I finally read my first Kristin Hannah novel, and I loved it! Her storytelling talent is incredible. I was immediately drawn into Winter Garden. It’s such a beautiful narrative, even though it’s heartbreaking as it delves deeply into grief and the pain of losing cherished loved ones. #booksky

Camino Ghosts by John Grisham is a remarkable story. I’m captivated by the idyllic setting of Camino Island and the charming local bookstore. Grisham’s ability to craft significant and relevant stories is impressive. His characters are relatable and easy to care about. #booksky

I reread King’s The Drawing of the Three for our January Constant Reader book club, and it was delightful. It’s been so long since I first read it, that it felt like rediscovering it for the first time. It evoked a nostalgic feeling of reconnecting with some very old, dear friends. #booksky

‪These books will be keeping me entertained during the winter weather this weekend. ❄️‬ #booksky #FridayReads

I thoroughly enjoyed The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose. Its writing style, suspense, and twists echo the first book in the series. The author seamlessly connected the two books. #booksky

For my birthday, my husband ordered signed first editions from my beloved indie bookstore, The Poisoned Pen. I am thankful for my thoughtful and generous husband. Despite his teasing about my “book hoarding,” he stands as a steadfast supporter of my passion for reading and collecting books. #booksky

I abandoned Don’t Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine after 20% because the narrative didn’t captivate me. The teenage daughter’s perspective of her girlfriend drama, social media obsession, and vaping issues was uninteresting. I’m not giving up on the authors, though. #booksky

Making Friends with Your Mind: The Key to Contentment offers Pema Chodron’s gentle, humorous, and down-to-earth teachings on meditation and mindfulness. She guides participants to stop battling thoughts, embrace the mind’s drama, and cultivate unconditional friendliness towards themselves. #booksky

‪This weekend I’m heading towards the Dark Tower in The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King. It’s a reread for my in-person Constant Reader book club.‬ #booksky #FridayReads

I’m captivated by memoirs about individuals who embark on extraordinary journeys. Shannon O’Brien’s memoir, Stray: Breaking Free, Falling Hard, and Growing Stronger, chronicles her remarkable adventure after college. Her writing style is eloquent and captivating. #booksky

January’s Amazon First Reads offers two free books! I selected The Epicenter of Forever by Mara Williams and Blade by Wendy Walker. 📚 #booksky

Lisa Jewell’s suspenseful psychological thriller, Don’t Let Him In, unfolds through shifting timelines and perspectives, exploring the devastating consequences of entanglement with a charming yet dangerous man. The relentless suspense builds as the web of lies unravels, keeping me on edge. #booksky

I’m enjoying The Perfect Divorce by Jeneva Rose this weekend. An intriguing sequel to The Perfect Marriage. #BookSky #FridayReads

As we approach the end of 2025, I am filled with immense gratitude for the incredible books I had the pleasure of reading this year. Below, I have compiled a list of my top 10 picks for the best books I read in 2025. 🎉🐾📚 #booksky #happynewyear #dogsky abookandadog.com/best-books-2025

The Asheville Christmas Cabin is the last holiday-themed book I’ll read this season. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book, from its captivating cover to its enchanting Christmas-themed narrative. Each of the main characters was endearing and easily relatable. #booksky

In Laurie Gilmore’s The Christmas Tree Farm, I enjoyed the story, the main characters, and the festive setting. The narrative maintained a balance of suspense through the appropriate amount of conflict. I appreciate how the characters’ experiences were mostly handled maturely. 🎄 #booksky

Of all the things I've written, this @nytimes.com Modern Love essay is the only one framed on my wall. 11 yrs ago, it changed my life. Every December, someone reminds me to repost it, but it seems especially needed this year, when the news feels so heavy. Gift link: www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/f...

While My Next Breath mainly focuses on the incident, Jeremy Renner incorporates details about his family, childhood, and the pivotal moment that led him to acting. He expresses gratitude for his life, family, friends, and those who saved his life. I love that he narrates the audiobook. #booksky

Unfortunately, I found myself abandoning Happy Place after listening to the audiobook for two hours. I felt bored with the narrative, and the premise lacked any compelling elements. I didn’t connect with the characters. They seemed ordinary and lacking unique qualities to draw me in. #booksky

I had high hopes for Isola by Allegra Goodman—a literary novel of strength, defiance, and a fight for life. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. The beginning was slow, and it took forever for Marguerite to be marooned. This story failed to evoke the emotional response I had anticipated. #booksky

Joe Hill is one of my favorite authors. I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of King Sorrow, and it was worth the wait! I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of this story and its characters. The dragon character was a fascinating component to a story about the theft of rare books. #booksky

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman is filled with action and tension as a plane crash causes structural damage to the nuclear power plant, compelling the town of Waketa to take immediate action. Her suspenseful thrillers are a must-read for me! #booksky

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman is filled with action and tension as a plane crash causes structural damage to the nuclear power plant, compelling the town of Waketa to take immediate action. Her suspenseful thrillers are a must-read for me! #booksky

Starting My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner this weekend. Wow! So far, it’s really good. ❄️ #booksky #FridayReads

I participated in an author event at The Back Room hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan and Karen Dionne. Authors Andrew Child, Tracy Clark, Hannah Mary McKinnon, and Ryan Steck engaged in fascinating conversations. I wrote about my experience on my blog and it’s loaded with book recommendations. #booksky

The Christmas Dress by Courtney Cole exceeded my expectations and is undoubtedly one of the best Christmas-themed books I’ve ever read. A heartwarming novel follows fashion-focused Meg Julliard as she returns to manage her late father’s apartment building in her hometown. #booksky

Over several months, my husband and I meticulously assembled the Lego of Endurance, the magnificent ship of Ernest Shackleton. My book review of Endurance by Alfred Lansing has been updated with photos and info. #booksky abookandadog.com/blog/endurance?rq=endurance

So excited for this! 🤓

The Gunslinger is the December pick for the in-person Constant Reader book club I attend. It’s a reread for me, and it’s been a while since I last read it. I struggled through it again. I’m hoping that the book club discussion will help me understand this installment better. #booksky

I’m thrilled that Lisa Unger has written another holiday short story! I loved this story! It’s an absolute gem of a suspenseful thriller set during the Christmas season. A professional hitwoman discovers the presence of the target’s young daughter, compelling her to confront her conscience. #booksky

I’ve been neglecting my unread Dean Koontz books, so it was a delight to read The Bone Farm, a prequel novella in the Jane Hawk series. Jane, a sharp FBI agent, races against time to stop a sadistic serial killer who abducts and tortures young women before murdering them. #booksky

What makes The Gift by Freida McFadden stand out is how relentlessly dark it gets for a story that’s literally wrapped in Christmas paper. She fully embraces the bleakness, resentment, and betrayal that can lurk even within the “perfect” festive season. #booksky

‪This weekend I’m starting Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman. ✈️ Additionally, I’m joining Shannon O’Brien on her travel journey in her memoir, Stray. 🧳‬ #BookSky

Prince Harry’s memoir, Spare is excellent! It’s moving and emotional. The book addresses Prince Harry’s father and brother, who claim to not understand why he and his family left Britain. It begins with the “disappearance” of his mother, and it’s heartbreaking to hear his perspective. #booksky

Darcy Coates’s gothic horror novella, The Haunting of Gillespie House, begins as a typical housesitter encountering the eerie occurrences of an old mansion. However, as the narrative unfolds, it delves into the mansion’s history, transforming into a genuinely spine-chilling tale. #booksky

December’s Amazon First Reads offers a complimentary bonus short read, titled “The Last Father-Daughter Dance” by Lisa Wingate, along with a new book of your choosing. I opted for “The Water Lies” by Amy Meyerson. #booksky

Embracing the Unknown, featuring Pema Chödrön, explores how awareness of death can lead to a fuller, more courageous present. It covers topics like the bardo, rebirth as a continuous process, and practical ways to manage fear, grief, and uncertainty. #booksky

Nikolette and I are wishing you cozy nights with hot chocolate, a stack of great books, and the people (and pets) you love most. 🎄☕️🍫📚🎅🐾 Merry Christmas! abookandadog.com

Indie publisher Bad Hand Books and author Benjamin Percy are collaborating with Stephen King to publish a monthly newspaper called The End Times. A post-apocalyptic newspaper set during the time of The Stand. I loved the first issue. Details on my blog. #booksky

This weekend I’m enjoying some holiday short stories by a couple of beloved authors.🎄The Kill Clause by Lisa Unger and The Gift by Freida McFadden. 🎁 #booksky #FridayReads

Clear by Carys Davies was just okay for me. I love stories that immerse me in nature, gradually explore the development of relationships, and leave me feeling warm and fulfilled. This story had those elements, but the hurried pace left me with little emotional impact by the end. #booksky

I enjoyed reading The Cinnamon Bun Book Store. It shares similarities with the first book as it focuses on a specific couple and their dating journey. The narrative revolves around the “will they or won’t they” theme, but it also stands out for its heavier emphasis on romance. #booksky

While visiting The Poisoned Pen bookstore in Scottsdale, Az., I stumbled upon a copy of It’s the End of the World as We Know It signed by Meg Gardiner. I was also able to get signatures from Richard Chizmar and Joe R. Lansdale. I wrote about this experience on my blog. #booksky

Such a pleasure to see evidence of the deer that share my walking trail. ❄️🦌 #winter #nature

Sandwich by Catherine Newman is a delightful novel that explores the complexities of family life with humor. The perspective of a newly menopausal mother adds depth to the narrative. Humor is a valuable tool for exploring middle age and family dynamics. #booksky

I’m a huge fan of Fiona Davis and have read all her books. I genuinely wanted to enjoy her novella, The Gimlet Slip, co-written with her partner Greg Wands, but it just didn’t quite capture my attention. I can’t pinpoint a specific reason; I just didn’t feel fully immersed in the story. #booksky

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy is an incredibly beautiful and profoundly moving novel. It’s an excellent read for nature enthusiasts, offering beautiful prose and a gripping narrative. It’s a book that has the power to tear your heart out, but I couldn’t help but love it. #booksky

‪This weekend I’m continuing the Dream Harbor series with The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore for the Goodreads Heart Warmers community challenge. 🍁🥮📚‬ #booksky #FridayReads

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have some time to enjoy reading while savoring your favorite foods. 🦃🍽️📚 #booksky #Thanksgiving

In The Sun Down Motel, Simone St. James skillfully weaves an eerie ghost-story atmosphere with suspense, crafting a haunting narrative about secrets, vengeance, and women who refuse to remain silent, even after death. The motel itself becomes a character. #booksky