Book Review: Habits of the Sea by Shea Ernshaw Title: Habits of the SeaAuthor: Shea ErnshawPublisher: AtriaPublication date: July 7, 2026Length: 304 pagesGenre: Magical realismSource: Review copy courtesy of AtriaRating: ★★★★★ The second adult novel from New York Times bestselling author Shea…

The Monday Check-In ~ 7/20/2026 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead -- what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too. Life. It's been another whirlwind week! After just a few days back…

Birthstone Book Covers: July = Ruby! I participated in Birthstone Books Covers for the first time last August, and now I'm hooked! Leslie at Books Are the New Black hosts this fun monthly meme -- and since I love anything related to spotlighting amazing book covers, I just had to jump in. The…

Mountains, lakes, and Shakespeare: My Oregon vacation There's nothing like a summer road trip to bring me joy! I'm back after a ten-day getaway through Northern California to the Oregon-Washington border and back again -- a total of approximately 1450 miles -- and thought I'd share some…

Book Review: The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett Title: The Calamity ClubAuthor: Kathryn StockettPublisher: Spiegel & GrauPublication date: May 5, 2026Length: 656 pagesGenre: Historical fictionSource: PurchasedRating: ★★★★★ In 1933 Oxford, Mississippi, Prohibition is on the wane, and the Great…

The Monday Check-In ~ 7/13/2026 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead -- what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too. Life. I'm back! My husband and I got back yesterday afternoon from a…

Spell the Month in Books: July Spell the Month in Books is a monthly meme hosted by Jana at Reviews from the Stacks. To participate, find a book title that starts with each letter in the month’s name, make a list, share your link, and that’s it! You can share anytime by the end of the month. Some…

For your reading pleasure: Summer’s One Must Read Book 2026 (courtesy of Carol @ Reading Ladies) I'm away on a mini-vacation and had planned to mostly be on a blogging break... but couldn't resist popping back in to share a special summer treat. Carol @ Reading Ladies Book Club organizes a…

Audiobook Review: Meet Me at the Seaside Cottages by Jenny Colgan Title: Meet Me at the Seaside CottagesAuthor: Jenny ColganNarrator: Eilidh BeatonPublisher: AvonPublication date: June 16, 2026Print length: 352 pagesAudio length: 11 hours, 44 minutesGenre: Contemporary fictionSource: Purchased…

Book Review: The Midnight Train by Matt Haig Title: The Midnight TrainAuthor: Matt HaigPublisher: VikingPublication date: May 26, 2026Length: 296 pagesGenre: FantasySource: PurchasedRating: ★★★★★ When your life flashes before your eyes, where would you stop? No one can change the past, but the…

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026 Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week's topic is Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the Second Half of 2026. So many to look forward! Plus all…

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/29/2026 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead -- what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too. Life. Another busy week -- but the sun finally came out over the…

TV Time: For All Mankind; seasons 1 – 5 This week marks the end of my For All Mankind binge. Overall, this is a fascinating, absorbing (but sometimes maddening) show. With one season still to come (possibly in 2027), I'm glad that I took the time to dive in and watch seasons 1 - 5. Here's my…

Book Review: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman Title: I Who Have Never Known MenAuthor: Jacqueline HarpmanPublisher: Transit BooksPublication date: 1995Length: 173 pagesGenre: Speculative fictionSource: PurchasedRating: ★★★★ Deep underground, forty women live imprisoned in a cage.…

First Lines Friday 6/26/2026 First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers created by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Here's how to join in: Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current…

Book Review: The Children by Melissa Albert Title: The ChildrenAuthor: Melissa AlbertPublisher: BramblePublication date: June 2, 2026Length: 416 pagesGenre: Fantasy/HorrorSource: LibraryRating: ★★★★★ An intoxicating, haunting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Melissa Albert, in…

Top Ten Tuesday: Top ten books on my TBR list for summer 2026 Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week's topic is Books on My Summer 2026 to-Read List. Before getting started with my summer TBR, I took a look back at my…

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/22/2026 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead -- what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too. Life. Do you ever have weeks where you feel like you're just bad at…

Audiobook Review: Time Loops & Meet Cutes Title: Time Loops & Meet CutesAuthor: Jackie LauNarrators: Cindy Kay & Raymond J. LeePublisher: AtriaPublication date: May 6, 2025Print length: 339 pagesAudio length: 9 hours 15 minutesGenre: Contemporary romanceSource: LibraryRating: ★★★★ The “masterful,…

First Lines Friday 6/19/2026 First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers created by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Here's how to join in: Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current…

Book Review: The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali Title: The Lion Women of TehranAuthor: Marjan KamaliPublisher: Gallery BooksPublication date: July 2, 2024Length: 352 pagesGenre: Historical fictionSource: PurchasedRating: ★★★★★ In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort…

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish wishes (summer 2026) Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week's topic is Bookish Wishes, with the prompt: List the top 10 books you’d love to own and include a link to your wishlist so that people…

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/15/2026 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead -- what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too. Life. I went to a great book event last week, featuring Matt Haig in…

Book Review: Swordheart by T. Kingfisher Title: SwordheartAuthor: T. KingfisherPublisher: BramblePublication date: Originally published November 27, 2018; new hardcover edition released 2025Length: 448 pagesGenre: FantasySource: PurchasedRating: ★★★★★ Halla has unexpectedly inherited the estate of…

Birthstone Book Covers: June = Options, options, options! I participated in Birthstone Books Covers for the first time last August, and now I'm hooked! Leslie at Books Are the New Black hosts this fun monthly meme -- and since I love anything related to spotlighting amazing book covers, I just had…

First Lines Friday 6/12/2026 First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers created by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Here's how to join in: Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current…

Book Review: The Last Lady B by Eloisa James Title: The Last Lady BAuthor: Eloisa JamesPublisher: GalleryPublication date: May 12, 2026Length: 384 pagesGenre: Historical romanceSource: LibraryRating: ★★★★ Lady B may have married Bluebeard; she may have fallen in love with a gorgeous, grumpy…

Top Ten Tuesday: Getting fancy: Books with titles in a cursive font Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week's topic is Books with Handwriting on the Cover. The topic got me thinking: Do kids still learn to write in cursive…

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/8/2026 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead -- what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too. Life. Oof. Last week at work was intense, and I felt like I barely…

Book Review: Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier (Classics Club Spin #44) Title: Frenchman's CreekAuthor: Daphne du MaurierPublication date: 1941Length: 290 pages Rating: ★★★★★ Bored and restless in London’s Restoration Court, Lady Dona escapes into the British countryside with her restlessness…

First Lines Friday 6/5/2026 First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers created by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Here's how to join in: Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current…

Spell the Month in Books: June Spell the Month in Books is a monthly meme hosted by Jana at Reviews from the Stacks. To participate, find a book title that starts with each letter in the month’s name, make a list, share your link, and that’s it! You can share anytime by the end of the month. Some…

Book Review: Take Me with You by Steven Rowley Title: Take Me with YouAuthor: Steven RowleyPublisher: G.P. Putnam's SonsPublication date: May 19, 2026Length: 368 pagesGenre: Contemporary fictionSource: Review copy via NetGalley (audiobook purchased via Audible)Rating: ★★★★ A poignant, hilarious,…

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Can’t Believe I’ve Never Read Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week's topic is Books I Can’t Believe I’ve Never Read. My picks this week include a classic I should have read by now and a bunch of…

The Monday Check-In ~ 6/1/2026 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead -- what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too. Life. It's June already! Bring on summer sunshine and blue skies! I…

Book Review: The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell Title: The Marriage PortraitAuthor: Maggie O'FarrellPublisher: KnopfPublication date: September 6, 2022Length: 355 pagesGenre: Historical fictionSource: PurchasedRating: ★★★★★ Florence, the 1550s. Lucrezia, third daughter of the grand duke, is…

Book Review: Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer  Title: ObstetrixAuthor: Naomi KritzerPublisher: Tor Publication date: June 9, 2026Length: 208 pagesGenre: ThrillerSource: Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalleyRating: ★★★★ From the Hugo award-winning author Naomi Kritzer comes a tense portrait…

First Lines Friday 5/29/2026 First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers created by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Here's how to join in: Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current…

Book Review: Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan Title: Dolly All the TimeAuthor: Annabel MonaghanPublisher: G.P. Putnam's SonsPublication date: May 26, 2026Length: 395 pagesGenre: Contemporary romanceSource: Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalleyRating: ★★★★★ A hardworking single…

Life and art on a phonescreen A little moment of serendipity... My phone lockscreen is set to randomly shuffle photos from my camera roll, changing every hour on the hour. I never know what will turn up... and I like it that way. And when I woke up to start my day yesterday, I found that I had a…

Top Ten Tuesday: My Favorite Books by My Favorite Authors Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week's topic is My Favorite Books by My Favorite Authors, with the prompt: Pick your ten favorite authors and your favorite book…

The Monday Check-In ~ 5/25/2026 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead -- what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too. Life. Four day weekend! Due to a holiday this past Friday as well as…

Audiobook Review: My Contrary Mary by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, & Jodi Meadows Title: My Contrary MarySeries: Mary, #1Authors: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi MeadowsNarrator: Fiona HardinghamPublisher: HarperTeenPublication date: June 22, 2021Print length: 512 pagesAudiobook length: 12 hours…

Book Review: The Foursome by Christina Baker Kline Title: The FoursomeAuthor: Christina Baker KlinePublisher: Mariner BooksPublication date: May 12, 2026Length: 384 pagesGenre: Historical fictionSource: Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalleyRating: ★★★★★ From #1 New York Times…

Birthstone Book Covers: May = Emerald! I participated in Birthstone Books Covers for the first time in August, and now I'm hooked! Leslie at Books Are the New Black hosts this fun monthly meme -- and since I love anything related to spotlighting amazing book covers, I just had to jump in. The…

First Lines Friday 5/22/2026 First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers created by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines? Here's how to join in: Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current…

Book Review: A Town with Half the Lights On by Page Getz Title: A Town with Half the Lights OnAuthor: Page GetzPublisher: Sourcebooks LandmarkPublication date: April 22, 2025Length: 384 pagesGenre: Contemporary fictionSource: PurchasedRating: ★★★★ For readers of J. Ryan Stradal and The Music of…

Book Review: The Shippers by Katherine Center Title: The ShippersAuthor: Katherine CenterPublisher: St. Martin's PressPublication date: May 19, 2026Length: 336 pagesGenre: Contemporary fictionSource: Review copy courtesy of the publisher via NetGalleyRating: ★★★★ One of the hottest, fastest-rising…

Top Ten Tuesday: Jamie & Claire’s clan: Favorite supporting characters from the Outlander series Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week's topic is Favorite Secondary/Minor Characters. I've decided to focus on supporting…

The Monday Check-In ~ 5/18/2026 My Monday tradition, including a look back and a look ahead -- what I read last week, what new books came my way, and what books are keeping me busy right now. Plus a smattering of other stuff too. Life. It's been a busy week, both with un-fun (work) craziness and…