7 years ago today I made one of the best decisions of my life - I joined Litsy! This is the best community out there. In those 7 years, I‘ve met a few Littens in person, and have made great friendships through #LitsyLove and through just connecting on Litsy.

From your love of books to the way you care about fellow Littens. Thank you for making this such an amazing, safe place!

Perhaps I will celebrate by reading! 😊

October‘s #BookSpinBingo list…I‘m all about the spooky (to me) options! Thanks to Canva for this fabulous graphic.

The first 10 are various #buddyread titles and challenge titles…most are mysterious or spooky, but not all of them.

I greatly enjoyed this American mystery classic, as well as finally finishing the selection of the month for #goldenagecrimeclub that I could actually join the discussion! Crane‘s sense of setting makes the reader feel like they are in New Mexico. Lots of great descriptions, red herrings, and quirky characters. I would gladly read book 2 of this series (there are 26!). #192025 #1941

Agatha decides to go on holiday with James (why is beyond me, but I digress), and after getting into a verbal dispute with a hotel guest, is accused of the woman‘s murder. Needless to say, Agatha must prove her innocence. I like the addition of to the cast of characters, as it has helped keep the series fresh. Another good listen!

Combined #BookReport and #WeeklyForecast :

I had a great reading week and managed to complete a couple #buddyread titles and a book I‘ve read off and on for months.

This week should see the completion of more buddy read titles and hopefully a title or two from my “actively reading” list. On audio, I‘m nearly finished with Love, Lies, and Liquor, and since the Agatha Raisin books are short, I think I will start Tom Lake this week.

Definitely not as enjoyable as Last Summer at the Golden Hotel! While I appreciated the references to ‘90s pop culture (this is my era, though the characters are a tad older than me), I was not fully enamored with any of the MCs. As the book progressed, I found I was more frustrated than anything with their stories. Spoiler comment below that had me rolling my eyes. At least I finished this with #Zeke resting on me. #CatsOfLitsy #SundayBuddyRead

For #Blues , I immediately jumped to the tagged book, one that has been on my tbr for such a long time.

For the song, I decided to go with a blues song by Jimi Hendrix, whose rock music is deeply rooted in the blues genre. Born Under a Bad Sign is not one I‘m completely familiar with, but I loved the instrumental play in it (it‘s pretty much instrumental for the entire 8 minutes). #TitlesAndTunes

I am so excited for October‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead !! This has been on my tbr for quite awhile.

This buddy read is low key - read the book at your own pace during the month of October, with discussion questions posted on October 31st. I will post periodic check ins during October.

Tagging those who have expressed interest in this book. If you would also like tagged, comment below! All are welcome!

Thanks for the tag, @Eggs !

1. Weekend circulation assistant at my hometown library as a college freshman.

2. I‘m kind of transitioning into a multitude of side hustles career wise! 😂 Editing and writing are my future goals. I would love to look into genealogy and become a genealogist.

3. I just left a position that did not offer a good work/life balance. I‘m learning now how to find the best balance. Answer is yes, but….

#WondrousWednesday

I‘m attending my first non-library book club tonight, and so I quickly read this one. While I liked the description of the shop and the yarn and colors, everything else was not that great. I never warmed to Paislee the MC, there was so much repetition in the narrative (more than other cozy mysteries, and you know I love them), and it seemed like the mystery was way in the background, as I got a sense of “woe is me” every time Paislee spoke. Pass.

It's official...we're beginning a read along of Nancy Drew books! Coinciding with @thebookhippie 's #childrensclassicread2023 , the #buddyread will officially begin in October, with discussion on November 15th...feel free to join in both groups that month and join the discussion whenever! We will then read one book per month, with discussion on the 15th of the month. #NancyDrewBR

⬇ ⬇ ⬇

Margo works at the circulation desk at the Carlisle Public Library. Margo has a very dark secret. Margo begins to unravel when Patricia is hired at the library. Told from both characters‘ perspectives, this is a deliciously creepy novel. I could understand library frustrations as detailed by Margo and Patricia. This was so good. Comparable to Mona Awad‘s books & Phil Hogan‘s A Pleasure & a Calling.

Audio is amazing! Loved Margo‘s voice!

A fun exploration of Austen characters, thrown together by a house party, with murder. That the murder is of Mr. Wickham makes it a bit of a cozy mystery element (the hated character of the group). I think Gray cleverly weaves the characters and the storylines together, introducing offspring of well known couples from Austen‘s books. Admittedly, I was a bit puzzled by the austere and prim characters of the Bertrams, especially Fanny ⬇️⬇️⬇️

It took me a long time to reread this - because of life - but I finally managed to complete this, several months past the #GoldenAgrCrimeClub discussion of it! I like Peter Wimsey‘s humor and his deduction practices. He kind of reminds me of Christie‘s Tommy and Tuppence for his spunk and go-get-them attitude, but I admittedly like him more than Tommy and Tuppence. It‘s my goal to continue reading the series! #192025 #1923

Combined #BookReport and #WeeklyForecast :

Last week was finalizing things at the library before saying goodbye on Friday, so not as much reading took place as I have hoped. I am keeping up with both #PemberLittens #BuddyRead books!

I‘m hoping to join my favorite bookstore‘s one book group this week, so last minute detour in reading a new to my cozy mystery, and maybe I can actually complete some more books! 😂

Agatha continues to watch her latest professional adventure grow, as she moans over her love life. But, a suspicious death and an array of suspects has her and her team hot on the case. The ending made me want to jump right into the next one!

As always, a delight to listen to while doing chores.

This one is so different and imaginative…it was almost refreshing to read something unique! I did find Nell slightly annoying at times - I wanted to shake her and say don‘t be so stubborn - but as the story unfolded, I had to keep reading. Secrets and greed aplenty. And, there were parts to this that had me grab a tissue or two. I had been a little reluctant to read this - not my typical reading choice - but I‘m glad I picked it up.

Combined #BookReport and #WeeklyForecast :

I am so close to finishing a couple more books, but did not quite complete them by Saturday night. Another week means more opportunities!

I have two book clubs this week and a few library books to finish - Friday is my last day at the library. I resigned a few weeks ago…it‘ll be so weird to walk out after nearly 18 years! I finally reached the point that I knew it was time. More reading in my future!!

Another fun addition to the Agatha Raisin series! Agatha is hot on the case of an attempted murder. Meanwhile, someone she knows wants her dead. I liked the two storylines - Agatha‘s case and the mind of the perpetrator as they tried to figure out how to get rid of Agatha. There are some laugh out loud moments, and a few off the wall situations. Great listen!

So…I‘ve been toying with this for awhile. Would anyone have an interest in reading the Nancy Drew series together? It‘s been years since I read any of them!

My thought - discussion on the 15th of the month, beginning October 15th, and we would read the series in order, starting with The Secret of the Old Clock. Read whichever edition (tweaks to content depending upon pub year). If there‘s enough interest, I‘ll make it a formal #BuddyRead !

Jessica Fletcher is asked to go to Northern Ireland to deliver family heirlooms to her neighbor‘s family. Of course, when Jessica appears anywhere, murder happens. I greatly enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape in this addition to the series. The mystery was good - I suspected the killer towards the end of the book. Great distraction reading; #Zeke and #Xander agree! #CatsOfLitsy

Combined #BookReport and #WeeklyForecast :

While I had hoped to finish more books during my week‘s vacation, I seemed to start more books than finish! 😂

I have a few library books I need to get through over the next couple of weeks, so we‘ll see what I can finish of these before my IRL book club selections are on my radar.

Nell Stevens is 40-something, and her life is one hot mess. She chronicles her year of finding herself, forgiving wrongs and making things right in this novel of short chapters. This reminded me of the “chick lit” books of the ‘90s and early aughts, which I loved in my twenties, but…well…not as much in my forties, which is kind of ironic given the subject! I liked seeing Nell‘s growth throughout the book, and I could relate to a few things. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Here we go with another month of #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade ! I liked the descriptions in this first short chapter.

My copy was a really cheap copy I found on Amazon without whacky formatting (or at least, none that I have seen yet!)

September‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead begins today! This low key buddy read is read at your own pace, with discussion questions posted on September 30th.

Everyone is welcome to join! Tagging those who are already signed up for this month, but comment below if you wish to be tagged as well.

Overall, I liked this novel. At times, the narrative did drag for me, and I really did not find any of the characters likable, but there is something about the tone of a novel that can really captivate me. This one was layered with so much grief and longing it kept me reading into the night. I‘d definitely read more by the author. #LiteraryCrew

It is time for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! I have questions posted under the spoiler and can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, and by searching the hashtag. Thanks for joining this month; comment below with anything else you wish to share!

My #BookSpinBingo list for September!

Hamish has a suspicious death on his hands in the Scottish Highlands, and along with a temporary partner, must figure out the killer before they strike again. He‘s also recovering from a loss in the prior book, so he‘s a bit more somber. There‘s more action and plot moving in this one rather than personal stories. I loved how quickly the narrative moved, but yet it felt substantial. Great addition to the series!

My combined #BookReport and #WeeklyForecast :

Just one title finished this week! I did start a book but could not connect with the writing style and decided to set it down for now - maybe I‘ll come back to it someday. #somanybookssolittletime

Can you believe we‘re into September the end of this week??? My forecast includes the upcoming #BuddyRead titles.

I am off work this week, so I plan to have some much needed reading time!

Thanks for the tag, @Eggs !

1. I tend to watch way more dramas than comedies! But, I think the Naked Gun series is hilarious - Leslie Nielsen was terrific as Lt Frank Drebbin.

2. Probably a Hallmark movie - they‘re my escape from reality movies

3. Besides world peace, safety and health for my family

#WondrousWednesday

Catherine Howard has been portrayed as a #dramaqueen in history…youthful, flamboyant, a massive flirt, and supposedly “broke” Henry VIII‘s heart with her affairs. Also, she‘s a distant relation to Anne Boleyn.

The tagged book has been on my tbr, and it‘s about time to read it!

Confession: I love Matchbox Twenty - talk about ‘90s alt music. She‘s So Mean is from about 10 years ago. Definite drama queen. The video is a riot. #TitlesAndTunes

The Blanchards decide to move from Vermont to #Anguilla and start a restaurant. I liked the descriptions of the island and the food and the interactions they had with the community. Admittedly, parts of the narrative really dragged for me, and it would have also been nice to hear Bob‘s voice in the narrative. But, I did have to look up the restaurant‘s website to see images of the place today (and the staff!). #ReadingTheAmericas2023

In September, the #LiteraryCrew will read Peony in Love by Lisa See. This #BuddyRead is low key - read at your own pace, with discussion questions posted on the 30th.

I will post periodic checkins throughout the month. Tagging those who have expressed prior interest. Anyone welcome to join…just comment below, and I‘ll add you to the tag list too!

Combined #BookReport and #WeeklyForecast :

I quickly devoured 2 Agatha Raisin books via audio this past week, as well as Doctored Evidence for a book discussion. Nearly done with A Trip to the Beach!

Agatha and her neighbor decide to investigate a supposed haunted house. As usual, Agatha got a bit more than she bargained for in this escapade. History and murder play a role, as Agatha continues to try and figure out her love life. Poor Agatha! Another fun listen.

Brunetti tackles the seven deadly sins in this series entry. What starts out as a seemingly open and shut case becomes a mystery shrouded in, yet again for Leon‘s Venice, corruption and deceit. I felt compelled to keep reading!

I blinked, and it‘s the middle of August! Time for a check in with this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! Any thoughts to share with the group?

Discussion on August 31st!

Another fun story in the series! When the new curate seems a bit more popular than the vicar, and then winds up dead, Agatha has to clear the name of Mrs Bloxby and her vicar husband. Lies and deception play a special role, and Agatha also learns a bit about her neighbors and herself.

Combined #BookReport and #WeeklyForecast :

I finished a couple of print books this past week, and absolutely loved Hello Stranger on audio!

This week is another IRL book club read, and looking at library book due dates, I have quite a few I need to read this week.

I am terribly behind on the #GoldenAgeCrimeClub books, but I finally finished one (several months late…but oh well).

At first, I had great difficulty following the storyline. The characters are pretty terrible people too. But, once I became accustomed to the writing style, I had to find out what happened. And all of the red herrings and utter craziness of everyone…well, let‘s just say I did not expect the ending. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

A reread for me and finished up this morning with #Zeke . This is a good start to the Bookmobile Cat mystery series, featuring a librarian, her cat, and murder, and a bookmobile. What I appreciate most is the setting in Michigan and the descriptions used - I‘ve never been to Michigan, but I could envision the town and the countryside. It was fun to revisit this book for my IRL cozy mystery book discussion. #CatsOfLitsy

I nearly sobbed at times listening to this one, as Sadie navigates life with a condition that begins suddenly. It‘s sweet, reflective, humorous, with some dashes of romance. I loved listening to Sadie‘s growth and her journey to acceptance in a variety of things in her life.

While I enjoyed The Bodyguard just a smidge more, I absolutely loved this one. So good! #52BookClub23 #TitleStartingWithTheLetterH