona's husband Max is wary and, it soon becomes apparent, with good reason...As Rona begins to delve into Theo Harvey's life and death, and to interview his friends and family - some more willing than others - she realises that she has taken on a poisoned chalice.

Why It Needs to Come Off the Shelf:  I started this one earlier this year but had to put it down when I was only at the beginning to read something else.  I really want to pick this one back up as I really enjoyed what I read.

Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

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 2025.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  Winter in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand

Blurb:  Spend the coldest days of winter on a Caribbean beach with New York Times Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand.
Join New York Times Bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand on the stunning beaches of St. John for the beginning of her thrilling new winter series-The Paradise. Welcome to Paradise, the first book in the Paradise series, has everything that readers have come to know and love about an Elin Hilderbrand novel, plus a healthy dose of intrigue. Irene Steele’s idyllic life-house, husband, family-is shattered when she is woken up by a late-night phone call. Her beloved husband has been found dead, but before Irene can process this tragic news, she must confront the perplexing details of her husband’s death. He was found on St. John island, a tropical paradise far removed from their suburban life. Leaving the cold winter behind, Irene flies down to the beautiful Caribbean beaches of St. John only to make another shocking discovery: her husband had a secret second family. As Irene investigates the mysterious circumstances of her husband’s death, she is plunged into a web of intrigue and deceit belied by the pristine white sand beaches of St. John’s. This exciting first book in the Paradise series will transport readers to a new beach locale-another world that Elin knows as well as her beloved Nantucket-and have them longing for winter

My Thoughts:  My family visited St. Thomas last fall as well as Tortola and so I really loved being able to visualize exactly what the location looked like in this book and I really enjoyed my virtual visit. I also love a secret life and Irene's husband definitely had that!  I enjoyed the complicated relationships between the remaining Steele family.  I also really loved the relationships between Ayers, the Steele brothers, Maia, and her grandfather.  The characters all felt like people you know and their reactions felt authentic.   This has an open ending and I'm so glad that I already have the second book sitting on my shelf as I want to see more of these characters and learn more of the story.  This was my first book from Elin Hilderbrand but it definitely won't be my last.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars) 

Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books with the Word "Secret" in the Title 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 with a Word in the title.  The word I chose is Secret/Secrets because I do love a book that exposes long held secrets.  I don't know that much about most of these but they all look intriguing.

1.  The Secret to Southern Charm by Kristy Woodson Harvey 

2.  The Lost Arts of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice

3.  The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick 

4.  The Secrets of Bones by Kylie Logan

5.  The Secrets of Hartwood Hall by Kate Lumsden

6.  The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton

7.  The Cartographer's Secret by Tea Cooper

8.  The Secret Love Letters of Olivia Moretti by Jennifer Probst

9.  Every Single Secret by Christina Dodd

10. Where Secrets Sleep by Marta Perry

All of these look fantastic though very different.  Have you read any of these?

The Murder Machine - Mystery Review

Goodreads:  The Murder Machine by Heather Graham

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

Description:   This state-of-the-art smart home has a next-generation entertainment system, an ultramodern kitchen where every appliance is online and even a personal AI to control it all. Standing above its owner's lifeless body, FBI agent Jude Mackenzie is faced with the daunting task of discovering how the woman was killed by her own home. How do you catch a murderer that doesn't leave any fingerprints?

Enter Special Agent Victoria Tennant, whose familiarity with cybercrime reveals the stark a machine can only do what it's been directed to. As the number of grisly "accidents" begins to rise, the pair must race to uncover the perpetrator even as they find themselves caught in their digital crosshairs! There's nowhere to hide when danger may be as close as the very phones in their pockets.

Genre: Mystery - Romantic Suspense

Why I Picked This Book:  I always enjoy this author's books and this sounded like a fun one.

My Impression:  I really enjoyed this one.  Was it the most realistic or well written book?  Nope - not even close but it was a total candy bar treat of a book.  It was entertaining and fun and with lots of twists and turns that kept me hooked and looking forward to getting back to the story.  

The mystery is an entertaining concept - a series of accidents prove to be not so accidental and are all linked to AI and hacking into cars, a yacht, and even a house. It's a little creepy when you think about how much tech and AI is in our regular life and how loosely protected most of it is.  The characters here are all at varying levels of tech-savvy who are trying to figure out just how things are going on and how everything is happening.  

I did guess the who well before it was revealed but this didn't impact my enjoyment in seeing everything unravel.  If you're looking for a fun read to take to the beach or the pool or just for distraction this is a fun bit of escapism.  

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Absolutely!  While her books rarely make my Top Ten favorites lists I always enjoy them.

Would I Recommend this Book?   Yes, if you're looking for something light and for a bit of escapism.

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

This Week in Reading - April 27

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:

Something Whiskered by Miranda James - A castle in Ireland + Diesel!  What could be better? (Publisher)

Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran - I love this series and this one features PI Harry McGraw who in the show was played by Jerry Orbach who was my favorite.  (Publisher)

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser - I've had this book on my TBR for ages so when it was on the list of free books on Libro.fm I had to pick it up.  (Purchased)

The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict - This stars Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Ngaio Marsh, and Margery Allingham solving a murder in Paris.  I couldn't resist! (Purchased)

Currently:

Reading: Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates and Parting Breath by Catherine Aird

Listening:  The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst 

It's been a rainy stormy week here but otherwise fairly quiet.  I'm enjoying my reading and am really excited about the books.  My birthday is in early May so it is now the start of what I consider Birthday season which lasts all the way end of April to the beginning of June.  I've made a list of things I want to do am excited to start checking off the boxes!  

Have a great week and happy reading!

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 Desk from Hoboken by M.L. Clondike - I'm fascinated by genealogy and solving mysteries from the past so obviously picking up this book was a no brainer for me.  Unfortunately, I found the book didn't quite live up to its potential for me.  RaeJean was an interesting main character and I'm always here for a dog sidekick.  However, language and subject matter as well as a few incidents kept this from being a cozy but there wasn't the pace that typically makes a more straightforward mystery work for me.  I was interested in how everything came to be but not enough I will continue this series. My Rating: Liked It (3 Stars)

2.  Let Me Lie by Claire Mackintosh - I've read one book by this author that I loved and found seriously fast paced.  This one didn't quite live up to that but I did enjoy overall and the end definitely had me hooked.  Anna is struggling with a loss of both her parents within a year as well as other dramatic changes in her life. Anna's relationship with partner gave me a bit of the ick and there were times the plot felt a bit slow.  The character of Murray was really what kept me reading the story and while I guessed aspects of the solution there were a few surprises in the end.  This wasn't a favorite but I'm looking forward to reading another book by this author.  Liked It! (3.5 Stars)

3.  Murder Flies the Coop by Jessica Ellicott - This is such a fun cozy series that takes place in a small English village between the Wars.  Edwina is a proper English spinster and her old school friend, American divorcee and adventuress, Beryl Halliwell is anything but.  Together though they make for an excellent crime solving team.  I really enjoyed this one that tackled pigeon racing (long distance which is much more gentlemanly than short distances somehow) and how coal mine life was viewed by the other residents.  I love Beryl and Edwina and the solution of the mystery was a bit of a surprise.  This is a nice cozy mystery series with a likable set of characters and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)

4.  Someone to Wed by Mary Balogh - I love this series so far and this was just a lovely story.  I wasn't entirely sure I was going to connect to Wren at the very beginning as she does come across as very cold and distant.  However, as the story went on I quickly grew to love her.  Alex and the rest of the Westcott family is delightful as usual and I loved seeing more of Violet and her daughters as they are still navigating their new circumstances.  I enjoyed this one from beginning to end and when I came to the last page I found I wanted more time with the characters which is always a good sign.  This was a lovely historical romance with an older than usual female lead and an interesting set of challenges.  My Rating: Loved It (5 Stars)

5.  The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene - This was a recommendation from a friend and I really enjoyed this in audiobook form.  Four girls at a small Southern US college went missing 20+ years ago and a body has just been found.  Between that and a true crime podcast about the subject going viral Lindsey's life has been turned on its ear - because Lindsey's older sister was the fourth girl to go missing.  Through multiple POVs and two different timelines the investigation unfolds and made for a seriously interesting listen that definitely had me hooked.  There are a lot of twists and turns and while I did guess a few things there were also a lot of surprises.  I haven't read anything by this author before but I'll definitely be looking for more by her.  My Rating: Really Liked It (4 Stars)