It’s been just over a week since season 3 of “The Gilded Age” wrapped, and I officially have a big, glittery hole in my life! I’m desperate for more late 19th-century intrigue. Naturally, I’m turning to books to fill the void. Here are 2 that I’m excited to read while I begin my season 4 countdown.

Finn just wanted to stop in and say that he hopes you’re busy doing nothing on this fine day! Or if you’re doing something, that it’s bringing you the same amount of joy he gets from chasing two balls at the same time…or eating cheese.

After spending years as a statue for creating a sentient plant, lonely librarian Terlu awakens on a faraway island. There, she finds hundreds of wondrous greenhouses, a surly gardener with a fondness for honey cakes, and a failing enchantment that needs fixing if the island’s magic is to survive.

How's your weekend going, friends? Doing anything fun? Also, happy National Book Lovers Day + Romance Bookstore Day!! After a busy work week, I'm leaning into all things calm and cozy, like my new obsession, @tinybookshopgame.com. I'm 1,000% obsessed! Starting a couple of new books, too! 💕

Hellebore is the premiere academy for rehabilitating magically evil individuals…if they can survive graduation. Join 8 deadly students in the library for 3 days of murderous mayhem while they fend off the faculty! Here’s hoping they don’t look too delicious 😋

In a world where you’re either a magical Artisan or a laboring Craftsman, two children uncover a life-changing secret. Reunited as adults, they’re undeniable love is challenged by class differences and betrayals, all while revolution strikes. Thanks for the ARC @sagapressbooks.bsky.social!

July was a MONTH…but I still tackled 7 books, including 4 that ended up on the “Loved it” and “Practically perfect” end of the rating spectrum. Monsters, talking plants, and housemaids all made an appearance! Overall, it was a pretty great reading month 🎉

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Spanning the 1940s-60s (with a touch of the year 2000), this poignant book blends a fictitious friendship between Marilyn Monroe and a young hotel maid with actual events, including the production of Monroe’s final completed film, “The Misfits.”

Important question…have you ever seen a more perfect strawberry in all your life?? Seriously! My plant is really starting to show off 😍 Once this wee berry started to ripen, I knew I had to participate in the strawberry stack challenge I've been seeing on Booksta. Happy strawberry season!

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Friends, this may be one of the scariest books I’ve read in a long time! The focus on data and surveillance really got me thinking about how much I’m willing to sacrifice for the sake of convenience…and whether the trade-offs are worth it, even in the name of “safety.”

I am nothing if not very late to this trend party, but it was just too cute to pass up! So, without further ado, here are my essentials, my faves, my loves, the things that bring me to life that I simply can’t live without…you get the picture!

Another month down…10 more books checked off my TBR! Friends, May was such a great reading month 🎉 Two 5⭐ reads, five in my 4⭐ category, four new-to-me authors, three physical library books…the numbers say it all! Yay for May!

Book friends…how is it almost June!? Like, where did May go? Honestly, it was a chilly, grey month in the PNW, so I’m not upset to say, “So long!” Plus, have you seen the new releases heading our way?! June is going to be an AMAZING month for readers! Here are the books I’m most excited about 👀

Just a little S-U-M-M-E-R stack featuring some blue sky vibes ☀️ 📘 [S]till Life by Sarah Winman 📘 [U]pgrade by Blake Crouch 📘 [M]emorial by Bryan Washington 📘 [M]alibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid 📘 [E]vil Eye by Etaf Rum 📘 [R]uthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

Happy Monday, book friends! And happy Memorial Day to my fellow US readers ❤️🤍💙 I’m currently reveling in day 3 of the holiday weekend with plans to prep some posts, read some books, and eat some cinnamon rolls 🥰 HBU?

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Despite some plot bumps at the halfway point, there's a lot to love in this romance, including beachy vibes, sparkling dialog, a group of sassy seniors known as “The Gals,” and a Great Dane named George Bailey (yes…after “It’s a Wonderful Life” 🥹) Full review on my Booksta!

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Be still my heart! 🥰 I loved this YA book, which had a lot going on in the best way. I knew there’d be queer rep, paranormal vibes, and a bit of romance. But what I wasn’t expecting, and really enjoyed, was how it explored queer history by way of a small-town mystery.

Let’s play…what is Finnley thinking deep thoughts about? 🤔 A) The mysteries of the universe B) How much peanut butter can actually fit in a Kong C) Which cheese is the best cheese…cheddar or parmesan? D) No deep thoughts. Just vibes! Wishing you a great weekend, book friends!

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Raise your hand if you remember the Harrison Ford/Anne Heche 90s film 𝘚𝘪𝘹 𝘋𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘚𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Those are the vibes we’re bringing to this party…but make it a second-chance romance with dual timelines 😍 Full review on my Booksta!

Happy Wednesday, friends! We’re halfway to the weekend! 🎉 Thought I’d share a little midweek library stack featuring some new(ish) releases I’m excited about. Have you read any of these?

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: Get ready to say goodbye to your heart because it’s about to be stolen by this wonderful/delightful/tender/nostalgic/dreamy (I could go on…) romance by #CarleyFortune! All the stars! All my love! I honestly didn’t want it to end 🥹 Full review on my Booksta 👀

Do you like to keep track of upcoming releases? I sure do! Here are 8 books heading our way that are absolutely on my TBR.

I’m so excited to be part of the #CeladonReadsTogether Initiative for #NotesOnInfinity by Austin Taylor! The wonderful thing about this program is that it pairs you with several other readers to discuss the book. Keep an eye out for our thoughts over on Bookstagram! 👀

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: There are things you can always count on in an Abby Jimenez book…emotionally mature MCs, witty banter, heavy topics handled with care, and cute animals! Those boxes all got checked in this deep and at times devastating romance, which does not shy away from tough moments.

On Wednesdays we gaze at pink petunias and refresh our Kindle stickers! 🩷 I haven’t had stickers in my Kindle case since an unfortunate incident involving our bathtub…oops. But something about the lovely spring weather inspired me to dress her up again! Do you decorate your Kindle?

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: If you’ve ever wondered what a female-led Indiana Jones movie featuring nautical archaeology would be like, then look no further. This new novel from Sarah Penner has plenty of treasure hunting, archive sleuthing, star-crossed romance…and even a little witchcraft.

Raise your hand if you love your local independent bookstores! 🙋🏼‍♀️ #Seattle just wrapped up its annual Independent Bookstore Day event, which lasts an entire WEEK, and I had to share my 2025 stack along with pics of my favorite finds.

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: OMGGGG, friends! "Julie Chan is Dead" kept me reading until nearly 1AM, and I’m not mad about it 😵‍💫 With razor-sharp wit, Liann Zhang provides a satirical POV on influencer culture and the lengths some will go for that digital dopamine high.

We made it to another FRIDAY! Is there a better way to celebrate than with coffee and pretty books? 🧜‍♀️ OwlCrate's special editions are just too pretty and the March Adult Fantasy selection, 𝘜𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘈 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘵 𝘛𝘪𝘥𝘦 by @kellinthewoods.bsky.social, is no exception. I just had to share!

✍️ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: This tender romance addresses grief in a way I haven’t encountered in a book before, focusing on the loss of an adult friend and how to move forward when someone you love dearly can’t do the same. I laughed, cried, and felt cared for with every page turn!

Let’s celebrate the start of a new week with a challenge that a dear friend tagged me in recently 💕 Presenting…books with water on the cover! 🌊 I ended up having waaaaay more of these than I thought, so I decided to go with blue hues in honor of Monday. Don’t you just want to “dive” right in? 💦

There’s nothing like a trip to Dream Harbor! I love how this series keeps expanding, introducing new residents and corners of the town. While this book included a few tropes I’m not all that crazy for, it spent enough time with the MCs to build a genuine relationship that had me teary by the end.

Happy April, friends! I don’t know if it’s the wonky weather here in WA or what, but I’m starting this new month in a bit of a funk 🫠 Spring has been such a tease so far! Until warmer weather shows up this weekend, I’ll lean on last month’s books to help lift my spirits ☀️ Enjoy my March recap!

And just like that, a new chapter begins! 🥳 Finding a book for these b-day pics gets trickier every year, but I had a feeling Anne Shirley would come through for me. And how perfect is that chapter title? Can you think of a better way to describe your late 30s? Bring on that bend in the road!

My hubs and I recently celebrated my upcoming birthday at Posthotel in Leavenworth, WA 🎉 This place is a reader’s PARADISE! Calm vibes, quiet nooks, wellness areas, tasty treats, cozy bathrobes...it’s like a spa version of Disneyland ✨

🍀 Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all who celebrate! I just got home from a trip to Seabrook, WA. It’s the CUTEST town on the coast, and no trip is complete without a stop at their indie bookstore, Joie Des Livres. Check out their great seasonal display and be sure to stop by if you're ever in town!

Finn was busy at the beach this past Friday but still wanted to say hi to you all this week! So he was like, “Mom! What if instead of Finnley Friday, we did Snoot Sunday?” And I was like, “Finnster, you’re a genius!” If this is, in fact, already a thing, please don’t tell him…he’s very proud!

Big thanks to @netgalley.bsky.social and @putnambooks.bsky.social for an ARC of Kim Fay's new book, Kate & Frida! If you’re a fan of epistolary novels, great food, the 60s/90s, and female friendships, you should definitely check out both novels. They’re also perfect for Women’s History Month!

Wishing you amazing ladies out there (and all who support them!) a wonderful Women’s Day 💕 I’ve read some fantastic books featuring women who inspire me and thought I’d share a few faves. Each of these stories left me feeling empowered by how far we’ve come and ready to help take us further 💪

Just a pup daydreaming about daylight saving time...those magical months when lunch and dinner start 1 hour earlier 🌞 That's how it works, right??

💕 Presenting my February reading recap featuring one word to describe each book! Read anything good in February? My faves were... ☕ 𝘊𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘞𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘛𝘦𝘢 by Rebecca Thorne (Cozy fantasy) 🍎 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 by Andrea Hannah (YA fantasy)

✨ 𝗣𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲: 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 I’ll admit, I don’t use Pinterest all that much! But I saw a friend post this fun challenge last week and I was so curious to see how well Pinterest knows me (spoiler alert…pretty darn well 😂)

🎉 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗮𝗵 Snow White gets scary in this dark retelling that picks up 20 years after the apple. Delightfully macabre, it takes a classic story and twists it into one deliciously eerie tale. Big thanks to @wednesdaybooks for the gifted copy! 🫶