Bloggin' 'bout Books

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books On My Summer To-Read List (Part One)

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 20:17:52 +0000

It's Tuesday again! How did that happen? This summer is just zipping by...The heat is crazy here in the Phoenix area, so I've been hibernating inside wth the air conditioning on high. I have a backyard pool, but it's way too hot to read out there. I'd melt in an instant. Even the pool water is on the warm side! At any rate, this week's TTT prompt is: Bookish Wishes. This topic comes up twice a year, and I've never felt entirely comfortable with it. The idea is that you list books that you would like to own, including your Amazon wishlist, and other bloggers can gift those titles to you if they feel so inclined. Like I said, not my thing. Instead, I'm going to start next week's list early, and make it a two-parter. That topic is much more to my liking: Top Ten Books On My Summer 2026 To-Read List. I could make a Top 100 list on this topic—choosing 20 will be a cinch.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Books On My Summer To-Read List (Part One)

1. Building 903 by Lois Lowry (available September 29, 2026)—I just received an e-ARC of this upcoming middle-grade dystopian novel from a children's fiction icon. It sounds intriguing. The story revolves around twin siblings who live in a world that is controlled by a tyrannical leader. Because the citizens feel comfortable and safe, they allow it, even though many despise the person in charge. When one of the twins disappears, no one wants to entertain such unpleasantless. Then, a 135-year-old woman lets the remaining twin in on a secret that might help her locate the missing child: books are portals that can lead to truth, freedom, and answers.

2. The Killing Time by Elly Griffiths (available November 17, 2026)—I loved The Frozen People, the first installment in a new time travel murder mystery series, so I was thrilled to get an e-ARC of the sequel. In this outing, Detective Ali Dawson is investigating the cold case of a boy who purportedly committed suicide by jumping off a tall building. She believes he was manipulated by a psychic who convinced him he could fly. Although Ali's team has been forbidden from time travelling after a major problem during their last visit to the past, she know she needs more insight into her current case. A quick dip back in time can't hurt, right? Naturally, things immediately begin to go awry.

3. A Royal Pain by Rhys Bowen—Her Royal Spyness was such a fun read that I'm eager to continue on with the series. Once I learned that the late Katherine Kellgren—one of my favorite audiobook narrators—voices the series, I grabbed an audiobook of A Royal Pain from Audible. This time around, Lady Georgie has been asked by the Queen of England to entertain a Bavarian princess. When you're a penniless aristocrat, that's a lot easier said than done. Caught up in the whirlwind of trying to make her London home look like a palace, complete with a serving staff she can't afford to hire, and attempting to cure the princess of some bad habits, Georgie barely has time to think about the dead body the royal may have had a hand in murdering...

4. A Dreadful Splendor by B.R. Myers—Lark recently raved about this Gothic murder mystery on her blog, and I immediately added it to my TBR list. The story is about a young con woman in Victorian England who poses as a spiritualist in order to sucker the wealthy out of their pocket money. When she's jailed for fraud, a stranger offers her a way to earn her freedom: convince a young nobleman that his recently deceased wife is resting in peace. Although it seems like an easy task, it's not. The husband believes his spouse was murdered and he wants the fake psychic to help him prove it.

5. Rook by Sharon Cameron—Other than her forthcoming novel, Up From the Ashes (available October 6, 2026), I've read all of Cameron's books but this one. Its plot is a little hard to explain, so here's the publisher's version:

History has a way of repeating itself. In the Sunken City that was once Paris, all who oppose the new revolution are being put to the blade. Except for those who disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. Is the mysterious Red Rook a savior of the innocent or a criminal?

Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy's arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she.

As the Red Rook grows bolder and the stakes grow higher, Sophia and René find themselves locked in a tantalizing game of cat and mouse. Daring intrigue, delicious romance, and spine-tingling suspense fill the pages of this extraordinary tale from award-winning author Sharon Cameron.

6. Sanctuary by James Cleary—In a post-apocalyptic U.S., half the country is drowning in water and the other half is suffocating from deadly dust. Having prepared for this eventuality, billionaire John Brandt, along with his family and their security team, are retreating to the underground mansion he has been preparing. They're not the only ones desperate to find safety, however. A fierce group of raiders are also headed to the Sanctuary, and they will do anything to take it for themselves.

7. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke—Piranesi isn't my usual type of read, but it's my book club's pick for June. Here's the official blurb:

Piranesi lives in the House. Perhaps he always has.

In his notebooks, day after day, he makes a clear and careful record of its wonders: the labyrinth of halls, the thousands upon thousands of statues, the tides that thunder up staircases, the clouds that move in slow procession through the upper halls. On Tuesdays and Fridays Piranesi sees his friend, the Other. At other times he brings tributes of food to the Dead. But mostly, he is alone.

Messages begin to appear, scratched out in chalk on the pavements. There is someone new in the House. But who are they and what do they want? Are they a friend or do they bring destruction and madness as the Other claims?

Lost texts must be found; secrets must be uncovered. The world that Piranesi thought he knew is becoming strange and dangerous.

The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; its Kindness infinite.

8. The Castaways by Lucy Clarke—I've been enjoying Clarke's destination thrillers lately. This one is about a woman who is filled with regret and grief after missing a vacation to Fiji that she was supposed to go on with her sister two years ago. Her sister's small plane disappeared, presumably crashed, assumedly killing all aboard. When the pilot suddenly shows up in Fiji claiming amnesia, the sister who was left behind travels to the country to figure out what really happened to her missing sibling.

9. An Artful Dodge by Karen Odden—This historical novel concerns a notorious all-female thieving ring in Victorian England. Twenty-year-old Kit Jimeson is the gang's best swindler, but she's ready to be done with that life. She's been saving her earnings so that both she and her younger sister can attempt an honest, respectable existence. Just as Kit's about to walk away, the gang's former leader returns with revenge on her mind. Kit is her most valuable weapon, and she won't let her go without a fight. Kit can only win her freedom by pulling off an impossible heist, one that will more than likely lead her straight to the hangman's noose.

10. The Séance Garden by Juliet Blackwell (available July 28, 2026)—Although her academic career is focused on the historical and societal significance of the occult, Professor Harper Grae is a long-time skeptic. Until she sees something otherworldly that she can't explain while on a cheesy ghost tour in Monterey, California. When the tour stumbles across the dead body of a local artist, Harper finds herself embroiled in the ensuing murder investigation. Learning that this is not the only woman to die on this particular property, the professor is forced to ask herself if it's possible the home is haunted.

There you go, ten books I want to read this summer. Have you read any of them? Which appeals to you most? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

Hepworth's Latest Thriller Surprisingly Warm and Uplifting

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 08:00:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

There was always something strange about Mabel Waller. As a child, she was bigger than average, socially awkward, friendless, caught up in her own imagination, and desperate for affection. Then, there was the fact that the people close to her tended to end up injured or dead. When she became the youngest Australian ever to be convicted of murder, her fate as "Mad Mabel" was sealed. A monster like her was surely insane. Or was she?

Now 81, Mabel has become Elsie Fitzpatrick, an unassuming pensioner who has lived on the same quiet Melbourne street for 60 years. Other than an ongoing feud with her nemesis-neighbor, the irascible Elsie leads an unremarkable life. No one would ever guess she's a notorious criminal, possibly even a serial killer. When her nemesis winds up dead, Elsie's real identity is leaked, and suddenly she finds herself in the spotlight once again. Desperate to clear her name, she decides to tell her story for the first time ever to two young podcasters. As she divulges secrets from the past, deals with an angry public, and tries to fend off the unwanted attention of the 7-year-old "irritating little despot" next door, Elsie discovers—to her great surprise—that Mad Mabel has more friends than she thinks. Daring to care, however, has made her vulnerable. Will she lose everything she loves when she finally spills the truth about what she's done?

I'm a big Sally Hepworth fan, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed her newest thriller, Mad Mabel. The book is a little darker than her others, but it's also humorous, poignant, and heartwarming. Mabel's childhood and adolescence are so horrible that it's impossible not to pity her, even now that she's an old woman. Her sharpness—a defense mechanism if I ever saw one—makes her funny and appealing. Even though she's sarcastic and acerbic, I loved her from the start. Elise/Mabel becomes especially likeable as she opens her heart to the irrepressible Persephone. Their friendship is my favorite part of the story.

Mad Mabel is a character-driven novel, but there's plenty going on in the story to keep the reader turning pages. Hepworth spins the plot out in a way that gradually ups the tension, making it a suspenseful, engrossing read throughout. I did see one of the big plot twists coming from a mile away, but the one at the end caught me by surprise. (Funny enough, I read this book twice in a 6-month period and I still didn't see that last twist coming!) Although not all of my questions about Elise/Mabel were answered at the end of the novel, I still found its ending satisfying. In spite of some sad, dark content, Mad Mabel is actually a pretty warm, uplifting book. I loved it.

(Readalikes: Reminds me a little bit of A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus occasional, milder invectives), violence, mild sexual content, and some disturbing subject matter

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Mad Mabel from the generous folks at St. Martin's Publishing Group via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Genevieve Graham's Newest Offers Appealing Blend of History, Mystery, Drama, Suspense, and Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 20:05:25 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

It's 1929 and a dazzling luxury hotel is about to open in Toronto, Canada. Living in the city's slums, 17-year-old Roisin "Rosie" Ryan is convinced that The Dominion represents her chance to change her fate. Instead of struggling through an impoverished childhood just to marry another penniless soul and continue grappling for a better life, she's determined to make one happen for herself. When she lands a job as a chambermaid to the hotel's special clients, then meets a dashing waiter who sweeps her off her feet, Rosie thinks she just about has it made. The trouble begins when she attracts the attention of a notorious mobster who's about to make a fortune from The Crash that will bankrupt people the world over. When Rosie realizes just how far Marco Carboni's reach goes, she knows she will have to risk everything to get herself and the people she loves out of his grasp. That's not as easy as it seems, and more than one person will lose their life in the ensuing melee...

Almost 100 years later, building inspector Bridget Kelly has been hired to make sure renovations being made to the The Dominion are up to snuff. As a lover of history and antiques, she's thrilled by the assignment. Meeting Matthew Buchanan, an adorably awkward archivist who shares many of her interests, is the icing on the cake. When she notices odd irregularities at the site, however, Bridget begins to suspect something is not quite right at the grand old hotel. As she digs deeper, she uncovers secrets—some of them a century old—that someone will kill to keep hidden. Can she and Matthew figure out what's really happening at The Dominion now and what truly occurred 100 years ago before it's too late? Or will they, too, become victims to nefarious goings-on at the historic hotel?

I always enjoy an absorbing dual-timeline novel, and The Chambermaid's Key by Genevieve Graham is certainly that. I've never been to Toronto, but the city came alive for me as I read, with lots of vivid details and interesting tidbits. (The history of The Tombs slum is particularly fascinating.) It was especially intriguing to compare/contrast the city over the course of 100 years.

The characters in this novel are likable and root-worthy. Rosie is hard-working, loyal, brave, and compassionate. I wanted good things for her, even though it was obvious from the get-go that she was heading down a dangerous path. Bridget is less compelling, but I still liked her. It was sweet to watch her relationship with gawky Matthew grow over the course of the novel. With dual-timeline setups, I usually find myself caring much more about the past story than the present one, but this time, I felt invested in both storylines.

As far as plot goes, The Chambermaid's Key is fairly predictable. Still, I enjoyed its appealing blend of history, mystery, drama, suspense, and romance. The story gets far-fetched in places, sure, but that's okay. Overall, I found the book to be an engrossing, satisfying read. Bonus: it's clean, free from any graphic content. All of these elements combined to make this novel a very enjoyable one for me as well as one that I can confidently recommend to anyone.

(Readalikes: Reminds me a little bit of the Molly the Maid mystery series by Nita Prose)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for violence, mild innuendo, and scenes of peril

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Chambermaid's Key from the generous folks at Simon & Schuster via those at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Six(ish) Books I Read On My Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:19:29 +0000

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I'm back from my cruise through the Yucatan. My husband and I had fun exploring new places, soaking in beautiful scenery, and learning about the history of the region we visited. We balanced out our excursions with a lot of relaxation time. Although the weather was mostly very hot and very humid, I did make good use of my balcony. It was lovely to read outside, especially after the sun went down and I could enjoy the warm breezes ruffling my hair while I Kindled my way through several books.

Before I left on my trip, I posted this list of the Top Ten Books I Might Read On My Upcoming Vacation. I was only gone for nine days, some of which would be taken up by excursions, so I knew I wouldn't read all ten of them. Spoiler alert: I was right. Still, I thought it might be fun to look at what I did read and what I thought of what I read. So, I'm going to ignore this week's TTT prompt—Top Ten Books I Can't Believe I Haven't Read Yet—and do Top ~~Ten~~ Six(ish) Books I Read On My Vacation.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top ~~Ten~~ Six(ish) Books I Read On My Vacation

These are the ten books I put on my potential reads list. I highlighted the ones I read (titles link to my Goodreads review):

1. Last One Out by Jane Harper - I ended up finishing this mystery/thriller the night before I left, so I'm not counting it as one of my six vacation reads. As much as I usually love Harper's work, Last One Out turned out to be a bit of a slog for me. It's just...slow. I liked it overall, but I came close to DNFing it several times because I got bored with it. Disappointing.

2. The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn

3. My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney - This needs to be my next read since it's already two weeks overdue at my library and I can't renew it because someone else is waiting for it. Oops!

4. A Map to Murder by Michelle Chouinard - This third installment in the A Serial Killer Guide to San Francisco series was one of my at-sea day reads. It's another fun murder mystery in an always-entertaining series. I enjoyed it.

5. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

6. The Memory of Borrowed Books by Meg Anderson

7. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen

8. The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives by Jenny Kane

9. Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn - If you like interesting narrative non-fiction, you should definitely pick up this book. It tells the fascinating story of how the author discovered that her grandparents were Nazi spies in Hawaii.

10. The Season of Sinking by Daphne Woolsoncroft

In addition to the two highlighted titles, I also read:

1. Missing Molly by Natalie Barelli - This was my first read of the vacay. It's got a unique premise: a woman who does the books at a small-town newspaper learns her company will be starting a true crime podcast, the first season of which will highlight a notorious unsolved case involving a murdered family and a missing pre-teen. Unbeknownst to her colleagues, the bookkeeper is the missing child. With the murderer still out there, it's imperative that no one discovers her real identity, not even her husband. Can she sabotage the podcast enough to protect herself, even if it means losing her job, her friends, and everything else she's worked so hard to gain? Or will all that be lost anyway when her true identity is exposed?

Despite this unique and promising premise, Missing Molly was only an okay read for me. The plot is far-fetched, the characters are pretty blah, and the prose is rather humdrum. It kept me turning pages, though.

2. How to Kill a Crime Writer by Sarah Lotz (available July 20, 2026) - Although this murder mystery is largely about a woman grieving the sudden death of her mother, with whom she had a complicated relationship, it's actually a pretty upbeat, hopeful story. It's also funny, quirky, and satisfying. I really enjoyed it.

3. What We Did to Survive by Megan Lally - On the last day of my cruise, as we were gliding away from Mexico and back to Florida, I decided it would be fun to read a YA survival story about a group of teens who go sailing on a stormy day in Puerto Vallarta and end up in a fight for their lives. This novel tells a pretty generic story with a cast of heavily stereotyped characters, but it kept me turning pages.

4. Devils at the Door by Tessa Wegert - I read this murder mystery, the fifth book in the Shana Merchant series, during a very long wait at the Fort Lauderdale Airport. Although it gets into some weird subject matter, the novel is engrossing and compelling, just like all the other installments in the series.

5. The Chow Maniac by Vivien Chien - This is the "ish" part of six(ish) since I haven't actually finished this cozy mystery yet. I read half of it on the plane ride from Raleigh, North Carolina, back to Phoenix. It's the 11th book in the Noodle Shop mystery series. It's about a secret society of Chinese Americans in Cleveland, the members of which are suddenly perishing in ways that seem suspicious. A man who fears he is next hires P.I. Lydia Shepard to investigate, and she enlists the help of Lana Lee, restaurant manager and amateur sleuth.

There you go, the six(ish) books I read on my vacation. Have you read any of them? What did you think? What do you like to read while on holiday? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Might Read On My Upcoming Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 20 May 2026 05:02:10 +0000

Today's TTT prompt—Top Ten Favorite Secondary and Minor Characters—is a great one, but I've done it recently-ish (actually, it was FIVE years ago!) and I don't know that I really have anyone to add to that list. Since I'm heading out on Saturday for my week-long cruise around the Yucatan, I'm going to use that as my inspo for today's list. While I doubt I'll be able to read ten books on my vacation, I will have two long flights (Phoenix to Fort Lauderdale and back), plus six days on the ship (with a balcony!) to enjoy some reading. I've been thinking about which titles on my Kindle and on my physical bookshelves might make for enjoyable vacation reading. (I don't know about you, but I always travel with my e-reader and at least one paper book, just in case.) I'll list some possibilities below and you can help me decide which ones to pack.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Books I Might Read On Vacation

1. Last One Out by Jane Harper—After a month on the library's waiting list, I've finally got my hands on this newest novel from one of my favorite mystery/thriller authors. Set in Carralon Ridge, a rural Australian village that is dying a slow, painful death, the story revolves around a grieving mother whose son vanished from Carralon Ridge five years ago. When Ro returns to the town on the anniversary of his disappearance, she begins to suspect that there is a lot more to his disappearance than she ever suspected.

2. The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn—This historical fantasy revolves around a mysterious carousel that is linked to a number of missing persons on two different continents.

3. My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney—Feeney's newest has a unique premise. After moving into Spyglass, an old home with a charming aesthetic, artist Eden Fox goes out for a run. When she returns, she is shocked when her key doesn't open the front door, another woman—one who looks oddly like Eden—answers her knock, and Eden's husband claims not to know Eden. Something very strange is going on, but what? What will Eden have to do to get her life back?

4. A Map to Murder by Michelle Chouinard (available September 22, 2026)—The third installment in a fun murder mystery series starring a true crime tour guide in San Francisco, this outing has Capri Sanzio investigating a cold case involving a woman who went missing during the Summer of Love.

5. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown—I'm re-reading the Robert Langdon series in anticipation of enjoying the latest installment, The Secret of Secrets. In The Da Vinci Code, Robert is called to the Louvre, where its aged curator has been murdered. A cipher left beside his corpse leads to a trail of clues hidden in Da Vinci's works that Robert must follow in order to find a killer.

6. The Memory of Borrowed Books by Meg Anderson (available October 6, 2026)—I always love a bookish read and this one sounds intriguing. It stars a librarian who works at a centuries-old library that is about to be shut down. Desperate to save the beloved institution, she discovers a magical door that leads to a room full of books only she can see, volumes that contain memories of all those who have visited the library over the years. Somewhere in the collection lies the key to saving the library, if only she can find it in time...

7. Her Royal Spyness by Rhys Bowen—I've been meaning to start this highly-recommended series for years. I have this first installment out from the library right now, and I need to read it before it comes due. The book introduces Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie, aka "Georgie." A penniless cousin of England's King George V, she's trying to navigate life as an ordinary citizen. She's managing...sort of...when she's asked to become a spy for the queen. When she then finds a dead body in her bathtub, things start to get very interesting indeed.

8. The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives by Jenny Kane—This is the first installment in a new cozy mystery series starring Maggie and Ryan, both of whom work in an English fish and chip shop. When a dead body is found in the village's harbor, Ryan is identified as the last person with whom the victim interacted. Soon he's the prime suspect in the murder. Not believing he could have done it, Maggie determines to find the real killer and clear her co-worker's name.

9. Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn—Another book I've been meaning to read, this non-fiction title tells the story of the author's grandparents. Sent to Hawaii by Nazi leader Joseph Goebbels, they set up a secret spy network in order to pass war-changing secrets to the Japanese. Shocked and fascinated by her family's unknown history, Kuehn grapples with the enormity of what she has discovered.

10. The Season of Sinking by Daphne Woolsoncroft (available July 7, 2026)—It might be a little disconcerting to read a book with this title while cruising, but the story sounds promising, if a bit generic. When her mother dies suddenly, Imogen Bly returns to her quaint hometown to help her twin sister clean out their mom's house. Almost immediately, strange things begin to happen, reminding Imogen of the unease she's always felt in Lake Blair. Suspecting there is more to her mother's death than meets the eye, she begins to look at everyone with suspicion, even the man she once loved.

There you go, ten books I might read while on vacation. Have you read any of them? What did you think? What books are you planning to take on your next trip? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

Top Ten Tuesday (on a Wednesday): Favorite Books By Favorite Authors

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:40:28 +0000

I'm late to the party this week. Yesterday was a DAY, and I just wasn't up to crafting a TTT list. I was up all night with an upset stomach, so I finally just got out of bed in spite of the early hour. It's quiet and peaceful in my house, so it's the perfect time to make my belated list. This week's prompt is May Flowers, a follow-up to the April Showers one from a few weeks ago. Even though we haven't had much rain at all this year in the Phoenix area, we do have flowers blooming. The lantana in our backyard has been growing like crazy. I'm not sure how long it will last considering the crazy hot temps we've had this week. Our high yesterday was 105! Anyway, as much as I like flowers, I'm going to go rogue this week. Since I will be cruising the Yucatan on May 26, I'm going to jump ahead and do the theme for that week: My Favorite Books By My Favorite Authors (submitted by Cathy @What Cathy Read Next). Sounds like fun!

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

My Favorite Books By (~~Ten~~ Eleven of) My Favorite Authors

The following authors aren't my ten absolute favorites. However, they are all writers I love and read often. More importantly, I can identify the one book of theirs that I love most. I can't necessarily do that with all of my favorite authors, you know? Or am I just weird? (I might just be weird. That's okay!) Here we go in alphabetical order:

1. A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong—I yap about Armstrong a lot because I enjoy her crime fiction so much. Her urban fantasy novels don't interest me at all, and I haven't loved her horror novels either. As much as I enjoy her Rockton/Haven's Rock series, the Rip Through Time series is my favorite. The books are less graphic than the Rockton/Haven's Rock ones and funnier. All of the installments are worth reading, the but the first one is the one I like best so far.

In A Rip Through Time, a modern-day homicide detective travels to Edinburgh, Scotland, to visit her dying grandmother. While taking a mind-clearing jog, she is assaulted in the same spot where a chambermaid was attacked exactly 150 years earlier. When Detective Atkinson wakes up, she's in Victorian Scotland inhabiting the body of the maid, who works for a physician who moonlights as a coroner. As a confused Mallory tries to figure out what is happening and how to get home, she realizes that her professional skills can be of great use to her boss, who helps the police catch killers. How can she help him without revealing that she's not actually an uneducated maid? And how in the world is she going to get home?

2. Bluebird by Sharon Cameron—This YA author pens historical novels centered around World War II as well as sci-fi/fantasy books. Bluebird is the former. It's about a young German woman who travels to the U.S. after the war in order to unmask the Nazi who spearheaded a series of psychological experiments performed on concentration camp prisoners. Absorbing and memorable, Bluebird is a stunner of a novel.

3. Exiles by Jane Harper—I've enjoyed every book I've read by Harper, but those starring federal investigator Aaron Falk are my favorite. Of those, I like Exiles best. It tells a quieter, more intimate story than the other installments in the series do, but it's still a compelling mystery/thriller in its own right. The mystery revolves around a young mother who goes missing at a town festival, leaving her infant behind.

4. The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth—Another Australian author, Hepworth writes domestic fiction with lots of warmth and wit. This novel, my favorite of hers, is my book club's selection for May, so I'll be happily rereading it before next Tuesday. As is indicated by the title, the story concerns sisters, twins Fern and Rose. Fern lives a carefully structured life, sticking religiously to her routines in order to keep her fragile psyche intact. Rose is one of her few friends, someone for whom she is profoundly grateful, so when Rose learns she can't have children, Fern offers to carry a baby for her. She just needs to find a father. That search begins a journey that will profoundly affect both sisters as old secrets surface and new tensions emerge between them.

5. The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee—Lee writes YA novels, most of which are historical fiction, featuring characters of Chinese descent. This one tells the story of 17-year-old Jo Kuan, a Chinese American who works as a maid for a wealthy, powerful family in Atlanta. Secretly, she also writes an advice column, doling out wisdom for genteel Southern ladies. As Jo's writing gains in popularity, she decides to use it to protest against the injustices she sees every day in her community. She's not prepared for the backlash those articles receive or the danger it will put her in if anyone discovers her secret identity. In the meantime, she's also grappling to understand her own mysterious past.

6. The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner—I've read almost all of Meissner's books and this one, about the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, is the one that has lingered most in my mind. It stars Sophie Walen, an Irish woman who is so desperate to escape poverty in her homeland that she travels across the sea to become the mail-order bride of an American man she's never met before. She's confused by her silent stranger of a husband, although she quickly becomes enamored of his young, mute daughter. Although she doesn't know it yet, Sophie's life is about to be rocked to its core, not just by a deadly earthquake that will literally shake up her world but also by the unknown woman who will appear at her door, revealing shocking secrets that will change the course of both of their lives.

7. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton—Morton's rich family sagas always sweep me away. Although I haven't loved her more recent books nearly as much as I do her older ones, I still consider her one of my favorite authors. Published in 2012, The Secret Keeper is about a woman who secretly witnesses a disturbing crime when she is 16 years old, an event that puts into question everything she knows about her mother. Fifty years later, Laurel is back home to celebrate her mom's 90th birthday. Realizing that time is running out to discover the truth about her mother, she determines to uncover all of the woman's many secrets.

8. How the Light Gets In by Louise Penny—Although I've only read 13 of the 20 books in the Armand Gamache series (the 21st comes out in October), it's one of my very favorite crime series. How the Light Gets In, #9, is set at Christmastime. Our hero, Inspector Armand Gamache, is at a low point in both his professional and personal life. When a friend in Three Pines invites him to come back to the quaint village to investigate a disappearance, he leaps at the chance to return to the place that always feels like home. Turns out, the missing woman is a celebrity who was once famous all over the world. What has happened to her? Because I hate to see my beloved Gamache suffer, How the Light Gets In was a bit of a painful read for me, but it's also a tender and heartening one.

9. The Spies of Shilling Lane by Jennifer Ryan—Ryan's latest two novels (one of which comes out next month) are set in the 1950s, but the rest of her books are all set during World War II. The Spies of Shilling Lane is my favorite of hers because although it has its poignant moments, it's mostly a fun, lively, madcap adventure. It stars the indomitable Mrs. Braithwaite, a hilarious queen bee who's knocked off her throne by her scandalous divorce. Indignant, she hies off to London to lick her wounds with her daughter, Betty, who has been in the city helping with war work. When Betty's timid landlord informs her mother that Betty is missing, Mrs. Braithwaite strong arms the reluctant landord into helping her locate her daughter. Turns out, her child has a much more complicated complicated life than Mrs. Braithwaite ever could have imagined, a life that will put all of them in grave danger.

10. Middle of the Night by Riley Sager—Final Girls is the only one of Sager's novels that I haven't read. I've enjoyed all of them, some more than others naturally, but Middle of the Night is my favorite. It's different from his other books, more gentle and moving. Never fear, though, it's just as riveting as his other thrillers. The story revolves around Ethan Marsh, a man who returns to the picture-perfect neighborhood he lived in as a child. It was there that, many years ago, his 10-year-old best friend disappeared during an overnight campout in Ethan's backyard. Already suffering from insomnia and disturbing nightmares, Ethan is plagued by strange things happening in the middle of the night. Signs of his missing friend keep appearing. Is someone playing a terrible joke on Ethan? Or has his long missing pal returned? What really happened the night of the campout? Ethan is determined to find out.

11. The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James—I love St. James' eerie thrillers. This one is set in a rundown motel in a dying town where strange things are known to happen. Viv Delaney reluctantly takes a job at the dumpy place with the goal of saving enough money to escape to New York City. It doesn't take long for her to realize that something is very wrong at her place of employment. There's a reason for the bad juju that emanates from the Sun Down Motel and she's going to uncover all its many secrets.

There you go, eleven of my favorite books by eleven of my favorite authors. Have you read any of them? Which are your favorite books by your favorite authors? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!

Evocative and Engrossing, Heiress of Nowhere Another Winner From Stacey Lee

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Thu, 07 May 2026 19:33:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Eighteen years ago, a green canoe washed ashore on Orcas Island. Its only occupant was an infant. Dakon Sanders, the wealthy and eccentric shipbuilder who owns the island, took in the baby and named her Lucy. She earned her keep by working as the bachelor's housemaid. When her skill with paints became apparent, he made her his research assistant, tasking her with creating the illustrations for a book he's writing about island wildlife. As much as Lucy loves Orcas Island, especially the creatures after which it's named, she longs to leave it, to finally see what lies beyond its shores. Although it's rare in 1918 for women to go to college, she's already secretly been accepted to the University of Washington. Now all she has to do is summon the courage to inform her austere guardian that she is leaving.

Before Lucy has a chance to confront him, she discovers Dakon Sanders' detached head on the beach. The superstitious islanders see the brutal killing as a warning sign from mythical sea wolves. Lucy knows her guardian's murderer is very real. When Dakon's will is read, and she is named the new owner of his sprawling estate, she fears she's next on the killer's hit list. Can she figure out who beheaded her enigmatic guardian and why? And will those answers lead to the ones she's been pondering her whole strange life: who is Lucy Nowhere? Where does she truly belong? She must find out, before it's too late.

A new Stacey Lee novel is always cause for celebration in my book. I especially love that her newest historical YA offering, Heiress of Nowhere, is set in my native Washington State. Lee perfectly captures the moody, broody Pacific Northwest (PNW, as the cool kids call it) atmosphere, which provides an appropriately portentious backdrop for a tale that is full of mystery, intrigue, and suspense. Magical realism doesn't always work for me, but Lucy's "sea-wolf sense" actually feels possible in the world Lee has created. This dash of the supernatural works well in combination with the evocative setting, the locals' superstitions, and the whole Gothic vibe of the novel. All of these elements enhance the book's plot, which is complex and compelling, with enough twists to keep the reader glued to their seat. In fact, I whipped through Heiress of Nowhere in one day because I couldn't put it down. The fact that the killer's identity (mostly) surprised me was an added bonus.

Lucy is a sympathetic heroine, but hardly a pitiable one. She's smart, capable, loyal, compassionate, and brave. It's easy to root for her to find the answers she so desperately wants. There are two young men in the story who are vying for her attention. I find love triangles annoying anyway, but this one is especially disappointing because, in my opinion, Lucy chooses the wrong guy. Other than that, I found Heiress of Nowhere to be a satisfying, enjoyable read, another excellent example of why I love Stacey Lee's work so much.

(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and scenes of peril

To the FTC, with love: Another library ~~fine~~ find

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Wish Were Still Writing Today (or At Least Writing What I Want Them to Write)

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 05 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Our TTT prompt this week is a good one, and unique to boot. I don't think I've ever done a list on this topic: Top 10 Authors You Wish Were Still Writing Today. (Thanks to Rebecca over at Top 100 Books for suggesting it and, as always, to Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl for hosting TTT.) As much as I like this topic, I'm having a hard time coming up with ten authors. We'll see if I make it or not!

Top Ten Authors I Wish Were Still Writing Today (or At Least Writing What I Want Them to Write)

- in no particular order -

1. Maeve Binchy—This Irish author is the first one who came to mind for this topic. I've read and loved all of her warm, engaging novels. Unfortunately, Binchy passed away in 2012.

2. Joshilyn Jackson—Don't worry, Jackson isn't dead! She's just turned her writing focus to domestic thrillers instead of the Southern women's fiction for which she used to be known. Although I do enjoy mystery/thrillers, hers just don't entice and enchant me the way her older books do. I hope someday she'll go back to the genre in which she truly shines.

3. Mary Higgins Clark—Since this author's mystery novels were tame enough for teens, my dad got me started on MHC back when I was in junior high. I spent many a night reading way past my bedtime to finish one of her books. She continued writing up until her death in 2020 at 92 years old. Even though her newer books never enthralled me the way her older ones did, the "Queen of Suspense" will always reign as one of my favorite authors.

4. Elizabeth C. Bunce—I'm a huge fan of Bunce's Myrtle Hardcastle historical mystery series for kids. It's tons of fun. It's been three years since the last installment was published and, while that doesn't actually sound like that long now that I'm typing it out, I'm still hankering for a new Myrtle mystery. It looks like Bunce may have turned to pursuits other than writing, but a reader can dream...

5. C.J. Omololu—This YA author died of cancer in 2015 at 49 years old. I enjoyed her novels, and wish she would have had time to write more of them.

6. Agatha Christie—I have a feeling the Queen of Crime is going to be a popular choice today! Truth be told, I've only read a handful of her novels, but I think it would be really interesting to see what she could do with modern mystery themes and tropes.

7. Julia Keller—A Pulitzer Prize-winning author of both fiction and non-fiction, I thought Keller had last published in 2019, when she had two novels come out. After checking her website today, I see that she published a self-help book in 2023, BUT it's still been seven years since a new installment in her Bell Elkins crime series came out. I really enjoyed those books, and would love to see more of them published. It doesn't seem like that will happen, sadly.

8. L.A. Meyer—Meyer started writing his swashbuckling YA series starring the intrepid female pirate "Bloody" Jacky Faber when he was in his 60s. He finished it just before his death at 72 years old in 2014. The series is so fun. I wish he would have had more years to write. It would have been interesting to see what he did after the Blood Jack books.

9. Y.S. Lee—Lee is a multi-talented author who creates in various mediums. I'm currently re-reading her YA historical mystery series starring a teen Chinese-English sleuth in Victorian England. There are only four installments. I wish there were more. I'd also love to see Lee write additional YA novels. Fingers crossed.

10. Lois Duncan—I loved Duncan's mystery/thriller books back in the day. It's been decades since I've read a book by her, but still, there was a time when I could not get enough of her engrossing novels. She passed away in 2016 at 82 years old.

Hey, hey, hey! Look at that, I made it to ten. Have you read any of these authors? Which writers do you wish were still working today, or at least writing what you want them to write? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post, and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

A Quirky, Cozy, Entertaining Little Murder Mystery

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:50:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

I'm loving all the quirky, cozy-ish murder mysteries that have been popping up lately. I've read a bunch of them recently, and they just make me laugh. A Cute Little Murder by Molly Harper is no exception. It's a fun, light-hearted, Scooby-Doo kind of romp. I loved it!

The story goes a little something like this: 17-year-old Lainey Piper doesn't believe that her father's suspicious accident was accidental at all. Her doubts about what really happened, combined with her natural talent for sleuthing and an innate desire to see justice done, lead her to a reluctant collaboration with classmate Harlow Drake. The host of a web series centered on local crime, Harlow is known for taking big risks and angering the locals with her bold accusations. Lainey isn't a limelight kind of person, but she can't seem to resist getting caught up in Harlow's schemes, even when it means scaring her mother, annoying local law enforcement, and becoming a pariah in her small town.

Fifteen years later, Lainey is a work-from-home forensic accountant who lives alone with her cat. Her business isn't exactly booming, so when she receives an offer from the True Crime 24/7 network to investigate a historical cold case with Harlow (whom she hasn't spoken to since high school), she can't afford to say no. When she steps foot onto an island in the middle of Lake Michigan, spies her creepy murder hotel accomodations, and notes that her old friend is, if anything, even more self-absorbed than she used to be, Lainey begins to doubt the wisdom of accepting the offer, no matter how lucrative. It doesn't take long, though, for her to get wholly caught up in the mystery of solving a Prohibition-era disappearance as well as a much more contemporary ones. Soon, the job isn't about finding a long-ago killer or even helping an unrepentant Harlow make a comeback; it's about staying alive on a remote island, surrounded by strangers she's not sure she can trust, with no way to call for help. Even armed with her "crime-fighting Mary Poppins bag," Lainey might not be able to sleuth her way out of this one...

A Cute Little Murder combines a lot of my favorite murder mystery tropes: an isolated setting; a probably haunted house (hotel, in this case) full of tantalizing secrets; a colorful cast of characters, all with axes to grind; an absorbing treasure hunt; and a banter-y background romance. Since this is more of a cozy than a Gothic thriller, the setting isn't all that creepy, but it is atmospheric. The ratty old Crossings hotel is a character unto itself, complete with the hidden depths that make all story people more life like. Although Harlow is not one of them, her production team is full of likable characters, even including the clueless tech bros who are more oblivious than purposely offensive. Although the historical mystery Harlow and Lainey are on-location to solve really isn't the focus of the novel, it adds another layer of interest to the story. The relationship between Harlow and Lainey is the real focus of A Cute Little Murder, and it's interesting to see how the latter has evolved while the former really hasn't. I would have liked a deeper dive into Harlow's character in order to understand her better, but this isn't really that kind of story. As for the present-day murders, I did identify the killer before Lainey, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of this entertaining book. It's a fun one that kept me turning pages and made me smile.

Readalikes: A Cute Little Murder has a similar style/vibe to Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter, the Ernest Cunningham series by Benjamin Stevenson, and the Vacation Mysteries series by Catherine Mack.

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder invectives), violence, crude humor, and innuendo

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of A Cute Little Murder from the generous folks at Penguin Random House via those at NetGalley. Thank you!

It's Raining Books! Or, Top Ten Books On My TBR List That Feature Rain

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 03:35:00 +0000

What's the April weather like in your neck of the woods? In my corner of the Sonoran Desert, it's HOT, like in the 90s and above. We've had some overcast skies in the last week, but no rain, sadly. None is predicted in the forseeable future either. Boo hoo. Maybe this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic—April Showers—will act as a rain dance to bring our parched desert some much needed moisture. A girl can dream!

For my list today, I'm going to keep things simple and highlight ten books on my TBR list that feature rain in some way or another. I've had a long day, so I'm not going to include plot summaries, but I will link the book titles to Goodreads. How's that?

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Books On My TBR List That Feature Rain

- in no particular order -

1. Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

2. Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon

3. The Colors of the Rain by R.L. Toalson

4. Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie

5. Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson

6. In the Days of Rain: A Daughter, a Father, a Cult by Rebecca Stott

7. Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

8. In Times of Rain and War by Camron Wright

9. The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan

10. Rainy Day Sisters by Kate Hewitt

There you go, ten books on my TBR list that feature rain in some way or another. Have you read any of them? What are your favorite "rain" books? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

Top Ten Tuesday: My Autobiography in Book Titles

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:28:00 +0000

I'm bummed I missed last week's Top Ten Tuesday topic and, honestly, if I hadn't come up with this week's prompt myself, I would probably be doing that one instead! When I thought up this one—Top Ten Book Titles That Describe Me/My Life—I just thought it would be something different that could help us all get to know each other a little better. I didn't realize how tough it would be. Sorry. Hopefully, I'm not the only one doing the topic this week. Ha ha.

As always, TTT is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Book Titles That Describe Me/My Life, Or, My Autobiography in Book Titles

Remember when I told you that I was born with a very Irish surname (even though my father's family is more Scottish)? I wasn't lying. I started life as:

I was born and raised in a lovely little burgh in Washington State, making me a:

I went off to college in Utah, where:

Actually, I met the man who would become my husband when I walked into his apartment during our freshman year of college. It all started because his roommate, who was team teaching a church class with me, brought a plate of homemade cookies over to my apartment. He claimed he had made the delicious treats, even though it was clearly a regifting situation! Upon hearing what had happened, my soon-to-be husband—the person who had actually made the cookies—was affronted. To prove that guys could cook, he invited all of the girls in my apartment over for dinner. A few of us went. We were all impressed by the boys' efforts and we ended up becoming good friends with the guys in their apartment. Of course, two of us became a *little* bit more than friends...

My boyfriend and I were both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Young men and women in our church often serve full-time missions for the Church. At 19 (the minimum age for male missionaries at that time), he went to Chile, dedicating the next two years of his life to serving the Lord while I continued my studies. It was the early 1990s and since phone calls weren't allowed and email wasn't really a thing yet, we wrote letters back and forth. Lots of letters.

Two years later, we stopped being

and became

Soon after that, life was all about:

We had four kids and they kept us very busy, especially in the early days when I had to:

to feed and cuddle my babies. I got pretty good at holding a bottle in one hand and a book in the other!

Now, those babies have grown up, and with them going off to college, serving in the Army, working adult jobs, and so forth, it feels like:

over and over and over again!

We've still got our high schooler at home for one more year, but I think the hubs and I are going to settle into empty nesterhood pretty well. We already enjoy "granny" hobbies like reading, genealogical research, traveling, enjoying time with our grandbaby, serving at our beloved Mesa Temple, eating out in the middle of the day, and so on.

Sure,

and I have my struggles. Still, life is pretty darn good. I feel blessed and grateful. There's a lot more to come for me, my husband, and our family, but we've experienced more good than bad over the years, and I think we're well on our way to our own uniquely beautiful

Okay, that wasn't so bad. I had fun with it! Just FYI, I've only read one of these books—Loved Walked In by Marisa de la Santos—so I can't vouch for any of these others. Have you read any of them? What did you think? What book titles did you find that describe you and your life? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

The Bookish Books Reading Challenge: April Book Ideas and Link-Up for March and April Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:16:00 +0000

I totally slacked on writing a March post for the Bookish Books Reading Challenge—oops!—so this one will be a March/April combo. How are you doing on the challenge so far? I've read eight bookish books in 2026, three of which are from the same bookish cozy mystery series. I'm trying to finish up a cross-stitch birth sampler for my granddaughter, who's 2 1/2 (!), and binge-listening to the series has been keeping me entertained while my hands are busy.

Set in a Victorian mansion that has been remodeled into a charming Agatha Christie-themed bookstore, the Secret Bookcase Mystery series by Ellie Alexander is warm, fun, and bookish. It stars Annie Murray, a bookseller and budding private investigator who solves mysteries in her quaint town of Redwood Grove, California. I started listening to it last year. This year, I've listened to these three (installments 3-5):

Right now, I'm listening to The Body at the Book Fair, which is the final book in the series. Luckily, Alexander is in the process of penning a spin-off series about Annie's adventures as the co-owner of a private investigation agency. I'll definitely keep listening/reading because the books are light, clean, and entertaining, the exact vibe I'm digging right now.

I won't talk about the five other bookish books I've read in the past couple months, but I do want to mention the one I'm reading now. Carol Goodman is one of my go-to mystery/thriller authors, and her forthcoming novel is very bookish. Our Marriage is Murder (available July 21, 2026) stars a husband and wife who have been co-writing a popular, bestselling mystery series for the entire two decades of their marriage. As they travel to Italy for a book conference, they're contemplating ending both their working relationship and their personal one, which has become a sham anyway. These issues are hanging in the air between them when the first murder at the conference occurs. As more follow, they begin to wonder if they are the actual targets.

Our Marriage is Murder is moving a little slower than some of Goodman's other books, but I'm enjoying it nonetheless. I'm about halfway through, and I have no idea whodunit. We'll see if I can figure out what's happening before the writer couple does!

I'm not sure exactly what I'll be reading in April after I finish The Body at the Book Fair and Our Marriage is Murder, but hopefully, it will include some bookish books.

How about you? What bookish books have you been reading? Which are you planning to read this month?

If you are participating in the 2026 Bookish Books Reading Challenge, please use the widget below to link-up your March and April reviews. If you're not signed up for the challenge yet, what are you waiting for? Click here to join the party.

Top Ten Tuesday: Five Buzzwords/Phrases That Will Always Tempt Me to Read a Book and Five That Never Will

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 05:16:00 +0000

I'm late to the party once again, so it's a good thing this week's prompt is an easy one: Top Ten Buzzwords or Phrases That Make Me Want to Read (or Avoid) a Book. I think I'm going to do five of each, just for funsies. As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Buzzwords or Phrases That Make Me Want to Read (or Avoid) a Book

I'll give at least a second glance to any title or plot summary that includes these five words/phrases:

1. Gothic—I love me a moody, atmospheric read!

2. Cozy/Quaint—More and more, this is the vibe I'm craving.

3. Haunted/Ghost—These are pretty much the same thing, so I'm combining them. I'm too wimpy to read much actual horror these days, but I still like a shivery tale as long as it's not TOO creepy.

4. Books/Bookish—I mean, obviously, right?

5. Twisty/Clever/"Knives Out"—What mystery/thriller reader doesn't want to be entertained by a smart, surprising plot? Calling a book "clever" or "twisty" or comparing it to "Knives Out" is an excellent way to turn my head.

Any of these words on a book cover or in a plot summary will have me running for the hills:

1. Spicy/Sexy/Erotic—I'm a prude; what can I say?

2. Spare—Too many details and I get bored, but I'd always rather have too many words in a book than too few. I also prefer clarity over creativity, so I generally find that "spare" books are too minimalistic for my tastes.

3. Zany/Screwball/Oddball—I'm boring. I prefer books that are straightforward and traditional. Unique premises are great, but I get irritated by anything too offbeat or different. (Quirky, I can handle, as long as it's not, you know, too quirky.)

4. Grisly—Mysteries and thrillers are my jam, but if they get too gory, I'm out.

5. Terrifying/Horrifying—Nope! I value my sleep and my sanity.

There you go, five buzzwords on a book that will always tempt me and five that never will. Do we share any? Which buzzwords/phrases attract you? Which do the opposite? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

European Reading Challenge 2026 - Because, Why Not?

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:35:00 +0000

In an effort to expand my reading horizons at least a little bit, here's another reading challenge I've decided to take on:

Just like the title indicates, the European Reading Challenge (hosted by Rose City Reader) is about reading books set in different European countries or books written by European authors. The idea is to "visit" as many of the 50 countries as possible before the year ends. There are different levels of participation, and there's even a prize for the person who hits the most countries and reviews the books they read from there. Sounds fun! I'm going to go for the FIVE STAR (DELUXE ENTOURAGE) level, which involves reading at least five books by different European authors or books set in different European countries. If I get really ambitious, I'll even review them and go for the JET SETTER prize. We'll so how we go.

As with all my challenges, I'll track my progress on my Reading Challenges Page and on the left sidebar of my blog.

Top Ten Tuesday: My Spring To-Read List

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:04:00 +0000

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Note: I make a point of commenting on every legitimate TTT post that is linked up on the main page. If you don't see a comment from me on your post by tomorrow, it's because I keep getting this error message:

Not Acceptable!

An appropriate representation of the requested resource could not be found on this server. This error was generated by Mod_Security.

I have no idea what it means, and it seems to only be on WordPress blogs so far. At any rate, I just want to make sure no one thinks I'm ignoring them!

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I don't know what the weather's doing in your neck of the woods, but here in my corner of the desert, we've skipped winter and spring altogether and headed right into summer! In the Phoenix area, we've already had record-breaking heat this year, including a week's worth of triple-digit temperature days. Ugh! I am not ready for this. All I can say is, thank goodness for air conditioning and swimming pools. They're lifesavers for those of us who live in the scorching-hot desert. Regardless of what crazy Arizona is doing, in the Top Ten Tuesday world, we're celebrating the season with an appropriate prompt: Top Ten Books On My Spring 2026 To-Read List. I love making these seasonal TBR lists because it's always fun to think about what I might read even if I never actually do it. Of course, I also enjoy perusing your lists to get a peek at what titles are on your reading agenda.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Books On My Spring 2026 To-Read List

1. First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston—I'm in the middle of this psychological thriller at the moment. It's about a thief who is hired by a mysterious company to do undercover work instead of going to jail. Her current assignment is to steal the secrets of a handsome financial planner. She's succeeding in her mission to woo her mark (maybe a little too well) when the job takes a dangerous turn that makes her question everything, including how far her boss will go to shut her down if she fails to do what is asked of her. It's a gripping read so far.

2. A Victim at Valentine's by Ellie Alexander—This cozy is the fifth installment in Alexander's Secret Bookcase Mystery series. I've enjoyed listening to all of these light, entertaining mysteries on audio while I drive, cross-stitch (I'm determined to finish my TWO-year-old granddaughter's birth sampler this month!), and do housework.

In this mystery, our heroine discovers a dead body in the Agatha Christie-themed bookshop where she works. While she helps a local detective, her mentor, investigate the crime, she continues to look into the mystery of an old friend's murder.

3. Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn—After reading Carol's rave review of this book over at Reading Ladies Book Club, I requested it from my library and have been on the waitlist ever since. It's been a couple of months, but I was finally able to pick it up today. Yay! The story is about the author's discovery of an astounding secret her father had been keeping from her. Unbeknownst to him at the time, his family was forced out of Berlin after angering Joseph Goebbels and sent to Hawaii to spy for the Nazis. It was only later that Kuehn's father found out how successful the family was in their shameful mission. According to Carol and others who have read Family of Spies, this is a riveting piece of narrative non-fiction that shines new light on the fateful events of December 7, 1941.

4. This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone by Catherine Mack (available April 28, 2026)—I've really enjoyed this sassy cozy series about a bestselling mystery author who keeps bumbling into real-life mysteries that need solving. In this third installment, Eleanor Dash is on vacation once again. This time, she's looking forward to a relaxing stay at an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas. She barely has a chance to breathe in a gulp of the tropical air before she finds a dead body. Surrounded by a familiar group of suspects, she throws herself into solving yet another murder.

5. The Mysterious Magic of Lighthouse Lane by Erin Stewart—This middle-grade novel is about a girl who has the dubious "gift" of extra empathy, which makes her feel other people's emotions in a way that is stifling and scary. When Lucy's parents suggest she spend the summer visiting her grandfather at his remote cabin on Prince Edward Island, she jumps at the chance to get away. Behind the lens of her beloved camera, Lucy is starting to get to know the people in her new summer home. When she discovers her late grandmother's abandoned darkroom and starts developing her own photographs there, she finds that some kind of magic is helping her see everything about her photo's subjects. How is this possible? She determines to find out.

6. Missing in Flight by Audrey J. Cole—Have you ever taken a long flight by yourself with your baby? If he was sleeping soundly and you really had to use the lavatory, would you leave him in the seat with only a stranger to watch over him? This is Makayla Rossi's dilemma. She rushes to the bathroom, is gone only a few minutes, and returns to find her baby gone. A search of the plane reveals him to be nowhere. Mikayla is frantic, but the other passengers are growing concerned: none of them saw her with a baby. With everyone questioning her mental state, the terrified mother doesn't know what to do. She did bring a baby on board, didn't she? She isn't crazy. Is she?

7. The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery—I've been on the library's waiting list for this locked-room mystery for almost two months, and I'm still pretty far down the list. Still, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to read it soon. Ish.

It's 1910 and the Viscount of Tithe Hall is certain that the passing of Halley's Comet will bring the apocalypse in its wake. In an effort to keep himself safe, he completely seals up his home on a remote tidal island. Ironically, he is dead by morning, felled by his own ancestral bow. Who killed the paranoid viscount? His new under-butler and an elderly matriarch team up to find out.

8. What I Mean When I Say I'm Autistic by Annie Kotowicz—My book club will be reading this non-fiction title, which is described as an "intimate and insightful mix of memoir and manifesto," in April, which is Autism Awareness Month. I'd never heard of the author, but apparently, she writes a blog called Neurobeautiful. Her book is for autistics and non-autistics alike to better understand autism and those who have it. It sounds interesting.

9. Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee—I'm a big Lee fan, so I always get excited when she publishes a new book. Her latest is a YA historical mystery set against a moody, broody Pacific Northwest backdrop. The story revolves around 18-year-old Lucy Nowhere, who has spent her life working on the sprawling estate that belongs to the eccentric man who rescued her when she washed up on the shore of his island when she was a baby. Longing for a life in the outside world, she's just about to leave for college when she discovers that her guardian has been murdered. The locals insist he was killed by mythical sea wolves, but Lucy knows there's no such thing. A human murdered him and if Lucy doesn't figure out who did it and soon, she may be the next victim.

10. The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn—When Maisie Marlowe comes to America in 1920, she's looking for a new start. Her discovery of an enchanting antique carousel inspires her to create a magical amusement park to enchant the citizens of her new home. Soon, the news of carousel riders mysteriously vanishing in Chicago reaches Laurent Bisset, a detective in Paris, who knows that the same thing happened a decade ago in his city. Determined to solve the mystery of the strange carousel, Bisset travels to the U.S. to figure out what is going on. He and Maisie both have pieces to the puzzle—what will they discover when they put them together?

There you go, ten titles on my Spring TBR list. Have you read any of them? What did you think? What's on your list today? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

Top Ten Tuesday: A St. Patrick's Day TBR List of Books Set in Ireland Written By Irish Authors

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 02:00:00 +0000

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Besides wearing green to avoid getting pinched, I've never done much to celebrate this holiday. Although I have a very Irish maiden name, my father's ancestors are decidedly Scottish; my 13ish% Emerald Isle DNA comes from a fourth great-grandfather on my mother's side. The fact that he was born in Ireland is about all we know about him, unfortunately. Since we're all a little Irish today, our Top Ten Tuesday prompt du jour gives a nod to St. Patty: Top Ten Green Book Covers. I'm going to go in a little bit different direction and talk about books I want to read that are set in Ireland and written by Irish authors. (As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.)

Before I get to that, though, I want to tell you about the movie I saw last night since it's based on a popular novel. I'm not much for sci-fi, but I read Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir for book club a couple years ago and really liked it. My husband is also a fan, so we've both been looking forward to the movie adaptation. The film officially comes out on March 20, but we were able to go see an early screening in an IMAX theater. Both of us were a little worried about whether or not goofy Ryan Gosling could pull off the part of Rylan Grace, but you know what? We were both surprised at how perfect he was in the role. My favorite part about the Project Hail Mary book is the sweet friendship that blooms between Grace and his alien friend, Rocky. That relationship is the focus of the film, and it's very well done. Action-wise, the movie is a little slow, but it still kept me engaged. Overall, it's a sweet, funny, moving watch that my husband and I both really enjoyed. My husband collects pins, so he was especially excited about these freebies we got for seeing the movie at IMAX:

I don't generally like Hollywood adaptations, but I have to agree with Rocky on this one: Amaze, Amaze, Amaze!

Top Ten Books On My TBR List That Are Set in Ireland and Written by Irish Authors

1. Dead in Dublin by Catie Murphy—Although Murphy was born and raised in Alaska, she has strong Irish roots, and now resides in Ireland, so I'm counting her!

This book is the first installment in a cozy mystery series starring Dublin limo driver Megan Malone. New to the city, she's enjoying settling into her new home and career when a client dies suddenly after dining in a local restaurant. When the eatery's owner is blamed for poisoning the beloved international star with spoiled seafood, she begs Megan to find out what really killed the woman before she ends up in prison, or worse, loses her restaurant.

2. Everything She Didn't Say by Jane Casey—I'm a big fan of Casey's mystery novels, especially her Maeve Kerrigan series. This book, her newest, is a standalone about two friends staying together in a clifftop house in County Mayo. When one of the women is discovered in blood-stained clothing and the other goes missing, the authorities begin asking questions. Locals insist they only ever saw one woman at the house. Is the other woman lying? Or has something horrible happened to her friend?

Everything She Didn't Say comes out on July 16 in the U.K. I'm not sure when it will be available in the U.S.

3. Foster by Claire Keegan—This "beautiful, sad, and eerie" novel is about a young girl who gets sent to live with a foster family in rural Ireland. There, she finds the love and stability she's been missing. When a secret is revealed, however, it threatens to upend the idyllic life she's been enjoying.

4. The Trial by Jo Spain—Ten years ago, 20-year-old Theo got out of the bed he was sharing with his girlfriend, Dani, and vanished, leaving behind his family, the elite college where he was studying medicine, and a distraught partner. A decade later, Dani returns to the school as a history professor. Theo's unsolved disappearance still haunts her. It soon becomes clear that St. Edmunds is hiding as many secrets within its walls as Dani is keeping inside hers.

5. Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy—I'm still mourning the 2012 death of this beloved Irish author. I've read and loved all of her books, but it's been a long time, so I'm going to begin a reread campaign, starting with Light a Penny Candle (1980), her first novel. It concerns Aisling and Elizabeth, two lifelong friends who have supported each other through thick and thin. They can survive anything as long as they have each other, or can they?

6. The Keeper by Tana French (available March 31, 2026)—French is another Irish crime writer whose books I adore. (I guess she's technically American-Irish since she was born in Vermont, but her father is Irish and she holds both American and Irish citizenship.) At any rate, I've read all of French's novels except this one, her latest. The Keeper is the last installment in a trilogy starring Cal Hooper, an American detective who decides to retire in a small, peaceful Irish village. Although he intends to stay under the radar, he soon becomes entangled in the dramas, grievances, romances, and even crimes that play out in his new town. In this final volume, Cal can't help but get involved when a sweet local girl is found dead in a river. He soon discovers that her death is not as straightforward as it seems. As things get ever more complicated, Cal and his loved become ever more at risk.

7. Death at Whitewater Church by Andrea Carter—This is the first installment in a mystery series starring solicitor Benedicta "Ben" O'Keeffe who helps Sergeant Tom Molloy solve intriguing cases. As the title of this one indicates, Ben is hired by the owners of a deconsecrated church when human remains are discovered on its grounds. The finding creates new interest in the case of a man who went missing on his wedding day six years ago, and the solicitor can't help her own intrigue with the mystery. What really happened to the vanished groom?

8. The Paper Bracelet by Rachael English—As an adoptive mother, I can't get enough of novels like this one. It's about a woman who worked at a west Ireland mother and baby home in the 1960s. While there, she took copious notes about the residents, notes she has held onto for decades. After her husband dies, she decides to use the information in her notebook to try to reunite the mothers with their children. As she proceeds, getting mixed results, she is forced to face her own secrets from the past.

9. The Hungry Road by Marita Conlon-McKenna—When a potato blight ravishes crops in Ireland in 1845, it changes irrevocably the lives of millions of people. This novel looks at the event through the eyes of two of them.

10. Watermelon by Marian Keyes—This list features some heavy books, so I'll end off with a lighter read. Watermelon is the first book in a family drama series about the triumphs and travails of the various female members of a big, chaotic Dublin family.

There you are, ten books I want to read that are set in Ireland and written by Irish authors. Have you read any of them? Which books set in the Emerald Isle are your favorite? Which Irish writers do you like most? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

Top Ten Tuesday: A Delayed Genre Freebie (2026 Historical Fiction I'm Excited to Read)

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 01:52:00 +0000

I've been a little MIA lately due to illness and travel, so I'm playing catch up. I spent a fun extended weekend in Utah, though, attending the largest family history conference in the world: RootsTech by FamilySearch. Since it's not a bookish event, I wasn't going to mention it, but then I realized that a couple of the featured speakers had authored books in addition to doing whatever other cool things they do. The host, Kirby Heyborne, isn't a writer, but he is an actor, musician, comedian, motivational speaker, and an award-winning audiobook narrator. Steve Young, a retired pro football player who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2005, was interviewed by Kirby. He's the author of a few non-fiction books, including, most recently, The Law of Love and The Law of Love In Action. I haven't read anything by Young, but I've heard good things about both of these titles. We also heard from the incredible Tara Roberts, a National Geographic Explorer in Residence, who has spent the last seven years diving with and chronicling the experiences of a Black scuba team that searches for slave shipwrecks. She's a bookworm, an editor, a content creator, and the author of a memoir I really want to read called Written in the Waters: A Memoir of History, Home and Belonging. My favorite guests at RootsTech are not authors, but they're talented Irish dancers, the Gardiner Brothers. They were super fun to watch!

A friend of ours owns Peach & Bee Honey. She mentioned that some of her products were for sale in the gift store at the Salt Palace, where the conference is always held, so my husband and I hied off to do pick up a little souvenier from the Beehive State. In addition to yummy honey products, the shop also had a Little Free Library! I snatched up a crisp, new-looking hardcover of The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny. It's the 19th installment in the Armand Gamache mystery series, which I love. I'm behind on the series, but I'll get to this one eventually.

Because I was busy getting ready for my trip last week, I missed Top Ten Tuesday. The topic was a Genre Freebie. I was sorry to miss it, so that's what I'm going to do today, even though the prompt du jour is: Top Ten Book Titles Featuring Ordinal Numbers. As always, TTT is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Genre Freebie: Top Ten 2026 Historical Novels That I'm Excited to Read

- in order of publication -

1. Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven (published January 6)—It's 1964 and the Newman family has been the darling of American television for two decades. Although they play perfect versions of themselves on screen, each of the Newmans is struggling with maintaining their flawless image. With ratings falling, Dinah Newman—the matriarch—decides its time to bring the show to an end. Will she have the courage to go out with truth and integrity or will the family be forced to continue living a lie?

2. Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson (available February 10)—Centered on themes of race and identity, this novel tells the stories of several main characters:

Ethel Gathers, a white military wife living in Occupied Germany in the 1950s, discovers an orphanage filled with the abandoned mixed-race children of Black American GI's and German women, and vows to find homes for them all.
Ozzie Phillips, a Black volunteer with the newly-desegregated army, is serving in Germany in 1948 when he embarks on a relationship with a German woman that will change both of their lives forever.
Sophia Clark, a young Black woman in 1965, is given the chance to attend a prestigious all-white boarding school. While there, she discovers a secret that changes everything, leading her on a journey to find out who she really is.

3. The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang (published February 10)—I love me a gothic novel, and this one sounds super intriguing. Set in 1911 Shanghai, it features Lisan Liu, a woman who is hired to perform secretarial services for Caroline Stanton, the new American mistress of Lennox Manor. The home has a haunting reputation, which Lisan feels right away in the form of terrifying nightmares and visions of a mysterious woman in red. Like her new secretary, Caroline is hiding her own secrets, secrets she will do anything to keep hidden. When Princess Masako Kyo comes to the Manor asking difficult questions, both women feel threatened.

4. A Crown of Stars by Shana Abé (published February 24)—What does it say about me that I can't get enough of books about maritime disasters? Nothing good, probably! Nonetheless, I'm looking forward to this book about the sinking of the Lusitania. An English actress, Rita is visiting New York City for a premiere when she receives word from her sister that their beloved brother is about to enlist so he can fight in the war that is raging across Europe. Desperate to see him before he leaves, Rita boards the fastest ship available, in spite of the fact that the Lusitania is a British ship, a fair target for the German forces. What begins as a luxurious ride full of drinks and dancing soon turns into a disastrous struggle for survival.

5. The Secret Lives of Murderers' Wives by Elizabeth Arnott (published March 3)—Good Morning America just announced this historical mystery as its book club's March pick. I was lucky enough to win two copies to give away in my Little Free Library. Yay! Set in California in 1966, the novel is about three women, all wives of convicted murderers, who form an unlikely friendship. When a string of killings rocks their area, they decide to investigate the crimes themselves. After all, who is better qualified to identify a predator?

6. Daughter of Egypt by Marie Benedict (available March 24)—Although her father and his partner received international fame for finding the treasure-rich tomb of Pharaoh Tuttankhamun, it wouldn't have been possible without the help of Lady Evelyn Carnarvon. Her burning curiosity made the find possible; now, Evelyn's turned her focus to female pharaoh Hatshepsut. Determined to find her tomb in the hopes of better understanding her bold reign, she finds herself in a battle to either protect her father's legacy or forge her own.

7. The Moonlight Runner by Karen Robards (available March 24)—Set in Ireland in 1918, this novel features a young nurse who treats wounded soldiers and the boy she loves, who has taken up gunrunning to support the rebellion. When Rynn hears rumors of a British offense being planned against the gunrunners, she hurries out at midnight to warn her boyfriend, only to find herself caught up in a shocking turn of events that propels her down a terrifying path that leaves her fighting for survival in a world torn apart by war.

8. The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (available May 5)—Ever since loving The Help, I've been waiting for another book to come out by this author. I'm in the middle of reading an e-ARC of The Calamity Club, and I'm enjoying it. The story moves veeerrrrryyyy slowly. Stockett's writing is colorful and engaging, so the book isn't boring, but it definitely takes its time getting anywhere. I thought my Kindle was lying to me when it said it would take me 14 hours to read this door stopper. Nope! The print version is 656 pages long.

The story is about a group of women from different walks of life who band together in 1933 Mississippi to face a host of challenges, including economical, emotional, marital, and everything in between.

9. The Young Will Remember by Eve J. Chung (available May 5)—It's 1950 and Chinese American journalist Ellie Chang is on a military flight headed into the mountains of North Korea to cover a battle when her plane is shot down. Surrounded by the enemy, she fears the worst. When a woman saves her by claiming Ellie is her long-lost daughter, she's relieved. Determined to get herself and her rescuers to safety, the journalist leads them on a journey south, one that will also hopefully lead the family to their real missing daughter.

10. Up From the Ashes by Sharon Cameron (available October 26)—This YA novel is based on the true story of a Jewish couple who meet and fall in love during World War II while imprisoned in Holland's Sobibor death camp. When the prisoners come up with a daring plan to escape Sobibor, the duo must decide what they're willing to risk for freedom—and for each other.

There you go, ten 2026 historical novels that I'm looking forward to reading. Have you read any of them? Which new historicals are you excited about? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

Top Ten Tuesday: Lotsa LOVE For My Library

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:10:00 +0000

Happy Tuesday everyone! Since Valentine's Day will soon be upon us, today's TTT prompt is no surprise: a love/Valentine's freebie. I'm not a romance reader and freebies always throw me for a loop, so I'm going to go with a lazy twist on the topic and talk about library LOVE. Even though I have hundreds of unread books on my shelves, you can still find me at my local library quite often. I will never not enjoy browsing their shelves to find new treasures to read at home. I'm also addicted to Libby, where I can borrow the library's audiobooks and e-books. In addition to all the goodies inside, the library closest to my home is surrounded by a nature preserve where you can stroll along the paths, watch ducks glide in the lake, and enjoy the quiet peace of being out in nature (although you're actually in the middle of a busy suburb). There's so much to LOVE about libraries generally and my local one specifically. What do you LOVE about yours?

Like everyone else, I've been playing with Chat GPT's caricature-making feature. I thought this one, which the website titled "Relaxed Reader in the Library," was especially funny. If only my library had comfy recliners and fuzzy blankets to curl up with, I would probably never leave! Ha ha. I also love that it shows me listening to an audiobook and reading a paper book at the same time. I'm good, but I'm not that good. And what's with my crazy eyes? I guess I'm just really excited about visiting the library! If nothing else, AI is always good for a laugh...

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Library Love: The Last Ten Books I Checked Out From the Library

1. Coach by Jason Reynolds—I thought Reynolds' excellent Track series was over seven years ago when the last book was published, but then Coach came out in 2025. Yay! Like its predecessors, it's an encouraging read full of humor and heart. Narrated by the author's best friend, singer/actor Guy Lockard, the audiobooks are especially well done.

You can see my review of Coach here. Blogger flagged the review as containing "sensitive content." It's really just a content warning for my content warning, which is silly, but whatever.

2. The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey—I've heard nothing but good things about this historical mystery. I started it yesterday and I'm already thoroughly engrossed. It's set in Yorkshire, England, in 1979 when the area was the target of a serial killer dubbed the Yorkshire Strangler. Using the real murders as a backdrop, the novel features a curious 12-year-old girl who is determined to find the identity of the killer. As she uses her keen observation skills to observe "suspicious" doings in her neighborhood, she discovers surprising truths about the people around her, including her family and herself.

3. Of Mice and Murder by Sally Smith—This is the first installment in a historical mystery series about a London barrister who becomes a reluctant amateur sleuth when he discovers the dead body of a powerful, well-known judge on his doorstep.

4. The Chow Maniac by Vivien Chien—As you will soon see, I'm trying to make progress in series I'm in the middle of, so I grabbed this mystery, the 11th installment in a fun cozy mystery series set in a family-owned Chinese restaurant in Ohio. In this adventure, Lana Lee is called on to help P.I. Lydia Shepard solve a series of thefts and murders in the Asian community.

5. Murder in the East End by Jennifer Ashley—I enjoy the Below Stairs Mystery series, which is set in Victorian London. In this 4th installment, cook Kat Holloway, who moonlights as an amateur sleuth, can't look away when she learns that children are mysteriously disappearing from a local orphanage. Can she figure out what is going on before more kids vanish?

6. The Island by Adrian McKinty—I'm always in for a vacation-gone-horribly-wrong adventure, so I grabbed this thriller about a family who makes a rash decision while on holiday that leaves them stranded on a remote Australian island with a group of sinister hosts. Despite the promising premise, I ended up DNFing this baby because the characters are depthless caricatures, the plot gets ridiculous, and the dialogue is just laughably bad. No thanks.

7. Severe and Unusual Weather by Jessie Ann Foley—Foley's Sorry For Your Loss was one of my favorite reads of 2019. I've been meaning to read more by her and her newest, a middle-grade magical realism novel about an unlikely friendship, sounds like a good one.

8. Stabbed in the Baklava by Tina Kashian—The Kebab Kitchen mystery books make up another fun cozy series, also set in a family-owned restaurant. This time it's a Mediterranean eatery on the New Jersey shore. In this second installment, Lucy Berberian is in charge of catering a high-profile wedding that goes terribly wrong when the groom is murdered. Worse, Lucy's ex-boyfriend is accused of the crime. He may be infuriating, but she knows he's no killer. Once again, she finds herself playing Nancy Drew in order to solve a crime.

9. The Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper—I've read a couple of books by this Australian author and enjoyed them, so I grabbed her 2020 novel on audio when I saw that it was available on Libby. The story revolves around a young orphan who is taking in by a brother and sister intent on nurturing her impressive match skills. As the child ages, she realizes there's more to her guardians than meets the eye. When one of her guardians has a strange reaction upon seeing a certain painting in a gallery, her charge vows to find out just what her hosts are hiding.

So, since I started writing this post this morning, I have been listening to The Girl in the Painting. The narrator does a nice job, except that she takes a big breath after every paragraph, it seems. Now that I've noticed it, I can't unnotice it, and it's driving me crazy. So, I'm going to return the audiobook and pick up a paper copy of the novel because I'm enjoying the story so far.

10. Local Gone Missing by Fiona Barton—My focus really should be on finishing series I've already started instead of beginning new ones, but...This is the first book in a crime series by an author whose books I've enjoyed in the past. It's about an English detective out on medical leave who is drawn into investigating the disappearance of a man who vanished at a local music festival. With tensions between the town's permanent residents and its weekender population reaching a boiling point, she fears the conflict may have gotten deadly.

There you have it, the last(ish) ten books I checked out of the library. Have you read any of them? What did you think? What topic did you choose for today's freebie prompt? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

Coach An Excellent Finale to An Exceptional Series

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:34:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

Back in 2022, I made a fabulous author discovery: Jason Reynolds. This talented author mostly writes contemporary fiction for middle-graders and young adults, but he also pens poetry, non-fiction books, and middle-grade fantasy (the Miles Morales Spiderman series). When I listened to Ghost, the first installment in Reynolds' Track series, I was hooked and immediately had to binge-listen to the rest of the novels in the series. All of the books are excellent—engaging, upbeat, poignant, and funny—and the exceptional narration work by actor/singer Guy Lockard on the audiobooks levels them up to something truly extraordinary. I adored the series, so I was absolutely stoked when I learned that, after seven years, a new installment would be coming out in 2025. It took me until now to get my hands on the audiobook of Coach, but it was worth it to once again be entertained by the combined talents of Reynolds and Lockard.

Each book in the Track series—Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu—is told from the perspective of the titular character, all of whom are members of the same inner-city track team for junior high schoolers. They each tell a different story about their lives, complete with their hopes, dreams, and real-life challenges. No matter who is telling the tale, the books are quick, compelling reads that will appeal to reluctant readers as well as anyone who enjoys a lively story with likable characters and relatable issues.

As you can deduce by its title, Coach is the story of the team's beloved leader, Otis Brody. Only it's not about the adult Otis who's capable, wise, and inspiring. It's about 12-year-old "Otie," who's trying to figure out his place in the world. Growing up in the projects in the late 1980s, Otie and his friends are surrounded by gang bangers, drug dealers, and young criminals-in-the-making hanging out on every stoop. To counteract those negative influences, The Defenders track team has been created to give these inner-city kids a healthy place to belong. Otie's one of the team's two fastest sprinters, but his confidence doesn't always extend beyond the track. As he navigates his sometimes rocky life, he knocks up against plenty of problems, from desperately needing a decent haircut to avoid getting bullied to making the Junior Olympics track team to figuring out why his dad has been acting strange lately. Even when things get really rough, Otie finds ways to maintain his sense of humor, his ebullient outlook on life, and his hope in the future. Once again, Reynolds knocks it out of the park (or whatever metaphor is the track equivalent) with this rousing, heartwarming novel.

Of course, Lockard does his usual bang-up job with the Coach audiobook. No surprise there. He really is phenomenal. Lockard considers Reynolds, whom he has been tight with since childhood, his best friend. The two grew up together and their shared background means that Lockard intuitively understands Reynolds' writing. Because of this, their talents combine seamlessly to bring the whole Track series to vivid life. Coach is no exception. It's an all-around excellent ending to a wonderful series of books that need to be more widely read and listened to. Obviously, I recommend the audiobooks. They would be perfect for keeping middle-schoolers (and everyone else) entertained on a road trip. Because they do deal with some difficult subject matter, they also provide great springboards for discussions about real-life issues and challenges with which kids may be dealing. Have I used the word "entertaining" enough yet? Because that's what all of the Track books are. Do yourself a favor and check them out. You won't regret it.

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for some difficult subject matter (gang violence, drug dealing, drug addiction, etc.)

To the FTC, with love: Another library ~~fine~~ find

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 02:02:00 +0000

So, you know how Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means six more weeks of winter? Well, someone forgot to inform Arizona. We've barely had any cold weather at all. Instead, we're breaking winter heat records. It was 83 degrees today and it's supposed to be 86 on Wednesday! That's just insane. Ick. Why do I live here?

In other news, today is Tuesday, meaning we have a new TTT topic du jour: Top Ten Book Covers Featuring Cool/Pretty/Unique/etc. Typography. I enjoy a fun font as much as anyone, but since I didn't get a chance to do last week's prompt—Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025—I'm going to do that one today instead. As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Bookish Discoveries I Made in 2025

1. Bluebird by Sharon Cameron—Okay, this one is a cheat. Not only is it a re-discovery, but I also experienced it last month. Ahem. ANYway, I first read (and loved) Bluebird when it was published in 2016. The story captivated me because it was such a gripping and moving read. Even though I have read tons of World War II fiction, it's one that has really stayed with me. I recommended it to my book club, which prompted a reread. Guess what? Although I remembered some of the twists, Bluebird still kept me riveted. My husband just finished it for the first time and loved it as well. My book club is meeting in a few hours to discuss the novel. I can't wait!

Here's the publisher's blurb: A historical novel, set in postwar New York City.

In 1946, Eva leaves behind the rubble of Berlin for the streets of New York City, stepping from the fiery aftermath of one war into another, far colder one, where power is more important than principles, and lies are more plentiful than the truth. Eva holds the key to a deadly secret: Project Bluebird -- a horrific experiment of the concentration camps, capable of tipping the balance of world power. Both the Americans and the Soviets want Bluebird, and it is something that neither should ever be allowed to possess.

But Eva hasn't come to America for secrets or power. She hasn't even come for a new life. She has come to America for one thing: justice. And the Nazi that has escaped its net.

Incidentally, you can't go wrong with Sharon Cameron. I've read all of her books but one and they're all excellent. I'm planning to read Rook this year as well as Up From the Ashes, which comes out on October 6.

2. Kindle Scribe—I've been a dedicated Kindle Fire user for a long time, but when I saw some ads pushing the Kindle Scribe, I decided to try it out. My husband gifted me one for an early birthday/Christmas present, and I love it. Instead of taking notes on paper while I read, I now use the "Notebook" feature on my Scribe. I prefer writing them by hand, but it's much easier on my Scribe since I can easily add and erase information while keeping my notes looking neat and orderly. Toggling between two screens isn't the easiest thing to do on this device, but otherwise, I really dig it for distraction-free reading and note-taking. I'm itching to get the new ColorSoft version, not gonna lie, but at $679.99, it's a wee bit out of my price range!

3. Connie Berry—My favorite author discovery of 2025 is mystery writer Connie Berry. Last year, I enjoyed the first four books in her Kate Hamilton series, which stars an American antiquities dealer who solves mysteries in her adopted U.K. home. There are two more full-length novels and a novella in the series so far, and I'm planning to read all of them in 2026.

4. Audiobooks + cross-stitching = a winning combination—I've enjoyed cross-stitching since I was in my 20s, but I haven't always done it consistently. I rediscovered the hobby during the Covid lockdown when I got bored with just reading all the time (Right? I didn't know that could happen!). I would stitch for hours while watching t.v. with the kids. A few years later, I stopped stitching when I started having trouble with severe tendonitis in my hands. After having surgery in mid-2025, I am able to enjoy cross-stitching without pain again. Huzzah! However, I'm no longer much of a t.v. watcher. Enter audiobooks. Now, I can enjoy my two favorite hobbies at one time. With that discovery, I hope 2026 will be the year I finally finish the birth announcement I've been working on for my granddaughter, who turns three this year!

5. Celebrity memoirs on audio—Maybe it's because I'm not big on t.v. or maybe it's because I'm really old, but I don't care much about celebrities. Their dramatic, glamorous, disastrous lives are just not of much interest to me. Shockingly, I've actually listened to two celebrity memoirs over the last few months: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey and Not Dead Yet by Phil Collins. Both are narrated by the authors. Both are funny, poignant, interesting, and entertaining. The former is weirdly reverent and irreverent at the same time; for a book about spirituality, it's actually quite crude. The latter is better written and more engaging than I thought it would be. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed either book as much had I read them. Listening to the authors' own words in their own voices seems to be the key for me. I'm not saying I'll be listening to a lot of celebrity memoirs in the future (although I admit to being on the waitlist for Dick Van Dyke's 100 Rules for Living to 100 on Libby), but I did discover that I don't hate them. Who knew? P.S. My husband and I also enjoyed listening to Surrender by Bono a couple years ago.

6. Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins—I read the original Hunger Games trilogy as the books came out, and I have never reread them, although I've definitely thought about doing so. Finally reading this much-anticipated prequel reintroduced me to the HG world, reminding me how engrossed I was by the books, and rekindling my desire for a reread of the original trilogy. Will it happen this year? May the odds be ever in my favor...

7. Barbara Ross—This cozy mystery author is another writer I discovered last year. I enjoyed the first book in her Maine Clambake Mystery series in 2025 and am currently reading the second installment. The story revolves around a New Yorker who returns to her Maine hometown to help save her family's long-running clambake business. Along with that, she gets to tangle with family drama, troubles with townspeople, a new boyfriend no one approves of, and, oh yeah, murder.

8. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt—When books are really hyped up, I tend to avoid them rather than snatch them up. And, you have to admit, the plot of this novel sounds a bit strange. An octopus narrator? Count me out. Then, it came up as an "Available Now" audiobook on Libby and I remembered how much Athena had been raving about the greatness of the audio version, so I caved. Spoiler alert: I loved Remarkably Bright Creatures. Spoiler alert #2: Athena was right—the book is excellent on audio.

9. The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman—As a member of the Whitney Academy, I'm invited every year to help judge the Whitney Awards, which is a program that celebrates fiction written by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This year, one of the finalists in the Middle Grade category is The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. I enjoyed Hartman's first book, but I was still a little skeptical of her sophomore effort becuase its plot sounds a little...odd. Plus, animal narrators and I don't always get along. I read it anyway, and loved it for its uniqueness and heartwarming vibe. Guess who agrees with me about its awesomeness? The American Library Association. The book just received a well-deserved Newbery Honor Award. Congratulations!

10. Books read counter—Another bookish gift my husband got me for my birthday/Christmas was this cute counter for my desk. I enjoy tracking what I read on Goodreads, but it's also fun to count my books this way. My husband purchased this particular one on Amazon (he's addicted), but there are all kinds of cute ones on Etsy as well.

There you go, ten bookish discoveries I made in 2025 (and one re-discovery from this year). What did you discover last year? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog. If you posted for last week's TTT, leave me a link so I can check out your 2025 discoveries.

Happy TTT!

The Bookish Books Reading Challenge: February Book Ideas and Link-Up for Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 04:18:00 +0000

Unlike the rest of you, I have been totally slacking on reading bookish books in 2026. I've read a few featuring characters who like to read, but books weren't mentioned enough to really make it a "bookish" read, you know? To be honest, I'm not sure if that will change much in February or not. I'm just going to pick up whatever catches my eye this month and go with it. One thing I do plan to read is all the wonderful reviews you all have been posting for this challenge. Keep it up!

What bookish books are you planning to read in February?

If you are participating in the 2026 Bookish Books Reading Challenge, please use the widget below to link-up your February reviews. If you're not signed up for the challenge yet, what are you waiting for? Click here to join the party.

MG Ghost Novel offers Spooky, Shivery Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:17:00 +0000

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

I like a shivery ghost story, but I prefer atmospheric spine-tinglers over the kind of terrifying tales that are bound to give me nightmares. The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly, a horror lite novel written for the middle-grade set, fits that bill quite nicely. It's creepier than your average children's book, but it never gets too dark or graphic for its intended audience. In fact, in spite of its grim subject matter, it's actually a rather upbeat and hopeful read. This is a good place to start for young readers who want to dip their toes into the supernatural/horror genre, or for wimpy adults like me who just want a touch of scary sans night terrors.

The story stars Lila Clement, an 11-year-old Arizona girl who's often accused of being melodramatic, immature, and "too much." And, okay, a lot of the time she is making what turns out to be a big to-do about nothing. Not this time, though. When the eccentric grandfather she never knew dies, she travels with her family to Ohio. After an almost-accident on the road that leaves them all a little shaken, Lila discovers that she can now see ghosts. This is unfortunate considering that she'll be staying in the haunted inn that her Grandpa Clem owned for the forseeable future. When her newly-deceased relation appears to Lila, insisting that he did not die of a heart attack but was, in fact, murdered, she sets out to figure out who killed Grandpa Clem and why. She soon discovers that the Castle Hill Inn isn't just a spooky old hotel, Clem wasn't just an ordinary old man, and she's not just a drama queen who's being left behind by friends who think she's too babyish. In Castle Hill, Lila has an important mission to perform, a new pal to help her accomplish it, and maybe, just maybe, a place where her "too much" is exactly right.

Lila is a fun narrator who will help kids who are labeled "extra" feel seen. She's sympathetic, sensitive, caring, and brave. Her new friend, Teddy, makes an appealing right-hand man with his compassion, curiosity, and reluctant courage. Along with Lila's younger brother, the kids make an unlikely but intrepid team who tackle a murder mystery, a host of ghosts with varying needs, and a malevolent force who doesn't want them to succeed. What unfolds is an exciting story with lots of action, suspense, and ghostly encounters. While it's predictable, it's also a quick, entertaining page-turner that's creepier than you might expect. In spite of that, it teaches some healthy, healing lessons about death that can help kids grappling to understand death or dealing with the loss of a loved one find comfort. The Last Resort may not be the right reading choice for younger middle-graders or those who are particularly sensitive; for the rest of us, though, it's an eerie, enjoyable read that will provide shivers but not nightmares.

The Last Resort is the first installment in a planned series (a trilogy, maybe?). The second book, The Claiming by Jasmine Warga, came out earlier this month. In addition to reading the books, you're supposed to be able to launch an extra "experience" using a phone app that lets readers have their own ghost-hunting fun. By scanning the books' illustrations, you're supposed to be able to "talk' to the ghosts in the stories, solve puzzles within the pictures, and encounter further mysteries. It all sounds super cool. Unfortunately, despite trying multiple times on both my phone and PC, I could not get the "Launch Experience" button to work for me. Maybe it functions better with a paper book than an e-book? I don't know, but I feel like I'm missing out...bummer.

(Readalikes: reminds me of The Inn Between by Marina Cohen)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for violence and scary situations

To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of The Last Resort from the generous folks at Scholastic via those at NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Top Ten Tuesday: Vague Bookish Goals for 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 17:57:00 +0000

2026 has barely started and it's already speeding by! I'm still playing catch up after being gone for two weeks over the holidays, so this week's TTT prompt—Top Ten Goals for 2026 (bookish or otherwise)—is going to be a bit difficult as I haven't made any concrete New Year's resolutions yet, not for me personally or for my blog. I have some vague ideas of what I'd like to accomplish here at BBB. We'll see if I hit ten or not.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2026

Read 200 books—This has been my reading goal for the last five years or so. Most years I exceed it with no problem; we'll see what happens this year.
Read more of my own books—My shelves are literally sagging under the weight of all the books I've piled on them. I have hundreds of paper review books and ones I've bought that are waiting to be read as well as a ton of e-ARCs. All my shelves need culling. Desperately.
Post more reviews—I used to post almost every day here on BBB, but those days are loooonnnngggg in the past. These days, I pat myself on the back if I manage to do just a TTT post each week. I would like to post more reviews, maybe even set up a *gulp* schedule so that I publish at least one a week.
Up my NetGalley ratio—This is a losing battle. My current ratio is an abysmal 5%. Even though it's so low, I'm still able to get most of the e-ARCs I want. Still, I feel some guilt about how many I've requested vs. how many I've actually read/reviewed.
Complete all, or at least most, of the reading challenges I've taken on—I do reading challenges because they're fun. If I don't finish them, no biggie, but I do enjoy the sense of accomplishment I get from completing them.
Reorganize my "owned" shelves—When I moved into this house about four years ago, I had purged so many books that I was able to organize all of my remaining volumes on my shelves in a lovely, uncluttered way. Now, I've got books stacked every which way. The genres are all mixed up. Some purging and rearranging is definitely in order.
Listen to more audiobooks—My husband is all gung-ho about going on a cruise in May to see ruins in Mexico, Belize, and Honduras. It's going to involve a lot of hiking, which means I need to get my butt (and the rest of me) in shape before then (and beyond then). My goal is really to exercise consistently, but I generally listen to audiobooks while doing so, so I bookified it to make it seem more doable and fun ;)
Make progress in series that I'm reading—I love deep diving into characters and settings, so series always appeal to me—a little too much! I'm in the middle of a bunch of them, and I would like to move forward in at least some of them. I'm doing a series reading challenge, so that will help.
Read more uplifting books—Mysteries and thrillers are my favorite, but they're always so depressing! I need to balance them out with books that are lighter and happier. I've been reading more cozy mysteries in the past couple years; I could stand to expand my horizons, though. What do you suggest? Who are your go-to authors for books that are mood-boosting, but not cheesy, didactic, or silly? Bonus points if they're well-written mysteries.
Engage more with your blogs—I'm very consistent about visiting all the blogs that participate in TTT, but other than that, I haven't been great about stopping by and visiting all y'all. I'll try to do better in 2026!

There you go, ten reading/blogging goals I have for this new year. What about you? What are your resolutions for 2026? I'd truly love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!

Top Ten Tuesday: 2026 Releases I'm Excited to Read

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 08:00:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but I'm one of those readers who's always looking ahead to what exciting new books are on the publishing horizon. Of course, I love this week's TTT prompt: Top Ten Most Anticipated Books Releasing in 2026. I've actually already read several of the 2026 titles I had been most looking forward to, but there are always more I want to get my hot little hands on. I'm going to list the ones I've already read first, with links to my reviews on Goodreads, so you can see my thoughts on them if you're interested. Then, I'll list ten more that I still want to read. I'm sure there are hot new up-and-comers that I'm not even aware of, so I'm looking forward to perusing your lists to see what other books I should be watching for.

As always, Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl.

2026 Releases I've Already Read:

A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James (available January 20, 2026) **** stars

Such a Clever Girl by Darby Kane (available January 20, 2026) ** stars

First Sign of Danger by Kelley Armstrong (available February 17, 2026) **** stars

Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson (available March 3, 2026) *** stars

Everyone in This Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson (available March 17, 2026) **** stars

Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth (available April 26, 2026) **** stars

When No One Else Will by Amanda Skenandore (available May 26, 2026) ***1/2 stars

Top Ten Most Anticipated Books Releasing in the First Half of 2026

- in order of release date -

1. Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Blum (available January 13, 2026)—Historical fiction author Blum pens her first contemporary novel with this bookish murder mystery featuring two novelists whose relationship becomes very sketchy very fast.

2. This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page (available February 3, 2026)—Another bookish read, this one features a new widow who is shocked when she's informed that her late husband left her a birthday gift at their local indie. The present is twelve books, one for each month of the first year without him, to help comfort and guide her through the grieving process. She vlogs about her reading and reading-inspired adventures, finding a global support system that carries her through a difficult year.

3. The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (available February 17, 2026)—New bookish books for the win! Quinn's latest and greatest centers around a young woman who finds refuge from her struggles in the real world in the reading room at the Boston Library. When she discovers a hidden doorway leading to a secret library where lonely souls can literally disappear inside their favorite books, she's dazzled. Then, she's confronted by a frightening enemy who's a danger to everyone the library has sheltered. As she escapes through various books, she must figure out how to defeat this threatening foe.

4. A Kingdom of Shadows by Emily Bain Murphy (available March 3, 2026)—The first book in a new middle grade fantasy series, this novel introduces a trio of young thieves who live in a world of increasing darkness and despair. When a stranger tells them about a lake of light, they embark on a quest across the kingdom to bring light and life back to their dimming world. Naturally, they get more than they bargain for...

5. The Keeper by Tana French (available March 31, 2026)—This is the final book in French's trilogy starring retired Chicago detective Cal Hooper. Now living in a small Irish village, he's become apart of the tight-knit community's fetes and feuds. When a local young woman is found dead in a river, tearing the townspeople in two over ages-old issues, Cal's fiancèe urges him to stay out of the whole mess. Unfortunately for her, his copper instincts and loyalty to his village mean he has to investigate, even if it makes them a target.

6. Last One Out by Jane Harper (available April 14, 2026)—Even though Harper's newest seems to be getting very mixed reviews, I'm excited to read it. The standalone novel is set in a New South Wales mining town that's been left to rot. Ro's son vanished from the ghost town five years ago while working on an oral history of the place. On the anniversary of his disappearance, the distraught mother returns to the abandoned village determined to figure out what happened to her missing child.

7. Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister (available May 5, 2026)—I always look forward to a new McAllister thriller. This one has an intriguing premise: while staying in a remote Texas cabin with her daughter, Simone wakes up one morning to find the young woman missing. In her place is a phone with a ransom message. When Simone responds, she discovers that her daughter's kidnappers don't want money; instead, they want her to do something unthinkable. How far will she go to save her daughter?

8. The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (available May 5, 2026)—From the author of The Help comes a new historical novel set in Mississippi during the Great Depression. When the lives of three females—an 11-year-old orphan, a struggling old maid, and a fiery woman with a past—converge, the trio form an unlikely team that will change all of their lives forever.

9. An Ordinary Sort of Evil by Kelley Armstrong (available May 19, 2026)—Armstrong's A Rip Through Time is one of my very favorite historical mystery series. In this fifth installment, our girl Mallory—a modern-day homicide detective trapped in Victorian Scotland—and her employer, undertaker Duncan Gray, are summoned to the home of a wealthy woman. Assuming she has a dead body for them to take care of, they're stunned to find that she actually has a request from the ghost of her dead maid to investigate the maid's murder. Although they're skeptical, they agree to look into the matter, which does indeed present an intriguing mystery.

10. A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray (available June 23, 2026)—This historical novel stars Eunice Carter, Manhattan's first Black prosecutor, who becomes assistant DA for the city of New York. Determined to bring down crime boss Lucky Luciano, she decides to catch him through his hand in prostitution. With the help of Polly Adler, owner of a high-class brothel business, she works day and night to bring Lucky to his knees, no matter the consequences to themselves.

There you go, ten 2026 releases I'm looking forward to reading. How about you? Which up-and-coming titles are you dying to get your hands on? I'd love to know. Leave me a comment on this post and I will gladly return the favor on your blog.

Happy TTT!

The Bookish Books Reading Challenge: January Book Ideas and Link-Up for Reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Susan) — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:08:00 +0000

Welcome to the 2026 Bookish Books Reading Challenge! Thanks to my Christmastime vacation, I'm a little late getting things going this month. From now on, I will post these updates at the beginning of the month, not in the middle of it.

I've read four books so far this year and none of them have been bookish in nature. There are some 2026 new releases with bookish themes that I'm looking forward to. I have ARCs for some of them, so I may get to them in January. We'll see.

Murder Your Darlings by Jenna Blum (available January 13, 2026)—Historical fiction author Blum pens her first contemporary novel with this bookish murder mystery featuring two novelists whose relationship becomes very sketchy very fast.

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page (available February 3, 2026)—Another bookish read, this one features a new widow who is shocked when she's informed that her late husband left her a birthday gift at their local indie. The present is twelve books, one for each month of the first year without him, to help comfort and guide her through the grieving process. She vlogs about her reading and reading-inspired adventures, finding a global support system that carries her through a difficult year.

The Astral Library by Kate Quinn (available February 17, 2026)—Quinn's latest and greatest centers around a young woman who finds refuge from her struggles in the real world in the reading room at the Boston Library. When she discovers a hidden doorway leading to a secret library where lonely souls can literally disappear inside their favorite books, she's dazzled. Then, she's confronted by a frightening enemy who's a danger to everyone the library has sheltered. As she escapes through various books, she must figure out how to defeat this threatening foe.

How about you? Do you have any bookish books on tap for January?

If you are participating in the 2026 Bookish Books Reading Challenge, please use the widget below to link-up your January reviews. If you're not signed up for the challenge yet, what are you waiting for? Click here to join the party.