W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton had an extremely slow start for me. The beginning felt weighed down by banal details that struggled to hold my attention. Once the plot picked up momentum, though, it was like a switch flipped—the story quickly became engaging and hard to put down. #booksky

I love that cactus bloom. That’s probably my favorite thing about my husband’s growing cacti collection. This Moon Cactus is gorgeous. 🌵🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling

I celebrated Independent Bookstore Day at The Kentucky Bookstore. The store hosted a signing with Kim Michele Richardson for her new novel, The Mountains We Call Home, the third book in The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek series. I wrote about my experience on my blog. #booksky

‪This weekend I’m struggling to find the right audiobook. On the bright side, it gives me something to write about on my blog. In the meantime, I’m enjoying this murder mystery—Lies to Forever by Marlene M. Bell‬. #booksky #FridayReads

Without Your Father by Jessica Lynne Henkle is a memoir that offers a portrayal of grief experienced in the year following the author’s father’s sudden death. The book delves into the peculiar blend of absurdity, humor, and profound emptiness that accompanies the loss of a parent. #booksky

The Dark Corners of the Night, the third book in the UNSUB series by Meg Gardiner, is an exceptional thriller that kept me hooked from the very beginning to the end. Sharp insights, tense team dynamics, and that chilling cat-and-mouse game between the investigators and the killer. #booksky

Bearded irises 💜🧡💜🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling

I’m feeling motivated to wrap up some series I’ve been reading for a while, so I’m reading W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton. I’m also finishing a lovely grief memoir, Without Your Father, by Jessica Lynne Henkle. #booksky #FridayReads

The Intern is #3.5 in the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz, and despite its short duration of less than 30 minutes, it’s incredibly intense! It delivers suspense and pulse-pounding tension that I’ve come to expect from The Nowhere Man. #booksky

Since this is Andrew Child’s second Jack Reacher book, I’ve noticed differences in his writing compared to Lee’s. Better Off Dead maintains its signature blend of action, problem-solving, and momentum, but Reacher’s personality seems different. #booksky

Cactus blooms 🌵🩷🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling

While some of the pieces in Matthew McConaughey’s Poems and Prayers resonated with me, I found the overall book to be less impactful than Greenlights. His poetry style is commendable, but the content simply didn’t align with my preferences. His humor didn’t always resonate with me. #booksky

I genuinely enjoyed Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and am grateful for that. I was captivated by Jane’s character and her coming-of-age journey. Watching her evolve felt authentic and earned. The story was filled with emotion as Bronte vividly portrayed society of that era. #booksky

Ice cream tulips 🌷🍦🌱 #gardening #bloomscrolling

For my April Amazon First Reads selection, I chose “Where the Sea Lavender Grows” by Kitty Johnson. The book cover is simply gorgeous. #booksky

This weekend I’m starting my 26th Jack Reacher novel. 🧡 #booksky #FridayReads

V is for Vengeance is the most character-rich story in Sue Grafton’s Alphabet series that I’ve read so far. The book has a colorful cast that includes a high-stakes gambler, a connected mob figure, an unhappily married woman, a shoplifting accomplice, and a dirty cop—just to name a few. #booksky

Stephen King’s 11/22/63, the March and April book for my IRL Constant Reader book club, remains one of my favorite novels. I thoroughly enjoyed it, just as much as the first time. Its captivating elements include time travel implications, a powerful love story, and meaningful friendships. #booksky

Please Don’t Lie by Christina Bake Kline was good, giving me suspense throughout. It was enjoyable enough to finish, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. Maybe it’s because I can’t empathize with a wealthy character who disregards financial responsibility and lacks foresight. #booksky

Parrot tulips 🌷 🌱 #gardensky #FlowersOnFriday

A Chance Encounter by J.P. Pomare started off intriguing. I was captivated by the MC’s job as a flight attendant and curious about her fascination with a passenger. But as the story progressed, my interest began to wane. The momentum picked up, but unfortunately, the ending was predictable. #booksky

This weekend I’m nearing the end of Sue Grafton’s Alphabet series with V is for Vengeance. I’m also seriously questioning if I’m smart enough to get through Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. 🤓 #booksky #FridayReads

Happy Easter weekend! Nikolette and I are delighted to welcome the spring weather. It’s the perfect time to move our reading space outside! 🌷🐣🪻🐇☀️ abookandadog.com #booksky #dogsky

Taylor Adams’ masterful storytelling in The Last Word made me feel the fear and anxiety that the protagonist experiences. I was glued to the narration, thinking the story was nearing its conclusion only to be surprised by yet another twist. #booksky

Parrot tulips 🌷 🌱 #bloomscrolling #gardening

It’s been a while since I last read a Harlan Coben novel. In The Stranger, Coben delves into the themes of secrets and the fragility of trust. I was thoroughly satisfied with the suburban family-in-peril dynamic of the story. It’s filled with the twists that I’ve come to expect from Coben. #booksky

Peter Swanson’s Eight Perfect Murders is a gripping murder mystery that kept my mind engaged in the process of solving the murders. The story is brimming with excellent book recommendations in the mystery genre. In my review, I also reflect on how my book choices are evolving. #booksky

I’m going to be reading Southern Man by Greg Iles for a few #FridayReads —It’s a chunkster! I’m also finishing up A Chance Encounter by J.P. Pomare. #booksky

I listened to over an hour of the audiobook, Heartwood by Amity Gaige, but I couldn’t get invested in the story or the narrators. The narrative structure was confusing, with many unclear characters. I’m sure they would make sense if I had continued, but I decided to move on. #booksky

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent captivated me with Morven Christie’s exceptional narration. Her voice created a moody ambiance that complemented the story. Agnes is convicted of murdering two men, she lives and works on an isolated farm while awaiting her beheading. Such a sad, tragic story. #booksky

I’m seriously booked this first weekend of spring. 🌷🤓🪻 Southern Man by Greg Iles Please Don’t Lie by Christina Baker Kline Eight Perfect Murders by Peter Swanson #booksky #FridayReads

The Curse of Hester Gardens by Tamika Thompson is a horror novel that presents an innovative twist on the haunted house narrative. Her storytelling crafts a chilling portrayal of a divided neighborhood and explores how the deepest hauntings stem from the traumas we inherit and perpetuate. #booksky

Freida McFadden’s writing style keeps me on the edge of my seat, constantly challenging my assumptions and proving that my suspicions are often misplaced. In The Boyfriend, she blends modern dating horror and obsession into the narrative, creating a gripping and thought-provoking story. #booksky

I participated in an author event at The Back Room hosted by Hank Phillipi Ryan and Karen Dionne. Meagan Church, Edwin Hill, Joshilyn Jackson, and Nikesha Elise Williams engaged in fascinating conversations. I wrote about my experience on my blog and it’s loaded with book recommendations. #booksky

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀 Nikolette and I wish you the best of luck in reading a wonderful book. 📖 #booksky #dogsky abookandadog.com

Characters amaze me with their perseverance and horrific behaviors. Ellen Marie Wiseman’s The Life She Was Given presents both extremes. It’s difficult to read about the pain humans inflict on others and animals, so I’m grateful for the kind, generous, and loving characters in this story. #booksky

‪11/22/63 by Stephen King is the March and April pick for The Constant Reader book club. (It’s a chunkster, so the facilitator divided the reading in half.) I’m loving this reread. ❤️ It’s going to be hard to pause halfway through. #booksky #weekendreads

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this classic novel, Crime and Punishment. The book is an unexpected study of the mind and morality rather than a simple crime story. Having such insight into Raskolnikov’s thoughts made the story rich and deep. #booksky

I’ve finally made my March Amazon First Reads selection. I appreciate Liane Moriarty’s free short story, “The Price of Honey.” I also chose “In the Great Quiet” by Laura Vogt. Historical fiction is quickly becoming my favorite genre. #booksky

I’m finally reading Crime and Punishment. It’s a classic that’s intimidated me for ages. I now realize how silly that was. 🤓 #booksky

Spring is teasing me. 🌱 #gardening

As a retired therapist and someone who believes in applying personal growth tools to myself and not just my clients, I was impressed by how much this book resonated with me. It provided an opportunity to reflect on my past career and rekindle the use of some valuable tools I’ve discovered. #booksky

This marks my first time reading a Luanne Rice novel, and I truly enjoyed the experience. Last Night is well-written, a solid mystery, and I particularly loved the artist characters. The setting of the Ocean House is described as an immensely beautiful hotel, which is indeed a real place. #booksky

This weekend I’m enjoying a variety of genres. 🌠The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins. 🎪The Life She Was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman 🌺The Curse of Hester Gardens by Tamika Thompson #booksky

It’s been a long journey, and I’ve finally completed the Lonesome Dove series by Larry McMurtry. For me, the series finale is Comanche Moon. It’s been an absolute pleasure to ride alongside Call and McCrae as they embarked on a decades-long journey across the rugged western United States. #booksky

I genuinely enjoyed the first book in the Danny Ryan trilogy, City on Fire. I found immense pleasure in the fictional world of the Italian and Irish crime families. This is exactly the kind of crime saga story I’ve come to expect from Don Winslow. #booksky

This weekend, I’m finishing the Lonesome Dove series with Comanche Moon while also starting a new series with City on Fire by Don Winslow. #booksky #FridayReads

February’s Constant Reader book club selection is Stephen King’s Pet Sematary. It’s a reread for me, having first read it in 2019. The book is excellent, and I didn’t mind rereading it for book club. I’ve seen the movie countless times and find it a wonderful adaptation of the book. #booksky

While I found many aspects of The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek charming, it didn’t resonate with me as I had anticipated. The Pack Horse Library Project was impressive. The impact of books on the rural people was heartwarming. Learning about the Blue People was intriguing. #booksky #dogsky

Happy Valentine’s Day from me and Nikolette! 💝🐾 Isn’t she the cutest reading companion? 💘 abookandadog.com #booksky #dogsky