I barely read last week—it wasn‘t exactly a good mental health week. But, I read Nancy (and amazing discussion thus far on the book!) and managed to complete an audiobook for a #NetGalley review.

This week will be catching up on every other #buddyread and other books. And practicing the mantra that “things will get better.”

Happy Reading!

It‘s time for our discussion, #LittenDetectives ! It‘s a little hard to discuss two very different storylines, but let‘s try anyhow. 😂

I have 6 questions posted as spoilers that can be found on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching #NancyDrewBR . Respond whenever, and feel free to add anything else you wish to discuss!

Next month‘s The Message in the Hollow Oak also features very different storylines. More when I post tomorrow!

Phantom boats, pirated records, an iron bird, and noggin knockouts galore! Nancy has a couple new mysteries on her hands, thanks in part to Carson Drew asking for her help. Another fun read! #NancyDrewBR

#LittenDetectives : Tomorrow is discussion day! Questions will be posted late morning Eastern time!

Thanks for the tag, @DebinHawaii and @Eggs !

This has been a week with some not so good mental health moments…I know a few Littens tagged me in amazing things, so hopefully I can catch up. I‘m hoping I can refocus this weekend!

My 5 joys:

Always the boys!
I officially signed two contracts for freelance work (very small, but it‘s a start)
The arrival of my Aardvark Book
Cooler mornings
Working from home!

#5JoysFriday

This slow burn novel has a quiet intensity to it, as Marina grapples with personal change and a struggling family business. Marina‘s sorrow and heartbreak is felt throughout the novel, and Sophie Amoss, who voice narrates the book, has the perfect tone for this constant turmoil. The narrative takes a hard look at a patriarchal society, Croatian family life, and includes triggers of miscarriage and infidelity.

There‘s also a lot of hope ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Last week I reached my Goodreads goal of 125 books and managed to complete 4 books, despite not having lots of reading time the last few days.

This week, I have a library book to finish, catch up on this Sunday‘s #SundayBuddyRead section, and read this month‘s Nancy Drew. I‘m also behind on #ShardlakeBR , but am enjoying it so far.

Happy Reading!

I‘m in the minority of the #HashtagBrigade to say I liked the novel. Gaskell, whose husband was a Unitarian minister and lived near the factories and mills of England, sets as her MC a “fallen” woman and her path to redemption. This was a bit controversial at its initial publication, and it certainly is darker and more rooted in faith and redemption than her other novels. But, I get the sense that she is shaming her Victorian audience ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Despite a few snarky remarks about women, I liked this one. It‘s my first time reading a Nero Wolfe mystery, so I was not quite prepared for the man himself and his gruff manner. Told from the perspective of his assistant, Goodwin, Wolfe has to sort out a puzzle connected to a death.

I‘d consider reading another in the series! #192025 #1955

I had excellent reading days on Sunday and Monday!

I‘m still a bit behind on a few #buddyread titles, but I completed one book and one audiobooks.

Thanks for hosting, @TheSpineView !

#ForTheLoveOfBooks

This had a lot of promise, but I found myself wondering when the narrative would actually get to the baseball part…

This is a fictionalized account of Effa Manley, who did much for African American baseball and its players. Yet, over half of the book takes place before she becomes involved in baseball. True, it shows her desire for notoriety and her refusal to lose, which prepares the reader for her actions while in baseball. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Though Charlie‘s frequent worries over big family decisions seemed to take away from the actual mystery, I had fun getting back into Charlie and Diesel‘s latest case. And yes, librarians are all about free food and drinks at a conference, especially with very strict per diems (I know that from experience).

An interesting twist at the end that I did not see coming!

Great discussion so far on last month‘s book! Feel free to jump in at any time for the discussion.

September‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is an exploration of family secrets.

Read at your own pace throughout the month. I will post periodic checkins. Discussion on September 30th!

Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list!

We‘re two weeks away from our next #NancyDrewBR discussion, #LittenDetectives !

Remember, there is a massive difference between the original edition and the revised edition. A few of you were able to snag the old edition; it‘ll be interesting to see the changes in the story.

Questions posted on September 15th!

September #BookSpinBingo board!!

I swear I did not pick at this month‘s #BookSpinBingo ! Here is my September list.

I love the cover of my edition for this month‘s #PemberLittens #HashtagBrigade read!

How is it September?!?

I completed 2 books last week, both good reads. I‘m still working on August #buddyread titles—the day got away from me yesterday!

This week, I have an IRL book club book to read, as well as begin September buddy reads. My hope is to read lots over this extended weekend, so we will see.

Happy Reading!

So sorry for the posting delay, #LiteraryCrew !

Can you believe that there are no pre-existing discussion questions for this book? That added to the delay! But, 8 questions are now posted as spoilers. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group hashtag.

Anything else to add, just comment below! Thanks for reading with me!

Hey #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead participants!

Tomorrow is our discussion for this book, and from what reviews I‘ve seen, there‘s lots of love for this!

I usually post questions early AM on the US East Coast, but questions may be posted a little later in the day. Never fear, though!

To get us ready, the Folger Shakespeare Library in DC interviewed the author for thief podcast. Link in the comments.

I had planned to spend a good portion of this extended weekend reading, so this is perfect!

Goals:

📚#BuddyRead titles—I have a few for August I still need to complete
📚 Read library books
📚 Catch up on lingering reads—those I‘ve been reading for awhile

Happy reading, everyone!

#ForTheLoveOfBooks

Remote island. Despicable people. Dark secrets. Then, a body. While I liked The Hunting Party by Foley, I liked this one a bit more. There were twists I did not see coming—and a few gasps as they were revealed—set on an island with its own share of ghosts. Peat bogs? Cemetery? Abandoned houses? You know that‘s a recipe for a spooky atmosphere!

#52BookClub24 #TheOtherBookWithASimilarPlot (I‘m tying this to The Twelve Days of Murder).

An intense holiday read! Eve not only has to navigate her first Christmas with her loved ones, but a killer using Christmas spirit is taking out people linked in one specific way. We see more of Eve‘s constant battles with her past abuse and her desire to live a happy life. At times heart pounding, another good entry in the series. #InDeathLongReadalong

Last week was a great reading week, with 6 completed books, half being buddy reads.

This week is seeing what I can finish up by the end of the week!

Happy Reading!

I am terrible at listening to nonfiction—I rarely pick up the audio version. But, I‘ve wanted to read this one, and it is not readily available at the library but was available through my Audible membership.

While I got bogged down with so many dates & people, I think that‘s more to do with my issue as a listener rather than the book. Loxton writes of the London satirists in the 18th century, a topic not really covered in general histories. ⬇️

A fascinating collection of short stories—some better than others—that showcase the genius of Sherlock Holmes.

#NoPlaceLikeHolmes

Those who read My Friend Anna, especially the #SundayBuddyRead crew, may be interested or horrified to know that Anna Delvey will be on the USA Network reality game show The Anonymous. I swear, I was only doomscrolling on FB when I saw this!

My skin actually crawled when I saw this! Link to more info in comments.

September‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead takes the group on a tour of discovery—after learning the truth about her mother, Sophie journeys to Paris to gather more information.

This is a low key buddy read. Read at your own pace. I will post periodic checkins throughout the month. Discussion will take place on September 30th!

All are welcome! Please let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list!

When I found a #picturebook by Keith Richards in the library database, I knew I had to get it! This is for kids in elementary school and details Richards‘ time with his grandfather and Richards‘ first guitar. I probably love this one more for the fact that this is by Richards (I loved his memoir Life…you should read it!), but the story itself has wisps of nostalgia to it. I really liked it. #BBRC #LetterG

I‘m sure there are some that will find this hysterical. For me, it‘s okay. I‘m not the biggest fan of Black‘s comedy, so I‘m not the right reader for this. I can see kids adoring it, however. #BBRC #PictureBook #LetterN

Thanks for the tag, @Texreader !

1. Read the book
2. Do laundry
3. Read, but I do also enjoy listening to a book
4. Chocolate
5. Pen
6. Answer them—that‘s the librarian and history nerd in me!
7. Meet an author, though I am working on a short story collection…
8. Neither—I‘m vegetarian
9. Online
10. Snowy

#WondrousWednesday

This is a light pick for me—I got the overall gist of the story, but sometimes struggled with what exactly was going on. Dystopian is not my typical genre, but given its ties to current day issues, I knew I had to read this with the #RandomClassics group. I am glad I read it. #192025 #1953

I think this one is better than the first!

Molly the Maid is back, and this time a famous author dies during a press conference at the hotel. The reader learns a bit more about Molly‘s past with her grandmother and how current events interconnect with the past. Another good mystery, and I did not find Molly‘s thoughts and awkwardness as hard to read as in the first book.

The writing style for this book slowly grew on me, and I knew I had to finish it this morning…based on a true story, Alice Diamond is a strong woman made tough by her background and her takeover of her father‘s gang. I like that the narrative balances the darkness with light, how Alice constantly struggles between duty, honor, justice, and a desire for a normal life. Parts are graphic, and parts made me tear up. Good choice for #SundayBuddyRead !

I really liked the mystery of this and the unique perspective of the unfolding story from the eyes of Molly. Molly is socially awkward and thinks differently than others; this at times makes for some uncomfortable situations. However, it‘s the treatment of Molly by everyone else for most of the book that had me put the book down after a few chapters and walk away for a bit. Her treatment hit a bit too close to home for me. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

I managed to complete 2 books last week and make my way through a few #buddyread titles. Mystery and haunting seemed to be the theme!

This week, I need to prepare for my upcoming IRL cozy mystery book group, and I anticipate finishing a couple more buddy reads.

Happy Reading!

We‘re two weeks away from our discussion for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead title! Judging by the comments I‘m seeing, there‘s been lots of love for this one.

Discussion on the 31st!