On My Nightstand July 5, 2025

rocks painted by my niece many years ago

I did so much yard work yesterday in the name of catching up on an audiobook I had to have read for a discussion today. I think I dehydrated myself in the name of reading. Do other people have these issues?

Quote of the Week

“I can’t be normal so I’ll be something else.”

— Death of an Author by Nnedi Okorafor

cattitude

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver - Enjoying this, but I might switch to audio because I want to hear the Kentucky accents.

Kindle - Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton - For a book club. Sounds like perfect summer reading.

Audiobook - Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor - This is the one I dehydrated myself for yesterday. The first half discussion is today and the second half will be next week. It’s so good so far!

perennial flowers - really taking off this year

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On My Nightstand June 29, 2025

summer flowers are starting to take over

How was everyone’s June reading month? Despite everything going on I was able to lose myself in some really good books. Yay summer reading! I’ll post some reviews next week.

Quote of the Week

“Surviving in remote places is all about setting up contingencies. If one thing goes, there’s another option to take its place.”

— Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Weekend Goals

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy - Marilla’s back story - just what I needed!

Kindle - Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq - Still working on these short stories!

Audiobook - In A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson - I’ve been wanting to re-read this Australia travel memoir and last week’s heat wave inspired me to start.

Backyard reading

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On My Nightstand June 21, 2025

reading before a summer league game

It’s officially summer now, but I’m already planning for fall. We’ve got some book lists, uniform needs, sports physical forms, and SAT dates ready. It’s going to be too hot this week to be outside much anyway. Might as well get something done.

We had a tree fall in the yard this week during a big storm. That’ll be this weekend’s project.

Quote of the Week

“It was a June morning, and as early as it was, the room was full of sunny warmth and light.”

— Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell

The cat’s summer hangout- there’s no ac in this room so that’s where they go

On My Nightstand This Week

Paper Book - Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage - I needed something simple to read when it’s hot outside and this fits the bill. I have to say the author got the voices/attitudes just right.

Kindle - Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq - I love having a book of short stories on my kindle for when I’m on the go.

Audiobook - I’d Know You Anywhere by Laura Lippman - Not my favorite Lippman but it’s a good listen while I’m doing yard work.

at least we got some rainbows after the storms

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Show Us Your Books June 2025

I spent most of my reading month of May either in the bleachers reading between games or listening to audiobooks in the car. Needless to say I’m pretty glad May is over. Lots of good stuff happened, but I am not cut out for that kind of pace. I’m more of make a lazy dinner then spend all night on the porch reading type of person. Yay summer! I did read a few gems though. The best of the best are listed below:

May 2025 4 and 5 Star Reads

We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride - Wow, this book was something. The teenage experiences of two Black children living with depression, trauma, and being different all told in verse. Through it all fairy tales were woven in. I loved it.

Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga - A compelling book set in pre-genocide Rwanda. The tensions are there and you know what’s coming, but you can’t stop reading. I’m glad I read this.

Dr. No by Percival Everett - This book was wild. I think I might have to listen to it again to figure out what happened. It was funny though. The atheist priest had me rolling. I gave it 4 stars but they’re confused stars.

Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett - This book was a little bittersweet since it was written just before the Queen died. It’s such a fun series though with Her Majesty solving crimes without anyone knowing except her trusty assistant Rozie.

The Parrot and the Igloo by David Lipsky - This book was fascinating. The author thoroughly explained the history of climate science and what goes into the campaigns to discredit it. Everyone should read this.

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On My Nightstand May 3, 2025

I’m hoping that after this weekend things will calm down enough so that I can start blogging regularly again and visiting others. Yesterday was decision day at my son’s high school and it made me really emotional to think that’s what we’ll be doing a year from now. So that’s a whole new thing to think about in the middle of the night. I’m a mess basically. Thankful for cats and books.

Quote of the week

“Hannah knew this road like she knew the lines on her sister’s face.”

— Murder on Devil's Pond by Ayla Rose

On My Nightstand This Week

Kindle - Fixing to Die by Miranda James - Last one in this series and I’m kind of glad. They’re pretty repetitive.

Audiobook - The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny - When life is too much and I can’t focus on anything I always return to Louise Penny.

Paper Book - No Nest For The Wicket by Donna Andrews - I guess I’m on a mystery kick this week. This book is a lot of fun.

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Walking Wednesday April 12, 2025

It’s been cool here and it seems to be having a good effect on the longevity of these blooms. I can’t stop walking under these trees and taking pictures. I’m not looking forward to the heat and humidity this summer, so every day I get to avoid taking out my summer clothes is a good day in my mind.

Right now I’m listening to The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie. I joined a challenge to read one Christie book a month in order. They’re usually pretty good for walking and listening.

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Walking Wednesday January 8, 2025

Whew, it’s definitely winter walking weather out there. With no holiday decorations to look at I’ve been changing my routes so that I can find new things. Pretty soon I’ll be seeing signs of spring- or at least that’s what I tell myself!

I’m listening to The Mysterious Affair at Styles for a buddy read. The discussion isn’t until the end of the month, but the library wants it back sooner than that.

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My January TBR

December Beginning TBR: 456
December Ending TBR: 466

Happy New Year! Last month was way more than I bargained for, so I had to stop doing everything that wasn’t necessary to keep me employed and my kids fed and where they’re supposed to be. I’m excited to be back journaling what I want to read and what I’ve actually read. (Totally different lists most months.)

Here’s 20 books I’m hoping to read in January:

1) Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

2) The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie

3) The Haunted Bridge by Carolyn Keene

4) Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall

5) Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson

6) Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

7) Whose Body by Dorothy L Sayers

8) What The Wild Sea Can Be by Helen Scales

9) The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

10) The Cat Who Went Bananas by Lilian Jackson Brown

11) Becoming a Matriarch by Helen Knott

12) Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir

13) Annoying: The Science of What Bugs Us by Joe Palca

14) Your Teenager Is Not Crazy by Jerusha Clark

15) The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy

16) Fire Weather by John Vaillant

17) There Is Nothing For You Here by Fiona Hill

18) The Book of George by Kate Greathead

19) Fix Your Fashion by Laura Strutt

20) The Girl Without Skin by Mads Peder Nordbo

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Walking Wednesday September 4, 2024

I am seeing signs of fall everywhere! I’m not usually one to celebrate the end of summer, but the heat this year has been so miserable I say bring on the pumpkin spice. I’ll be the one dressed like a Gilmore Girl taking walks in my neighborhood listening to audiobooks.

This week I’m listening to Sunburn by Laura Lippman. Her books are great on audio.

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Walking Wednesday July 31, 2024

Now that it’s “only” in the 90’s I’ve been trying to branch out more. This week I visited a nearby park that is known for its boardwalks. It’s so dry, but I still saw a lot of critters.

I’ve been listening to the second to last Cat In The Stacks Book - Hiss Me Deadly by Miranda James. What will I do for a palate cleanser when this series is over?

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Show Us Your Books November 2023

My October was filled with cozy mysteries and thrillers, as is bookworm law. I had a lot of fun, but am enjoying the feeling of my brain coming back to life as I re-introduce deeper books this month. I don’t even know where I am with my reading challenges, but at this point I kind of want to just read what’s overflowing on my shelves and start again with the challenges in 2024. I saw a meme the other day that said something like “It’s officially let’s reconnect after the holidays season!” and that’s how I feel about reading challenges at this point.

Here’s the best of the best from what I read in October.

Five Star Reads:

Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy -- If you would have told 10th grade me that I would be willingly getting up pre-dawn on a weekend to finish Tess of the D‘Urbervilles I would not have believed you. This book touched me in ways teenage me would never have imagined. This book is wasted on High Schoolers. It hit way differently in my 40’s.

Four Star Reads:

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James -- Once I figured out the characters and the timelines I was really invested in the story of this boarding school for unwanted girls set in the 1950’s and the reporter who wants to learn more in 2014.

Malorie by Josh Malerman -- Bird Box scared the heck out of me so I had been saving this one for a good Halloween scare. I wasn’t expecting to relate so much to the story of a mom just trying to keep her teens alive when they think they are so much smarter and fight you on every damn thing 🤣 The whole blindfold wearing issue was interesting too after the last few years of mask wearing. So, not the scare I was looking for, but a relatable tale of motherhood.

Going Zero by Anthony McCarten -- A fast paced techno thriller. Bigger than life Elon Musk type Cy challenges ten people to evade his surveillance technology for thirty days. If they do they get 3 million dollars. This book moved, and was hard to put down once I started.

A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale -- I enjoyed this novel about Harry- a man who had to flee to Canada in the years before WWI just because of who he was. The author’s note at the end revealed Harry was actually a distant relative of his, and he got the idea for this novel after reading a family member’s memoirs.

Hotel California edited by Don Bruns -- I enjoyed making my way through this mystery anthology last month. My favorite was the last story, and the inspiration for the title. In Hotel California the famous song is told through the eyes of a social media influencer. And it was as creepy as it sounds.

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Show Us Your Books October 2023

September was a good reading month for me. I enjoyed some end of summer reads, some middle grade, and, of course, Holly. It’s kind of funny now to think how hot it was when I read some of these books. So glad sweater weather is here. (You can tell it’s getting cooler because my two cats will actually spend a few hours sitting next to each other not fighting.)

Five Star Reads:

Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling -- I‘m probably not the intended audience for these books, but I really like them. I love the characters and love cheering them on as they navigate teenage life.

Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- I loved this book. It was so sad, but also so insightful. 5 stars. Perfect end of summer reading.

Four Stars:

Holly by Stephen King -- Holly is such a great character, and I will read anything King writes about her. Great creepy story.

I do understand why some people complained about the politics. It didn‘t seem natural to me that people would bring it into conversation as soon as Holly met them.

Salt Houses by Hala Alyan -- Multi-generational books are my sweet spot. This book about a family over time and what home means was no exception.

Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk -- Listened to this MG coming of age story with my daughter and we loved it.

The Butterfly Effect by Rachel Mans McKenny -- I enjoyed this book about cranky mc Greta and her dumpster fire of a year. Grumpy ladies have feelings too. Thanks for the representation.

The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray -- This book was delightful. Gray brought so many characters together from Jane Austen‘s books for a murder mystery in a way that seemed authentic and humorous at the same time.

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This is linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

On My Nightstand September 17, 2023

This week passed in such a blur I couldn’t tell you what I’ve done. I just know all my food and gas are gone. I’m sure my kids had something to do with that.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“Sometimes the universe throws you a rope.”

— Holly by Stephen King

On my nightstand:

Holly by Stephen King -- I’ve been reading this all week and loving it, but am still only about 65% in. I hope I can finish this weekend. I NEED to know what happens!

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor -- I’m reading this for #AuthorAMonth on Litsy. I always look forward to trying a new to me author.

The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley -- This is part two of a MG WWII series. I loved the first one.

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On My Nightstand September 10, 2023

Good morning! We had thunderstorms yesterday and overnight. Finally we got some rain! I’m really looking forward to getting some fall veggies into my garden over the next couple of days. Soccer games start this week as well, so its busy, but fun busy.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“How unfortunate for public morals that being unladylike feels so...exciting.”

— The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray

On my nightstand:

Holly by Stephen King -- I have been waiting for this for a long time, and now that it’s here I am loving it! I’m about 30% in.

Deadly Quiet City by Murong Xuecun -- I just started this book, but so far it’s fascinating. It’s a first hand look at early 2020 in Wuhan, China.

Bette and Joan by Shaun Considine -- This audiobook about the feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis is so fun. I loved this a few years ago when it first came out, so it was time for a re-listen.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand September 3, 2023

Hi everyone. It’s September at last. I hope that means cooler weather. It also means a new reading month.Each month I set up goals and a reading list, and I’m going to try and start posting that here. My first post went up Friday.

Have a great week!

Quote of the Week:

“At funerals, people lie about the past. At weddings, they lie about the future.”

— Keep Calm and Collie On by Lane Stone

On my nightstand:

Every Summer After by Carly Fortune -- I just barely started this one last week and then got distracted. I have high hopes for this week.

The Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien -- This series is so fun.

Saturday Night At The Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal -- We once stumbled upon a supper club in Wisconsin where we ate and then watched a water skiing show as the sun set. I’m hoping this book brings back those vibes.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

Walking Wednesday August 16, 2023

It’s still as hot an humid as ever here, but there have been signs of fall on my walks. Bring on the sweater weather. I’m over this summer that seems to want to kill us all.

When walking I’ve been listening to A Bad Day For Sunshine by Darynda Jones. I love starting a new series!

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Show Us Your Books July 2023

I read 19 books in June. Four of them were re-reads, which is always fun. A lot of people don’t like to re-read, but to me it’s like visiting old friends. Besides that reading is just better when I’m sitting on the porch with a glass of wine and baseball on the radio.

Five Stars

Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu - In 1938 Meilin and Renshu had to flee their home in China. For years they searched for some place to grow roots and finally found it in Taiwan. Eventually they each found stability- Meilin in Taiwan and Renshu in the states. Neither really ever felt safe though until they learned to confront the past. This book was heartbreaking, but in the very best way. You all should read it.

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese - This audiobook was 31 hours long, and I wish it could have gone for another 31 hours. I loved it so much. It all came together beautifully and I loved the characters. Five stars.

Four Stars

Foster by Claire Keegan - This was a great short story, but I wish I knew more about the families (family?) involved.

The Not-Quite States of America - I read this for a book club, and I wasn’t sure what to expect due to mixed reviews. I ended up enjoying it though I thought some parts were needlessly padded with background information. It seems that this one is better to read than listen from the reviews.

Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid - Yet another book I would have never heard about if not for Litsy challenges! This short book has a lot to say about growing up, the expectations we put on kids, and mother/daughter relationships.

Untangled by Lisa Damour, Ph.D. - This book was excellent. Highly recommend for anyone with a daughter 12 or older.

Our Stories Carried Us Here (Anthology) - A powerful and moving graphic novel anthology about the refugee experience. I‘m going to pass this on to the library at our school’s international academy.

Exiles by Jane Harper - I thought I had figured out the mystery halfway through and I was annoyed that Falk was taking so long to catch up. Then it turned out it was someone I hadn’t suspected at all and I loved the ending.

Three Stars

The Last Word by Taylor Adams - I loved the premise of this book- deranged author goes after lone woman who gave him a one star review on Goodreads. However it seemed to take forever for anything to happen. It was entertaining enough to listen over a busy weekend full of chores though so I’m giving it 3 stars.

Feet in the Clouds by Richard Askwith - Part memoir part history of Fell-Running- aka running up and down mountains in Britain usually in terrible weather. I enjoyed the parts about the author’s pursuits, but wasn‘t as engaged in the historical parts.

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This is linked to Quick Lit on Modern Mrs. Darcy.

On My Nightstand May 28, 2023

It’s officially summer reading season! Here’s to hours spent reading in the sun! I can’t wait. Here’s my summer reading list if anyone is interested. Yes, I know I have high expectations for myself this summer!

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”

— Friedrich Nietzsche as quoted by Stacy Willingham in A Flicker In The Dark

What I’m Reading This Week

A Flicker In The Dark by Stacy Willingham - I’m one chapter in on this thriller and I think I figured out who did it. I can’t wait to keep reading to see if I’m right.

The Coal Tattoo by Silas House - I “discovered” Silas House this year, and I am so happy I have his whole backlist to go through.

Thunderstruck by Eric Larson - Having trouble getting into this one. Has anyone read it?

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand May 14, 2023

The weather has been beautiful this week, and I’ve been doing so much reading on my porch. One day I lost my kindle, and it took me about an hour to find it. It was under a cat. Peak cat lady.

Have a great week everyone!

Quote of the week

“What was the use of building a legacy if the ones who deserved the fruit never lived long enough for the harvest?”

— Island Queen by Vanessa Riley

What I’m Reading This Week

Moloka'i by Alan Brennert I didn’t get to start this until the end of last week, so I’m still working on it. I really like it so far.

Island Queen by Vanessa Riley This is okay, but I want more. I’m about 3/4 of the way through.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samatha Shannon This might be the week when I finally finish this chunkster.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.

On My Nightstand April 23, 2023

April has been a lot of work! I’m trying to recover this weekend. I started last night with a slice of cheesecake and a book on the couch. Today I plan on laying in bed with tea for a while then some puttering in the garden after church.

Have a great week everyone.

Quote of the week

“But you want murderous feelings? Hang around librarians,” confided Gamache. “All that silence. Gives them ideas.””

— A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny

What I’m Reading This Week

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon -- Still working on this one!

Hidden Moon by James Church -- Another holdover from last week. Hopefully I’ll finish soon.

Killed at the Whim of a Hat by Colin Cotterill -- I’m enjoying the audio of this whymsical mystery set in Thailand.

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This post is linked to The Sunday Post on Caffeinated Reviewer.