October’s Amazon First Reads allows 2 free selections! My summer of gardening inspired me to select The Restoration Garden by Sara Blaydes. 🌸 I also picked The Night Guests by Marina Scott. Maybe there will be ghosts? 👻 #booksky

I participated in an author event at The Back Room hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan and Karen Dionne. Lyn Liao Butler, Lisa Gardner, Eliza Reid, and Francesca Serritella engaged in fascinating conversations. I wrote about my experience on my blog and it’s loaded with book recommendations. #booksky

The Perfect Marriage delves into the intricacies of a seemingly perfect relationship that’s tested by secrets and suspicion. The thrill and suspense in this book were exceptional. I was quickly captivated by the story and couldn’t put it down. The ending was unexpected and cleverly crafted. #booksky

“The change of seasons is a reminder that time is not our own, and yet it is given to us to use well.” ~ Wendell Berry🌱🍂🌅 #nature #photography

While I was aware of the basic premise—a woman may have killed her best friend, but she has no memory of that night—I was completely unprepared for the unexpected twists and turns that awaited me in ‘Listen for the Lie.’ To my surprise, I found this book incredibly hilarious! #booksky

I thoroughly enjoyed ‘The Story She Left Behind,’ particularly the well-developed characters and the picturesque settings. From the very first few minutes of listening to this audiobook, I was certain that I would fall in love with it. Henry is an exceptionally gifted storyteller. #booksky

The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich: My fascination with true crime drew me to this story, but I had no idea what else to expect. It’s a heavy book that may not appeal to everyone; however, it’s a moving memoir about resilience, empowerment, and the quest for understanding. #booksky

I’m embracing spooky reading season for this week’s #FridayReads. The Housemaid’s Wedding by the fabulous Freida McFadden. 👰‍♀️ Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera. I’m finding it hilarious. (Not sure what that says about me.) 🙈 Kurtain Motel by A.I. Nasser. It’s creepy good. 👻

During a recent trip to Sedona, Az, we visited historic downtown Flagstaff. My favorite place to shop is the Bright Side bookshop. I couldn’t resist getting a signed copy of Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest memoir, ‘All the Way to the River.’ I wrote about my visit on my blog. #booksky

“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.” ~Zen Shin ❤️🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

My husband and I recently embarked on a vacation to Sedona, Arizona. As we flew in and out of Phoenix, I seized the opportunity to visit my favorite independent bookstore, The Poisoned Pen. It was a wonderful afternoon browsing signed books. I wrote about my book haul on my blog. #booksky

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce is a satisfying spooky reading season choice. Is 13-year-old Alice possessed by a witch or is it a hoax? Newly qualified child psychologist Mina, and skeptical journalist Sam are investigating. The story is quite reminiscent of The Conjuring 2 movie. #booksky

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” ~ Emily Brontë 🍁🍂

I usually thoroughly enjoy Lisa Unger’s books and most often read her backlist titles. Therefore, I was thrilled to place a hold on Libby when her latest thriller, Close Your Eyes and Count to 10, became available. However, this time, I was underwhelmed. #booksky

This #FridayReads I’m finishing up Lisa Unger’s Close Your Eyes and Count to 10 on audio. 🎧

The Deluge is a climate fiction novel that spans from 2013 to the 2040s. It weaves together the lives of several interconnected individuals, each grappling with the impacts of climate change. Markley presents a portrait of a world ravaged by superstorms, wildfires, and social upheaval. #booksky

For this week’s #FridayReads I’m ‪enjoying The Deluge by Stephen Markley. A very long and intense fictional read with climate change at its core. ☁️‬ #booksky

Seriously interesting options for this month’s Amazon First Reads! I chose Sue Watson’s “Wanting Daisy Dead.” I’ve got my eyes on the others too! Grateful for the bonus short read, Eerie Basin by Ivy Pochoda. #booksky

Stephen King’s “You Like It Darker” is my favorite short story collection of his so far. This collection of stories is a perfect blend of entertainment, shock, and horror. It’s the ideal book to spend time with during the upcoming spooky reading season. #booksky

“As the sun declines, the heavens are adorned with a soft glow, and the fields seem to pause in reverence to the closing of the day.” ~ Gilbert White 🌅🌱 #gardening #photograghy

Field thistle on my nature trail. 💟🌱 #bloomscrolling #photograghy

Mixed colors sunflowers. 😍🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

Teddy bear sunflowers 💛🧸🌻🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” ~Albert Einstein 🌳🌱 #nature #photography

“A sunflower’s bold yellow is a challenge to capture—it’s like painting happiness itself.” ~Paul Cézanne 🌻🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

“There’s a quiet resilience in sunflowers, standing firm yet always seeking light.” ~Edward Hopper ❤️🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

“At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.” ~Sandy Gingras #OBX #BeachLife

“At sunset, the world seems to hold its breath, and the sky becomes a tapestry woven with the day’s last light.” ~ Edwin Way Teale 🌻🌅🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

I was delighted to finally have my turn at reading Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book, “The Serviceberry.” She argues that we have been taught to accumulate possessions and take more than we truly need. In contrast, she explores the indigenous culture’s practice of a gift economy. #booksky

“Time after time after time In the garden, I see The measure of dreams The treasure of days The pleasure it seems To linger there” ~Rush, The Garden 🌳🌱 #gardening #nature #photography

Travel by Bullet by John Scalzi is the third installment in The Dispatcher series, and it’s just as engrossing and thrilling as the others. Scalzi crafted an entertaining plot and a satisfying ending. Zachary Quinto narrated the series, delivering a phenomenal performance. #booksky

Teddy Bear sunflowers. 💛🌻💛🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

“A sunflower’s bold yellow is a challenge to capture—it’s like painting happiness itself.” ~Paul Cézanne 🌻🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

I reread 50 Ways to Rewire Your Anxious Brain by Catherine M. Pittman and Maha Zayed Hoffman and updated my initial blog post. My amygdala was in need of refresher! #booksky Full Review abookandadog.com/blog/50-ways...

“How beautiful is the close of the day, when the sky seems to catch fire, and the fields lie hushed under the glow of the sinking sun.” ~John Burroughs 🌱 #nature #sunset #photography

For this week’s #FridayReads I’m finishing The Dispatcher Series by John Scalzi with Travel by Bullet. Also getting sucked into The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich. #booksky

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” ~Lao Tzu 🌱 #bloomscrolling #photography #nature

Some magic roundabouts and mixed colors sunflowers. 🌻 🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

This summer, the in-person Constant Reader book club I attend read “It,” by Stephen King. It was an excellent choice for a summer read! This was a reread for me, as I had first read it in 2017. #booksky

Sunflower fields 💛🌻❤️🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

Sunflowers! 🌻☀️🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

I wrote a blog post where I shared my thoughts on rating books I’ve read. I also included a list of some of my all-time favorite books that I give a top rating and hope to reread someday. #booksky abookandadog.com/biblio-boutique/thoughts-on-rating-books

“The sunflower’s simplicity is its strength; it speaks to the soul without pretense.” ~Wassily Kandinsky #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

Magic roundabout sunflower. 🌻🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

Sunflowers and bees. 🌻🐝🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

“Sunflowers hold the warmth of the sun in their petals, a living glow on the canvas.” ~Henri Matisse 🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

“When I paint sunflowers, I feel their strength and simplicity shining through the brush.” ~Frida Kahlo 🌅🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

Zinnia fields 🌸🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography

I received a complimentary audiobook of Friends, Lovers, and Other Gaslighters by B.A. Ries from the author in exchange for an honest review. The collection of 25 short stories certainly delivers an appropriate amount of extraordinary horror, paranormal, and macabre elements. #booksky

The morning glory I started from a seed in our greenhouse this spring has grown beautifully. 💟🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling #photography