Friday Fives - My Five Favorite Covers of 2021

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 looking back at my favorite covers of 2021.

1.  Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan

2.  The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

3.  The Last Garden in England by Julia Kelly

4.  An Unexpected Peril by Deanna Raybourn 

5.  Miss Moriarty, I Presume by Sherry Thomas

What were some of your favorite covers from 2021?

The Year of the Project - My Library List

Last year was all about the series and while I really enjoyed that I felt like I was neglecting some other areas of my TBR.  So I decided to widen my focus a bit and came up with 4 different lists to read from.  I love my library and I love that my library's website has an option to save books to list.  This has been a great way for me to remember the books I see that they have that I want to read.  However, that list is closing in on 900 books at a pretty rapid rate and it is time to read some off that list.  So I pulled up my random number generator and here are the 10 books I came up with.

1.  Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy by Nathaniel Philbrick - I love this kind of road trip/history read and this sounds interesting.

2. Playing to the Gods: Sarah Bernhardt, Eleanora Dusa, and the Rivalry that Changed Acting Forever by Peter Rader - While I recognize Sarah Bernhardt's name I know so little about this era of theater and think this one sounds really interesting.

3.  When Time Stopped: A Memoir of My Father's War and What Remains by Ariana Neumann- This one sounds like it could be really devastating but fascinating as well.

4.  Barefoot Beach by Debbie Mason - I've only read one book by Mason and I really didn't like the characters but I did like the writing so I'm hoping this one is a better fit for me.

5.  Reflection Point by Emily March - I have enjoyed other books by Emily March so I'm expecting to enjoy this one.

6.  The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes Lackey - This is an author I've been wanting to read for ages so I was thrilled when I got this book.

7.  The Lost Jewels by Kirsty Manning - This is a dual time line book involving jewels.  It sounds really interesting.  

8.  Tilly and the Bookwanderers by Anna James - This middle grade has been on my TBR since it was published and I'm looking forward to picking this one up since I haven't read much middle grade lately.

9.  The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell - I was so excited when this book came up.  I have really loved the most recent books and I've been wanting to go back to the beginning of the series.

10. Silent Murders by Mary Miley - I'm breaking my rule a little on this one because it isn't the first in the series but my library doesn't have the first one and since I know nothing about it I'm willing to give this book a try.

What books are you planning on getting from your library this year?

The Year of the Projects - Series Project List

Last year was all about the series and while I really enjoyed that I felt like I was neglecting some other areas of my TBR.  So I decided to widen my focus a bit and came up with 4 different lists to read from. However, I can't neglect my series all together even if they aren't the main focus this year!  Hear are the next 10 books in my series project.

1.  Rest Ye Murdered Gentleman by Vicki Delany - I really meant to read this before Christmas but didn't quite get to it.  I've really enjoyed the later books in the series so am looking forward to reading the first few.

2.  A High End Finish by Kate Carlisle - I've read the last few books in this series but this is another one where I never read the early books.

3.  Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz - Ditto above.

4.  Consigned to Death by Jane K. Cleland - Ditto above

5.  Death on Tap by Ellie Alexander - This is a series by a favorite author that I've been meaning to read for ages and have actually bought all the books but haven't actually read them.  

6.  By Book or By Crook by Eva Gates - Another series that I've read the later books but not the early books.  This seems to be a pattern.

7.  Crime and Poetry by Amanda Flower - This is the first in a series that I've really wanted to read since it came out and own all the books but haven't read one.

8.  No Farm, No Foul by Peg Cochran - I meant to read the first book in this series when it came out but didn't so I'm looking forward to reading it now.

9. The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King - This is the only series that is from my original list but I've really been enjoying making progress on it.

10. The Marsh Madness by Victoria Abbott - This is the second series that's a carryover from last year though it was added later in the year.  I've really enjoyed this series involving a book collector and am looking forward to reading the last two books.

Do you have any series that you'd like to start or catch up on this year?

Top Ten Tuesday - Books I'm Adding to My Collection Next

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 Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection but I'm changing it a little and listing books I'm planning on adding to my book collection this year.  I'm trying to expand my classic mystery shelf especially and here are 10 on my list to buy.

1.  Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers - I have decided that Sayers' books don't work on audio for me so I want to pick up a copy of the 3rd Lord Peter Wimsey mystery.

2.  Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart - I'm trying to read more from Mary Stewart and this is the next one on my list.

3.  Dead Men Don't Ski by Patricia Moyes - I read several mysteries by Patricia Moyes years and years ago and remember loving them but don't remember much about them and I'm sure I never read them in order.

4.  The Man in the Queue by Josephine Tey - I've read a couple of books with Tey's detective Inspector Alan Grant but never in order or this one which is the first one at all.

5.  The Affair of the Mutilated Mink by James Anderson - I just read the first book in Anderson's Burford Family mystery series and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it so of course I need to get this one!

6.  A Deadly Affair by Agatha Christie - I adore Christie's short stories and I love that they are starting to republish them by theme instead of the kind of random order they're currently published in.

7.  The Last Seance by Agatha Christie - Ditto above except that I have actually read this one.  I only have an ebook copy but I want a copy for my shelf.

8.  Fool Errant by Patrica Wentworth - I adore Wentworth's Miss Silver mysteries but haven't read many of her standalones.  

9.  The Stately Home Murder by Catherine Aird - I've been trying to read more of Catherine Aird books and this is the 3rd book in her detective series.

10. The Family Vault by Charlotte MacLeod - I know I've read a book or two by this author and remember enjoying them but nothing else.  I like the sound of this detective so I thought I'd pick up the first book and see if this is a series I want to add to my list.

What books are you thinking about adding to your collection?

The Librarian Always Rings Twice - Cozy Mystery Review

Goodreads: The Librarian Always Rings Twice (A First Edition Library Mystery #3) by Marty Wingate

Rating: Liked It    
Source:  Publisher

Description:  When a mysterious stranger turns up making claims that threaten Lady Fowling’s legacy, Hayley Burke must dig deep into her late-benefactor’s history to uncover the truth and catch a conniving killer in this new mystery from USA Today bestselling author Marty Wingate.

It has been nearly a year since I took up my position as curator of Lady Georgiana Fowling’s collection of Golden Age of Mystery writers’ first editions at her library in Middlebank House. I have learned that I need to take the good with the bad. The good: I have finally convinced Mrs. Woolgar to open up the collection to the public one day a week so that they too can share in Lady Fowling’s passion. The bad: although he would not be my first, or even tenth, choice, at the insistence of the board Charles Henry Dill, Lady Fowling’s unscrupulous nephew, is now my personal assistant.

On one of our first days open to the public, Mr. John Aubrey shows up at Middlebank House and insists that Lady Georgiana Fowling is his grandmother. Mrs. Woolgar is scandalized by his claims, and Charles Henry, who feels he has been cheated out of his rightful inheritance as Lady Fowling’s heir, is furious. I do not know that I believe Mr. Aubrey, yet he has knowledge of Lady Fowling’s life and writings that few possess. To further complicate matters, an associate of Mr. Aubrey’s intends to help us uncover the truth of John’s story. But before he can do that, he is murdered and the police have reason to suspect Charles Henry.

As much as I would like to lock up Charles Henry and throw away the key, I cannot believe he is a killer. And I also know there is something dead wrong about Mr. Aubrey’s tales regarding his “grandmother” Lady Fowling. I will need to make sense of her past in order to suss out the true villain of this story.

 

Genre: Mystery - Cozy

Why I Picked This Book:  I have read the first two and enjoyed them so of course I had to read this one.

My Impression: This is a fun series with an interesting premise.  Hayley is the curator of a members only library stocked with first editions of memory.  The mystery takes place surrounded by first editions of the some of the most classic mysteries with lots of mentions of different mysteries.  The founder of the library the late Lady Georgiana Fowler has always been a somewhat mysterious character really only existing in occasional mentions and Hayley's discussions with her through her portrait.

This third mystery is really focused on Lady Georgiana and I felt like I really got to know her much better than I did at the beginning of the book.  I also really enjoyed the library's secretary, Ms. Woolgar having to come to terms with how well she knew Lady Georgiana.  I really enjoyed the development of the different characters and Lady Georgiana.  

While I really enjoyed the character development I do think it came a bit at the expense of the mystery.  The story of Lady Georgiana very much overshadowed the mystery which felt a bit like a side plot.  As well, the reasons given for one of the character's behavior seemed a bit outlandish.

This is an interesting series with likable characters and fun bookish mentions.  While I did enjoy this one I don't think it was the strongest mystery though it was a great one to get to know the characters better.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Definitely!  I have enjoyed other books by this author and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.

Would I Recommend this Book? I would recommend this series but would not recommend starting with this book.

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

Life with Leukemia (And Some Reading) - January 9

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:

 Totally Pawstruck by Sofie Ryan - I thought I was going to have another week of no new books but this one snuck in just in time.  And even better it is one that I'm super excited about.

Currently:

Reading:  Spirits and Sourdough by Bailey Cates and Double Sin and Other Stories by Agatha Christie

Listening:  The Rhyme of the Magpie by Marty Wingate

Watching:  Friends: The Reunion - I've been rewatching the series and couldn't resist watching the Reunion.  I so enjoyed it.  It was nice to see how much they seemed to really enjoy being together and it was interesting to see how everyone aged. I think Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc aged the best and I think the main secret is they fought it the least.

It snowed!  It never snows here and the day before it had been almost 80 degrees.  When the temperature dropped and people started talking snow I didn't believe it would actually stick.  It wasn't much but apparently it snowed hard enough and just enough that it stuck.  Will and Rover thought it was absolute wonderful.  I was less thrilled but did enjoy seeing the two of them playing in it. It was gone the next day and the temperatures have risen to at least above freezing.  I am not a fan of cold!

This week is one of those weeks where it feels like every appointment ever to be scheduled all ended up on the same week.  How does that happen?  Also, Rover has puppy class which I am very excited about.  It's 8 weeks and I'm excited to get started on training and seeing a class full of puppies. 

Have a greatweek and happy reading!

Reading Recap - December 2021

Books Read This Month:  22 - Some of were books I just wanted to reread the ending and at the end of the month it was mostly audio books.

Category Breakdown:

Print:  4

E-Books:  9

Audio Books:  9

Mystery:  19
Fiction:  3

Favorite Books of the Month:

Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost - This was so wonderfully Christmas-y and a fun mystery on top it all.  

The Affair of the Blood Stained Egg Cozy by James Anderson - I knew nothing about this going in and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.  It reminded me a bit of Agatha Christie with a bit of humor and a touch of international incident.  

Least Favorite Book:

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman - This is an issue of it's not you it's me.  I don't think Gaiman and I quite click.  I could appreciate the writing in this book and did enjoy it but not as much as I think I could have been.  

How was your reading in December?