Kittling: Books

The Terrific Trio at the Phoenix Zoo

2026-06-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

Just when you were starting to think that there would be no more Suzanne and Daisy photos shared, here I am with our visit to the Phoenix Zoo. Come along with us, no towels needed!

Petting the rays is a lot of fun, although this time, they seemed to love drenching my nieces. That's what I meant about your not needing towels!

These two were having a blast, too.

Nap time for the jaguar.

And the cougar, too.

Prickly pear blossom

Burrowing owls always seem very opinionated.

Three snowy egrets

Wonder if he's related to the AFLAC duck?

Keeping watch over the missus while she sleeps.

Meerkat (Daisy's photo)

The eye of the lion. Now why does that remind me of a song about a tiger?

Daisy feeding the giraffe.

Suzanne feeding the giraffe.

Daisy on camelback.

Suzanne on camelback.

North America's fastest land animal. A pronghorn antelope taking a snooze. (Daisy's photo)

Suzanne at the petting zoo. (Daisy's photo)

Hmmm... there seems to be a ham in this gang of four. He's definitely ready for his closeup!

Thanks for coming along with us on this virtual visit. I hope you enjoyed it!

An Upcoming Anniversaries Weekly Link Round-Up

2026-06-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

June will not be melancholy if I have anything to do with it. Denis's birthday is Saturday, and the first anniversary of his death is toward the end of the month. I will admit that I have been having difficulties-- like swearing I just heard him call me from another room-- but I'd not be normal if I didn't. (Although I never have thought I was all that "normal.")

I haven't been getting out except for doctor appointments. I know I should get out and about-- force myself if necessary-- but I'm just not in the mood for solo outings. Okay-- enough of the Woe Is Me!

Let me share a Denis Photo with you that always makes me smile. The man never took himself too seriously, and it's a good thing he didn't. We were practically rolling on the floor laughing when he came home from running errands and took a look at the shoes he'd worn all over town...

Virtual hugs to you all! Enjoy the links!

►Books & Other Interesting Tidbits◄

The rise of ragebait lit.
What happened when a dumpster arrived behind a teacher's university library.
How American toilets differ from British toilets.
The fastest-growing target in America's book banning wave might surprise you.
Why we still need book festivals.
The violent history behind nutmeg.

►Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones◄

The gouged-out testicles of this bull mosaic in Italy are just two more victims of tourists abusing monuments for luck.
Bead net funerary shroud: A 2,500-year-old beaded veil from Egypt depicting the deceased's transformation into Osiris.
The skeletal remains of Queen Elisenda, one of the most powerful rulers in medieval Europe, were unearthed in Barcelona-- along with several others who bore unexplained stab wounds.
A 4,500-year-old Neolithic hall replica rises at Stonehenge as archaeologists and volunteers build with prehistoric tools and techniques.
An underwater robot explores the hidden "Shipwreck City" beneath the surface of this popular urban lake in the Pacific Northwest.
A 1,200-year-old gold hoard discovered in Saudi Arabia may have been buried by a medieval pilgrim.

►Channeling My Inner Elly May Clampett◄

Could bug spray attract mosquitoes? Lab insects learned that the smell of DEET would lead them to a tasty treat. (My sandalwood skin lotion is excellent at keeping "skeeters" at bay.)
Four rare Guam kingfisher chicks hatched at a facility in Virginia, making an "incredibly valuable" addition to the small population of extinct-in-the-wild birds.
You're guaranteed to spot at least one gorgeous giraffe in each of these 15 images.
Daddy Longlegs seem to hunt frogs in South America, revealing the gangly arachnids as overlooked predators.
View Australia's wildlife, including kangaroos, koalas, and crocs, with these 15 photographs.
Research suggests that these clownfish lose their baby stripes in response to peer pressure.

►The Wanderer◄

An illuminating new museum hidden beneath the Lincoln Memorial is set to open to the public. Here's what you can expect.
England's most famous naked giant will glow white again, thanks to help from hundreds of people performing a ritual of restoration.
Art thieves steal paintings by Renoir, Cézanne, and Matisse worth more than $10 million, fleeing the scene in just three minutes.
See the splendor of the majestic Rocky Mountains.
Returning to Steinbeck's Sea of Cortez.
Caste and culture in Kolkata's Chinese leather trade.

►Fascinating Folk◄

Ona Judge escaped from slavery while George Washington was busy eating dinner inside Now, a new mural honors her legacy.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Loyalist Mattias Aspden fled to England during the American Revolution. In his absence, the patriots declared him a traitor and seized his property.
The forgotten Untouchables of France.
Sir David Attenborough has inspired countless scientists. To mark his 100th birthday, here are ten living things they've named after him.
Requiem for a brilliant artist: On Tony Stella.
Did Cleopatra really die from a snake bite? Here's what history tells us.

►I ♥ Lists◄

5 mysteries set in the Boston area.
Your guide to Mignon Eberhart, America's Agatha Christie.
6 mystery and thriller books like Freida McFadden's The Housemaid.
The top ten animal sleuths (plus honorable mentions).
5 brilliant, lesser-known cozy mysteries (plus one new novel).
Top ten time travel books.

That's all for this week! No matter how busy you may be, don't forget that quality Me Time curled up with a good book!

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan

2026-06-02T11:00:00.000-07:00

First Line: "I have cancer, George."

Life has thrown Detective Sergeant George Cross a curveball in his personal life, so when the body of a bookseller is found lying in a pool of blood in his own bookshop, George must do something he's never actually had to do before: rely on his team for help.

Can the world of books really be all that cutthroat?

If it seems as though I've spent most of my time this year praising Tim Sullivan's George Cross mysteries, you're probably right. I've almost caught up with the series, so those of you who wish I'd dial it back will be happy.

Tim Sullivan has created a rich world of characters and mysteries that will keep readers on their toes. In The Bookseller, we see how George reacts to a family crisis, and it's every bit as funny and touching as fans would expect.

One of the things that makes George Cross so special is that he's always learning something new about himself. These characters are not static. His partner, Josie Ottey, hesitates to share some news with him, and there's a new police staff officer, Prianka Patel, who's replaced Alice MacKenzie. (Don't worry, Alice has news of her own.) I have to keep reading these books just to keep up with the characters!

But the mysteries are every bit as good as Sullivan's cast. This time around, readers will learn about the bookselling business while sorting through the list of suspects. Although there is sadness and worry in The Bookseller, readers will also get to laugh while watching DCI Carson marshal the troops to apprehend a suspect.

Strong mysteries, wonderful characters, humor, and poignancy-- if you have yet to make the acquaintance of George and his team, what on earth are you waiting for?

The Bookseller by Tim Sullivan

eISBN: 9780802167705

eBook, 384 pages

Police Procedural, #7 George Cross

Rating: A

Source: Net Galley